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Five things America, and California, might not know about Gavin Newsom
Governor’s memoir reportedly offers revelations but also draws attention to details of Newsom’s early years that may have been forgotten.
Sony confirms WF-1000XM6 release date in first official teaser
Sony has confirmed the long-awaited release date of its WF-1000XM6 earbuds. Dubbed rather grandiously as the 'next generation of earbuds', Sony has offered a peek at its design too. The successors to the WF-1000XM5 can already be viewed in two colours though, thanks to recent leaks.
White House Offers Shifting Story on Gabbard’s Presence at Georgia Raid
President Trump said Thursday that Attorney General Pam Bondi had directed Tulsi Gabbard to be present for an operation at an election center. It was the administration’s fourth explanation for her presence.
7 ways to make sporting events more affordable for families
Many of our local teams provide unique offerings to ensure that families aren't priced out of the live game experience. Here are seven of our favorites.
AmEx Debuts Flexible Payments for Small Businesses
American Express (AmEx) has debuted its Flexible Payment Option (FPO) for small businesses. The new offering, announced in a Thursday (Feb. 5) news
Could singing help people with MS? Louisiana patients find connection in a choir
Music activates multiple parts of the brain. For people with MS, a choir is exploring what singing together can offer.
Mamdani endorses Hochul for reelection as New York governor
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has endorsed Gov. Kathy Hochul for reelection, offering the moderate governor some progressive heft in her campaign for a second full term
VIEW Hims and Hers Health's compounded Wegovy pill offering fuels market jitters
Hims & Hers said it would begin offering compounded versions of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill at an introductory price of $49 per month.
Frozen on the Ice: The Brain Science Behind Perfect Olympic Timing
Research from Carnegie Mellon University helps explain why that split-second pause happens and how the brain controls it, offering insight not only into elite athletic performance, but also how people make everyday decisions when the outcome isn’t clear.
Exclusive: Hims and Hers Health launches copy of Wegovy pill at $49
Online telehealth company Hims and Hers Health will begin offering copies of Novo Nordisk's new Wegovy pill at an introductory price of $49 per month, the company said Thursday, about $100 less than the brand name.
1 of 4 in the US for Advanced Brain, Spine Tumor Diagnostics
UConn Health, JAX partner to offer methylome profiling, enabling precision treatment
Analysis: Trump obliterates an aide’s efforts to downplay his comments – again
At this point, when an aide or adviser to Donald Trump offers to translate something the president has said, you should probably assume they have no idea what they’re talking about.
Exclusive | Trump Administration to Make It Easier to Fire 50,000 Federal Workers
A rule expected to be completed on Thursday would create a government-employee category that offers fewer job protections.
Liverpool have ALREADY decided Curtis Jones' £65m midfield successor
Inter Milan were linked with a shock move for Curtis Jones during the January transfer window. Jones, 24, is reported to have been offered the chance to move to San Siro on an initial six-month loan d...
Atlanta opens small business resources ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Mayor Andre Dickens is rolling out new business resources through city programs like Showcase Atlanta and Invest Atlanta. The programs offer help to small businesses, so they can reach new customers ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mobile showers traveling around DC area to help homeless with health, hygiene
A mobile trailer is hitting the DC region to offer frequent showers to the local unhoused population.The three-unit shower, one being handicap accessible is a
'Becoming' media moguls? Michelle Obama, Melania Trump pursue Hollywood
"Melania," the first lady's documentary offers a differing approach to the Obamas' turn in Hollywood after they exited the White House.
We Tested 35 Phones for the Best Battery Life. These 2 Brands Topped the Field
Phone battery life has always been important, but which brands consistently offer the longest battery life? After extensive testing, we've found the two leaders.
Cone Health Doctors Can Better Predict Heart Attacks
Cone Health is the first place in North Carolina offering Heartflow Plaque Analysis technology to help people avoid heart attacks.
Greece Buy Now Pay Later Business and Investment Opportunity Report 2026: A $1.25+ Billion Market by 2031 from $434.7 Million Market in 2025 Featuring Viva Wallet & Klarna, PayPal, and Finloup
The BNPL market in Greece presents key opportunities in retail and e-commerce, driven by strong growth and consumer adoption. Opportunities exist across business models, sales channels, and end-use sectors like retail, travel, and healthcare. Understanding consumer behavior and leveraging KPIs offers strategic insights for market entry and expansion. Greek Buy Now Pay Later Market Greek Buy Now Pay Later Market Dublin, Feb. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Greece Buy Now Pay Later Business and
Mexico Buy Now Pay Later Business and Investment Report 2026: A $13.85 Billion Market by 2031 from $3.98 Billion in 2025 Featuring Kueski, Mercado Pago, Aplazo, Nelo, and Atrato
The BNPL market in Mexico and South Korea offers robust growth prospects. Key opportunities lie in diverse retail and e-commerce sectors, driven by consumer trends and innovative business models. Understanding consumer behavior and leveraging a variety of distribution channels remain critical for market expansion. Mexican Buy Now Pay Later Market Mexican Buy Now Pay Later Market Dublin, Feb. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Mexico Buy Now Pay Later Business and Investment Opportunities Databook
Pokémon to Celebrate 30 Years with Yearlong Campaign, Kicking Off with New Super Bowl LX Spot
Additional Anniversary Offerings and Merchandise Available Beginning Today, Leading Up to Campaign Debut
A hidden cellular process may drive aging and disease
As we age, our cells don’t just wear down—they reorganize. Researchers found that cells actively remodel a key structure called the endoplasmic reticulum, reducing protein-producing regions while preserving fat-related ones. This process, driven by ER-phagy, is tied to lifespan and healthy aging. Because these changes happen early, they could help trigger later disease—or offer a chance to stop it.
Interventional cardiologists take on angiography-derived physiology in new expert opinion
ADP offers care teams multiple benefits not seen with traditional wire-based physiologic assessments. A roundtable of 17 expert clinicians discussed the topic at length, and their findings were used to develop a new manuscript published in JSCAI.
Carbon Health files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy relief with more than $100M in debt
Primary care company Carbon Health filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy relief in Texas. | The company, which offers both in-person care at nearly 100 clinics and virtual care services, said Monday it reached a restructuring agreement with its existing lenders that establishes a "clear path to recapitalization and new ownership."
Xcode moves into agentic coding with deeper OpenAI and Anthropic integrations
Xcode 26.3 offers agentic coding capabilities with Anthropic's Claude Agent and OpenAI's Codex.
As a Virtual Boy owner I can confirm the Switch 2's NSO offering is alarmingly accurate and an essential history lesson
Nintendo's Virtual Boy is coming to Switch, and we've tested it and compared to experience with the real thing.
Business of aging certificate offers resume-building credentials for senior living
The certificate has recently been refreshed with new training modules benefiting anyone connected to or aspiring to work in the senior living industry.
Aluminium: Why Google’s Android for PC launch may be messy and controversial
The Verge is about technology and how it makes us feel. Founded in 2011, we offer our audience everything from breaking news to reviews to award-winning features and investigations, on our site, in video, and in podcasts.
Prep talk: City of South Gate offers glimpse into neighborhood sports worship
The community in South Gate comes out for high school sports, with three schools near one another. South Gate and South East will play in a Friday Eastern League basketball game.
University Of Science And Technology, Korea Offers Fully Funded Scholarships
Study In South Korea: Students planning to pursue higher education in South Korea can apply for the UST Scholarship 2026.
Orsted Sells Onshore Business to Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners for $1.7 Billion
The company has been working through a major restructuring that includes a large-scale divestment program to free up funds and shore up its coffers.
James Harden trade landing spots: Cavaliers have compelling offer, but what about Rockets reunion?
These three destinations could work if James Harden is dealt again by Thursday's trade deadline.
Galaxy Buds 4 may not have Galaxy Buds 3 like quality and reliability issues
Samsung has reportedly prioritized quality and reliability in the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro over simply offering more features.
San Francisco Small Businesses to Sue PG&E Over Losses From December Power Outages
Business owners and residents say the financial credits offered by the utility don’t reflect true financial damages.
Musk joins his rocket and AI businesses into a single company before an expected IPO this year
NEW YORK (AP) — Elon Musk is joining his space exploration and artificial intelligence ventures into a single company before a massive planned initial public offering for the business later this year.
Musk joins his rocket and AI businesses into a single company before an expected IPO this year
Elon Musk is joining his space exploration and artificial intelligence ventures into a single company before a massive planned initial public offering for the business later this year.
Science Museum Oklahoma offers donations-only admission for Founder's Day
That means in lieu of admission, guests may give any amount they choose in order to enter on Feb. 9.
The Value of the Mays MBA is Higher Than Ever - Mays Business School News
As Mays Full-Time MBA students graduated in December, each one walked the stage with confidence, pride, and a job offer in hand. While recent reporting from The Wall Street Journal and The Economist highlights decreasing
Adobe Firefly offers unlimited image and video generations
Adobe is removing generation limits from Firefly, giving subscribers unlimited image and video generations across. But you have to act quick.
Vanderbilt Health acquires Tennova’s Clarksville hospital and related physician clinics from Community Health Systems
Leaders with Vanderbilt Health announced today completion of the acquisition of Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville Hospital and freestanding emergency room Tennova ER-Sango, along with the hospital’s related businesses, including physician clinics and outpatient services, from Community Health Systems Inc. (CHS). Vanderbilt Health has held a 20% minority interest in these operations since 2021. Under Vanderbilt Health’s ownership, the 270-bed hospital will be named Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital (VCH) while the freestanding Sango ER will be named Vanderbilt Emergency Sango. Also joining the Vanderbilt Health system through the acquisition are physician practice locations in Clarksville, Dover, Pleasant View and Tiny Town offering, depending on location, orthopaedics, primary care, wound care, digestive health, urology and surgical services. Acquisition of the hospital and its related physician practices expands Vanderbilt Health’s ability to serve patients across the region, supporting its ability to provide high-quality care in more convenient, community settings that are also more cost-effective. “We are thrilled to welcome Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital into our health system. Providing exceptional care close to home is invaluable, and we are eager to serve the citizens of Clarksville and Montgomery County by expanding the hospital’s programs and services,” said Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, President and CEO of Vanderbilt Health and Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. This acquisition marks Vanderbilt Health’s fourth regional hospital expansion, further strengthening its presence across Middle Tennessee beyond its already extensive inpatient and ambulatory services in Nashville. VCH joins Vanderbilt Health’s network of regional medical centers that now include Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital in Lebanon, Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital in Coffee County, and Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital in Shelbyville. With a strong record of growth and investment in people, programs and services for its regional hospitals, residents of Clarksville, Montgomery County and the surrounding region can expect that Vanderbilt Health will bring a host of adult and pediatric services to the area. Initial plans for VCH over the upcoming year include increased staffing for the hospital’s emergency services, including the addition of pediatric emergency medicine specialists with Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, along with increased surgical specialty offerings. Longer term, physicians and staff will be recruited to bring a broader array of adult and pediatric specialty services to the community. “I am delighted to welcome the physicians, nurses and staff of Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital into the Vanderbilt Health family and look forward to working closely with the hospital’s medical staff and members of the local health care community to ensure we excel at meeting their needs as caregivers as we pursue the goal of improving the health and wellbeing of the patients we serve,” said Jane Freedman, MD, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Health System Officer for Vanderbilt Health. Currently, VCH employs approximately 1,100 staff and more than 30 physicians. Through this acquisition Vanderbilt Health has committed to hire substantially all current employees who are in good standing. Services already established by Vanderbilt Health at VCH include an OB-GYN hospitalist program, an array of oncology services provided by a multidisciplinary team with Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, and neonatal care in the hospital’s Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit provided by specialists with Monroe Carell. VCH has been designated as an Accredited Chest Pain Center and a Wound Care Center of Distinction and has earned the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission. More information about Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital is available at: vanderbilthealth.com/hospital/vanderbilt-clarksville-hospital
Brand-New Hit PS5 Exclusive Game Already on Sale on PS Store
A brand-new, acclaimed PS5 console exclusive adventure game is on sale on the PS Store, offering players a limited-time launch discount.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: Advancing health equity through collaborative care
Collaborative care models offer a proven blueprint for improving outcomes among Black Americans with HIV.
U.S. Bank Business Shield™ Visa® Card Offers Intro 0% APR for up to 18 Billing Cycles
New business credit card offers rewards and access to Spend Management platform to monitor, track, and control spending U.S. Bank, a leading provider of payment services and solutions, today announced a new business credit card designed to help small business owners navigate fluctuations in finances and resources: the U.S. Bank Business Shield™ Visa® Card . The U.S. Bank Business Shield™ Visa® Card offers small business owners a new solution for navigating expected and unexpected expenses. This new business credit card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles when applying at any U.S. Bank branch and 12 billing cycles when applying in digital channels – all with no annual fee. Plus, cardholders can enjoy a suite of benefits to help navigate the foreseen - and the unforeseen - needs of their small business. “The Business Shield Visa card is designed to help business owners navigate the unpredictable financial and resource challenges that
'Not just an arcade': The Black-Barn opens in Gaylord
The Black-Barn offers activities like axe throwing, archery, laser tag, arcade games and much more.
These AI notetaking devices can help you record and transcribe your meetings
These physical notetakers transcribe audio and give users summaries and action items of meetings using AI. Some even offer live translation.
UF Health patients left confused, frustrated after gender-affirming care ban
The SHCC encouraged students utilizing gender-affirming care to seek alternative health care providers. It offered assistance in finding alternative providers and transferring medical records.
Health care workers hold vigil to honor and remember Alex Pretti
Hundreds of health care professionals, their families and other supporters gathered Sunday to remember and honor Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by federal agents last week. WeCare organized the event and said it was to offer a space to grieve, show solidarity and remember.
'Melania' documentary earns $7 million opening weekend
"Melania," which debuted in theaters on January 30, offers audiences a glimpse into first lady's life leading up to the 2025 inauguration.
Video What to know about having a healthy heart
Dr. Jessica Shepherd offers tips on diet, testing, and screening as a way to prevent cardiovascular disease.
GNU Hurd Is "Almost There" With x86_64, SMP & ~75% Of Debian Packages Building
Samuel Thibault offered up a status update on the current state of GNU/Hurd from a presentation in Brussels at FOSDEM 2026
Lou Holtz's son shares health update after college football coaching legend enters hospice care
Skip Holtz, one of Lou Holtz's sons, offered a health update on the college football coaching legend on Sunday as his father has been in hospice care.
Xbox Game Pass Perks and free benefits for February 2026
Here are all the Xbox Game Pass Perks and benefits for February 2026, which offer in-game goodies for several titles, including Fallout 76.
Baby dinosaurs were the backbone of the Jurassic food chain
Despite growing into the largest animals ever to walk on land, sauropods began life small, exposed, and alone. Fossil evidence suggests their babies were frequently eaten by multiple predators, making them a key part of the Jurassic food chain. This steady supply of easy prey may explain why early predators thrived without needing extreme hunting adaptations. The findings offer a rare glimpse into how dinosaur ecosystems truly worked.
Gossip: Magpies reject £20m bid for Willock
Fulham have had a £20m offer for Joe Willock rejected by Newcastle United, who will not sanction a move for the 26-year-old English midfielder unless they find a replacement. (Talksport)
Macau Gaming Revenue Beats Estimate on Entertainment Offerings
Macau’s gaming revenue rose 24% in January, beating analyst estimates as casinos in the world’s biggest gambling hub continued to rely on perks like free concert tickets and entertainment offerings to lure high-spending travelers.
Wellness Studio offers mental health support in welcoming environment
Baton Rouge clinic features uniquely designed therapy rooms and experienced staff.
Community health fair offers free screenings, honors Jackie Robinson
Dozens of families gathered at the Lincoln Neighborhood Service Center for a community health fair hosted by the Bethel AME Church Health Is Life Ministry.
New NKY clinic to offer cardiology, women’s health, labs and primary care under one roof
The Christ Hospital Health Network is expanding into Northern Kentucky with a new $16 million outpatient center.
The 4 best wired earbuds for super-reliable sound, tested by editors
Wired earbuds can offer superior sound quality, and they never run out of battery. Here are the four best pairs our editors found after years of testing.
Wisconsin communities invest in sports tourism to grow hosting opportunities
Tournaments and games — large and small — offer tourism sector opportunities. A pair of Green Bay sporting facilities have projects built around expanding tourism.
Wisconsin communities invest in sports tourism to grow hosting opportunities
Tournaments and games — large and small — offer tourism sector opportunities. A pair of Green Bay sporting facilities have projects built around expanding tourism.
Where older adults find all-in-one care and a place to belong
A new Seattle clinic offers an unusual model of health care for aging adults, with a goal of letting them live independently for as long as possible.
Arts and entertainment calendar
Events coming up in the Greenville area offer music, arts, theater and family fun. Here is a sampling. Due to the inclement weather forecast, events may be postponed or canceled.
2026 heart health faculty experts list
February is American Heart Month. The University of South Carolina is home to many faculty members who are available to offer their expertise in cardio care and research.
Central Nebraska to host Ag Health and Safety Day Feb. 3
An agricultural health and safety event will take place Feb. 3 at the Dayspring Bank Event Center in Gothenburg, offering farmers and ranchers a comprehensive look at industry safety beyond traditional approaches.
Missouri sports betting tops $543M in first month but deductions leave state with only $521K
Missourians placed more than half-a-billion dollars in bets on sporting events in December but promotional offers offset the taxable profits.
Samsung’s $2,900 Galaxy Z TriFold sells out in minutes despite offering no trade-ins
The price might be high, but the demand appears even higher.
Black History Month at Hofstra Showcases Art, Politics, Culture, and Business
Black History Month, and every month, is an opportunity to educate, listen, and lift one another. Hofstra University offers a comprehensive selection of events, covering the arts, politics, history, and culture. Our Unfinished Revolution(s)Hofstra University Museum of ArtOpening reception, Th
Nick Sirianni explains the Eagles' decision to hire Sean Mannion
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni offers some perspective to the Sean Mannion hire.
Medical sciences bachelor’s program prepares students for graduate programs - UT Health San Antonio
The Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences program, offered through the School of Health Professions, provides a rigorous science curriculum, clinical practicums and personalized support to help students prepare their applications to graduate medical, dental, physician assistant and other health science professional degree programs.
Local Small Business Owner Opens Pak Mail Inside of His Existing Accounting Business in Springville, Alabama--Offering Shipping and Office Services
Annex Brands, Inc., one of the leading franchisors in the packing, shipping and office services industries, is excited to announce the opening of its newest Pak Mail location inside of Chapman Accounting Solutions in Springville, AL to new owner, Edward Chapman. This new Pak Mail is set to offer a wide range of essential shipping and office services to the local community, making it easier to provide more service to more people in more places.
Jean-Philippe Mateta transfer news: Oliver Glasner confirms striker will not feature against Nottingham Forest amid AC Milan interest
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has confirmed Jean-Philippe Mateta will not feature against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, live on Sky Sports; AC Milan have made an offer worth £35m to sign Mateta and Nottingham Forests bid for him remains on the table
A 65km hike into Norway's vanishing rural past
The Stølstruta offers hikers a responsible, respectful way to witness a pastoral tradition that has disappeared almost everywhere else in Europe.
Yankees Potential Free Agent Target: José Quintana
The Yankees need another arm to insure against an early-season disaster, and Quintana offers a solid floor for the money.
Portland businesses closing Friday for 'National Shutdown' strike amid federal immigration concerns
Multiple businesses and restaurants across Portland are expected to close Friday, Jan. 30, in solidarity with a “National Shutdown” strike responding to growing concerns over federal immigration enforcement nationwide. The […]
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's an offering of the best of this week's crop, picked fresh off the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
Minneapolis business owners create ‘community of kindness’
From fundraising for immigrant families to offering free food, local business owners in Minneapolis are doing what they can to help their community during increased federal immigration enforcement.
Microsoft explores bringing Linux-like top menu bar to Windows 11 with new PowerToys feature
Microsoft's PowerToys team is exploring a new feature that would add a menu bar to the top of the Windows desktop, offering power user shortcuts similar to the menu bar on a Mac or Linux distro.
HOMETOWN ENTERTAINMENT: Cabin fever setting in? There are some great events to keep you busy this weekend
From classic rock tribute bands to music celebrating Black History Month, our hometowns have a lot to offer this weekend.
Predictions market regulator scraps proposed ban on sports contracts, says new rules are coming
Contracts on live sports offered by Kalshi, Polymarket and others have drawn comparisons to the wave of legalized sports betting in the U.S.
Health Care Provider Consolidation
I. Issue Overview Ongoing consolidation among hospitals, physician practices, and other providers poses a serious challenge to the U.S. health care system—offering potential benefits to some but also with significant worrying impact on rising health care prices. Provider consolidation remains pronounced among both hospitals and physician practices. The share of hospitals operating independently declined from … Continued
Glow Golf, Blind Boxes, and DIY Crafts Bring New Entertainment and Retail to South Shore Plaza - Boston Real Estate Times
Braintree, Mass.— South Shore Plaza, the premier shopping and dining destination south of Boston, has unveiled three new additions aimed at expanding its interactive and creative offerings: Aloha Mini Glow […]
Will Republicans break their losing streak on health care reform?
Republicans have repeatedly failed to successfully field an alternative to ObamaCare, but their new “Great Healthcare Plan” released in January offers some promising ideas, such as pric…
Spring Health to buy Alma as AI rapidly reshapes mental healthcare market
Spring Health, a company that offers digital mental health care and navigation services, plans to acquire Alma to expand its offerings and tap into the startup's deep roster of health plan partners | Spring Health, a company that offers digital mental health care and navigation services, plans to acquire Alma to expand its offerings and tap into the startup's connections to health plans.
Comcast sheds more broadband customers as wireless competition mounts
Comcast lost more broadband customers than expected in the fourth quarter, as rivals lured away consumers with aggressive offers, piling pressure on the company's mainstay business.
Small Business Promotion Week: WashSmart Laundry
You won’t find any coins at this laundromat. WashSmart Laundry in North Arlington prides themselves not only on being coinless, but they also offer the latest high-powered, energy-efficient washers and dryers that not only clean faster but leave clothes “feeling softer.”
Exclusive | Spring Health to Buy Alma in Merger of Mental-Health Startups
Venture-backed digital-health startups are using mergers and acquisitions to expand offerings as AI competition intensifies.
Older adults’ driving habits offer window into brain health, cognitive decline
Research Highlights: A study of over 200 adults followed for five years found that greater white matter damage in the brain was linked to decreased driving, fewer trips, repetitive routes and having more driving errors, especially in those who later ...
Tiny mammals are sending warning signs scientists can finally read
Small mammals are early warning systems for environmental damage, but many species look almost identical, making them hard to track. Scientists have developed a new footprint-based method that can tell apart nearly indistinguishable species with remarkable accuracy. Tested on two types of sengi, the system correctly identified them up to 96% of the time. It offers a simple, ethical way to monitor ecosystems before they quietly unravel.
Martens are focus of Yampatika community science program
Pacific martens are the focus of a community science program being offered by the local nonprofit Yampatika. “Caught on Camera: Using Trail Cams for Science” will teach attendees about the elusive Pacific marten, a small,...
Betly expands online casino offering through new partnership with Inspired Entertainment
Delaware North’s Betly iCasino in West Virginia today announced a new partnership with Inspired Entertainment, a leading provider of innovative online casino content.
Economic Forecast 2026: Key Opportunities For Small Business
Small businesses face cost pressures and uncertainty in 2026, but untapped pricing power and greater agility than large competitors offer paths to stronger growth
Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors: Bucks listening on deals for star
Giannis Antetokounmpo has indicated he's ready to move on from the Bucks, and Milwaukee is reportedly willing to listen to offers. Here's the latest.
Black History Celebration to feature special concession offerings, in-arena entertainment
The Sabres will celebrate Black excellence in WNY during their game against the Kings on Jan. 29.
Apple Creator Studio launches today, and it's an incredible value
Two weeks ago, Apple announced its brand new Apple Creator Studio bundle, offering its suite of creative apps for a...
Investment and Statecraft: The International Politics of Sovereign Wealth Funds - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
In 1953, Kuwait established the world’s first sovereign wealth fund to invest the country’s oil revenues and generate returns that would reduce its reliance on a single resource. Since then, over 100 separate funds have been created to preserve national wealth and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. Today, they manage over $10 trillion in global assets. In this discussion with GJIA, political economist Kathryn Lavelle explains the increasingly novel dynamics that surround fund behavior and what the world can come to expect from their growing presence in international financial markets. GJIA: When it comes to the roles sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) play in global markets and politics, what would you say makes them unique? Kathryn Lavelle: Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) operate on behalf of governments as investors. That in itself is a strange relationship. Within them, a core contest takes place between the state’s interests (or sovereign) part of the dynamic, and the money interests (or wealth) part of it, and these two aspects are frequently in contradiction, serving fundamentally different goals. SWFs are also quite fascinating because when you talk to the people who manage these funds, they have an interest in convincing you that the decisions are made almost exclusively on a financial basis—they really will go to great lengths to differentiate their government owners and those who make the management decisions. At the same time, these people ultimately answer to someone in power. Therefore, for most SWFs, it remains deeply unclear who is actually making the investment decisions and for what purposes. Of course, it is not always clear how other vehicles, such as hedge funds and private equity make the decisions they do, but I think what a lot of people find particularly disconcerting about SWFs is that they seem to act on behalf of people who have a different identity from their own. People who could be trying to manipulate politics and markets in a way that would have a long-term effect on their own populations. Regular investors come and go at will, and they only share an interest in profit as far as most of us understand. However, SWFs have that extra “sovereign” part right behind them that obscures their true interest. GJIA: These funds can be found in countries all across the globe, in both authoritarian states and democracies. Would you say SWFs differ in their goals and structures between regime-type? KL: It is not necessarily regime type that makes the goals and structures of SWFs different. It has to do with their economies. Let’s look at a country like China. There’s going to be a debate about exactly how to characterize the regime, but it is a country with many different kinds of sovereign wealth funds, and a particularly opaque state connection to each. At one time, some of the state-owned Chinese oil companies created specialized investment vehicles listed outside Chinese markets that excluded parts of the firms that were more associated with human rights violations. At the same time, the China Investment Corporation (CIC)—China’s largest SWF—draws a lot of concern, not necessarily because of its investment activities, but because of the dynamics of global politics. So, I wouldn’t really tie differences to regime types themselves in a wholesale way, but rather to how such funds are perceived and how they are structured. Saudi Arabia’s SWF is getting all kinds of attention for its involvement in Hollywood, and this takes me right back to when I was a student in the 1980s, when people were concerned about Japanese investment entities buying assets in Hollywood. They aren’t quite the same in financial terms, but it’s the same kind of concern about foreign investment that drives people to be suspicious, and the whole idea that “foreigners are influencing Hollywood.” This holds true across industries, and it reflects where politics are in places like the United States right now. One metric we can try to look at is transparency, where all the funds will tell you, “we are transparent.” The problem you’ll keep running into with this approach is how you value things. When trying to do comparative studies of equity markets, you’ll find that every country doesn’t use Generally Accepted Accounting Principles like we do in the United States. A fund may appear opaque politically and not want people to show what they’re invested in or what their intent with that investment is, but they could also just not be able to report it because of the way it was purchased, or the kinds of shares they purchased. There are some assets out there that really are difficult to put a monetary value on. GJIA: To what extent do domestic politics shape SWF behavior in both the investing “home” country and the recipient “host” country? KL: This depends on the type of fund present and also on the extent to which voters’ political views are able to influence the fund. For example, in a democratic home state like Norway, the SWF doesn’t invest in nuclear weapons or tobacco because of social concerns, but there is a continuing debate over whether it should invest in oil, even though that’s where most of the money comes from. The degree to which Norway will continue to make those investments, and whether they contradict the government’s overall climate goals, is an open question in Norwegian politics. Because of the way the fund’s governance is structured, it may not be easy to resolve. On the other hand, some people consider pension funds, like the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) in Ohio, to be quasi-SWF. They have a very strict separation between the people who make up the management division and the fund owners. No teacher or professor would want to invest in things that may harm the future of their students. At the same time, a fund manager might see an opportunity in a diversified multinational corporation that offers a good return, despite it deriving part of its revenue from e-cigarettes. These contests are very apparent. Domestic politics can work in host countries too. A good example is Singapore’s SWF, Temasek, investing in Thailand’s telecommunications sector. If you study political economy, you already know that countries everywhere are uncomfortable with foreign ownership of their telecom sectors because a foreign entity could monitor or manipulate our communications with each other. In the case of Temasek, there was significant pushback from Thai citizens surrounding the deal, which went on to influence national political sentiment toward Singapore as a whole, underscoring the risks some SWFs may face with their investment choices. In this case, fund behavior led to the dissolution of the entire Thai government in 2006 and a subsequent coup d’état. GJIA: To address some of this unease, the Santiago Principles were established in 2009 to ostensibly promote trust and transparency. From your perspective, have these mechanisms actually changed fund behavior? KL: In international relations theory, we always like to have a clear set of norms and best practices—the orientation we want the proverbial ship to be going in. In that regard, the Santiago Principles at least got the discussion going about which direction SWFs should take at a time when people were very skittish about the growing size of these funds. Nobody wanted them to be out there and potentially destabilizing economies, so talks about disclosure, conditions for withdrawal, and the independence of managers were helpful when initiated. The biggest stumbling block was that there wasn’t exactly a good way to measure compliance with the Principles, let alone how to hold funds to them. If you read the Principles, they’re overall quite vague. In general, a fund doesn’t want to reveal how and why they make certain investment decisions because that information is proprietary—a fund makes money off of how and why it makes decisions—so how do you reconcile that with loosely-defined ideas of openness? Some decisions might have a political purpose. The bottom line is that trying to figure out and assign a score to compliance is not easy, and it is therefore the reason why the Santiago Principles never really got off the ground to the point where they could truly direct fund behavior. GJIA: Many emerging markets are looking to build their own SWFs from mineral and oil revenues. Historically, have funds shaped development trajectories in these countries? KL: I think the big story in international emerging markets investment is that the investment is increasingly no longer unidirectional. In the past multinational corporations of primarily Western background were the main form of foreign direct investment in a country. That has changed dramatically, to the point where you have companies from so-called “developing countries” taking over companies in the United States. Therefore, the landscape of international investment has changed, and I think SWFs are certainly a possibility to be the next step in the game. Historically, you didn’t need an entire financial vehicle to reinvest commodity revenues in your country, but as emerging markets get more financially sophisticated, their capacity to operate such funds has increased. SWFs would allow treasuries to move from relying on holding foreign exchange assets like cash or government bonds to having broader financial markets and targeted growth areas, while easing pressure on welfare expenditures. GJIA: With their increasing financial weight, do you see the presence of SWFs being a factor in the political choices leaders will have to make with regard to domestic and foreign policy? KL: It will depend on just how big the funds get. One of the reasons people are already apprehensive is because of their scale, and if certain SWFs in certain countries achieve a large-enough size, the presence will absolutely be cause for concern. The other factor political leaders will have to consider are their objectives. It’s not always clear how to define a SWF, or even where its activity is concentrated, but it is certainly a worry from the perspective of national security of opaque external investment. More than that, I think one of the most interesting questions going forward is whether the United States, the home to the world’s largest financial markets, will develop its own fund, for which the Trump administration announced a plan. There have also been several proposals in Congress. Were it to come into being, it would have tremendous weight. At the same time, one of the hallmarks of U.S. capitalism is a lack of government ownership of shares, so it would not be clear how such a fund would be received in domestic politics, or which direction it would take. Given how politically fragmented the country is, a Democratic administration would likely be concerned about different sectors of the economy, such as healthcare, and want investment there, rather than a Republican administration, which might prefer defense industries. No investment vehicle could thrive under conditions of such instability. Moreover, it remains unclear where the money to fund a theoretical U.S. SWF would come from. It would be a fundamentally different entity depending on whether it is financed with debt, economic surplus, commodities, or the sale of state companies, as in the case of Singapore. If it is debt, or government borrowing of some form, then the fund would have to outperform whatever the cost of that debt is, which is not an easy thing to do. I think our political leaders have enough on their plate. Our system has worked well keeping political and investment functions generally separate. We have seen different forms of business rise and fall, and even the perception of different countries, all of which funds are tied to. Unless a major SWF either starts—like in the case of the United States—or collapses—an issue that concerns the Saudis, I don’t see any political tsunamis on the horizon. . . . Kathryn Lavelle is the Ellen and Dixon Long Professor of World Affairs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Her research explores the exchange between domestic and international and political institutions with a particular emphasis on political economy and multilateralism. Dr. Lavelle’s first book, The Politics of Equity Finance in Emerging Markets, explored the political circumstances that surround large issues of stock in the developing world. After being granted tenure at Case Western, she was awarded an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship and named the William A. Steiger fellow, a designation given to the most promising political scientist in her class of fellows. While in Washington during 2006-2007, she worked on the staff of the House Committee on Financial Services on issues related to domestic and international monetary policy. Dr. Lavelle holds a PhD in political science from Northwestern University; an M.A. in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia; and a bachelor’s degree in international economics from Georgetown University. She is a permanent member of the New York Council on Foreign Relations. This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length. Interview conducted by Sid Mehrotra. Image Credit: Jason Leung, Unsplash Content Licenses, via Unsplash
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