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Biggest portal addition for each Big Ten team: The east
With Big Ten rosters rounding into shape, we take a look at every Big Ten team’s biggest transfer portal addition, starting with the east side of the conference.
'Win within Edinburgh's grasp but for poor kicking'
Edinburgh have played four games in the past two seasons that have been officiated by Andrea Piardi and have lost all of them. On paper, we should have had a chance against Leinster but by now we all know that the paper lies. A few decisions felt like they went against Edinburgh, least of all the chalked-off try on the 25 minute mark.
Why Exercise Science Still Treats Men As the “Default” Body
New research suggests that long-standing assumptions about sex and gender continue to shape how studies are designed, interpreted, and reported.
'System in flux': Scientists reveal what happened when wolves and cougars returned to Yellowstone
Large carnivores are both clashing and coexisting in the western United States. Although wolves dominate cougars and steal their prey, cougars' shift from elk- to deer-heavy diets, paired with a rugged landscape for escape, might help cougars avoid violent wolf encounters.
What Happens If Science Finally Explains Consciousness? A New Study Explores the Consequences
Consciousness remains science’s greatest mystery. A new study explores how it arises—and why solving it could reshape existence.
We Were Wrong About How Much Your Genes Shape Your Lifespan
A surprising twist was hiding in the data.
Stardew Valley Turns 10: The Big ConcernedApe Interview
We sat down with Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone for a lengthy interview not about the game's beginnings, but about its journey over the last 10 years, and its future.
Lewes still working toward home-based business regs
Lewes Mayor and City Council put the ingredients of a proposed reconstituted home-based business ordinance through a new blender Jan. 28. The ordinance was the main topic of the first working session, a new format designed to allow council members...
New poll shows 45% of US voters identify as independents, shifting away from major political parties
A growing share of Americans are distancing themselves from both major political parties, a trend that's reshaping the electoral landscape.
MAHA has reshaped health policy. Now it's working on environmental rules
WASHINGTON (AP) — On New Year's Eve, Lee Zeldin did something out of character for an Environmental Protection Agency leader who has been hacking away at regulations intended to protect Americans' air and water.
MAHA has reshaped health policy. Now it's working on environmental rules
MAHA activists who want to hold corporations accountable for harming Americans’ health have found an unlikely ally in a Republican-led Environmental Protection Agency that has traditionally supported big businesses and less regulation.
MAHA has reshaped health policy. Now it's working on environmental rules
MAHA activists who want to hold corporations accountable for harming Americans’ health have found an unlikely ally in a Republican-led Environmental Protection Agency that has traditionally supported big businesses and less regulation
MAHA has reshaped health policy. Now it's working on environmental rules
In the face of aid cuts, Gates Foundation narrows its priorities and defends global health funding
The CEO of the Gates Foundation said it will not change course in the face of the collapse of the foreign aid system but instead continue focusing on its main priorities.
Basketball box scores, other sports results for Monday, February 2, 2026; Tuesday's schedule
MONDAY’S RESULTS Boys Basketball WPIAL CLASS 6A Section 1 New Castle 60, Fox Chapel 47 Fox Chapel 10 8 5 24 — 47 New Castle 11 12 10 27 —...
Scientists just mapped the hidden structure holding the Universe together
Astronomers have produced the most detailed map yet of dark matter, revealing the invisible framework that shaped the Universe long before stars and galaxies formed. Using powerful new observations from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, the research shows how dark matter gathered ordinary matter into dense regions, setting the stage for galaxies like the Milky Way and eventually planets like Earth.
Sports on the Air for Tuesday, February 3: TV, radio schedule in Kansas City
See the television and radio listings for live and same-day taped sporting events in the Kansas City area for Tuesday, February 3.
Chiefs Drive Momentum for Girls Flag Football During Week of National Girls & Women in Sports Day
Wichita Sports Commission Panel, Super Bowl Week Participation, and Upcoming Kansas Sanctioning Vote Highlight Pivotal Support for the Sport
Cheifs Drive Momentum for Girls Flag Football During Week of National Girls & Women in Sports Day
Wichita Sports Commission Panel, Super Bowl Week Participation, and Upcoming Kansas Sanctioning Vote Highlight Pivotal Support for the Sport
Baladins Is An Adorable Tabletop-Inspired Co-Op RPG With A Papercraft Aesthetic
Coming to Switch later this month
Minorities in Sports Business Network hosts A Toast to Black Sports luncheon at Super Bowl LX
SAN FRANCISCO – Former NFL linebacker Takeo Spikes, NFLPA executive Carl Francis, and longtime corporate strategist Debra Langford will be honored for their community engagement at the fourth annual A Toast to Black Sports luncheon, a private gathering of Black sports leaders during the week before Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Sponsored by the […]
Public health crisis unfolding in Minneapolis as residents avoid healthcare
Providers are arranging home visits and telehealth as neighbors pick up prescriptions, groceries and diapers
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.
ICYMI: Paper Mario-Styled RPG 'Escape From Ever After' Has Launched On Switch
And it's riding high on Metacritic
America's K-Shaped economy is breaking fast food's old playbook
Usually, fast-food consumption is a reliable recession indicator, but in a K-shaped economy, the old playbook has broken down, analysts say.
Geneva campus moves ahead with major science center buildout
A major new science complex is taking shape in Geneva as Hobart and William Smith Colleges finalize plans for the Fish Center for the Sciences, a four-story facility designed to bring multiple STEM disciplines under one roof. With design work nearly complete, the $25 million project marks one of the largest academic investments in the… MoreGeneva campus moves ahead with major science center buildout
‘Ending the HIV Epidemic’ Health Fair set for Feb. 11
The Office of Community Advocacy and the Florida Department of Health (DOH) in Miami-Dade County will join various community providers to co-host the annual “Ending the HIV Epidemic” Health Fair....
UK Chiefs’ Confidence Jumps in Latest Sign of Economic Momentum
UK business confidence leaped to its highest in eight months, adding to evidence that the economy may be gaining momentum after the budget.
Escape from Tarkov ducks for its first major crossover event
Battlestate Games has confirmed its first major crossover event is on the way, and it's with Escape from Duckov.
February is Heart Health Awareness Month
When it comes to your child's health, do you think much about their risks for heart disease? Probably not, since so much of keeping kids healthy means dealing with the sore throats, scraped knees, and other ailments happening now.
750-year-old Indian poems reveal a landscape scientists got wrong
Old Indian poems and folk songs are revealing a surprising truth about the land. Scientists found that descriptions of thorny trees and open grasslands in texts written as far back as the 1200s closely match today’s savannas in western India. This suggests these landscapes are ancient and natural—not ruined forests. The discovery could reshape how conservation and tree-planting efforts are planned.
Meet the JPMorgan beauty banker who shaped Rhode's $1 billion sale
When cosmetics meets corporate finance, JPMorgan's Fei-Fei Zhang is often at the intersection. Here's what she predicts for the business of beauty.
Healthcare experts warn 'people will die' unless state steps up amid federal cuts
As massive federal cuts are upending the health care system in California, analysts and health care professionals are urging the state to soften the blow by creating new revenue streams and helping residents navigate through the red tape.
Howie Carr: Just another chip from Massachusetts’ anti-business block
Most of the production had long since been transferred to free American states, but Cape Cod Potato Chips left a footprint behind, in Hyannis. The little factory used to be a decent-sized tourist a…
Super Bowl 2026 picks: Who our sports department thinks will win - and by how much
Football's biggest day of the year is Sunday. Who do Cape Cod Times sports staff pick to win Super Bowl 60? New England Patriots or Seattle Seahawks?
How Marty Looney shapes CT politics: Patience and persistence
Sen. Martin Looney plays the long game in the CT Capitol, thanking Gov. Ned Lamont for some things while pressing him to do more, much more.
How Chinese short-video streaming firms are reshaping Latin America's media landscape
Short-drama apps, many with Chinese origins, are making significant inroads in Latin America as the region becomes more affluent, research shows.
Farmers tell BBC Politics East why they are protesting again
Farmers want better support to deal with rising production costs and cheaper imports.
Scientists discover hidden geometry that bends electrons like gravity
Researchers have discovered a hidden quantum geometry inside materials that subtly steers electrons, echoing how gravity warps light in space. Once thought to exist only on paper, this effect has now been observed experimentally in a popular quantum material. The finding reveals a new way to understand and control how materials conduct electricity and interact with light. It could help power future ultra-fast electronics and quantum technologies.
Social media reacts to UNC controlling Georgia Tech Saturday afternoon
Here's how social media reacted to UNC earning a solid win at Georgia Tech on Saturday afternoon, just its second ACC victory away from Chapel Hill.
Not me watching this man destroy a 70-something Karen at the grocery store in the most satisfying way possible 💀
"Not all heroes wear capes; some wear AirPods."
SoxFest 2026 Friday night takeaway: Setting the foundation for success
Chris Getz and Will Venable stress youth and culture as White Sox rebuild takes shape
Health Department releases food inspection reports for week of Jan. 18
Find out how your favorite restaurant, convenience store and other food establishments in Jefferson County are performing on Health Department inspections.
Book Review: “Do Aliens Speak Physics?” asks whether science is truly universal or shaped by the limits of human experience
Andy Warner and Daniel Whiteson have created a witty, illustrated inquiry into what the search …
IN PHOTOS: Adaptive winter sports for veterans
Armed services veterans spent a week conquering challenges at Mount Sunapee.
The Detroit News now part of USA TODAY Network
The Detroit News is officially part of USA TODAY Co.’s network of more than 200 newspapers.
Recent openings, closings and other updates to Pierce County's business scene
Explore recent openings and other updates to Tacoma-area businesses.
How gene loss and monogamy built termite mega societies
Termites did not evolve complex societies by adding new genetic features. Instead, scientists found that they became more social by shedding genes tied to competition and independence. A shift to monogamy removed the need for sperm competition, while food sharing shaped who became workers or future kings and queens. Together, these changes helped termites build colonies that can number in the millions.
Protesters to demand resignation of Hungarian politician for anti-Roma remark
Thousands set to gather in Budapest after János Lázár’s remarks captured on video
Michael '5000' Watts dies after battle with health complications
Watts helped shape Houston hip-hop from neighborhood streets to international stages.
Beyond your insurance card: How Covered California is changing health care
A quality overhaul is improving chronic care--and sending grocery aid and college savings to families who need it most.
Owner of Wichita accounting business charged with 50 counts in federal court
She is accused of using client money for personal expenses, including more than $11,000 to the Plastic Surgery Center, court documents say.
Chicago businesses close or fundraise as part of 'National Shutdown Day' to protest ICE
A nationwide boycott called “National Shutdown Day" is taking shape today. Here’s what’s happening in Chicago.
Scientists discover molecule in space that hints at origin of life
A 13-atom molecule containing sulfur has been discovered in interstellar space for the first time, providing insight into the origins of the chemistry of life.
CHANCELL-ING: UC Davis AI Research is Transforming Health Care
Imagine this scenario: Doctors know a small number of patients will face life-threatening complications after an illness, but they need to scan millions of records to identify the patients in need of intervention. It’s a task that would consume weeks and keep practitioners from other care needs.
Designing the future of metabolic health through tissue-selective drug delivery
Founded by MIT alumni, the biotech firm Gensaic develops protein carriers that can deliver therapeutic molecules to specific tissues and cells.
Tech CFOs face a new challenge: Selling unprecedented capex as ‘disciplined’
Meta and Microsoft CFOs frame AI spending as disciplined, demand-driven.
California Crypto Billionaires Plan to Spend Tens of Millions on Moderate Candidates
Chris Larsen and Tim Draper, two outspoken Silicon Valley leaders, are planning to spend tens of millions of dollars to elect moderate state lawmakers this year.
A World Safe for Autocracy: How Chinese Domestic Politics Shapes
China studies expert Jessica Chen Weiss of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies reveals how the Chinese Communist Partyʼs pursuit of domestic survival, which balances sovereignty, security, and development, drives
Dr. Michael Greger’s Bias Is Food for Thought
How can we distinguish between a sufficiently objective science communicator and an advocate? Communicating science to the public means choosing scientific papers, reading them, and appraising their
Atrium Health parent boosts pay for workers in Charlotte and the Carolinas
More than 165,000 Advocate Health workers to receive a bump in pay for minimum wage, as company expands health and retirement perks.
Science Fair spotlights student talent in STEM
The Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance Science Fair, returning Feb. 12, is an annual event that not only inspires young minds in Green Country but also showcases the potential of Oklahoma’s
Can Science Still Afford Serendipity?
Serendipitous observations have shaped science for centuries. What happens to such discoveries when the academic atmosphere leaves no room for detours?
Several Bellingham businesses will close Jan. 30 for nationwide ICE protest
“It’s time to speak up in the best way to make our government listen: the money in their pockets.”
How Tesla’s grand robotic vision shapes their future business - and how much Musk gets paid
Genes may shape how long we live more than once thought
New research challenges the view that human life span depends mostly on lifestyle. Genes may account for half the factors that determine longevity.
Make an Honest Living in Three New GTA Online Odd Jobs
Join the ranks of the Los Santos Fire Department as a Firefighter, load up delivery vans for Alpha Mail as a Forklift Operator, or deliver the old-fashioned printed version of the Los Santos Meteor with a Paper Route in three new Odd Jobs now available...
Best of gameday entertainment from 2025
Take a look back at the best shots of gameday entertainment from the 2025 season at Allegiant Stadium.
Jackson Health CEO to step down. Who will be the new leader?
Carlos Migoya has led Jackson for nearly 15-years and is credited with saving the hospital system from financial ruin.
The chemical genius of Katharine Burr Blodgett
The story of a woman whose discoveries in materials science quietly shape our everyday world but whose legacy was long eclipsed by the famous scientist she worked with at the General Electric Company
Samsung’s confusing Galaxy S26 pricing raises base model cost, but makes Ultra cheaper
New reports reveal that Samsung is, in fact, planning to raise the price of the Galaxy S26 series, but only...
Monkey Business: Using Genetics to Understanding Decision-Making in Monkeys
Abigail Morris first visited the Peruvian Amazon when she was 6 years old. Now, as a Ph.D. candidate in the Animal Behavior Graduate Group, she has returned to study how seasonal flooding affects the behavior, diet and population genetics of two species of monkey: monk sakis (Pithecia monachus) and large-headed capuchins (Sapajus apella macrocephalus).
Hims & Hers Super Bowl Ad To Spotlight The Health-Wealth Gap
Narrated by Common, HIms and Hers' 2026 Super Bowl ad highlights how income disparities shape health outcomes—and position affordability as part of the solution.
Top 100 transfer portal players for 2026: Destinations and impact projections
There's a ton of talent on the move, and it has the potential to shift the balance of power across the college football landscape
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.
California’s health care workforce crisis is a policy choice
“California should redouble our own state investments in health care workforce pathways and financial support for students.”
Abortion Pill Safety Decisions by FDA Were Science-Based, New JAMA Study Finds — The Monitor
A new study found the FDA’s abortion pill decisions followed scientific evidence, as misleading claims about the drug’s safety continue to shape public understanding. And Google removed some health AI summaries after a Guardian investigation reported that AI-generated summaries contained false and potentially dangerous health information.
Mia Bonta pleads for ‘pandemic-level’ response to Feds’ gutting of Medi-Cal
Up to two million of the state’s lowest-income people may lose health insurance due to federal changes. Bonta wants to lead the charge to stop that.
Escape from Washington? Senators look to start new chapters as governors
U.S. senators are increasingly looking to leave Washington for leadership roles in their home states
Escape from Washington? Senators look to start new chapters as governors
U.S. senators are increasingly looking to leave Washington for leadership roles in their home states.
Are These Unprecedented Times for Science, Really?
A science historian looks to the past to understand our current moment, and how ghostwriting in scientific papers is harming public trust.
N-able Ushers in New Era of Business Resilience Fueled by AI
BURLINGTON, Mass., January 29, 2026--N-able, Inc. (NYSE: NABL), a global software company delivering an end-to-end cyber resilience platform, today announced enhanced AI capabilities across its platform to help organizations operate securely, efficiently, and resiliently as AI reshapes both cyberthreats and IT complexity.
Senegal boss Thiaw banned after Afcon final chaos
Senegal manager Pape Thiaw his banned for five games after the chaotic scenes during the Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
North Allegheny defeated by Fox Chapel, 44-33
North Allegheny hosted the Fox Chapel Foxes at UPMC Court on Wednesday night in a Section 1-6A contest. Neither offense was very explosive but the Foxes did enough offensively to defeat the Tigers by a score of 44-33. NA got a three-pointer from Will Robertson in the opening frame but trailed 10-5 after a quarter of play. Cole… More »
Behavioral Health as Economic Infrastructure
As behavioral health shapes productivity and inclusion, Catalight is building sustainable care models fit for the global economy
Convicted sex offender tried to rape a woman in a business, police said. They're searching for other victims
Convicted sex offender arrested for attempted rape inside DTLA business, captured in Skid Row
Kansas basketball joins CBS Sports Classic event through 2029
Kansas basketball is still in the midst of its 2025-26 season, but the team’s schedule for 2026-27 — and the future — is taking shape. Here’s more.
Sacramento Bee adds political reporting firepower at California Capitol
Ben Paviour will join The Bee next month as California Political Power Reporter, delivering exclusive storytelling on Statehouse politics.
Disney Entertainment Television Unveils 2026 Directing & Writing Program Participants
EXCLUSIVE: Disney Entertainment Television has chosen its participants for the 2025-26 Directing and Writing Programs, talent development initiatives which connect emerging writers and directors with opportunities across DET’s scripted and unscripted television slate. “This year’s cohorts reflect the bold, original voices that will help shape the next era of television,” said Tim McNeal, senior vice …
Samsung's Cool New Gadget Has The First Display Of Its Kind In The World
The 13-inch Samsung Color E-Paper features the world's first display housing made in part with a bio-resin crafted from phytoplankton, a type of microalgae.
Obituary: Ajit Pawar, the mercurial leader who stepped out of his uncle's shadow
Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash, reshaped Maharashtra's politics in surprising ways.
iPhone 18 Pro Could Feature Teleconverter Alongside Variable Aperture
Apple's rumored new variable aperture camera system for this year's iPhone 18 Pro models has reached the sampling stage, according to a new claim from a Chinese leaker. Posting on Weibo today, the account known as "Smart Pikachu" said the feature had entered late-stage engineering samples, while a teleconverter is also "under evaluation" for the device. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to launch in September 2026.
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
Thousands of Californians move to Idaho every year. Who are they?
They’ve faced, at times, a chilly welcome from Idahoans. What the data tell us about the state’s largest group of newcomers.
Doctors, veterans fear near-total abortion ban at VA will put women’s health at risk
The VA’s new rules prevent abortions even in the case of rape or incest. VA Sec Doug Collins is expected to be questioned about it when he testifies Wednesday.
Doctors, veterans fear near-total abortion ban at VA will put women’s health at risk
The VA’s new rules prevent abortions even in the case of rape or incest. VA Sec Doug Collins is expected to be questioned about it when he testifies Wednesday.
Historic $300-billion wave of business acquisitions set to reshape Canada’s economy: BDC study
Key findings: 61% of small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are led by owners aged 50+; nearly one in five plan to exit within five yearsCompanies that acquire other businesses earn four times the profits of non-acquirersFor every 10 buyers, only seven are sellers—competition for strong businesses is fierce MONTREAL, Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada’s business landscape is on the brink of a major transformation. A new study by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) reveals thou
MLB teams that spent the most money this offseason
The hot stove has officially cooled into a pile of ash and receipts. While some front offices spent the winter guarding their wallets, others treated the luxury tax threshold like a mere suggestion, handing out nine-figure contracts to reshape the…
Samsung Debuts 13-Inch Color E-Paper, a World-First Display Built With Bio-Resin Derived From Phytoplankton
Built with UL-verified phytoplankton bio-resin materials, the display delivers ultra-low-power performance with local and remote management via Samsung E-Paper App and Samsung VXT
OpenAI’s latest product let’s you vibe code science
OpenAI just revealed what its new in-house team, OpenAI for Science, has been up to. The firm has released a free LLM-powered tool for scientists called Prism, which embeds ChatGPT in a text editor for writing scientific papers. The idea is to put ChatGPT front and center inside software that scientists use to write up…