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Starbucks' first investor day in years was a sneak peek of its future
Two Business Insider reporters attended Starbucks' Investor Day and got a firsthand look at how the brand plans to build momentum with its turnaround.
Health officials warn of possible measles exposure at LAX, Disneyland
Public health officials say international travel may be linked to potential exposures in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Prep Sports Recap: Jan. 31, 2026
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) – The winter high school sports postseason is officially underway as IHSA boys wrestling regionals were held around Illinois on Saturday. 2A powerhouse Washington won their tournament at Metamora with eight separate wrestlers winning weight class titles. In 1A, Olympia cruised to a regional title at Dee-Mack with seven weight class titles. […]
Famed Las Vegas music club closing after 17 years
A hit in New York City, Don’t Tell Mama ran on Fremont East and, since 2019, Neonopolis.
SPORTS: Chief Sealth IHS flag-football team headed to state
Congratulations to the Chief Sealth International High School flag-football team, for earning a trip to the state tournament. Head coach Melvin Estes-Glaspie's Seahawks finished third in the district tournament with a 28-14 win this afternoon over, and at, Renton. When the state matchups are set, they'll be on this page; quarterfinals are at ...
Woad eight shots off lead after play suspended in Orlando
Lottie Woad falls eight shots behind the lead at the Tournament of Champions after blustery conditions in Orlando lead okay to be suspended.
Delaware basketball teams support mental health services in the 'SL24 Basketball Classic'
To honor the life and legacy of Sean Locke, Delaware basketball teams participated in a fundraising tournament.
Shohei Ohtani WBC Announcement Will Give Dodgers Fans Relief
Los Angeles Dodgers fans no longer have to worry about Shohei Ohtani throwing out his arm during the upcoming World Baseball Classic. That’s because the world’s greatest player won’t be pitching in the WBC, as reported by multiple sources on Saturday. It is apparently Ohtani’s decision not to pitch in the tournament. Ohtani delivered another […]
Why Haven't The Guardians Added Anymore Bats This Offseason?
The Cleveland Guardians have tried to add external bats, but remain committed to their young core.
The P&Q Interview: Africa's Rabat Business School Looks To Seize The Moment Amid International Talent Shifts
Rabat Business School Dean Nicolas Arnaud on Africa’s rise, global rankings, and why the continent is drawing business schools’ attention.
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.
Recent openings, closings and other updates to Pierce County's business scene
Explore recent openings and other updates to Tacoma-area businesses.
Hundreds of political prisoners in Venezuela could be released under new amnesty bill
Venezuela's acting president announces amnesty bill that could free hundreds of political prisoners, including opposition leaders and journalists.
Axiom wins fifth private astronaut mission to space station
NASA has selected Axiom Space for its fifth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, scheduled for 2027.
Michael '5000' Watts dies after battle with health complications
Watts helped shape Houston hip-hop from neighborhood streets to international stages.
Venezuela announces bill that could lead to mass release of prisoners detained for political reasons
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez on Friday announced a bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners, including opposition leaders, journalists and human rights activists detained for political reasons.
How PFAS harm our health — and why they’re everywhere
What do non-stick pans, firefighting foam and many of our couches, carpets and cosmetics have in common? They’re all made with PFAS. The so-called forever chemicals helped spur innovation, but they’re also insidious to human health. Horizons moderator William Brangham explores these chemicals and how we can protect ourselves with investigative journalist Mariah Blake and scientist Laurel Schaider.
How PFAS harm our health — and why they're everywhere
What do non-stick pans, firefighting foam and many of our couches, carpets and cosmetics have in common? They’re all made with PFAS. The so-called forever chemicals helped spur innovation, but they’re also insidious to human health. Horizons moderator William Brangham explores these chemicals and how we can protect ourselves with investigative journalist Mariah Blake and scientist Laurel Schaider.
NASA Selects Axiom Space for Fifth Private Mission to Space Station
NASA and Axiom Space have signed an order for the fifth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch no earlier than
Orange County health officials confirms second measles case in toddler
The Orange County Health Care Agency on Friday confirmed a second measles case, this time in a toddler with no reported international travel. “Measles is highly contagious. The risk is particularly…
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.
Notre Dame women’s basketball officially on March Madness bubble watch
After losing at Cal on Thursday night, Notre Dame is on bubble watch for the NCAA Tournament. Hannah Hidalgo's awards aren't guaranteed either.
10 Questions With... Randall Milstein, who teaches about science, astronomy and the role of science fiction in popular culture
10 Questions with… Randall Milstein, professor of teaching. He teaches astronomy and energy alternatives classes in the physics department, and also teaches in the Honors College. He represents OSU as its affiliate representative for the Oregon Space Grant Consortium. He enjoys engaging with the public on topics of science, astronomy and the role of science fiction in popular culture.
Developer buys Trinity International campus for $20M to create youth sports complex
The project stands to breathe new life into a large suburban property that has been underutilized since Trinity closed in-person undergraduate programs there in 2023.
Developer buys Trinity International campus for $20M to create youth sports complex
The project stands to breathe new life into a large suburban property that has been underutilized since Trinity closed in-person undergraduate programs there in 2023.
Don Lemon Arrested in Connection with ICE Protest Coverage
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that the former CNN anchor and three others — including another journalist — were taken into custody.
Vaulted Deep Named Honoree for the Wichita Business Journal Innovation Awards
Vaulted Deep, a waste management and carbon removal company, has been selected as an honoree for the 2026 Wichita Business Journal Innovation Awards. The award recognizes Vaulted's work modernizing waste management infrastructure while delivering tangible economic and environmental benefits for Kansas communities.
Pace(R) Earns Environmental Business Journal Award for Adding Respirable Crystalline Silica Testing
Company awarded Business Achievement Award for New Practice in 2025 MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA / ACCESS Newswire / January 30, 2026 / Pace® Analytical Services, the preferred provider of regulatory testing and analytical laboratory services, and a Division ...
Health Rounds: Apple watches help patients monitor a common heart disorder
Apple watches are proving useful in screening for the common heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation, or AFib, according to two studies published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Don Lemon taken into custody
Journalist Don Lemon was taken into custody on Thursday night, according to his attorney.
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
Sources: Main Street Sports facing real possibility of liquidation
Unless 11th-hour financing can coerce its nine MLB teams to stay put, Main Street Sports Group could have little choice but to file for Chapter 7 and immediately liquidate its business next week
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.
March Madness bubble watch: Indiana becomes NCAA Tournament contender
The NCAA men's tournament bubble will only get shorter as February rolls around, and Indiana has inserted itself into the March Madness conversation.
International Companies Doing Business With ICE Are Taking Heat
A number of companies have found themselves facing questions about their work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid the agency’s intense operation in Minnesota.
Leon Goretzka move collapses: Atletico Madrid move onto other options
Atletico Madrid have been forced to look at other alternatives to Leon Goreztka with just four days left in the transfer window, after the Bayern Munich midfielder turned down a move to the Metropolit...
Nash County leaders warn of potential measles exposure at UNC Health Nash
The Nash County Health Department is alerting the public after an unvaccinated child who recently traveled internationally tested positive for measles following a visit to the UNC Health Nash Emergency Department.
Fundamentals of healthcare delivery science for the non-health systems scientist: the final step in translational research for late-life psychiatric and neurocognitive disorders
Neuropsychopharmacology - Fundamentals of healthcare delivery science for the non-health systems scientist: the final step in translational research for late-life psychiatric and neurocognitive...
Fundamentals of healthcare delivery science for the non-health systems scientist: the final step in translational research for late-life psychiatric and neurocognitive disorders
Neuropsychopharmacology - Fundamentals of healthcare delivery science for the non-health systems scientist: the final step in translational research for late-life psychiatric and neurocognitive...
NASA considering alternatives for Gateway logistics
NASA is at a “crossroads” in deciding how to handle logistics for the lunar Gateway as it considers alternative approaches.
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.”
U.S. Department of State and National Football League Sports Diplomacy Partnership - United States Department of State
Today, the U.S. Department of State and the National Football League (NFL) announced a partnership to support and enhance the Department’s sports diplomacy initiatives and to collaborate on major sporting events, including international NFL games, the Super Bowl, and the debut of flag football at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles (LA28). As American […]
Science Politics communicates science, tech and policy to a broad audience | School of Foreign Service
Science Politics, a new STIA publication, blends academic rigor with journalistic storytelling to reach scholars, policymakers and the general public.
Science Politics communicates science, tech and policy to a broad audience | School of Foreign Service
Science Politics, a new STIA publication, blends academic rigor with journalistic storytelling to reach scholars, policymakers and the general public.
‘OPB Politics Now’: ICE, transportation and a looming state budget hole
Oregon lawmakers return to Salem, plus the Republican gubernatorial primary field continues to expand.
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.
A defining week at Davos
Davos was a standout week for Business Insider, bringing our journalism to life on the world stage through standout reporting, smart products, and high-impact events.
Fiesta Bowl to host women's flag football tourney
The Fiesta Bowl will host an eight-team women's collegiate flag football tournament in April, the Fiesta Sports Foundation announced Thursday.
Business Insider wins first duPont-Columbia Award
Columbia Journalism School has named Business Insider a 2026 duPont-Columbia Silver Baton winner.
New Perspectives on EU Climate Politics using Text-as-Data Methods
This Collection invites research on EU climate governance, climate communication, climate policy diffusion within and outside the EU, and climate policy ...
How stroopwafels and saffron tiramisu fit into Starbucks' plan to get to 40,000 stores around the world
The CEO of its international business doesn't see anti-U.S. feeling hurting business.
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…
Fighting for Stronger Political Transparency | IFES - The International Foundation for Electoral Systems
We stand ready to support all actors in strengthening the integrity of political finance around the world.
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.”
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.
Civic Science Media: Reimagining How We Communicate Science
A 2022 award winner of the National Academies’ Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications, J.D. Allen discusses his civic science media framework, his nuclear energy broadcast initiative, and how incorporating community engagement and solutions-focused journalism improves science storytelling.
IDF accepts Gaza Health Ministry estimate of over 70,000 Palestinians killed in the war
Although Many International Experts Have Accepted the Health Ministry's Data as Reliable, and Even Conservative Relative to the True Death Toll, Israel Had Refused to Accept the Health Ministry's Count Until Noiw
Super Bowl LX sets up Patriots Seahawks rematch
Super Bowl LX reignites New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks rivalry, while Bad Bunny brings international star power to halftime show.
Captain 'essential' Fernandes - FPL team of the week
With a juicy run of fixtures coming up and his team in top attacking form, Bruno Fernandes is an easy captain choice this week, writes Thomas Woods.
Alibaba to merge with China's Zelos on $2 billion robovan business, WSJ reports
Alibaba's logistics arm plans to merge its autonomous-driving unit Cainiao with China's Zelos Technology, forming a new entity valued at approximately $2 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
International Business Machines Corp (IBM) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Record Revenue ...
IBM reports its highest revenue growth in years, driven by software and infrastructure performance, while setting ambitious goals for AI and hybrid cloud advancements.
International Business Machines Q4 Earnings Call Highlights
International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) executives highlighted a year of accelerating growth and record cash generation during the company’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings call, pointing to strong performance across Software and Infrastructure and outlining expectations to sustain momentum into 202
Business Coach Arnaud CZ Releases Free Course to Help Corporate Fathers Build Side Income Amid Rising Job Uncertainty
PRAGUE, CZECHIA, Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arnaud CZ, founder of the $100k Dad system, specializing in corporate-to-entrepreneur transit...
Internal review contradicts Trump administration on Alex Pretti shooting : The NPR Politics Podcast
An initial internal review into federal immigration officers’ fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last weekend contradicts the description of the incident by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. We discuss President Trump’s shifting messages on immigration policy and how his administration’s efforts to restrict legal immigration pathways are changing the political environment. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, immigration policy correspondent Ximena Bustillo, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and Lexie Schapitl, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
Henry Cavill suits up for eternal battle in first look at long-gestating 'Highlander' reboot
After a long wait, Henry Cavill shares the first look at his turn as Connor MacLeod in Chad Stahelski's upcoming 'Highlander' reboot: 'This has been quite the journey for me.'
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.
Fact check: Trump says Democrats don’t talk about affordability anymore (they do) because inflation is over (it isn’t)
President Donald Trump tried Tuesday to concoct an alternative reality on the subject of “affordability” – piling lie on top of lie to try to convince Americans that the issue has vanished.
Live Nation Entertainment, DF Entertainment, and Dale Play Live Enter Into Long-Term Partnership With Club Atlético River Plate at Mâs Monumental Stadium
Live Nation Entertainment today announced a long-term partnership with Club Atlético River Plate, alongside DF Entertainment, Argentina’s leading international live entertainment company; and Dale Play Live, Argentina’s leading Latin live entertainment company, to further elevate Mâs Monumental Stadium as one of the world’s premier destinations for global touring artists and…
Paramount+ plans move into short-form video, UGC: internal docs
Paramount executives want to add short-form video and user-generated content to Paramount+, according to leaked emails and presentations.
Cleveland Browns to hire Todd Monken as new coach
The Cleveland Browns agreed to hire Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as their head coach, a league source told UPI on Wednesday.
Exclusive: Bertelsmann launches $200M health tech fund
The fund launch reflects growing international investor interest in digital health.
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Arctic scientists 'feel pretty uncomfortable' on Greenland
Science in the Arctic — and Greenland — is on the frontline of pressing challenges facing humanity, like climate change and genetics. Some researchers worry international collaboration is at risk.
Wilmington basketball tournament puts focus on raising funds for mental health
The two-day SL24 Basketball Classic returns to the Chase Fieldhouse to honor Sean Locke, raise funds for mental health programs and encourage open conversations.
Is Wyoming hoops stuck in purgatory within modern college basketball?
Every season for a reasonably successful mid-major university begins in a similar fashion. They schedule a few in-state cupcakes as the season and home openers before, if they are lucky enough, participating in an ever-declining MTE tournament during the week of Thanksgiving. Throw in a dash of high-major money labeled as “buy games” to help […]
Internal messages reveal teams, jobs affected in Amazon layoffs
Amazon is laying off 16,000 corporate employees. Internal messages show that many of the affected employees had software engineering roles.
Starbucks Says Turnaround ‘Ahead of Schedule’ as Sales Rebound
The coffee chain’s stock jumped after a better-than-expected earnings report.
Inside the reincarnation of Palo Alto's beloved sports bar
The beloved Stanford spot has a lot of homages to its former version inside.
New WhatsApp lockdown feature protects high-risk users from hackers
Meta has started rolling out a new WhatsApp lockdown-style security feature designed to protect journalists, public figures, and other high-risk individuals from sophisticated threats, including spyware attacks.
Dave Chappelle, Jon Stewart to pair up for Ohio show
The two outspoken comedians will talk about independent journalism and other topics during an event benefiting Yellow Springs radio station WYSO.
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
Commentary: They said Katie Porter was dead politically. I checked her pulse
A one-two punch of unflattering videos caused many to write off Porter's gubernatorial candidacy. But the former O.C. congresswoman remains a top contender.
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.
Leaked Starbucks org chart shows who's who behind its turnaround
Org charts reveal a company's power structure. A copy of Starbucks' chart shows who's helping CEO Brian Niccol drive the chain's turnaround.
TARC to sell West End business center to community group
With approval from the TARC board, a purchase agreement for the Nia Center is expected to be signed by the end of the week.
Yes, romance & fantasy novels are political. : It's Been a Minute
How do romantic tropes and fantasies impact how you understand politics?You might be a fan of Romantic Fantasy, or as the internet calls it: Romantasy. Even if you're not, you would recognize the tradwives or fascism. Romantasies combine supernatural characters and plotlines with the rush of a whirlwind romance novel, and, in this episode, we're exploring how the politics of some of these books have an effect on politics in the real world.Brittany is joined by Netta Baker, Advanced Instructor of English at Virginia Tech, and Princess Weekes, video essayist and online pop culture critic. They get into how this genre demolishes misogyny while reinforcing conservative politics.Support Public Media. Join NPR Plus.Follow Brittany Luse on Instagram: @bmluseFor handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.
AI boom will produce winners and ‘carnage,’ says tech boss; dollar sinks to four-year lows after Trump comments
Cisco chief executive says technology ‘will be bigger than the internet’ but current market is probably a bubble; dollar selling intensifies, gold climbs through $5,200 an ounce to new record high
Bernard Arnault started LVMH's earnings call with some dark humor
The LVMH CEO started an earnings call with, "I think we'll make it through the winter."
Yankees news: Aaron Judge named “The Show” cover athlete again
Judge graces Show cover again; Yanks claim Hamel; Garza named new international director; Former pitcher passes at age 94
UNC basketball projected a Top-5 Seed in USA TODAY Sports bracketology
UNC is playing NCAA Tournament-caliber basketball right now. USA TODAY Sports gives the Tar Heels a Top 5 Regional seed in its latest bracketology.
The role of brain health and resilience in reshaping trajectories of late-life neuropsychiatric disorders
Neuropsychopharmacology - The role of brain health and resilience in reshaping trajectories of late-life neuropsychiatric disorders
Bill O'Reilly shares major health update after hospitalization
Former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly said he spent four days hospitalized due to a "hereditary condition involving internal bleeding."
NASA Science Flights Venture to Improve Severe Winter Weather Warnings
A team of NASA scientists deployed on an international mission designed to better understand severe winter storms. The North American Upstream
N.J. approves $12.5M to boost med-tech, maternal health startups
The state will invest in two innovation centers aimed at advancing maternal health entrepreneurship.
Google AI Plus comes to US for $7.99, Google One 2 TB upgraded
After introducing the plan internationally in September, Google is bringing its AI Plus subscription to 35 new countries, including the US.
Killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis scrambles Second Amendment politics for Trump and Republicans
Prominent Republicans and gun rights advocates helped elicit a White House turnabout this week after bristling over the administration's characterization of Alex Pretti, the second person killed in January by ...
Boeing just turned a rare profit. Its problems may be coming to an end
Boeing just announced the end of years of deep financial losses, a turnaround for a company after nearly seven years of bad news.