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IDF officials shift stance, accept Gaza Health Ministry data on death toll
After two years of war, senior military officials for the first time aligned with an update from Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry, saying they estimate about 70,000 Gazans have been killed, excluding the missing, while stressing that efforts to distinguish terrorists from civilians are ongoing
Scaling innovations in public health systems: guidance and toolkit
This guidance is a strategic instrument to position governments as drivers of health systems transformation. By embracing the roles, processes and strategies outlined herein, public sector leaders can move beyond short-term initiatives and isolated successes toward lasting, large-scale improvements in health outcomes.
Rule the Maelstrom with Huron and his crew’s spicy new datasheets
Rules revealed for the Masters of the Maelstrom.
Communities unite to address stigma and discrimination affecting people with neglected tropical diseases
Marking World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that millions of people living with NTDs continue to face profound and often unseen suffering due to discrimination, social stigma and untreated mental health conditions. Under the rallying theme "Unite. Act. Eliminate.", WHO and partners urge governments to integrate mental health care into NTD elimination efforts, ensuring that no one is left behind in pain or isolation.
Three months after Hurricane Melissa: PAHO continues supporting health system recovery across the Caribbean
Washington, DC, 28 January 2026 (PAHO)- Ninety days after Hurricane Melissa swept across parts of the Caribbean, countries are transitioning from emergency response toward recovery—while continuing to confront public health risks linked to damaged infrastructure, disrupted services, and heightened vulnerability to disease. The Category 5 storm made landfall first in Jamaica on 28 October 2025, causing widespread damage in several Caribbean nations, mainly across Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti, and placing sustained pressure on national health systems.
Maingear Retro98 Desktops Pack Modern Gaming Hardware in Vintage Beige Designs
Maingear has officially announced its latest retro-themed pre-built desktop PCs, the Retro98. The new pre-built desktops are built in SilverStone FLP02 chassis, replete with a functional turbo button—for setting PWM-controlled fans to max speed—and a big red power toggle switch, and they can be had ...
Ivanti warns of two EPMM flaws exploited in zero-day attacks
Ivanti has disclosed two critical vulnerabilities in Ivanti Endpoint Manager Mobile (EPMM), tracked as CVE-2026-1281 and CVE-2026-1340, that were exploited in zero-day attacks.
Judge to weigh political motives in ICE surge
A federal judge has asked the Trump administration to respond to allegations from the state’s leaders that Operation Metro Surge is motivated by animosity toward Minnesota.
Minnesota shooting blurs political lines around guns : The NPR Politics Podcast
Alex Pretti was carrying a permitted gun when he had a confrontation with federal agents who ultimately shot and killed him. While the Trump administration pointed to his gun as a reason for agents to fear for their safety, pro-gun groups argued Pretti had a right to carry. We discuss the rhetoric around guns and how marginalized communities in Minneapolis have been increasingly turning toward gun ownership.This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, domestic extremism correspondent Odette Yousef, and senior political editor and correspondent Mara Liasson.This podcast was produced and edited by Lexie Schapitl and Bria Suggs.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.
Ruben Östlund on Seating Keanu Reeves Next to a Corpse in ‘The Entertainment System Is Down’ and Cannes Rumors
Ruben Östlund discusses why Keanu Reeves is perfect for the comedy of 'The Entertainment System Is Down' while addressing Cannes rumours.
Google disrupts IPIDEA residential proxy networks fueled by malware
IPIDEA, one of the largest residential proxy networks used by threat actors, was disrupted earlier this week by Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) in collaboration with industry partners.
2026 Grammy Awards performers: Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Addison Rae and Olivia Dean among star-studded lineup
Music's biggest night is fast approaching — and the roster of scheduled Grammy performances continues to grow.
Browns Myles Garrett takes home yet another award
Garrett is the first player in NFL history to be The Sporting News’ DPOY for 3 consecutive years.
How to watch the 2026 Grammy Awards: TV channel, start time, where to stream, nominations list and more
What to know about tuning into the 2026 Grammy Awards this weekend.
Beyond Entertainment: When Theatre Makes You Think
Three plays performed as stage readings February 6-8, features an audience talk back afterwards, with complimentary desert and coffee. A fundraiser as well for the Bear Theatre ($25 tickets, $50 for all three shows), located inside Community High...
Business Insider wins first duPont-Columbia Award
Columbia Journalism School has named Business Insider a 2026 duPont-Columbia Silver Baton winner.
War Department Boards Merge to Form New Science, Technology and Innova
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth approved a major overhaul of the War Department's legacy advisory boards, directing the merger of the Defense Innovation Board and the Defense Science Board into the new
Panthers season in review: The run defense
The Carolina Panthers run defense took a huge step forward, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement.
Elora Cordier’s passion for unified sports shines on and off the court
Elora Cordier's dedication to unified sports shines as she wins the Falcon Award for basketball. Her passion and efforts have made a difference.
Department Launches Outreach Campaign to Promote Stream Protection, Herd Health
Department Launches Outreach Campaign to Promote Stream Protection, Herd Health Up to 87.5% Cost-Share Available for Most Practices ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 29, 2025) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture has launched a new public awareness campaign to educate farmers about the environmental and animal health benefits of fencing livestock out of streams and providing them with Read the Rest…
Introducing Moltworker: a self-hosted personal AI agent, minus the minis
Moltworker is a middleware Worker and adapted scripts that allows running Moltbot (formerly Clawdbot) on Cloudflare's Sandbox SDK and our Developer Platform APIs. So you can self-host an AI personal assistant — without any new hardware.
35 undocumented immigrants arrested in Zipps Sports Grill operation
Federal agents executed search warrants at 15 Zipps locations across metro Phoenix.
AppLovin's ad tech business could steal Amazon's lunch
Wall Street remains wary of the black box behind AppLovin's AI, but early data suggest its e-commerce pivot is already eating into Amazon's territory.
Innovators removing barriers to health care, accelerating impact on communities in need
DALLAS, Jan. 29, 2026 — Driven by an older, more diverse population and a significant increase in risk factors, at least 6 in 10 U.S. adults are projected to have some form of cardiovascular disease, causing related health care costs to triple.[1] That’s...
Tomodachi Life™: Living the Dream for Nintendo Switch
Buy Tomodachi Life™: Living the Dream and shop other great Nintendo products online at the official My Nintendo Store.
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.
Nearly 2,000 Products Recalled in 3 States After Being Exposed to Rodent Waste—FDA Issues Risk Warning
Diet Coke, Hershey's, and Tylenol are among the many popular products under recall. They were held in a facility with rodent and bird waste.
The Jeff Boals Show Returns Tonight at The Gem Sports Bar
ATHENS, Ohio — The Jeff Boals Show returns this Thursday, January 29, on the Ohio Sports Network from Learfield, presented by Holzer Health System. This week, the live broadcast will take place from 6pm-7pm at The Gem Sports Bar. The event is open to the public and free to attend. Join the "Voice of Bobcat Basketball," Jason Toy, and the seventh year head coach of the Ohio Bobcats, Jeff Boals, for a weekly recap and a look ahead at upcoming matchups. This week's special guests include sophomore forward Ayden Evans (Radcliff, Ky.) and freshman forward Jordan Fisher (Pickerington, Ohio)
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.
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
Yvonne Ejim Nominated for Sports Star of the Year
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Gonzaga's Yvonne Ejim was nominated for the Sports Star of the Year by the Seattle Sports Commission. She is one of six athletes nominated for the award.
Bank of America supporting weVENTURE Women’s Business Center
As a Neighborhood Builder, the Florida Tech-based weVENTURE Women’s Business Center is awarded a $50,000 grant over two years.
How much B6 is safe? What to know about the supplement found in energy drinks
Poisoning caused by too much of the popular nutrient is rare, but cases are ticking up. Experts warn that people may not be aware they’re getting too much.
Doctors warn frostbite risk rising as dangerous cold grips the DC region
As extreme cold hits the D.C. area, experts explain how frostbite affects blood flow, early warning signs and what to do to prevent serious injury.
The accidental climate scientist who uncovered an unexpected force of global warming
The Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences has awarded the Crafoord Prize to climate scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan. He discovered a powerful force of global warming.
Samsung fast paces One UI 8.5 Beta 4 update release work
After a brief pause, One UI 8.5 Beta has returned on track as Samsung speeds up work on the Beta 4 update. The latest development signals that users of the Galaxy S25 series will soon receive a new Beta software update. As spotted by TarunVats, Samsung is now working on a new One UI 8.5 Beta […]
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
Tim Walz Fears a Fort Sumter Moment in Minneapolis
The Minnesota governor warns of a national unraveling.
Yuba City eyes $8.5 million state grant for new regional sports complex
A new regional youth sports complex could be coming to Yuba City. The city's public works department is planning to apply for a state grant that could award up to $8.5 million through a revitalization program.
8 Santa Monica Businesses Win Green Certification Awards
8 Santa Monica businesses received Green Business Certification on January 16th at the YMCA, recognizing their sustainable practices and environmental leadership.
WSOC-TV & KFF Health News Win Prestigious duPont-Columbia Award
The SSA's practice left millions of Americans, including some in the Carolinas, facing unexpected financial hardship and prompted sweeping policy changes in the nation’s capital.
Snowstorm brings economic boom to some Delaware County businesses while others struggle
Rise to the Occasion with Mega Evolution—Ascended Heroes in Pokémon TCG Live
Look forward to newly discovered Mega Evolution Pokémon, beautiful new artwork for fan-favorite cards, and more.
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.
Sergey Brin Spends $20 Million on California Political Effort Amid Wealth Tax Debate
Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google, is donating toward campaigns to solve California’s housing crisis, spurring other billionaires to pitch in. Their efforts may also help ward off a wealth tax.
Justin Bieber to perform at 2026 Grammys
Justin Bieber will sing at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
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.
These two viruses may become the next public health threats, scientists say
Two emerging pathogens with animal origins—influenza D virus and canine coronavirus—have so far been quietly flying under the radar, but researchers warn conditions are ripe for the viruses to spread ...
Viral Moltbot AI assistant raises concerns over data security
Security researchers are warning of insecure deployments in enterprise environments of the Moltbot (formerly Clawdbot) AI assistant, which can lead to leaking API keys, OAuth tokens, conversation history, and credentials.
US Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady despite political pressure
The central bank will maintain rates at 3.5 to 3.75 percent and warned of 'elevated' economic uncertainty.
Burner phones and lead-lined bags: a history of UK security tactics in China
Starmer’s team is wary of spies but such fears are not new – with Theresa May once warned to get dressed under duvet
Everyone wants to copy the iPhone Fold; Honor developing its own ‘wide’ foldable too
The Android world is bracing for the debut of the first foldable from Apple, expected to be the “iPhone Fold.”...
Iran delegates import powers as US war threats keep economy unstable
Iranian governors gain new powers as country prepares for possible war amid sanctions and looming geopolitical tensions.
1st Zipps Sports Grill location reopens following Homeland Security raids
Zipps Sports Grill in Tempe, located near McClintock Drive and Warner Road, reopened on Jan. 28, the company announced.
How your health is being commodified by social media
From heath tech developers to influencers, our health is being monetised – and we need to be aware of what's going on, says Deborah Cohen
Fake Moltbot AI Coding Assistant on VS Code Marketplace Drops Malware
A fake VS Code extension posing as a Moltbot AI assistant installed ScreenConnect malware, giving attackers persistent remote access to developer syst
Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz reportedly wants 'out' after being passed over for head coaching job
Justin Bieber Performance Locked In for Music’s Biggest Night at the 2026 Grammys
Justin Bieber has announced that he will be performing at the 2026 Grammy Awards, which will take place on Sunday, Feb. 1. Bieber is a two-time Grammy winner and also… The post Justin Bieber Performance Locked In for Music’s Biggest Night at the 2026 Grammys appeared first on Where Is The Buzz | Breaking News, Entertainment, Exclusive Interviews & More.
Sterling agrees Chelsea exit after troubled spell
Raheem Sterling left Chelsea by mutual consent on Wednesday as the former England forward finally ended his nightmare spell at Stamford Bridge."Raheem Sterling has today departed Chelsea Football Club by mutual agreement, bringing to an end three-and-a-half seasons as our player," a Chelsea statement said.
iOS 26.2.1—Update Now Warning Issued To Millions Of iPhone Users
Apple has released iOS 26.2.1, an important update that all iPhone users should apply now. Here's what you need to know.
With AlphaGenome, Researchers Are Using A.I. to Decode the Human Blueprint
AlphaGenome is a leap forward in the ability to study the human blueprint. But the fine workings of our DNA are still largely a mystery.
Sergi López on 'Sirāt': A journey that makes you look inward
The movie “Sirāt” follows Luis as he treks through the North African desert with his son and dog to find his missing daughter.
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.
Apple's 'Creator Studio' App Bundle Now Available for $12.99 Per Month
Apple today launched the new Creator Studio that was initially unveiled two weeks ago, providing content creators with access to six Apple apps for $12.99 per month or $129 per year. Creator Studio includes Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Pixelmator Pro on Mac and iPad, along with Motion, Compressor, and MainStage on the Mac. Final Cut Pro is Apple's video editing software, Logic Pro is for audio editing and creation, and Pixelmator Pro is an image editing app that Apple purchased in 2024.
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.
Live updates: Trump issues warning to Iran as Rubio testifies before Senate on Venezuela
California mental health hospitals warn over cuts after state hands down staffing rules
Psychiatric hospitals could close beds under proposed state rules if regulators don’t allow implementation time, facilities warn.
China’s latest war game uses hospital and science ships for espionage
It is self-evident that Beijing is not promoting peace, health or scientific research.
After D.C. clears homeless encampments, health workers warn of growing risks
While Trump administration officials say that sweeps of homeless encampments make public spaces safer, health workers say they are disrupting care for people with serious medical needs and increasing the risk of illness and death.
Mental health cases in Israel surged 30% during Gaza war, Health Ministry reports
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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.
Centrist ideas no longer wanted in Conservative party, says Kemi Badenoch
Party leader tells MPs that one-nation Tories doubting her rightward direction ‘need to get out of the way’
UCA to launch Innovation Campus - Talk Business & Politics
The University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees voted Tuesday (Jan. 27) to move forward with the development of a new “Innovation Campus,” an interdisciplinary initiative designed to strengthen workforce...
UCA to launch Innovation Campus - Talk Business & Politics
The University of Central Arkansas Board of Trustees voted Tuesday (Jan. 27) to move forward with the development of a new “Innovation Campus,” an interdisciplinary initiative designed to strengthen workforce...
Who was Ajit Pawar, the Indian politician killed in plane crash?
Pawar was a key political figure and served as second-highest elected official in Maharashtra, India's wealthiest state.
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
Business owners moving forward as probe ongoing in Millcreek fire
As the investigation continues into a large fire that leveled a multi-tenant business building in Millcreek, firms seek new homes.
The Pressure Just Ramped Up for Three Vikings
It was the big decision of the Minnesota Vikings’ 2025 offseason. How would the Vikings move forward at quarterback? There […]
Another Threat to VA Health Care
A VA privatization pilot in Congress could weaken veterans’ care, degrade quality, and cost taxpayers over $100 billion a year, experts warn.
Trump’s Choice to Be Alabama’s Next Senator Finds an Odd Political Target: the Modern Gas Can
ENTERPRISE, Ala.—U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, a longtime political figure in this rural Alabama community, has his priorities. Among them? A reform effort aimed at the modern gas can. A congressman since 2021, the Republican may be headed toward one of the most powerful positions in Yellowhammer State politics, a seat in the U.S. Senate, given […]
Reid Hoffman warns CEOs against staying quiet in the Trump era
Reid Hoffman says business leaders are wrong to stay silent and that they have a responsibility to speak up.
Andrew Yang reacts to AI CEO warning 50% of all white-collar jobs will disappear in 5 years
Microsoft releases urgent patch for actively exploited Office zero-day
Microsoft rushed an emergency Patch Tuesday fix after a new Office zero-day began spreading in active attacks. CISA warns organizations to patch immediately.
Kirkland boutique owner warns other businesses of group ‘distraction’ tactics for theft
KIRKLAND, Wash. — A Kirkland business owner is sounding the alarm over recent shoplifting incidents.
C3.AI in talks to merge with startup Automation Anywhere, The Information reports
Enterprise artificial intelligence software provider C3.AI is in talks to merge with privately held startup Automation Anywhere, The Information reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the discussions.
Zipps Sports Grill releases statement on federal raids
'WE ARE COOPERATING FULLY': One day after federal agents served more than a dozen search warrants at Zipps Sports Grill locations across the Valley, the company issued a response.
Trump warns Iraq against returning former PM al-Maliki to power amid worries about Iran influence
President Donald Trump is warning Iraqi officials that the U.S. would no longer support the country if its former prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, returns to power
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
Agitators swarm Tim Walz's office in Minnesota Capitol to demand immigration justice
Screaming agitators packed the Minnesota Capitol demanding justice amid federal immigration enforcement tensions. Demonstrators chanted outside Gov. Tim Walz's office.
Senate Dems demand immigration enforcement reforms before funding DHS : The NPR Politics Podcast
Congress may be headed toward a partial government shutdown. After a federal immigration officer fatally shot Alex Pretti last weekend in Minneapolis, Senate Democrats say they won’t vote to fund the Department of Homeland Security without changes to how the federal government enforces immigration laws. We discuss what Democrats want, what Republicans are offering, and the political risks of another government shutdown. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional reporter Sam Gringlas, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, 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.
WATCH LIVE: Rubio testifies at Senate hearing on U.S. policy toward Venezuela
China is purging its military leaders. Is this a step toward war?
Xi Jinping is eliminating the people who might be willing to say no to him.
DeAPlaneta Entertainment Previews 2026 Slate at Spielwarenmesse
Series launches, franchise expansions, and a licensing portfolio are shared at Nuremberg.
Measles cases in South Carolina rise by 89 to 789, state health department says
South Carolina reported a surge to 789 measles cases on Tuesday, state health data showed, including 89 additional infections since Friday, as officials warned the widening outbreak could last weeks or months amid lagging vaccine uptake.
Sonos unveils its first new hardware product in over a year
Sonos has had a rough past couple of years, but the company just unveiled its first new hardware product since 2024: the Amp Multi.