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New Orleans City Council panel signs off on Steve Nelson as Public Works director
The New Orleans City Council’s Governmental Affairs Committee gave its seal of approval to Mayor Helena Moreno’s appointment of Steve Nelson as the director of the city’s Department of Public Works. The full council will still need to vote to confirm Nelson’s appointment.
SD committee supports health care provider conscience exemption bill
Health care providers would be able to refuse to perform services for patients under a bill South Dakota lawmakers endorsed on Thursday at the Capitol in Pierre.
International science cooperation must go on, say research leaders
Science leaders in Europe and Canada say international cooperation must go on amid geopolitical turmoil. At the same time, Europe and like-minded countries should continue to enhance and diversify international partnerships, a Science|Business conference hears. Hugh Brady, president of Imperial College London, told delegates that Europe’s response to the current geopolitical climate should be to “diversify in terms of research partnerships and build resilience and scale into our own system.”A first priority should be for the EU to sort out the scope of the upcoming European Competitiveness Fund and ensure that, together with the next iteration of Horizon Europe, it can drive the development and scale up of new technologies. The EU and the countries associated to the Horizon Europe programme represent “the world's most successful research innovation ecosystem,” Brady said. In order to mitigate the negative effects of shifting geopolitics, the EU together with the UK, Switzerland, Canada, South Korea and others should talk about “building resilience” and address their own “regional needs,” he added. Responding to TrumpUnder Donald Trump’s leadership, the US government has slashed science budgets and shut down international research programmes. Nearly 8,000 grants at the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation have been frozen or terminated. Courts have overturned most of these cancellations, but the disruption caused remains significant. While Europe may persuade a few thousand disgruntled scientists to move across the ocean to work on topics that have been de-funded in the US, it’s unclear what should happen next with transatlantic scientific cooperation more broadly.“Now is the time for us to show [US researchers] our support as much as we can,” Brady said.The European Research Council (ERC), the EU’s basic science funder, has seen a surge in applicants from the US. According its latest data, US-based researchers submitted 347 proposals to the last three big funding rounds, up from 158 in the previous set of calls. The European Commission has also launched a €22.5 million pilot call in 2025 for the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions, the EU’s researcher training scheme. It plans to extend this support with a €51.25 million call in 2027 as part of the Choose Europe initiative, which is intended to make the continent a more attractive place to pursue a career in research. Related articlesData corner: US researchers are choosing EuropeEU-India deal highlights growing alignment on technology policyMeanwhile, in the private non-profit sector, the Volkswagen Foundation is experimenting with a new type of grant that would allow US researchers to split their time between the US and Germany. While these schemes are useful, Europe should not bet on an exodus of scientists from the US. “The idea that we might all see them flocking over to Europe is naïve and counterproductive,” said Maria Leptin, president of the ERC, also speaking at the Science|Business conference on February 5. “We need research in the US to be as healthy as possible. I really admire those who are staying there with a will to fight and an optimism that the world will turn into a better place again,” Leptin said. Preserving dataDespite political disruption, academics have found ways to continue cooperating and sharing research data. Leslie Weir, president of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and Canada’s national librarian, said the US cuts have raised concerns about research data security, after ideologically sensitive databases were limited or deleted by the Trump administration. But international organisations teamed up to ensure that the data is not lost. “It's interesting to see that researchers and libraries across North America are collaborating to make sure that data at risk is duplicated elsewhere outside [the US],” Weir said.
What is release of files from Mandelson’s US ambassador appointment likely to reveal?
Five key questions MPs are hoping will be answered when records are released after security committee vetting
Stein to announce action on mental health, public safety
State leaders, including Gov. Josh Stein, have placed an increased focus on public safety reforms following high-profile killings that police say were committed by people with histories of mental illness.
Trump’s environmental, small business chiefs visit Palisades, echo federal order to speed up permitting
The EPA’s Lee Zeldin and SBA’s Kelly Loeffler visited the Palisades, where they echoed the need for faster permitting facilitated by the federal government, amid pushback defending loca…
House Science Committee Passes NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026
House Science Committee Passes NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026
Connecticut business owner admits to defrauding 2 companies of more than $2.5 million
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) — A former business owner who was arrested almost five years after being indicted for wire fraud admitted to defrauding two companies he was doing business with of mo…
Ethics Opinion 1291: Participation in an Alternative Business Structure (ABS) - New York State Bar Association
Opinion 1291 (01/30/2026) Topic: Participation in an Alternative Business Structure (ABS) Digest: A New York lawyer may hold a financial interest in an ABS which renders legal services in a jurisdiction where such provision of legal services is permitted. A New York lawyer may have a contractual relationship with such an entity pursuant to which
Assembly Committee on Science, Technology, and AI
On February 4, 2026, the Assembly Committee on Science, Technology, and AI will hold a public hearing on the following: Assembly Bill 892 Relating to: digital asset staking and the state’s securities laws Assembly Bill 959 Relating to: the legal status of artificial intelligence Assembly Bill 965 Relating to: artificial intelligence systems that simulate humanlike […]
Lee H. Hamilton, a Foreign Policy Power in Congress, Dies at 94
A moderate Democrat from Indiana for 34 years, he led the House Foreign Affairs and Intelligence committees and helped investigate the Iran-contra scandal and the Sept. 11 attacks.
Sun Releases Strong Flare
The Sun emitted a strong solar flare, peaking at 7:13 a.m. ET on Feb. 4. NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the Sun constantly, captured an
Relay Resources Adds Vice Presidents of Employee Experience, Business Transformation
PORTLAND, Ore., February 04, 2026--Relay Resources, the Pacific Northwest’s leading social enterprise nonprofit committed to advancing disability inclusion in the workplace, has added two senior leaders to its executive team: Oscar Rico-Cazares was named Vice President, Employee Experience and Talent Management, while Paulien van Uden was promoted to Vice President of Business Transformation.
DOE names 21 science advisers
A new committee will advise the Energy Department’s science office.
Judiciary Committee advances efforts to limit foreign influence by Cuba, China on Florida governments
Legislation would increase disclosure requires for those advocating for countries of concern and restricting the awarding of contracts.
Candy experiments teach chemistry at Great Lakes Science Center
Smitten with Science programming features Candy Chromatography workshops on Feb. 8, 15 and 22, teaching kids STEM concepts through hands-on candy experiments led by Andy Pallotta.
Rumour: New Xbox Console Won't Release Until At Least Late 2027, Could Be Delayed Further
"I'm not sure if Microsoft is still committed to the late 2027 timeline"
MOUNTAIN WEST ANNOUNCES NEW MEDIA RIGHTS PACKAGE IN COLLABORATION WITH CBS SPORTS, FOX SPORTS, THE CW NETWORK, AND KISWE
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Mountain West Conference announced today a new media rights package featuring CBS Sports, FOX Sports, The CW Network, and Kiswe. The agreements with CBS Sports, FOX Sports, and Kiswe run for six years (2026-27 through 2031-32), while the CW Network has committed to a five-year partnership through the 2030-31 season. These strategic collaborations provide extensive visibility and coverage across broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms for Mountain West Football and Men's and Women's Basketball, along with a broad array of Olympic Sports.
Mountain West Announces New Media Rights Package In Collaboration With CBS Sports, FOX Sports, The CW Network And KISWE
The Mountain West Conference announced today a new media rights package featuring CBS Sports, FOX Sports, The CW Network, and Kiswe. The agreements with CBS Sports, FOX Sports, and Kiswe run for six years (2026-27 through 2031-32), while the CW Network has committed to a five-year partnership through the 2030-31 season. These strategic collaborations provide extensive visibility and coverage across broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms for Mountain West Football and Men's and Women's Basketball, along with a broad array of Olympic Sports.
Medicaid work rules advance through Senate Health Committee
Democrats and Republicans were divided on adding work requirements for Medicaid.
CHCF Board of Directors Welcomes Health Policy Leader Jim Wood - California Health Care Foundation
The health policy leader has deep expertise in rural health. He chaired the California Assembly Health Committee for eight years.
Clintons try to reach agreement for Epstein testimony with contempt of Congress vote looming
Rep. James Comer, the chair of the House Oversight Committee, was advancing criminal contempt of Congress charges against both Clintons Monday evening for defying a congressional subpoena when a spokesman for the Clintons, Angel Ureña, suggested they would testify, posting on social media that the pair “will be there.”
High school sports bills would allow middle schoolers to compete; regulate name, image and likeness
On Monday, members of the public shared their thoughts on two bills that would change high school sports rules in Nebraska. The Unicameral’s Education Committee heard testimony on LB742, which would allow seventh and eighth grade students to compete on high school sports teams.
Energy Department Announces Members of the Office of Science Advisory Committee, Strengthening Gold Standard Science in America
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the chair and members of the newly established Office of Science Advisory Committee (SCAC), a unified advisory body that will provide independent advice on complex scientific and technical challenges across the Department’s Office of Science.
Georgia gets commitment of top-ranked RB Kemon Spell
Elite running back Kemon Spell, who had previously be committed to Penn State, announced he will play for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2027.
Sun Releases 4 Strong Solar Flares
The Sun emitted three strong solar flares on Feb. 1, peaking at 7:33 a.m. ET, 6:37 p.m. ET, and 7:36 p.m. ET. The Sun emitted a fourth strong solar flare on
Vanderbilt Health acquires Tennova’s Clarksville hospital and related physician clinics from Community Health Systems
Leaders with Vanderbilt Health announced today completion of the acquisition of Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville Hospital and freestanding emergency room Tennova ER-Sango, along with the hospital’s related businesses, including physician clinics and outpatient services, from Community Health Systems Inc. (CHS). Vanderbilt Health has held a 20% minority interest in these operations since 2021. Under Vanderbilt Health’s ownership, the 270-bed hospital will be named Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital (VCH) while the freestanding Sango ER will be named Vanderbilt Emergency Sango. Also joining the Vanderbilt Health system through the acquisition are physician practice locations in Clarksville, Dover, Pleasant View and Tiny Town offering, depending on location, orthopaedics, primary care, wound care, digestive health, urology and surgical services. Acquisition of the hospital and its related physician practices expands Vanderbilt Health’s ability to serve patients across the region, supporting its ability to provide high-quality care in more convenient, community settings that are also more cost-effective. “We are thrilled to welcome Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital into our health system. Providing exceptional care close to home is invaluable, and we are eager to serve the citizens of Clarksville and Montgomery County by expanding the hospital’s programs and services,” said Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, President and CEO of Vanderbilt Health and Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. This acquisition marks Vanderbilt Health’s fourth regional hospital expansion, further strengthening its presence across Middle Tennessee beyond its already extensive inpatient and ambulatory services in Nashville. VCH joins Vanderbilt Health’s network of regional medical centers that now include Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital in Lebanon, Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital in Coffee County, and Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital in Shelbyville. With a strong record of growth and investment in people, programs and services for its regional hospitals, residents of Clarksville, Montgomery County and the surrounding region can expect that Vanderbilt Health will bring a host of adult and pediatric services to the area. Initial plans for VCH over the upcoming year include increased staffing for the hospital’s emergency services, including the addition of pediatric emergency medicine specialists with Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, along with increased surgical specialty offerings. Longer term, physicians and staff will be recruited to bring a broader array of adult and pediatric specialty services to the community. “I am delighted to welcome the physicians, nurses and staff of Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital into the Vanderbilt Health family and look forward to working closely with the hospital’s medical staff and members of the local health care community to ensure we excel at meeting their needs as caregivers as we pursue the goal of improving the health and wellbeing of the patients we serve,” said Jane Freedman, MD, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Health System Officer for Vanderbilt Health. Currently, VCH employs approximately 1,100 staff and more than 30 physicians. Through this acquisition Vanderbilt Health has committed to hire substantially all current employees who are in good standing. Services already established by Vanderbilt Health at VCH include an OB-GYN hospitalist program, an array of oncology services provided by a multidisciplinary team with Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, and neonatal care in the hospital’s Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit provided by specialists with Monroe Carell. VCH has been designated as an Accredited Chest Pain Center and a Wound Care Center of Distinction and has earned the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission. More information about Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital is available at: vanderbilthealth.com/hospital/vanderbilt-clarksville-hospital
Toy Association Advocates for Science-Based Approach to California Microplastics Review
On January 30, The Toy Association™ submitted comments to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) in response to the agency’s request for information regarding consumer products that contain or generate microplastics, including c
State Department announces no citizen initiatives made 2026 ballot; pot campaign says that's premature
Smart & Safe Florida says enough signatures were submitted and verified in county offices before a Sunday deadline.
Media Recap: Rural Health Transformation Project Fund Distribution
The Detroit News published a story Jan. 29 on two recent House Appropriations Committee hearings on the distribution of Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funds.
Fundraising hauls show RNC vastly outpacing Democrats ahead of midterm elections
The Republican National Committee vastly outpaced Democrats in 2025, according to year-end filings to the Federal Election Commission
MLB ALL-STARS AND ENTERTAINMENT ICONS TO PLAY IN 2026 ANNEXUS PRO-AM
Tournament Chairman Jason Eisenberg announced today that Major League Baseball standouts Cal Raleigh, Alex Bregman and Mookie Betts, along with entertainers Colin Jost and Brian Baumgartner, have committed to compete in the 2026 WM Phoenix Open Annexus Pro-Am, set to take place Wednesday, Feb. 4, on the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale.
The Science of “the Giggle”: Why Laboratory Rats Love Being Tickled
If you think laughter and comedy are reserved strictly for humans, you’d be wrong. A study in the late 1990s showed that creatures like rats emit ultrasonic vocalizations while playing with or anticipating the opportunity to play with other rats. To make matters sillier, rats emitted similar vocalizations when they were subjected to manual somatosensory
Readers respond: Bipartisanship not holding Legislature back on health care
Letters to the Editor can be submitted to letters@oregonian.com with full name and place of residence.
US committee is reconsidering all vaccine recommendations
Move is dramatic departure for advisory group under Kirk Milhoan, who says he doesn’t like the term ‘established science’
Republican National Committee Enters 2026 With Nearly $100 Million Edge on D.N.C.
Democrats have struggled to raise money, as is often the case for the party out of power, but the depth of their financial hole against the Republican National Committee is noteworthy.
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.
CVS Health Faces Antitrust Scrutiny As Valuation Flags Undervaluation Risk
U.S. House Judiciary Committee alleges CVS Health restricted independent pharmacies from using competing digital pharmacy hubs. The investigation cites cease and desist letters and network rule changes as potential antitrust issues. CVS Health disputes the findings and says some policies have been revised. For investors watching CVS Health (NYSE:CVS), the focus is shifting to regulatory risk around how its pharmacy network operates. The company’s shares closed at $74.52, with a return of...
Scanlon’s campaign, Bronin endorsement: CT Politics news
Plus: Updates on the Connecticut Education Issues Summit, the Council of Small Towns, and the Planning and Development Committee.
New OU athletics director committed to pursuing entertainment district in Norman
Incoming University of Oklahoma Athletic Director Roger Denny reaffirmed the university’s commitment to building an entertainment district in University North Park during an introductory press conference Wednesday.
Colorado House launches ethics review of Republican Rep. Ron Weinberg
The Colorado House will convene an ethics committee to review a complaint filed by Rep. Brandi Bradley, R-Roxborough Park, against fellow Republican Rep. Ron Weinberg, R-Loveland. It will be the first time since 2012 that the House has formed an ethics committee. The contents of Bradley’s complaint are confidential under House rules. Bradley has filed […]
'View' star Sara Haines breaks down in tears over covering grim news: 'Why get out of bed?'
'The View' cohost Sara Haines broke down in tears over covering grim news on the talk show, admitting she doesn't 'really have a safe space' amid headlines: 'Why get out of bed?'
WVU Committee of Retired Faculty, OLLI host ‘Quantifying Health: Data, Discovery and the Path to Longevity’
OLLI at WVU and the WVU Committee of Retired Faculty will host Chancellor and Executive Dean for Health Sciences Dr. Clay Marsh as he presents “Quantifying Health: Data, Discovery and the Path to Longevity” at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 4).
Event Recap: Fourth Annual Health Solutions Summit | Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
2026-01-30-Despite a recent ice storm, over 200 people turned out for hot chocolate and health policy on January 28, 2026‘s for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget's Fourth Annual Health Solutions
Over $2.6M in work permitted for Lafayette Walmart. See more Acadiana construction.
Here's what's under construction around Acadiana.
A ‘top priority in this building’: Senate health committee seeks to broaden access to primary care
An expansive bill seeks to change the way patients access primary care by changing the ways the state pays for it.
‘We’ll stay in the fight’: New OU athletic director committed to Rock Creek Entertainment District
The hiring of Roger Denny as OU’s next athletic director may signal the university’s plans to prioritize the advancement of the Rock Creek entertainment district.
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.
Shaw’s ‘diamond in the rough’ goes from basketball-only to committing to LSU for football
Jackson Williams’ future appeared to be on the basketball court, but a transfer from Newman to Shaw put him on a new path to LSU football. Here’s his story.
AHA Committee on Behavioral Health names 2026 officers, new members
The AHA’s Committee on Behavioral Health today announced its officers and new members for 2026.
John Hancock CEO: We all have a role in driving better health outcomes for Americans
I recently testified before the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee on improving long-term health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.
Senate committee reviews Gov. Beshear’s budget proposal
The proposal dedicates $500 million of the budget reserve trust fund to affordable housing, rural hospital assistance and food assistance.
Hearing on Veterans Affairs Health Care System
The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee will hear testimony from Secretary Doug Collins on proposed changes to the department's health care system.
Singer "Kid Rock" & Entertainment Policy Advocates Testify on Concert Ticket Fees
Singer "Kid Rock," Live Nation Entertainment VP Dan Wall & entertainment policy advocates testify to a Senate Commerce subcommittee on ticket prices and fees.
Marco Rubio admits Trump confused Iceland with Greenland
Secretary of State Marco Rubio admitted during a Senate hearing on Jan. 28 that his boss confused Iceland with Greenland during a speech last week.
Top Five Moments: Budget Committee Hearing on Skyrocketing Health Care Costs
The Official U.S. Congressional website of The Republican Budget Committee
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
Singer "Kid Rock" & Live Entertainment Policy Advocates Testify on Concert Ticket Fees
Singer "Kid Rock," Live Nation Entertainment VP Dan Wall & entertainment policy advocates testify to a Senate Commerce subcommittee on ticket prices and fees.
House Health Panel Member Kevin Hern Sold UnitedHealth Amid Stock-Trading Ban Push
Disclosures show the Oklahoma Republican sold up to $500,000 in UnitedHealth stock while serving on a committee that oversees payments for health care.
Congress Should Prioritize Transparency and Accessibility in Live Entertainment Industry
January 27, 2026 The Honorable Marsha Blackburn Chairman Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy 357 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable John Hickenlooper Ranking Member Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy 316 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Chairman Blackburn, Ranking Membe, Author(s): Alexander Ciccone
The Trump administration is admitting it lied about Alex Pretti
A baby-step back from the brink.
An overlooked way to close Africa’s health gaps
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli and Ekhosuehi Iyahen discuss a new social model to make better use of the remittances from the African diaspora.
5 Key Moments from Ways and Means Committee Hearing with Health Insurance CEOs
CEOs of the nation’s largest health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) appeared before the Ways and Means Committee to...
House Democrats hear testimony in New Orleans on 'Catahoula Crunch' immigration raids
Democrats on the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee used a hearing in New Orleans to excoriate Republican colleagues for failing to do more to rein in federal immigration raids.
Goldman Sachs adds 7 management committee members from asset and wealth
All seven new management committee members come from Goldman Sachs' growing asset and wealth management division, which oversees $3.6 trillion.
Celebrating Excellence: Honoring P&G’s Top-Performing External Business Partners
P&G recognizes 40 top-performing suppliers committed to performance, partnership and excellence.
Future health workers say they are committed to the NHS
Students set to start careers in the NHS are committed to the service despite its challenges.
This Week in Missouri Politics - January 25, 2026
Missouri Times Editor Jake Kroesen is joined by U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt. Later, Scott Faughn is joined by House Majority Floor Leader Alex Riley.
Bill panned as 'major red flag' for health of Great Salt Lake advances in House committee
Republican lawmakers say a new bill would bring more water to the Great Salt Lake, but water advocates warn it could harm the struggling ecosystem.
2027 RB Sa’Nir Brooks commits to Syracuse
Syracuse has landed a commitment from St. Frances Academy three-star running back Sa’Nir Brooks. The Aliquippa, Pa. native announced his decision on Saturday evening via social media: I”’m beyond grateful to announce that I’m committing to Syracuse University,” Brooks wrote on X. “Thank you Coach Fran and the Syracuse coaching staff for the opportunity to […]
Ranking Member Lofgren Condems Climate Working Group Sham
The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
Jack Smith defends Trump investigations and Trump backs off Greenland threat : The NPR Politics Podcast
It was another busy week in politics. We discuss former special counsel Jack Smith’s appearance before the House Judiciary Committee — the first time he testified publicly about his investigations into President Trump — and Trump’s announcement of a new “framework” related to Greenland.This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.This podcast was produced by 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.
OHSU board contemplates closure of primate research center; its scientists plead for support
Scientists at the Oregon National Primate Research Center say their work is driving critical medical advances. But leadership at the federal level has questioned the value of the research model, and committed to ending animal experiments.
Republicans move forward with plans for a midterm convention featuring Trump
The Republican National Committee voted Friday to hold a midterm political convention, launching an unusual GOP festival that President Donald Trump will headline in hopes of rallying supporters to focus on the critical fall fight for control of Congress.
Vaccine Panel Chair Says Polio and Other Shots Should Be Optional, Rejecting Decades of Science
Dr. Kirk Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist who leads the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, said a person’s right to refuse a vaccine outweighed concerns about illness or death from infectious diseases.
CVS Health (CVS) Valuation Check As Regulatory Scrutiny And Legal Outcomes Draw Investor Focus
Regulatory and legal scrutiny is back in focus for CVS Health (CVS), as a U.S. House Judiciary Committee probe into its pharmacy benefit manager practices unfolds, while a separate class action over prescription drug pricing has been dismissed. See our latest analysis for CVS Health. For context, CVS Health shares now trade at US$82.68, with a 30 day share price return of 5.95% and a year to date share price return of 3.18%, while the 1 year total shareholder return of 59.48% reflects how...
NextCure Provides Business Update
SIM0505 (CDH6 ADC) Phase 1 dose escalation data update anticipated in Q2 2026LNCB74 (B7-H4 ADC) Phase 1 dose escalation expanded into higher dose cohorts BELTSVILLE, Md., Jan. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NextCure, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXTC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to developing novel therapies to treat cancer, today provided updates for its two antibody drug conjugate (ADC) programs and reported a preliminary year-end 2025 cash position. SIM0505 (CDH6 ADC): Phase 1 dose e
US deep-sea mining permits 'a danger to politics and protection'
NGOs have strongly condemned The Metal Company latest move to fast-track its deep-sea mining operation through unilateral US permitting.
U.S. severs ties with WHO, raising concerns about flu epidemics
Health officials haven't committed to an upcoming meeting with the World Health Organization that will select flu strains for next season's shots.
Exclusive: Pelosi privately blasts Democrats for vote to hold Clintons in contempt in Epstein probe
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was disappointed after nearly half of the House Oversight Committee’s Democrats voted Wednesday to hold Bill and Hillary Clinton in contempt of Congress for defying subpoenas in its Jeffrey Epstein investigation. And on Thursday, she let them know it.
Frustration over U.S. health costs erupts at congressional hearing
Democrats and Republicans are divided on many things, but they joined in pillorying health care executives at a committee hearing on Thursday.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar prepares a run for Minnesota governor
Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota filed paperwork on Thursday to form a campaign committee to run for governor of her home state, which has become an epicenter of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in America.
Health Insurance CEOs Testify on Health Care Affordability
The House Ways and Means Committee holds a hearing on health care affordability with testimony from health insurance CEO's.
Health Insurance CEOs Questioned by House Committee About Rising Costs in Health Care
The CEOs of UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health, Elevance Health, The Cigna Group, and Ascendiun attended hearings in the House of Representatives all day Thursday.
Top CDC vaccine adviser questions need for polio shot, other longstanding recommendations
The chair of a federal vaccine advisory panel charted a new course for the committee in a podcast released Thursday, questioning longstanding recommendations.
Couleecap Transfers Business Development to CAP Services to Expand Program Opportunities
“We are proud of this work and remain committed to supporting business development in our region,” says Hetti Brown, Executive Director of Couleecap.
Chairman Griffith Delivers Opening Statement at Subcommittee on Health Hearing Examining Health Insurance Affordability
The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and is vested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing committee.
Chipotle is getting more serious about politics, forming a new PAC
Ahead of the midterms, Chipotle has filed to form a political action committee, in a departure from its prior "Government Affairs Engagement Policy."
Health insurance CEOs to appear before House committees as premiums soar
The back-to-back hearings come as President Donald Trump and Republicans face criticism about health care costs.
Committee moves to make it harder to access Florida’s already challenging unemployment system
Advocates say the measure would cut fraud in the system. Critics contend it would only add roadblocks.
Health Insurance CEOs Testify on Health Care Affordability
The House Ways and Means Committee holds a hearing on health care affordability with testimony from health insurance CEO's.
GoLocalProv | News | CVS Health May Have Violated Antitrust Laws, Finds House Judiciary Committee Report
The House Judiciary Committee released an interim staff report titled
Second House committee backs Michael Owen's Hillsborough Superintendent election bill
If HB 4027 ultimately clears the Legislature, Hillsborough County voters would decide the issue.
Zoning Committee leadership standoff enters new phase at City Hall
Ald. Bennett Lawson, 44th, introduced a resolution today to cement himself as chair of the committee he's led on and off for two years.
Omitted Henderson 'backs' Farrell's squad decision
Iain Henderson says he "would love" to continue playing for Ireland as long as he can despite missing out on Six Nations selection.
House Panel Votes to Hold Clintons in Contempt in Epstein Inquiry
The votes by the Oversight Committee were bipartisan, though many Democrats said the charges were extreme given Bill and Hillary Clinton’s willingness to answer questions.
'Business as usual impossible': EU freezes trade deal with US; comes after Trump's Davos speech - The Times of India
International Business News: The US-EU trade deal is \"on hold until further notice\", as announced by the chair of the European parliament’s trade committee Bernd Lange.\"Now offici.
Health tech panel to reboot after a long break
A key federal advisory committee on advancing health tech is set to resume meetings after a yearlong pause.
Comprehensive energy permitting reform benefits Colorado, the mountain west
By Ron Dickson Thank you, U.S. Reps. Gabe Evans and Jeff Hurd, for your participation in the Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus and your support of comprehensive energy permitting reform. We also appreciate U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper’s continued efforts to enhance our national electricity grid. The energy demands of the mountain west are rapidly growing. Data […]