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Apple buys secretive Israeli AI company Q.ai for $1.6 billion in biggest acquisition of its history
With the move, Apple aims to improve its access to AI technology, which has suffered recent setbacks, especially after several delays in deploying Apple Intelligence's full announced capabilities.
Denver Health doctor says eye care faces unique challenges in winter months
Should the Rams really go ‘all in’ again?
The Rams going “all in” for one final year with Matthew Stafford makes more sense on the surface than after a deep dive
Watley scores 14 as Wofford beats Chattanooga 81-55
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) Chace Watley and Kahmare Holmes each scored 14 points as Wofford beat Chattanooga 81-55 on Thursday.
Trump reveals when he will announce the next Fed chair
President Trump says he'll announce Jerome Powell's replacement as Federal Reserve chair Friday morning, escalating his ongoing criticism of monetary policy decisions.
Council Speaker looks to savings, not taxes, for budget
Mayor Mamdani says the city faces a $12 billion budget gap.
Face Off! Lopez Stares Down Shakur In New York!
Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson came face-to-face earlier today (Thurs., Jan 29, 2026) at the conclusion of the pre-fight press conference ahead of their light welterweight title fight this Saturday (Jan. 31) inside Madison Square Garden in New York City, streaming live on DAZN PPV. Watch the press conference video replay here. Stevenson is out […]
The Observatory and WHO Ukraine reflect on productive partnership and continued collaboration
Why have some health systems coped better than others during the COVID-19 pandemic? Some answers might become clear if we could assess how resilient health systems are in response to crises or shocks, such as the current pandemic and other emergencies, including financial ones, or how well health systems were prepared for such events in the first place. The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies has just published a new policy brief, “Strengthening health systems resilience”, which includes a framework to help policy-makers understand health system resilience and how to strengthen it. This policy brief highlights the key features of resilience and provides examples of strategies which have been applied in different countries.
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.
Stephanie Grace: Washington Mardi Gras attempts to bypass politics. It only somewhat succeeds.
If there’s a key word to the annual Washington Mardi Gras, it’s camaraderie. Yet as columnist Stephanie Grace reports from the nation’s capital, politics are never far from the surface.
Talarico says Crockett told him she was “looking at running in 2030” before entering 2026 Senate race
James Talarico said Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett had told him she was “focused on her work in the Congress and was looking at running in 2030” when asked if she had planned to run in the upcoming Senate primary.
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.
Pitt launches $25M biomedical institute to bring space science from orbit to the operating room
The University of Pittsburgh officially launched a $25 million biomedical institute Thursday aimed at bridging human health on Earth and in space. The Trivedi Institute for Space and Global Biomedicine is one of the first dedicated institutes focused on applying insights from spaceflight to improve human health on Earth, according to Pitt.
The race to avoid another shutdown: From the Politics Desk
Plus, Tom Homan's new approach in Minneapolis.
Rochester businesses join Friday’s national strike against ICE
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – In response to the immigration crackdown taking place in Minnesota, businesses across the country and close to home are planning to go on strike this Friday. It’…
Predictions market regulator scraps proposed ban on sports contracts, says new rules are coming
Contracts on live sports offered by Kalshi, Polymarket and others have drawn comparisons to the wave of legalized sports betting in the U.S.
Joint Commission partners with STS, ACC on new cardiac care certification
The new certification is intended to focus on the importance of high-quality care and real-world patient outcomes. It will be based on the same data care teams already submit if they participate in the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, ACC CathPCI Registry or STS/ACC TVT Registry.
Mavericks put their hope in health as the 1-year anniversary of the Luka Doncic trade approaches
Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving didn't play in that 118-105 loss to Minnesota — and might not be in a Mavericks uniform on the same night again — while it was a temporary injury absence for four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson and Cooper Flagg, the rookie No. 1 pick who landed in Dallas by crazy luck and is seen as the next face of the franchise after Doncic. Days shy of a year since the Mavs shipped their global superstar to the Los Angeles Lakers for Davis and rocked the core of a team that was just nine months removed from playing in the NBA Finals, Washington's hope for a return to contention rests with those four teammates being healthy alongside him.
No. 21 Saint Louis faces Dayton, seeking 15th straight win
Nearing the halfway mark of conference play, No. 21 Saint Louis is well on its way to having the best season by an Atlantic 10 team since Dayton's 29-2 campaign in 2019-20.
Philadelphia Phillies Get New Health Update on Zack Wheeler
The Philadelphia Phillies have built their recent success around a rotation that’s typically one of the best in baseball, but entering the 2026 season, particularly when it comes to ace Zack Wheeler, there are ways Philadelphia will have to navigate without him.
ICE Will Play a Big Factor in the Maine Senate Race
Seems like Republican senator Susan Collins is trying to take credit for the agency’s removal from the state. Governor Janet Mills, who’s challenging for her seat, had a rebuttal.
Night owls may face higher risk of heart disease
Adults — especially women — who stay up late have a worse cardiovascular health score and a higher risk of heart attack or stroke, according to a new study.
Medicare Advantage insurers face new curbs on overcharges in Trump plan
Federal officials have a plan that could curb billions of dollars in overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans. But will they follow through on it?
Apple buys Israeli startup Q.AI as the AI race heats up
Apple announced its acquisition of Q.AI for a reported nearly $2 billion, making it the company's second-largest acquisition to date.
Honeywell's business and stock are looking good — Cramer has this advice for investors
Honeywell shares jumped on Thursday after the industrial conglomerate capped off 2025 with a strong fourth quarter and moved up its aerospace spinoff.
Apple buys Israeli start-up Q.AI as it races Meta and Google on AI devices
Deal worth close to $2bn for secretive group that creates technology that analyses facial expressions
ICYMI: Rep. Smucker Questions Health CEOs on Rising Health Care Costs
Rep. Smucker: "You would expect if a marketplace is working properly, that perhaps under consolidation, we would see lower or at least slower growing premiums in highly concentrated markets. But that's just simply not happening today."
Michigan State business school to host ‘Rails to the Future' conference
TROY, Mich. — Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business will host “Rails to the Future: 200 Year of Progress, Building What’s Next,” a conference featuring key rail industry officials May 11-13 at the MSU Management Education Center in Troy. Keynote speakers will include Federal Railroad Adminstration Administrator David Fink; Surface Transportation Board [...] Read More...
What happened when Starmer met Xi Jinping?
Pippa Crerar joins Kiran Stacey from Beijing as she follows Keir Starmer on his historic trip to China
Tanzania eyes East Africa’s pharmaceutical hub crown {Business Africa}
Tanzania is betting on local drug manufacturing to reduce imports and become East Africa’s pharmaceutical hub and we find out how Africa's private sector is fixing the supply chain to minimise the billions lost in post-harvest logistics.View on euronews
Amtrak coach vs. business class comparison: seats, perks, experience
Here's how traveling on Amtrak's Northeast Regional train in coach compares to an Acela business-class trip.
CHOP celebrates placing of final beam for Roberts Children's Health expansion
On Wednesday, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia lifted the final beam of its new Roberts Children’s Health expansion into place.
1 'Powerful' Habit For Heart Health That's Not Exercise
In TODAY.com's Expert Tip of the Day, a cardiologist reveals a habit that has the heart-healthy benefits of exercise, but can be done while sitting in place.
Spring Health Joins Forces with Alma, Expanding Access to Precision Mental Health Care
/PRNewswire/ -- Spring Health, a leading global mental health platform for employers and health plans, today announced it has entered into an agreement to...
More KC businesses train workers on ICE protocols
Kansas City business owners are prepping staff for rising ICE activity in workplaces.
Campaign over, Wu has to take on the messy work of running City Hall
Right on schedule, the adrenaline jolt of the campaign trail has been replaced by the much more challenging day-to-day grunt work of running city government.
Game Preview: Chicago Blackhawks @ Pittsburgh Penguins 1/29/2026
Who: Chicago Blackhawks (21-23-9, 51 points, 6th place Central Division) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (26-14-11, 63 points, 2nd place Metropolitan Division) When: 7:00 p.m. eastern How to Watch: Locally broadcast on Sportsnet Pittsburgh and CHSN in the local markets, streaming on ESPN+ Pens’ Path Ahead: It’s a week-long sprint to the Olympic break finish line for the Pens. […]
Women's sports fans will have a new place to hang out with opening of Level Sporting Club
Founded by former Northwestern basketball player Clarissa Flores, the bar will be near the heart of sports bars crowding around Wrigley Field.
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)
Meta Overshadows Microsoft by Showing AI Payoff in Ad Business
The Facebook parent’s results highlight the advantages of its simpler, ad-focused business model.
SBA programs for native businesses face scrutiny
The Native Hawaiian Organizations Association is urging President Donald Trump’s administration to distinguish between “isolated allegations” about the Small Business Administration’s program aimed at developing native-run businesses and its success expanding economic opportunity, as U.S. Rep. Ed Case calls for a formal review.
Medicare Advantage Insurers Face New Curbs on Overcharges in Trump Plan That Reins in Payments
Proposed Trump administration changes to federal Medicare Advantage payments would stop health insurers from mining patient data for extra medical diagnoses that generate more bills to taxpayers even without treatment.
Donald Trump promised to make the US the world’s crypto capital. His businesses are seizing on it.
The president's business empire — once known for its hotels and golf courses — has aggressively expanded into the world of cryptocurrencies during his first year back in the White House.
Bruins plot to extend home winning streak vs. Flyers
The Boston Bruins get their final taste of home cooking before the Olympics on Thursday when they face the Philadelphia Flyers for the first time this season.
NJ's employment, economic numbers look bad. Can Sherrill fix that?
Mikie Sherrill has taken office as governor as New Jersey faces economic hurdles. The state’s gross domestic product lags behind much of the nation.
Analysis: Trump 2.0 sees terrorism all over the place
The Trump administration is living in a state of perpetual terror, both foreign and domestic.
Full UFC 325 press conference faceoffs
Reign dominate Canucks in 6th straight home victory
The Ontario Reign (28-12-1-1; 58 points) take a commanding 5-2 victory over the Abbotsford Canucks (15-23-3-3; 36 points) Wednesday night at Toyota Arena. Five different skaters scored for the Reign, coming together for a full team-effort. Ontario remains in first place in the AHL Pacific Division.
Premier Radiology Services acquires rival teleradiology group NRad
Backed by private equity investors at Grovecourt Capital Partners, the Florida firm is buying National Radiology Solutions for an undisclosed sum.
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 […]
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.
Winners of 2026 Southwest Wyoming Regional Science Fair Announced
ROCK SPRINGS — Western Wyoming Community College hosted 68 students from five different schools participating in the Southwest Wyoming Regional Science Fair Jan. 22. “The science fair gives students statewide a chance to showcase their scientific creativity and ingenuity. We deeply appreciate the participating students and the teachers and families who support them,” David Tanner,
Eagles revisit familiar OC candidate for Nick Sirianni
The Philadelphia Eagles are revisiting a familiar face for Nick Sirianni's search.
Does Joe Brady have impossible Bills task with Josh Allen?
There will be no grace period for the first-time head coach.
Oklahoma businesses face challenges as winter storm impacts sales
A winter storm in Oklahoma has significantly affected local businesses, leading to decreased customer visits and financial challenges.
'Halide' Co-Founder Sebastiaan de With Joins Apple's Design Team
Sebastiaan de With, co-founder of the popular iPhone camera app Halide, today announced that he has joined the Human Interface Design team at Apple. "So excited to work with the very best team in the world on my favorite products," he said. This marks a return to Apple for de With, who previously worked on things such as iCloud, MobileMe, and the Find My app. He has also completed design work for other companies, such as Sony, Mozilla, Oracle, HP, and EA, in the past.
ASNC says PET is now the preferred nuclear imaging test for CAD
Which imaging modality is better for evaluating heart patients, PET or SPECT? After years of discussions and debates, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology is now ready to point to PET as the No. 1 choice. “There are no clinical scenarios or patient subgroups where cardiac PET with myocardial blood flow should be excluded," the group wrote.
Music notes: Taylor Swift, Ellie Goulding and more
The video for Taylor Swift's "Wildest Dreams" — the fifth single from her album 1989 — has become her latest to rack up 1 billion views on YouTube. It's her sixth video to hit that milestone, following “Blank Space,” “Shake It Off,” “You Belong With Me,” “Bad Blood” and “Look What You Made Me Do.”
How Do Menopause and a Treatment to Manage Its Symptoms Affect the Brain and Mental Health?
New research suggests an association between menopause and anxiety, depression and shrinkage in certain brain regions—which hormone replacement therapy might not mitigate
Trump endorses Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin's open race for governor
Trump announced the endorsement in a social media post on Tuesday night, saying Tiffany “has always been at my side.”
Brown & Root shifts engineering hub to Metairie
Brown & Root Industrial Services has relocated its engineering and construction operations from Baton Rouge to Three Lakeway Place in Metairie, marking a strategic investment in the Greater Ne… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
Dispatch Is Censored on Nintendo Switch Due to Platform 'Content Criteria', Developer Says
Dispatch, the superhero workplace comedy made by Telltale veterans at AdHoc Studio, is out now on Nintendo Switch. But a number of excited new and returning players aren't super happy about the release, as it turns out the game has been pretty aggressively censored on the system.
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro surfaces with bigger battery as launch nears
The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro has surfaced ahead of its launch, with a bigger battery seemingly in tow for the device.
Windows 11 will support resuming Spotify, web browsing, and other apps from Android
Microsoft might’ve ditched Android apps in Windows 11 a couple of years ago, but that doesn’t mean it’s abandoned cross-platform...
How to watch NASCAR races on FOX, FS1, FS2, FOX Sports App
Check out the best ways to watch NASCAR action on the FOX Sports family of networks in 2026 for the Cup Series and Craftsman Truck Series.
Economic Forecast 2026: Key Opportunities For Small Business
Small businesses face cost pressures and uncertainty in 2026, but untapped pricing power and greater agility than large competitors offer paths to stronger growth
Experience space life, training at Orlando Science Center’s new astronaut exhibit
Mission: Astronaut features six immersive zones where guests can train like astronauts, conduct experiments, and explore the future of space travel.
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
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.
With Apple’s new Creator Studio Pro, AI is a tool to aid creation, not replace it
Apple’s Creator Studio Pro leverages AI to help creators with tedious tasks—like finding clips or building slides—without trying to do the work for them
Baton Rouge Republican joins race for Julia Letlow's U.S. House seat
After U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow entered the U.S. Senate race following an endorsement from President Donald Trump, candidates are lining up to to run for her seat.
Learner Tien shuts down Trump question at Australian Open amid political grilling of American players
American tennis players at the Australian Open continue to face political questions about the Trump administration, with rising star Learner Tien becoming the latest to decline comment.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi | North Central Bronx Appoints Grace Hyun, MD as Chief of Urology and Nassir Mansour, MD as Chief of Neurosurgery - NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi | North Central Bronx today announced the appointments of Grace Hyun, MD as Chief of Urology and Nassir Mansour, MD as Chief
Florida Sheriffs swing behind Byron Donalds in Governor’s race
Law enforcement support builds as Donalds consolidates Republican primary momentum statewide
Leadership turmoil returns to Hispanic Silicon Valley business group
For the second time in seven years, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley has found itself embroiled in a leadership dispute that has led to the sudden ouster and replacement of multiple board members.
Trump endorses Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin's open race for governor
President Donald Trump has endorsed U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin’s open race for governor
‘A sacred space of healing’: Church of Jesus Christ transforms health center in Liberia
A health center in Liberia was in ruins until it was transformed into “a sacred space of healing” through a project funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Australian Open semifinals set: Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner advance
The Australian Open bracket thinned out on the men's and women's side entering the final stage
Our first look at Google's Android for PC interface leaks in a bug report
We may have our first look at Android for desktop.
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.
Getting yelled at comes with the job. Why Sacramento youth sports officials still show up
Youth sports officials in the Sacramento region face unsportsmanlike fans that make them sometimes question the work.
Hidden struggles: Cambridge scientists share the truth behind their success
In a career defined by constant questioning, self-doubt can become an occupational hazard. Now, for the first time, a group of Cambridge scientists reveal the personal struggles they’ve faced – and continue to face – as they strive for success.
Lucky Strike Entertainment and PBA Appoint Peter Murray as CEO Of PBA and Head of Media for Lucky Strike Entertainment
Lucky Strike Entertainment and PBA Appoint Peter Murray as CEO Of PBA and Head of Media for Lucky Strike Entertainment
HIV and Heart Health: What You Need to Know
In our latest blog post, we re highlighting the link between HIV and heart health. Explore why people living with HIV face a higher risk of heart disease and...
David Lammy to face Andrew Griffith at deputy Prime Minister's Questions
The pair will fill in for PM Keir Starmer and Tory party leader Kemi Badenoch in the Commons from midday.
Expiration of federal health insurance subsidies: What to know in California
Thousands in California who rely on the state-run health insurance marketplace face premiums that are thousands of dollars higher as federal subsidies expire.
Investment and Statecraft: The International Politics of Sovereign Wealth Funds - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
In 1953, Kuwait established the world’s first sovereign wealth fund to invest the country’s oil revenues and generate returns that would reduce its reliance on a single resource. Since then, over 100 separate funds have been created to preserve national wealth and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. Today, they manage over $10 trillion in global assets. In this discussion with GJIA, political economist Kathryn Lavelle explains the increasingly novel dynamics that surround fund behavior and what the world can come to expect from their growing presence in international financial markets. GJIA: When it comes to the roles sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) play in global markets and politics, what would you say makes them unique? Kathryn Lavelle: Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) operate on behalf of governments as investors. That in itself is a strange relationship. Within them, a core contest takes place between the state’s interests (or sovereign) part of the dynamic, and the money interests (or wealth) part of it, and these two aspects are frequently in contradiction, serving fundamentally different goals. SWFs are also quite fascinating because when you talk to the people who manage these funds, they have an interest in convincing you that the decisions are made almost exclusively on a financial basis—they really will go to great lengths to differentiate their government owners and those who make the management decisions. At the same time, these people ultimately answer to someone in power. Therefore, for most SWFs, it remains deeply unclear who is actually making the investment decisions and for what purposes. Of course, it is not always clear how other vehicles, such as hedge funds and private equity make the decisions they do, but I think what a lot of people find particularly disconcerting about SWFs is that they seem to act on behalf of people who have a different identity from their own. People who could be trying to manipulate politics and markets in a way that would have a long-term effect on their own populations. Regular investors come and go at will, and they only share an interest in profit as far as most of us understand. However, SWFs have that extra “sovereign” part right behind them that obscures their true interest. GJIA: These funds can be found in countries all across the globe, in both authoritarian states and democracies. Would you say SWFs differ in their goals and structures between regime-type? KL: It is not necessarily regime type that makes the goals and structures of SWFs different. It has to do with their economies. Let’s look at a country like China. There’s going to be a debate about exactly how to characterize the regime, but it is a country with many different kinds of sovereign wealth funds, and a particularly opaque state connection to each. At one time, some of the state-owned Chinese oil companies created specialized investment vehicles listed outside Chinese markets that excluded parts of the firms that were more associated with human rights violations. At the same time, the China Investment Corporation (CIC)—China’s largest SWF—draws a lot of concern, not necessarily because of its investment activities, but because of the dynamics of global politics. So, I wouldn’t really tie differences to regime types themselves in a wholesale way, but rather to how such funds are perceived and how they are structured. Saudi Arabia’s SWF is getting all kinds of attention for its involvement in Hollywood, and this takes me right back to when I was a student in the 1980s, when people were concerned about Japanese investment entities buying assets in Hollywood. They aren’t quite the same in financial terms, but it’s the same kind of concern about foreign investment that drives people to be suspicious, and the whole idea that “foreigners are influencing Hollywood.” This holds true across industries, and it reflects where politics are in places like the United States right now. One metric we can try to look at is transparency, where all the funds will tell you, “we are transparent.” The problem you’ll keep running into with this approach is how you value things. When trying to do comparative studies of equity markets, you’ll find that every country doesn’t use Generally Accepted Accounting Principles like we do in the United States. A fund may appear opaque politically and not want people to show what they’re invested in or what their intent with that investment is, but they could also just not be able to report it because of the way it was purchased, or the kinds of shares they purchased. There are some assets out there that really are difficult to put a monetary value on. GJIA: To what extent do domestic politics shape SWF behavior in both the investing “home” country and the recipient “host” country? KL: This depends on the type of fund present and also on the extent to which voters’ political views are able to influence the fund. For example, in a democratic home state like Norway, the SWF doesn’t invest in nuclear weapons or tobacco because of social concerns, but there is a continuing debate over whether it should invest in oil, even though that’s where most of the money comes from. The degree to which Norway will continue to make those investments, and whether they contradict the government’s overall climate goals, is an open question in Norwegian politics. Because of the way the fund’s governance is structured, it may not be easy to resolve. On the other hand, some people consider pension funds, like the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) in Ohio, to be quasi-SWF. They have a very strict separation between the people who make up the management division and the fund owners. No teacher or professor would want to invest in things that may harm the future of their students. At the same time, a fund manager might see an opportunity in a diversified multinational corporation that offers a good return, despite it deriving part of its revenue from e-cigarettes. These contests are very apparent. Domestic politics can work in host countries too. A good example is Singapore’s SWF, Temasek, investing in Thailand’s telecommunications sector. If you study political economy, you already know that countries everywhere are uncomfortable with foreign ownership of their telecom sectors because a foreign entity could monitor or manipulate our communications with each other. In the case of Temasek, there was significant pushback from Thai citizens surrounding the deal, which went on to influence national political sentiment toward Singapore as a whole, underscoring the risks some SWFs may face with their investment choices. In this case, fund behavior led to the dissolution of the entire Thai government in 2006 and a subsequent coup d’état. GJIA: To address some of this unease, the Santiago Principles were established in 2009 to ostensibly promote trust and transparency. From your perspective, have these mechanisms actually changed fund behavior? KL: In international relations theory, we always like to have a clear set of norms and best practices—the orientation we want the proverbial ship to be going in. In that regard, the Santiago Principles at least got the discussion going about which direction SWFs should take at a time when people were very skittish about the growing size of these funds. Nobody wanted them to be out there and potentially destabilizing economies, so talks about disclosure, conditions for withdrawal, and the independence of managers were helpful when initiated. The biggest stumbling block was that there wasn’t exactly a good way to measure compliance with the Principles, let alone how to hold funds to them. If you read the Principles, they’re overall quite vague. In general, a fund doesn’t want to reveal how and why they make certain investment decisions because that information is proprietary—a fund makes money off of how and why it makes decisions—so how do you reconcile that with loosely-defined ideas of openness? Some decisions might have a political purpose. The bottom line is that trying to figure out and assign a score to compliance is not easy, and it is therefore the reason why the Santiago Principles never really got off the ground to the point where they could truly direct fund behavior. GJIA: Many emerging markets are looking to build their own SWFs from mineral and oil revenues. Historically, have funds shaped development trajectories in these countries? KL: I think the big story in international emerging markets investment is that the investment is increasingly no longer unidirectional. In the past multinational corporations of primarily Western background were the main form of foreign direct investment in a country. That has changed dramatically, to the point where you have companies from so-called “developing countries” taking over companies in the United States. Therefore, the landscape of international investment has changed, and I think SWFs are certainly a possibility to be the next step in the game. Historically, you didn’t need an entire financial vehicle to reinvest commodity revenues in your country, but as emerging markets get more financially sophisticated, their capacity to operate such funds has increased. SWFs would allow treasuries to move from relying on holding foreign exchange assets like cash or government bonds to having broader financial markets and targeted growth areas, while easing pressure on welfare expenditures. GJIA: With their increasing financial weight, do you see the presence of SWFs being a factor in the political choices leaders will have to make with regard to domestic and foreign policy? KL: It will depend on just how big the funds get. One of the reasons people are already apprehensive is because of their scale, and if certain SWFs in certain countries achieve a large-enough size, the presence will absolutely be cause for concern. The other factor political leaders will have to consider are their objectives. It’s not always clear how to define a SWF, or even where its activity is concentrated, but it is certainly a worry from the perspective of national security of opaque external investment. More than that, I think one of the most interesting questions going forward is whether the United States, the home to the world’s largest financial markets, will develop its own fund, for which the Trump administration announced a plan. There have also been several proposals in Congress. Were it to come into being, it would have tremendous weight. At the same time, one of the hallmarks of U.S. capitalism is a lack of government ownership of shares, so it would not be clear how such a fund would be received in domestic politics, or which direction it would take. Given how politically fragmented the country is, a Democratic administration would likely be concerned about different sectors of the economy, such as healthcare, and want investment there, rather than a Republican administration, which might prefer defense industries. No investment vehicle could thrive under conditions of such instability. Moreover, it remains unclear where the money to fund a theoretical U.S. SWF would come from. It would be a fundamentally different entity depending on whether it is financed with debt, economic surplus, commodities, or the sale of state companies, as in the case of Singapore. If it is debt, or government borrowing of some form, then the fund would have to outperform whatever the cost of that debt is, which is not an easy thing to do. I think our political leaders have enough on their plate. Our system has worked well keeping political and investment functions generally separate. We have seen different forms of business rise and fall, and even the perception of different countries, all of which funds are tied to. Unless a major SWF either starts—like in the case of the United States—or collapses—an issue that concerns the Saudis, I don’t see any political tsunamis on the horizon. . . . Kathryn Lavelle is the Ellen and Dixon Long Professor of World Affairs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Her research explores the exchange between domestic and international and political institutions with a particular emphasis on political economy and multilateralism. Dr. Lavelle’s first book, The Politics of Equity Finance in Emerging Markets, explored the political circumstances that surround large issues of stock in the developing world. After being granted tenure at Case Western, she was awarded an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship and named the William A. Steiger fellow, a designation given to the most promising political scientist in her class of fellows. While in Washington during 2006-2007, she worked on the staff of the House Committee on Financial Services on issues related to domestic and international monetary policy. Dr. Lavelle holds a PhD in political science from Northwestern University; an M.A. in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia; and a bachelor’s degree in international economics from Georgetown University. She is a permanent member of the New York Council on Foreign Relations. This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length. Interview conducted by Sid Mehrotra. Image Credit: Jason Leung, Unsplash Content Licenses, via Unsplash
Thousands of Californians move to Idaho every year. Who are they?
They’ve faced, at times, a chilly welcome from Idahoans. What the data tell us about the state’s largest group of newcomers.
Radiologists urge HHS secretary to overhaul US Preventive Services Task Force
Over 45 physicians, scientists and public health leaders believe a “fundamental shift” is needed to address how USPSTF develops and implements recommendations.
‘AI is the future’: UK launches state’s 1st Bachelor of Science in AI
From smartphones to self-driving cars, artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how the world works — and now, Kentucky students can be trained at the forefront of that transformation. The Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering at the University of Kentucky has launched the Commonwealth’s first Bachelor of Science in AI. The undergraduate degree program, housed in the Department of Computer Science, will welcome its first class in Fall 2026.
Benfica vs Real Madrid – Match preview and team news
Real Madrid travel to Lisbon for the final matchday of the Champions League league phase to face Jose Mourinho’s Benfica on Wednesday evening.Real Madrid currently sit in third position in the table...
Illinois faces its toughest challenge yet in No. 2 UCLA
Wallace, Parchment, and the Illini look to make a splash in conference play
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
31,000 Kaiser Permanente health care workers on strike
Those on strike say wages have not kept pace with inflation, and there is not enough staffing to keep up with patient demand.
Trump Administration declares pristine Alaskan seafloor “open for business,” mocks environmental safeguards - Greenpeace
At a time of accelerating ocean, climate, and biodiversity crisis, the priority should be on protecting these ecosystems, not opening new frontiers of extraction.
Faith leaders form 'human wall' at Westbrook business to help protect workers from ICE
A local business in Westbrook says it's facing a challenge it has never seen before: workplace fear.
Holli Herndon takes on Rebecca Bays in Citrus County Commission race
It's another competitive Commission race in Citrus County.
Iowa puts stringent defense up against Chad Baker-Mazara, USC
Southern California will try to close out a successful road swing on Wednesday in Iowa City, when the Trojans face an Iowa team seeking its third straight win.