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Colorectal cancer is increasing among young people. Experts explain how decrease your risk
An increasing number of people are dying of colorectal cancer at a young age. The death of actor James Van Der Beek, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023, at age 48 is bringing the disease back into the limelight.
Melissa Joan Hart remembers James Van Der Beek as 'my first on screen kiss'
Melissa Joan Hart shared a heartfelt tribute to James Van Der Beek on Wednesday, where she remembered him as 'my first on screen kiss' after he guest starred on 'Clarissa Explains It All.'
Why I stopped chasing money and focused on health
After years of extreme work and little sleep, a founder explains how health data revealed hidden risks and pushed him to rethink success.
Why I stopped chasing money and focused on health
After years of extreme work and little sleep, a founder explains how health data revealed hidden risks and pushed him to rethink success.
CCTA becoming an essential tool for interventional cardiologists
Ziad Ali, MD, explains how coronary computed tomography angiography is creating a major shift in cardiac care.
We’re Living in a Golden Age of Close-Up Magic
For our next trick, we explain why professional magicians are having a major moment.
Communications breakdown over El Paso airspace closure sparks finger pointing across Trump administration
The Federal Aviation Administration’s abrupt and unexplained closure of airspace above El Paso, Texas, early Wednesday has given way to a blame game inside the administration, with key senior officials asserting they hadn’t been alerted to the decision beforehand, according to several people familiar with the matter.
NASA scientists say meteorites can’t explain mysterious organic compounds on Mars
Scientists studying a rock sample collected by NASA’s Curiosity rover have uncovered something tantalizing: the largest organic molecules ever detected on Mars. The compounds — decane, undecane, and dodecane — may be fragments of fatty acids, which on Earth are most often linked to life. While non-living processes like meteorite impacts can also create such molecules, researchers found those sources couldn’t fully explain the amounts detected.
The hidden forces behind winter sports
UD professor explains how Olympic athletes optimize physics to reach peak performance
Voter ID is an ‘existential political issue’: Rep Brandon Gill
DEK: Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, explains why he thinks the SAVE America Act is ‘common sense’ legislation on ‘The Bottom Line.’
Wielding the power of AI: how solopreneurs streamline their workflow
From drafting documents to reclaiming family time, these solopreneurs explain how AI is changing the way they work, decide, and lead their businesses.
A Tragedy of Early COVID Has Finally Been Explained
Dangerous blood clotting associated with certain vaccines had a genetic cause, according to a new paper.
How we protect our marriage while running a business together
A business owner explains how running a property company with her husband works, and the boundaries that protect both marriage and money.
Quantum Computing Breakthrough: Scientists Finally Unlock the Secret of Majorana Qubits
Scientists have finally figured out how to read ultra-secure Majorana qubits—bringing robust quantum computing a big step closer. “This is a crucial advance,” says Ramón Aguado, a CSIC researcher at the Madrid Institute of Materials Science (ICMM) and co author of the study. He explains that the
How the Epstein files are upending U.K. politics : Consider This from NPR
The latest disclosure from the U.S. Department of Justice’s investigation of Jeffrey Epstein is threatening the U.K. ruling government.New documents have led Peter Mandelson, a former ambassador to the U.S., to resign from Britain’s House of Lords and from the Labour Party.The fallout has already claimed two key staff members close to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and some in his own party are calling for him to step down too.Edward Luce, chief U.S. commentator for the Financial Times, helps explain the scandal – and why the reaction in the U.K. differs from the U.S.For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Jordan-Marie Smith and Connor Donevan, with audio engineering by Hannah Gluvna. It was edited by Patrick Jarenwattananon and Michael Levitt. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
What is a pulmonary embolism? Catherine O'Hara's cause of death, explained
"Home Alone" actress Catherine O'Hara's died from a pulmonary embolism. Here's what to know.
The Easter Eggs From Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Performance, Explained
From a light blue Puerto Rican flag to a young boy resembling a young Bad Bunny — here are some of the Easter eggs from his historic halftime show.
When AI personalization is blended with behavioral science
Lirio uses its large behavior model, which mixes artificial intelligence with behavioral science, to drive consumer engagement in healthcare at the personal level, CEO Marten den Haring explains.
Expert explains how hormonal changes affect women's heart health
During Heart Health Month, it's good to know how a lesser-known factor risk factor can impact your health: Hormonal changes.
How do scientists hunt for dark matter? A physicist explains why the mysterious substance is so hard to find
Dark matter doesn’t seem to interact with the matter we can see and touch, so scientists look for it in unusual places, like faraway galaxies and underground detectors.
How a Southern lifestyle brand from Baton Rouge now sells more than a million pieces a year
"The first time we sourced from Asia," he explained, "we had to throw away the entire product because we had no clue what we were doing."
Making science more visible
As he enters a laboratory with saltwater pools full of fish, Luka Žuvić explains how climate change is affecting the feeding ecology and reproductive biology of Atlantic bluefin tuna, and how the species is adapting.It is a topic that may seem remote to many people. But in a country where fishing and aquaculture are important to the economy and national identity, Žuvić’s research is at the intersection of science and society. “In Croatia, marine and environmental science are closely connected to people’s lives because fisheries, aquaculture, tourism and coastal development are a big part of our lives,” explains Žuvić, a doctoral student working at the Croatian Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in the Adriatic coastal city of Split. He also serves as one of Croatia’s ambassadors to Science Comes to Town (SCTT), a European Commission-funded project that aims to make scientific research more accessible, while inspiring young people to study the sciences. The project kicked off in Spilt on 20 January with a conference attended by partner institutions, community representatives, policymakers and scientists. Along with Split, Brest (in France) and Kiel (in Germany) will host a year of activities connecting scientists with the public.Žuvić, 31, is part of the Young Researchers' Career Development Project, a doctoral programme funded by the Croatian Science Foundation. His research on Atlantic bluefin tuna builds on a foundation-backed project focusing on the reproductive potential of farmed tuna, including their sexual maturation and spontaneous spawning in captivity, which has implications for the restoration of the Adriatic Sea's natural tuna populations. He also studies the tuna's feeding ecology through stomach-content analysis, using DNA metabarcoding and morphological approaches, and employs geometric morphometrics to improve the identification of juvenile tuna and related species. The research aims to enhance understanding of the tuna farming ecology, improve fish farm management and contribute to sustainable aquaculture and fisheries research.Engaging with local communitiesConnecting with the community is crucial for Žuvić’s research. Conversations with fishermen help him better understand the bluefin tuna's habits and how marine pollution affects the fish. “They are also curious about the biology and ecology of bluefin tuna,” he says of local fishermen, adding that sharing research with non-scientists benefits everyone. “Sometimes scientific research is invisible,” he explains. “That's why we as researchers need to go out from our institutions and labs to the public so that we can show them what we are working on. This helps create more trust in the scientists and their research.”Engaging the public also raises awareness about the anthropogenic changes to the marine environment resulting from human activities and pollution. Žuvić helps remove plastic and other rubbish from the Adriatic Sea that pose a direct threat to marine species. Predators, such as bluefin tuna, are especially vulnerable to ingesting waste churned up by fishing trawlers. “They are very opportunistic fish that follow trawlers and ingest everything,” he notes. To illustrate the impact, he has shown students the contents of bluefin tuna stomachs. “Finding a plastic bottle cap in the stomach of a bluefin tuna is concerning,” he says. "Science can be a powerful way to turn curiosity into practical solutions,” Žuvić adds, and sharing research outcomes “helps increase public awareness and improve understanding of human impacts on the marine environment.”The research also has implications for Croatia's economy. The Atlantic bluefin tuna’s rich, flavourful meat is highly valued for sushi and other raw fish dishes. However, overfishing nearly brought its population to collapse by the early 2000s. Although the species has made a comeback in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions, catches continue to be managed through agreements with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. Croatia was a pioneer in developing commercial aquaculture as an alternative to open-sea fishing and accounts for about 10% of the EU’s farmed production of the bluefin tuna, with Japan being a key export market.A history of European collaborationCroatia has participated in Europe’s framework programmes for research and innovation since 2007, six years before officially joining the EU. Žuvić believes that EU funding and collaboration with other European researchers is vital for Croatian science. As part of the SCTT opening conference, the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, the University of Split and other local institutions were part of a science fair to showcase research on topics, such as robotics and an EU LIFE project on the protection of sharks and rays in the Mediterranean. “I hope that Science Comes to Town will help increase scientific literacy and curiosity among citizens, particularly students, and show that science is not something that is distant or abstract, but something that directly affects everyday life,” Žuvić concludes. “Ultimately, I hope that projects like it contribute to building a society that values knowledge and critical thinking, and that we can think about long-term sustainability using knowledge from science.”Science|Business, which connects policymakers, academics and industry through its news reporting, analysis and events, is an SCTT partner.
Why this rust-like mineral is one of Earth’s best carbon vaults
A common iron mineral hiding in soil turns out to be far better at trapping carbon than scientists realized. Its surface isn’t uniform — it’s a nanoscale patchwork of positive and negative charges that can grab many different organic molecules. Instead of relying on a single weak attraction, the mineral uses several bonding strategies to hold carbon tightly in place. This helps explain how soils store enormous amounts of carbon for the long term.
Microsoft Still Plans First-Party Xbox Handheld, It's Claimed
A new report claims Microsoft reportedly still plans an Xbox handheld, even as it prioritizes its next console.
Politics chat: Trump defends posting racist clip, Judge rules on Hudson River project
President Trump explains how a racist video clip made it into his Truth Social post. A judge rules that his administration cannot block funds for a massive tunnel project under the Hudson river.
iPad 12 and iPad Air 8 Reportedly Coming Soon
Apple is planning to launch new iPad and iPad Air models in the near future, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. Writing in today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that updated iPads are "coming soon," including a new entry-level iPad and a new iPad Air. Both devices are not expected to feature design changes or major enhancements, instead focusing on new chips.
Do teams keep the Super Bowl trophy?
BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team explains who the Super Bowl trophy is named after and if the winner is allowed to keep the prize.
Packers president explains decision to keep coach Matt LaFleur
Waiting to hear from Ed Policy following the contract extension for coach Matt LaFleur? The Packers president provided some answers in his monthly Q&A.
Olympians and scientists explain how machine-made snow makes ski racing faster and riskier
U.S. Olympic skiers and scientists explain the sharp differences between natural snow and machine-made snow, from the science to the rising risk of crashes.
I'm Kim Kardashian's trainer. Here's why strength matters.
Kim Kardashian's trainer explains how strength training transformed her mental health, career, and approach to fitness after immigration.
Super Bowl private jets: Flexjet CEO explains how it prepares
The Super Bowl will see private jets charged event fees in the tens of thousands, and special procedures to deal with high traffic.
I quit teaching math to sell plants worth $16,000
Harry Luu explains how he left academia to build a business selling rare plants, supporting a family of eight through data-driven decisions.
NASA Study: Non-biologic Processes Don’t Fully Explain Mars Organics
In a new study, researchers say that non-biological sources they considered could not fully account for the abundance of organic compounds in a sample
Comparing States’ Rural Health Fund Allotments to Medicaid Spending Cuts Can be Misleading
This issue brief explains why it can be misleading to compare the first year of Rural Health Transformation Program allocations with estimated Medicaid cuts, which will be implemented on a gradual basis and not fully take effect until 2027, after the rural health fund is exhausted.
This Is the No. 1 Worst Type of Supplement for Your Teeth, Dentists Say
In TODAY.com's Expert Tip of the Day, a dentist explains why you should skip this type of supplement for better oral health.
Why colorectal cancer breaks the immune system’s rules
Colorectal cancer has long baffled scientists because, unlike most tumors, patients often do better when their cancers are packed with immune-suppressing regulatory T cells. New research finally explains why. Scientists discovered that these T cells aren’t all the same: one subtype actually helps keep tumors in check, while another shields cancer from immune attack. The balance between these “good” and “bad” cells can determine whether a tumor grows or shrinks.
Inside Iowa Politics: Why candidate says it’s ‘good vs. evil’
Adam Steen, a Republican candidate for governor, explained why he uses "good versus evil" in his campaign.
GO Battle League Now Awards Championship Points: Leaderboard Challenges Explained
How GO Battle League players can earn Championship Points and qualify for the Pokémon World Championships
Frozen on the Ice: The Brain Science Behind Perfect Olympic Timing
Research from Carnegie Mellon University helps explain why that split-second pause happens and how the brain controls it, offering insight not only into elite athletic performance, but also how people make everyday decisions when the outcome isn’t clear.
When patients see the line between life and death, should we believe them?
Researchers have developed a model to explain the science of near-death experiences. Others have challenged it.
When patients see the line between life and death, should we believe them?
Researchers have developed a model to explain the science of near-death experiences. Others have challenged it.
Taco Bell's CEO explains why the chain keeps winning
Taco Bell CEO Sean Tresvant told Business Insider that the chain's advantage lies in strong value perception, menu innovation, and customer loyalty.
US man shares clever AirTag trick that Apple never explains when you buy it
US tech creator reveals a simple AirTag setup trick Apple doesn’t explain, plus a small habit that makes trackers far more useful day to day
Olympic curling: Sweeping, explained
The sweeping in curling might look simple, but it's a real-time mix of strategy, physics and athleticism in a game that can be decided by a matter of inches.
FC Köln sporting director explains plan to lead Bayern Munich loanee Felipe Chávez to the ‘level of the Bundesliga’
Köln are excited to add another player to the squad.
Claude is a space to think
Anthropic explains why Claude will remain ad-free—how advertising incentives conflict with building a genuinely helpful AI assistant users can trust.
MIT's new brain tool could finally explain consciousness
Scientists still don’t know how the brain turns physical activity into thoughts, feelings, and awareness—but a powerful new tool may help crack the mystery. Researchers at MIT are exploring transcranial focused ultrasound, a noninvasive technology that can precisely stimulate deep regions of the brain that were previously off-limits. In a new “roadmap” paper, they explain how this method could finally let scientists test cause-and-effect in consciousness research, not just observe correlations.
Communicating Science in a Misinformation Age
S4, E7: Drawing on decades of experience, infectious disease expert William Schaffner, MD, explains why effective science communication must reach hearts as well as minds to change behavior ...
I created a Black-owned business directory — ICE forced me to remove it
Rose Barboza explains why ICE activity in Maine forced her to take down a directory of Black-owned businesses she spent years building.
Becoming a parent pushed me to leave corporate life
Shawn Asselin explains how frustration with men's underwear led him to quit corporate life and build a fast-growing brand.
What Happens If Science Finally Explains Consciousness? A New Study Explores the Consequences
Consciousness remains science’s greatest mystery. A new study explores how it arises—and why solving it could reshape existence.
How ‘Heated Rivalry’ changed the game for Canadian TV
Creator Jacob Tierney, producing partner Brendan Brady and the executives who supported the series explain why it will remain thoroughly Canadian in Season 2.
Why Nearby Galaxies Are Fleeing Us: Scientists Finally Solve a 50-Year Mystery
A flat plane of dark matter beyond the Local Group may explain why nearby galaxies move away from us instead of falling inward.
Country music star explains why he didn’t talk politics at Grammys
He appreciated the chance to explain why he doesn't talk politics.
Here’s What to Know About the Partial Government Shutdown
A bipartisan spending deal couldn’t clear Congress in time to prevent a lapse in federal funding for some departments. The House must pass it to fully reopen the government.
One of Earth’s most abundant lifeforms has a fatal flaw
SAR11 bacteria dominate the world’s oceans by being incredibly efficient, shedding genes to survive in nutrient-poor waters. But that extreme streamlining appears to backfire when conditions change. Under stress, many cells keep copying their DNA without dividing, creating abnormal cells that grow large and die. This vulnerability may explain why SAR11 populations drop during phytoplankton blooms and could become more important as oceans grow less stable.
Geo-kleptocracy and the rise of 'global mafia politics'
Expert Alex de Waal explains how the capture of Maduro, leaving his corrupt regime in place, is a 'crystalline example' of regime change in the new era
Browns coach Todd Monken explains why he left Georgia
Former Georgia Bulldogs offensive coordinator Todd Monken explains why he left Georgia football to return to the NFL
Cody Rhodes Explains Why He 'Misses' WWE Live Events
With WWE reducing the number of untelevised live events it holds each year, Cody Rhodes explained why he misses the heavier schedule.
Baby dinosaurs were the backbone of the Jurassic food chain
Despite growing into the largest animals ever to walk on land, sauropods began life small, exposed, and alone. Fossil evidence suggests their babies were frequently eaten by multiple predators, making them a key part of the Jurassic food chain. This steady supply of easy prey may explain why early predators thrived without needing extreme hunting adaptations. The findings offer a rare glimpse into how dinosaur ecosystems truly worked.
Q&A: Commissioner Justin Rodriguez explains why county government is becoming a political battleground
Texas' largest counties have frequently run up against the state's GOP in its quest to innovate, putting a bigger spotlight on their leaders.
We’ve got rhythm — but why? What science can explain about dance
Dancing uses overlooked senses and may tie to our deep evolutionary past. Knowing that can only make it more magical.
Scientists finally explain statin muscle pain
Statins are a cornerstone of heart health, but muscle pain and weakness cause many patients to quit taking them. Scientists have now identified the precise molecular trigger behind these side effects. They found that statins jam open a critical muscle protein, causing a toxic calcium leak. The discovery could lead to safer statins that keep their life-saving benefits without the muscle damage.
CIO says academia has some lessons to teach health IT pros
"A significant portion of any leadership role is explaining the 'why' and 'how' of a change to diverse audiences," says Bruce Barnes of Brooke Army Medical Center, ahead of his HIMSS26 presentation on the value of higher education.
Nick Sirianni explains the Eagles' decision to hire Sean Mannion
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni offers some perspective to the Sean Mannion hire.
Nintendo shares statement on Dispatch censorship debacle...and it doesn't explain much (bumped to the front page)
Anyone else confused?
New radon story map explains how it enters the indoors, health risks and how to fix it
The latest story map published by EGLE provides a detailed look at radon.
Sam Raimi shares 'Doctor Strange 2' scene that made him want to work with Rachel McAdams again
Without 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,' 'Send Help' would've looked a lot different. Director Sam Raimi and star Rachel McAdams explained how Marvel was their stepping stone to the survival horror movie.
College football transfer portal: Auburn's Alex Golesh comments on tampering
First-year Auburn coach Alex Golesh coach explains how no guardrails in the transfer portal has led to chaos
The Science Behind Rare Gulf Effect Snow Potential In Tampa Bay
Could parts of Tampa Bay, Florida experience Gulf effect snow this weekend? Our expert explains.
Pro Football Hall of Fame voter explains Bill Belichick snub
Vahe Gregorian of the Kansas City Star gave his reasoning for leaving the Patriots legend out of his top three
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.
Grammy Nominee Laura Veltz on Writing Songs in Nashville: ‘Hate Not Welcome’
Laura Veltz explains how she is able to write songs in Nashville with artists who may not share her political views, on 'Nashville Now' podcast.
Trump's response to Pretti killing upends Second Amendment politics : Here & Now Anytime
Alex Pretti was legally carrying a gun when a federal agent shot and killed him in Minneapolis last weekend. President Trump and other federal officials blamed his death on the fact that he had a gun, but Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus chair Bryan Strawser explains why he disagrees.And, after leading immigration operations in Minneapolis, Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino has returned to his previous job in California. CalMatters investigative reporter Sergio Olmos talks about Bovino’s record in California.
Amazon layoffs: Leaked memos explain job cuts amid startup shift
Amazon announced 16,000 corporate layoffs on Wednesday. Executives say it aims to transform into the 'world's largest startup' with a cultural reset.
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
Bill Belichick misses the Hall of Fame: Explaining the voting process that rejected the Patriots legend
How Trump transformed ICE, in two charts
The money behind Trump’s immigration crackdown, briefly explained.
Health officials warn about snow shoveling health risks
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel explains how shoveling heavy snow can increase heart attack risk and reacts to a new study on the benefits of short naps.
Minnesota judge orders acting ICE director to appear in court
Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons has been ordered to appear in federal court this Friday to explain why he should not be held in contempt for violating a judge’s order in the case of a man who is challenging his detention.
This discovery could let bones benefit from exercise without moving
Researchers have discovered a biological switch that explains why movement keeps bones strong. The protein senses physical activity and pushes bone marrow stem cells to build bone instead of storing fat, slowing age-related bone loss. By targeting this “exercise sensor,” scientists believe they could create drugs that mimic exercise at the molecular level. The approach could protect fragile bones in people who are unable to stay active.
Has the world entered an era of ‘water bankruptcy’?
Madeleine Finlay speaks to Patrick Wintour, who has been reporting on Iran’s water crisis, while Prof Mohammad Shamsudduha of UCL explains what can be done to bring water supplies back from the brink
Scientists finally explain Earth’s strangest fossils
The Ediacara Biota are some of the strangest fossils ever found—soft-bodied organisms preserved in remarkable detail where preservation shouldn’t be possible. Scientists now think their survival in sandstone came from unusual ancient seawater chemistry that created clay “cements” around their bodies after burial. This process captured delicate shapes that would normally vanish. The finding helps clarify how complex life emerged before the Cambrian Explosion.
The science of why video evidence can mess with our brain
Why can people watch the same video footage and see different things? Neuroscience can help explain
The Highguard Devs Explain That Terrible Game Awards Reveal
The original plan was a to completely shadow drop the game just like Apex Legends
Trump appears to forget word for Alzheimer’s during stunning interview on his health
Trump explained that his father had almost no medical conditions throughout his life, except for one.
The magnetic secret inside steel finally explained
For years, scientists noticed that magnetic fields could improve steel, but no one knew exactly why. New simulations reveal that magnetism changes how iron atoms behave, making it harder for carbon atoms to slip through the metal. This slows diffusion at the atomic level and alters steel’s internal structure. The insight could lead to more efficient, lower-energy ways to make stronger steel.
Science Slam in Cologne: When researchers steal the show
As a PhD candidate at University Hospital Cologne, Verena Dzialas researches neurogenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. On stage at Science Slam events, she explains complex brain processes in accessible ways.
Costco's lesser-known membership benefits explained
Discover hidden Costco member perks beyond bulk shopping: exclusive travel deals, auto discounts, prescription savings and professional home services.
NFL ref defends ruling on controversial Jarrett Stidham fumble
NFL referee Alex Kemp explained his ruling on Jarrett Stidham's pass that was deemed a fumble.
A millionaire in California explains why he's happy to pay more taxes
A millionaire in California shares why he supports the state's proposed billionaire wealth tax — and why he doesn't plan to move away.
How The Latest Price Target Shift Is Reshaping The Accel Entertainment (ACEL) Story
Why the Price Target on Accel Entertainment Matters Now The latest change in price target for Accel Entertainment has put fresh attention on how the market is thinking about the stock, even though the specific figures behind that shift have not been detailed here. With no explicit commentary provided to explain the adjustment, the focus for you as an investor is less about the number itself and more about what might be driving analysts to revisit their assumptions. Stay tuned to see how you...
The Class Politics of Austerity
A new book by economist Clara Mattei explains why calls for governments to balance budgets and live within their means are often a thinly veiled justification for an assault on the poor.
Why it Matters: Ohio hopes the Science of Reading boosts student literacy rates
The Science of Reading isn’t a single program or philosophy. It’s based on decades of scientific research that explains how children develop reading and writing skills, and why some kids struggle.
Seminary dean explains how churches become centers of politics
Dean of Bethel Seminary explains why churches and houses of worship are entering the political conversation more than usual.
David Beckham explains why his Bank of America sports deal isn't your traditional sponsorship
From East London to global success, David Beckham teams up with Bank of America to give children opportunities that he says he was "lucky" to have had.
Your brain can be trained, much like your muscles – a neurologist explains how to boost your brain health
Challenging the brain by exposing it to new situations, tasks and skills can improve its efficiency, much like strength training does for our muscles. But maximum efficiency requires optimal rest.
TN House expands adult entertainment restrictions: 'A common sense step' Todd says
Rep. Chris Todd explains Tennessee House of Representatives' move to pass legislation expanding protections for children against exposure to adult entertainment.
‘Mr. President, it’s now time’: Social conservatives beg Trump for abortion pill crackdown
As thousands of protestors demonstrate in Washington, DC, at Friday’s annual March for Life, the Trump administration faces a deadline to explain why it opposes a lawsuit that could end the availability of abortion pills by mail.