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New Perspectives on EU Climate Politics using Text-as-Data Methods
This Collection invites research on EU climate governance, climate communication, climate policy diffusion within and outside the EU, and climate policy ...
I flew in United business class using points; worth it for long flight
I used points to upgrade to United Polaris business class on an eight-hour flight. From the lounge access to the amenities, the upgrade was worth it.
Lehigh Sports Central: Men's Basketball
On the latest edition of Lehigh Sports Central, hear from men's basketball head coach Brett Reed and sophomore Hank Alvey as they preview this Saturday's mat...
Melania Trump reveals advice she gives President Trump — and why she doesn’t watch him on TV all day
Melania Trump opens up in rare interview about her private approach to advising President Donald Trump and her selective media appearances strategy.
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.
After assault on Ilhan Omar, Trump responds with another blame-the-victim conspiracy theory
President Donald Trump did it after the 2021 attack on the US Capitol. He did it after the 2022 attack on the husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He did it after the murder last month of filmmaker and Democratic activist Rob Reiner. And he did it again on Tuesday after an attack on another Democrat, Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.
The Nex Playground is everything Xbox Kinect wanted to be
The Nex Playground brings motion-tracked games to the entire family. Consider it the best of the Xbox Kinect in a tiny box.
New study shows WVU, WVU Health System have huge impact on West Virginia
President Michael T. Benson and Albert L. Wright, Jr. share details from the Tripp Umbach Economic Impact Report.
Several propane tanks catch fire outside of business in Philadelphia's Roxborough neighborhood
Several propane tanks caught fire outside of a business in Philadelphia's Roxborough neighborhood on Thursday morning.
CU Athletics Announces Partnership with Sports Business Ventures to Launch 1:1 Sports Executive Mentorship Program - University of Colorado Athletics
The Scripps Student-Athlete Leadership and Career Development program is excited to announce a new partnership with Sports Business Ventures (SBV) to launch ...
CU Athletics Announces Partnership with Sports Business Ventures to Launch 1:1 Sports Executive Mentorship Program - University of Colorado Athletics
The Scripps Student-Athlete Leadership and Career Development program is excited to announce a new partnership with Sports Business Ventures (SBV) to launch ...
Scientists found a way to cool quantum computers using noise
Quantum computers need extreme cold to work, but the very systems that keep them cold also create noise that can destroy fragile quantum information. Scientists in Sweden have now flipped that problem on its head by building a tiny quantum refrigerator that actually uses noise to drive cooling instead of fighting it. By carefully steering heat at unimaginably small scales, the device can act as a refrigerator, heat engine, or energy amplifier inside quantum circuits.
Minnesota women business leaders respond to big company CEOs
In today's North Star Insider: The small business response to big company CEOs; First Ave.'s plea to music industry, and Travis Kelce invests in Sleep Number.
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)
Speedskater Jordan Stolz conquered World Cups. Olympic history is next
Speedskater Jordan Stolz has an almost unbreakable hold on the men's side of the sport. He could leave the 2026 Winter Olympics with four gold medals.
How Trump is using his 'king-like' power of clemency a 2nd time around
Clemency gives the president the power to pardon or commute sentences. How has Donald Trump used his power in his first year back? What we know.
Trump directs team to beef up his public schedule to combat questions about his stamina
Vague descriptions of presidential signing ceremonies, policy meetings and industry executive sit downs — mostly behind closed doors — began peppering President Donald Trump’s public schedule at the end of last year.
Fall Sports of XC, FB, VB, & Soccer Earn Academic All-Big 12 Honors
IRVING, Texas – The Big 12 Conference has announced its Fall Academic All-Big 12 honorees for the 2025 fall semester, released Thursday.
Small businesses in Portland, Maine, navigate ICE protest challenges
Some small-business owners in Portland, Maine, are debating how best to support staff and customers amid a federal immigration crackdown.
Google Chrome Gets Gemini Side Panel and Agentic Browsing Features
AI-powered browsing features have become a battleground among browser makers in recent months. OpenAI launched its Atlas browser in October, while Microsoft Edge and Opera have also introduced AI assistants and automated browsing capabilities. And now Google is upping the ante. The company has announced a slew of new AI features fro Chrome, including a persistent sidebar for the Gemini chatbot and "auto browse" capabilities that can perform web tasks on your behalf.
Yvonne Ejim Nominated for Sports Star of the Year
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Gonzaga's Yvonne Ejim was nominated for the Sports Star of the Year by the Seattle Sports Commission. She is one of six athletes nominated for the award.
Opinion | A ‘Fringe Epidemiologist’ on What’s Wrong With Public Health
Jay Bhattacharya, the N.I.H. director, says authorities broke the public’s trust in the Covid era. Now it’s up to outsiders to restore it.
Opinion | A ‘Fringe Epidemiologist’ on What’s Wrong With Public Health
Jay Bhattacharya, the N.I.H. director, says authorities broke the public’s trust in the Covid era. Now it’s up to outsiders to restore it.
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.
Americans Are More Worried About Health Care Costs Than Gas or Groceries
The price of health care tops the US public’s long list of economic worries ahead of the midterm elections, according to new polling data, as “affordability” has become a buzzword championed by politicians on both sides of the aisle.
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.
CAA Fast Break
As the league approaches the midway point of the conference slate, CAA men’s basketball insider Dr. John Giannini and host Griffin Della Penna broke down the league and its incredible performances, as well as the CAA's upcoming matchups on CBS Sports Network in the fifth edition of the CAA Fast Break.
Minneapolis small business supports strike against ICE, raises money
ICE activity and tariffs are making for an especially tough month for Perennial Cycle in Minneapolis. The owner is focusing on the community.
Inside Maryland’s High-Stakes Bid for Trump’s $50 Billion Rural Health Fund
The White House asked states to compete for a rare pot of new money dedicated to transforming health care across rural America.
Trump’s National Guard deployments have cost taxpayers nearly $500 million dollars
President Donald Trump’s sweeping deployment of National Guard troops to several major cities across the United States cost taxpayers approximately $496 million from June through December last year, according to an estimate from the Congressional Budget Office.
Throwback Thursday: Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football VS Michigan, 1992
This week’s Throwback Thursday takes us back to one of the most emotionally charged games ever played inside Notre Dame Stadium — the 1992 showdown between Notre Dame and Michigan. I chose this game in honor of Reggie Brooks, whose birthday we just celebrated on January 19th. Reggie’s legacy at Notre Dame extends far beyond […]
ACU Sports Podcast: Wildcat Annual Fund Director Anthony Egbo
Anthony Egbo, former ACU football player and current director of the Wildcat Annual Fund, talks about ACU Athletics' unique approach to philanthropy, what to expect for ACU Gives, and shares stories of how ACU has impacted student-athletes' lives even if they are only a Wildcat for a year or two.
6 biggest takeaways from Tesla's Q4 earnings call
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced a $2B investment into xAI and the discontinuation of Model S and Model X in order to support Optimus robot production.
Analysis: Why the Minnesota deportation impasse will be so hard to solve
What happens now that the tough Minnesota deportation crackdown has turned tragic depends on whether President Donald Trump concludes he simply has an optics problem or whether he’s ready to make genuine changes to unpopular hardline policies that are central to his political identity.
'Let them sue us': Residents outraged over proposed mental health facility in Horry Co.
A town hall meeting turned heated as residents and mental health advocates debated the location of a proposed mental health facility.
The President Sees Iran as a Gas Station with a Flag
Get ready—Trump is going to be talking about the country for a while to cover for the fact that he’s backed down on Greenland and Minneapolis.
Josh Shapiro accuses JD Vance of giving 'comfort' to right-wing antisemitism
The Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, is on a book tour promoting his memoir, which highlights his Jewish faith.
Google to foist Gemini pane on Chrome users in automated browsing push
: The world’s most popular browser has gained a dedicated sidebar for AI browsing
Convicted sex offender tried to rape a woman in a business, police said. They're searching for other victims
Convicted sex offender arrested for attempted rape inside DTLA business, captured in Skid Row
Business Coach Arnaud CZ Releases Free Course to Help Corporate Fathers Build Side Income Amid Rising Job Uncertainty
PRAGUE, CZECHIA, Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arnaud CZ, founder of the $100k Dad system, specializing in corporate-to-entrepreneur transit...
Decatur seeking input on Oakwood Business District
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Decatur is asking its residents to fill out a survey on changes they would like to see to the Oakwood Business District before they make a plan to revamp it. Councilman David Horn said the survey is part of a step that will be taken before the city […]
How Ohio mayors are responding to ICE
The fatal shooting of two Minneapolis residents by federal agents this month has triggered protests in cities across the country, as well as a range of responses from local officials.
Trump Rallies Business Leaders to Fund Accounts for Babies
The President joined with celebrities, CEOs, and officials to stoke support for the new Trump Accounts.
Alexander Volkanovski shuts down Jean Silva title talk
Not yet, “Lord.” Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Brazilian fan-favorite Jean Silva scored the biggest win of his career at UFC 324 last weekend (Sat., Jan. 24, 2026), outworking the ultra-durable Arnold Allen to a unanimous decision victory inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The win immediately launched Silva into the division’s elite and title […]
Chicago mother claims unsafe conditions in apartment are harming her children's health
A mother of four living in a subsidized housing apartment on the 4800 block of North Avers says unsafe conditions inside her unit are putting her children’s health at risk — and despite months of repair requests, she says little has changed.
Democrats demand major overhaul to ICE, as government shutdown risk skyrockets
Democrats in Congress are digging in against any funding deal with President Donald Trump this week that doesn’t include major changes to federal immigration enforcement – dramatically increasing the odds of a shutdown at week’s end.
Attack on Ilhan Omar Follows Years of Trump’s Targeting Her
President Trump has spent years demonizing and dehumanizing the Somali-born Democrat from Minnesota, fueling escalating threats against her.
Tigers Pounce on Pilots for 74-51 Victory on Dignity Health Night
Taking control early in the game, the Pacific men's basketball program overwhelmed Portland in a 74-51 win Wednesday on Dignity Health Night at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
Mike DeWine says biggest mistake as governor was to sign bill legalizing sports gambling
Gov. Mike DeWine says he considers his signing of legislation legalizing sports gambling his biggest mistake as governor. “Any control that we can get over this, anything we can do, we should be doing,” DeWine said Wednesday.
’Canes Science Bowl brings STEM education to more students
University of Miami student Sabrina Cuba and graduate Alberti Regalado started the ’Canes Science Bowl to build an interest in STEM education in current ’Canes and pre-college education students. Adriana Gonzalez and Aaliyah Davis, the new ’Cane Science Bowl presidents, are keeping the dream alive. They will host the annual spring ’Canes Science Bowl with
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
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.
Internal review contradicts Trump administration on Alex Pretti shooting : The NPR Politics Podcast
An initial internal review into federal immigration officers’ fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last weekend contradicts the description of the incident by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. We discuss President Trump’s shifting messages on immigration policy and how his administration’s efforts to restrict legal immigration pathways are changing the political environment. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, immigration policy correspondent Ximena Bustillo, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and Lexie Schapitl, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
Opinion | A defense of business leaders’ pragmatic letter about the events in Minnesota
"Maybe public vitriol isn’t the measure by which to judge the words of business leaders in today’s world and with this president," Tom Horner writes.
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.
Fact check: Trump says Democrats don’t talk about affordability anymore (they do) because inflation is over (it isn’t)
President Donald Trump tried Tuesday to concoct an alternative reality on the subject of “affordability” – piling lie on top of lie to try to convince Americans that the issue has vanished.
Google brings its Nano Banana image generator to Chrome
Following its recent AI makeover of Gmail, Google is bringing more Gemini-powered tools to Chrome. Starting today, a host of new features are rolling for the browser, with more to come over the next few months.
Live Nation Entertainment, DF Entertainment, and Dale Play Live Enter Into Long-Term Partnership With Club Atlético River Plate at Mâs Monumental Stadium
Live Nation Entertainment today announced a long-term partnership with Club Atlético River Plate, alongside DF Entertainment, Argentina’s leading international live entertainment company; and Dale Play Live, Argentina’s leading Latin live entertainment company, to further elevate Mâs Monumental Stadium as one of the world’s premier destinations for global touring artists and…
Paramount+ plans move into short-form video, UGC: internal docs
Paramount executives want to add short-form video and user-generated content to Paramount+, according to leaked emails and presentations.
How Oprah Winfrey has turned her weight-loss journey into a business
Oprah Winfrey's newest book, "Enough," is about her relationship with weight-loss drugs. Since the '90s, she has been combining her health with business.
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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.
WATCH: Coons, Rubio disagree on whether Congress should’ve been consulted before Maduro ouster
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said the Trump administration failed to properly consult with Congress in the months leading up to the dramatic U.S. military raid that ousted President Nicolás Maduro. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it was "a trigger-based operation."
Read the email Amazon is sending to laid-off employees
The notifications state that employees will receive full pay and benefits for 90 days.
The Odds: Is DHS Secy. Noem becoming an unavoidable political problem for President Trump?
Scott Pilgrim EX launches March 3
Retro-style side-scrolling adventure brawlerScott Pilgrim EX will launch digitally for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC via Steam on March 3 for $28.99, developer Tribute G…
Health insurers dodge Trump's pricing crackdown, for now
While the president's ire can return on a whim, the prospect of an Oval Office dressing down appears, for the moment, off the table.
Internal messages reveal teams, jobs affected in Amazon layoffs
Amazon is laying off 16,000 corporate employees. Internal messages show that many of the affected employees had software engineering roles.
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
The Unsettling Experience of Reporting on Trump’s Health
Chatting with Intelligencer’s Ben Terris about presidential hand bruises and White House sycophancy.
Our Darwinian Approach to Health Care Costs
In his latest column, President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman presents his Venn diagram of health care cost problems and shows how, in our fragmented health system, reducing one health cost problem often makes another worse.
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
Nervous Allies and Fox News: How Trump Realized He Had a Big Problem in Minneapolis
President Trump often blusters his way through a crisis, refusing to back down. Minneapolis tested the limits of that strategy.
How to Communicate About Quantum Technology — Science-Backed Tips For Talking Quantum
Research shows that most people know little about quantum technology, making clear, balanced communication essential.
Kast’s Cabinet Set to Confront Distinctly Political Challenges
Chile’s president-elect has rolled out a pro-business cast of ministers, tasked with finding political solutions, an expert writes.
‘I don’t let bullies win’ Ilhan Omar says after attack, as Trump says he will ‘de-escalate’ in Minneapolis
President had mocked congresswoman hours before she was sprayed with unknown substance during a town hall event
Scott Pilgrim EX Arrives In March, Two New Playable Characters Revealed
Two former enemies of Scott now rally by his side.
Football Announces New Sports Performance Staff Hires - University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee football has finalized its sports performance staff with the addition of six new hires under the direction of Derek Owings , head coach Josh Heupel...
Scientists turn tumor immune cells into cancer killers
Scientists at KAIST have found a way to turn a tumor’s own immune cells into powerful cancer fighters—right inside the body. Tumors are packed with macrophages, immune cells that should attack cancer but are usually silenced by the tumor environment. By injecting a specially designed drug directly into tumors, researchers were able to “reprogram” these dormant cells to recognize and destroy cancer.
Inside the reincarnation of Palo Alto's beloved sports bar
The beloved Stanford spot has a lot of homages to its former version inside.
Why it’s so hard to uncover the truth about a president’s health
Bruises on Trump’s hands and other apparent ailments have invited speculation. But secrecy, politics, and the vagaries of aging make drawing conclusions difficult.
Inside the minds of two US Olympians — and how they achieve greatness
U.S. Olympians Erin Jackson and Alysa Liu demonstrate how different personality traits and cognitive styles can lead to elite athletic success.
iPhone 18 Pro Could Feature Teleconverter Alongside Variable Aperture
Apple's rumored new variable aperture camera system for this year's iPhone 18 Pro models has reached the sampling stage, according to a new claim from a Chinese leaker. Posting on Weibo today, the account known as "Smart Pikachu" said the feature had entered late-stage engineering samples, while a teleconverter is also "under evaluation" for the device. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to launch in September 2026.
Analysis: Trump’s team almost never backs down from its false claims. This past week has been different
From the start, this has been a say-anything presidential administration.
Frederick zoning amendment could change rules for home businesses
Frederick business owners who operate out of their homes could have new rules under a zoning amendment being considered by the city's Planning Commission.
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
Parents of child who scootered alone for 4 minutes ruled neglectful
Mallerie Shirley and her husband were found to be neglectful of their 6-year-old after letting him scooter to a park alone.
Leaked Starbucks org chart shows who's who behind its turnaround
Org charts reveal a company's power structure. A copy of Starbucks' chart shows who's helping CEO Brian Niccol drive the chain's turnaround.
Amazon announces new layoffs as restructuring continues
Amazon announces another mass layoff as CEO Andy Jassy takes aim at bureaucracy and seeks a cultural reset.
More 'No Kings' protests planned for March 28 as outrage spreads over Minneapolis deaths
Organizers are planning what they anticipate will be the largest “No Kings” protests yet, targeting what they call authoritarianism under President Donald Trump
Inside new NIL policy for Michigan high school athletes from MHSAA
The Michigan High School Athletic Association expanded personal branding opportunities for high school athletes to profit off their own NIL on Jan. 27
Limy raises $10M to help brands boost AI agent visibility: pitch deck
Limy raised $10 million from investors including Flybridge and a16z to help brands boost their visibility to AI agents.
A CT health care system achieved a first-of-a-kind status in nation. What it is and why it matters.
This “will have significant impact on patients and their families throughout Connecticut,” a hospital president said.
Tear gas causes health concerns for Twin Cities residents
Federal agents are regularly using chemical irritants like tear gas in attempts to disperse protesters and observers in the Twin Cities. Medical experts say there’s a lot of uncertainty about the health impacts of those chemicals.
Trump’s Choice to Be Alabama’s Next Senator Finds an Odd Political Target: the Modern Gas Can
ENTERPRISE, Ala.—U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, a longtime political figure in this rural Alabama community, has his priorities. Among them? A reform effort aimed at the modern gas can. A congressman since 2021, the Republican may be headed toward one of the most powerful positions in Yellowhammer State politics, a seat in the U.S. Senate, given […]
Where is the Supreme Court’s decision on Trump’s tariffs?
When the Supreme Court agreed last September to hear a dispute over President Donald Trump’s billion-dollar tariffs on foreign goods, it heeded the administration’s plea that time was of the essence.
How scientists predict big winter storms : Short Wave
This past weekend, Winter Storm Fern struck the States. Sleet, snow and ice battered Americans all the way from New Mexico to New York. Scientists predicted its arrival in mid-January, and in anticipation of the storm, more than 20 state governors issued emergency declarations. But how did scientists know so much, so early, about the approaching storm? NPR climate reporter Rebecca Hersher says it has to do with our weather models… and the data we put into them. Which begs the question: Will we continue to invest in them?Interested in more science behind the weather? Check out our episodes on better storm prediction in the tropics and how the Santa Ana winds impact the fire season this time of year. Have a question we haven’t covered? Email us at shortwave@npr.org. We’d love to consider it for a future episode! Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.This episode was produced by Hannah Chinn. It was edited by our showrunner Rebecca Ramirez. Tyler Jones and Rebecca Hersher checked the facts. The audio engineer was Robert Rodriguez. News clips were from CBS Boston, Fox Weather, Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, and PBS Newshour.
Reid Hoffman warns CEOs against staying quiet in the Trump era
Reid Hoffman says business leaders are wrong to stay silent and that they have a responsibility to speak up.
Bernard Arnault started LVMH's earnings call with some dark humor
The LVMH CEO started an earnings call with, "I think we'll make it through the winter."