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Racial Debate Rattles Texas Democratic Primary for Senate
State Representative James Talarico used the word “mediocre” to describe a former House member who is Black. The controversy has repercussions for a key contest.
Usher, Big Sean open 'Detroit’s Entertainment Innovation Incubator' for youth in the city
Two of the biggest superstars in music were in Detroit on Tuesday, making a million-dollar investment in the city’s youth.
Louisiana delegation votes along party lines on budget as immigration controversy looms
The debate over budget bills has been complicated by controversy over the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.
49ers' Fred Warner ignites Brock Purdy vs. Justin Herbert debate
Warner loves his quarterback.
2nd annual ‘Battle at Bryant’ team lineup announced
The ‘Battle at Bryant’ spring high school football jamboree, with the first annual event hosted by Lakeland (Fla.) in 2025, is back for Year 2 this upcoming May. The Dreadnaughts announced via social media that they’ll be hosting six of Florida’s top high school football programs from the 2025 season at Bryant Stadium for the […]
Congress passes spending bill amid DHS funding debate, Minnesota deaths
Congress narrowly passed the final spending package, averting a prolonged shutdown amid fierce debate over homeland security funding following fatal Minnesota shootings.
Usher and Big Sean Open Detroit Entertainment Innovation Incubator at Michigan Central
The two artists shared why investing in Detroit’s youth mattered to them as they introduced a new $1 million production space inside Michigan Central.
After 30 Years, Virtual Boy Gets Its Chance To Shine
When looking back on classic gaming, there’s plenty of room for debate. What was the best Atari game? Which was the superior 16-bit console, the Genesis or the Super NES? Would the N64 have b…
Big Sean & USHER open Boys & Girls Club entertainment incubator at Michigan Central
The all-new Detroit Entertainment Innovation Incubator inside Michigan Central Station will officially open on Tuesday.
NATO troops can't let guns get too warm to work on frozen battlefields
Finnish military personnel told Business Insider that temperature variation is a huge threat to their weapons in the Arctic.
Elon Musk Calls Billie Eilish ‘Hypocrite’ Over Grammys Speech
Elon Musk weighed in on Billie Eilish’s controversial Grammy Awards speech, where she denounced ICE and declared “F*** ICE” on stage. The tech billionaire responded publicly, sparking fresh debate over the singer’s political activism and past comments. Elon Musk calls out Billie Eilish over her speech At the 2026 Grammy Awards, Billie Eilish used her […] The post Elon Musk Calls Billie Eilish ‘Hypocrite’ Over Grammys Speech appeared first on Reality Tea.
Big East What To Watch: Week 14
We’re into February, so the battle in the standings is starting to heat up in America’s favorite basketball conference!
Android 16 QPR3: Pixel adds Adaptive Connectivity auto-switch, battery settings
With Android 16 QPR3, Google is introducing more granular Adaptive Connectivity settings on Pixel phones...
Democratic victory in deep-red Texas district casts a pall over GOP plans to keep the House
Democrat Taylor Rehmet won a Texas state Senate district by 14 points after Trump carried it by 17 points in 2024. The state is a key battleground in the midterms.
iPhone Fold Could Redefine Battery Life and Shake Up Button Design
Several iPhone Fold leaks have been reported, including a massive battery life, design elements, cameras and more.
Nursery industry chief navigates politics as 'friend accumulator'
As the Republican scion of Democrat parents, Jeff Stone is no stranger to political debate — nor to to reaching across the aisle.
Media & Entertainment Group Of The Year: Gibson Dunn
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP successfully defended OpenAI in the first defamation case against a chatbot, is representing Warner Bros. Television in a battle over the medical drama "The Pitt" and secured an appellate victory for Bob Dylan in a high-profile case, earning the firm a spot among the 2025 Law360 Media & Entertainment Groups of the Year.
Health leaders launch ‘Minnesota Revalidate’ to combat Medicaid fraud
State health leaders announced Monday they’re launching “Minnesota Revalidate" in an effort to combat ongoing Medicaid fraud involving thousands of providers that’s impacting patient care.
Intel Panther Lake Core Ultra review: Intel's best laptop CPU in a very long time
Intel manages big boosts to CPU and GPU speed without blowing up battery life.
Upcoming 'Foldable iPhone' Design Leaked With iPad-Style Button Placement
Upcoming foldable iPhone design leaked, revealing new button placement, punch-hole camera, black camera bar, and Apple’s biggest battery yet.
Grammys 2026: Seattle rock star salutes Ozzy Osbourne with fiery performance
Guns n’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan participated in a literally fiery rendition of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” that moved Osbourne’s family to tears.
Are western New Yorkers spending more on digital entertainment as winter sets in?
As winter settles across Genesee County, colder evenings and shorter days are reshaping how households in Batavia and nearby communities spend their discretionary dollars. With outdoor options limited and heating
Super Bowl 2026: Records that could fall when Patriots battle Seahawks
Jerry Rice's record is one of several long-standing marks that could fall this year.
Escape from Tarkov ducks for its first major crossover event
Battlestate Games has confirmed its first major crossover event is on the way, and it's with Escape from Duckov.
Pokémon GO Events This Week: February 2 to February 8, 2026
Pokémon GO’s February 2 to February 8 week has us entering the final month of Precious Paths! Get ready for carnival with the debut of Flamigo, and show off your catching skills with Oricorio. Plus the weekly rotating Spotlight and Raid Hours, Dynamax Battles and Mega Raids. ⭐Highlights Raid Boss Change (February 4): Dialga, Palkia and […]
Apple's Foldable iPhone Rumored to Feature Unrivaled Battery Life
Apple's first foldable could feature the biggest ever iPhone battery and eclipse rival devices, according to a known leaker. In a new post, the Weibo user known as "Fixed Focus Digital" says that the foldable's battery could be over 5,500 mAh in size, which would make it the largest capacity of any current or previous iPhone. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has the biggest iPhone battery to date at 5,088 mAh.
QB competition imminent says Florida football OC Buster Faulkner
Buster Faulkner opens Florida’s QB battle, vowing to build the offense around whoever wins the job this spring.
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.
iPhone Fold Battery Size Revealed In Latest Rumor, With The Capacity Expected To Be The Largest That Apple Has Even Used In Its Smartphone Lineup
A tipster has shared the alleged battery capacity belonging to the iPhone Fold, and it will be larger than the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s cell
Oliver Bateman: Conor Lamb shares hard-won lessons about modern politics
In March 2018, Democrat Conor Lamb defeated Republican Rick Saccone by 627 votes in a special election for Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District,...
Free Reading health project helped man turn life around
Wassim Chokri says he was drinking too much and battling mental health issues before having a free check-up.
Kevin O’Connell’s Backup QBs Are Suddenly Calling Plays
The quarterback room under Kevin O’Connell has quietly become something else, too: a coaching incubator. Two former Minnesota Vikings passers […]
Tigers Drop Close Section Battle To Rams
By: Jared Barton The North Allegheny girls’ basketball team hosted Pine-Richland for a section clash Saturday night from UPMC Court. Despite a back-and-forth battle, the Rams prevailed with a 33-30 win. The first half was a low-scoring affair, as senior Maddie Williams hit a triple for the Tigers, giving NA a brief 3-2 lead. Pine-Richland… More »
UFC 325 Highlights! Salkilld Shines Again With Dominant Submission Win
Quillan Salkilld kept the hype train rolling earlier tonight (Sat., Jan. 31, 2026) at UFC 325 LIVE on Paramount+ from inside Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, pushing his UFC record to 4-0 with a first-round submission (rear-naked choke) over battle-tested lightweight veteran Jamie Mullarkey. As expected, Salkilld was a large favorite heading into this […]
Luis Arraez joins Giants on reported 1-year, $12 million deal
The three-time batting champion is staying in the NL West.
San Francisco Giants Sign Luis Arraez to One-Year Deal
The San Francisco Giants have agreed to a one-year contract with former batting champ and infielder Luis Arraez.
Saturday Night Open Thread: The change would do us good
Come and join this merry band of Steelers’ faithful for some lively debate about our Steelers, good food, music, and the merits of the odd cold beverage.
Here's how to combat seasonal depression during cold winter months
Wellness Studio offers mental health support in welcoming environment
Baton Rouge clinic features uniquely designed therapy rooms and experienced staff.
Why Haven't The Guardians Added Anymore Bats This Offseason?
The Cleveland Guardians have tried to add external bats, but remain committed to their young core.
New report detects arsenic in 28 popular candies: What you need to know
Florida health officials reportedly detected arsenic in 28 of 46 popular candy products tested, sparking debate over food safety standards.
The P&Q Interview: Africa's Rabat Business School Looks To Seize The Moment Amid International Talent Shifts
Rabat Business School Dean Nicolas Arnaud on Africa’s rise, global rankings, and why the continent is drawing business schools’ attention.
Warhammer 40K: Ranking The Chaos Battleforces
With their imminent arrival to pre-order this weekend it's time to rank the new Chaos Battleforce boxes for Warhammer 40,000!
Fordham Drops Battle of the Rams to Rhode Island
Fordham Drops Battle of the Rams to Rhode Island
Lynchburg Falls To Randolph-Macon, 68-58
The University of Lynchburg women's basketball team battled back-and-forth against Randolph-Macon, but ultimately fell short, 68-58, on Saturday afternoon in Turner Gymnasium.
The 4 best wired earbuds for super-reliable sound, tested by editors
Wired earbuds can offer superior sound quality, and they never run out of battery. Here are the four best pairs our editors found after years of testing.
Tigers take care of business at Woodland Hills
North Allegheny traveled to Woodland Hills High School on Friday night to take on the Wolverines in a Section 1-6A battle. The Tigers took care of business defeating Woodland Hills, 44-11. NA jumped all over the Wolverines defensively only allowing one field goal in the opening frame to lead 15-3 after a quarter of play…. More »
Tigers take care of business at Woodland Hills
North Allegheny traveled to Woodland Hills High School on Friday night to take on the Wolverines in a Section 1-6A battle. The Tigers took care of business defeating Woodland Hills, 44-11. NA jumped all over the Wolverines defensively only allowing one field goal in the opening frame to lead 15-3 after a quarter of play…. More »
Boston Celtics overthrow Sacramento Kings, win 112-93 (PHOTOS)
The Celtics won the shot attempt battle 93-83 while holding the Kings to just 32% from beyond the arc.
Michael '5000' Watts dies after battle with health complications
Watts helped shape Houston hip-hop from neighborhood streets to international stages.
Senate passes government funding deal despite GOP backlash
President Donald Trump made a deal with Democrats to carve out Homeland Security funding and allow Congress to debate new restrictions on federal immigration raids across the country.
Dueling S.F. ballot measures will pit unions against business leaders
The stage has been set for an expensive battle between labor unions and San Francisco’s business community over how the city should tax big businesses. Here’s what to know about the ballot...
Immigration enforcement drives possible U.S. government shutdown
The Senate has reached an impasse with a temporary spending plan due to debates over Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
The World’s Largest Biological Battle Is Being Fought in Space
But this evolutionary “arms race” looks a little different when playing out in microgravity.
Tickets are on sale for lots of upcoming theater productions in the Baton Rouge area
Tickets are on sale for lots of upcoming theater productions in the Baton Rouge area.
Government shutdown looms as Senate deal stalls amid heated political rhetoric
Fox News congressional correspondent Bill Melugin reports on Capitol Hill efforts to avoid another government shutdown amid tense debates over new DHS funding. Fox News contributor Marc Thiessen reacts on ‘Fox & Friends.’
Here’s how Baton Rouge’s casinos fared in December
After two strong months in October and November, Baton Rouge’s casinos continued their upward trajectory in December. Collectively, the casinos posted $25.7 million in revenue for December, u… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
Opinion | The Wyoming Business Council debate is missing one big piece
Wyomingites stand to lose much more than just a line item in the budget, writes the Wyoming Women’s Business Center Board of Directors.
UFC cancel fight after weigh-in mishap
Aaron Tau's flyweight bout against Namsrai Batbayar at UFC 325 in Sydney, Australia on Saturday is cancelled after a mishap at the weigh-ins.
How Trump's Tom Tiffany endorsement scrambles Wisconsin governor race
Tom Tiffany is now running alone in the Republican field for governor while seven Democrats battle it out. Here's how that changes the race.
Fate of Colorado River hangs in balance as political battle brews
The fight over the dwindling Colorado River has long been nonpartisan. Now an unprecedented meeting of governors over the issue raises the political stakes.
How liberals lost the internet
In the first part of our series on digital politics, we look at how centrists have lost ground fighting disinformation – when the real battle is over emotion and attention, says digital media academic Robert Topinka
Legal battle over California's SB 1137 pits property rights against public health
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) Senate Bill 1137, enacted in June 2024, has sparked a legal battle over its constitutionality.The bill establishes a 3,200-foot
Open Streets are Business Incubators, Yet Another Report Shows - Streetsblog New York City
Want jobs? Keep out the cars.
Senate Democrats and White House strike deal to avert shutdown, continue ICE debate
The deal could be approved by the Senate as early as Thursday night, but would still need House approval before midnight Friday to avert another government shutdown.
Democrats, White House strike deal that would avert shutdown
The two sides agreed to separate homeland security funding from the rest of the legislation and fund it for two weeks while they debate Democratic demands for curbs on ICE.
Ford names a new head to its energy business startup
Executive Lisa Drake has been tapped to run Ford Energy, a new division that will make battery storage systems.
Will Cain: Celebrities pushing politics seems like a ‘relic of the past’
Fox News host Will Cain rails against Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for his comparisons of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operation in his state to the Battle of Gettysburg and the story of Anne Frank on ‘The Will Cain Show.’
States are the next vaccine battleground
This is the web edition of STAT's D.C. Diagnosis newsletter.
U.P. college town to create business incubator where it’s ‘safe to fail’
Houghton won a $3.9 million state grant that’s making this and other projects possible.
Business Insider wins first duPont-Columbia Award
Columbia Journalism School has named Business Insider a 2026 duPont-Columbia Silver Baton winner.
A Soulslike where survival is everything and a mountain is the boss
Climbing is combat in the tough, mesmerizing mountaineering game Cairn
Sen. Amy Klobuchar launches her bid for Minnesota governor
Sen. Amy Klobuchar launched a Democratic bid for governor on Thursday, pledging to unify her state and move beyond a deadly battle with the federal government over immigration.
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.
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.
Xavier 68-86 Seton Hall: What was that?
My first job in high school was cleaning bathrooms at a state park campground. Camping is a foul enough activity, but what people did in those bathrooms defies explanation. I say this to let you know I have stared into the dark heart of a man experiencing a bowel emergency and apparently the desire to […]
'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.
NWSL players dig into grass vs. turf debate and more at media day
At NWSL media day, players gave their thoughts on the general state of affairs, from fresh starts with new teams to the growth of the league.
U.S. health officials monitor deadly virus
Authorities in India have confirmed two cases of nipah virus, often carried by fruit bats. The CDC says it is monitoring the situation and stands ready to assist as needed. NBC News’ Raf Sanchez has more.
Sergey Brin Spends $20 Million on California Political Effort Amid Wealth Tax Debate
Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google, is donating toward campaigns to solve California’s housing crisis, spurring other billionaires to pitch in. Their efforts may also help ward off a wealth tax.
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.
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
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.
With boost from successful Burger Battle, DTSF details year ahead for downtown development, programming
The Downtown Burger Battle is bigger than ever this year – and Downtown Sioux Falls Inc. hopes that's a sign for the activity to come.
Henry Cavill suits up for eternal battle in first look at long-gestating 'Highlander' reboot
After a long wait, Henry Cavill shares the first look at his turn as Connor MacLeod in Chad Stahelski's upcoming 'Highlander' reboot: 'This has been quite the journey for me.'
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.
Moto G77 launches with a 108MP camera with 3x lossless zoom, 120Hz AMOLED display, and an IP64 rating
Motorola has grown its Moto G series line of smartphones with the launch of a new model. The new Moto G77 has a new camera, a bigger battery, and a brighter display than its predecessor, the Moto G75.
General Dynamics fourth-quarter revenue rises on strong defense business
General Dynamics posted a rise in fourth-quarter revenue on Wednesday, driven by growth in its combat and marine systems segments.
A Go-Kart Track Is Just the Start at This Arizona Home Built Like a Sports-and-Entertainment Complex
Over-the-top amenities at the $20 million listing include a batting cage, a basketball court, a shooting range, a day spa, a dance studio and a gaming lounge
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
Commentary: They said Katie Porter was dead politically. I checked her pulse
A one-two punch of unflattering videos caused many to write off Porter's gubernatorial candidacy. But the former O.C. congresswoman remains a top contender.
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.
Another government shutdown? ICE debate jeopardizes spending deal.
The killing of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents upended a federal spending deal at the last minute, virtually guaranteeing a partial shutdown.
Northe Saunders: New poll should guide Florida’s debate on childhood vaccine requirements
Florida voters strongly back vaccine protections that keep children safe.
In Wyoming, campus politics sparks a push for deep budget cuts
It’s a familiar scenario: Republican legislators in a cash-rich Western state are looking to slash higher education funding. In this case, though, Idaho is not the battleground.
Ford names head of new battery energy storage business taking over Ky. plant
Ford named the head of its new battery storage endeavor, which includes repurposing the sprawling BlueOval SK plant in Hardin County. What to know.
34.4.2 Patch Notes
Check out the latest balance changes for Hearthstone, Arena, and Battlegrounds.
NEA Business Notes: Black History books donated to Lyon College - Talk Business & Politics
In recognition of Black History Month in February, Batesville native James L. “Skip” Rutherford III, dean emeritus of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service and a member...
How AI is transforming research: More papers, less quality, and a strained review system - Haas News
Mathijs De Vaan has long recognized the labor required to effectively communicate scientific findings. For the Netherlands native and UC Berkeley Haas associate professor of management, data and analyses are only half the battle; the rest is a time-intensive process of ensuring that complex, nuanced ideas are articulated with the precision that top-tier research demands. […]