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U.S. breaks record for its most gold medals won at a Winter Olympics
The 11th gold breaks the country's mark set at the last Olympics on U.S. soil — in Salt Lake City in 2002.
Scientists Suggest That Igniting Oil Spills to Create Fire Tornadoes Might Actually Be Good for the Oceans
A bold new experiment probed whether controlled fire tornadoes could be an effective tool for cleaning up oil spills.
Explainer: How the State of the Union became a stage for political confrontation
What began as a spare presidential report to the U.S. Congress has hardened into a prime-time pressure chamber shaped by an era of fierce polarization, with the State of the Union speech now unfolding as a long night of choreographed tension and open confrontation - a moment for presidents to wrest narrative from turmoil and craft the defining images of their time in power.
Senate G.O.P. Faces Pressure to Force ‘Talking Filibuster’ for Voter I.D. Bill
Some reluctant Republicans say an old-school filibuster showdown with Democrats could paralyze the Senate with no guarantee of success. But President Trump and their own colleagues are spoiling for the fight.
Cuba says US oil blockades are pushing healthcare system to the brink
Cuba’s Health Minister says the country is headed to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, saying the US blockade of oil on his country is rendering hospitals helpless and puts thousands of lives at risk.
Cuba’s health care system pushed to the brink by US fuel blockade, Cuban minister says
HAVANA (AP) — Cuba’s debilitated health care system has been pushed to the brink of collapse by the U.S. blockading the country’s oil supply, a Cuban official said Friday. The country’s medical sys…
Texas Primary Election Turmoil: Jesse Jackson’s Legacy, GOP Divisions, and Media Controversies
Co-hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina delve into the latest news in politics
Trump’s dream is a giant slush fund Congress can’t touch
From Venezuelan oil to the Board of Peace, Trump is constantly looking for new sources of cash he can control.
Basic Materials Roundup: Market Talk
Find insight on Air Liquide, BRC Asia, palm oil and more in the latest Market Talks covering Basic Materials.
Lamar Wilkerson, Indiana pursue season sweep of No. 12 Purdue
Purdue coach Matt Painter seemingly conceded the Big Ten regular-season crown to top-ranked Michigan after the No. 7 Boilermakers' home loss to the Wolverines on Tuesday night.
Political Chaos Is Taking a Toll on Our Minds
As political instability rises, so do anxiety, depression, and disengagement. New research shows how national turmoil is reshaping Americans’ mental health.
Political Chaos Is Taking a Toll on Our Minds
As political instability rises, so do anxiety, depression, and disengagement. New research shows how national turmoil is reshaping Americans’ mental health.
Scientists may have just solved one of the strangest mysteries of Greenland’s ice sheet
Below the surface, Greenland’s ice appears to be churning up, a process one scientist described as akin to a “boiling pot of pasta”
Atlassian Freezes Hiring Amid Business Software Market Turmoil
Atlassian, which sells software that developers and other teams inside companies use to track projects, has frozen hiring for engineers and similar roles, the Australian Financial Review reported . The hiring freeze comes amid a broad selloff in enterprise software stocks driven by fears that companies could use AI to reduce their spending on traditional business applications, or replace them
India and Pakistan's Water Politics Is Starting to Boil
Climate stress is rewriting the region’s rules of water sharing.
'An alarm bell': Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service shutters amid turmoil for home health care
The closure should serve as a warning for the industry and policymakers, said the leader of a home and hospice care association.
Award-winning pilot and wife die in plane crash after dirty windows prompt emergency landing, pet dog survives
Award-winning pilot declares emergency "due to oil on windshield" before fatal Texas crash. Ron and Barbara Timmermans died when aircraft hit power lines.
Health group calls on RFK Jr. to resign after cocaine admission
The Health and Human Services secretary said he snorted “cocaine off toilet seats.”
Natrona County health and food inspections (2/6/26–2/12/26)
CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper-Natrona County Health Department inspects restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, mobile food units, commissaries and
The two separate lives of Gavin Newsom detailed in new memoir
In his new memoir "Young Man in a Hurry," Gov. Gavin Newsom writes about the occasional interludes into his father's life charmed by the Getty oil family's affluence and the everyday struggle living with his single mom.
Deadly scorpions are picky about their soil
Dirt may help map where scorpions live—and potentially save lives.
Trump, Netanyahu agreed U.S. should press Iran to cut oil sales to China, Axios reports
China accounts for more than 80% of Iran's oil exports. Any reduction in that trade would mean lower oil revenue for Iran.
Book review: ‘Capitol Crude’ details decades of oil industry impact on Alaska politics
The new book by Lisa Weissler will thrill policy wonks and inform those seeking a clear-eyed understanding of how Alaska reached its present dysfunction.
Health care group wants RFK Jr. to 'resign' after cocaine confession
Protect Our Care, a health care advocacy group, called for RFK Jr. to "resign" after he admitted to snorting "cocaine off toilet seats" in his past.
Healthcare group urges RFK Jr to resign after remarks on cocaine and toilet seats
President of Protect Our Care issues one-word statement to US health and human services secretary: ‘Resign’
Business Lookahead: Giddy Up
STORY: From bellwether Walmart reporting earnings... to new economic data out of the UK... these are the stories to watch in business and finance in the coming week.:: The trillion dollar clubFresh off hitting $1 trillion in market value, Walmart posts quarterly results on Thursday.Walmart's report offers a glimpse into consumer spending after recent data showed December U.S. retail sales were unexpectedly flat.A surprisingly strong employment report for January eased some concerns about economic weakening.Economic reports in the coming week include the advance reading of fourth-quarter GDP, a monthly consumer sentiment survey, and the personal consumption expenditures price index, a key inflation measure.:: Heavy metalsEurope's four largest mining companies report earnings in the coming week.Copper, gold, silver and other precious metals all recently hit records - but the January rally has given way to a sharp February sell-off.Last month's rally boosted the market values of Rio Tinto, Glencore, Anglo American and Antofagasta.Their earnings will test whether the momentum can be sustained.:: UK economic data UK labor market data and inflation readings will provide fresh fodder for markets, even though investors are still digesting the fallout from the recent government instability.Labor market numbers due on Tuesday will show if a gradual cooling of wage growth has continued.Then, January inflation data comes Wednesday.The political turmoil has set a tense backdrop, leaving markets highly sensitive to data swings. Fitch is also due to review its UK rating on Friday.
Health chief Kennedy says he’s no germaphobe, recalls snorting cocaine off toilet seats
The Kennedy scion divulged his old drug habits on comedian Theo Von’s podcast “This Past Weekend.
Arizona Cardinals expected to hire Matt Schaub as QB coach
Matt Schaub is expected to be the Cardinals' new quarterback coach under new head coach Mike LaFleur.
Scientists make microplastics glow to see what they do inside your body
Microplastics and nanoplastics are now found everywhere on Earth, from ocean depths to agricultural soils and even inside the human body. Yet scientists still struggle to understand what these particles actually do once they enter living organisms. A new study proposes an innovative fluorescence-based strategy that could allow researchers to track microplastics in real time as they move, transform, and degrade inside biological systems.
Inside Chevron’s flagship refinery tapping into Venezuelan crude after Maduro's capture
Chevron begins processing Venezuelan oil at Gulf Coast refinery following Maduro's capture, marking the company's first public acknowledgment of operations.
Trump’s Health secretary admits he used to snort cocaine off toilet seats
The admission came during the Health Secretary's appearance on comedian Theo Von's podcast.
Sports Daily: Shockers drop key game, K-State struggles reach boiling point
The Shockers drop a key game Wednesday. We go over what went wrong against South Florida.
When tension between Warriors coach Steve Kerr, forward Jonathan Kuminga reportedly spilled over
ESPN's Anthony Slater reports how and when the tension between Warriors coach Steve Kerr and forward Jonathan Kuminga boiled over in Golden State.
Lavrov says US restrictions on Russia's role in Venezuela oil business are discrimination
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that new U.S. restrictions on the role of Russia and other countries in Venezuela's oil business were blatant discrimination.
Money talks, tradition walks. NDSU football will thrive in FBS
North Dakota State football can be the next Texas Tech. All it takes is oil cash supporting private NIL deals. Bison already know how to win.
UK Carbon Slumps as Political Turmoil Widens Gap to EU Benchmark
UK carbon futures tumbled, driving the gap with the European Union benchmark to its widest in months as political uncertainty and currency weakness weighed on the market.
Bridging the Gap Between Soil Science and Collective Action
The Save Soil movement converges spiritual vision, digital infrastructures, and transnational advocacy mobilizing people at scale.
AMA joins effort to launch vaccine science review amid CDC turmoil
The American Medical Association and a partner group are taking on a new role in reviewing vaccine safety and effectiveness as the CDC’s review process faces criticism.
Global stocks reach record highs; BP annual profits slump 16%
Japan’s Nikkei jumps to new peak in extended rally after Sanae Takaichi’s party secures election victory; London-listed oil giant BP suspends share buyback
When conflict meets competition: Trump's immigration agenda roils opening days of Winter Olympics
The Winter Olympics have become a platform for political debate in the U.S. American athletes face questions about President Donald Trump’s immigration policies
Scientists were wrong for decades about DNA knots
Scientists have discovered that DNA behaves in a surprising way when squeezed through tiny nanopores, overturning a long-held assumption in genetics research. What researchers once thought were knots causing messy electrical signals turn out to be something else entirely: twisted coils called plectonemes, formed as flowing ions inside the pore spin the DNA like a phone cord. These twists can linger and grow as DNA moves through, leaving clear electrical fingerprints.
Virginia lawmakers propose new tax on fantasy sports
Lawmakers in Virginia are considering legislation that could change the future of fantasy sports in the Commonwealth.
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.
Oil drops more than 1% as concerns about possible US-Iran conflict ease
Oil prices dropped more than 1% at Monday's open as concerns about a possible conflict in the Middle East between the U.S. and Iran eased after both countries finished a round of talks on Friday.
Natrona County health and food inspections (1/30/26–2/5/26)
CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper-Natrona County Health Department inspects restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, mobile food units, commissaries and
A Pro-Israel Group’s Move Backfires as Gaza Tensions Flare in Midterms
A surprising twist in a New Jersey primary race showed how questions about Israel continue to roil American politics in unpredictable ways.
What's that new business opening on Lancaster in northeast Salem?
A Take 5 Oil Change is under construction on Lancaster Drive in northeast Salem.
Bad Bunny is taking over the US. Does he want Puerto Rico to leave it?
The Super Bowl performer’s ties to a nascent independence movement are roiling Puerto Rican politics.
Thailand's popular progressives are leading the polls - but winning is only the first hurdle
The country votes again this weekend after three years of political turmoil.
International science cooperation must go on, say research leaders
Science leaders in Europe and Canada say international cooperation must go on amid geopolitical turmoil. At the same time, Europe and like-minded countries should continue to enhance and diversify international partnerships, a Science|Business conference hears. Hugh Brady, president of Imperial College London, told delegates that Europe’s response to the current geopolitical climate should be to “diversify in terms of research partnerships and build resilience and scale into our own system.”A first priority should be for the EU to sort out the scope of the upcoming European Competitiveness Fund and ensure that, together with the next iteration of Horizon Europe, it can drive the development and scale up of new technologies. The EU and the countries associated to the Horizon Europe programme represent “the world's most successful research innovation ecosystem,” Brady said. In order to mitigate the negative effects of shifting geopolitics, the EU together with the UK, Switzerland, Canada, South Korea and others should talk about “building resilience” and address their own “regional needs,” he added. Responding to TrumpUnder Donald Trump’s leadership, the US government has slashed science budgets and shut down international research programmes. Nearly 8,000 grants at the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation have been frozen or terminated. Courts have overturned most of these cancellations, but the disruption caused remains significant. While Europe may persuade a few thousand disgruntled scientists to move across the ocean to work on topics that have been de-funded in the US, it’s unclear what should happen next with transatlantic scientific cooperation more broadly.“Now is the time for us to show [US researchers] our support as much as we can,” Brady said.The European Research Council (ERC), the EU’s basic science funder, has seen a surge in applicants from the US. According its latest data, US-based researchers submitted 347 proposals to the last three big funding rounds, up from 158 in the previous set of calls. The European Commission has also launched a €22.5 million pilot call in 2025 for the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions, the EU’s researcher training scheme. It plans to extend this support with a €51.25 million call in 2027 as part of the Choose Europe initiative, which is intended to make the continent a more attractive place to pursue a career in research. Related articlesData corner: US researchers are choosing EuropeEU-India deal highlights growing alignment on technology policyMeanwhile, in the private non-profit sector, the Volkswagen Foundation is experimenting with a new type of grant that would allow US researchers to split their time between the US and Germany. While these schemes are useful, Europe should not bet on an exodus of scientists from the US. “The idea that we might all see them flocking over to Europe is naïve and counterproductive,” said Maria Leptin, president of the ERC, also speaking at the Science|Business conference on February 5. “We need research in the US to be as healthy as possible. I really admire those who are staying there with a will to fight and an optimism that the world will turn into a better place again,” Leptin said. Preserving dataDespite political disruption, academics have found ways to continue cooperating and sharing research data. Leslie Weir, president of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and Canada’s national librarian, said the US cuts have raised concerns about research data security, after ideologically sensitive databases were limited or deleted by the Trump administration. But international organisations teamed up to ensure that the data is not lost. “It's interesting to see that researchers and libraries across North America are collaborating to make sure that data at risk is duplicated elsewhere outside [the US],” Weir said.
Patriots vs. Seahawks Wednesday injury report: Harold Landry III returns
The opening injury report of Super Bowl LX week.
Cursive, foiled again? House passes penmanship bill, but future unclear in Senate
The vote was unanimous in the House.
Do weeds really love poor soil? Not if you look at the science
It's a truism that weeds love poor soil, but is there anything to it? And what is a weed, anyway? James Wong investigates
'Nitrogen fixing' trees could help tropical forests bounce back, research suggests
On the narrow isthmus of Panama, scientists discovered adding nitrogen to the soil doubled tree growth, providing new insights into forest restoration.
How the Trump Administration’s Embrace of Oil, Gas, and Chemical Industry Interests Will Endanger Children’s Health
The Trump administration’s actions to eliminate lifesaving environmental protections would allow corporate polluters to emit more toxins and chemicals, exposing more than 2 million kids to pollutants that increase the likelihood of lifelong health concerns—such as asthma, autism, ADHD, and cancer—while undercutting the administration’s own “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.
Natrona County Health Department christens new headquarters
CASPER, Wyo. — This week, the Natrona County Health Department officially opened its doors at a new Conwell Street location, marking the completion of a
Texas Senate candidate James Talarico’s campaign roiled as he denies referring to ex-rival as ‘mediocre Black man’
With now just a month to go until Election Day, the Democratic primary for US Senate in Texas has become so fraught that a TikToker’s accusations have roiled the race and prompted a major endorsement in the backlash.
Trump cuts deal with India to reduce tariffs, increase oil purchases
Donald Trump said he was lowering the tariff on India as part of a deal for the country to stop buying Russian oil and increase purchases from the United States.
Leaks Just Spoiled Sony's New WF-1000XM6 Wireless Earbuds
Spoiler alert: they look pretty nice.
Small Businesses in Minneapolis Serve a City in Crisis. ‘This Is Our New Normal.’
In Minneapolis and St. Paul, business owners work to lift up a community that has been roiled by the presence of thousands of immigration agents.
Small Businesses in Minneapolis Serve a City in Crisis. ‘This Is Our New Normal.’
In Minneapolis and St. Paul, business owners work to lift up a community that has been roiled by the presence of thousands of immigration agents.
Cuba denies security threat accusations as US raises pressure
Havana says it is ready for 'constructive engagement' with Washington as White House moves to choke off oil supplies.
Gold, silver, bitcoin and oil slide as ‘metals meltdown’ rattles markets
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
Knicks boost win streak to six by beating LeBron's Lakers
The New York Knicks spoiled what might have been LeBron James's last game at Madison Square Garden, stretching their win streak to six games with a 112-100 victory.Washington rookie Will Riley scored 18 points off the bench to lead the host Wizards over Sacramento 116-112, stretching the Kings' losing streak to six games.
Oil falls by over $1 per barrel as Iran talks in focus
Oil prices fell by over $1 per barrel on Monday as U.S. President Donald Trump said over the weekend Iran was "seriously talking" with Washington.
As politics roil the nation, Oregon students compete to make sense of the U.S. Constitution and find solutions
Nearly 200 high schoolers participated in the civic championship at Multnomah County Courthouse with federal judges among those evaluating their constitutional knowledge.
Natrona County health and food inspections (1/23/26–1/29/26)
CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper-Natrona County Health Department inspects restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, mobile food units, commissaries and
The best new popular science books of February 2026
Readers are spoiled for choice when it comes to popular science reading this month, with new titles by major names including Maggie Aderin and Michael Pollan
Jim Cramer Discuses Halliburton’s (HAL) Infrastructure Business
We recently published 11 Stocks on Jim Cramer’s Radar. Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) is one of the stocks on Jim Cramer’s radar. Oil and gas exploration equipment provider Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL)’s shares, like those of its peer SLB, have also performed well recently. They are up by 28.8% over the past year and by 13% year-to-date. […]
Netflix may be turning into an ‘entertainment giant,’ but its stock looks like ‘dead money’ to investors
"They had this really great profitability story," S&P's Melissa Otto says. But when that feels priced in, "that's probably going to spoil the market."
Netflix may be turning into an 'entertainment giant,' but its stock looks like 'dead money' to investors
"They had this really great profitability story," S&P's Melissa Otto says. But when that feels priced in, "that's probably going to spoil the market."
Former Yankee David Robertson announces retirement from baseball
Time to hang our socks up high in tribute.
Plain Talk: 'Our business climate in North Dakota is eroded'
On this Plain Talk, Ron Ness, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, talks about the tough economic environment for the state's oil and gas developers.
Are you a cyborg, a centaur, or a self-automator? Why businesses need the right kind of ‘humans in the loop’ in AI
Spoiler: There's one category you'd rather avoid.
Columnist says ‘socialism can't succeed anywhere’ amid Venezuela’s political turmoil
Washington Post opinion columnist Carine Hajjar joins ‘America’s Newsroom’ to discuss Venezuela’s economic unraveling and its political future after U.S. forces captured Nicolas Maduro.
Turmoil at homeless program is a sign of harsh fiscal times
It is shameful that our nation is unable to support health care for all of its citizens in a meaningful way.
Lakers routed in LeBron's possible last game in Cleveland
Donovan Mitchell scored 25 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers routed the Los Angeles Lakers 129-99 on Wednesday, spoiling what might be the final Cleveland game for superstar LeBron James.Jaylon Tyson added 20 points for the Cavs and De'Andre Hunter scored 19 off the Cleveland bench while Luka Doncic had a game-high 29 points for the Lakers (28-18), who also had eight points from Bronny James, LeBron's son.
America at a Boiling Point: From ICE Protests to an Attack on Rep. Omar
An attack at a town hall in Minneapolis, amid a surge in threats against lawmakers, was the latest sign of the fraying of the nation’s political fabric.
Las Vegas Raiders 2026 release & trade candidates
Las Vegas Raiders Potential Cut or Trade Candidates in 2026
Leadership turmoil returns to Hispanic Silicon Valley business group
For the second time in seven years, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley has found itself embroiled in a leadership dispute that has led to the sudden ouster and replacement of multiple board members.
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
Ranked Red Rocks spoil home opener for Iowa State
Iowa State’s gymnastics team fell to No. 12 Utah Sunday in their home opener for the season. The Red Rocks won the meet with a score of 195.725-192.300. The meet was broadcast to a national audience on ESPN, the first ever meet to originate from Hilton Coliseum on the network. The loss put the Cyclones […]
Oil holds onto gains as Iran keeps investors on edge
Oil prices extended gains on Monday after climbing more than 2% in the previous session, as tensions between the U.S. and Iran kept investors on edge even after Kazakhstan's main export pipeline resumed full operations.
Researchers fire back after scientist calls monumental studies into question: 'The science is absolutely clear'
"We might not have all the details boiled down yet, but that's not disputable."
Natrona County health and food inspections (1/16/26–1/22/26)
CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper-Natrona County Health Department inspects restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, mobile food units, commissaries and
Evan Bouchard with a Goal vs. Washington Capitals
Evan Bouchard (Edmonton Oilers) with a Goal vs. Washington Capitals, 01/24/2026
Videos show deadly Minneapolis shooting and political leaders reach different conclusions
A second fatal shooting in Minneapolis again led tensions to boil over as local, state and national leaders weighed in with conflicting accounts of how the situation unfolded
Scientists call for urgent action as dangerous amoebas spread globally
Scientists are warning that a little-known group of microbes called free-living amoebae may pose a growing global health threat. Found in soil and water, some species can survive extreme heat, chlorine, and even modern water systems—conditions that kill most germs. One infamous example, the “brain-eating amoeba,” can cause deadly infections after contaminated water enters the nose. Even more concerning, these amoebae can act as hiding places for dangerous bacteria and viruses, helping them evade disinfection and spread.
Lorwyn Eclipsed (ECL) Limited Set Review: Artifacts & Lands
Lorwyn Eclipsed (ECL) Limited Artifacts & Lands Card Review, Icky goes all in with the ECL spoiler review Artifacts & Lands edition!
Lorwyn Eclipsed (ECL) Limited Set Review: Multicolor
Lorwyn Eclipsed (ECL) Limited Multicolor Card Review, Icky goes all in with the ECL spoiler review Multicolor edition!
31-year-old's porta-potty company brings in $4.3 million a year: We've built 'a low-tech, AI-proof business'
Daniel Tom launched Bay Area Sanitation in 2023 with 100 rentable toilets. Today, the business rents out nearly 2,000 units and brings in millions per year.
My porta-potty business brings in $4.3 million a year
Daniel Tom, 31, owns and operates Bay Area Sanitation, overseeing a fleet of almost 2,000 portable toilets servicing construction sites and events across the San Francisco Bay Area. The company brought in $4.3 million in total income in 2025, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It.
Ron DeSantis rips Gavin Newsom for 'frolicking' at Davos, dissing Donald Trump on foreign soil
The most one-sided feud between two Governors in American politics continues.
Will a $45M youth sports complex spur new business on the West Bank? 'We're on top of oil.'
Learn about the new $45 million John Alario Jr. Youth Sports Complex in Jefferson Parish, poised to bring in thousands of tourists and boost economic development in the area.
California sues the Trump administration over plans to restart oil pipelines
The U.S. Transportation Department agency that approved the plan pushed back on the lawsuit