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Why this Manchester byelection is a lesson in 21st century politics
As a fierce contest takes shape between Labour, Reform UK and the Greens, John Harris and John Domokos take the temperature in an area of Manchester that feels like a microcosm of Britain - and find voters split between two completely different views of their lives, and the future
'Textbooks will need to be updated': Jupiter is smaller and flatter than we thought, Juno spacecraft reveals
Jupiter is smaller and flatter than scientists previously thought, new measurements of the gas giant reveal.
Google's February Android update confirms a big shift for older Pixels
Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 devices seem to be now following a quarterly update schedule instead of monthly patches.
On the Future of Species by Adrian Woolfson review – are we on the verge of creating synthetic life?
A genomic entrepreneur’s guide to the coming revolution in biology raises troubling questions about ethics and safety
Trillion-dollar question for AI business models
Investments in AI companies have surged, but profitability remains out of reach for many, prompting concerns about future business models.
Lakers make huge decision on LeBron James' future
Los Angeles has made its mind up.
Grim photo captures polar bear mom and cubs resting in mud in summer heat
An image of polar bears napping along the Hudson Bay coast in Canada has been shortlisted for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Nuveen People's Choice Award 2026.
All eyes on Matthew Stafford and the Rams (again)
Another offseason, and another year where the speculation on Matthew Stafford’s future should be in the limelight
AMD spills the beans on possible next-gen Xbox launch in 2027
Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su made a rare comment about future sales for both Valve's Steam Machines and Microsoft's next-generation Xbox.
Asteroid 2024 YR4's collision with the moon could create a flash visible from Earth, study finds
If the building-size asteroid 2024 YR4 crashes into the moon in December 2032, the impact will produce a bright flash that may be visible to the naked eye, a new study finds.
M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro Launch Imminent as Reseller Stock Dwindles
New M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models are slated to launch in the near future, according to information shared with MacRumors by an Apple Premium Reseller. The third-party Apple retailer said that MacBook Pro stock is very low currently because there is an imminent new product introduction. Apple typically coordinates supply with retail stores ahead of a new model launch to avoid leaving resellers with too many outdated machines.
This 3D Printer Just Broke My Tests, Because the Future Is Here
I've never seen a 3D printer complete my tests as well as the Bambu Lab H2C.
Tampa’s MOSI reinvents itself as the Museum of Science and Innovation
The landmark sheds “industry” from its name while expanding learning space and leaning into future-focused science education.
Braves' TV future unclear after FanDuel Sports Network deal collapses
The Atlanta Braves are heading into the season with a major question still unanswered: where and how fans will be able to watch their games.
Roanoke Mayor Cobb pitches entertainment district as next chapter for Berglund Center
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) –Roanoke Mayor Joe Cobb says an entertainment district could represent a bold step for Roanoke’s future, building on the city’s history of economic development through public-private partnerships and long-term investment. Cobb says Roanoke has often advanced by exploring new ideas, weighing multiple options and working collaboratively to strengthen the city and the […]
'System in flux': Scientists reveal what happened when wolves and cougars returned to Yellowstone
Large carnivores are both clashing and coexisting in the western United States. Although wolves dominate cougars and steal their prey, cougars' shift from elk- to deer-heavy diets, paired with a rugged landscape for escape, might help cougars avoid violent wolf encounters.
Stardew Valley Turns 10: The Big ConcernedApe Interview
We sat down with Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone for a lengthy interview not about the game's beginnings, but about its journey over the last 10 years, and its future.
Scenario Planning’s Role in Business Strategy
Scenario planning helps businesses navigate uncertainty by exploring potential futures and build resilience by preparing to respond effectively.
Dutchess County Partners with Colgate to Promote Children’s Oral Health
The Dutchess County Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with Colgate’s “Bright Smiles, Bright Futures” program, will host a free Children’s Dental Health Event on Saturday, February 21, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
The 37 rising stars shaping the future of venture capital in 2026
These up-and-coming venture capitalists are backing the next generation of startups as the VC industry resets after years of easy money.
Physicists push thousands of atoms to a 'Schrödinger's cat' state — bringing the quantum world closer to reality than ever before
Researchers have demonstrated that a nanoparticle of 7,000 sodium atoms can act as a wave, creating a record-setting superposition.
Trump calls on Republicans to ‘nationalize’ future elections
President Donald Trump called on Republicans to “nationalize the voting” in an interview airing Monday with Dan Bongino, the former deputy director of the FBI.
PGA Innovation Showcase Immerses Audiences In Entertainment’s Future
The Producers Guild showcased five immersive experiences vying for this year's Innovation Award, led by Sphere's immersive Wizard of Oz, showing where entertainment is headed.
Offseason open thread: February 2
Busy day, huh? The week’s off to an exciting start so far, what with the news about the future of the Braves on TV/streaming, the Braves having their annual Truck Day and our minor league crew getting their preseason prospect rankings underway. Which one was the most exciting part for you so far? The floor […]
A record breaking gravitational wave is helping test Einstein’s theory of general relativity
A newly detected gravitational wave, GW250114, is giving scientists their clearest look yet at a black hole collision—and a powerful way to test Einstein’s theory of gravity. Its clarity allowed scientists to measure multiple “tones” from the collision, all matching Einstein’s predictions. That confirmation is exciting—but so is the possibility that future signals won’t behave so neatly. Any deviation could point to new physics beyond our current understanding of gravity.
The next Xbox is a Windows PC — ... pros AND cons?
I've been using Windows almost daily for 30 years. I know my way around its weirdness ... But is that what the average Xbox gamer wants to have to deal with?
Fernando Mendoza on new list of Latinos driving sports' future
The list is led by Fernando Mendoza and Alex Rodriguez.
Braves share update on plans for club's future broadcasts
The Atlanta Braves are aware of the reports regarding Main Street Sports Group. While disappointed with this development, we have been actively preparing for this outcome and are well on our way towards launching a new era in Braves broadcasting. Throughout Braves Country and beyond, we have one of the
Sunspot launches 27 solar flares in 24 hours, including strongest outburst in years
The sunspot region 4366 fired off dozens of powerful solar flares in 24 hours, including the single strongest flare since 2024. Auroras are possible later this week.
Enormous 'mega-blob' under Hawaii is solid rock and iron, not gooey — and it may fuel a hotspot
A new study reveals a detailed look at what lies beneath the Hawaiian hotspot.
2027 Ferrari 849 Testarossa First Drive Review: Don’t Fear the Future
The new Ferrari Testarossa is an engineering marvel and proof that complex technology can still create an incredible driver's car.
Google releases ‘Desktop Camera’ app that’s seemingly for Android PCs
Google has quietly released a new "Desktop Camera" app that's seemingly meant for future Android PCs on the new desktop experience.
The Colorado River's largest tributary flows 'uphill' for over 100 miles — and geologists may finally have an explanation for it
Millions of years ago, the Green River carved a path through the Uinta Mountains instead of flowing around the formation. Now, researchers have discovered how this could have happened.
Stephen Ross and Ken Griffin Think Florida Is the Future for Business
Stephen Ross, the real estate developer, and Ken Griffin, the billionaire financier, are trying to attract businesses to their new base, South Florida.
I've found the 3 TV shows definitely worth your time in February
I spent time studying the TV schedule and here are the top three shows you should watch this month
Newly-Released MMO Ashes of Creation Left in Tatters as Senior Team Quits and Management Issues Layoff Warning — and Now Steam Is Reportedly Investigating
The future of the newly released Ashes of Creation is in doubt after its leadership team quit following a dispute with the management board — and now Steam is reportedly investigating.
From Katrina to robotics: Mindy Núñez Airhart’s path in steel
SSE Steel Fabrication owner Mindy Núñez Airhart on growing a second-generation steel business in St. Bernard Parish — from post-Katrina rebuilding to robotics, AI and humanoid welding technology shaping the industry’s future.
Yankees news: What prospects could make waves in 2026?
Look at potential future top prospects; could Grisham be a bargain?; Red Sox make trade involving former Baby Bomber.
Broncos' unsigned practice squad players set to become free agents
The Broncos' practice squad players who have not received reserve/future contracts are set to become free agents on Monday.
8 new Windows 11 features expected to arrive with the February 2026 update — Patch Tuesday isn't flashy, but it'll deliver (some) meaningful changes
Microsoft's February "Patch Tuesday" for 2026 brings some quality changes to Windows 11, and this is what you need to know.
World Laureates Summit: Can science give a blueprint for our future?
In a landmark convergence of intellect and governance, the World Laureates Summit (WLS) opens on Sunday in Dubai, gathering over 150 of the world's most eminent scientists, policymakers, and institutional leaders.Convened alongside the 2026 World Governments
Starbucks' first investor day in years was a sneak peek of its future
Two Business Insider reporters attended Starbucks' Investor Day and got a firsthand look at how the brand plans to build momentum with its turnaround.
Food and football from the campaign trail (Politics+) : The NPR Politics Podcast
In today's bonus episode, Don Gonyea (national political correspondent) and Deepa Shivaram (White House correspondent) each share the "most" fun politics story they've worked on. Deepa talks about working on her "dream" assignment during the 2024 presidential race. Don recalls a reporting trip during the 2012 presidential campaign where he ended up at a high school football game. He says it was "one of the best nights of his life." Listen to find out how you can submit a most-type question for us to answer in a future bonus episode! To unlock this and other bonus content, and get sponsor-free listening, sign up for NPR Politics Podcast+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Regular episodes haven't changed and remain available every weekday!
Can Google's Project Genie really 'make Mario and Zelda games' from text prompts?
Nintendo isn't going to be happy.
Ashes of Creation's Steven Sharif Resigned 'In Protest' As Intrepids Board Starts Mass Layoffs At MMO Studio
The future of Ashes of Creation seems to be in limbo following the news earlier tonight that its creative director and studio co-founder, Steven Sharif, resigned in protest over the Board of Directors' decision-making.
Scientists discover hidden geometry that bends electrons like gravity
Researchers have discovered a hidden quantum geometry inside materials that subtly steers electrons, echoing how gravity warps light in space. Once thought to exist only on paper, this effect has now been observed experimentally in a popular quantum material. The finding reveals a new way to understand and control how materials conduct electricity and interact with light. It could help power future ultra-fast electronics and quantum technologies.
Black Business Expo aims to connect, celebrate and inspire local entrepreneurs
The fifth Black Business Expo brought together 25 local businesses to connect and inspire future entrepreneurs
Lifespan may be 50% heritable, study suggests
A new study suggests that lifespan might be 50% heritable — although for now, it's hard to know if the finding applies across diverse populations.
9 Broncos players have not re-signed with team
Nine players who ended the season on the Broncos' practice squad have not signed reserve/future contracts with the team.
Astronomers spot 'time-warped' supernovas whose light both has and hasn't reached Earth
Will two rare supernovas finally tell us how fast the universe is expanding? Perhaps, but we'll have to wait for it for them to 'reappear'.
What 3 million new documents tell us about Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein
President Donald Trump is mentioned more than 1,000 times in the three million Jeffrey Epstein documents released Friday, after the president initially resisted the effort. While some of the references are benign, others include newly disclosed unverified sexual assault claims against Trump as well as fresh details about how some of Epstein’s victims described their interactions with the future president.
Life may have rebounded 'ridiculously fast' after the dinosaur-killing asteroid impact
After the asteroid smashed into Earth around 66 million years ago, it didn't take life that long to rebound, a new study finds.
Gov. DeSantis to talk future Tampa Bay Rays ballpark? Speculation mounts
The stadium issue could be resolved finally
How Inforum's new leader sees future of women's business organization
CEO Donna Murray-Brown looks to build on work the statewide women's business organization has done since its beginning in 1961.
Science news this week: 'Cloud People' tomb found in Mexico, pancreatic cancer breakthrough, and the AI swarms poised to take over social media
Jan. 31, 2026: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.
How gene loss and monogamy built termite mega societies
Termites did not evolve complex societies by adding new genetic features. Instead, scientists found that they became more social by shedding genes tied to competition and independence. A shift to monogamy removed the need for sperm competition, while food sharing shaped who became workers or future kings and queens. Together, these changes helped termites build colonies that can number in the millions.
Garmin Enduro 3 review: The longest-lasting sports watch series gets a price cut
If you’re after a high-end sports watch, minus the upkeep and attention-grabbing smartwatch tech, this one is for you.
At Washington Mardi Gras, Gov. Jeff Landry and Howard Lutnick see bright future for Louisiana
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the pieces are in place for Louisiana to become the next generation’s economic powerhouse.
Google takes down an invisible network that was secretly using your phone's internet
Google wipes out IPIDEA botnet that hijacked millions of home routers.
Broncos sign another player to reserve/future contract
The Broncos signed CB Jaden Robinson to a reserve/future contract on Friday.
2026 CBK, Heisman, Tennis Odds: Chris ‘The Bear’ Fallica’s Expert Picks, Best Bets
“The Bear" is back with a few futures best, as well as a wager on one of his favorite sporting events, the Australian Open.
Large Hadron Collider reveals 'primordial soup' of the early universe was surprisingly soupy
Waiter, there's a quark in my soup!
New triple-drug treatment stops pancreatic cancer in its tracks, a mouse study finds
By targeting three key growth pathways at once, researchers eliminated pancreatic tumors in multiple mouse models and prevented the cancer from returning, a promising step toward overcoming treatment resistance.
Designing the future of metabolic health through tissue-selective drug delivery
Founded by MIT alumni, the biotech firm Gensaic develops protein carriers that can deliver therapeutic molecules to specific tissues and cells.
The Next Crisis Won’t Wait: Why Pandemic Preparedness Is a Business Imperative
Global health security —the ability to protect against the negative impacts of disease outbreaks — is too important to be left solely to the public sector. Industry has a vital interest in helping countries better prepare for future epidemics and pandemics.
LG's leaving Samsung unchallenged in a key next-gen TV category
There's only one big hitter left
In one South Carolina county, measles starts to feel like next pandemic
Health experts fear a future where measles outbreaks keep taking over towns with low vaccination rates.
Giannis Antetokounmpo interested in Lakers as future destination?
Giannis Antetokounmpo interested in Lakers as future destination?
Strand Larsen future to dominate talk again
Rob Edwards' news conference on Friday is likely to be the latest instalment of the mini Strand Larsen saga, with his move to Crystal Palace in serious doubt. Nothing was ever officially agreed for the Norwegian, even if a £50m deal was struck in principle, and there remains a chance he will stay beyond the deadline - something Wolves would still be happy and comfortable with. Wolves host Bournemouth on Saturday as Edwards tries to maintain momentum, despite last week's defeat by Manchester City, and he will be quizzed about Strand Larsen's future at Compton later.
Back to Future in the Eastern Mediterranean: Polarization Once Again?
Without doubt, by this alignment Israel, Greece and Greek Cypriots attempt to provoke Ankara in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Microsoft explores bringing Linux-like top menu bar to Windows 11 with new PowerToys feature
Microsoft's PowerToys team is exploring a new feature that would add a menu bar to the top of the Windows desktop, offering power user shortcuts similar to the menu bar on a Mac or Linux distro.
How Tesla’s grand robotic vision shapes their future business - and how much Musk gets paid
Shaw’s ‘diamond in the rough’ goes from basketball-only to committing to LSU for football
Jackson Williams’ future appeared to be on the basketball court, but a transfer from Newman to Shaw put him on a new path to LSU football. Here’s his story.
Michigan State business school to host ‘Rails to the Future' conference
TROY, Mich. — Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business will host “Rails to the Future: 200 Year of Progress, Building What’s Next,” a conference featuring key rail industry officials May 11-13 at the MSU Management Education Center in Troy. Keynote speakers will include Federal Railroad Adminstration Administrator David Fink; Surface Transportation Board [...] Read More...
AI helps expand medical response capacity for treating Bay Area's homeless
The Future Communities Institute and its partners in the San Francisco Bay plan to use artificial intelligence to act as a force multiplier for street medical teams that help to improve patient outcomes and social referrals for the region's homeless.
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.
SEC survey results: Fans on the state of the conference, Indiana and the future of the sport
By and large, SEC football fans are humbled. However, they’re not in a panic, based on the results of a reader survey by The Athletic.
‘What if I told you this school had no teachers?’: Is AI schooling the future of education — or a risky bet?
Alpha School, which purports to teach children academics using AI for two hours a day, has got the support of the Trump administration, but leaves some education experts and parents unimpressed.
‘I touch the future. I teach.’: A science teacher’s quest to honor Christa McAuliffe
Former Goffstown High School science teacher Phil Browne recalls how he tried to preserve McAuliffe’s legacy with his students.
Kansas basketball joins CBS Sports Classic event through 2029
Kansas basketball is still in the midst of its 2025-26 season, but the team’s schedule for 2026-27 — and the future — is taking shape. Here’s more.
Give Your Problems (and Passwords) to Moltbot, Then Watch It Go
A viral new virtual assistant formerly known as Clawdbot is complex and brings security risks—but some early adopters say it feels like the future.
Accelerating Science: A Blueprint for a Renewed National Quantum Initiative
Sustained U.S. leadership in quantum information science is critical to ensuring that breakthroughs in computing, sensing, networking and materials translate into secure technologies and industries, a skilled domestic workforce and long-term strategic advantage. To secure this future, Congress must act and reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative (NQI).
Experience space life, training at Orlando Science Center’s new astronaut exhibit
Mission: Astronaut features six immersive zones where guests can train like astronauts, conduct experiments, and explore the future of space travel.
Shadowing program inspires future health care professionals
ECU Health’s shadowing program is shaping the next generation of caregivers.
AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Review - The Best Just Got Better
The AMD Ryzen 9850X3D builds on the already excellent 9800X3D without trying to shake up the market. Instead, it focuses on refining what already works. AMD delivers modest improvements with smarter tuning, and the same cache magic that gamers love. Thanks to a reasonable price increase, this processor will be a no-brainer pick for future high-end gaming rigs.
The Entertainment District Focus Group examining long term future of Berglund Center complex
Its called the Entertainment District Focus Group, a mostly citizen group asked to weigh in on a possible casino at the Berglund Center - just for starters. The Entertainment District Focus Group is centered around the Berglund Center Complex, as the city looks to generate more revenue. Is there sup
As college sports look more professional, sponsors turn to high school
High school sports, some marketers are finding, can provide brands with national reach and inroads with potential future star athletes.
Do college sports actually want rules? How high should Indiana be ranked? Mandel’s Mailbag
Plus, why the SEC and Big Ten control the CFP, what coaching hires were actually downgrades and Deion Sanders' future at Colorado.
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
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra might nail its display at last, and I’m here for it
Why the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s rumored screen upgrade is the pro feature I actually care about.
Starmer Attack on Reform Candidate Shows His Future on Ballot
Keir Starmer stepped up his attacks on Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party ahead of a special election that could decide the prime minister’s political future.
‘AI is the future’: UK launches state’s 1st Bachelor of Science in AI
From smartphones to self-driving cars, artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how the world works — and now, Kentucky students can be trained at the forefront of that transformation. The Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering at the University of Kentucky has launched the Commonwealth’s first Bachelor of Science in AI. The undergraduate degree program, housed in the Department of Computer Science, will welcome its first class in Fall 2026.
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.
Radical changes could be coming to ‘psychiatry’s bible’
How a person will be diagnosed with a mental illness could look significantly different in the near future.
Goshen Health looks to partner with Parkview Health
Goshen Health says it's planning for the future, annoucing a letter of intent to partner with Parkview Health, a regional healthcare system based in Fort Wayne.
Microsoft vows to make "behind-the-scenes platform changes" as it begins testing next phase of Windows 11
After a rough few weeks, Microsoft has promised to make behind-the-scenes platform changes to Windows 11 as it begins testing the next wave of features.
Bill boosting student volunteers at polls rolls on in Senate
Children are the future ... of Florida's democratic process.
Veolia Expands US Hazardous Waste Business
French environmental services giant Veolia is expanding aggressively in the US, agreeing to buy Enviri’s hazardous waste unit for $3 billion and doubling its footprint here. As demand surges for clean water, PFAS cleanup, and sustainable solutions for AI data centers and manufacturing, Veolia CEO Estelle Brachlianoff joined Bloomberg Open Interest to talk about company's future. (Source: Bloomberg)
160,000-year-old sophisticated stone tools discovered in China may not have been made by Homo sapiens
Archaeologists have found the oldest known evidence of hafted tools in East Asia, and they challenge a previously held assumption about stone tool use.