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Scientists sound alarm over federal plan to dismantle vital weather and climate lab
Hopkins experts warn that dismantling its premiere weather-forecasting resource, NCAR, would leave us more vulnerable to the effects of extreme weather events
The 25 happiest cities in the US in 2026, ranked
A study compared 182 of the largest cities in the US on factors such as income, employment, health, and community data.
Predictions, Odds, Analysis! UFC Vegas 114, X-Factor
This weekend (Sat., March 14, 2026), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will return home to the Meta APEX in Las Vegas Nevada, for UFC Vegas 114. Maybe this is the event that really turns things around and ends the UFC’s miserable 2026 start, but … probably not. Don’t get me wrong, Josh Emmett vs. Kevin Vallejos […]
Congressman Neal, BHS Talk Local Health Care in 2026
Congressman Neal says access to health care is also important as an economic factor in the area. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — In a time of federal funding uncertainties,...
LACLxS Work-in-Progress Seminar: The Politics of Everyday Conflict in Refugee Shelters
Fabricio Carrijo, a research affiliate at the Jagiellonian Centre for Migration Studies at Jagiellonian University, will give a talk titled "The Politics of Everyday Conflict in Refugee Shelters: Decolonial Perspectives from the Brazilian Amazon" for the Program in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies.
Paramore—“Misery Business”
Imagine the angstiest, cringiest art you made as a teenager. Now imagine the entire world singing to it in their cars and at karaoke forever. Today, Rob is breaking down the emotionally turbulent emo-bop factory machine that is Paramore. He applauds the incredible and messy lyrics of ‘Riot!,’ which differentiate the album from those of similar bands of the time. Later, he talks to The Ringer’s Rob Mahoney, Paramore’s OG fan, to discuss the exponential improvement between ‘All We Know Is Falling’ and ‘Riot!’ and Hayley Williams’s incredible vocals on “Misery Business.”
CERN Science Gateway celebrates its 1000th science show
CERN Science Gateway has reached another milestone: the delivery of its 1000th science show! Since opening its doors in October 2023, Science Gateway has welcomed nearly 900 000 visitors of all ages to explore the fundamental questions of the Universe. Among its most popular activities are the science shows – dynamic, interactive demonstrations led by CERN guides and tailored to a broad audience of different age levels, including school groups, families and the general public. Designed to make complex scientific concepts accessible and entertaining, these live shows combine spectacular experiments, multimedia elements and audience participation. From the physics of particle collisions to the properties of superconductivity, electromagnetism and cryogenics, the science shows translate the research carried out at CERN into engaging visual experiences. Visitors might see superconductors levitate, follow particles through different detector layers or discover the beauty in phase transitions. Each demonstration is carefully crafted to spark curiosity while maintaining scientific accuracy. Members of the CERN community are of course warmly invited to visit CERN Science Gateway with their family or friends and attend one of the science shows. To register, please visit this page, and don’t forget to check the programme for the coming days. Become a CERN guide and run your own super-cool science show (and more)! To become a CERN guide, you can join the introduction course held every 3–4 weeks, which will give you an overview of what being a CERN guide entails. From there, further courses are available depending on what type of guide you would like to be. Because, of course, CERN guides are needed everywhere at CERN. If you imagine yourself as a more ‘traditional’ guide, you should know that there are currently more than ten exciting visit points in CERN’s visits portfolio, such as the Antimatter Factory, the ALICE experiment (surface), the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) control room, the ATLAS experiment (surface), the CERN Control Centre (CCC), the Data Centre, the LHCb experiment (surface), the Synchrocyclotron (SC), the SM18 test facility and the newly inaugurated Linac2 visit point. Indeed, CERN’s Visits Service and Visual Impact and Exhibitions Section recently collaborated on redesigning the Linac2 visit tour, which has just reopened to the public after several months of renovation work. The new tour offers visitors and guides alike an enriched, more immersive experience, designed to highlight the history and scientific significance of this major facility. So, fancy becoming one of the insiders? Join the introduction course, check the guides website or contact guides.manager@cern.ch. And remember, becoming a guide can benefit you, too.
Amazon Is Widening Its Sway Over the Freight Industry
The one-stop shop for handling freight and packages seems to be a thing of the past, with FedEx Corp. set to spin off its trucking business in June. United Parcel Service Inc. shed its trucking unit five years ago. Full-service brokerages can shepherd goods from the factory to a residential customer’s doorstep, but they do it by cobbling together transportation services of several providers.
Magic handle Bucks to win 4th in a row
Speaking pregame ahead of Sunday’s contest between the Magic and Bucks, Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley pointed towards his team’s ability to set the tone early as a major factor behind Saturday’s win at Minnesota. One night later at Milwaukee, the Magic followed a similar recipe for success, scoring the first seven points of the game, limiting the Bucks to 15 points in the opening quarter and ...
How generational turnover and party switching reshape the US political map
Political polarisation has increased dramatically in the US in recent decades and is often linked to partisan geographic segregation. This column presents new evidence from 2008 to 2020 that reveals an increase in partisan segregation even at very local levels. However, while most studies focus on one explanatory factor, residential mobility, we find that generational change (in Democratic-trending areas) and Democrats leaving their party (in Republican-trending areas) explain a much larger share of the rise in partisan segregation.
Trump’s food industry friends are warning him RFK Jr.’s agenda is bad for business
Processed food manufacturers say there's a conflict between the Health secretary’s plans and Trump’s desire to rebuild factory towns.
Treasury Secretary Bessent forecasts largest bombing campaign yet, says Iran attempting 'economic chaos'
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iran fights on military and economic fronts as U.S. launches biggest bombing campaign against Iranian missile launchers and factories.
The true story of why Carolyn Bessette quit Calvin Klein — and how her relationship with JFK Jr. factored in
Episode 6 of FX's 'Love Story' depicts Carolyn Bessette's resignation from Calvin Klein. Here's what we know about why she really left the iconic fashion brand.
No AI Plan, No Loan. Small Business Lenders Force Main Street To Face The Future
Banks are starting to factor artificial intelligence into small business loans, asking borrowers how AI could disrupt their industry over the life of a 10-year loan.
Google releases Pixel 10a ‘stallion’ factory images
With the Pixel 10a now on store shelves, Google today released factory images for "stallion.” There are two builds...
Listen: What To Do When Health Insurance Slips Out of Reach
2026 has been a challenging year to buy health insurance. Contributing factors include changes to the Medicaid program and hikes to the cost of Obamacare plans. But doctors and researchers say there are ways people without insurance can find affordable care.
Government-grade iPhone exploit kit spreading to hackers: reports
Google and iVerify have shared details about Coruna, an exploit kit that chains multiple vulnerabilities to target iPhones running older iOS versions.
Superagers' 'Secret Ingredient' May Be The Growth of New Brain Cells
Perhaps just one of many factors.
Is spring training becoming too expensive?
This was originally going to be an article titled, “Why spring training is dead to me”. I was going to discuss the reasons why I’ve basically given up on attending spring training games. One of the main factors was simply the cost, and there’s the general perception that it’s no longer a cheap alternative to […]
Quarter of healthy years lost to breast cancer are due to lifestyle factors, research finds
Largest study of its kind suggests high red meat consumption has biggest impact, followed by smoking
US manufacturing grows steadily in February, input prices surge
U.S. manufacturing activity expanded steadily in February, but a measure of prices paid by factories for inputs rose to the highest level in nearly 3-1/2 years, highlighting upside risks to inflation amid import tariffs even before a U.S.-led attack on Iran sent oil prices higher.
South African Factory Outlook Dims as Business Activity Softens
South African manufacturing sentiment soured slightly in February as business activity weakened and employment declined.
Global webinar on core public health capacities to conduct ship inspections and issue ship sanitation certificates
Ships cross borders every day, connecting countries and serving as a backbone of the global economy. However, outbreaks onboard can disrupt maritime traffic, leading to significant economic and operational negative consequences. Without strong public health capacities to detect, prevent, and respond to public health risks on board ships, maritime travel can also become a pathway for the spread of infectious diseases. To support countries in strengthening these capacities, the World Health Organization (WHO) convened a two-day webinar on 11–12 February, bringing together more than 700 ship inspectors, port health officers, and public health authorities, primarily from the African, Eastern Mediterranean, and European Regions. The webinar came at a pivotal time. With the amended International Health Regulations entering into force on 19 September 2025, the need to focus on public health preparedness has never been greater. Strengthening public health capacities at borders, including onboard conveyances, is a cornerstone of global health security and central to the amended IHR.“The high level of attendance and active participation throughout the two days of the webinar highlighted the growing demand for technical guidance and capacity-building support in ship inspection and issuance of ship sanitation certificates”, said Dr Ninglan Wang, Head of the Borders, Mass Gatherings and Health Protection Measures (BMM) Unit at the Health Emergency Preparedness Department at WHO headquarters. “The dynamic interactions among experts and countries underscored the value of continued cross-border collaboration in the maritime sector and knowledge exchange in this area”. Conducting regular public health inspections on board ships for the issuance of ship sanitation certificates (SSCs) in accordance with the IHR requirements is crucial for ensuring that ships meet specific health standards, thereby minimizing the risk of the international spread of diseases via maritime traffic. These certificates, mandated by the IHR, require ports to have trained personnel who can identify and control public health risks on board vessels and apply recommended control measures. This standardized global procedure not only ensures compliance with the IHR but also promotes consistency in health practices across ports worldwide. SSCs are the globally-recognized tool used to prevent and control known public health risks on ships, providing a common way to register and communicate public health events and measures taken on board between all stakeholders involved in this process, including public health authorities in ports and ship operators. Only SSCs issued by ports authorized by national authorities to issue such certificates are considered valid. As per the IHR, all States Parties are required to send to WHO their list of authorized ports (available here) and to keep it updated. However, many Member States continue to face practical challenges, such as limited resources, high staff turnover, and competing priorities. These realities underscore the value of platforms such as this webinar, which foster collective learning, peer-to-peer exchange, and practical solutions to help countries build and sustain the capacities required under the IHR.Over the two days, participants engaged in presentations and discussions covering a wide range of technical and operational topics, such as the overarching international legal framework governing ship sanitation; considerations for pre-inspection planning; risk assessment factors by type of vessel; the completion and issuance of SSCs and evidence report forms; or practical insights on the inspection of various technical areas, such as food safety, medical facilities, water systems, or vector control, among others. In addition, public health authorities from the Netherlands, Morocco, and Tanzania shared case studies to showcase their practical application of these IHR requirements in their respective countries. Given its success, WHO plans to replicate similar sessions in the future to reach additional time zones and regions and cover other pressing border health-related topics, ensuring that Member States can continue benefiting from these opportunities to share knowledge and expertise.
Despite earlier alarms, Oregon programs, services can proceed largely unscathed in wake of Trump tax and budg
Several factors help explain why cuts to the current state budget won’t total $750 million or anything close to it, the co-chairs said.
Business described as ‘hidden gem’ to expand in small McLean County city
Lexington’s mayor is announcing a longtime business in the small McLean County city is expanding by building a new factory and hiring more workers.
Giant Study Reveals The Secret to Heart Health, And It's Not Low-Carb or Low-Fat
There's another factor that may matter more.
Giant Study Reveals The Secret to Heart Health, And It's Not Low-Carb or Low-Fat
There's another factor that may matter more.
Noah Lyles Expectations Heading Into USATF, The Entertainment Factor of Track & Field
Ahead of the USATF Indoor Championships this weekend Noah Lyles sends out warning shots to his competitors.
Why some meat tastes gamey
Lots of factors contribute to the complex tastes people love—or loathe.
Elon Musk warns Tesla employees over future of German megafactory
Elon Musk said that Tesla would "ideally" expand its only European gigafactory — with one condition.
'Phantom of the Opera' returns to Saenger Theatre in New Orleans for extended run
Other local stage performances include "Murder Most Meemaw" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."
Political Candidates and the Troubling Chill Factor
Whether it’s political polarization, ruthless social media or federal interference, this is a particularly tough time to be in elected office in a city or a state.
Ukraine says homegrown missiles 800+ miles to hit Russian factory
The launch from last week came amid one of Ukraine's largest long-range attacks into Russia, with Moscow saying it shot down 77 Ukrainian drones.
Boulder County students share science knowledge at regional fair
Nederland Middle/Senior High junior Amika Begin turned her interest in sports marketing into a science project, investigating if social media engagement is an important factor in getting the deals …
Platform Science Unveils Landmark Driver Experience Report on Pay, Technology, and Retention
SAN DIEGO, February 25, 2026--Platform Science, the leading connected vehicle platform, today released its inaugural Driver Experience Report, a nationwide survey of more than 1,100 commercial drivers on factors like pay and technology that most influence their job satisfaction. The report provides data-driven insights into truckers’ perspectives on topics like communication, compensation, safety, and long-term retention, establishing what Platform Science believes are the industry’s first bench
Manipulating gene activity to reverse aging
By altering levels of molecules called transcription factors in mice, researchers were able to reverse some of the effects of aging.
Fat or Skinny Fat: Both Can Harm Your Health | Join the Anti-Obesity Health Base: Outsmart the Obesity Threat Together
Hong Kong is a world-renowned food paradise, offering everything from local snacks like fish balls and egg waffles to Michelin-starred culinary experiences. However, maintaining a healthy weight amidst fast-paced lifestyles, high pressure, and even genetic factors has become a relentless battle. Excessive fat accumulation poses significant health risks, and even those with a seemingly slender physique can fall into the trap of obesity. Today, obesity is no longer just a cosmetic concern; it is c
Climate Physicists Face the Ghosts in Their Machines: Clouds
The planet is getting hotter, but one factor in particular makes it hard to tell just how hot it will get. Physicists and computer scientists are racing to solve the problem of clouds.
California’s Strict Regulations May Frustrate Business Starts
Does California deserve its reputation as a state that is unfriendly to business? PPIC experts discuss new findings on California’s regulatory environment and its effect on business launches.
Data Science for Social Good Fellowship comes to Johns Hopkins
The Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence will host graduate students from across the country to deploy data science for social impact
Doctors emphasize early heart‑health habits as key to preventing future disease
Tackling risk factors in our younger years can prevent future heart problems in adulthood.
Bridging science and society in the emerging bioeconomy
A new MIT course, STS.059 (The Bioeconomy and Society), explores the social and political factors at work in the biology, biotech, and biological engineering sectors.
The Human Exposome Project will map how environmental factors shape health
It makes the Human Genome Project look easy
Multiple brands of Android tablets shipped with built-in malware
Kaspersky researchers say Android tablets from some brands left the factory with hidden firmware backdoor malware already installed.
Northwestern Medicine takes AI accelerator program to Europe
Northwestern Medicine has a new partnership with London-based accelerator Founders Factory, aimed at exposing European AI firms to the U.S. health market.
‘Workshop of the World’ debuts at the Science History Institute’s First Friday
The free March 6 event explores the factories and riverfront industries that helped shape Philadelphia.
Kevin O'Leary Warns '80% Of Businesses Fail In The First 36 Months' As High Customer Acquisition Costs Drain Startups
Investor Kevin O'Leary highlighted that excessive spending to acquire customers is the leading cause of early-stage startup failures and a critical factor for growth potential. High Customer Acquisition Costs Top Reason Startups Fail On Tuesday, O'Leary posted on X, sharing a clip from one of his recent talks, emphasizing the role of customer acquisition costs, or CAC, in startup survival. "Why do 80% of businesses fail in the first 36 months? Customer acquisition cost," O'Leary wrote. He added,
The human exposome could change everything we know about disease
Scientists are launching an ambitious global effort to map the “human exposome” — the lifelong mix of environmental and chemical exposures that drive most diseases. Backed by new partnerships with governments, UNESCO, and international science advisory bodies, the initiative is rapidly expanding across continents. Powered by AI and advanced data tools, the movement seeks to shift medicine beyond genetics and toward the real-world factors shaping human health.
DOJ sues Harvard for data as it investigates how race factors into admissions
In the lawsuit, the Justice Department said Harvard has "thwarted" efforts to investigate potential discrimination
Sex, health, child abuse scandals threaten Orban re-election
Abuse in a juvenile facility, hazardous dust from a battery factory and an alleged sex video involving the opposition leader — the run-up to Hungary's election has so far been dominated by one scandal after another.
Mass. fun factory offers Boston-themed laser tag, the biggest pretzel you’ll ever see
Apex in Marlborough is way more than just another entertainment center. I mean, have you seen this pretzel?
Credibly Business Loans Review 2026
Credibly offers accessible small-business loans for borrowers with fair credit, but its factor rate can result in higher borrowing costs.
Young Americans express deep dissatisfaction with how the political system works
Johns Hopkins research examining generational divides in democratic institutions finds younger respondents have the least amount of trust in political parties and elected officials to reflect their views
Expert explains how hormonal changes affect women's heart health
During Heart Health Month, it's good to know how a lesser-known factor risk factor can impact your health: Hormonal changes.
The Chinese Factory That Opened in the U.S. and Clobbered Its Rivals
President Trump has pressured trading partners for investment in U.S. manufacturing plants. What if local industries can’t compete?
A century of hair shows how lead exposure collapsed
For decades, Americans were surrounded by lead from car exhaust, factories, paint, and even drinking water, often without realizing the damage it caused. By analyzing hair samples preserved across generations, scientists uncovered a striking record of how exposure soared before environmental rules and then collapsed after leaded gasoline and other sources were phased out.
Mamdani's NYC health department staffers reportedly studying effects of 'global oppression' on health
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Department of Health reportedly created a "Global Oppression Working Group" that references Gaza "genocide" as a factor.
Small Business Focus: The State of Black Entrepreneurial Enterprises
This article is written and sponsored by Arlington Economic Development. February is Black History Month, and this year the Small Business Coordinating Council will spotlight the State of Black Entrepreneurship with three dynamic speakers: Eric Alston and William Mitchell of WACIF, and Darin Cox, owner of The Peach Cobbler Factory in Washington, D.C. Over the
The 10 races that will decide control of the US Senate
In the fight for control of the US Senate, the majority may come down to which factor carries more weight: the map or the environment.
Regal Ware revives historic West Bend Co. name for cookware factory
West Bend Co., which operates a manufacturing facility in West Bend, also serves as a contract manufacturer for other cookware companies.
Muscle mass as a resilence factor for endothelial health in obesity
npj Metabolic Health and Disease - Muscle mass as a resilence factor for endothelial health in obesity
NFL salary cap expected to significantly jump for 2026 season
The increase is especially good news for NFL teams like the Buffalo Bills, where cap overages will be a key factor in 2026.
Howie Carr: Just another chip from Massachusetts’ anti-business block
Most of the production had long since been transferred to free American states, but Cape Cod Potato Chips left a footprint behind, in Hyannis. The little factory used to be a decent-sized tourist a…
Scientists discover how to turn gut bacteria into anti-aging factories
Researchers found that small doses of an antibiotic can coax gut bacteria into producing a life-extending compound. In worms, this led to longer lifespans, while mice showed healthier cholesterol and insulin changes. Because the drug stays in the gut, it avoids toxic side effects. The study points to a new way of promoting health by targeting microbes rather than the body itself.
Mental Health Distress in Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Largely Driven by Sociodemographic, Comorbid Factors
These findings suggest the mental health burden in nonmelanoma skin cancer reflects broader social and clinical factors rather than disease-specific effects.
Scientists Discover Living Bacteria Hidden Inside the #1 Type of Kidney Stone
Scientists have uncovered an unexpected biological factor hidden within the most common type of kidney stone.
ICE Will Play a Big Factor in the Maine Senate Race
Seems like Republican senator Susan Collins is trying to take credit for the agency’s removal from the state. Governor Janet Mills, who’s challenging for her seat, had a rebuttal.
Genes may shape how long we live more than once thought
New research challenges the view that human life span depends mostly on lifestyle. Genes may account for half the factors that determine longevity.
Innovators removing barriers to health care, accelerating impact on communities in need
DALLAS, Jan. 29, 2026 — Driven by an older, more diverse population and a significant increase in risk factors, at least 6 in 10 U.S. adults are projected to have some form of cardiovascular disease, causing related health care costs to triple.[1] That’s...
At World’s Busiest Port, China’s Unbalanced Economy Comes Into View
The shipping traffic and factories never stop in China’s port city of Ningbo, but the local housing market has crashed and nearby restaurants sit empty.
Beyond testosterone: The real crisis in men’s health
Increasing testosterone in men ignores deeply rooted cultural and social factors at the center of this health emergency.
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
A rich social environment is associated with better cognitive health outcomes for older adults, study finds
Research by an interdisciplinary team from McGill University and Université Laval provides new insights into the links between social factors and cognitive health among aging adults.
First Las Vegas, now Maryland. What is driving the Sphere expansion?
Northeastern University professor Andrew Mall said much of the Sphere’s success has to do with the novelty factor.
Emails show Bank of America struggles with Nvidia AI Factory adoption
Internal emails show Bank of America having difficulties with Nvidia's AI Factory, showing the challenges of integrating AI in regulated industries.
Takeaways From the 2025 IADMS Conference on Occupational Health Hazards
The 35th annual IADMS conference, in Las Vegas in September, hosted more than 650 dance medicine providers, researchers, and educators representing 28 countries. Dr. David Hinkamp’s keynote on occupational health encouraged the dance community to consider the environmental factors that contribute to the industry’s injury rates—things like moving sets, dangerous props, lighting, sound, dry ice, improper flooring, or inadequate breaks between performances or rehearsals.
The Electric: Idle Chinese Plants Are Inviting Business With U.S. Battery Startups
A free-for-all of factory expansion among China’s battery manufacturers has left more than 40% of the country’s battery plants idle. That has presented a prime opportunity for a nascent wave of Western startups to capitalize on the Chinese battery makers’ misery.
One Cure for Our Sour Politics: Local Patriotism
How people feel about where they live is an overlooked factor in engaging them in civic life. There are ways to boost those feelings.
Basketball point shaving scandal’s ties to Louisiana come as sports gambling thrives
Eight of the 20 athletes implicated in an NCAA point shaving scandal played for Louisiana colleges. Did the state’s legal sports gambling play a factor?
Tesla plans to train its Optimus robot at Austin factory
The Austin push is planned for February, insiders told Business Insider. Tesla has been training Optimus in its Fremont factory for more than a year.
Euro zone business activity expands more slowly than expected in January
Euro zone business activity expanded more slowly than expected this month as weaker growth in the dominant services industry offset milder factory contraction, according to a survey, while price pressures picked up.
MPH student takes an interdisciplinary approach to climate-related health inequities
Sanchita Gera, MPH ’26, is exploring how social and environmental factors outside the hospital walls affect some patients’ health more than others.
This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition - How the city’s growth hinges on street design
Victor Dover - co-founder and principal of Dover Kohl & Partners and keynote speaker for Scenic Jacksonville’s Sixth Annual Great Cities Symposium (Feb. 5) - joins Kent Justice to discuss how cities can grow in ways that strengthen quality of life and long-term economic competitiveness. Dover argues that communities aren’t just recruiting businesses; they’re recruiting people—and the experience “outside between buildings” can be a deciding factor for talent, investment, and lasting prosperity.
January STAR TREK Merch Roundup: Factory Entertainment’s Klingon Communicator Prop Replica, Funko POPs, Books, and More!
It’s time to check in on the world of STAR TREK licensed merchandise, and everything that’s been announced so far in the new year!
Epi Minute 18: Behavioral Health Has Many Impacts
Megan Clark, an Epidemiologist and Beau Richmond, a Health Services Manager, talk about how behavioral health effects physical health. Some stress factors can impact individuals, neighborhoods, and whole communities. Behavioral Health covers both mental health and substance use.
Connecticut one of the worst states to start a business: WalletHub
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A WalletHub study found Connecticut to be one of the worst states to start a business. WalletHub compared the 50 states across three key factors: business environmen…
Decades of suffering: Long-term mental health outcomes of Kurdish chemical gas attacks
Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed is a clinical psychologist and researcher specializing in trauma, somatic symptoms, and psychopathology in conflict-affected populations. He has worked for over a decade with survivors of massacres in the Kurdistan Region, integrating clinical practice with research. He is also a lecturer at the Institute of Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology at the University of Duhok. His current research focuses on validating psychological instruments for Kurdish communities and exploring genetic and phenomic factors related to trauma-related disorders. In a new study in Frontiers in Psychiatry, he and colleagues showed exceptionally high levels of trauma among survivors of a notorious atrocity: the 1988 chemical attack on Halabja in Kurdistan. In this editorial, he summarizes their findings.
Results, fans, fall-outs - factors that lead to managerial pressure
From bad results to a clash with a club's owners - BBC Sport takes a look at some of the factors that lead to managers coming under pressure.
Boston Dynamics CEO told us how the humanoid robot revolution begins
Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter spoke to Business Insider on how humanoid robots will take over the factory and when they'll come to our homes.
Patriots vs. Texans prediction, pick, odds, where to watch, live stream, kickoff time
Key questions, X-factors and more about Sunday night's NFL divisional round matchup
These 5 health conditions cause the most deaths
Three out of four deaths worldwide are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and 80% of those deaths are caused by just five conditions. Heart disease is the biggest killer, followed by cancer, respiratory diseases and diabetes. Not only do these conditions cause tens of millions of deaths a year, they also carry a staggering economic cost. The good news is they are largely avoidable. Five major risk factors significantly ramp up your chances of contracting an NCD, from air pollution to a poor diet, and 80% of NCDs could be prevented with the right interventions. A new paper from the World Economic Forum and the Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience (PHSSR) sets out recommendations for policy-makers to help boost their NCD prevention efforts.
Scarlets cannot be distracted by X-factor Pollock
Scarlets vow to avoid being distracted by 'world-class' England forward Henry Pollock in Sunday's Champions Cup fixture in Northampton.
College Football Playoff Predictions: Indiana's X-Factor Is Curt Cignetti
FOX Sports' Michael Cohen offers up his analysis and prediction ahead of Monday night's CFP national title game.
Bills' X-factor revealed by ESPN for Broncos playoff game
Buffalo will need this area to work out.
This engineering firm turned wires and poles into a $500M business: "The grid is transforming."
"When the grid was built and regulations were written, it was to manage power delivery to schools, homes, business and factories. It wasn't shipping solar power across four states. We can be essential because we understand the engineering, labor and capital needs for projects like that."
The Business of Butterworths, the Hottest New Restaurant in Washington DC
When the Odd Lots team was down in Washington DC earlier this year, we had a phenomenal meal at a restaurant called Butterworths. As it turns out, the restaurant is one of the hottest hangouts for the MAGA crowd, with Steve Bannon and others frequently seen in its dining room. Of course, restaurants are difficult businesses in normal conditions, but in DC, you have the added factor that political cycles are changing all the time, and different bars and restaurants become associated with specific parties who go in and out of power. On this episode, we speak with Bart Hutchins, the chef-owner at the restaurant. We talk about everything from sourcing ingredients from small Amish farms, to acquiring beef tallow, and dining room logistics. We also talk about food costs, labor availability, and how the intense worker shortages and price inflation of the post-2020 period still affects how the restaurant is run today. Originally aired 1/2/26. (Source: Bloomberg)
Sports for People and Planet
The $2.3 trillion global sports economy is experiencing robust growth, with annual revenues projected to reach $8.8 trillion by 2050. However, factors such as rising levels of physical inactivity and escalating environmental challenges could erode up to $1.6 trillion in annual revenue by mid-century. The World Economic Forum, in collaboration with Oliver Wyman, has developed this insight report to highlight the urgent social and economic imperative for coordinated public–private action to secure the sector’s long-term resilience, presenting transformative, multistakeholder pathways and innovative case studies.This approach ensures that the future of sport remains competitive and inspiring, while also being sustainable and inclusive for people and the planet alike.
Drug use disorders a growing public health concern in the Americas, PAHO study finds
Washington, D.C., 14 January 2026 (PAHO) – Drug use disorders are a major and growing public health problem in the Americas. Drug use is among the top 10 risk factors contributing to all-cause mortality and disability in the Region, according to findings published in the Pan American Journal of Public Health.In 2021, an estimated 17.7 million people in the Americas were living with a drug use disorder, resulting in nearly 78,000 deaths directly attributable to these disorders, representing a mortality rate four times higher than the global average.
Can the American Oboe Sing Again?
Building the instrument is hard enough. Turning a profit is a killer. But Jim Phelan is bent on reviving one of the great names in classical music.