SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " Val " 11,829 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Clock ticks on Santa Paula Hospital as leaders weigh what comes next
Time is running out on Santa Paula Hospital set to close at its current site in 2030, sparking anxiety about care needs of the Santa Clara Valley.
Bellingham suffers injury on Real duty
England midfielder Jude Bellingham is substituted with what appears to be a hamstring injury early in Real Madrid's La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano.
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.
Three takeaways from Elche 1-3 Barcelona
Barcelona dominated, but did not demolish Elche last night at Estadio Martinez Valero last night when they faced off on Matchday 22 of La Liga.For the dominance Barcelona had and the chances they crea...
Braves News: Framber Valdez rumors, player panels, more
Atlanta Braves news and notes from Saturday
Our daily picks of fun things to do in Cincinnati this week, Feb. 2-8
If you're looking for the best events happening in Cincinnati, you're at the right place. Find your next concert, game, festival or family event.
Cavaliers reportedly acquire Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroder from Kings in exchange for De'Andre Hunter
Ellis was reportedly the Cavs' main target and now they have him.
Aurora restaurant concerned new city construction project may hurt nearby businesses
Casa Vallarta Mexican Restaurant in Aurora has survived a lot of trials since it opened its doors in 1998. It is now preparing for yet another challenge as a major construction project is set to begin nearby.
Detroit Red Wings buried by Avalanche goals early, often
Detroit Red Wings score: Goalie John Gibson had little chance against a dominant Colorado attack that scored five goals for an NHL-best 17th time.
MVCC Board of Trustees to meet Tuesday, January 20
UTICA — A meeting of the Mohawk Valley Community College Board of Trustees will take place at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, on the Utica Campus in the Stetson
Who's hosting 'SNL' tonight? How to watch Jan. 31 show
See the host and musical guest for the Jan. 31 "SNL" episode.
Warhammer 40K: Ranking The Chaos Battleforces
With their imminent arrival to pre-order this weekend it's time to rank the new Chaos Battleforce boxes for Warhammer 40,000!
Broncos lose coveted assistant coach to AFC rival
The Buffalo Bills are adding Jim Leonhard to their staff.
Top 25 And 1: Michigan solidifies status as clear favorite in loaded Big Ten
The Wolverines left no doubt after their road win over rival Michigan State that they're the clear frontrunner to win the conference
In Londonderry's win over Pinkerton, Eacrett shows she's invaluable
LONDONDERRY -- While Sammie Sullivan and Gemma Murray get recognition, Brooke Eacrett is a vital part of the Londonderry High girls basketball program.
The DTH Sports staff predicts the outcome of the UNC-Duke game
The Tobacco Road rivalry will play at the Dean E. Smith Center on Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m.
CVS Health Faces Antitrust Scrutiny As Valuation Flags Undervaluation Risk
U.S. House Judiciary Committee alleges CVS Health restricted independent pharmacies from using competing digital pharmacy hubs. The investigation cites cease and desist letters and network rule changes as potential antitrust issues. CVS Health disputes the findings and says some policies have been revised. For investors watching CVS Health (NYSE:CVS), the focus is shifting to regulatory risk around how its pharmacy network operates. The company’s shares closed at $74.52, with a return of...
Trump claims Minnesota fraud exceeds $19B, faults Biden administration
President Donald Trump renews attacks on Rep. Ilhan Omar and Gov. Tim Walz over the Minnesota fraud scandal linked to the Somali community.
Youssef (26 points) leads Pinkerton boys past Londonderry
LONDONDERRY -- In typical fashion, Friday night’s rivalry game between the Pinkerton Academy and Londonderry boys basketball teams began with a tough and gritty feel to it.
LaRussell joins Super Bowl 60 entertainment lineup with game-day performance
The Vallejo rapper’s rise has never followed the industry playbook. Now, his hometown ethos is taking center stage at Super
What does Lady Vols-UConn mean to women's basketball? Let Kim Caldwell tell you
Kim Caldwell on Lady Vols-UConn rivalry: "It’s one of the coolest rivalries in sports."
'Tell Me Lies' and why Gen Z is obsessed with sexy TV
'Tell Me Lies' and 'Heated Rivalry' are insanely popular. These shows are also filled with sex scenes.
TikTok Superstar Khaby Lame’s Big Deal—Which Saw Him Valued At $6.6 Billion—Raises Red Flags, Experts Say
The all-stock transaction revolved around a small Chinese firm with less than $6 million in revenues, which went public just six months ago and saw its stock skyrocket over 650%
Where Florida football's 2026 signees land in Rivals300 final update
Rivals300 updated its rankings for the final time this week as the class of 2026 recruiting cycle closes. Here's where Florida Gators signees stand.
Amazon’s layoffs are staggering. We’ve seen this before
Big Tech continues to wrestle with mass layoffs, most recently with Amazon’s announcement of 16,000 job cuts. It’s a trend that started long before the AI race: organizational change brought by the arrival of new technology.
Unrivaled sets pro women's basketball regular-season attendance record
Unrivaled set a new record for the most attended regular-season professional women's basketball game.
Avalanche eager to regain footing in encounter vs. Red Wings
After beginning January on a historic pace, the Colorado Avalanche find themselves stumbling as they wrap up the month at the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday afternoon.
Ferris wheel, Berglund Center, Science Museum; Rasoul requests $600k from General Assembly for study to improve Roanoke
Delegate Sam Rasoul is requesting $600,000 from the General Assembly to evaluate improvement ideas for Roanoke, including a Ferris wheel on Center in the Square. Rasoul emphasizes the importance of creative investment for Roanoke's redevelopment, focusing on feasibility and structural studies.
A McDonogh 35 senior's 'complete effort' was key against district rival Carver
A McDonogh 35 senior scored 20 points in a close district matchup against Carver.
CIO says academia has some lessons to teach health IT pros
"A significant portion of any leadership role is explaining the 'why' and 'how' of a change to diverse audiences," says Bruce Barnes of Brooke Army Medical Center, ahead of his HIMSS26 presentation on the value of higher education.
2026 Governors Ball: Everything you need to know about tickets, lineup and dates
Returning to the iconic Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, New York, the annual music festival that draws in festivalgoers from all over is bound to continue doing so with this year’s insane lineup.
Vaulted Deep Named Honoree for the Wichita Business Journal Innovation Awards
Vaulted Deep, a waste management and carbon removal company, has been selected as an honoree for the 2026 Wichita Business Journal Innovation Awards. The award recognizes Vaulted's work modernizing waste management infrastructure while delivering tangible economic and environmental benefits for Kansas communities.
California Crypto Billionaires Plan to Spend Tens of Millions on Moderate Candidates
Chris Larsen and Tim Draper, two outspoken Silicon Valley leaders, are planning to spend tens of millions of dollars to elect moderate state lawmakers this year.
The latest Lehigh Valley business openings and closings
Here are January’s business openings and closures in the Lehigh Valley.
A World Safe for Autocracy: How Chinese Domestic Politics Shapes
China studies expert Jessica Chen Weiss of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies reveals how the Chinese Communist Partyʼs pursuit of domestic survival, which balances sovereignty, security, and development, drives
NASA is funded. Now what?
With the upheaval of 2025 behind us, here's what we're looking for in space policy this year.
‘Heated Rivalry’ can single-handedly save the entertainment industry
Ever since COVID and the rise of streaming services, the entertainment industry has been in a slump.
Santa Monica's Downtown Drinking Zone Could Triple in Size
Santa Monica's downtown Entertainment Zone could expand from its current 3-block area to include Fourth Street to Ocean Avenue and from Wilshire to Colorado, following DTSM approval.
🎥Guido: his first hours at Valencia
From his arrival at the airport to putting on his boots and training with his teammates, the Argentine hasn't stopped.He arrived at night at Valencia airport, the next day he underwent a medical exami...
Nebraska Science Festival, public expo return for 2026
The monthlong festival, presented by UNMC, will run throughout April with a series of science and technology-related activities.
Rovers game 'will not define our season', says Fuchs
Newport County boss Christian Fuchs has played down suggestions that Saturday's trip to relegation rivals Bristol Rovers is season defining.
Phoenix businesses join nationwide 'ICE Out' to protest immigration raids
Several local businesses across the Valley will close their doors Friday, Jan. 30, as part of a nationwide "ICE Out" shutdown to protest recent federal immigration operations.
Senate Democrats and White House strike deal to avert shutdown, continue ICE debate
The deal could be approved by the Senate as early as Thursday night, but would still need House approval before midnight Friday to avert another government shutdown.
A 20-year-old cancer vaccine may hold the key to long-term survival
Two decades after a breast cancer vaccine trial, every participant is still alive—an astonishing result for metastatic disease. Scientists found their immune systems retained long-lasting memory cells primed to recognize cancer. By enhancing a key immune signal called CD27, researchers dramatically improved tumor elimination in lab studies. The findings suggest cancer vaccines may have been missing a crucial ingredient all along.
Large snow piles in Millvale keeping customers away, businesses say
Sam Raimi shares 'Doctor Strange 2' scene that made him want to work with Rachel McAdams again
Without 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,' 'Send Help' would've looked a lot different. Director Sam Raimi and star Rachel McAdams explained how Marvel was their stepping stone to the survival horror movie.
A No. 1-vs.-2 showdown between Brother Martin and Jesuit has been moved because of weather
Brother Martin and Jesuit will play their rivalry soccer match two days later than originally scheduled.
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.
cbdMD Strengthens Regulatory Science Platform to Support Emerging Regulatory Cannabinoid Evaluation Pathways
cbdMD, Inc. (NYSE American: YCBD), a leading innovator in hemp-derived wellness products, today announced a strategic initiative to integrate and expand its regulatory science, safety, and intellectual property assets to establish a differentiated cannabinoid compliance and evidence platform aligned with evolving federal healthcare evaluation frameworks, including emerging CMS and CMMI innovation initiatives.
Time to climb a weird mountain in Cairn, the windy backpacking odyssey from the creators of Haven and Furi
The new mountain climbing survival game from The Game Bakers is out now on Steam
Polar bears getting "fatter and healthier" amid ice loss
Scientists think that Svalbard bears have adapted to recent ice loss by eating more land-based prey.
Circus and Mardi Gras-themed stage shows are coming to New Orleans theaters this week
Get ready for a thrilling week of theatrical performances in New Orleans, from the Carnival spirit in "And the Ball and All" to the circus magic of "Water for Elephants."
World discovers it can hedge US trade risk
It will be many years before the United States' allies can contemplate dispensing with the need for its military might or challenging the tech supremacy of its Silicon Valley giants.
Apple Stops Selling $200 'Pro Apps' Bundle With Final Cut Pro and More
Following the launch of Apple Creator Studio this week, Apple has quietly stopped selling its valuable "Pro Apps Bundle for Education" (archived link). "Pro Apps Bundle for Education" included one-time-purchase versions of Apple's Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage apps at a steep discount, with U.S. pricing set at $199.99. Purchasing each of the included apps separately costs $629.95, so the bundle provided more than $400 in savings.
‘Where Science Meets Patient Care’: URI College of Pharmacy to host 41st annual Seminar By the Sea
KINGSTON, R.I. — Jan. 29, 2026 — Pharmacists from around the region will earn valuable continuing education credits while discussing some of the most pressing current pharmacy and healthcare issues during the 41st annual Seminar By the Sea Northeast Regional Conference presented by the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy’s Office of Healthcare Workforce […]
Cairn review – obsession, suffering and awe in a climbing game that hits exhausting new heights
A punishing, beautiful survival game that turns mountaineering into an intimate test of endurance, fixation and emotional resolve – you’ll be in tears by the end
A Soulslike where survival is everything and a mountain is the boss
Climbing is combat in the tough, mesmerizing mountaineering game Cairn
Hy-Vee launches a new food health tool. How does it work?
A new online tool for Hy-Vee aims to help customers simplify evaluating their food choices for better health.
Why Music Catalogues Are Becoming The Hottest Asset In Entertainment
Music catalogs are emerging as stable, long-term assets, attracting investors with consistent returns and cultural value.
Newport News creates a new vibe: City forms nonprofit to support entertainment events
Newport News will create a nonprofit called NNVibes to help coordinate large-scale entertainment events. This comes after Mayor Phillip Jones announced the city will host a major music festival lat…
Comcast sheds more broadband customers as wireless competition mounts
Comcast lost more broadband customers than expected in the fourth quarter, as rivals lured away consumers with aggressive offers, piling pressure on the company's mainstay business.
Driving Habits Provide Window Into Seniors' Brain Health
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterTHURSDAY, Jan. 29, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Larry Duncan valued driving as part of his independence. But Duncan — a retired business owner from Pinehurst, North Carolina — started to become more nervous behind the wheel prior to his diagnosis with Alzheimer’s ...
Super Bowl LX sets up Patriots Seahawks rematch
Super Bowl LX reignites New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks rivalry, while Bad Bunny brings international star power to halftime show.
Hampton Town Meeting preview: Voters to weigh ICE pact, business trash
Should the town budget and proposed money articles gain approval, a homeowner with a $600,000 property will see a $301.24 increase in their tax bill.
Why some Northern Ireland pubs are 'getting it tight' over rates
Hotels have overall had an 84% rates increase, while pubs have risen by 47% due to an increase in their property valuations..
Premier Radiology Services acquires rival teleradiology group NRad
Backed by private equity investors at Grovecourt Capital Partners, the Florida firm is buying National Radiology Solutions for an undisclosed sum.
Alibaba to merge with China's Zelos on $2 billion robovan business, WSJ reports
Alibaba's logistics arm plans to merge its autonomous-driving unit Cainiao with China's Zelos Technology, forming a new entity valued at approximately $2 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
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.
The Herald's weekly entertainment picks
Looking to be entertained from Thursday, Jan. 29, through Wednesday, Feb. 4? Check out the Skagit Valley Herald’s weekly recommendations.
Avalanche Offense Goes Cold in 5-2 Loss to Senators
It wasn't a very pretty night for the Colorado Avalanche, as their offense completely dried up against the Ottawa Senators and end up losing 5-2
Palat scores, assists in Islanders' 5-2 win over Rangers
Ondrej Palat scored the opening goal and added an assist in his debut with the New York Islanders, who defeated their cross-town rival New York Rangers 5-2 on Wednesday night. Simon Holmstrom had a goal and two assists, David Rittich made 14 saves, and the Islanders won their second straight game. Mathew Barzal, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Emil Heineman also scored.
Short-seller report accuses Carvana of overstating earnings
After the report, written by Gotham City Research but not naming an author, was released, the share value tumbled about 14%.
Tri-County Community Health Coalition releases first unified health report in Fox Valley
With the Unified Health Report, organizations across the Fox Valley now have the same information on local health problems and can plan together.
Mahoning Valley arts and entertainment
Art ARTS & EDUCATION AT THE HOYT, 124 E. Leasure Ave., New Castle, Pa.: “My Abandoned Heart: Photography by Diane Beatty,” ...
New York lawmakers join in calling for ICE’s removal from Minnesota
Dozens of New York state senators and assemblymembers released a joint statement Wednesday at the State Capitol.
Federal court documents outlines allegations against Zipps Sports Grill
Newly obtained court documents are revealing more about why federal agent conducted searches at more than a dozen Zipps Sports Grill across the Valley.
ASNC says PET is now the preferred nuclear imaging test for CAD
Which imaging modality is better for evaluating heart patients, PET or SPECT? After years of discussions and debates, the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology is now ready to point to PET as the No. 1 choice. “There are no clinical scenarios or patient subgroups where cardiac PET with myocardial blood flow should be excluded," the group wrote.
ICE presence threatens small business in Minneapolis and Minnesota, some owners say: 'I can hardly do my normal job'
Some Minneapolis small-business owners say they fear for their personal safety, their community's safety and their businesses' survival amid ICE's presence in the city.
Some of ‘Star Search’s’ biggest losers became megastars. Can the revival live up to its past?
Aaliyah, Britney and Beyoncé famously lost when they appeared on “Star Search” back in the day. Those who bested them look back as a new reboot takes off.
Patriots Rival Reportedly Loses Defensive Coordinator, Longtime Coach To Packers
The New England Patriots are gearing up for the Super Bowl, but two of their division rivals are in the middle of coaching changes. The Miami Dolphins fired Mike McDaniel to hire Jeff Hafley, the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator for the last two years. The Buffalo Bills promoted Joe Brady to head coach from […]
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.
Health insurers dodge Trump's pricing crackdown, for now
While the president's ire can return on a whim, the prospect of an Oval Office dressing down appears, for the moment, off the table.
Apple Creator Studio launches today, and it's an incredible value
Two weeks ago, Apple announced its brand new Apple Creator Studio bundle, offering its suite of creative apps for a...
Looney’s Amphitheater announces 2026 entertainment lineup following venue revival
Looney’s Amphitheater Complex and Cultural Center, nestled in the heart of Bankhead National Forest, is marking its return as a live entertainment destination with a full slate of concerts and […]
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Scotts Valley solar cell company goes dark; passing the torch at Alta Organic Coffee
In her weekly look at Santa Cruz County business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on the demise of Ambient Photonics, notes a generational shift at a local coffee roaster and delivers names, numbers and events to know.
iPhone 18 Pro Could Feature Teleconverter Alongside Variable Aperture
Apple's rumored new variable aperture camera system for this year's iPhone 18 Pro models has reached the sampling stage, according to a new claim from a Chinese leaker. Posting on Weibo today, the account known as "Smart Pikachu" said the feature had entered late-stage engineering samples, while a teleconverter is also "under evaluation" for the device. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to launch in September 2026.
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
TARC to sell West End business center to community group
With approval from the TARC board, a purchase agreement for the Nia Center is expected to be signed by the end of the week.
CCS Superintendent Angela Chapman is putting district on right path. We value her.
Superintendent Angela Chapman has put CCS on a path to meet that challenge and ensure opportunity reaches every student.
Region on watch as India declares Nipah virus outbreak contained
Several Asian countries have introduced screening measures for arrivals from India, as New Delhi seeks to dampen alarm.
Sword Buys Kaia Health, Plans Fresh $500 Million Funding Round
Sword Health agreed to acquire rival Kaia Health for $285 million in its biggest deal to date, expanding the AI health startup’s footprint in the US and marking its entry into Germany.
Feinberg Prof. Jessica Schleider’s mental health platform to partner with University of Notre Dame wellness project
Feinberg Prof. Jessica Schleider is bringing her digital mental health platform Project YES to St. Joseph County, home to the University of Notre Dame, through a three-year program aimed at promoting youth mental health and bridging gaps in healthcare service. The St. Joseph County Universal Wellness Project, funded by a grant from the Valinhos Foundation,...
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.
Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama pinpoints biggest challenge in Rockets matchup
In the midst of a lull, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs are eyeing their rival Rockets in a rematch of a very recent game.
Vegas sportsbook invests ahead of packed 2026 sports calendar
With Super Bowl Sunday just days away, sportsbooks across the Las Vegas Valley are preparing for one of their busiest days of the year — and looking well beyond
Is Teladoc Health (TDOC) A Potential Opportunity After Prolonged Share Price Weakness
If you are wondering whether Teladoc Health at around US$5.91 is a bargain or a value trap, this breakdown is designed to give you a clear, structured view of where the stock stands today. The share price has retreated recently, with a 2.6% decline over the last 7 days, a 17.0% decline over 30 days, a 16.2% decline year to date, and a 43.8% decline over the past year, on top of a much larger 79.9% decline over 3 years and 97.8% over 5 years. Recent coverage around Teladoc Health has focused...