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Atrium Health reports influx of virus patients, urges vaccines and handwashing
Atrium Health warns people of spreading viruses in Georgia. Atrium Health has recently seen an influx of patients with several different viruses.
Concord business grateful for customers after snow storm
Nearby businesses remain closed and parking lots still empty. It’s an area usually full of people, but right now it stays quiet.
Jeffrey Epstein's ties to politicians, business titans and other figures
The U.S. Justice Department's release of millions of internal documents related to Jeffrey Epstein has revealed the late financier and sex offender's ties to many prominent people in politics, finance, academia and business - both before and after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to prostitution charges, including soliciting an underage girl. Evidence in multiple legal and criminal cases has also shed light on these connections.
Factbox-Jeffrey Epstein's Ties to Politicians, Business Titans and Other Figures
Feb 2 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department's release of millions of internal documents related to Jeffrey Epstein has revealed the late financier and sex offender's ties to many prominent people in politics, finance, academia and business - both before and after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to ...
WHO launches 2026 appeal to help millions of people in health emergencies and crisis settings
The World Health Organization (WHO) today launched its 2026 global appeal to ensure millions of people living in humanitarian crises and conflicts can access health care.
Tester, bipartisan group push plan to block corporate dark money in Montana politics
About 800 people attended an event in Billings to promote the ballot initiative.
Legacy Lawns Begins With a Question: What Happens to a Great Business When the Founder Is Ready to Step Back?
National Lawn Care Platform Launches to Preserve Legacy Businesses Through People-First PartnershipsGAINESVILLE, Ga., Feb. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For most lawn care owners, the business isn’t just a company. It’s years of early mornings, customer relationships built one yard at a time, employees who became family, and a reputation earned slowly through consistency and care. But when it’s time to retire, step back, or simply breathe again, the question becomes painfully simple: Who will pro
Survey finds prior authorization viewed as greatest hurdle in navigating health care
A KFF survey published today found that people view prior authorization as the biggest challenge beyond costs when navigating the health care system. In terms of issues people viewed as a “major burden,” prior authorization was highest at 32%, followed by understanding their bill or what they owe at 23%.
Iran’s economy falters as internet shutdown hits people, businesses hard
The state-imposed blackout has disconnected Iranians from the world and choked off businesses.
Vermont man turns hobby into accordion repair business
A 74-year-old Vermont man has found his passion not just in playing the accordion, but in fixing them. Nathan Longo is one of a handful of people who work on accordions in New England.
Poll: People View Prior Authorization as Greatest Burden in Navigating the Health System
New KFF polling explores the challenges beyond costs that people with insurance face in navigating the health care system. People cite prior authorization review as their top problem by a wide margin, with a third (32%) saying prior authorization requirements are a “major burden.
Vanderbilt Health acquires Tennova’s Clarksville hospital and related physician clinics from Community Health Systems
Leaders with Vanderbilt Health announced today completion of the acquisition of Tennova Healthcare-Clarksville Hospital and freestanding emergency room Tennova ER-Sango, along with the hospital’s related businesses, including physician clinics and outpatient services, from Community Health Systems Inc. (CHS). Vanderbilt Health has held a 20% minority interest in these operations since 2021. Under Vanderbilt Health’s ownership, the 270-bed hospital will be named Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital (VCH) while the freestanding Sango ER will be named Vanderbilt Emergency Sango. Also joining the Vanderbilt Health system through the acquisition are physician practice locations in Clarksville, Dover, Pleasant View and Tiny Town offering, depending on location, orthopaedics, primary care, wound care, digestive health, urology and surgical services. Acquisition of the hospital and its related physician practices expands Vanderbilt Health’s ability to serve patients across the region, supporting its ability to provide high-quality care in more convenient, community settings that are also more cost-effective. “We are thrilled to welcome Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital into our health system. Providing exceptional care close to home is invaluable, and we are eager to serve the citizens of Clarksville and Montgomery County by expanding the hospital’s programs and services,” said Jeff Balser, MD, PhD, President and CEO of Vanderbilt Health and Dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. This acquisition marks Vanderbilt Health’s fourth regional hospital expansion, further strengthening its presence across Middle Tennessee beyond its already extensive inpatient and ambulatory services in Nashville. VCH joins Vanderbilt Health’s network of regional medical centers that now include Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital in Lebanon, Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital in Coffee County, and Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital in Shelbyville. With a strong record of growth and investment in people, programs and services for its regional hospitals, residents of Clarksville, Montgomery County and the surrounding region can expect that Vanderbilt Health will bring a host of adult and pediatric services to the area. Initial plans for VCH over the upcoming year include increased staffing for the hospital’s emergency services, including the addition of pediatric emergency medicine specialists with Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, along with increased surgical specialty offerings. Longer term, physicians and staff will be recruited to bring a broader array of adult and pediatric specialty services to the community. “I am delighted to welcome the physicians, nurses and staff of Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital into the Vanderbilt Health family and look forward to working closely with the hospital’s medical staff and members of the local health care community to ensure we excel at meeting their needs as caregivers as we pursue the goal of improving the health and wellbeing of the patients we serve,” said Jane Freedman, MD, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Health System Officer for Vanderbilt Health. Currently, VCH employs approximately 1,100 staff and more than 30 physicians. Through this acquisition Vanderbilt Health has committed to hire substantially all current employees who are in good standing. Services already established by Vanderbilt Health at VCH include an OB-GYN hospitalist program, an array of oncology services provided by a multidisciplinary team with Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, and neonatal care in the hospital’s Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit provided by specialists with Monroe Carell. VCH has been designated as an Accredited Chest Pain Center and a Wound Care Center of Distinction and has earned the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission. More information about Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital is available at: vanderbilthealth.com/hospital/vanderbilt-clarksville-hospital
8 Mistakes Cardiologists Say Could Be Wrecking Your Heart Health
For American Heart Month, four cardiologists share the biggest mistakes they see people make for their hearts—and provide simple, realistic fixes.
Column | I’m an oncologist. Here’s what the science says about cancer and supplements.
Most dietary supplements are not harmful. Some, however, should be treated with caution when it comes to cancer, especially in certain populations of people.
A Cure For Sour Feelings About Politics? Get People To Love Their Hometowns
The positive feelings people have toward their community translate directly into civic engagement.
It’s 2026 and You’re Uninsured. Now What?
Many Americans are expected to lose ACA or Medicaid coverage in coming months and years as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the expiration of enhanced pandemic-era subsidies that helped people afford Obamacare plans. Doctors and researchers say there are still ways to find affordable care.
Help scientists document Midwest light pollution by looking at Orion
More people participating in the citizen science project Globe At Night could help fill gaps in what astronomers know about the extent of skyglow.
Why investing in youth agency is now a business imperative
Reverse mentoring, youth advisory boards and corporate innovation labs are tools businesses can use to empower young people and build a strategic edge.
Swedetown Trails Day lets people try winter sports for free
On Swedetown Trails Day, trail passes are waived, allowing people to ski for free.
Health care workers hold vigil to honor and remember Alex Pretti
Hundreds of health care professionals, their families and other supporters gathered Sunday to remember and honor Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by federal agents last week. WeCare organized the event and said it was to offer a space to grieve, show solidarity and remember.
Trump tries humor, gets silence, at black-tie dinner with ‘people I hate’
In a frenetic presidency marked by jarring contrasts, he added another Saturday night: suiting up in black-tie regalia amid mass immigration protests and telling jokes about invading Greenland.
Watch EW and PEOPLE's 2026 Grammys red carpet live show
We'll be chatting with your favorite stars beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on Sunday, Feb. 1.
New Guide Aims to Improve UTI Care as Telehealth Use Grows
By I. Edwards HealthDay ReporterSUNDAY, Feb. 1, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, send millions of Americans to urgent care every year. But today, many people no longer see a doctor in person. Instead, they message their clinic, use video visits or fill out online forms to get antibiotics, sometimes ...
Lake Street business owner joins with Latino nonprofit to raise $1M for families
Effort by Colonial Market one of many Minnesota fundraisers popping up to help people impacted by the immigration crackdown.
Healthcare experts warn 'people will die' unless state steps up amid federal cuts
As massive federal cuts are upending the health care system in California, analysts and health care professionals are urging the state to soften the blow by creating new revenue streams and helping residents navigate through the red tape.
What if we didn't devolve into partisan blame after every tragedy?
Americans should be cautious about how these hyperpolarized narratives warp how they view the people involved.
Scientists finally may know why kidney patients die of heart disease
More than half of people with advanced kidney disease develop cardiovascular problems. A new study finds that diseased kidneys release tiny particles that are toxic to the heart.
This IG Page Collects Funny Dating App Screenshots And These 43 Are The Best
People say that dating is hell nowadays. But after you look at these hilarious interactions on Hinge, you might change your opinion. There's no shortage of funny people on dating apps, and Bored Padna has collected the most interesting screenshots of unhinged and sweet chats to show you that not all has been lost in the dating scene. Fails, Funny
Expanded SNAP work requirements are kicking in for more states
The new requirements are expected to reduce the average monthly number of SNAP recipients by about 2.4 million people over the next 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office
The people’s choice against West Ham: Almost unchanged
Chelsea vs. West Ham, Premier League: Preferred lineup
Israeli strikes kill at least 26 in Gaza, health ministry says, in deadliest day in months
Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 26 people on Saturday, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the highest day’s death toll in over two months.
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.
The Humiliation of Kristi Noem
President Trump doesn’t seem to fire people anymore, but he marginalizes them in subtler ways.
People leaving Massachusetts pose new challenge for Healey, Paley, and the state
Like a true venture capitalist, state economic development secretary Eric Paley sees opportunity in the latest Census data. Even though it looks kind of gloomy.
Cardiovascular Disease: Common Gout Medication May Lower Risk
Research shows that a common gout medication may help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with gout.
Why some on Medicaid in NJ may need to find a new pharmacy
CVS Pharmacy sites are to remain in-network for people using Medicaid only through April 30.
Israeli strikes kill 12 in Gaza, health ministry says
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 12 people, the Palestinian health ministry said, with children reported to be among the fatalities in the latest violence rattling a tenuous ceasefire.
Atlanta's 500 Most Powerful Leaders in 2026: Arts, Sports, & Entertainment
These are Atlanta's 500 most powerful leaders. We spent months consulting experts and sorting through nominations to get a list of the city's most influential people—from artists to chefs to philanthropists to sports coaches and corporate CEOs. In this section, we focus on arts, film, music, entertainment, and sports.
2 deaths, high cases reported in meningitis outbreak, Chicago Department of Public Health warns
The Chicago Department of Public Health has issued a new alert after two people recently died from a form of meningitis, and more cases than usual have also been reported in recent months.
LG joins the rest of the world, accepts that people don’t want 8K TVs
With virtually no content and limited benefits, 8K TVs were doomed.
Venezuela’s Rodriguez Announces Amnesty For Political Prisoners
Venezuela’s interim government announced broad amnesty for political prisoners on Friday, a move that could benefit hundreds of people still held in the country’s jails, EFE reported, citing comments from acting President Delcy Rodríguez.
Another government shutdown looms -- what you need to know : The NPR Politics Podcast
After immigration officials killed two people in Minneapolis this month, congressional Democrats demanded funding for immigration action be separated from other government funding. That's leading to a potential, partial, government shutdown. We unpack the latest from Capitol Hill.Then, why did the FBI raid Fulton County, Ga.'s election center this week, and what does it have to do with President Trump's continued false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen?And, we bid a fond farewell to one of our podcast stalwarts.This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional reporter Sam Gringlas, immigration policy correspondent Ximena Bustillo, political reporter Stephen Fowler, senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and political correspondent Sarah McCammon.This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
4 of the best crowdfunding platforms for businesses
Crowdfunding platforms let large pools of people pledge small amounts of money to help you reach a fundraising goal.
These New Orleans businesses and restaurants are participating in national ICE Out protest
“We're excited about the possibility of not only bringing attention to what we don't want to happen in our communities, and then hopefully, you know, raise some good money to give voice and enable those who are defending people who are our neighbors,” the owner of Flour Moon said.
'ChatGPT saved my life.' How patients, and doctors, are using AI to make a diagnosis
Hundreds of millions of people are turning to chatbots to help figure out what's wrong with them. Doctors say that's not always a bad thing. In fact, many are using it themselves.
Oregon businesses and students join general strike Friday to protest immigration enforcement
Multiple nationwide organizations are calling for businesses to close and people to walk out of school and work to protest mass deportations and violence against demonstrators.
Local Small Business Owner Opens Pak Mail Inside of His Existing Accounting Business in Springville, Alabama--Offering Shipping and Office Services
Annex Brands, Inc., one of the leading franchisors in the packing, shipping and office services industries, is excited to announce the opening of its newest Pak Mail location inside of Chapman Accounting Solutions in Springville, AL to new owner, Edward Chapman. This new Pak Mail is set to offer a wide range of essential shipping and office services to the local community, making it easier to provide more service to more people in more places.
Coalition seeks LA County sales tax vote to offset federal healthcare funding cuts
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will consider whether to place a half-cent sales tax measure in front of voters. Revenues would be used to create a coverage program for people who lose their Medi-Cal.
These Utah businesses will close — or donate from their sales — Friday to protest Minnesota immigration crackdown
One Salt Lake City bookstore will be closed Friday, but will reopen in the evening so people can gather to write letters or make safety kits. Another will stay open and donate a portion of its sales to a west-side school.
Event Recap: Fourth Annual Health Solutions Summit | Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
2026-01-30-Despite a recent ice storm, over 200 people turned out for hot chocolate and health policy on January 28, 2026‘s for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget's Fourth Annual Health Solutions
Are you on a high-deductible health plan? What do you wish you knew?
People with ACA health insurance just saw prices surge and many switched to plans with high deductibles and health savings accounts. If that's you, what do you wish you knew about how your plan works?
Angelino responds to rumors about his health: “Don’t believe everything people say.”
After months of absence, Angelino finally got back to the pitch, returning to the pitch in the final minutes of Roma’s match against Panathinaikos. The Spanish full-back had last played against Vero...
Science Fair spotlights student talent in STEM
The Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance Science Fair, returning Feb. 12, is an annual event that not only inspires young minds in Green Country but also showcases the potential of Oklahoma’s
SoCal businesses joining nationwide anti-ICE protests. Here's what to know
Organizers are calling for a "national shutdown" and urging people not to attend work, school or shop in protest of ICE.
Trump expected to nominate Kevin Warsh for Federal Reserve chair
President Donald Trump is expected to announce Friday his intent to nominate Kevin Warsh to be the next Federal Reserve chair, according to two people involved in the process.
Denver Health says several people seriously injured in crash involving snow plow
Philadelphia nonprofit helps people with mental health, intellectual challenges find job opportunities
A Philadelphia nonprofit is finding job opportunities for people with mental health and intellectual challenges.
Kennedy Overhauls Federal Autism Panel in His Own Image
The new panel, which advises the government on research and service priorities for people with autism, includes many members who have argued that vaccines cause the disorder.
Communities unite to address stigma and discrimination affecting people with neglected tropical diseases
Marking World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that millions of people living with NTDs continue to face profound and often unseen suffering due to discrimination, social stigma and untreated mental health conditions. Under the rallying theme "Unite. Act. Eliminate.", WHO and partners urge governments to integrate mental health care into NTD elimination efforts, ensuring that no one is left behind in pain or isolation.
Having that high-deductible health plan might kill you, literally
With ACA tax credits gone, more people are turning to high-deductible plans.
Cubs TV voice Jon 'Boog' Sciambi tops sixth annual Chicago sports media power rankings
I ranked the market’s talent exclusively on TV, radio and podcasts based on appeal, quality, longevity and personal preference. Well over 100 people were considered, and the top 20 follow, with last year’s rank in parentheses.
Contractor data breach nay have exposed the protected health info of thousands of Central Oregonians
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Thousands of Central Oregonians soon will receive letters in the mail to inform them of a data breach at TriZetto Provider Solutions last fall that may have exposed the personal health information of more than 700,000 people around the country. TPS is a third-party contractor that provides insurance-eligibility verification services to
Livingston County establishes registry for people convicted of animal abuse
The county board of supervisors voted on the proposal Wednesday during a meeting to establish the registry.
Exclusive: UK’s Schroders discussed private capital tie-ups in growth push, sources say
Schroders has held high-level talks about potential tie-ups to speed up the growth of its private capital business, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as the 222-year-old British asset manager seeks to gain scale.
Mia Bonta pleads for ‘pandemic-level’ response to Feds’ gutting of Medi-Cal
Up to two million of the state’s lowest-income people may lose health insurance due to federal changes. Bonta wants to lead the charge to stop that.
Memphis People in Business for Jan. 29, 2026
A look at promotions, hirings, movers and newsmakers in the Memphis area business scene.
How widespread sports betting affects NFL players: ‘People have said they’d kill me’
We asked NFL players about their interactions with sports bettors and fantasy players — and whether they participate themselves.
How much B6 is safe? What to know about the supplement found in energy drinks
Poisoning caused by too much of the popular nutrient is rare, but cases are ticking up. Experts warn that people may not be aware they’re getting too much.
Why I decided to share all my health information with ChatGPT Health
“I don’t think people should have to go through 18 years of brain cancer to understand their own health records,” writes Liz Salmi.
Opinion: Colorado’s plan to cut sexual health education funding would erase real gains for rural students
The statewide program is a key element in Colorado’s commitment to support the mental health and well-being of our young people.
Pakistan becomes latest Asian country to introduce checks for deadly Nipah virus
Authorities in Pakistan have ordered enhanced screening of people entering the country for signs of infections of the deadly Nipah virus after India confirmed two cases, adding to the number of Asian countries stepping up controls.
Xavier 68-86 Seton Hall: What was that?
My first job in high school was cleaning bathrooms at a state park campground. Camping is a foul enough activity, but what people did in those bathrooms defies explanation. I say this to let you know I have stared into the dark heart of a man experiencing a bowel emergency and apparently the desire to […]
US ski resorts devastated as worsening crisis impacts business: 'It's been really slow'
"You lose people, employees."
Floods push crocodiles into Mozambican towns as health concerns rise
Floods in Mozambique have led to a new threat. Crocodiles are appearing in submerged towns and have killed at least three people. Torrential rains and severe flooding over the past month have killed more than 100 people in Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Thousands of homes have been destr...
Get an Expert Guide to What’s Driving D.C.
In our newly relaunched Politics newsletter, Washington coverage chief Damian Paletta illuminates the people and powers shaping the nation’s capital
Blackstone's biggest hedge fund business returned 12% in 2025, sources say
Blackstone's biggest hedge fund platform, Absolute Return Composite (AR), returned nearly 12% last year, beating the benchmark HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index's 7.1% gain, two people familiar with the numbers said on Wednesday.
After D.C. clears homeless encampments, health workers warn of growing risks
While Trump administration officials say that sweeps of homeless encampments make public spaces safer, health workers say they are disrupting care for people with serious medical needs and increasing the risk of illness and death.
Kemi Badenoch apologises for Suella Braverman mental health claim
But she branded defectors from the Conservative party "drama queens", saying people who did not agree with the direction she was taking the party "need to get out the way".
How to Communicate About Quantum Technology — Science-Backed Tips For Talking Quantum
Research shows that most people know little about quantum technology, making clear, balanced communication essential.
Barry Keoghan Is Nearly Unrecognizable with Long Hair in London, Plus Halle Berry, King Charles, Queen Camilla and More
Barry Keoghan is nearly unrecognizable with long hair in London, plus Halle Berry, King Charles, Queen Camilla and more. From London to Los Angeles, and everywhere in between, see what your favorite stars are up to.
What Happens to Your Body When You Take Vitamin D Supplements Every Day Long Term?
A daily vitamin D supplement can support bone strength, muscle function, and balance—especially in people who are vitamin D deficient.
HIV and Heart Health: What You Need to Know
In our latest blog post, we re highlighting the link between HIV and heart health. Explore why people living with HIV face a higher risk of heart disease and...
New Jacksonville health center to bring expanded services, welcome patients regardless of insurance
A Jacksonville health center is expanding its reach to treat more people, especially those who do not have insurance.
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
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