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Top consulting firms test boundaries with China workarounds
Faced with a fraught geopolitical environment, global consultancies are turning to riskier ways to do business in China that some industry and legal experts say test the boundaries of Western sanctions and Beijing's drive to curb foreign involvement in sensitive sectors.
Football, politics and protest: This year's Super Bowl comes at a tinderbox moment in the US
The NFL faces pressure to take a stance against the Trump administration's immigration policies ahead of the Super Bowl
Streaking Kraken, Ducks face off in key divisional tilt
Just think where Jared McCann and the Seattle Kraken might be if the forward had been healthy all season.
UCLA faces Rutgers after disappointing home loss
After a heartbreaking loss in the middle of what was thought to be a momentum-building stretch, UCLA will try to pick up the pieces Tuesday in Los Angeles with a Big Ten Conference visit from Rutgers.
Entertainment in an Easter egg economy
From Taylor Swift to Stranger Things, pop culture fandom now includes sleuthing—for better or...
Scientists release a map of the clearest picture yet of what dark matter looks like
Dark matter makes up most of the universe, yet we have very little understanding of it. Scientists recently released a map that gives the clearest picture yet of what dark matter looks like.
Ranked again, No. 25 Tennessee faces road-tested Ole Miss
No. 25 Tennessee seems to be hitting its stride as the first half of the SEC season winds down.
Donaldson makes $820M deal to buy another filtration business
Bloomington-based Donaldson agrees to acquire Filtration Group’s Facet Filtration business.
Why Mass. is about to face a health care staffing crisis. And how that will affect your family
Haitian immigrants make up nearly 40% of home health aides in the Bay State, and a Tuesday deadline is ending their protected status.
How Team USA has evolved mental health services for Olympians
U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes will benefit from a robust mental health program despite scrutiny it faced in past years, according to the USOPC.
All eyes on Johnson as House returns amid partial government shutdown
The speaker faces tough days ahead trying to pass a federal funding package and prevent a prolonged partial government shutdown
The Major Business Names in the Epstein Files
Documents referencing prominent executives like Elon Musk, Howard Lutnick and Bill Gates underscored the wide web of boldfaced names tied to Jeffrey Epstein.
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.
Galaxy S27 Ultra Could Feature Samsung’s Polar ID, A More Advanced Version Of Face ID That’s As Fast As Current Solutions While Being 50% Smaller
A proper Face ID competitor is said to be developed by Samsung called Polar ID, and best on the latest information, it could debut with the Galaxy S27 Ultra
The New Science of Craving
We often view our cravings—whether for drugs, alcohol, food, or approval—as indictments of our character. Yet neuroscience and psychology say otherwise; here's why.
In Houston, the thorny politics of succession are on display in the primary for this redrawn congressional seat
Fresh off of a special election victory, Rep.-elect Christian Menefee now faces a primary with longtime Rep. Al Green and his runoff foe, Amanda Edwards, for a redrawn version of the district.
HHS exploring how to bolster medical imaging exchange across healthcare ecosystem
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology recently released a call for public comment on the work of radiologists
AI-supported mammography more effective than standard screening, new large-scale study contends
The findings come from Sweden's Mammography Screening with Artificial Intelligence, or MASAI, a randomized clinical trial incorporating over 105,000 women.
Indiana imaging group joins Strategic Radiology’s independent practice coalition
Evansville Radiology employs 23 physicians, all of whom live around Vanderburgh County in the vicinity of Indiana’s third largest city.
Colorado's mental health care providers face too many administrative burdens
Colorado should address the administrative burdens associated with becoming a credentialed mental health care provider on insurance panels.
UF Health patients left confused, frustrated after gender-affirming care ban
The SHCC encouraged students utilizing gender-affirming care to seek alternative health care providers. It offered assistance in finding alternative providers and transferring medical records.
What Texas Democrats' Shocking Win Means for the 2026 Election
Taylor Rehmet’s victory over Leigh Wambsganss in a state Senate special election was low turnout, but the numbers send a message.
Arizona Cardinals to hire Mike LaFleur as next head coach
If Mike and Matt LaFleur ever get to face off, they’ll be the second brother pairing to do so in NFL history.
Lou Holtz health update: Read family's statement on legendary coach
Kevin Holtz, his son, posted an update on the 1988 national champion coach on his Facebook account on Saturday, confirming Lou Holtz is in hospice care.
Middle Tennessee businesses struggle with supply chain, power issues from winter storm
Middle Tennessee businesses face ongoing supply chain issues and power outages more than a week after winter storms, impacting operations and revenue.
Target’s New C.E.O. Faces Hometown Crisis as He Begins Turnaround Effort
Michael Fiddelke takes the top job at the struggling retailer amid continued unrest in the Twin Cities. A new boss also steps in at Walmart, where things are quieter.
New businesses struggle in Missouri. An immigrant-owned bakery is beating the odds
Nearly half of all new businesses in the U.S. shut down within five years, and Missouri businesses face even tougher odds. Despite the obstacles, one immigrant-owned bakery is bringing something new to Missouri.
Hibernian vs Rangers – Match preview and team news
Rangers will face Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday. With Hearts leading the table and Rangers climbing back into contention, this fixture presents a crucial opportunity for Danny Rohl’s side to cl...
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...
Albuquerque tamale business close to closing rebounds
Just days ago, a local tamale restaurant faced possible closure. Now, they’re selling out within hours, with lines stretching out the door.
Family-owned Seabrook restaurant shuts down after 25 years in business
A longtime Seabrook restaurant is preparing to close its doors after more than two decades of serving the community. Las Anita’s, a family-owned restaurant that has operated in Seabrook for 25 years, announced on Facebook that it would be shutting down. The restaurant’s final day of business was Saturday, Jan. 31.
Losing skids collide as Penn State faces Minnesota
As the calendar flips to February, Penn State still is searching for its first victory in Big Ten Conference play.
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...
Paul Joyce: Liverpool Won’t Allow Jones Departure
Liverpool stance firm as Curtis Jones interest surfacesLiverpool’s January posture has been defined by restraint, and the reporting from Paul Joyce of The Times sharpens that picture. With days left...
UCLA aims to continue recent run against Indiana
Two Big Ten teams trending in the right direction meet when UCLA faces Indiana on Saturday at Los Angeles.
‘It’s a substantial amount’: BCBS faces criticism over $800 refund delay for Oakland County couple
An Oakland County couple said they were over $800 out because Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan wouldn’t refund their overpayment.
Improving Marquette aims for first road win at Seton Hall
After its best overall performance of the season, Marquette will bid for its first road win of the season when it travels to Newark, N.J., to face Seton Hall on Saturday afternoon.
Amendment 42: Several Changes to F.10 PRISM
F.10 Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM) solicits development and flight of a science-driven suite of instruments and
Smoke BBQ + Skybar owner faces allegations he 'looted' bankrupt business
The allegations, which San Antonio restaurateur Adrian Martinez denies, were leveled by WellMed Medical Management Inc.'s former president.
The silent breakthrough: why Apple paid $1.5 billion for a secret Israeli startup
Apple has announced the acquisition of Israeli startup Q.ai, which developed technology that deciphers speech without sound, by reading micro-movements of the face and jaw, the system translates whispers and silent speech into words and commands
10 Questions With... Randall Milstein, who teaches about science, astronomy and the role of science fiction in popular culture
10 Questions with… Randall Milstein, professor of teaching. He teaches astronomy and energy alternatives classes in the physics department, and also teaches in the Honors College. He represents OSU as its affiliate representative for the Oregon Space Grant Consortium. He enjoys engaging with the public on topics of science, astronomy and the role of science fiction in popular culture.
CHANCELL-ING: UC Davis AI Research is Transforming Health Care
Imagine this scenario: Doctors know a small number of patients will face life-threatening complications after an illness, but they need to scan millions of records to identify the patients in need of intervention. It’s a task that would consume weeks and keep practitioners from other care needs.
No. 10 Houston aims for another home win, faces Cincinnati
No. 10 Houston aims for another home win, faces Cincinnati
Tech CFOs face a new challenge: Selling unprecedented capex as ‘disciplined’
Meta and Microsoft CFOs frame AI spending as disciplined, demand-driven.
Google releases Project Genie AI tool for creating "playable worlds" that can feature copyrighted IP
But legal expert Pete Lewin from Wiggin argues that the companies behind this kind of tech can expect to face "greater scrutiny and pushback from IP owners"
Radiologists continue to dominate in No Surprises Act payment disputes
The federal government recently released new data pertaining to the landmark legislation, meant to protect patients from receiving unexpected medical bills.
A breakthrough that could make ships nearly unsinkable
Researchers have found a way to make ordinary aluminum tubes float indefinitely, even when submerged for long periods or punched full of holes. By engineering the metal’s surface to repel water, the tubes trap air inside and refuse to sink, even in rough conditions. The technology could eventually be scaled up into floating platforms, ships, or even wave-powered energy systems.
Trump nominates Kevin Warsh to succeed Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve chair
The new Federal Reserve chair will step in as the world’s most powerful central bank faces scrutiny over interest rates and rising prices affecting Americans.
Australian Open women's final: How to watch Sabalenka vs. Rybakina
Three years after Aryna Sabalenka defeated Elena Rybakina in the 2023 Australian Open final, they will face off in the Melbourne major final again.
Leading scorer Jaylen Brown may miss Celtics' matchup vs. Kings
The Boston Celtics will be looking to avoid back-to-back home losses and may be without leading scorer Jaylen Brown when they face the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.
Apple buys secretive Israeli AI company Q.ai for $1.6 billion in biggest acquisition of its history
With the move, Apple aims to improve its access to AI technology, which has suffered recent setbacks, especially after several delays in deploying Apple Intelligence's full announced capabilities.
Denver Health doctor says eye care faces unique challenges in winter months
Should the Rams really go ‘all in’ again?
The Rams going “all in” for one final year with Matthew Stafford makes more sense on the surface than after a deep dive
Council Speaker looks to savings, not taxes, for budget
Mayor Mamdani says the city faces a $12 billion budget gap.
Face Off! Lopez Stares Down Shakur In New York!
Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson came face-to-face earlier today (Thurs., Jan 29, 2026) at the conclusion of the pre-fight press conference ahead of their light welterweight title fight this Saturday (Jan. 31) inside Madison Square Garden in New York City, streaming live on DAZN PPV. Watch the press conference video replay here. Stevenson is out […]
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.
Stephanie Grace: Washington Mardi Gras attempts to bypass politics. It only somewhat succeeds.
If there’s a key word to the annual Washington Mardi Gras, it’s camaraderie. Yet as columnist Stephanie Grace reports from the nation’s capital, politics are never far from the surface.
Joint Commission partners with STS, ACC on new cardiac care certification
The new certification is intended to focus on the importance of high-quality care and real-world patient outcomes. It will be based on the same data care teams already submit if they participate in the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, ACC CathPCI Registry or STS/ACC TVT Registry.
Mavericks put their hope in health as the 1-year anniversary of the Luka Doncic trade approaches
Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving didn't play in that 118-105 loss to Minnesota — and might not be in a Mavericks uniform on the same night again — while it was a temporary injury absence for four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson and Cooper Flagg, the rookie No. 1 pick who landed in Dallas by crazy luck and is seen as the next face of the franchise after Doncic. Days shy of a year since the Mavs shipped their global superstar to the Los Angeles Lakers for Davis and rocked the core of a team that was just nine months removed from playing in the NBA Finals, Washington's hope for a return to contention rests with those four teammates being healthy alongside him.
No. 21 Saint Louis faces Dayton, seeking 15th straight win
Nearing the halfway mark of conference play, No. 21 Saint Louis is well on its way to having the best season by an Atlantic 10 team since Dayton's 29-2 campaign in 2019-20.
Night owls may face higher risk of heart disease
Adults — especially women — who stay up late have a worse cardiovascular health score and a higher risk of heart attack or stroke, according to a new study.
Medicare Advantage insurers face new curbs on overcharges in Trump plan
Federal officials have a plan that could curb billions of dollars in overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans. But will they follow through on it?
Michigan State business school to host ‘Rails to the Future' conference
TROY, Mich. — Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business will host “Rails to the Future: 200 Year of Progress, Building What’s Next,” a conference featuring key rail industry officials May 11-13 at the MSU Management Education Center in Troy. Keynote speakers will include Federal Railroad Adminstration Administrator David Fink; Surface Transportation Board [...] Read More...
Spring Health Joins Forces with Alma, Expanding Access to Precision Mental Health Care
/PRNewswire/ -- Spring Health, a leading global mental health platform for employers and health plans, today announced it has entered into an agreement to...
Meta Overshadows Microsoft by Showing AI Payoff in Ad Business
The Facebook parent’s results highlight the advantages of its simpler, ad-focused business model.
SBA programs for native businesses face scrutiny
The Native Hawaiian Organizations Association is urging President Donald Trump’s administration to distinguish between “isolated allegations” about the Small Business Administration’s program aimed at developing native-run businesses and its success expanding economic opportunity, as U.S. Rep. Ed Case calls for a formal review.
Medicare Advantage Insurers Face New Curbs on Overcharges in Trump Plan That Reins in Payments
Proposed Trump administration changes to federal Medicare Advantage payments would stop health insurers from mining patient data for extra medical diagnoses that generate more bills to taxpayers even without treatment.
Bruins plot to extend home winning streak vs. Flyers
The Boston Bruins get their final taste of home cooking before the Olympics on Thursday when they face the Philadelphia Flyers for the first time this season.
NJ's employment, economic numbers look bad. Can Sherrill fix that?
Mikie Sherrill has taken office as governor as New Jersey faces economic hurdles. The state’s gross domestic product lags behind much of the nation.
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.
Eagles revisit familiar OC candidate for Nick Sirianni
The Philadelphia Eagles are revisiting a familiar face for Nick Sirianni's search.
Oklahoma businesses face challenges as winter storm impacts sales
A winter storm in Oklahoma has significantly affected local businesses, leading to decreased customer visits and financial challenges.
'Halide' Co-Founder Sebastiaan de With Joins Apple's Design Team
Sebastiaan de With, co-founder of the popular iPhone camera app Halide, today announced that he has joined the Human Interface Design team at Apple. "So excited to work with the very best team in the world on my favorite products," he said. This marks a return to Apple for de With, who previously worked on things such as iCloud, MobileMe, and the Find My app. He has also completed design work for other companies, such as Sony, Mozilla, Oracle, HP, and EA, in the past.
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.
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro surfaces with bigger battery as launch nears
The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro has surfaced ahead of its launch, with a bigger battery seemingly in tow for the device.
Windows 11 will support resuming Spotify, web browsing, and other apps from Android
Microsoft might’ve ditched Android apps in Windows 11 a couple of years ago, but that doesn’t mean it’s abandoned cross-platform...
Economic Forecast 2026: Key Opportunities For Small Business
Small businesses face cost pressures and uncertainty in 2026, but untapped pricing power and greater agility than large competitors offer paths to stronger growth
Learner Tien shuts down Trump question at Australian Open amid political grilling of American players
American tennis players at the Australian Open continue to face political questions about the Trump administration, with rising star Learner Tien becoming the latest to decline comment.
Our first look at Google's Android for PC interface leaks in a bug report
We may have our first look at Android for desktop.
Getting yelled at comes with the job. Why Sacramento youth sports officials still show up
Youth sports officials in the Sacramento region face unsportsmanlike fans that make them sometimes question the work.
Hidden struggles: Cambridge scientists share the truth behind their success
In a career defined by constant questioning, self-doubt can become an occupational hazard. Now, for the first time, a group of Cambridge scientists reveal the personal struggles they’ve faced – and continue to face – as they strive for success.
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...
David Lammy to face Andrew Griffith at deputy Prime Minister's Questions
The pair will fill in for PM Keir Starmer and Tory party leader Kemi Badenoch in the Commons from midday.
Expiration of federal health insurance subsidies: What to know in California
Thousands in California who rely on the state-run health insurance marketplace face premiums that are thousands of dollars higher as federal subsidies expire.
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
Thousands of Californians move to Idaho every year. Who are they?
They’ve faced, at times, a chilly welcome from Idahoans. What the data tell us about the state’s largest group of newcomers.
Radiologists urge HHS secretary to overhaul US Preventive Services Task Force
Over 45 physicians, scientists and public health leaders believe a “fundamental shift” is needed to address how USPSTF develops and implements recommendations.
‘AI is the future’: UK launches state’s 1st Bachelor of Science in AI
From smartphones to self-driving cars, artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how the world works — and now, Kentucky students can be trained at the forefront of that transformation. The Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering at the University of Kentucky has launched the Commonwealth’s first Bachelor of Science in AI. The undergraduate degree program, housed in the Department of Computer Science, will welcome its first class in Fall 2026.
Benfica vs Real Madrid – Match preview and team news
Real Madrid travel to Lisbon for the final matchday of the Champions League league phase to face Jose Mourinho’s Benfica on Wednesday evening.Real Madrid currently sit in third position in the table...
Illinois faces its toughest challenge yet in No. 2 UCLA
Wallace, Parchment, and the Illini look to make a splash in conference play
Iowa puts stringent defense up against Chad Baker-Mazara, USC
Southern California will try to close out a successful road swing on Wednesday in Iowa City, when the Trojans face an Iowa team seeking its third straight win.
Android’s full desktop interface leaks: New status bar, Chrome Extensions, more [Video]
A Google bug report on the Chromium Issue Tracker today has inadvertently leaked the Android desktop interface for the first time.
Abbott executive who led TAVR, Tendyne divisions announces exit
Chris Waddell, a medtech executive focused on various structural heart technologies, is leaving Abbott after several years to "recharge" and pursue a new opportunity.
Killing of Alex Pretti scrambles Second Amendment politics for Trump
The blowback against the administration from core Trump supporters comes as Republicans are trying to protect their threadbare majority in the U.S. House and face several competitive Senate races.
VCU Health employee placed on leave after videos suggest harming ICE agents
VCU Health placed an employee on leave after videos surfaced showing her suggesting ways to harm ICE agents through injections and poisoning.
Social media's mental health reckoning
Meta and YouTube face a landmark trial in Los Angeles over claims their platforms deliberately addict and harm young people.
Apple patches ancient iOS versions to keep iMessage, FaceTime, other services working
Apple renews certificates for old iOS versions to keep the lights on longer.
Scientists engineer unsinkable metal tubes
The superhydrophobic design of unsinkable metal tubes could lead to resilient ships, floating platforms, and renewable energy innovations.