In the realm of global health, the latest draft of the Pandemic Treaty, a controversial document under negotiation by the World Health Organization (WHO), has been released. The pharmaceutical industry, represented by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), has expressed dissatisfaction with the treaty, arguing that it prioritizes equity over profitability. The treaty’s potential impact on the stock prices of mRNA manufacturers Pfizer and Moderna has been noted. The proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations, which aim to transfer control of pandemics and health emergencies from nation states to the WHO, have also been met with resistance. Small countries have the option to opt out of these amendments by December 1, potentially slowing down the adoption of future amendments and expressing dissatisfaction with the WHO’s actions.
In the United States, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has assured that the country can afford to support wars on two fronts, as conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine continue. Despite the volatility of oil and natural gas prices due to these conflicts, Yellen maintains that the economy and public finances are in good shape to back US interests abroad.
Meanwhile, offshore wind developers in New York are reevaluating projects after regulators rejected higher rates that would have added up to $12 billion in costs. The New York Public Service Commission ruled that developers must abide by existing contracts to deliver power.
In the energy sector, the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook suggests that demand for oil, natural gas, and coal is set to peak before 2030, undermining the case for increasing investment in fossil fuels. The report also notes a 40% increase in investment in clean energy since 2020. However, OPEC has countered these claims, forecasting that demand for oil will continue to rise until at least 2045.
In Canada, a strike in the St. Lawrence Seaway over a wage dispute has shut down a crucial maritime trade route, impacting about 115 vessels. The strike is expected to slow the movement of grains and other commodities, potentially disrupting supply chains.
In the realm of vaccine development, concerns have been raised about the contamination of mRNA vaccines with DNA fragments, including sequences from Simian Virus 40 (SV40). This issue raises questions about the collusion between regulatory authorities and the pharmaceutical industry, and the potential risks of such contamination.
In the world of social media, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments in the case of Missouri v. Biden, regarding the Fifth Circuit’s grant of a preliminary injunction. This injunction would prevent certain federal officials from pressuring social media platforms to censor constitutionally protected speech.
Finally, the tragic death of an 8-year-old Israeli boy, Yonatan Moshe Erlichman, who appeared in a video promoting the COVID-19 vaccine, has raised concerns about the safety of the vaccine. This incident, along with the discovery of a cover-up of vaccine risks by high-level officials at the White House and the CDC, has sparked a debate about the transparency and accountability of health authorities.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/global-health-wars-offshore-wind-news-in-a-nutshell/