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Sunk superyacht likely to cost insurers at least $150 million, experts say
The hull was likely insured for around $40 million, while the...
Mpox emergency may add to economic, fiscal challenges in some African sovereigns: Fitch
In most of African countries , the number of confirmed mpox cases...
Young lured to tobacco addiction via e-cigarettes – WHO
Over eight million people die annually from tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke, making the habit a leading cause of preventable diseases, the WHO said in a report calling for greater regulation of smoke-free devices containing nicotine.
Some 16,000 flavours are on the market for e-cigarettes, including bubble gum, vanilla ice cream and chocolate cookies, Ruediger Krech, director of the WHO’s department of health promotion, said, adding e-cigarette users were “at least twice if not three times” more likely to become cigarette smokers. “That calls for exactly the same regulation as cigarettes,” he added.
Fauci Says US Headed in ‘Wrong Direction’ on Coronavirus
“We’re going in the wrong direction,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, describing himself as “very frustrated.”He said recommending that the vaccinated wear masks is “under active consideration” by the government’s leading public health officials. Also, booster shots may be suggested for people with suppressed immune systems who have been vaccinated, Dr. Anthony Fauci said.
Amazon may soon allow payments via Bitcoin, other digital currencies
A company spokesperson told Insider that it was “inspired by the innovation happening in the cryptocurrency space and are exploring what this could look like on Amazon.”
Tesla and Twitter are also bullish on Bitcoin as the next payment mode.
No pathway to reach the Paris Agreement’s 1.5˚C goal without the G20: UN chief
The UN chief reminded that science indicates that to meet that ‘ambitious, yet achievable goal’, the world must achieve carbon neutrality before 2050 and cut dangerous greenhouse gas emissions by 45 % by 2030 from 2010 levels. “But we are way off track”, he warned.
Harmonizing guidance to assess radioactivity in food and drinking water
The establishment of the new framework will also help in case there is radiological contamination of food and drinking water due to an accident.
“In the event of a nuclear or radiological accident anywhere in the world, the technical expertise to measure radionuclides in food will be essential for public reassurance and, in certain situations, the basis for imposing restrictions,” Colgan said.
Insurance brokers Aon and Willis drop $30 bn merger move, Aon to pay $1 billion termination fee to Willis
“Despite regulatory momentum around the world, including the recent approval of our combination by the European Commission, we reached an impasse with the U.S. Department of Justice,” said Aon CEO Greg Case.
Law without order: investors grapple with China’s regulatory risk
The Chinese Communist Party’s uneasy relationship with private business has always weighed on the minds of Western investors who seek legal and regulatory certainty to place their bets.
Yet Beijing’s recent moves are unsettling even seasoned investors who are otherwise used to navigating corporate China’s murky auditing and poor governance in order to chase growth in the world’s second-largest economy.
Scientists update forecasts on extreme weather and climate change
“It’s not so much that climate change itself is proceeding faster than expected — the warming is right in line with model predictions from decades ago,” said climate scientist Michael Mann of Pennsylvania State University. “Rather, it’s the fact that some of the impacts are greater than scientists predicted.”
That suggests that climate modeling may have been underestimating the “the potential for the dramatic rise in persistent weather extremes,” Mann said.
Virus variant and disasters strike strain global supply chains
Events have conspired to drive global supply chains towards breaking point, threatening the fragile flow of raw materials, parts and consumer goods, according to companies, economists and shipping specialists.
The Delta variant of the coronavirus has devastated parts of Asia and prompted many nations to cut off land access for sailors. That’s left captains unable to rotate weary crews and about 100,000 seafarers stranded at sea beyond their stints in a flashback to 2020 and the height of lockdowns.
Delta infecting even the fully vaccinated at a greater rate
Genomics expert Eric Topolnoted that Delta infections have a shorter incubation period and a far higher amount of viral particles. “That’s why the vaccines are going to be challenged. The people who are vaccinated have got to be especially careful. This is a tough one,” Topol said. reuters
“The biggest risk to the world at the moment is simply Delta,” said microbiologist Sharon Peacock. Until there is more data on its transmission, experts say masks, social distancing and other measures set aside in countries with broad vaccination campaigns may again be needed.