Biodiversity Catastrophe

• [New] There is a real risk that in many global contexts, vaccine passports could actually worsen economic conditions, by shutting large groups of people out from the formal economy.
• [New] The GILTI tax will reduce the corporate profits of U.S. multinational affiliates in haven countries by about 12-16 percent, modestly increasing the tax base in both the United States and in higher-tax foreign countries.
• [New] Government contractor Leidos announced plans to buy naval design firm Gibbs & Cox for $380 million, taking aim at an area of U.S. defense spending that is expected to grow amid overall decline: unmanned maritime vehicles and next-generation warships.
• [New] There is a real present risk that the spectacled flying fox and possibly the grey-headed flying fox will go extinct in Australia by the end of the century purely because of the effect of temperature extremes.
• [New] A $9 trillion rescue mission by central banks to haul the global economy out of its coronavirus recession is being tested by inflation bets that are threatening their ability to keep borrowing costs down.
• [New] Authorities contractor Leidos introduced plans to purchase naval design agency Gibbs & Cox for $380 million, taking intention at an space of U.S. protection spending that's anticipated to develop amid general decline: unmanned maritime autos and next-generation warships.
• [New] The U.S. technology industry will be instrumental in the effort to detect and deter future cyber threats as part of a broader effort to advance U.S. digital power that upholds the privacy of U.S. citizens data through secure networks and cyber protections.
• [New] The general public, in particular young people, will have more opportunities to play football regularly and develop their potential, thereby contributing to the long-term development of football in Hong Kong.
• [New] There have been many advances in C-cycle science over the past 60 years at leaf, plant, ecosystem, and global scales, but both challenges to and opportunities for scientific advancement remain.
• [New] To prosper in a world of digital ecosystems, companies will need to change not only the ways they interact, but they also must alter the security procedures they put in place to guard their systems, data, and digital infrastructure they hand over to the companies that manage public clouds.
• [New] When foreign companies generally violate U.S. laws and regulations, the US Congress will strictly require or impose sanctions on foreign companies.
• [New] China will support R&D of innovative agricultural GMOs, such as new genes, new technologies and new products.
• [New] Alongside public mechanisms (such as a carbon border adjustment mechanism or higher CO2 prices), the emergence of a European sector and the rise of European champions will generate high-quality jobs and position the EU as a global standard-setter and world-leading region for hydrogen.
• [New] Plants and seeds for planting purchased online from other countries can pose a significant risk to U.S. agriculture and natural resources because they can carry harmful insects and pathogens.
• [New] Failing to mitigate climate change will bring major new risks, disrupt ecosystems across the world, and hit the most vulnerable regions particularly hard.
• [New] Most of the homes in the United States that rely on natural gas for heat are located in the Northeast, which has significant opportunity for pipeline and grid expansion.
• [New] Under Director-General QU's leadership, FAO is taking big steps to embrace and produce digital solutions, as they are destined to affect every actor in the global agri-food systems and can be designed to offer opportunities to address the challenges of poverty, hunger, inequality and climate change.
• [New] Supply chains are being targeted by increasingly sophisticated threat actors, including foreign cyber threat nations such as Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.
• [New] With the changing nature of threats posed by Beijing, from influence operations to global pandemic, trade and technology, Washington's Asia policy will depend on its alliance with Tokyo.
• [New] Myanmar police began to disperse pro-democracy protesters on Monday as businesses around the country shut in a general strike called to oppose the military coup despite a threat from authorities that confrontation could cost lives.
• [New] Protesters are gathering in Myanmar's biggest city despite the ruling junta's thinly veiled threat to use lethal force if people answered a call for a general strike opposing the military takeover.

Last updated: 26 February 2021