Newsletter Dec 8, 2023

Quick Six

White House threatens Big Pharma with 'march-in rights'
The Biden administration has released a plan for federal officials to use "march-in rights," a policy through which the government could seize the patents of drugs made using federal funds, if drug costs climb too high. Under the framework released Thursday, officials can consider the price of a drug when deciding whether to seize a patent. The White House said that more competition can push prices down, but pharmaceutical representatives warned that this shift will cause government research to go ignored.
BEHIND THE BATTLE BETWEEN BIDEN AND BIG PHARMA

US, Mexico joining forces on foreign investment screening
The U.S. and Mexico plan to form a working group on foreign investment screening, aimed at guarding against national security threats, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday. Yellen and Mexico's Finance Minister Rogelio Ramirez de la O reached the agreement at the end of her three-day visit to Mexico City, during which she also sought to further the fight against fentanyl.
HOW YELLEN HOPES TO DEEPEN US TIES WITH MEXICO

Rabobank warns of tying farmers' interest rates to emissions
A top Rabobank executive warned that banks will begin raising interest rates for farmers who fail to curb their greenhouse gas emissions. Rabobank, based in the Netherlands, has a net-zero target date of 2050, with a lowered emissions goal set for 2030. Also in the works, sustainability-linked loans allow farmers to get a discounted lending rate for good ecological stewardship.
A GREEN PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN FARMING AND BANKING

You Might Like

Markets

DJIA	36,117.38	0.17%
S&P 500	4,585.59	0.80%
Nasdaq Composite	14,339.99	1.37%
Japan: Nikkei 225	32,858.31	-1.76%
UK: FTSE 100	7,513.72	-0.02%
Crude Oil Futures	69.64	0.37%
Gold Futures	2,045.30	-0.13%
Yen	144.19	0.04%
Euro	1.08	0.00%
* As of market close

Israel-Hamas conflict enters third month

Heavy combat raged in and around Gaza's biggest cities Thursday as the bloodiest ever war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas entered its third month. Vast areas of the territory have been reduced to a rubble as the death toll has topped 16,200 according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Israeli forces are set up around major urban centers in their hunt for Hamas over the October 7 attack that killed 1,200 in Israel, and to search for 138 remaining hostages.

SEE HOW REFUGES ARE RUNNING OUT OF PLACES TO HIDE

Tensions rise between Venezuela, Guyana

Tensions rose between Venezuela and Guyana Tuesday as Caracas proposed a bill to declare a Venezuelan province in a disputed oil-rich region and ordered its state oil company to issue licenses for extracting crude there. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro proposed that a bill be sent to the National Assembly to create a "Guyana Esequiba" province in the region Guyana has administered for over a century. He also said oil, gas and mining licenses must be issued immediately.

SEE HOW OIL COMPANIES ARE WEIGHING IN ON THE DISPUTE

Epic teams with toymaker for Lego Fortnite

Toy giant Lego and videogame leader Epic Games joined forces Thursday to launch "Lego Fortnite" in a bid to grow a platform already used by hundreds of millions. The game, which like prior Fortnite offerings is free to download, features the colorful animated landscape familiar to gamers but with figures who come from Lego's universe. While the setting resembles that of the original Fortnite game, launched in 2017, the playable space in the Lego version is 19 times as big.

SEE THE MARKETING DEAL BETWEEN LEGO AND EPIC GAMES

Extra point

What is the largest Lego structure (using the most pieces) ever built?

Thursday's answer: McDonald's is the world's largest fast-food chain (38,000 stores), followed by Subway (36,592) and Starbucks (34,000).

IBTimes will always protect your security and privacy. Please read our detailed Privacy Policy. Please do not reply to this email. Click here to adjust your notification preferences or unsubscribe.