We know what’s coming and we are prepared.
💢As of early 2025, the US is facing concerns over several emerging viruses. Notably, Norovirus cases have risen to 91 by late December 2024, up from 69 in November. Additionally, a new strain of COVID-19, named XEC, is spreading and may become dominant soon, although vaccines remain effective against severe illness. Furthermore, the H5N1 avian influenza virus has raised alarms due to increased human infections linked to contact with infected animals, with 61 cases reported this year. Finally, Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is also on the rise, particularly among children
JUST IN - Investigators have identified shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms to Taco Bell restaurants as a possible source of contamination in a parasitic illness outbreak that has sickened thousands across the United States, WaPo reports
@insiderpaper
🇺🇸 ⚠️ Rainfall totals for portions of the Texas Hill Country have been extreme since Monday, with several areas getting double-digit rainfall totals and isolated areas seeing 20+ inches
📌 Just in the last 6-12 hours, dangerous flash flooding has continued, especially for the Guadalupe River through Kerrville... and there has been a 35-foot rise in 4 HOURS in Center Point, Texas
🚨 FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY was once again been issued for the Guadalupe River and through Kerrville, with Water rescues currently underway.
🇨🇳🛢 Excluding any US-Iran talks about Hormuz, China remains the most important factor for oil prices for the next 60 days or so. All eyes on Beijing.
Ex-China Asian oil imports have recovered to normal levels within the 2023-2025 range. What China does next is crucial.
Last week, I wrote this Opinion column about what China may do next. I see a recovery in oil imports in July and August, but purchases will remain 25% below pre-war levels. Based on my industry soundings, I don't see China stockpiling in the short-term.
Important to note that the (very preliminary) data for July 1-14 shows no recovery whatsoever in Chinese oil imports, with seaborne offloadings running at ~5.5m b/d (below June average), per Vortexa data. That's extraordinary for a country that pre-war was buying 10-12m b/d.
🔗 Javier Blas
