Auquan's Weekly Wrap | 26th - 2nd December: What you might have missed
Invasion of privacy by RELX and Thomson Reuters. Bayer and BASP's chemical application linked to cancer risk. South Korean truckers' strike cost $1.2 bln in lost shipments.
Top Themes
Data Brokers: Personal Information Exploitation
There are rising concerns over data brokers' exploitation of personal information, with privacy advocates expressing the need for more regulatory oversight. RELX and Thomson Reuters have been linked with the huge amount of personal data they provide to governments and police.
- Login.gov is getting new anti-fraud tools, but privacy advocate raises concerns
- The Quiet Invasion of 'Big Information'
- Time to curb the data brokers
Agrochemical Risks and Lawsuits
Bayer and BASP's vaporized/airborne application of chemicals in their herbicide products are under increasing scrutiny. Auquan has surfaced an uptick of research studies linking the chemical to cancer risk after the levels of the weedkiller dicamba have more than tripled in the urine samples of people in the Midwest with 10 Roundup trials scheduled through June 2023.
- Monsanto Wins 6th Straight Roundup Cancer Trial
- Bayer Lawsuits Sent to Texas Counties Where Vineyards Grow
- Why is a weedkiller showing up in Midwesterners’ urine?
- Research Study: Glyphosate mimics 17β-estradiol effects promoting estrogen receptor alpha activity in breast cancer cells
- Research Study: Glyphosate exposure in early pregnancy and reduced fetal growth: a prospective observational study of high-risk pregnancies
South Korea Truckers Strike
The South Korean government has failed to reach a deal with striking truck drivers. Kumho Tire Co Inc, South Korea's No. 2 tire maker, responsible for 65% of its sales from export is cutting 15% to 40% of production at two factories due to the shipment disruptions. Samsung Electronics' Gwangju plant, which mainly produces refrigerators and air conditioners, have also been halted.
- South Korea to negotiate with striking truckers again, but gap seen too big
- South Korean truckers' strike cost $1.2 bln in lost shipments
- Yoon issues executive order against striking truckers as crisis bites
Nigeria Fuel Shortage
The lingering fuel scarcity has compounded the woes of millions of Nigerians struggling to survive the inflationary period as prices of items continue to make a rapid climb. A litre of petrol in Lagos sells for as high as N250-N300 from N170 two months ago, choking cash-strapped Nigerians who are already grappling with high prices of goods and services, with production consequences for the cocoa industry.
- Fuel scarcity worsens Nigeria’s cost of living crisis
- Nigeria Cocoa Production Hit By Fuel Shortages
- Nigerians May Experience Fuel Scarcity Till Christmas, New Year
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