Inhambane Province, Mozambique, 2023. Health technicians register and count medicines to be sent to district and rural depots and health centers.
(Photo Credit: Ricardo Franco)

With the resurgence of mpox and the World Health Organization declaring it a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), as well as the first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus in Rwanda, there is one question that stands at the forefront of our minds: Are we prepared now to take on these outbreaks so soon after the COVID-19 pandemic? 

The only way we can go is forward, and to do so we must reflect and bring the lessons learned from COVID-19 to the outbreaks of today, to ensure that all people have access to the health care they need to stay healthy during these public health emergencies.   

Leverage Expertise through Collaboration  

COVID-19 gave rise to the issue of vaccine nationalism, and we are seeing this emerge again. Now the World Health Organization is calling for donor countries to share their stockpiled vaccines with the African nations most impacted by mpox. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus has also emphasized that a “multi-pronged approach is needed that involves strong collaboration” to increase the number of vaccines in African countries, especially with some mpox vaccination campaigns facing delays.  

There are also opportunities for collaboration with the ongoing Marburg vaccine trials, as large-scale production and distribution of the vaccines could be needed if the outbreak becomes more widespread. Similar distribution techniques to those used during COVID-19 could be applied to the Marburg vaccine, as one of the candidates is being developed with technology similar to what was used with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.  

COVID-19 has taught us that we cannot solve public health emergencies alone. Vaccines were able to reach the most vulnerable through collaboration and communication with governments, partners and the private sector. For example, in Mozambique, a National Coordination Committee was set up to create a framework for effective vaccine distribution. This collaborative effort leveraged the expertise and knowledge of those involved, from government officials, experts and partners, to bring COVID-19 vaccines to the under-reached.  

Because of our work in redesigning and improving vaccine supply chains in Mozambique for the past 20 years, we were able to use this experience and work alongside other partners that specialized in logistics to implement supply chain systems that facilitated vaccine distribution. 

With this type of multisectoral collaboration, access to lifesaving health products and services is possible during times of crisis.    

Address Community Concerns  

There is a familiar echo from COVID-19 being seen with both Marburg and mpox – misinformation as well as unaddressed community concerns. Even before confirmation of Marburg in Rwanda, information was circulating on social media warning about spreading a ‘viral’ disease. And the arrival of mpox vaccines in Africa has led to the spread of rumors about the vaccine’s origins. This misinformation can easily become a barrier to vaccine uptake and preventative measures.  

To ensure strong vaccine uptake, measures must be taken to combat rumors and conspiracy theories about the diseases’ origins, as well as mistrust in medical institutions and treatments. That includes addressing community concerns, especially the most vulnerable communities. 

During COVID-19, boosting vaccination rates in countries and communities with low uptake required an understanding of people’s perceptions and concerns. One method to systematically monitor and respond to vaccine questions and misinformation is through social listening, which identifies the critical barriers to vaccine demand, including access and availability.  

In Malawi, social listening was applied using Chipatala cha pa Foni (CCPF), a toll-free national health hotline that provides information and referrals through trained health workers or interactive voice response. Demand for the hotline spiked after it was declared a trusted source of information on COVID-19 during a presidential address. Analyzing these calls allowed the Malawi Ministry of Health to pivot public communication and messaging to address concerns about COVID-19. 

Social listening can be applied to mpox and Marburg, by leveraging national health hotlines such as CCPF. This approach allows governments to address gaps in health care delivery, as we work towards more resilient health systems that respond to the needs of communities, even during public health emergencies.  

Integrate Community Health Workers into Emergency Response  

The rise in mpox cases across Africa has also highlighted gaps in surveillance, contact tracing and data collection, particularly at the local level. In addition, the Marburg outbreak in Rwanda has led to calls for collaboration between Africa CDC and neighboring countries of Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo to develop guidance on cross-border surveillance strategies to contain the outbreak. Community health workers have been spotlighted as potential support for collecting samples for testing and assisting in safely transporting suspected patients with Marburg to health centers.  

With both of these outbreaks in mind, there is an opportunity to integrate community health workers (CHWs) into public health emergency response to support surveillance and health care delivery. 

During COVID-19, CHWs were seen as a reliable source of continuous care and were critical partners for addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Africa. They are considered a trusted source of health care delivery in Africa, and because of this trust, they were able to educate communities and reach more people in remote areas by administering COVID-19 vaccines both at fixed locations and at people’s homes in Malawi. Globally, they played an important role in the COVID-19 pandemic response by educating populations, early detection, community surveillance and contact tracing. 

In the post-pandemic world, more must be done to support a trusted, capable and cost-effective part of the health workforce. COVID-19 has cemented how critical CHWs are, not just in response to health emergencies but also in maintaining essential health services and bringing us closer towards universal health coverage. 

When CHWs are professionalized – salaried, skilled, supervised and supplied – they can ensure access to primary health services aren’t interrupted, including during outbreaks like mpox and Marburg. Integrating them into public health emergency response is one way to strengthen surveillance systems, so that these health services are able to adapt to shocks and stresses in times of emergency.  

Looking Forward  

The lessons we take from COVID-19 show that overcoming both the mpox and Marburg outbreaks requires solidarity. We can combine our expertise through collaboration, address communities’ concerns and integrate community health workers into emergency response. By keeping this in mind, we can ensure that our battle with the outbreaks of today will be won, together. 

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

Chevron is in talks to sell its east Texas natural gas assets to Tokyo Gas, said three people familiar with the discussions, as the Japanese utility looks to expand its access to abundant US reserves of the fuel.

The companies have been in negotiations for months about a potential deal for Chevron’s portfolio in the Haynesville shale, a prolific gas-producing basin straddling Texas and Louisiana.

The assets include 72,000 acres of mostly undeveloped land. It was not immediately clear how much gas the land is believed to hold. The transaction could be valued at up to $1bn, the people said.

If completed, the deal would bolster Tokyo Gas’s foothold in the US shale patch, the world’s largest source of gas, as it looks to secure supplies for Japan, which is heavily reliant on fossil fuel imports to meet its energy needs.

For Chevron, the second-biggest western supermajor, it would be another step in its multibillion-dollar divestment programme, as it looks to close a contentious $53bn deal for Hess, the biggest acquisition in its history.

Chevron and Tokyo Gas did not respond to requests for comment.

A person involved in the process said it was not clear if the deal would be completed, and that a rival bid could emerge.

Tokyo Gas established a foothold in the Haynesville basin last December through a $2.7bn deal for Rockcliff Energy. It produces about 1.3bn cubic feet a day of gas there, near a cluster of liquefied natural gas terminals — both existing and planned — on the Gulf of Mexico.

In February, the Japanese group agreed to buy a 49 per cent stake in Arm Energy, a North American trading and marketing group, and has made no secret of its appetite for further expansion into the US gas business.

Dan Pickering, chief investment officer at Pickering Energy Partners, said the transaction “would absolutely make sense”.

“It is a bolt-on acquisition for Tokyo Gas, which is already the number four producer in the basin and a logical divestment of a non-core asset by Chevron,” he said.

Chevron is looking to offload $10bn to $15bn of non-core assets by 2028 as part of a strategy to “optimise its global energy portfolio” by focusing on areas of higher-yielding production, including the Permian Basin and Kazakhstan.

It said in a March filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission it was “evaluating strategic opportunities” for its Haynesville acreage.

On Monday it agreed a $6.5bn deal to sell stakes in a number of oil sands and shale assets to Canadian Natural Resources.

WETHERSPOONS has confirmed the closure of more of their pubs including an iconic “stunning” venue.

The popular pub chain has closed locations across the UK, including Stafford, London, Halifax and Penarth.

1

The Geroge, Wanstead Wetherspoons is set to pull down their shutters for good on October 13.

Punters took to social media to express their frustrations over the closure of another popular branch.

One user wrote: “That’s sad.”

“My local. A very popular pub,” another commented.

The George had been a favourite among locals, who often left glowing reviews about the pub.

“Good service, competitively priced drinks and tasty food,” a user said.

Another added: “Excellent staff and well-kept beer at low prices.”

It comes after the Wetherspoons revealed that five pubs had been put up for sale, four of which are already under offer.

The Ivor Davies in Cardiff is up for sale, while the four pubs under offer are the Sir Daniel Arms in Swindon, the Hain Line in St Ives, the Foot of the Walk in Leith and the Quay in Poole

Under offer may mean that a bid is being considered or has been accepted.

But as the sale has not been finalised the pub remains on the market

Wetherspoons regularly reviews the branches it has up for sale and has often taken venues off the market to continue operating as part of the pub chain.

In its annual report published today, the pub giant said the disposal of the 27 pubs it has closed gave rise to a cash inflow of £8.9 million.

Wetherspoons has sold the freehold of premises it owned outright and returned others to their landlords.

The pub sites sold may reopen to welcome drinkers under their new owners.

Landlords could also find new tenants, so Wetherspoons’ departure doesn’t necessarily mean the loss of a pub for locals.

The sites closed are:

• The Saltoun Inn, Fraserburgh – sold
• Widow Frost, Mansfield – sold
• General Sir Redvers Buller, Crediton – sold
• Butler’s Bell, Stafford – sold
• Coronet, Holloway Road, London – sold
• White Hart, Todmorden – sold
• Asparagus, Battersea – sold
• Mock Beggar Hall, Moreton – sold
• Sir Norman Rae, Shipley – sold
• Lord Arthur Lee, Fareham – sold
• Market Cross, Holywell – sold
• The Cross Keys, Peebles – sold
• The Regent, Kirkby in Ashfield – sold
• An Geata Arundel, Waterford – sold
• Jolly Sailor, Hanham – sold
• Millers Well, Purley, Halifax – sold
• The London & Rye in Rushey Green, Catford – sold
• Bankers Draft, Eltham – returned to landlord
• Sir John Arderne, Newark – returned to landlord
• Night Jar, Ferndown – returned to landlord
• Moon and Bell, Loughborough – returned to landlord
• Capitol, Forest Hill – returned to landlord
• Hart and Spool, Borehamwood – returned to landlord
• Alfred Herring, Palmers Green – returned to landlord
• Tichenham Inn, Ickenham – returned to landlord
• Bears Head, Penarth – returned to landlord

Wetherspoons has also opened two new sites in the last 12 months – The Captain Flinders near Euston Station and the Star Light at Heathrow Airport, and The Grand Assembly in Marlow.

Several sites have also been expanded including the Red Lion,
Skegness; the Talk of the Town, Paignton; the Albany Palace, Trowbridge and the Mile Castle, Newcastle.

It follows Wetherspoons being sued for more than £200,000 after a drinker fell to his death from a second-floor window.

And the popular pub chain’s 12-day beer festival will be back with a bang tomorrow with some ales selling for less than £2 a pint.

October 7, 2024 marked one year since Hamas’ murderous rampage through southern Israel. As Israelis commemorated the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust, how did the international media cover this somber anniversary?

By and large, the media coverage was both empathetic and nuanced, with news organizations dedicating much of their coverage to the effect that October 7 has had on Israel and interviewing survivors, family members of the 1,200 who were murdered during the atrocities, and family members of hostages still being held in Gaza.

However, both online and in print, some media outlets chose to use the anniversary to spotlight the cost of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, despite the fact that October 7 is not the key anniversary of the war. Thus, in effect, they chose Israel’s national day of sorrow as the springboard through which to criticize Israel’s defensive military operations and to subtly move the spotlight away from the atrocities committed by Hamas and other Palestinians on that fateful day.

For example, on its Instagram page, TIME highlighted the work of a Palestinian photographer, who had first spoken to the American magazine early in the war and was now speaking to it again after a year of documenting the fighting and destruction in Gaza.

However, as TIME noted, October 7 was not the anniversary of the first time this Palestinian photographer spoke with the magazine, it was a couple of weeks later. So, why did the magazine choose to feature his story on October 7 and not on the actual anniversary of its first conversation with the Gaza-based photographer?

Similarly, on October 7, Reuters’ photos account on X (formerly Twitter) posted an award-winning image of a Gazan woman cradling a dead child’s body, captioning it “A picture of her grief gripped the world. A year on, Gaza woman haunted by memories.”

However, this image is from October 17. Why did the esteemed wire service choose to post this image on October 7 and not on the actual anniversary of when it was taken?

A picture of her grief gripped the world. A year on, Gaza woman haunted by memories 📷 Mohammed Salem pic.twitter.com/LgiGxu7ty2

— Reuters Pictures (@reuterspictures) October 7, 2024

On its Instagram page, Vanity Fair’s sole post on October 7 paid lip service to the atrocities  before turning its attention to the war with a post entitled “The Sorrow of Gaza, One Year After the October 7 Attacks.”

The accompanying quote by war correspondent Janine di Giovanni not only created a moral equivalence between those killed in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas War (which includes killed Hamas terrorists) and murdered Israelis but also implicitly drew a connection between the war in Gaza and the Holocaust and the African & Balkan genocides of the 1990s.

On its X page, Sky News chose to commemorate October 7 by publishing an in-depth look at the destruction in Gaza, deeming it “a year since the war in Gaza began.”

In this long thread, only a passing reference was made to Hamas and several posts were specifically designed to paint Israel’s defensive campaign in the coastal enclave as some kind of cruel and unusual operation that falls outside the bounds of normative warfare.

No, it’s not a year since the war in Gaza began, @SkyNews.

Today is a year since Hamas launched its brutal attack on Israel, murdering 1,200 & taking some 250 hostages.

If you are going to look back at what has been lost, maybe start with that. https://t.co/N5WRqkO7Es

— HonestReporting (@HonestReporting) October 7, 2024

Advertisement

Along with social media posts, there were several front pages of printed newspapers that also moved the spotlight away from the atrocities of October 7.

For example, The Independent’s front page, headlined “365 days of horror since October 7,” was a mashup of different numbers related to the war in Gaza, but only featured one number related to the Israeli victims of Hamas.

This is how the @Independent marked October 7: by editing the jihadis out of the story. The word “Hamas” doesn’t appear once. pic.twitter.com/V4yZMQ15vf

— Jake Wallis Simons (@JakeWSimons) October 7, 2024

For other newspapers, it wasn’t the replacement of coverage of Hamas’ atrocities with coverage of the war in Gaza that was the issue, it was the lack of substantial coverage altogether.

For example, The Chicago Tribune’s front page for October 7 featured two Israel-related articles — one AP copy about present fighting in Gaza and an article about how the war’s effects on the Chicago city council’s sentiments.

Compared to the front pages of other newspapers, which dedicated a substantial portion of the page to a reminder of what occurred on October 7, The Chicago Tribune’s coverage was clearly lacking.

It wasn’t only news coverage that was an issue with some media outlets, but also opinion pieces.

On the eve of October 7, The Guardian saw fit to publish a grotesque op-ed by Naomi Klein, which accused Israel of turning the trauma of October 7 into a weapon.

Grotesque: Israel can’t even mourn its dead from Oct. 7 without @guardian platforming Naomi Klein to accuse the country of weaponizing its trauma.

If you can’t sympathize with innocent civilians butchered by terrorists, then you are the problem.https://t.co/ONhRmJ3pac pic.twitter.com/1emgTKzxa6

— HonestReporting (@HonestReporting) October 6, 2024

Advertisement

Similarly, on October 8, the LA Times published an op-ed by Daoud Kuttab which seemed to both minimize the horrors of October 7 while also implicitly justifying them.

This is beyond disgusting. @latimes published an opinion piece that tries to justify Hamas butchering civilians https://t.co/HzyNkYDMEC pic.twitter.com/S0r2Gr6sgA

— HonestReporting (@HonestReporting) October 8, 2024

As we pass a year since the October 7 atrocities and the subsequent beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, it is reasonable for media organizations to place extra focus on the toll that the war has wrought on the Gaza Strip and its Palestinian residents.

However, what is not reasonable is using the anniversary to take focus away from the atrocities and massacres that were committed by Hamas and its allies in southern Israel and instead use the opportunity to place a spotlight on what is occurring in the Gaza Strip.

By using October 7 to focus on Gaza (especially when commemorating an event that took place after October 7), these media organizations are helping to create a false narrative that seeks to diminish what occurred on October 7 or to create a moral equivalence between those atrocities and the situation in the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing war.

Liked this article? Follow HonestReporting on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to see even more posts and videos debunking news bias and smears, as well as other content explaining what’s really going on in Israel and the region.

Photo Credits:

– Erik Marmor via Flash90

– Shutterstock AI

Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

Activist hedge fund Elliott said its long-term thesis on British mining conglomerate Anglo American was “very interesting and very much intact”, after the fund built a stake of $1bn during a takeover offer by Anglo rival BHP.

In Elliott’s first comments on the deal since it disclosed its stake in April, equity partner Nabeel Bhanji said the US hedge fund was in a “very good [and] constructive]” dialogue with Anglo’s management.

“The BHP approach was third-party validation that clearly this is an asset that has a very interesting portfolio that is just trading at the wrong price,” said Bhanji at the Financial Times Due Diligence conference on Tuesday. “We’ve got billions of dollars riding on that bet.”

Bhanji added that BHP’s approach in April, which sent the London-listed miner’s share price up 13 per cent, was “genuinely annoying” as the firm was only “part way through our stake build”. Official filings in May showed that Elliott held 3.5 per cent of the FTSE 100 miner.

After intense negotiations and several improved offers by BHP, the talks collapsed at the end of May.

Elliott manages about $70bn for investors and invests in a mix of private and public companies. It has a reputation for taking on company management if it strongly disagrees with a company’s strategic direction.

Anglo is under pressure to make good on its radical plan to reshape the business following BHP’s failed takeover of the group — a restructuring that includes selling off parts of the business to leave it with a core three divisions of copper, iron ore and fertiliser.

Chief executive Duncan Wanblad said in September that plans to offload businesses including its DeBeers diamond arm would mean “we will get a re-rating” and Anglo would become “a very high-quality business”. Shares in Anglo have jumped 12 per cent in the past month, supported by the recent Chinese stimulus measures that have bolstered mining stocks.

Wanblad also said that he expected to finalise the sale of Anglo’s coal business this year, though a disposal of the diamonds business could extend beyond the planned restructuring timeline.

Investors have been speculating about whether BHP would return to bid again for Anglo, which it could do from the end of November under London takeover rules. Analysts at BNP Paribas said this month that it was “unlikely” for BHP to bid again for Anglo until the company was “more progressed through its restructuring process.”

CHRISTMAS has come early for shoppers at this department store after they discovered a £30 festive essential is scanning for just 50p.

Savvy customers have been rushing to House of Fraser‘s website to bag up the Xmas item which has been described as “brilliant”.

1

The department store giant has sent fans wild by selling a personalised “Mrs Gonk Stocking” for under a pound which is 98 per cent cheaper than the original price.

It was originally priced at a whopping £29.99 – saving buyers an unbelievable £29.49.

One customer shared the find on Facebook and posted a screenshot of the item, captioning: “House of Fraser UK… 50p!”

Excited users left comments under the post and tagged their friends.

One user said: “They have the Mr Gonk aswell for 50p!”

Another commented: “I ordered 4 of these last week, they’re brilliant for the price.”

And: “Yeah I got it, it’s lovely!”

However do bear in mind that when prices are reduced by this much it’s usually in order for stores to clear excess stock, so availability will vary.

It’s always best to phone ahead to your local shop to check what they have available to avoid disappointment.

It always pays to compare prices so you know you’re getting the best deal.

There are plenty of comparison websites out there that’ll check prices for you – so don’t be left paying more than you have to.

Most of them work by comparing the prices across hundreds of retailers.

Google Shopping is a tool that lets users search for and compare prices for products across the web.

Simply type in keywords, or a product number, to bring up search results.

Christmas fanatics have also spotted a festive essential on offer at Home Bargains.

Shoppers are racing to their nearest store to buy £4 Polar Express slippers in time for the big day.

Last month House of Fraser shoppers were hit by delivery chaos with hundreds waiting weeks for parcels that remain undelivered.

Frustrated shoppers have struggled to reach customer service to request refunds, leaving those affected out of pocket.

The issues have plagued those who placed online orders on the retailer’s website since late August.

Angry customers have taken to social media to vent their fury, branding the company’s response as “appalling.”

Money-Saving Tips from Gemma Bird: Save £2k Before Christmas

Advertisement

IF youre’ looking to save cash, you’ve come to the right place, as here, Gemma Bird has shared her top tips that’ll save you £2k before Christmas.

• Set a budget: Track your spending and create a realistic budget.
• Cut unnecessary costs: Cancel unused subscriptions and avoid impulse buys.
• Meal planning: Plan meals to reduce grocery bills and avoid takeaways.
• Sell unwanted items: Declutter and sell items online for extra cash.
• Cashback and discounts: Use cashback sites and hunt for discount codes.
• DIY gifts: Make personalised gifts to save money and add a personal touch.
• Pick up a seasonal shift: A really easy way to pick up a bit of extra cash in the winter is to find yourself some seasonal work.

Follow these practical tips from Gemma Bird to boost your savings before the festive season!