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23 Nov 2024 — 5 min read

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President-elect Donald J. Trump has nominated Dr. Marty Makary as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Makary, a British-American surgeon and medical author, practices surgical oncology at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Economics & Markets:

Geopolitics & Conflicts:

In the last 24 hours, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have intensified airstrikes in Lebanon, targeting areas in central Beirut and the southern city of Tyre. In Beirut’s Basta neighborhood, airstrikes destroyed an eight-story building, killing at least four people and injuring 33. In the south, five medics were killed, and medical facilities sustained heavy damage. The Lebanese Health Ministry reports over 3,500 deaths in the past year, including 200 medical personnel, as healthcare systems struggle to cope.
Hezbollah has escalated its response with increased rocket fire into northern Israel, including a rare strike on the Hatzor air base near Ashdod, one of its deepest attacks in years. Despite international efforts to mediate, including U.S. diplomatic involvement, hostilities continue to escalate. Over 1.2 million people in Lebanon have been displaced, and the ongoing conflict has created severe humanitarian and healthcare challenges.

Politics:

President-elect Donald Trump has announced several appointees for his incoming administration. Sebastian Gorka will serve as Senior Director for Counterterrorism and Deputy Assistant to the President, returning to a role similar to his previous position in Trump’s administration. Scott Bessent, a financier with a background in macroeconomics and hedge fund management, has been nominated as U.S. Treasury Secretary, where he is expected to influence economic policy.
Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, a double board-certified physician with experience in New York and New Jersey, has been nominated as United States Surgeon General. Russell Vought, who previously led the Office of Management and Budget during Trump’s first term, has been reappointed to the position. These appointments outline the leadership team for Trump’s administration, focusing on counterterrorism, economic policy, healthcare, and federal budget management.

Environment & Weather:

On November 20, 2024, the Sundhnúkagígaröðin volcanic system on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula erupted, marking its seventh eruption in less than a year. A 2.5-kilometer fissure opened, releasing lava flows that prompted evacuations in Grindavík and the closure of the Blue Lagoon spa.

While the eruption has slowed compared to its initial intensity, activity is still ongoing, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure public safety. The Reykjanes Peninsula, located along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet, is one of Iceland’s most active volcanic regions. After centuries of dormancy, the area became active again in 2021, with eruptions increasing in frequency.

Security:

On November 17, 2024, a threat actor leaked data from 44,000 Ford customers, including names, addresses, purchase details, and dealer information. Ford denied any breach of its systems on November 19, stating the data likely came from a third-party supplier and included publicly available dealer information. The company is investigating further and emphasized its commitment to customer data protection.

A cyberattack in France targeted Mediboard, a patient record system made by French company Softway Medical, exposing the personal data of about 750,000 patients. The hacker accessed the data through a compromised account at a healthcare facility, not by breaking into the company’s systems directly.
The stolen data includes names, birthdates, addresses, contact details, medical histories, prescriptions, and health card information. A hacker known as “nears” claims to be selling this information on the dark web. This incident shows how important it is to secure patient data by protecting user accounts and monitoring for suspicious activity.

Space:

Russia recently launched the Progress MS-29 cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The spacecraft is carrying food, fuel, and scientific equipment to support the ISS crew and is expected to dock on November 23. The ISS, a symbol of international cooperation, has been jointly operated by space agencies including NASA, Roscosmos, and others since its construction began in 1998.
Despite geopolitical tensions, the ISS remains a shared platform for scientific research and exploration, highlighting the collaborative spirit that transcends Earth’s borders. Russia’s continued participation plays a crucial role in maintaining the station’s operations, including resupply missions like Progress MS-29.

As the ISS approaches the end of its mission by 2030, plans are in place for its safe removal using SpaceX’s U.S. Deorbit Vehicle. At the same time, NASA is working with private companies to build new space stations to continue human activity in low Earth orbit. Three major projects are leading this effort: Axiom Space, Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef, and Northrop Grumman’s modular station.
Axiom Space will launch its first module in 2025, starting as part of the ISS before transitioning into a separate station. Blue Origin, in partnership with Sierra Space, is creating Orbital Reef, a business-focused station designed for research, tourism, and industry, set to open by the late 2020s. Northrop Grumman is building a flexible modular station for science and commercial use. These new stations will take over as the next generation of orbital platforms, continuing research, exploration, & innovation.

Science & Technology:

Neuralink has secured approval from Health Canada to begin its first human clinical trial, the CAN-PRIME Study, which will assess the safety and functionality of its brain-computer interface. The device, designed to enable individuals to control digital devices with their thoughts, is targeted at patients with severe motor impairments.
Neuralink is specifically recruiting participants with limited or no hand function due to cervical spinal cord injury or ALS, requiring them to be at least 19 years old and have had stable quadriplegia for at least one year. The trials will take place at Toronto Western Hospital under the University Health Network.

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