US Deputy Health Secretary Jim O'Neill, a key figure in shaping the nation's vaccine guidelines, was reportedly leaving his roles within the Department of Health and Human Services, according to MIT Technology Review. This news comes amidst a backdrop of rising beef prices, China's increasing support for Russia's war in Ukraine, and a landmark election in Bangladesh.
O'Neill, who oversaw a department with a budget exceeding a trillion dollars and signed the decision memorandum on the controversial new vaccine schedule, had become one of the most powerful people in public health. In an interview with MIT Technology Review, he discussed plans to increase human healthspan through longevity-focused research supported by ARPA-H, a federal agency dedicated to biomedical breakthroughs.
Meanwhile, beef prices in the United States have surged, with the broad beef and veal category up 15% over the past year as of January, according to Fortune. Uncooked ground beef reached a fresh record, the largest increase since June 2020. This surge has prompted calls for action, with President Donald Trump vowing to increase competition in beef processing.
China's support for Russia's war in Ukraine is also escalating, Western officials told Fortune. They indicated that China is likely to deepen cooperation with Moscow this year, casting doubt on efforts by European leaders to improve relations with Beijing. Officials described Beijing as the key facilitator of the war, citing the export of dual-use components and critical minerals used in Russian drone production.
In other international news, Bangladesh held what observers say is the country's first fair election in nearly two decades, as reported by NPR Politics. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party emerged with a landslide victory, and the winners now face pressure to tackle corruption and a battered economy.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, urged European allies to view Donald Trump's brand of politics as temporary, according to Fortune. Newsom predicted Trump would suffer heavy losses in the midterm elections and face legal setbacks. He encouraged leaders to maintain stable subnational partnerships with US states like California during what he called a period of instability for America.
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