FT News Briefing WHO skips Wuhan, Phil Hogan resigns, Hurricane Laura, Jackson Hole preview
Aug 27, 2020
Concerns are rising as the WHO team skips Wuhan while investigating COVID-19 origins. EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan has resigned amid a scandal related to a COVID misstep. Hurricane Laura is poised to threaten US oil refinery hubs with its ferocity. Additionally, there’s a preview of the all-virtual Jackson Hole symposium, focusing on how central bankers will navigate the pandemic's economic fallout and the importance of informal discussions among policymakers.
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WHO Wuhan Trip Concerns
- The WHO's recent trip to China to investigate COVID-19 origins skipped Wuhan, raising concerns.
- Western governments question the omission, while the WHO says the trip laid groundwork for a future mission.
Hogan Resignation
- EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan resigned after controversy over attending a dinner in Ireland.
- The dinner allegedly violated COVID-19 restrictions, becoming a distraction from his work.
Hurricane Laura Threatens Oil Refineries
- Hurricane Laura's Gulf Coast trajectory threatens crucial US oil and gas processing infrastructure.
- Damage could significantly disrupt fuel and petrochemical flows.