.Read more at : https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciimmunol.add5446
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September 9, 2022
Corona vaccine: a vaccine to cover all variants
Our current vaccines don't protect well against the omicron variant of
SARS-CoV-2. But scientists say they have produced an antibody in a mouse
model that could lead to new vaccines that fight all variants
September 8, 2022
BRITAIN: Queen Elisabeth dies at age 96.
Buckingham Palace has announced that Queen Elizabeth II has died.
A statement on the royal website said the 96-year-old monarch died peacefully at Balmoral Castle on Thursday afternoon.
July 23, 2022
Russia-Ukraine war: missile strikes on Odesa threaten grain deal, says Ukraine; US calls Russian attack ‘outrageous’ – live
The US ambassador to Kyiv said Moscow should be held to account for what she said was an “outrageous” Russian strike on the port city of Odesa on Saturday.
Russian missiles hit infrastructure in Odesa a day after Russia and Ukraine, with mediation by the United Nations and Turkey, signed a deal to reopen Black Sea ports and resume grain exports.
Read more at: Russia-Ukraine war: missile strikes on Odesa threaten grain deal, says Ukraine; US calls Russian attack ‘outrageous’ – live
Russian missiles hit infrastructure in Odesa a day after Russia and Ukraine, with mediation by the United Nations and Turkey, signed a deal to reopen Black Sea ports and resume grain exports.
Read more at: Russia-Ukraine war: missile strikes on Odesa threaten grain deal, says Ukraine; US calls Russian attack ‘outrageous’ – live
April 30, 2022
EU Economy: Weak EU growth and Covid-hit China raise prospect of global downturn - by Martin Arnold and Valentina Romei
New data on Friday showed that the Russian invasion is weighing on Europe’s economy, pushing up energy and food prices, worsening supply bottlenecks for manufacturers as well as sapping business and consumer confidence.
The disappointing news came a day after the US announced that its economy suffered an unexpected 0.4 per cent quarterly contraction, while worries about the impact of severe Covid-19 lockdowns in China caused the steepest monthly fall in the renminbi on record.
The Chinese currency has fallen 4.2 per cent this month to about Rmb6.6 per dollar, the biggest drop since the end of its US dollar peg, which was in place from 1994 to 2005. The fall is greater than a one-off devaluation by the Chinese central bank in 2015 that rattled global markets and a tumble in 2018 during the US-China trade war under the Trump administration.
Economists said the combination of weak global growth, soaring commodity prices and a series of expected interest rate rises by western central banks — including an unusually large 0.5 percentage point hike by the US Federal Reserve that could come next week — would spell trouble for the global economy.
“The world is in really bad shape,” said Erik Nielsen, chief economics adviser at UniCredit. “Particularly in Europe, where we have entered stagflation now.” He predicted that the eurozone was heading for a “double whammy” of an economic downturn and rising borrowing costs as the European Central Bank was likely to raise interest rates as early as July.
Read more at: Weak EU growth and Covid-hit China raise prospect of global downturn | Financial Times
The disappointing news came a day after the US announced that its economy suffered an unexpected 0.4 per cent quarterly contraction, while worries about the impact of severe Covid-19 lockdowns in China caused the steepest monthly fall in the renminbi on record.
The Chinese currency has fallen 4.2 per cent this month to about Rmb6.6 per dollar, the biggest drop since the end of its US dollar peg, which was in place from 1994 to 2005. The fall is greater than a one-off devaluation by the Chinese central bank in 2015 that rattled global markets and a tumble in 2018 during the US-China trade war under the Trump administration.
Economists said the combination of weak global growth, soaring commodity prices and a series of expected interest rate rises by western central banks — including an unusually large 0.5 percentage point hike by the US Federal Reserve that could come next week — would spell trouble for the global economy.
“The world is in really bad shape,” said Erik Nielsen, chief economics adviser at UniCredit. “Particularly in Europe, where we have entered stagflation now.” He predicted that the eurozone was heading for a “double whammy” of an economic downturn and rising borrowing costs as the European Central Bank was likely to raise interest rates as early as July.
Read more at: Weak EU growth and Covid-hit China raise prospect of global downturn | Financial Times
March 24, 2022
EU-Turkey Relations: Turkey's Erdogan asks EU to relaunch membership negotiations
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday asked the European Union to relaunch talks for Ankara to eventually become an EU member, on the eve of a summit focused on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"We expect the EU to open quickly the chapters of the membership negotiations and to start negotiations on a customs union without yielding to cynical calculations," Erdogan said after talks with visiting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
The Turkish president's comments come as Ankara has emerged as a pivotal player in the war in Ukraine, reviving its place in institutions like Nato after years of tensions with western states.
Last month Turkey invoked the 1936 Montreux Convention to close the Bosporus straight to foreign battleships. It has also sold armed drones to Ukraine and is attempting to mediate an end to the fighting between Kyiv and Moscow.
Read more at: Turkey's Erdogan asks EU to relaunch membership negotiations | Middle East Eye
"We expect the EU to open quickly the chapters of the membership negotiations and to start negotiations on a customs union without yielding to cynical calculations," Erdogan said after talks with visiting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
The Turkish president's comments come as Ankara has emerged as a pivotal player in the war in Ukraine, reviving its place in institutions like Nato after years of tensions with western states.
Last month Turkey invoked the 1936 Montreux Convention to close the Bosporus straight to foreign battleships. It has also sold armed drones to Ukraine and is attempting to mediate an end to the fighting between Kyiv and Moscow.
Read more at: Turkey's Erdogan asks EU to relaunch membership negotiations | Middle East Eye
March 23, 2022
Russian Invasion of Ukraine: How a network of enablers have helped Russia’s oligarchs hide their wealth abroad
VSo who are the enablers of the offshore system? They range from global law firms, like Baker McKenzie, an architect of the modern tax avoidance system, to tiny one-person operators working from Bermuda.
Here is a selection of facilitators, offshore agents and banks that ICIJ has identified as aiding Russia’s elite move and hide money. Facilitators
Firms and individuals who have set up or used opaque financial structures for Russian elites
Alastair Tulloch: Tulloch & Co., run by the British attorney Alastair Tulloch, is situated in a posh district in London, one of the most well-known destinations for elite Russian wealth. ICIJ’s Pandora Papers investigation reported that Tulloch’s firm structured networks of companies for former Russian Deputy Finance Minister Andrey Vavilov; Alexander Mamut, a billionaire oligarch and political insider; and Vitaly Zhogin, a banker wanted in Russia for alleged fraud. Tulloch used offshore services provider Trident Trust to arrange for their assets to be transferred to shell companies registered in the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus and the Bahamas. Tulloch did not respond to requests for comment.
Read more at: How a network of enablers have helped Russia’s oligarchs hide their wealth abroad - ICIJ
Here is a selection of facilitators, offshore agents and banks that ICIJ has identified as aiding Russia’s elite move and hide money. Facilitators
Firms and individuals who have set up or used opaque financial structures for Russian elites
Alastair Tulloch: Tulloch & Co., run by the British attorney Alastair Tulloch, is situated in a posh district in London, one of the most well-known destinations for elite Russian wealth. ICIJ’s Pandora Papers investigation reported that Tulloch’s firm structured networks of companies for former Russian Deputy Finance Minister Andrey Vavilov; Alexander Mamut, a billionaire oligarch and political insider; and Vitaly Zhogin, a banker wanted in Russia for alleged fraud. Tulloch used offshore services provider Trident Trust to arrange for their assets to be transferred to shell companies registered in the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus and the Bahamas. Tulloch did not respond to requests for comment.
Read more at: How a network of enablers have helped Russia’s oligarchs hide their wealth abroad - ICIJ
March 22, 2022
Ukraine war: Time to shift strategies: We must do more to aid Ukraine - "give terrorist Putin an ultimatum to declare cease-fire or else"
War is dynamic, a contest of wills between warring parties, each of which is fighting to achieve its political objectives and thwart its enemy. War reveals vulnerabilities not apparent when it begins, and opportunities absent at the start. Momentum shifts. Strategies should shift accordingly. This is where we are with the war in Ukraine today.
When Russian President Vladimir Putin started his illegal war to conquer and subjugate Ukraine, in his mind, Russia would quickly defeat the Ukrainian military and, thereby, the nation’s will to fight. That didn’t happen. Ukraine resisted, showing weaknesses in the Russian military machine. And global sanctions reduced Russia’s ability to fund the war. The result: stalemate. Russia has lost tactical momentum. Now Ukraine must seize it.
Two opportunities emerged. The stalemate allowed Ukraine to go on the offensive — local counterattacks and maybe a more general counter-offensive. And it provided an opportunity for the Allies to shift strategy.
Read more at: https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/598908-time-to-shift-strategies-we-must-do-more-to-aid-ukraine
When Russian President Vladimir Putin started his illegal war to conquer and subjugate Ukraine, in his mind, Russia would quickly defeat the Ukrainian military and, thereby, the nation’s will to fight. That didn’t happen. Ukraine resisted, showing weaknesses in the Russian military machine. And global sanctions reduced Russia’s ability to fund the war. The result: stalemate. Russia has lost tactical momentum. Now Ukraine must seize it.
Two opportunities emerged. The stalemate allowed Ukraine to go on the offensive — local counterattacks and maybe a more general counter-offensive. And it provided an opportunity for the Allies to shift strategy.
Read more at: https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/598908-time-to-shift-strategies-we-must-do-more-to-aid-ukraine
March 16, 2022
Ukraine War: Biden to join NATO leaders in Brussels and attend European Council summit next week amid Ukraine war
President Joe Biden will travel to Europe next week to meet with world leaders and discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday.
The President will travel to Brussels, Belgium, to participate in a NATO summit on March 24 and will also join a European Council meeting, Psaki told reporters at a White House briefing.
The trip, which will be one of the most closely watched visits to Europe by an American president in decades, comes weeks after Russia launched an unprovoked attack on Ukraine. Biden will "discuss ongoing deterrence and defense efforts," during the NATO summit and reaffirm the US' commitment to its NATO allies, Psaki said.
"He will also join a scheduled European Council summit to discuss our shared concerns about Ukraine, including trans-Atlantic efforts to impose economic costs on Russia, provide humanitarian support to those affected by the violence and address other challenges related to the conflict," she said.
Note EU-Digest: It is high time for the West to give Putin an ultimatum to stop the agression against Ukraine, or that they will establish a no-fly zone. It is also important that Russia realizes that if they use nuclear weapons, Russia itself will become a nuclear wasteland. US, NATO, EU and all its allies, please stop acting like "sissies", being pushed around by this bully !
Read more at: https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/15/politics/biden-travel-to-europe/index.html
The trip, which will be one of the most closely watched visits to Europe by an American president in decades, comes weeks after Russia launched an unprovoked attack on Ukraine. Biden will "discuss ongoing deterrence and defense efforts," during the NATO summit and reaffirm the US' commitment to its NATO allies, Psaki said.
"He will also join a scheduled European Council summit to discuss our shared concerns about Ukraine, including trans-Atlantic efforts to impose economic costs on Russia, provide humanitarian support to those affected by the violence and address other challenges related to the conflict," she said.
Note EU-Digest: It is high time for the West to give Putin an ultimatum to stop the agression against Ukraine, or that they will establish a no-fly zone. It is also important that Russia realizes that if they use nuclear weapons, Russia itself will become a nuclear wasteland. US, NATO, EU and all its allies, please stop acting like "sissies", being pushed around by this bully !
Read more at: https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/15/politics/biden-travel-to-europe/index.html
March 14, 2022
Ukraine war: Netherlands Sends Ukraine Stingers, Anti-Tank Rocket - by Inder Singh Bisht
The Netherlands dispatched an arms consignment Sunday to Ukraine that includes 50 German-made anti-tank rocket launchers and Stinger missiles.
The consignment aboard a C-17 transport aircraft also includes 100 sniper rifles with 30,000 rounds, 3,000 combat helmets, 2,000 fragmentation vests, 30 metal detectors, wire-guided robots to detect sea mines, five weapon location radars, and two battlefield surveillance radars, as requested by Kyiv.
Read more at: Netherlands Sends Ukraine Stingers, Anti-Tank Rocket Launchers
The consignment aboard a C-17 transport aircraft also includes 100 sniper rifles with 30,000 rounds, 3,000 combat helmets, 2,000 fragmentation vests, 30 metal detectors, wire-guided robots to detect sea mines, five weapon location radars, and two battlefield surveillance radars, as requested by Kyiv.
Read more at: Netherlands Sends Ukraine Stingers, Anti-Tank Rocket Launchers
March 13, 2022
Russian TV in America - who is fooling whom?: RT America ceases productions and lays off most of its staff - but still can be seen on your smart TV
RT America will cease productions and lay off most of its staff, according to a memo CNN obtained from T&R Productions, the production company behind the Russian state-funded network.
Misha Solodovnikov, the general manager of T&R Productions, told staff in the memo that it will be "ceasing production" at all of its locations "as a result of unforeseen business interruption events."
"Unfortunately, we anticipate this layoff will be permanent, meaning that this will result in the permanent separation from employment of most T&R employees at all locations," Solodovnikov wrote.
Note EU-Digest: Who is kidding whom. Despite sanctions etc., anyone in America or anywhere in the world, who has a smart TV with an Internet connection can still watch RT TV.
Read more at: RT America ceases productions and lays off most of its staff - CNN
Misha Solodovnikov, the general manager of T&R Productions, told staff in the memo that it will be "ceasing production" at all of its locations "as a result of unforeseen business interruption events."
"Unfortunately, we anticipate this layoff will be permanent, meaning that this will result in the permanent separation from employment of most T&R employees at all locations," Solodovnikov wrote.
Note EU-Digest: Who is kidding whom. Despite sanctions etc., anyone in America or anywhere in the world, who has a smart TV with an Internet connection can still watch RT TV.
Read more at: RT America ceases productions and lays off most of its staff - CNN
March 11, 2022
For all your news from or about Europe
For the latest developmemnts on the situation in Ukraine and other issues related to EUROPE place this link below in your bookmarks
http://www.eu-digest.blogspot.com
EU-DIGEST ISSN-1554-7949: News links about and related to Europe - updated daily "The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by its private citizens" - Alexis de Tocqueville
http://www.eu-digest.blogspot.com
EU-DIGEST ISSN-1554-7949: News links about and related to Europe - updated daily "The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by its private citizens" - Alexis de Tocqueville
Russia: Crimes Against Humanity: Is Russia committing war crimes by bombing hospitals in Ukraine? - by Dr Amir Khan
Whether in times of peace or conflict, a set of medical ethics and principles guides the work of healthcare workers and hospitals – the commitment to save lives and reduce suffering.
In times of war, to maintain some humanity in armed conflict, certain rules and agreements have been made that mean targeting civilians and civilian buildings – including healthcare facilities – constitute a war crime.
Read more at: Is Russia committing war crimes by bombing hospitals in Ukraine? | Russia-Ukraine war | Al Jazeera
In times of war, to maintain some humanity in armed conflict, certain rules and agreements have been made that mean targeting civilians and civilian buildings – including healthcare facilities – constitute a war crime.
Read more at: Is Russia committing war crimes by bombing hospitals in Ukraine? | Russia-Ukraine war | Al Jazeera
March 8, 2022
Russia: Could Vladimir Putin Be Overthrown by His Own People? - by Brendan Cole
Ukraine may be battling for its sovereignty, but could Russian President Vladimir Putin be fighting for his presidency if the invasion he declared goes badly for him?
Senator Lindsey Graham invoked the downfall of Julius Caesar in calling for the Russian leader's assassination. "Is there a Brutus in Russia?" he said in a tweet which sparked condemnation from both Republicans and Democrats.
Read more at: Read more at: Could Vladimir Putin Be Overthrown by His Own People?
Senator Lindsey Graham invoked the downfall of Julius Caesar in calling for the Russian leader's assassination. "Is there a Brutus in Russia?" he said in a tweet which sparked condemnation from both Republicans and Democrats.
Read more at: Read more at: Could Vladimir Putin Be Overthrown by His Own People?
March 7, 2022
Ukraine Conflict: Defiant Putin warns the west: your sanctions are akin to an act of war
Putin warns 3rd parties against creating Ukraine no-fly zone, calls sanctions a ‘declaration of war’
Read more at Defiant Putin warns the west: your sanctions are akin to an act of war
Read more at Defiant Putin warns the west: your sanctions are akin to an act of war
March 6, 2022
Netherlands Pauses Decisions on Ukrainians’ Asylum Applications for Next Six Months
As a response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, its nationals will be able to live in the Netherlands without having to apply for asylum for up to six months.
Read more at: Netherlands Pauses Decisions on Ukrainians’ Asylum Applications for Next Six Months - SchengenVisaInfo.com
Read more at: Netherlands Pauses Decisions on Ukrainians’ Asylum Applications for Next Six Months - SchengenVisaInfo.com
March 1, 2022
Ukraine conflict: Netherlands sending 200 Stinger missiles to Ukraine; More military aid en route
The Netherlands will deliver 200 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine as soon as possible, the Cabinet said on Saturday. The decision comes after additional requests from Ukraine for military goods. For this request, a careful, but shortened, assessment against the arms export criteria took place, according to a letter sent by Foreign Affairs Minister Wopke Hoekstra and Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren to the Tweede Kamer.
In addition to the 200 Stinger missiles, the Netherlands already dispatched the military equipment it committed to providing "for Ukrainian self-defense against an armed attack by Russia," Hoekstra said. Some of that material was already sent, with more to be dispatched as soon as possible. -Advertentie-
Read more at: Netherlands sending 200 Stinger missiles to Ukraine; More military aid en route | NL Times
In addition to the 200 Stinger missiles, the Netherlands already dispatched the military equipment it committed to providing "for Ukrainian self-defense against an armed attack by Russia," Hoekstra said. Some of that material was already sent, with more to be dispatched as soon as possible. -Advertentie-
Read more at: Netherlands sending 200 Stinger missiles to Ukraine; More military aid en route | NL Times
February 27, 2022
The Netherlands: Demonstrators across Netherlands protest Russian invasion of Ukraine
Ukraine, according to Omroep West, while about 40 people took to the streets in Eindhoven. Demonstrations also took place in Enschede and Hengelo, and another one has been announced via social media for Amsterdam on Sunday.
Demonstrators in The Hague have gathered in various places, including outside the city hall at Spuiplein and outside the Russian embassy. They are calling for the Netherlands to aid Ukraine and for Russia to be excluded from the international payment system SWIFT. Some signs also say the protesters no longer want gas from Russia.
Read more at: Demonstrators across Netherlands protest Russian invasion of Ukraine | NL Times
Demonstrators in The Hague have gathered in various places, including outside the city hall at Spuiplein and outside the Russian embassy. They are calling for the Netherlands to aid Ukraine and for Russia to be excluded from the international payment system SWIFT. Some signs also say the protesters no longer want gas from Russia.
Read more at: Demonstrators across Netherlands protest Russian invasion of Ukraine | NL Times
February 26, 2022
Ukraine Crises: Russian tennis star Rublev demands ‘no war please’ in TV protest Sport News
World number seven tennis star Andrey Rublev has called for the conflict in Ukraine to end following his victory against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz in the semifinals of the Dubai Championships on Friday.
Rublev advanced to the final with a 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5) win against his rival before approaching a television
The 24-year-old's gesture comes after he said this week that he was receiving a torrent of negative messages on social media as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Read more at: https://www.rt.com/sport/550651-russia-ukraine-andrey-rublev-war-message/
Rublev advanced to the final with a 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5) win against his rival before approaching a television
The 24-year-old's gesture comes after he said this week that he was receiving a torrent of negative messages on social media as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Read more at: https://www.rt.com/sport/550651-russia-ukraine-andrey-rublev-war-message/
February 25, 2022
Ukraine Crises: in Pictures: Mass demonstrations engulf Russia
Russian police have arrested more than 3,000 people in nationwide protests demanding the release of opposition leader Alexey Navalny, the Kremlin’s most prominent foe.
The unprecedented demonstrations in more than 60 cities – in temperatures as low as -50 Celsius (-58 Fahrenheit) – highlighted how Navalny has built influence far beyond the political and cultural centres of Moscow and St Petersburg.
In Moscow, an estimated 15,000 demonstrators gathered in and around Pushkin Square in the city centre, where clashes with police broke out and demonstrators were dragged off by helmeted riot officers to police buses and detention trucks. Some were beaten with batons.
Read more at: In Pictures: Mass demonstrations engulf Russia | Gallery News | Al Jazeera
The unprecedented demonstrations in more than 60 cities – in temperatures as low as -50 Celsius (-58 Fahrenheit) – highlighted how Navalny has built influence far beyond the political and cultural centres of Moscow and St Petersburg.
In Moscow, an estimated 15,000 demonstrators gathered in and around Pushkin Square in the city centre, where clashes with police broke out and demonstrators were dragged off by helmeted riot officers to police buses and detention trucks. Some were beaten with batons.
Read more at: In Pictures: Mass demonstrations engulf Russia | Gallery News | Al Jazeera
February 24, 2022
The Netherlands: Covid: Netherlands to ease restrictions despite rising case numbers
Mr Rutte,DutchPM,who has faced growing calls for a relaxation of restrictions in recent weeks amid falling deaths and admissions to intensive care, added that the new rules will be effective until 8 March.
Cafes, bars and restaurants will be allowed to open until 10pm, though to gain entry patrons will be required to show a negative test result, prove they are vaccinated or have recently recovered from a coronavirus infection.
Read more at: Covid: Netherlands to ease restrictions despite rising case numbers - BBC News
Cafes, bars and restaurants will be allowed to open until 10pm, though to gain entry patrons will be required to show a negative test result, prove they are vaccinated or have recently recovered from a coronavirus infection.
Read more at: Covid: Netherlands to ease restrictions despite rising case numbers - BBC News
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