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28.02.2023
THEME: POLITICS

UK and EU seal a deal to resolve trade dispute over Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is a region in the northeast of the island of Ireland that has been a part of the United Kingdom since its creation in 1921. The region was created due to the Government of Ireland Act 1920, which partitioned Ireland into two separate entities: Northern Ireland, which remained part of the UK, and the Irish Free State, which later became the Republic of Ireland. The partition of Ireland was a contentious issue, with many Irish nationalists opposing it and seeking a united Ireland. This led to a conflict known as the Troubles, which lasted from the late 1960s until the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. The conflict was primarily between Irish nationalists, who wanted Northern Ireland reunited with the rest of Ireland, and unionists, who wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK. The Good Friday Agreement established a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland, with representatives from both nationalist and unionist parties. The agreement also included provisions for decommissioning paramilitary weapons and prisoners' early release.

Brexit has had significant implications for Northern Ireland, as it shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland, an EU member state. The UK's decision to leave the EU meant that a border would need to be established between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which raised concerns about the potential impact on the peace process. The Northern Ireland Protocol, included in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, aims to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland by keeping Northern Ireland aligned with some EU rules, which has led to some trade barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. The Protocol has been a contentious issue in Northern Ireland, with some unionists opposing it and some nationalists supporting it.

On Monday, February 27, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen sealed a deal to resolve their strained post-Brexit trade dispute over Northern Ireland. The critical point of the agreement is the definition of two different lanes for good export from the UK to Ireland. Goods from Britain destined for Northern Ireland will travel through a new "green lane, " with reduced checks and paperwork. A separate "red lane" is instead for goods at risk of moving into the EU, which will be subject to usual checks according to the EU regulations. Under the new deal, UK VAT and excise rules will apply to Northern Ireland for alcoholic drinks for immediate consumption and immovable goods such as heat pumps - EU VAT rules will still apply for other items. A procedure is also agreed on to allow the Northern Ireland Assembly to object to new EU rules that introduce substantial changes. Finally, it will be easier for pet owners to travel between the UK and Northern Ireland. Monday's outcome has been primarily hailed positively between Dublin, Belfast, London and Brussels. But the deal is not yet entirely over the line, as Sunak still needs to appease and get the backing from some Conservative party members and Northern Ireland's politicians – especially the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) members.

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23.02.2023
THEME: HEALTH

The consumption of ginger may have a beneficial effect against bacterial infections

Ginger is a flowering plant whose root is used as a spice and herbal remedy. It's native to Southeast Asia but is now cultivated in many other parts of the world, including India, China, and the Caribbean. Ginger is a versatile and flavorful ingredient with a long history of culinary and medical use. It has a spicy, savoury flavour and warming quality, making it a popular ingredient in many cuisines, especially in Asian and Indian dishes. It's often used in teas, soups, curries, and desserts.

Beyond its culinary uses, ginger has been used for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. It's believed to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-nausea effects, among other health benefits. Some people use ginger to alleviate symptoms of conditions such as nausea, vomiting, arthritis, and menstrual cramps. Ginger is becoming increasingly popular in Germany as a medicinal plant or as food. According to the German Federal Statistical Office, the annual import volume of the fruity-hot root has almost quadrupled over the last ten years to around 31,600 tons.

A team led by Veronika Somoza, director of the Leibniz Institute in Freising, Germany, conducted extensive research to clarify if normal ginger consumption levels are sufficient to achieve health effects. The starting point was a result of a pilot study which showed significant amounts of aromatic ginger compounds enter the blood about 30 to 60 minutes after consuming one litre of ginger tea. The study results suggest that ginger stimulates the functionality of our immune system. Small amounts of an aromatic ginger constituent in laboratory tests put specific immune cells - white blood cells - on heightened alert. These cells are mainly involved in the protection against bacterial infection. The study also shows that this process consists of a type of receptor that plays a role in the perception of painful heat stimuli and the sensation of spiciness in food. Although more research is needed to understand its full potential for therapeutic applications, it is now demonstrated that the typical ginger intake may benefit our immune system's functionality, particularly against bacterial infection. Nevertheless, many unanswered questions at the epidemiological and medical levels still need to be addressed.

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21.02.2023
THEME: HEALTH

Could bacteria and viruses trigger Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer's is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive loss of memory and cognitive function, along with changes in behaviour and personality. It is the most common form of dementia, affecting millions of people worldwide, and is typically diagnosed in individuals over 65. However, early-onset forms of the disease can occur in younger individuals. Alzheimer's is caused by the accumulation of abnormal protein deposits in the brain, which can interfere with communication between brain cells and ultimately lead to their death. While the major hallmarks of Alzheimer's are well-known, we still have little idea what triggers it. Specific genes and lifestyle factors such as loneliness, lack of exercise and poor diet can all increase the risk of Alzheimer's, but how and why it begins remains a mystery.

Since the mid-80s, a handful of scientists worldwide have doggedly pursued the idea that either a virus or a bacterium could play a role in Alzheimer's. Studies show that people with herpes are more likely to get Alzheimer's. In particular, evidence pointed towards herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) – a pathogen found in 70% of the UK population and the cause of oral herpes. When Prof Ruth Itzhaki from Oxford University's Institute of Population Ageing – who has done more than any other scientist to advance the HSV-1 theory of Alzheimer's - examined post-mortem brain samples from patients, she found more significant amounts of the virus's DNA than in people who had not died of the disease. Moreover, other studies show that treatment with a standard antiviral drug decreased the risk of dementia ninefold. Others have suggested that bacteria may also be capable of initiating the neurodegeneration that leads to Alzheimer's. Chlamydia pneumonia, which causes lung disease, and Borrelia burgdorferi, associated with Lyme disease and gum infections, have all been put forward as possible triggers. The main reason viruses like HSV-1 and possibly bacteria may be capable of triggering Alzheimer's is that they invade the body before burrowing into the central nervous system and travelling to the brain sometime in midlife. Once there, they stay dormant for many years before being reactivated in old age, either because the ageing immune system can no longer keep them in check or something else – a traumatic episode, a head injury or perhaps another infection – spurs them to life. Once awakened – so the theory goes – they begin to wreak havoc. Davangere Devanand, a neurologist at Columbia University Medical Center, is running a clinical trial investigating whether a herpes antiviral drug called valacyclovir could slow the progression of Alzheimer's in patients in the early stages of the disease. The ongoing trial, expected to be completed by early 2024, could significantly affect how we view the condition.

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20.02.2023
THEME: WORLD

Ukraine crisis update: US and EU aim to further intense confrontation, while China proposes to mediate

The tensions between the European Union and Russia have grown over the Ukraine war in the last two months. The Ukraine crisis has yet to have a favourable negotiation in sight today. On January 23, after weeks of Poland and other NATO members openly pressuring Germany to permit the dispatch of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, the US and EU allies decided to send armour. With this decision, NATO demonstrated continued assistance to Ukraine despite this meant crossing what was previously called Russia's "red lines". In the following days, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev reiterated in a written interview that the Russian response to attacks in Russian territory can be of any nature and that these will be consistent and immediate - referencing the country's nuclear arsenal.

Additionally, on February 2, EU President Ursula Von Der Leyen visited Kyiv along with 15 European Commissioners. The meeting discussed the numerous reforms needed for Ukraine to achieve EU membership. President Von Der Leyen also confirmed support in funds for 1 billion and further sanctions against Russia to be enacted by the end of the month. On February 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited London and urged the allies to send combat aircraft. He obtained more support in training Ukraine pilots, which may be a premise for effectively using NATO's jets. Zelensky travelled to Paris in the evening, following his visit to the United Kingdom, to meet France's leader Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. On February 9, he met in Brussels with European Union leaders as they gathered for a summit. "A Ukraine winning is going to be a member of the European Union," Zelenskyy said. The Ukrainian president's main messages in London, Paris and Brussels were pleas for long-range missiles and fighter jets to beef up his armed forces and (to the EU) the necessity of rapid entry into the bloc. Following these visits, the European Parliament voted with a large majority and heavy resolution on February 15, condemning Russia's invasion and annexation of Ukraine's territories. In the document, the EU reiterates its support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, stating that the outcome of the war and the stance taken by the international community will play a crucial role in affecting future action by other authoritarian regimes. Besides demanding that Russia withdraws its troops, it confirmed a steady and continued increase in the supply of all types of weapons to Ukraine, without exceptions, mentioning for the first the possibility of sending fighter jets and missile systems. Additionally, more sanctions against Russia will be put in place by the end of February, and a legal frame to confiscate frozen Russian assets - is to be devolved to Ukraine's reconstruction.

Following the Plenary at the EU Parliament, a Security Conference of the G7 took place in Munich on February 17 and 18. For the first time since the outbreak of COVID, China was represented in Munich at a high level this year in the form of its most senior diplomat, former Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang told the audience that China had tried and would continue to try to broker Ukraine peace talks. "There were multiple rounds of peace talks. And we saw a framework text on the peaceful resolution of the crisis. However, that was stopped. We do not know why. The process was cut short. Some forces might not want to see peace talks materialize. They don't care about the life and death of Ukrainians, not the harm to Europe. They might have strategic goals larger than Ukraine itself." Wang also used the war in Ukraine as an opportunity to say that "for a safer world, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected". In his introductory remarks, Wang had said that COVID had shown how the world was "one global village" and could only "win the victory when we trust each other." However, the US, German, and French representatives expressed perplexity about finding a diplomatic solution in the immediate future. In its final statement, the G7 confirms support for Ukraine until necessary and condemns Russia's actions. Today February 20, two more critical meetings took place. US president Joe Biden met Volodymyr Zelensky during a surprise visit to Kyiv, where he promised increased arms deliveries. In the meantime, Chinese Minister Wang Yi visits Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin.

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