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19/07/2023 ---- 24/07/2023

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24.07.2023
THEME: WORLD

The New Frontlines: Grain Deals, Drone Strikes, and Global Consequences

The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has recently escalated, with Ukraine's retaliation to Russia's missile attack on the Black Sea port of Odesa. Early on Monday, Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow and annexed Crimea, hitting two buildings in Moscow and an ammunition depot in Crimea. Although Moscow's electronic warfare systems reportedly intercepted the drones, causing no serious damage or casualties, the strikes marked a significant escalation in the conflict. Russia’s Foreign Ministry denounced the drone strikes as an act of international terrorism, while Crimea saw the evacuation of residents and the suspension of transport services for safety reasons.

Simultaneously, the US imposed new sanctions on Russia, targeting the nation's access to crucial front-line electronics and logistics. Announced on Thursday, these sanctions aim to restrict Kremlin's war funding by limiting its income from the metals and mining sector. The sanctions extend to members of the Russian security service, a regional governor, six deputy ministers, and private military companies, including Gazprom-owned Okhrana. The Russian embassy in Washington has criticized these sanctions as destructive actions aimed at the Kremlin.

The conflict has also had severe implications for global food security, with Russia initially blockading supplies of Ukrainian wheat and cereals, causing a surge in food prices. Although a UN-Turkey brokered deal lifted the blockade last summer, Russia withdrew from the agreement this week. The situation has been further complicated by Ukraine's decision to declare ships traveling to Russia and occupied territories as military targets, in response to Moscow's similar warning.

Recent Russian attacks have damaged the Chinese consulate in Odesa and export facilities in Odesa and nearby Chornomorsk, resulting in the loss of 60,000 tons of grain. This happened following Ukraine's counteroffensive to recapture territory occupied by Russia, which has led to escalated fighting in the region.

In an unexpected development, the Kremlin seized the Russian assets of foreign firms Carlsberg and Danone, handing control of these subsidiaries to regime loyalists. This move has reignited debates about the future of Russia’s Central Bank assets, worth $300 billion, frozen by the G7 at the start of the conflict.

As the conflict intensifies, the world watches with apprehension. The implications of this war extend beyond Ukraine and Russia, impacting global food security, international relations, and the world economy's stability. The decisions made in the coming weeks will undoubtedly have lasting effects, shaping the course of history for years to come.

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24.07.2023
THEME: ENVIRONMENT

A Global Overview of Extreme Weather: Record Heatwaves, Flooding Rains and Unprecedented Climate Milestones

The world is currently experiencing a series of extreme weather events, with Greece and the Southern US enduring scorching heatwaves, while China wrestles with heavy rainfall and potential flooding. These events are not isolated, but rather indicative of a broader climate trend that scientists warn is likely to worsen.

In Greece, temperatures are soaring beyond 40 degrees Celsius, with predictions indicating this could be the longest heatwave in the country's recorded history. Kostas Lagouvardos, director of research at the National Observatory, expects the heatwave to span up to 17 days, making the upcoming weekend the hottest July weekend in 50 years. Similarly, the Southern US is grappling with extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 41 degrees Celsius, and Phoenix, Arizona, expecting temperatures up to 46 degrees.

Conversely, China is bracing for floodwaters due to substantial rainfall in cities like Shanghai and Beijing, while areas further inland are experiencing intense heat, posing a threat to the country's largest fresh water supply.

According to NASA scientists, these global weather anomalies are linked to an emerging El Nino event, associated with the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Thomas Smith, an environmental geographer at the London School of Economics, suggests that the Earth is entering uncharted territory due to global warming and the first El Niño since 2018.

This summer has seen four climate records shattered: the hottest day on record, the hottest June globally, extreme marine heatwaves, and record-low Antarctic sea ice. The EU climate monitoring service, Copernicus, reported the world's hottest day ever recorded in July, with an average global temperature of 17.08C on July 6.

The average global temperature in June was 1.47C above the typical June in the pre-industrial period. Ocean temperatures have also broken records for May, June, and July, nearing the highest sea surface temperature ever recorded in 2016. In June, temperatures off the west coast of Ireland were classified as a category 5 heatwave, being between 4C and 5C above average. The area covered by sea-ice in the Antarctic is at record lows for July.

While these heatwaves persist, eastern Canada is dealing with the aftermath of heavy rainfall that has left four people missing, including two children, and thousands without power. A state of emergency has been declared in Halifax and four other locations following record rainfall and flooding.

In addition to heatwaves and torrential rains, wildfires are an escalating concern. Greece reported 52 new fires on Friday, with a total of 79 fires being tackled. Fire services spokesman Vassilios Vathrakoyannis revealed that the country would remain on high alert over the weekend due to fears of strong northerly winds igniting more fires. This mirrors Canada's ongoing battle with massive wildfires, which have triggered pollution alerts across Canada and the US.

Despite these alarming trends, Dr. Friederike Otto, a climate scientist from Imperial College London, urges against labeling the current situation a "climate collapse" or "runaway warming". She emphasizes that there is still time to secure a liveable future, but the extreme weather conditions globally serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the climate crisis. As we enter 2024, scientists anticipate more climate records to be broken, highlighting the necessity for global climate action.

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20.07.2023
THEME: HEALTH

Donanemab: A Promising Development in Alzheimer's Treatment Amidst Challenges

Alzheimer's disease, a prevalent form of dementia projected to affect an alarming 153 million people globally by 2050, has long been a formidable challenge for the medical community. A new drug, donanemab, developed by Eli Lilly, is now offering a beacon of hope. This antibody medicine, designed to clear protein buildup in Alzheimer's patients' brains, has been found to slow cognitive decline in a global trial.

Donanemab functions similarly to lecanemab, a product of Eisai and Biogen. Both drugs have demonstrated potential in decelerating cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients. Specifically, donanemab has been found to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by approximately a third. This significant finding was determined through a trial involving 1,736 individuals aged 60 to 85 with early-stage Alzheimer's. Over 18 months, half of the participants received a monthly infusion of donanemab, while the other half were administered a placebo. Results published in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicated that after 76 weeks of treatment, donanemab reduced clinical decline by 35.1% in early Alzheimer’s patients with low or medium levels of tau protein.

The trial's participants included Mike Colley, an 80-year-old UK resident, whose experience has ignited optimism among health leaders and Alzheimer's research advocates. Former Prime Minister David Cameron is among those advocating for further research into what he terms a "statin for the brain," and urges government investment in new treatments.

However, the trial also disclosed that brain swelling was a common side effect in up to a third of patients, leading to two fatalities. Coupled with the recent rejection of another Alzheimer's drug, aducanumab, due to safety concerns, experts are urging caution. They warn that donanemab's effects might be modest, and it remains unclear whether the treatment will continue to be effective over a longer period.

Regardless of these challenges, the potential benefits of donanemab are substantial. Approximately 720,000 people in the UK alone could potentially benefit from these emerging Alzheimer's treatments, provided they gain approval. However, the Alzheimer's Society warns that the NHS is not yet equipped to administer these treatments on a large scale.

In terms of cost, lecanemab is currently priced at around $27,500 (£21,000) in the US. The UK's drug watchdog NICE has commenced its appraisal of donanemab for treating mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Eli Lilly has applied for approval for donanemab in the US and plans to do so in the UK shortly.

In conclusion, donanemab signifies a crucial advancement in the fight against Alzheimer's. Despite the drug's side effects and the challenges associated with large-scale delivery, the potential benefits for millions of people worldwide are undeniable. As Dr Richard Oakley of the Alzheimer’s Society points out, these treatments could mark a turning point in the battle against Alzheimer's, underlining the importance of early and accurate diagnosis for treatment eligibility. As we stand on the brink of this potential medical breakthrough, the world watches in anticipation.

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20.07.2023
THEME: HEALTH

Unprecedented Feline Coronavirus Outbreak in Cyprus: A Threat to Global Cat Population

The island nation of Cyprus, renowned for its rich history and stunning beaches, is confronting an unprecedented crisis. A lethal strain of feline coronavirus, known as feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), has claimed nearly 300,000 cats since the beginning of the year. This outbreak, the first of its kind in magnitude, is affecting both stray and domestic cats and raising alarm among experts who warn of a potential significant death toll among the UK's feline population if the virus spreads.

FIP, a fatal inflammatory condition primarily affecting kittens and young cats, is not new. Symptoms include fever, abdominal swelling, energy loss, and occasionally increased aggression. However, the scale of the current outbreak is unparalleled. Dr. Demetris Epaminondas, vice-president of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association, reports a disturbing rise in FIP cases. Given the total feline population in Cyprus is estimated to be around one million, the impact is significant.

Prof. Danièlle Gunn-Moore, a feline medicine specialist at the University of Edinburgh, suggests that the virus may have mutated into a new, more lethal strain. Her team is currently conducting genome sequencing to confirm this. If true, the implications could be far-reaching, with anecdotal evidence pointing to the virus's presence in Turkey, Lebanon, and possibly Israel.

In response to the crisis, Cyprus's local authorities have taken proactive measures, including setting up an advisory team, launching a media awareness campaign, and initiating legislative changes to permit the use of specific drugs for treatment. These drugs, remdesivir and GS-441524, have shown promise in treating FIP, but their high cost and bureaucratic challenges pose significant barriers. The cost of these drugs can range from £2,500 to £6,000 for a cat weighing between 3kg and 4kg, a price beyond many people's means.

With slow government action, some individuals have resorted to purchasing drugs themselves, leading to a black market for cheap, unlicensed drugs. This development is as concerning as the disease itself. Vasiliki Mani, a member of several animal welfare organizations, spent around £3,000 of her savings on treatments for two sick strays, illustrating the desperate measures being taken.

The situation in Cyprus underscores the interconnectedness of our world and the potential indirect impact of global events like the Covid-19 pandemic on the emergence of new disease strains. The Global Center for Health Security (GCHS), a leading U.S. institution for managing high-consequence infections, is closely monitoring this situation among other disease outbreaks worldwide. The hope is that with continued vigilance and research, solutions can be found to protect our feline friends from this lethal disease.

In conclusion, the unprecedented FIP outbreak in Cyprus serves as a stark reminder of life's fragility and the importance of swift action, comprehensive research, and global cooperation in the face of emerging infectious diseases. As we navigate these challenges, we must remember the lessons learned from this feline fiasco and strive to create a safer world for all inhabitants, big and small.

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