Archiv: and all over sudden.. / und ganz plötzlich..
Vor Herbstlohnrunde: 32.000 bei ÖGB-Demos gegen Teuerung
Der ÖGB bekam unmittelbar vor Beginn der Demos auch Unterstützung von höchster politischer Stelle. Bundespräsident Alexander Van der Bellen teilte via Twitter mit, dass er die Anliegen der Kundgebungen unteAuf Bannern und Transparenten hieß es etwa „Kostenexplosion stoppen“ und „Keine Profite mit Hungersmiete“. Auf einem Banner des Pensionistenverbands, der sich den Demos anschloss, hieß es: „Wir wollen keine Millionen, wir wollen essen, heizen, wohnen“.rstütze.
Railroad strike averted after marathon talks reach tentative deal
The deal gives the union members an immediate 14% raise with back pay dating back to 2020, and raises totaling 24% during the five-year life of the contract, that runs from 2020 through 2024. It also gives them cash bonuses of $1,000 a year.
Few other details of the deal have so far been made public. But the statement from Biden indicated that the major issue that had brought the country within a day of its first national rail strike in 30 years had been addressed in the unions’ favor.
Lapid: Israel conducting ‘successful’ campaign to thwart Iran nuke deal, but still ‘long way’ to go
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Sunday described as “successful” his government’s diplomatic offensive against a revival of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. However, he conceded that there was a “long way” to go to ensure that Tehran does not benefit to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars should an accord be reached.
PM Lapid: „I thank France, the United Kingdom, and Germany for their strong position on this matter. In recent months, we held a discreet and intensive dialogue with them, and presented them with up-to-date intelligence information about Iranian activity at nuclear sites.“
(11.09.2022)
Iran – Joint statement by France, Germany and the United Kingdom (10 September 2022)
Our position remains clear and steadfast. Iran must fully and, without delay, cooperate in good faith with the IAEA. It is up to Iran to provide technically credible answers to the IAEA’s questions on the whereabouts of all nuclear material on its territory. The JCPoA can in no way be used to release Iran from legally binding obligations that are essential to the global non-proliferation regime.
Given Iran’s failure to conclude the deal on the table we will consult, alongside international partners, on how best to address Iran’s continued nuclear escalation and lack of cooperation with the IAEA regarding its NPT safeguards agreement.
Cum-Ex-Affäre: Mails von Scholz‘ Büroleiterin durchsucht
Am 21. April dieses Jahres beschlagnahmten Ermittler aus Nordrhein-Westfalen das E-Mail-Postfach von Jeanette Schwamberger, Büroleiterin im Kanzleramt und seit Jahren eine der engsten Vertrauten von Kanzler Olaf Scholz. Dies geht aus Unterlagen hervor, die dem NDR, dem „Stern“ und dem „Manager Magazin“ vorliegen.
Warren returns to campaign spotlight
The liberal lawmaker has kept a relatively low profile since suspending her presidential bid to endorse Joe Biden. Vowing to be a trusted ally to his administration, she’s quietly lent a hand on policy and personnel decisions and sponsored bills to advance progressives’ top concerns.
But increasingly, Warren is also resurfacing nationally, adopting a front-facing role as a campaign surrogate for progressive candidates in swing states.
Europe Does A Complete U-Turn On African Oil And Gas
„The gas here goes to Bonny and Europe to power homes and industries but we have no benefits from it,“ one local community development activist from the Niger Delta told Bloomberg recently. „Nothing comes to us.“
The comment was part of an in-depth analysis by Bloomberg on Europe’s mad dash for gas that has seen Nigeria, for example, send millions of tons of LNG abroad while local communities use illegally made fuels and wood to stay warm. Nigeria is far from the only one.
Europe’s Rush to Buy Africa’s Natural Gas Draws Cries of Hypocrisy
The issue of climate finance will likely dominate this year’s COP27 talks in Egypt, which is set to focus heavily on solutions for Africa. The future of gas will also be a key topic given the host nation and many developing countries see it as a way to move away from coal, according to Kwasi Kwarteng, business secretary of the UK, which hosted last year’s summit. “For them, gas is part of the transition.“
The International Energy Agency, which last year called for an end to new fossil fuel developments, in a recent report argued that Africa should be allowed to exploit its gas resources.
Von der Leyen fordert Energiesolidarität
Die Volkswirtschaften in der EU seien eng miteinander verwoben, der EU-Binnenmarkt sei das „Herz unserer Wirtschaft“. „Deshalb ist es wichtig, dass alle Mitgliedstaaten die Nachfrage drosseln, dass alle mehr speichern und mit denjenigen Mitgliedern teilen, die stärker betroffen sind“, ergänzte von der Leyen. Energiesolidarität sei ein „Grundprinzip der europäischen Verträge“.
Israel Downs Unarmed Hezbollah Drones Believed to Be Heading for Gas Rig
Israeli military sources say …
Israel mit neuem Ministerpräsidenten: Lapid übernimmt
Auf der Grundlage des Koalitionsvertrags aus dem vergangenen Jahr ging der Posten heute vom bisherigen Regierungschef Naftali Bennett auf den 58 Jahre alten Vorsitzenden der moderaten Zukunftspartei über. Damit ist in Israel seit mehr als 20 Jahren erstmals wieder ein Ministerpräsident im Amt, der nicht aus dem rechten Lager stammt.
As France returns to the polls, can Mélenchon’s left deprive Macron of a majority?
“Jean-Luc Mélenchon pulled off an extraordinary PR coup,” said Pascal Perrineau, a professor of political science at Sciences-Po Paris. “Asking the French to elect him prime minister might sound absurd, but it was an extremely shrewd strategy. It allowed him to both supplant Le Pen as Macron’s chief opponent and cast himself as the pillar of a revamped left.”
The PR stunt was soon followed by another tour de force, which even critics have hailed as a masterstroke. In the days following Macron’s re-election, Mélenchon and his team engineered what many had come to see as an impossible feat: a broad alliance of France’s deeply fractured left, united around a common policy platform and fielding a single candidate in each of France’s 577 constituencies.
It’s like Putin is going out of his way to encourage Sweden and Finland to join NATO as rapidly as possible.
Sweden says Russian plane violated airspace as NATO application looms
(30.04.2022)
A statement from the Swedish Armed Forces said the aircraft, an Antonov An-30, was first located when it was east of Bornholm and flying towards Swedish territory. It briefly violated Swedish airspace before leaving the area.
“Swedish fighter jets followed the incident and photographed the plane,” the defense ministry said.
„Verzerrtes Bild“: Lauterbach wegen Corona-Daten in der Kritik
Der Unions-Gesundheitsexperte im Bundestag, Tino Sorge, spricht auf BR24-Anfrage von „bemerkenswerten“ Ergebnissen: „Eine große Zahl von Patienten ist nicht wegen Corona im Krankenhaus. Stattdessen wird Corona oft nur zufällig entdeckt, ist eine Nebendiagnose und verläuft mild bis asymptomatisch.“ Für alle Krankenhäuser in Bayern oder Deutschland fehlt eine solche Differenzierung nach wie vor. Tino Sorge hält diese „Daten-Unsicherheit“ für nicht akzeptabel.
Israel, like Slovakia, condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and calls for an end to the fighting. There is no justification for violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and there is no justification for attacks on a civilian population.
(14.03.2022)
Israel will not be a route to bypass sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States & other western countries.
(14.03.2022)
@IsraelMFA is coordinating the issue together with partners including the Bank of Israel, @Israel_MOF, @Misrad_Calcala, the Airports Authority, @Energy_IL, & others.
Trudeau ends use of Emergencies Act, says ’situation is no longer an emergency‘
(Feb 23, 2022)
„We are confident that existing laws and bylaws are now sufficient to keep people safe.“
The Governor General signed off on the revocation on Wednesday afternoon, which formally ended the state of emergency.
MPs in the House of Commons voted to affirm use of the act on Monday. The Senate was in the midst of debating the act on Wednesday but withdrew the motion shortly after Trudeau made his announcement.
Nehammer rückt von Impfpflicht ab, Impflotterie abgesagt
(heute)
Bundeskanzler Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) schließt das Aussetzen der eben erst in Kraft getretenen Impfpflicht gegen das Coronavirus nicht aus, nachdem immer mehr Politiker und Experten in diese Richtung drängen. Wenn sich die von der Regierung beauftragten Experten dafür aussprechen, das Gesetz auszusetzen, werde man das machen, sagte Nehammer in der „Kronen Zeitung“ am Sonntag. Zudem verkündete er das Ende der Impflotterie.
Tirols Ärztekammerpräsident fordert Aussetzen der Impfpflicht
(heute)
Tirols Ärztekammerpräsident Artur Wechselberger spricht sich „zumindest für ein Aussetzen“ der beschlossenen Impfpflicht gegen das Coronavirus aus. Man müsse sich unter anderem die Frage stellen, ob es „noch unbedingt notwendig ist, diese Spaltung der Gesellschaft in Kauf zu nehmen“, sagte Wechselberger.
Nach Bayern nun auch Sachsen: Keine Umsetzung der Pfleger-Impfpflicht
Sachsen will nun Beschlüsse auf der Bund-Länder-Konferenz am 16. Februar abwarten – so seien noch „zu viele Fragen offen“. Ein ursprünglich für diesen Freitag angekündigter Erlass des Sozialministeriums zur praktischen Umsetzung der Impfpflicht werde deshalb zurückgezogen.
Söder kündigt an: Pfleger-Impfpflicht wird in Bayern nicht durchgesetzt
Bayerns Ministerpräsident Markus Söder kündigt an, die Impfpflicht für medizinisches Personal in Bayern zunächst auszusetzen. Folgen weitere Ministerpräsidenten, ist das Debakel für Lauterbach und Scholz komplett.
A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Lockdowns on COVID-19 Mortality
While this meta-analysis concludes that lockdowns have had little to no public health effects, they have imposed enormous economic and social costs where they have been adopted. In
consequence, lockdown policies are ill-founded and should be rejected as a pandemic policy instrument.
Meta-Studie: Lockdown und Schulschließungen praktisch wirkungslos
Die Meta-Studie der Johns-Hopkins-Universität bestätigt nun das Versagen der Bundesregierung, das für aufmerksame Beobachter schon vor über einem Jahr klar war. Besonders pikant: Das von einem Merkel-Vertrauten geleitete Bundesverfassungsgericht hatte die Ausgangssperren, Kontaktbeschränkungen und Schulschließungen Ende 2021 noch als „wirkungsvoll“ und damit verfassungsgemäß eingestuft – offensichtlich bar jeder wissenschaftlichen Evidenz. Laut den Richtern haben Ausgangsbeschränkungen ebenso wie die Schulschließungen in ihrer „Gesamtheit dem Lebens- und Gesundheitsschutz sowie der Aufrechterhaltung eines funktionsfähigen Gesundheitssystems als überragend wichtigen Gemeinwohlbelangen“ gedient.
U-turn on mandatory Covid vaccinations for NHS and social care workers
Mandatory Covid jabs for NHS and social care workers are set to be scrapped, The Telegraph can reveal, after warnings of crippling staff shortages if the plan went ahead.
Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, will on Monday meet fellow ministers on the Covid-Operations Cabinet committee to rubber stamp the decision on the about-turn.
Berset gibt den Ausstiegsfahrplan vor – auch Zertifikat soll fallen: Massnahmen bis 16. Februar weg!
Wie lange das Masketragen noch bleibt und ob wir uns künftig wie asiatische Touristen eine Hygienemaske aufsetzen, wenn wir Schnupfen haben oder uns unwohl fühlen, wird sich weisen.
Doch das, was SP-Bundesrat Berset am Freitag bekannt gab, ist weit mehr als bloss die Rücknahme von ein paar lästigen Corona-Massnahmen. Es ist die Abkehr vom Corona-Modus.
Rishi Sunak ‚thinks Boris Johnson WON’T survive Partygate and has ALEADY built a dummy campaign website as he prepares leadership bid‘
– Rishi Sunak ‚thinks Boris Johnson won’t survive Partygate and has built a dummy campaign website‘
– The Chancellor is said to be preparing a leadership campaign in the event the Prime Minister is deposed
– Mr Johnson is fighting for his political life as he awaits results of inquiry into ‚Partygate‘ drama
– His wife Carrie Johnson is accused of organising a cake for Mr Johnson’s 56th birthday party in June 2020
– Miss Gray is said to be furious that Scotland Yard has asked for a redacted version of her report
– The Met Police asked for only ‚minimal references‘ to ‚parties‘ at centre of the row to be in document
Freedom at last
At the stroke of midnight, England became the freest country in Europe. From today, there’s no more mandatory masks, no more Covid passports and no more government guidance to work from home. The ‘Plan B’ restrictions have been allowed to expire.
That’s worth savouring for a moment.
Boris Johnson comes out ahead of Pork Pie plotters with big slice of good Covid news
There were signs last night of a dying down of the plot — named after more than a dozen MPs met in the office of Alicia Kearns, whose Rutland and Melton seat is the home of pork pie making.
The rebels were still short of gathering the 54 letters needed to be sent to backbench 1922 committee chairman Sir Graham Brady in order to trigger a vote of no confidence in the PM.
In this clip, @JakeTapper is absolutely right that counting all people in the hospital WITH COVID as being there FOR COVID is wildly misleading — especially since it applies to close to 50% — but it’s so striking how many arguments that were long taboo are now all being aired.
Jake Tapper Rails Against ‚Misleading‘ CDC COVID Hospitalization Numbers
Tapper said: „We’re two years into this and we need the clearest picture possible if somebody is in the hospital with a broken leg and they also have asymptomatic COVID. That should not be counted as hospitalized with COVID, clearly.“
CDC Director: 75% of COVID Deaths Among Vaccinated had Four Comorbidities
Ahead of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on vaccine mandates expected as early as this week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control is under increased scrutiny after recent comments about COVID-19 deaths.
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky fell into controversy after a clip of her appearance on Good Morning America Friday went viral.
„Probleme mit der Immunreaktion“ – EMA warnt vor zu häufigen Booster-Impfungen
Häufiges Boostern mit Coronavirus-Impfstoffen in kurzen Abständen kann zu einer Überlastung des Immunsystems führen. Davon hat Marco Cavalieri, der Direktor für Impfstrategien der Europäischen Arzneimittelagentur (EMA), auf einer Pressekonferenz in Amsterdam berichtet. Wörtlich hieß es:
„Strategien, die die Verabreichung von Auffrischungsdosen in kurzen Abständen innerhalb von vier Monaten vorsehen, können zu Problemen mit der Immunreaktion führen. Die Antwort kann möglicherweise nicht so gut ausfallen, wie wir erwarten.“
Repeat booster shots have immune-system risks: European Medicines Agency
European Union regulators warned that frequent Covid-19 booster shots could adversely affect the immune system and may not be feasible.
Repeat booster doses every four months could eventually weaken the immune system and tire out people, according to the European Medicines Agency.
‚They may go in for a broken leg‘: Fauci says child COVID-19 hospitalizations are overblown
„But the other important thing is that if you look at the children who are hospitalized, many of them are hospitalized with COVID as opposed to because of COVID,“ Fauci continued. „And what we mean by that — if a child goes in the hospital, they automatically get tested for COVID. And they get counted as a COVID-hospitalized individual. When in fact, they may go in for a broken leg or appendicitis or something like that. So it’s overcounting the number of children who are, quote, ‚hospitalized with COVID,‘ as opposed to because of COVID.“
NEW – Dr. Fauci: „Important thing: Many of the children are hospitalized with Covid as opposed to because of Covid.“
(31.12.2021)
White House lifting omicron travel ban on South Africa and seven other southern African countries
(24.12.2021)
White House spokesman Kevin Munoz said on Twitter that the decision was recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Munoz said the temporary travel bans bought scientists necessary time to study the new virus variant and conclude that the current vaccinations are effective in blunting its impact.
South Africa’s huge omicron wave appears to be subsiding just as quickly as it grew
(22.12.2021)
South Africa’s top infectious-disease scientist, who has been leading the country’s pandemic response, said Wednesday that the country had rapidly passed the peak of new omicron cases and, judging by preliminary evidence, he expected “every other country, or almost every other, to follow the same trajectory.”
Run into an anti-vaccine protest in Lisbon. They’re protesting vaccines for children.
Die „epidemische Lage nationaler Tragweite“ soll nach dem Willen von Gesundheitsminister Jens #Spahn auslaufen. Er begründet es damit, dass das Risiko für geimpfte Personen laut #RKI inzwischen moderat is
(18.10.2021)
Tichy:Spahn will epidemische Notlage auslaufen lassen: Bundesgesundheitsminister Jens Spahn sprach sich in einer Konferenz der Gesundheitsminister der Länder dafür aus, die „epidemische Lage von nationaler Tragweite“ – Grundlage zahlreicher…
(18.10.2021)
„Vertrauen in den Staat erschüttert“ – Ex-Verfassungsgerichts-Präsident zerlegt Corona-Politik
„Die Freiheitsbeschränkungen in der Corona-Krise waren intensiv und vielfältig, und ihre rechtsstaatliche Aufarbeitung ist bei Weitem noch nicht abgeschlossen. Bei aller Hoffnung, dass die Zeit der wesentlichen Freiheitseinschränkungen zu Ende geht, ist diese Aufarbeitung dringend geboten: politisch und durch die Gerichte, die bislang ja fast nur vorläufige Eil-, aber keine endgültigen Entscheidungen über die Rechtmäßigkeit der Maßnahmen getroffen haben.“
Die „Erosion unserer Freiheitsrechte“ habe keineswegs mit der Corona-Krise begonnen, sondern wurde „durch die Pandemie lediglich erheblich beschleunigt“, so der frühere oberste Verfassungshüter.
EU erhielt die zwölfte Cybersicherheitsorganisation
(04.07.2021)
Ein aktuelles, schlagendes Beispiel dafür ist die Neufassung der deutschen Cybersicherheitsstrategie. In Deutschland ist es Teil dieser Strategie, gewisse neuentdeckte Software-Sicherheitslücken für Polizei – und Geheimdienste offenzuhalten, die deutsche Cyberbehörde ZiTis soll die zugehörige Trojaner-Schadsoftware für mehrere Dutzend deutsche Bundes- Landesbehörden entwickeln.
Machtwechsel in Afghanistan: „Totalversagen der Bundesregierung“
Ruttig: Man hat von Anfang an auf einen verengten und falschen Kreis von Leuten gesetzt, und damit meine ich nicht in erster Linie die Präsidenten und ihre Kabinette und Berater. Sondern ich meine die Warlords, auf die man als Hauptkraft im Kampf gegen die Taliban gesetzt hat. Man hat ihnen dafür große Teile des politischen Systems überlassen und die Augen vor ihrer Korruption, Verwicklung in den Drogenhandel, Kriegsverbrechen und schlimmsten Menschenrechtsverletzungen verschlossen. Das hat das untergraben, was eine entstehende afghanische Demokratie hätte sein können.
Israeli Data Suggests Possible Waning in Effectiveness of Pfizer Vaccine
(today)
The new numbers still show overwhelmingly strong protection against severe disease but diminished effectiveness against infection.
EU erhielt die zwölfte Cybersicherheitsorganisation
(04.07.2021)
Ein aktuelles, schlagendes Beispiel dafür ist die Neufassung der deutschen Cybersicherheitsstrategie. In Deutschland ist es Teil dieser Strategie, gewisse neuentdeckte Software-Sicherheitslücken für Polizei – und Geheimdienste offenzuhalten, die deutsche Cyberbehörde ZiTis soll die zugehörige Trojaner-Schadsoftware für mehrere Dutzend deutsche Bundes- Landesbehörden entwickeln.
Spähsoftware: Merkel fordert Verkaufslimit für „Pegasus“
Merkel erklärte, der Verkauf der Software müsse an restriktive Bedingungen geknüpft werden. So solle sie nicht an Länder geliefert werden, „in den eine gerichtliche Überwachung von solchen Angriffen vielleicht nicht gesichert ist“.
AZ jab: People may be three times more likely to get Covid symptoms than Pfizer’s – study
(16.07.2021)
THE ASTRAZENECA vaccine has given the UK a decisive edge in the vaccine race but with Freedom Day fast approaching, new SAGE figures may provide a cause for concern. According to the panel of experts advising Downing Street, those fully vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine have a three-fold risk of getting Covid symptoms if infected compared with those who got Pfizer and Moderna.
Merkel urged to drop all remaining Covid restrictions
Heiko Maas, the foreign minister, on Tuesday became the latest high-profile figure to join calls for restrictions to end as soon as all Germans have been offered the jab.
“If everyone in Germany has been offered the vaccine, there is no longer any legal or political justification for any restrictions,” said Mr Maas. “This can be expected by August.”
Was vom GG noch übrig ist
Pünktlich zum 203. Geburtstag von Karl Marx, also mit Schreiben vom 5. Mai 2021, erklärte die deutsche Bundesregierung: Die Tageszeitung junge Welt sei marxistisch, was nicht sein dürfe, behaupte die Existenz von Klassen als Grundstruktur der Gesellschaft, was ebenfalls nicht sein dürfe. Deshalb soll die Zeitung ökonomisch klein gehalten und medial in Verruf gebracht werden, um bestehende und zukünftige Geschäftspartner und Leser zumindest zu verunsichern.
Coronavirus latest news: Stop daily case updates as virus no longer ‚important cause of mortality‘, says JCVI scientist
He joins a growing number of MPs and leading scientists, including Prof Tim Spector, of King’s College London, warning the daily slew of Covid statistics are terrifying people and they lack any context, such as figures on flu, heart disease and cancer.
Conservative MPs are pressing Downing Street to follow officials in Quebec, Canada, and Singapore by moving to weekly updates or similar, ahead of the July 19 unlocking.
Kritik des Bundesrechnungshofs – Meldeten Kliniken falsche Intensiv-Zahlen?
„Das RKI äußerte gegenüber dem BMG mit Schreiben vom 11. Januar 2021 die Vermutung, dass Krankenhäuser zum Teil weniger intensivmedizinische Behandlungsplätze meldeten, als tatsächlich vorhanden waren.“
(…)
Der BRH merkte jedoch an, dass Intensivkapazitäten teils rückwirkend korrigiert wurden.
(…)
Dass es lange Zeit keine einheitliche Definition gab, was genau ein Corona-Intensivbett ausmacht, haben diverse Gremien und Forscher immer wieder kritisiert.
Ursprung von Sars-CoV-2: Nach 18 Monaten immer noch im Dunkeln
Auch bei dem in der kommenden Woche in Brüssel anstehenden EU-USA-Gipfel wird eine entsprechende Erklärung dieses Inhalts erwartet. Im Entwurf der Erklärung heißt es, eine „transparente, faktengestützte und von Experten geleitete“ Untersuchung unter Leitung der WHO sei notwendig. Diese müsse „frei von Beeinflussungen“ stattfinden.
Secret report by respected US government laboratory concluded in May last year that it was plausible coronavirus LEAKED from Wuhan lab – and said theory deserved further investigation
Scientists at the the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, near Berkeley, analyzed the genetic makeup of the virus to try to understand how it evolved.
They passed their May 27, 2020 findings on to the State Department in October. The five-month delay was not explained.
On January 15 the State Department published a fact sheet about COVID-19, which said that ‚circumstantial‘ evidence suggested a lab leak theory was possible.
The secret document the California lab produced was not known about until Monday, when The Wall Street Journal reported on its existence.
Wer ist morgen dran? Erste Pressestimmen zur Beobachtung durch den Verfassungsschutz
Die Meldung über die Beobachtung einer Tageszeitung durch Regierung und Verfassungsschutz wegen ihrer nicht genehmen politischen Linie fand in deutschen Tages- und Regionalzeitungen oder Funkanstalten bisher wenig Beachtung. Um so mehr Interesse zeigten ausländische Medien: Der russische Sender RT deutsch gab den Vorfall in Kürze wieder und schob ein Interview mit jW-Chefredakteur Stefan Huth hinterher.
AIPAC congratulates Bennett, Lapid for establishing ‚diverse‘ coalition
AIPAC also reiterated its dedication to strengthen ties with the new prospective government and the United States, to „advance our shared interests and values.“
UK intelligence reassesses COVID lab leak theory, now says its ‘feasible’
British intelligence services are now reportedly reassessing their position on the theory that COVID-19 leaked from a lab in China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology.
A Sunday report from the Sunday Times of London quotes British spies who initially dismissed the lab leak theory, but now say it is „feasible.“
Coronavirus ‘lab leak’ theory jumps from mocked to maybe as Biden orders intelligence review
Far from dismissing the lab-leak theory, however, President Biden has told his spies to see if the previous administration’s officials, whose work some of his own skeptical aides have called tendentious and overreaching, may have been right to question the lab and conduct a thorough investigation. The White House recently was told that a large amount of information remained to be examined that could shed light on the question, according to a senior administration official who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
Israel Coalition Talks: Islamist Party Freezes Negotiations in Wake of Jerusalem, Gaza Flare-up
Lapid was supposed to meet on Monday with Yamina chairman Naftali Bennett and United Arab List leader Mansour Abbas, but the latter suspended coalition negotiations and put off the meeting due to the security situation.
Neue Dokumente: U-Boot-Geschäft mit Israel wirft Fragen auf
Derzeit prüft der Oberste Gerichtshof in Jerusalem, ob neue Untersuchungen eingeleitet werden müssen. Dafür liegen ihm unter anderem mehr als ein Dutzend Aussagen hochrangiger Zeugen vor. Darunter die des früheren Premierministers Ehud Barak, des Ex-Verteidigungsministers Mosche Jaalon, der ehemaligen Chefs des Geheimdienstes Mossad und von Generälen und Generalstabschefs. Eingesammelt und dem Gerichtshof vorgelegt hat sie die israelische Nichtregierungsorganisation „Movement for Quality Government in Israel“. WDR, NDR und „Süddeutsche Zeitung“ (SZ) konnten sie einsehen.
UN rights chief accuses Iran of targeting minority groups
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Friday accused Iran of “persistent impunity for human rights violations” in regions including Sistan-Baluchestan.
“In Iran, an apparently coordinated campaign has been targeting minority groups since December, including in Sistan and Baluchestan, Khuzestan, and in the Kurdish provinces,” Bachelet told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Israeli studies find Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine reduces transmission
(19.02.2021)
Findings of the pre-published study, not yet peer-reviewed, but based on a national database that is one of the world’s most advanced, were first reported by the Israeli news site Ynet late on Thursday and were obtained by Reuters on Friday.
Pfizer declined to comment and the Israeli Health Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
Vor CDU-Präsidium – Merkel skizziert Weg aus dem Shutdown
Ihren Stufenplan präzisierte sie dabei: Öffnungsschritte müssten gekoppelt mit vermehrten Tests klug eingeführt werden, sagte Merkel am Montag nach Angaben von Teilnehmern in Online-Beratungen des CDU-Präsidiums. Die Sehnsucht der Bürger nach einer Öffnungsstrategie sei groß, das verstehe sie.
Söder kündigt für nächste Woche weitere Öffnungen an
In Bayern sollen laut Ministerpräsident Söder nächste Woche neben Friseuren auch Fußpflegepraxen öffnen dürfen. Zudem sollen Gärtnereien, Gartenmärkte und Blumenläden wieder ihre Waren verkaufen dürfen, wie Söder in München ankündigte.
South Africa switches to J&J’s ‘silver bullet’ as AstraZeneca vaccine falters against local variant of coronavirus
“Unfortunately, viruses mutate. Sometimes this is by accident. But often the reason is that the virus wants to become more adept to infect the host.”
This, Madhi explained, was what had happened with the South African variant as well as another variant that was first identified in the United Kingdom.
Exclusive: Boris Johnson pushes to reopen schools as Covid cases fall
(today)
Boris Johnson has ordered ministers to ramp up preparations for reopening schools after being told the UK is now past the peak of the current wave of coronavirus.
The Prime Minister has made it clear that the Government’s immediate focus must be on education and is expected to announce further measures to help children catch up after almost a year of disruption.
Anschober will Kontrolloffensive gegen B.1.1.7 starten
Alle Experten seien sich aber einig, dass sich die Variante durchsetzen wird, wenn sie nicht von noch besser angepassten Nachfolgern überholt wird. Die Studien, die B.1.1.7 eine höhere Infektiösität bescheinigen, seien „sehr sauber gemacht“, man hoffe aber auf zusätzliche Evidenz aus dem Labor.
Corona-Impfstoff Pfizer kürzt Lieferungen für Europa
Hintergrund ist, dass Pfizer seine Anlagen ausbauen will, um die Impfstoffproduktion zu erhöhen – von derzeit 1,3 Milliarden auf zwei Milliarden Dosen jährlich. Dies werde vorübergehende Auswirkungen auf die Lieferungen Ende Januar bis Anfang Februar haben, so der US-Konzern. Im Werk im belgischen Puurs könne es bei Aufträgen und Lieferungen zu Schwankungen kommen.
Trying to livestream at US Capitol and unable to even from a block or two away
A protester is sitting in the chair of the presiding officer of the Senate.
2 buildings nearby U.S. Capitol evacuated, Congress on lockdown
Outside, protesters could be heard chanting „USA, USA!“ and „This is our house“ as they quickly began forcefully removing metal barriers.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told a Downing Street briefing the old tiering system was not enough to control the new variant of the Covid virus, as he announced stricter curbs for Sussex and part of Surrey.
The UK has detected two cases of another „more transmissible“ variant of coronavirus, the health secretary Matt Hancock says.
Brexit poses grave risks to UK health and care sector, report finds
The Nuffield Trust thinktank stated: “The perilously uncertain future facing the UK at the end of the Brexit transition period could put the UK’s health and care system at risk.”
The report said new migration rules, possible disruption to medicines and devices, an ongoing economic slowdown and barriers to science investment would hit the health sector.
Researchers looking at new coronavirus strain, says health minister
Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, told a press conference that London was being moved to more stringent Tier 3 restrictions because cases were surging in and around the capital — and not directly in response to the discovery of the new variant.
What is ‚VUI – 202012/01‘? Matt Hancock reveals new fast-spreading strain of coronavirus could be behind surging cases in London and the South East – but it has ‚only been found in 1,000 people and isn’t more deadly‘
However, there have been three that have caught scientists‘ attention:
D614G
D614G is by far the most common strain of coronavirus affecting humans worldwide and first appeared in February in Germany.
It is thought to account for 85 per cent of global cases.
The D614G mutation sprung up at one specific location, position 614, on the spike protein of the virus, in a European patient.
This viral spike hijacks the human receptor ACE2 and this is how it infects human cells.
Biontech-Pfizer-Impfstoff: Britische Behörde warnt Allergiker
Laut dem von Pfizer veröffentlichten Studienprotokoll wurden in der zulassungsrelevanten Untersuchung aber keine Teilnehmer aufgenommen, die eine Vorgeschichte schwerer Nebenwirkungen im Zusammenhang mit einem Impfstoff und/oder schwerer allergischer Reaktionen auf einen Inhaltsstoff der Studie haben.
Das MHRA hatte als weltweit erste Regulierungsbehörde dem Impfstoff vor einer Woche eine Notfallgenehmigung erteilt. Sie will die Fälle nun untersuchen.
Warning after two NHS workers have allergic reaction to Pfizer/BioNTech Covid vaccine
They developed symptoms of “anaphylactoid reaction” shortly after receiving the vaccine, but both recovered after the appropriate treatment.
After the incident, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) told NHS trusts that anyone who has a history of “significant” allergic reactions – including to medicines, food or vaccines – should not currently receive the vaccine.
Vaccination cards will be issued to everyone getting Covid-19 vaccine, health officials say
(02.12.2020)
„Everyone will be issued a written card that they can put in their wallet that will tell them what they had and when their next dose is due,“ Moore said. „Let’s do the simple, easy thing first. Everyone’s going to get that.“
‚Immunity Cards‘ To Be Issued To All Americans; Enable CDC To Track COVID-19 Vaxx Status In Database
On Wednesday the Department of Defense released the first images of a COVID-19 vaccination record card as well as vaccination kits, according to CNN.
„Everyone will be issued a written card that they can put in their wallet that will tell them what they had and when their next dose is due,“ says Dr. Kelly Moore, associate director of the Immunization Action Coalition.
‚Freedom Pass‘: Will Switzerland introduce a British-style coronavirus immunity card?
Ruth Humbel, a National Councillor with the Swiss People’s Party, said that people who are immune to the virus should receive a card or certificate which will allow them to participate in certain activities, such as going to football games, clubs or travelling, 20 Minutes reports.
No10 stops short of ruling out Covid ‚immunity passports‘ despite saying it is ’not something the PM wants‘ – as Wales raises fears of spot checks at pubs and shops by bringing in ID-style cards for people who get vaccine
– Pfizer vaccines licensed by UK regulator and will be distributed from next week
– Wales says people will be issued with ID-style cards to show they have had jab
– Fears that pubs and shops could demand proof of vaccine before allowing entry
Challenges in Assessing the Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccines
Determining whether a vaccine can protect against severe disease and death from COVID-19 may not be possible in phase 3 clinical trials and will often require long-term, ongoing studies after widespread deployment of a vaccine.
To ensure ongoing evaluation of vaccine safety, well-supported pharmacovigilance studies after licensure will be necessary.
Pfizer chairman: We’re not sure if someone can transmit virus after vaccination
Pfizer chairman Albert Bourla told Dateline host Lester Holt that the pharmaceutical company was “not certain” if the vaccine prevented the coronavirus from being transmitted, saying, “This is something that needs to be examined.”
WHO: Impfungen allein reichen nicht
„Die Impfungen alleine werden den Job nicht machen“, sagte WHO-Experte Mike Ryan heute in Genf. Sie seien zweifelsfrei ein mächtiges und wirkungsvolles Werkzeug. Aber viele bisherige Hygieneregeln wie soziale Distanz, das Tragen von Masken und häufiges Händewaschen müssten zunächst weiterhin beachtet werden.
Anschlag in Wien: Observation Mitte Juli abgebrochen
Just als der Attentäter am 21. Juli in der Slowakei Munition für sein Sturmgewehr kaufen wollte, stellte der Verfassungsschutz die Observationen ein.
Auf den Terroranschlag folgt EU-Verschlüsselungsverbot
In Brüssel wird so ein Anlass seit 25 Jahren mit schnöder Regelmäßigkeit dafür missbraucht, längst geplante Überwachungsvorhaben durchzusetzen.
I’m noticing increasing hatred towards Substack, as if independent reporting creates distrust. It’s a bizarre authoritarian strain, last seen in the mid-2000s dismissal of ‚bloggers‘ who didn’t like the war in Iraq. Blogger ethics panel!
German Pfizer vaccine could be ready before Oxford-AstraZeneca injection and be given to Brits before Christmas
Ms Bingham was appointed chair of the UK’s Vaccine Taskforce for Covid-19 in May and reports directly to the Prime Minister on the progress of a coronavirus vaccine, which experts say is key to controlling the pandemic.
The taskforce, which Ms Bingham says was the ‚brainchild of Sir Patrick Vallance‘ — Number 10’s chief scientific adviser, is at the forefront of putting plans in place to get the UK population vaccinated.
MV streicht die Quarantänepflicht für innerdeutsche Urlauber
(17.10.2020)
Nach wochenlangem Streit und wenige Tage vor einem dazu erwarteten Gerichtsurteil einigten sich Landesregierung und Tourismusbranche am Sonnabend auf einen Kompromiss. Für Urlauber im Nordosten reicht von kommendem Mittwoch an ein negativer Corona-Test aus, der nicht älter als 48 Stunden ist. Die bislang zusätzlich geforderte Quarantäne von mindestens fünf Tagen und ein folgender zweiter Test entfallen
2 GOP senators test positive for COVID-19 after Trump; Democrats say it’s ‚premature‘ to move forward with Barrett confirmation hearings
Despite the concerns, Senate Republican leaders say they want to move ahead with confirmation hearings for Barrett, which are slated to begin Oct. 12. Both Lee and Tillis are members of the 22-member Senate Judiciary Committee that will hold the hearings and ultimately decide whether his confirmation will move forward for a vote in the full Senate.
Positive Tests for Senators Raise Questions About Timing of Barrett Hearings
Two Republican senators on the pivotal Judiciary Committee have tested positive for the coronavirus after attending White House events last week announcing Mr. Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, throwing the future of her Supreme Court confirmation hearings into question.
Trump’s Diagnosis Imperils Quick Supreme Court Confirmation Timeline
But by Friday evening, with the White House and Congress in turmoil and two Republican members of the Judiciary Committee, Senators Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, among those announcing they had tested positive for the virus, it was clear that the challenge had grown steeper.
Top Republicans insisted they would move ahead at an uncommonly swift pace to hold hearings on Judge Barrett’s nomination by Oct. 12, send her nomination to the full Senate by Oct. 22 and confirm her as soon as Oct. 26, eight days before Election Day — even if it meant breaking Senate norms and considering a lifetime judicial nomination by videoconference.
Coronavirus Israel Live: Netanyahu Says Exit Strategy May Take Six Months to a Year
Netanyahu says lockdown won’t be lifted in a month ■ Knesset passes law limiting protests
Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets After Troops Fired on From Lebanon, Military Says
The military struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon after troops were fired upon from across the border, the military said early Wednesday, after announcing a „security incident“ at the border late Tuesday evening.
No soldiers were hurt, the army said.
Netanyahu calls reported US F-35 sales to UAE ‚fake news‘
(19.08.2020)
But Netanyahu said Israel would oppose such a deal, as the Israeli military must maintain superiority in the region.
The peace agreement “did not include Israel’s consent to any arms deal whatsoever between the United States and the UAE,” according to a statement from Netanyahu’s office.
“The U.S. made clear to Israel that it will always ensure to protect Israel’s qualitative edge.”
The day has finally arrived. I have waited a long time to share my truth. To read the foreword and pre-order my book DISLOYAL, visit …
Israel: Gantz quarantined after being exposed to COVID-19 patient
Israel’s Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz, has entered quarantine after being exposed to a coronavirus carrier, Hebrew outlets reported Wednesday.
Gantz’s home will be equipped with the means necessary for him to fulfill his role, a defense ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
Amid Virus Surge, Republicans Abruptly Urge Masks Despite Trump’s Resistance
Masks became a political cause for some in the early months of the pandemic. A growing set of Republican leaders are suddenly pushing Americans to wear them.
U.S. reports 46,580 new cases of Coronavirus in the last 24 hours, Biggest one-day increase since the pandemic began
(27.06.2020)
New Jersey’s Covid-19 Death Toll Rises 14% When Probable Fatalities Added
(25.06.2020)
New Jersey health officials released figures for probable Covid-19 deaths for the first time, raising the state’s total fatality count from the illness caused by the new coronavirus to nearly 14,900, a 14% increase over previous estimates.
State officials counted 1,854 probable fatalities after investigating death-certificate data dating back to late winter.
Seattle will phase down CHOP at night, police will return to East Precinct, Durkan says
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said Monday that the Seattle Police Department will be returning to its abandoned East Precinct building “peacefully and in the near future,” following a weekend in which three people were shot at the edges of the protest area that has emerged around the building.
Durkan said the city would attempt to phase down nighttime activity in the Capitol Hill Organized Protest area, known as CHOP — or earlier, as CHAZ — but would not be using police to clear the zone
Australien meldet massiven Cyberangriff
Die Beziehungen beider Länder werden auch durch die Corona-Pandemie belastet. Die australische Regierung löste Zorn in Peking aus, indem sie China vorwarf, die Ursprünge der Pandemie zu verschleiern, und eine unabhängige internationale Untersuchung forderte. Die chinesische Regierung riet daraufhin von Reisen nach Australien ab.
‚Cyber attacks‘ point to China’s spy agency, Ministry of State Security, as Huawei payback, say former Australian officials
In August 2018, the Australian Government banned Huawei and other companies from involvement in Australia’s 5G network.
The ABC spoke to two former Australian officials who confirmed that the Huawei ban sparked the malicious cyber campaign. Both spoke on condition of anonymity given the sensitive nature of the story.
Amazon puts one-year moratorium on police use of its facial recognition technology
Amazon on Wednesday announced that it is placing a one-year moratorium on police use of its facial recognition technology, Rekognition.
„We’ve advocated that governments should put in place stronger regulations to govern the ethical use of facial recognition technology, and in recent days, Congress appears ready to take on this challenge,“ the company wrote in a blog post.
George Floyd protests have created a multicultural movement that’s making history
In this way, Floyd’s killing has created a wide, multicultural activist movement unprecedented in scope when compared with other notorious cases of police abuse. The 1991 videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King by Los Angeles Police Department officers provoked an international outcry, but it did not spark anything close to this movement.
National Guard activated in nearly a dozen states amid unrest over George Floyd death
Governors in nearly a dozen states plus the District of Columbia have now activated the National Guard amid protests and riots that have broken out in response to George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis police custody earlier this week.
States calling for Guard asistance were California, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Washington state.
White House goes on brief lockdown after protest erupts nearby
The White House went into a brief lockdown on Friday evening as protests over the death of George Floyd raged nearby, according to reporters who said they were in the building at the time.
FDA commissioner and CDC director will testify remotely in Senate hearing
Dr. Robert Redfield, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Dr. Stephen Hahn, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, will testify by video conference at a Senate hearing about the coronavirus next week.
Reports: 11 US Secret Service members currently positive for COVID-19
A spokesperson for DHS reportedly declined to comment on the number of cases.
Fauci to enter ‚modified quarantine‘: report
He will be staying at home and teleworking while wearing a mask continually for 14 days.
U.S. CDC, FDA chiefs in self-quarantine following COVID-19 exposure -statement, report
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn is in self-quarantine for a couple of weeks after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, an FDA spokesman told Reuters late on Friday.
CDC director self-quarantining after COVID-19 exposure at White House
Dr. Robert Redfield, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will self-quarantine for two weeks after he was exposed to a person at the White House who tested positive for Covid-19, a CDC spokesperson confirmed to CNN.
Trump sought a reopening but found the virus in the White House instead
President Donald Trump hoped this would be the week he emerged into a nation recovering from pandemic. Instead the pandemic came to him.
Sprecherin von US-Vizepräsident Pence positiv getestet
„Sie wurde kürzlich getestet, und der Test war negativ, und dann wurde sie heute aus irgendeinem Grund positiv getestet“, sagte Trump gestern im Weißen Haus bei einem Treffen mit republikanischen Senatoren und Abgeordneten. Pence sei seither erneut negativ getestet worden und treffe alle nötigen Vorsichtsmaßnahmen, sagte er weiter.
Positive coronavirus cases shake White House
Miller’s positive test prompted the vice president to delay his takeoff for a trip to Iowa. Six staffers who may have had contact with her deplaned, and all six later tested negative for the virus.
The positive tests reflect the dangers of the virus spreading inside the White House complex, and it further called into question what measures are being taken to try and limit the exposure of the top two elected officials in American government.
Pence press secretary Katie Miller tests positive for coronavirus
Miller is one of Pence’s closest aides and is married to Stephen Miller, one of Trump’s senior advisers.
White House Rattled by a Military Aide’s Positive Coronavirus Test
(07.05.2020)
President Trump said he and Vice President Mike Pence, as well as the White House staff, would now be tested on a daily basis.
The US just reported its deadliest day for coronavirus patients as states reopen, according to WHO
(02.05.2020)
– The U.S. saw 2,909 people die of Covid-19 in 24 hours, according to the data, which was collected as of 4 a.m. ET on Friday.
– That’s the highest daily death toll in the U.S. yet based on a CNBC analysis of the WHO’s daily Covid-19 situation reports.
– The country’s deadliest day comes as state officials weigh reopening parts of the economy and easing stay-at-home orders.
Israel demands more access for UN peacekeepers in Lebanon
The new measures reportedly have the backing of the United States, according to The Times of Israel.
Israel’s envoy, Danny Danon, made the demands during a video press briefing, adding that the UN Security Council must be immediately informed if Lebanon moves to block any of the new measures.
Report: Iran behind recent cyberattack on Israel’s water supply
Iranian hackers said to have routed the attack through servers located in the United States
Iran is the suspected culprit behind last month’s cyberattack on several facilities operated by Israel’s Water Authority, Fox News reported Thursday, citing a source among US officials.
Evidence mounts that outside is safer when it comes to COVID-19
Health experts say people are significantly less likely to get the coronavirus while outside, a fact that could add momentum to calls to reopen beaches and parks closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gov. Cuomo: 66 percent of new hospitalizations in New York are people who were at home
Reaction and analysis from Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel.
Kärnten: Elektronischer Impfpass als Pilotprojekt für ganz Österreich
(25.04.2020)
Beschlossen wurde er bereits im Jahr 2017, umgesetzt ist er bis heute nicht – der elektronische Impfpass. „Wenn nicht jetzt angesichts der Coronasituation, wann dann sollte es allen Akteuren bewusst sein, dass wir den elektronischen Impfpass nicht länger vor uns herschieben können“, appellierte heute im Rahmen der Videokonferenz der Bundeszielsteuerungskommission die Kärntner Gesundheitsreferentin LHStv.in Beate Prettner.
The SAGE files: At least 12 different strains of coronavirus were circulating in the UK in March – including one that has only ever been found in Britain, Government-funded study finds
There is no suggestion that any of the strains are any more potent or infectious than another, infectious disease experts say.
Professor Paul Hunter, at the University of East Anglia, told MailOnline it is ‚entirely plausible‘ this could happen to one of the strains if it continues to evolve.
The report, made public today, was given to the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) in March to help them map the outbreak’s spread.
Israelis Visiting Malls, Markets Will Have to Download Mandatory Coronavirus Tracking App
(29.04.2020)
Shopping malls and markets across Israel, shut due to the coronavirus outbreak, will only be allowed to reopen after the development of a tracking system that would monitor all visitors, Health Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Siman Tov said at a Monday meeting.
All customers will be required to install a tracking app on their phone to enter shopping malls and markets, once these reopen.
Barr tells prosecutors to watch for pandemic restrictions that violate Constitution
In a two-page memorandum to the country’s 93 U.S. attorneys, Barr cautioned that some state and local directives could be infringing on protected religious, speech and economic rights.
“If a state or local ordinance crosses the line from an appropriate exercise of authority to stop the spread of COVID-19 into an overbearing infringement of constitutional and statutory protections, the Department of Justice may have an obligation to address that overreach in federal court,” Barr wrote.
It took SEVENTY (70) days for the CDC to do Coronavirus testing for a patient who died in California! So, now we find out that the first known person died on Feb 6. Who knows the truth about the virus?
(today)
California county may have traced earliest US coronavirus deaths
(today)
Officials said they sent samples from the February deaths to the CDC for testing and that results came back Tuesday.
Space station crew returns to a changed Earth after more than 200 days in orbit
A U.S.-Russian space crew landed safely Friday in the steppes of Kazakhstan, greeted with extra safety precautions brought on by a pandemic that didn’t exist when they left the Earth
President Rivlin refuses Gantz request to extend mandate
If there is indeed no deal by the end of Gantz’s mandate period, there will follow a 21-day window during which any Member of Knesset (MK) could form a government.
Lockdowns can’t end until Covid-19 vaccine found, study says
“While these control measures appear to have reduced the number of infections to very low levels, without herd immunity against Covid-19, cases could easily resurge as businesses, factory operations, and schools gradually resume and increase social mixing, particularly given the increasing risk of imported cases from overseas as Covid-19 continues to spread globally,” says Prof Joseph T Wu from the University of Hong Kong, who co-led the research.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned against the risk of a second wave of infections in the country as the global pandemic continues to spread, state media reports
The IDF’s goal for Bnei Brak: 1,000 tons of food delivered by Passover
The Israel Defense Forces’ 98th Paratroopers Division primary mission is delivering roughly 1,000 tons (over 2 million pounds) of food to needy residents of the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak before the upcoming Passover holiday on Wednesday evening, a senior military official said Monday.
Schumer wants ethics probes over pre-coronavirus stock sales by Burr, Feinstein, others
Schumer, D-N.Y., called for the investigations on MSNBC Saturday after Burr, R-N.C., Feinstein, D-Calif., as well as Sens. James Inhofe, R-Okla., and Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., were hit with allegations of selling large amounts of stocks before the coronavirus crisis rocked Wall Street.
“The answer, in one word, is yes. There should be and there will be,” Schumer said on MSNBC. “I don’t own any stocks. I think it’s a very bad idea for senators to own stocks.”
C.D.C. Weighs Advising Everyone to Wear a Mask
Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the C.D.C., confirmed in an interview with WABE in Atlanta, a National Public Radio member station, on Monday that the agency was reviewing its guidelines on who should wear masks. Citing new data that shows high rates of transmission from people who are infected but show no symptoms, he said the guidance on mask wearing was “being critically re-reviewed, to see if there’s potential additional value for individuals that are infected or individuals that may be asymptomatically infected.”
Not wearing masks to protect against coronavirus is a ‘big mistake,’ top Chinese scientist says
(27.03.2020)
Science has tried to interview George Gao, director-general of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for 2 months. Last week he responded.
Infected but Feeling Fine: The Unwitting Coronavirus Spreaders
As many as 25 percent of people infected with the new coronavirus may not show symptoms, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns — a startlingly high number that complicates efforts to predict the pandemic’s course and strategies to mitigate its spread.
In particular, the high level of symptom-free cases is leading the C.D.C. to consider broadening its guidelines on who should wear masks.
Coronavirus in China: Infizierten-Zahl steigt mit neuer Zählweise
Darüber, wie viele positiv getestete Fälle ohne Symptome es bisher insgesamt gab, machte die Kommission keine Angabe. Wie viele Menschen täglich getestet werden und wie hoch die Dunkelziffer ist, ist ebenfalls unklar. Für Zweifel sorgt auch, dass China die Zählweise schon in den vergangenen Monaten mehrfach geändert hatte.
Mehrfach war Kritik an den Zahlen der chinesischen Führung laut geworden.
China will Prävention und Kontrolle asymptomatischer COVID-19-Infektionen verstärken
Die führende COVID-19-Reaktionsgruppe Chinas betonte am Montag die Eindämmung von Fällen von Infektionen, die keine Symptome zeigen.
Trump Axed Congressionally-Mandated Pandemic Recovery Oversight with Stimulus Bill Signing Statement
Trump, by way of a signing statement, noted that his administration would quite simply override a provision in the nearly 900-page stimulus bill that would require the country’s newest inspector general–just created and tasked with overseeing the disbursement of the stimulus funds–to report to Congress any time the administration stonewalled about where or how those funds were being spent.
Trump Claims Power To Gag Watchdog Overseeing New $500 Billion Bailout
President Donald Trump has issued a signing statement declaring that he can block a watchdog from telling Congress when information is withheld about payouts to businesses in the massive new $2 trillion economic relief law.
Democrats fought hard for provisions in the measure to ensure …
Infektionsschutzgesetz – Telekom-Dienste sollen Behörden Standortdaten von bestimmten Mobilfunkgeräten rausgeben plus Daten von möglichen Kontaktpersonen.
(heute)
Before Virus Outbreak, a Cascade of Warnings Went Unheeded
That scenario, code-named “Crimson Contagion” and imagining an influenza pandemic, was simulated by the Trump administration’s Department of Health and Human Services in a series of exercises that ran from last January to August.
The simulation’s sobering results — contained in a draft report dated October 2019 that has not previously been reported — drove home just how underfunded, underprepared and uncoordinated the federal government would be for a life-or-death battle with a virus for which no treatment existed.
NSO Group: Israelischer Spyware-Hersteller will Corona-Tracker verkaufen
Die Cyber-Intelligence-Firma NSO Group behauptet, eine Software entwickelt zu haben, mit der Gesundheitsministerien die Ausbreitung des Corona-Virus verfolgen können. Angeblich nutzen rund ein Dutzend Staaten sie bereits zu Testzwecken.
: Corona-Ticker: +++ RKI-Präsident Wieler: Ohne Regelbefolgung 10 Millionen Infizierte in 2-3 Monaten
+++ Stau an Grenze zu Polen wächst auf 60 Kilometer +++ Bayern verschiebt Start der Abitur-Prüfungen +++.
Biden joined in Texas by rivals-turned-endorsers Buttigieg, Klobuchar and O’Rourke
The former vice president picked up the support ahead of crucial primaries on Super Tuesday.
Biden racks up Buttigieg, Klobuchar, O’Rourke endorsements on same night
Joe Biden just had the best day of his campaign.
The former vice president racked up three key endorsements in the span of 24 hours, earning the backing of former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke on the same night.
Amy Klobuchar will end 2020 presidential campaign and endorse Joe Biden
Sen. Amy Klobuchar will end her presidential bid on Monday and endorse Joe Biden, a campaign aide tells CNN.
The Klobuchar campaign confirmed that the senator is flying to Dallas to join the former vice president at his rally, where she will suspend her campaign and give her endorsement on the eve of Super Tuesday.
Germany prepares for reprisal attacks after Muslim massacre in Hanau. Security being stepped up, authorities monitoring far-left and Islamic groups
Russland mischt sich offenbar zugunsten von Bernie Sanders in Vorwahlkampf ein
US-Behörden haben der „Washington Post“ zufolge Bernie Sanders informiert, dass Russland sich in den Vorwahlkampf einmische und ihn unterstützen wolle.
Bernie Sanders briefed by U.S. officials that Russia is trying to help his presidential campaign
The disclosure of Russian assistance to Sanders follows a briefing to lawmakers last week in which a senior intelligence official said that Russia wants to see Trump reelected, …
Bürgerschaftswahl – Hamburg: Warum FDP und AfD zittern müssen
Nach den rassistischen Morden von Hanau hält Politikwissenschaftler Korte ein Scheitern der AfD in Hamburg für möglich. Die Partei habe die Spaltung der Gesellschaft mitbetrieben.
Einigung in Thüringen: Neuwahlen und Ramelow als Ministerpräsident
Als Ausweg aus der politischen Krise vereinbarten die Parteien eine Wahl Bodo Ramelows zum Ministerpräsidenten einer Minderheitsregierung, die Zusammenarbeit bei bestimmten Projekten sowie Neuwahlen im kommenden Jahr.
Die Wahnwelt des mutmaßlichen Attentäters
Dazu passen die Angaben, die der mutmaßliche Attentäter von Hanau in einem Bekennerschreiben gemacht hat, das er vor der Tat im Internet veröffentlichte. In dem 24-seitigen Dokument, das dem SPIEGEL vorliegt, schreibt Tobias R. über seinen Lebensweg, vermeintliche Erkenntnisse und seine ideologischen Überzeugungen.
Buttigieg edges past Sanders in latest New Hampshire poll
The survey shows Buttigieg at 25 percent and Sanders at 24 percent support among likely Democratic primary voters in New Hampshire, according to Suffolk’s latest daily tracking poll results from Thursday and Friday evenings. Buttigieg has surged 10 percentage points over three nights.
Buttigieg Faces Tough Battle to Repeat Iowa Feat in Later States
The once-improbable path for Pete Buttigieg to in the Democratic presidential nomination hinged on a strong performance in the Iowa caucuses.
This is why Pete Buttigieg did well in Iowa
(05.02.2020)
CNN’s John King explains why 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg leads more experienced politicians in the Iowa caucuses.
Pete Buttigieg claimed victory in Iowa before any results were reported
(04.02.2020)
„So we don’t know all the results, but we know by the time, it’s all said and done, Iowa you have shocked the nation. Because by all indications, we are going on to New Hampshire victorious,“ Buttigieg told the crowd in comments that drew criticism online.
CNN is reporting that “something has gone wrong” with the votes in Iowa. To be clear, that was not my experience. I saw election officials carefully counting and recounting the votes me make sure that they had it right. #IowaCaucuses #IowaCaucus
DNC’s Tom Perez nominates regime-change agents, Israel lobbyists, and Wall Street consultants to rig the game against Bernie
With Sen. Bernie Sanders surging in the polls, DNC chair Tom Perez has put forward a cartoonishly neoliberal cast of foreign policy hacks and corporate lobbyists to sabotage his nomination.
Iowa Should Never Go First Again
The current system is a form of white privilege that warps the process.
New: In a new statement, Elizabeth Warren says about her meeting with Bernie Sanders in 2018: “I thought a woman could win; he disagreed.”
What we just broke on air @CNN: Bernie Sanders told Elizabeth Warren in a private meeting in December 2018 that he did not believe a woman could win, according to four sources.
Full story here, including Sanders‘ aggressive on-the-record pushback:
WATCH: @JoeBiden rips @realDonaldTrump’s tweets on Iran and calls them “incredibly dangerous and irresponsible” @CBSNews
Killing Iranian commander ‚enormous escalation‘: Biden
2020 Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden in Iowa on Friday said President Donald Trump had put the US on the „brink of a new kind of conflict,“ after Trump authorized the attack on the top Iranian commander in Iraq.
Trump’s Biggest Fox News Boosters Suddenly Stop Railing Against ‘Deep State’ Intelligence
Incessant Fox griping over the “deep state” has been replaced by sober pleas that the U.S. intelligence community’s findings should be taken seriously.
Democratic insiders: Bernie could win the nomination
For months, the Vermont senator was written off by Democratic Party insiders as a candidate with a committed but narrow base who was too far left to win the primary. Elizabeth Warren had skyrocketed in the polls and seemed to be leaving him behind in the race to be progressive voters’ standard-bearer in 2020.
But in the past few weeks, something has changed.
‚People Should Take Him Very Seriously‘: Sanders Polling Surge Reportedly Forcing Democratic Establishment to Admit He Can Win
„He has a very good shot of winning Iowa, a very good shot of winning New Hampshire, and other than Joe Biden, the best shot of winning Nevada,“ said one former Obama adviser.
Why Bernie Sanders Is Tough to Beat
Despite having a heart attack in October that threatened to derail his second quest for the Democratic nomination, he remains at or near the top of polls in Iowa and other early states, lifted by his near ubiquitous name recognition and an enviable bank account.
His anti-establishment message hasn’t changed for 50 years, and it resonates with working-class voters and young people who agree the system is corrupt and it will take a revolution to fix it.
Suffolk/Globe poll finds Sanders, Warren, Buttigieg, Biden in tight race in N.H.
Trailing the Sanders-Warren-Buttigieg-Biden quartet was Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii with 6 percent.
Top Likud members angered at request to participate in pro Netanyahu demonstration
Senior members of Likud voiced outrage Sunday after a request was made for the party’s ministers and MKs to participate in a demonstration against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s indictment to be held Tuesday.
The request originating from the office of the party chairman, asked members including those in senior positions, to join the event protesting the state prosecution’s decision to indict Netanyahu on charges of corruption.
Arbuthnot Out as Assange’s Judge, Says WikiLeaks Lawyer Jen Robinson
Lady Emma Arbuthnot, the Westminster chief magistrate enmeshed in a conflict of interest, will no longer be presiding over the extradition proceedings of imprisoned WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange, said WikiLeaks lawyer Jen Robinson, at an event in Sydney on Friday night .