COVID-19

COVID-19 is driving the increasing need for lung transplants in the US

— The need for lung transplants in the United States has risen due to COVID-19, with 10% of all lung transplants now needed to treat those affected by the virus.

2023 Turkey–Syria Earthquake

Who is assisting Turkey and Syria with earthquake relief efforts?

— After a series of devastating earthquakes hit Central and Eastern Turkey and the Syrian border region this week, more than 40 countries and territories have sent or are about to send teams in response to provide relief aid.

What The Experts Say

Cabinet reshuffle: Science experts react

— Science experts comment on the cabinet reshuffle and the creation of four new departments.

COVID-19

Government deployed callous strategy of instilling shame and stigma to distract from own errors

— During the pandemic, the government has employed a cynical tactic to steer attention away from its own errors: creating conditions in which people would suffer shame and stigma.

Human Rights

Your mobile phone runs on Cobalt from DR Congo

— It is highly probable that the battery of your mobile phone is sourced from cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where an estimated 40,000 children are employed in cobalt mines.

COVID-19

COVID-19 – A look at what happened in 2022

— A public health expert’s analysis of the situation with COVID-19 in 2022. One thing that definitely didn’t happen in 2022 was the end of the pandemic.

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President Lula cold-shoulders Chancellor Scholz over sending military aid to Ukraine

— President firmly rejects the notion that Brazil could help Ukraine defend against Russian missile or drone attacks by sending military aid.

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WHO urges countries to stockpile medicines for ‘nuclear emergencies’

— The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new advice for governments to stockpile medicines to treat radiation sickness in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

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Mind the gap: HS2 will stop in Central London

— In his speech at Bloomsberg on Friday, the Chancellor has quashed speculation that HS2 trains will not run to Central London.

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Tory MP to sue Matt Hancock over COVID-19 vaccine remarks

— Brexiter MP Andrew Bridgen, who lost the Conservative whip in the Commons after appearing to compare COVID vaccines to the Holocaust on Twitter, is taking legal action against Matt Hancock for criticising his remarks.

Women in Politics

Do women really rule the world?

— It is disheartening to note that not many countries in the world have been female-led. Despite the progress made in recent years, the number of nations that have had female leadership remains disappointingly low.

Opinion Polls

Majority of Britons say Zahawi must resign as Conservative chairman

— A majority of the British public is unimpressed with Zahawi’s conduct over his tax issues and believes that he should step down from his role as Conservative party chairman.

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Tories testing the water over a different kind of NHS – Gordon Brown

— The suggestion put forward by Sajid Javid in the Times that NHS patients should be charged for visiting GPs or hospital emergency departments is indicative of the Conservative party’s intention to “test the water for a different kind of NHS”, according to former Labour PM Gordon Brown.

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Majority of Britons think UK should maintain support for Ukraine

— A majority of the British public believes the UK should maintain its current level of support for Ukraine, according to a YouGov poll.

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Rainforest offset credits likely to be “phantom credits”

— More than 90% of the world’s leading carbon offsets provider’s rainforest offset credits are likely to be “phantom credits” and do not represent genuine carbon reductions.

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COVID-19: A potential second winter wave?

— The latest ZOE COVID Study estimates indicate that the winter wave of the virus is decreasing rapidly. But there is a potential for a second winter wave.