Europe

More EU nations suspend use of AstraZeneca vaccine over blood-clotting concerns

Mar 18, 2021 14:33

The list of countries temporarily suspending use of the coronavirus vaccine made by AstraZeneca has grown after France, Germany, Italy, and Spain announced they were taking the precautionary step in light of reports of possible links to blood clots.
Discrimination, hate against Muslims at ‘epidemic proportions:’ UN chief

Mar 18, 2021 12:53

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that hatred and discrimination against Muslims has risen to "epidemic proportions," calling for further collective efforts to promote social cohesion and religious tolerance.
Experts warn of protracted pandemic amid ‘vaccine apartheid’

Mar 17, 2021 10:41

The US has been criticized for purchasing 200 million more COVID-19 vaccines for its own citizens and pushing poorer countries and vulnerable populations to the back of the queue, while experts estimate that low-income countries will experience wide access after 2022.
Kosovo opens embassy in al-Quds in affront to Palestinian rights

Mar 15, 2021 10:56

Kosovo has become the first Muslim country to open an embassy in the occupied holy city of al-Quds, and the third state to ever make such a controversial decision.
Social inequality and climate breakdown

Mar 08, 2021 06:48

Although the world’s poorest populations are often least responsible for climate change, they primarily suffer the worst consequences of its effects – from streams drying up to an increasingly insecure food supply – and have the fewest tools and resources to address it.
Study finds sharks can help marine ecosystems survive effects of climate change

Mar 03, 2021 11:46

The researchers say sharks eat grazing animals that feed on aquatic plants like seagrass — which helps maintain water clarity, stores carbon dioxide and houses fish and other organisms that can keep seas healthy.
We need urgent research to know what microplastics are doing to us. Here's why?

Feb 28, 2021 07:04

In light of staggering accumulation of plastic particles in all environments on Earth, as well as concerning signs from animal toxicology studies, ecotoxicologists are calling for urgent investigations into the effects of microplastics on human health. This echoes calls from the World Health Organization (WHO) back in 2019.
Pandemic may have left 265 million people with acute food shortages in 2020

Feb 26, 2021 06:11

According to a United Nations World Food Program (WFP) report, COVID-19 might have left up to 265 million people with acute food shortages in 2020.
Dieting may slow metabolism – but it doesn’t ruin it

Feb 24, 2021 07:13

The loss of lean tissue (muscle) when you diet – which burns around 15-25 calories per kilogram each day – lowers resting metabolic rate, meaning you need fewer calories than you previously did. But the body also deliberately slows down metabolism to preserve energy stores and minimize weight loss.
No decision on any NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan: Stoltenberg

Feb 19, 2021 02:53

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says defense ministers from the Western military alliance made no decision at a recent meeting in Brussels on whether or when to pull out of war-torn Afghanistan.