Stolen car keys VW files criminal complaint against Greenpeace

Status: 23.06.2021 3:09 p.m.

A Greenpeace campaign in which 100 stolen VW keys were brought to the Zugspitze has legal consequences: the Volkswagen Group has filed a criminal complaint against the environmental protection organization. Around a month after the Greenpeace campaign against Volkswagen in the port of Emden, the car manufacturer took action and filed a criminal complaint against Greenpeace. “We do not tolerate any violations of the law”said a VW spokeswoman in Emden. However, she emphasized that VW was still interested in a dialogue with the environmental protection organization. The criminal complaint suggests a change of heart among the Wolfsburgers: Initially, they reacted surprisingly moderately to the Greenpeace campaign at the end of May and initially waived a criminal complaint.

First of all, understanding and loose tweets

In order to protest against what they considered to be the slow change to electromobility at VW, the activists climbed over a fence onto a loading area in the port of Emden and removed the ignition keys from unlocked cars that were ready for shipping overseas. Shortly afterwards, the organization brought the keys to a glacier on the Zugspitze in Bavaria. There she was supposed to pick up VW boss Herbert Diess after her introduction.

Instead of directly filing a criminal complaint, Diess replied loosely on Twitter: “Gladly Zugspitze, but today I can’t manage anymore – I don’t want to use the plane. Coming soon in good weather?” And VW brand boss Ralf Brandstätter expressed understanding in a detailed comment on the action on his LinkedIn profile that “change is not going fast enough for many”.

Investigations are already running ex officio

Theft as part of the climate debate culture? The public prosecutor and the police had already seen it a little differently before the change of heart at VW: They are already investigating ex officio against around a dozen activists on charges of trespassing and particularly serious theft. In order to initiate criminal prosecution, today’s criminal complaint from VW would no longer have been necessary.

Investigations also after Greenpeace action at the EM

Last week, a Greenpeace campaign directed against VW failed at the German national soccer team’s first EM game. Shortly before the game against France kicked off, a paramotor plane staggered over the Munich arena and finally landed on the field. He came dangerously close to the audience, two men had to be hospitalized because of their injuries.

Numerous politicians condemned the action in the strongest possible terms. The police are investigating various offenses under the Criminal Code and the Aviation Act

Analysis of the WWF Is grilled meat too cheap?

Status: 06/18/2021 2:22 p.m.

At the beginning of the barbecue season, supermarkets attract with low meat prices. A study the environmental organization WWF shows that meat substitutes are much more expensive. That has consequences for the environment. In order to benefit from the current barbecue season, supermarkets lure customers with savings and discount offers on barbecue products. An analysis by the environmental protection organization WWF now shows that the majority of grilled meat in German supermarkets is much cheaper than meat substitute products. Between the end of April and the end of May, the WWF examined 922 grilled meat offers in the advertising brochures of eight German supermarket chains. On average, 85 percent of the discounted grilled meat was cheaper than vegetable alternatives. In addition, grilled meat products are advertised almost 30 times more often than meat substitute products. In addition, according to the analysis, very few products come from higher forms of husbandry. Only two percent of the discount products were of organic quality; for many, the origin was not even shown.

“Amazon is being sold off”

Tanja Dräger de Teran is a nutritionist at WWF. She criticizes the fact that the masses of cheap meat are at the expense of the environment. In order for meat to be sold so cheaply, cattle must be kept en masse and animal feed such as soy must be imported from South America. That heats up the climate and destroys valuable habitats: “The Amazon is sold off with cheap meat.” Around 96 percent of the soya-growing area would be needed for animal feed and only four percent for plant-based foods.

A study by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) from 2020 also shows the significantly better ecological balance of plant products. Compared to beef, the production of vegetable substitute products would in some cases produce less than a tenth of the greenhouse gases. The water and land consumption is also many times lower, since plants such as wheat and soy are not only used as animal feed, but rather land directly on the plate, so to speak.

Reduce factory farming

UBA President Dirk Messner called for meat consumption to be halved in the newspapers of the Funke Mediengruppe a few weeks ago: “We have to reduce factory farming so that excessive nitrogen inputs are reduced and soils, water, biodiversity and human health are less polluted.” The World Health Organization (WHO) also warns against consuming too much meat.

Because in addition to the environmental aspects, according to experts, there are also health reasons for reducing meat consumption. For a healthy and sustainable diet, experts recommend not eating meat every day. An adult should not eat more than 300 to 600 grams of meat and sausage per week. That is significantly less than is generally consumed in this country.

Still too much meat consumption

Although meat consumption in Germany tends to decline slowly, in 2020 it was still a little more than 57 kilos per person. In 2000, the annual consumption was over 61 kilos. However, according to the WWF, this is roughly double the consumption in the 1950s.

Messner had already stated in 2020: “As long as the price of the food does not also reflect the environmental damage, the cheap neck steak will be preferred to a soy schnitzel for a long time to come.”

High development costs for meat substitutes

There are reasons for the price differences: Antje Risius is researching sustainable eating styles at the University of Göttingen. She explains the striking price differences by the fact that meat is an established product on the market, while substitute products are still “newcomers”. “The meat market has an unbelievable competitive advantage because the structures are already established there. Production can take place at a completely different level, efficiently and structurally at very reasonable prices.”

Because they are mostly still in the development phase, replacement products would still have relatively high investment costs. In addition, they are often very heavily processed – and the many intermediate processing steps are also expensive, says Risius.

Cheap meat and the social question

The WWF warns that the price imbalance between meat and meat substitute products is causing many people to resort to meat for reasons of cost. Dräger de Teran demands that sustainable nutrition should not remain a social issue. “We have to get to the point where the simple choice is the good, healthy and sustainable choice. And we are still a long way from that.”

Almut Jering from the UBA has observed, however, that a growing range of meat and milk substitute products in supermarkets is attracting more and more people’s interest, despite the often higher prices. Recently, the number of people who followed a vegetarian or vegan diet has increased significantly. “I think there is some social progress going on.”

Meanwhile, the WWF sees politics and business as having a greater responsibility. The organization is demanding a steering tax based on sustainability criteria on food of animal origin from the next federal government, which is less of a burden on products from organic agriculture. Retailers need a change in pricing policy: For example, discounts should no longer be given on meat and sausage products, except shortly before the use-by date

Film industry “There’s never been more shooting going on”

Status: 06/18/2021 10:22 a.m.

The film industry is recovering from the forced Corona break. Due to the great pent-up demand, production is currently running at full speed. But the pandemic has consequences that will change the industry.

From Tina von Löhneysen, RBB

Backdrops on trolleys, trucks being unloaded, locked gates behind which secret stage sets are set up – in the Babelsberg studio there is a buzz. Christoph Fisser is a member of the board here and is in a good mood. In a polo shirt, he walks across the extensive grounds. “We are starting three major international productions these weeks, all of which are star-studded,” he says. You can hear the pride in his voice. “Not only here, it is shot everywhere like never before, because all films are being made up that were not made last year. They were all already financed.”

Make-up artists are hard to come by

The industry is booming. So much so that it is difficult to put crews together. Make-up artists and sound engineers are hard to come by because they are all already engaged in productions. Studio Babelsberg is a heavyweight in the industry. Founded more than a hundred years ago, films such as “The Blue Angel” or later “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “Grand Budapest Hotel” were shot here. It is considered the oldest film studio of its kind in the world. During Corona you only had to close for 16 weeks, two large-scale productions then continued filming in Potsdam. Although this was associated with a large logistical and financial effort – 60,000 tests were carried out for it, and now more meticulous testing is being carried out – but it has just continued.

The industry stood still

The industry as a whole was different. There was a standstill. It was hardly shot. The uncertainty was too great, the conditions too strict. Now there is far-reaching relaxation, the general sigh of relief and a lot of catching up to do, says Sebastian Lambeck from the producer alliance for film and television. But in perspective one will be able to observe a shift in production activity.

“Financing movies has become even more difficult due to the pandemic,” says Lambeck. Whether you get a film in the cinemas when it is finished, how well it is going: All this has become even more unpredictable due to the pandemic. And, quite clearly: The trend that was already emerging has accelerated enormously as a result of Corona: “The streaming providers are the winners of this crisis.” Babelsberg board member Fisser also notices this. The demand has more than tripled, which is due to the great hunger of streaming services for content. For Fisser’s company, that doesn’t really matter. When he shoots, it always makes money. But it hurts him a little. “We love cinema, you really have to say that. Personally, I much prefer to produce cinema films than serial, but the market has changed dramatically.”

“Films galore”

Despite all the changes: the good old cinema still exists. In these weeks, the movie theaters in Germany will open again, regionally staggered. “There are plenty of good films,” says Christian Bräuer, chairman of the AG Kino – Gilde eV

“In the next four months, about as many films will be shown in theaters as would normally be spread over an entire year,” he reports. Constantin Film AG, which is both a film distributor and a production company, confirms this. Like all distributors, they have an unusually large number of films on stockpile. That means for the cinema-goers: There is a huge selection of films. This is one of the reasons why the cinema operators are looking at the openings with great confidence. The hope: After the crisis there will be a boom – not only in film production, but also in watching films.

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Corona consequences for companies How much longer does the state have to help?

Status: 06/17/2021 10:18 a.m.

Today, the federal and state economics ministers are discussing how to proceed with corona aid for companies. Warnings against a permanent state economy are getting louder. But some industries are still deeply in crisis.

From Axel John, SWR

Tim Sandrock walks through the 3500 square meter hall of his event company. He points to huge loudspeakers, lighting systems or projectors that are piled up to the ceiling. “That would normally all be used outside in mid-June, at theater events, village festivals or music concerts”says Sandrock. “The camp could be swept through completely. We haven’t moved the technology for at least 15 months.”

He is one of the two managing directors of Flo-Service GmbH in Mainz. The company has 25 employees and six trainees. The company organizes up to 1500 events per year with a focus on the Rhine-Main area. “From the disco ball for the teenage party to the stage technology for a Sting concert, we cover everything”says Sandrock. Although the economy is taking off again across the country, Flo-Service still has few orders at major events due to the pandemic requirements. Most recently, among other things, the Oktoberfest was canceled. This sends a devastating signal to the industry.

Hope for further help

“We are broadly positioned and have thus been able to limit losses. The Federal Employment Agency helped us a lot through short-time work with around 31,000 euros per month. The bridging aids were also extremely important to us last year”says Sandrock. “However, our company has fixed costs of 150,000 euros every month.”

“I very much hope for further government aid” – Flo Service Managing Director Tim Sandrock. Image: Axel John, SWR

Flo-Service mainly draws on its operating reserves before Corona. In addition, there was a tough austerity course. Overall, sales have decreased by a good third. This means that Sandrock is still in a brilliant position in the industry. Other companies make a minus of 90 percent or are no longer there. “In the long run, of course, you can’t finance a company like ours. I therefore very much hope for further state aid”, he says. Cultural events have a pre-planning of three to nine months. In the uncertain Corona time, that’s half an eternity. “I am optimistic that the worst is behind us. But we still need support for a transition period. Otherwise all previous payments would be pointless”, says Sandrock.

Economics ministers discuss further aid

The federal and state economics ministers meet today in Düsseldorf – for the first time in attendance. One question is: what will happen next with the support for the economy? The bridging allowance and short-time work allowance were only recently extended to the end of September and even expanded. Now it is about a renewed extension until the end of the year.

The host of the meeting, the North Rhine-Westphalian Minister of Economic Affairs Andreas Pinkwart from the FDP, has already made a decision: “I am in favor of the aid being extended beyond the end of September until the end of the year”, he says. “Sectors such as the trade fair and event industry or the showmen will continue to suffer from a drop in sales in the fall. The Federal Ministry of Economics also sees it that way. I would also like to advocate this course at the federal government.”

NRW Minister of Economic Affairs Pinkwart is campaigning for a further extension of the corona aid. Image: dpa

North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister of Economic Affairs also refers to legal constraints. “Unfortunately, to fight the pandemic, we had to restrict the freedom of trade. That is why the bridging aid is not subsidy, but compensation. Parts of the economy are only now gradually returning to normal”says Pinkwart. Now it is a matter of creating transitions for the companies concerned.

Share of businesses in need is falling

More and more companies seem to manage this transition. According to a study by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), only eight percent of all companies saw their existence threatened by May. In April this value was still 13 percent. “The incidence values ​​are easing in many places, and at the same time private-sector companies in Germany are looking more optimistically into the future, “says IAB Director Bernd Fitzenberger. So far, the Federal Ministry of Economics has approved a total of more than 105 billion euros for the economy during the crisis. In addition, there is short-time work allowance of around 32.3 billion euros.

Criticism from economists

More and more economists are critical of the ongoing political assistance. Lars Feld is one of them. The 54-year-old economist is a proven regulatory politician, i.e. oriented towards the principles of market and competition. “The extension until the end of September is fine. But I do not believe in a renewed extension”, he says. “The upswing is in full swing. According to the Bundesbank, we will have growth of 3.7 percent in Germany this year. Next year it should be five percent. The need for an expansive fiscal policy that continues to be so strong is therefore decreasing.”

In addition, there are always deadweight effects at companies that find themselves in a difficult situation without this having anything to do with Corona. However, Feld limits his analysis with a view to the event industry. “If the state restricts certain companies in certain sectors of the constitutionally granted freedom of trade, then this must be compensated. But we will have to live with Corona in the long term. Therefore, I think it is questionable whether the events industry can continue as it did before the pandemic.”

Digital structural change also in the event area

Tim Sandrock in Mainz knows that too. In order to survive economically, Flo-Service had already digitized itself during the lockdown. “We have brought our analog offers into the digital space. Instead of a meeting with a projector, screen or interpreting service, we now also offer complete software solutions”says Sandrock. Corona has massively accelerated development. “There will be a growing digital share at events of all kinds in the future.”

In order not to complicate this structural change, Sandrock is also in favor of a foreseeable phase out of the aid. For the next few months, however, the company needs government aid again. If politicians decide in favor of renewed extension, Sandrock will submit an application. “But I am sure that the industry will recover quickly after Corona. I’m also counting on a catch-up effect. Man is a sociable being. That’s why we’ll be back.”

Aircraft builder Dispute over Airbus and Boeing put on hold

Status: 15.06.2021 6:17 p.m.

The transatlantic dispute between Airbus and Boeing had far-reaching consequences – in the form of special tariffs. Now the two aircraft manufacturers have buried the hatchet for the time being. By Torsten Teichmann, ARD studio Washington You speak of a breakthrough in Brussels. But the US and the European Union have not yet agreed on whether Airbus should repay subsidies or Boeing should forego funds. They have not found a long-term solution on how to regulate government support for the aircraft industry. Instead, both sides decided to freeze the dispute. US tariffs that have already been issued, which are intended as punitive measures for Europe, will remain suspended – for another five years. The same applies to punitive tariffs imposed by Europeans on certain imports from the USA.

“Armistice” in favor of jobs

The situation in the aviation industry certainly contributed to the compromise: The industry is severely affected worldwide by the consequences of the pandemic, travel restrictions and entry bans. Boeing needs security to invest in a successor to the 737 series, a new medium-haul aircraft with a single aisle and composite wings. For the USA there are a total of 1.2 million jobs, justified the trade representative of the USA, Katherine Tai, the readiness for a ceasefire in the trade conflict. The decision is in the interests of the American middle class.

June 15, 2021

Contribution to the transatlantic détente

And at the same time, the step serves the foreign policy goal of relaxing transatlantic relations again – as far as the domestic political sensitivities in Washington allow. Because the accusation of the elected US President Donald Trump that Europe is exploiting the United States has never completely disappeared. Specifically, the US is suspending higher tariffs on certain European imports as long as the EU’s support for Airbus does not go beyond the agreement that has now been made. And vice versa, presumably the same applies to the EU tariffs on Washington and Boeing.

June 15, 2021

Controversy has been smoldering for many years

The transatlantic trade conflict over direct and indirect state aid has existed for 16 years. The World Trade Organization (WTO) decided in autumn 2019 that subsidies for Airbus put its competitors at a competitive disadvantage. The WTO gave the United States the option of penalizing imports from Germany, France, Great Britain and Spain with tariffs totaling 7.5 billion US dollars annually. Since then, French cheese, German wine and EU aircraft have become significantly more expensive for the US market. Because nothing was progressing in talks from the US point of view, the administration under President Trump increased tariffs on European aircraft from ten to 15 percent in March 2020. In a second procedure, the WTO again approved the Europeans, who in turn paid higher customs duties on imports from the USA. It was about additional taxes amounting to 4.5 billion US dollars, for example on whiskey, nuts, tobacco and airplanes.

interview 11/10/2020

Business recently stagnated on both sides

In the past few months, Boeing and Airbus had only delivered a few machines. According to the “Wall Street Journal”, however, the tariffs on planes in the USA mainly affect Delta Airlines, which is expanding its Airbus fleet. In Europe, Ryanair in particular had to reckon with rising prices with its standard Boeing 737 fleet. It is not known whether the airlines took over the customs duties when the machines were delivered or the manufacturers themselves. The agreement in Brussels and the postponed conflict should give both sides a little more security.

11/9/2020

Focus on new competition

The US Trade Representative Tai also said that instead of fighting with your closest allies, they are coming together to face a different challenge. And the common adversary is – once again on this trip by US President Joe Biden through Europe: China. The People’s Republic is building its own aircraft industry with state investments. Europe and the US are complaining that China is violating the rules of international trade and laws protecting intellectual property. But that’s also true: a competitor is just emerging for medium-haul aircraft like the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 – and that on the lucrative Chinese market.

Hearing before the BGH Are CumEx transactions a criminal offense?

Status: 15.06.2021 4:41 p.m.

The first proceedings on CumEx transactions have begun at the Federal Court of Justice. The judges must decide whether the deals are a criminal offense as tax evasion. The verdict will have far-reaching consequences. From Klaus Hempel, ARD legal editors They led to one of the biggest tax scandals in German history, in which the German tax authorities were duped and the state suffered billions in damage: the CumEx business. Investors used loopholes in legal regulations to make big money. They were supported by banks and top lawyers who work in large commercial law firms.

The state escapes taxes running into billions

Essentially, these CumEx deals were about stock dividends. These are profits from stock corporations that are distributed to shareholders. Taxes are deducted directly from this and transferred to the tax office. The shareholders can get the money back under certain conditions. In the CumEx business, investors have used an extremely sophisticated system and have taxes reimbursed that were never paid. At some point the dizziness was exposed. In March 2020, the first defendants were convicted by the Bonn District Court: two British stock traders involved in such transactions. Because they cooperated closely with the prosecutor, they were sentenced to relatively mild suspended sentences. Nevertheless, they appealed to the Federal Court of Justice. He must now clarify in a landmark judgment whether the CumEx business is actually a criminal tax evasion. “In the present proceedings, the Federal Court of Justice is dealing for the first time with so-called CumEx transactions from the point of view of tax evasion,” explains Chief Public Prosecutor Thomas Heise from the Federal Prosecutor’s Office. “He will decide whether the peculiarities of these transactions allow a tax that has not actually been paid to be reclaimed from the tax authorities.”

June 15, 2021

Warburg-Bank rejects responsibility

One of the two stock traders had earned 14 million euros from the deals, which he is supposed to repay. The private bank MM Warburg was also involved in the business. According to the judgment of the Bonn Regional Court, 176 million euros are to be collected from her. The bank is defending itself against this at the BGH. Your lawyer Ali Norouzi believes that the law does not justify skimming off the funds. “There were no representatives of the bank in the dock, but traders from other companies who traded for their own account and not for the bank,” argues Norouzi. “They made substantial profits and damaged the bank considerably. Their actions cannot be attributed to the bank.”

06/01/2021

Judgment expected at the end of July with far-reaching consequences

Nevertheless, the public prosecutor said that the millions in profits would have to be collected. The Bonn Regional Court followed this legal opinion. The Federal Court of Justice now has the final say. He plans to announce his verdict at the end of July. His decision is very significant for the lower level of justice. Hundreds of suspects are being investigated for tax evasion nationwide. If the BGH evaluates the CumEx transactions as criminal tax evasion, there will probably be further convictions in which those primarily responsible must expect long prison sentences. File number: 1 StR 519/20

Pandemic meets craft Hairdressers suffer – bicycle workshops cheer

Status: 11.06.2021 2:38 p.m.

The German trade clearly felt the consequences of the pandemic at the beginning of the year. Most of the sales fell. But there were also a few bright spots. The corona crisis has left deep marks on German craftsmanship. Some areas suffered particularly badly at the beginning of the year, while others bucked the trend and even posted gains. According to calculations by the Federal Statistical Office, sales in the craft sector fell from January to March by 7.5 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. That was the first time in eight years that the industry, which had been spoiled for success for a long time, posted declines. The weak development was accompanied by fewer staff. The number of employees in the skilled trades that required a license fell by 1.7 percent by the end of March.

The comparative period was hardly affected by the crisis

It should be noted that restrictions due to the corona pandemic did not begin until the end of the first quarter of 2020 and the results of the beginning of 2020 were hardly affected, the statisticians explained. There is thus a typical case of a so-called base effect. A high baseline makes declines more likely at a later point in time.

Lockdown slows demand

Crafts for private use were particularly hard hit. Here the minus was 23 percent. In this area, the hairdressing businesses marked the highest decline with minus 37 percent.

Not enough material

In construction, too, with a decline of almost 16 percent, things did not go well. “Companies have to register short-time working when the order books are full because they have no material,” the President of the Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH), Hans Peter Wollseifer, had only recently warned. The Prices for wood and other building materials have risen sharply on the world market, partly because of the great demand from China and the USA. While the food industry complained about a decline of almost ten percent, the business in confectioneries collapsed by 21 percent.

The bicycle boom drives business

The ongoing bicycle boom apparently brought the two-wheel mechanics significantly more repairs. These branches of industry achieved almost 27 percent more sales than a year ago. In addition, only roller shutter technicians and dental technicians recorded an increase in sales.

Increasing influence How China is entering Europe’s ports

Status: 10.06.2021 12:33 p.m.

Piraeus, Rotterdam, Antwerp and soon possibly also Hamburg – China has its own terminals in 14 European ports or holds shares in port operators. Critics warn of the consequences of the urge to expand. From Lothar Gries, tagesschau.de The listed Hamburg port operator HHLA is currently negotiating with the Chinese state shipping company Cosco about a possible participation in one of its container terminals – with the telling name of Tollerort. HHLA recently announced that a legally binding agreement has not yet been reached. However, the publication of such a release indicates that the talks are on the home stretch. Trade with China is by far the most important business for the third largest European seaport. Ships of the Chinese shipping company Cosco have been calling at Hamburg for almost 40 years. Two years ago, China’s Vice President Wang Qishan also visited the Tollerort terminal. With its four berths on a quay wall a good kilometer long, 14 container cranes and a five-track rail connection, Tollerort is one of a total of four container terminals in the Port of Hamburg and the second largest at HHLA.

Important loophole

According to experts, by entering Hamburg, China would close the largest gap in its maritime Silk Road. Even more: through a partnership with HHLA, Cosco could also get privileged access to the Italian Adriatic port of Trieste. The Hamburg port operator had taken over the majority in a new terminal there last year – with the express approval of the government in Rome, which wanted to block the way for the Chinese who were also interested. Because a majority stake by Cosco in the largest container terminal in Trieste would have been tantamount to a sell-out from the perspective of the Italians. Now the Chinese could still gain access to Trieste via Hamburg. That would be a decisive move in Beijing’s expansion strategy, since Trieste is the northernmost port in the Mediterranean and therefore particularly important for Central and Eastern Europe. HHLA is also involved in terminals in the Ukraine and Estonia.

“Loss of Sovereignty”

Cosco and its sister company China Merchant already have their own terminals in a total of 14 European ports – or at least shares in the port operators. All the major seaports on the continent are included, from Rotterdam and Antwerp to Le Havre, Bilbao, Genoa, Valencia and Marseille. According to calculations by US experts, more than two thirds of the 50 largest container terminals in the world are already controlled by the Chinese or at least supported by holdings. “Europe has thus lost some of its sovereignty,” complained the former French Prime Minister and China expert, Jean-Pierre Raffarin. The sell-off began in 2016 when Greece, which was practically bankrupt at the time, was forced by the troika made up of the monetary fund, the EU and the ECB to privatize the port of Piraeus. The Chinese were happy to take it and were given complete control of the strategically located port for a bargain price of 280 million euros. Today Piraeus is number four in Europe, behind Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg. The port is the end point of the maritime Silk Road, from China across the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea. Beijing also controls its entrance for onward travel through the Suez Canal, with a naval base in Djibouti on the Horn of Africa.

Silk Road project – anything but a marketing gimmick

The example of Greece shows the political effects of China’s increasing influence in some countries, says Günther Oettinger, the former EU Commissioner and Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg. “Before the European Union imposed symbolic sanctions on China in March, Greece liked the role of delaying and watering down resolutions against China. A rogue who thinks evil”, said the CDU politician in a guest article for the “Tagesspiegel” “. China’s expansion can no longer be stopped. “We cannot blame the Chinese for being smart. We can only blame ourselves for being so stupid,” said French President Emmanuel Macron, referring to China’s strategy, which is an increasingly large one in Europe’s economy Role to play. In fact, the EU countries watched China’s shopping spree for a long time with takeovers of technology companies such as the German robot manufacturer Kuka. “When China’s leadership launched the ‘New Silk Road’ project in 2013, many in Europe believed it was a marketing gag,” said Günther Oettinger. President Xi Jinping was very serious, as can be seen from the trade network that has now been established. In Europe, China prefers to help those states, such as Greece or Hungary, that are poorer than Western Europeans. These countries are to be tied closely to themselves by investing billions in infrastructure in order to create a “China-friendly Europe”, as a high-ranking EU diplomat of the “world” said.

No concerns from Berlin

The most recent decision by the EU Parliament, which Suspend discussions on the investment agreement reached with China at the end of last year . Among other things, it was supposed to regulate the access of European companies to the Chinese market, but met with growing opposition in the European Union. Critics complained that the agreement did not set any limits to China’s expansionist urge. This is unlikely to prevent the Chinese from entering the Tollerort container port in Hamburg. The negotiations are after NDR- Information well advanced and coordinated with the federal government. There are no concerns from the Chancellery, the Ministry of Economics and Transport, or the Foreign Office.

Plaque formation process All surfaces in the mouth are covered with a glycoprotein film. In the early hours, they have a protective effect on the teeth, smoothing the surface, preventing the surface organization from drying out. However, this membrane provides a substrate for bacteria to attach to. In the soft tissue area, because epithelial cells are constantly shedding, this membrane is destroyed. In the area of ​​hard tissue (teeth), this membrane does not peel off and bacteria continuously accumulate to create dental plaque. Plaque continues to grow due to the proliferation of bacteria already on the plaque and the attachment of other bacteria. After that, the bacteria can’t stick to the sterile membrane but stick to the bacteria already on the dental plaque… forming adult dental plaque. Therefore, not brushing or brushing improperly will lead to the formation of plaque on the teeth. Use dental floss to clean between teeth. Causes and factors that cause dental plaque There are many causes and factors that cause dental plaque, of which the leading cause is that foods and drinks are not good for the mouth such as containing too many sweets, containing many colors and causing stickiness on the teeth. Plaque formation occurs rapidly. According to a study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), regular alcohol consumption can also upset the balance of healthy bacteria in the mouth, causing the formation and appearance of plaque on teeth. . Due to improper oral hygiene, when the remaining food particles in the mouth are not removed in time, plaque will form on the teeth. The use of toothpicks instead of floss, causes the interdental spaces to not be cleaned optimally. In addition, with the unhealthy habit of smoking, oral health is seriously reduced such as bad breath, yellow teeth, and plaque formation. Pregnant women with hormonal changes, the mouth is more likely to develop and form plaque on the teeth. Therefore, it is important to pay more attention to oral hygiene during pregnancy, so that the plaque that accumulates on the teeth does not turn into tartar. Plaque that is not removed leads to dental diseases. How to remove dental plaque? Proper oral hygiene is the method to prevent plaque. It is recommended that you brush your teeth twice a day, once before going to bed, once after waking up, and for at least 2 minutes each time to clean your teeth most effectively. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and avoid using poor quality toothbrushes such as hard, bristled bristles. Change your toothbrush at least every 3 months. Rotate the brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth to easily get it below the gum line. Brushing time should last at least 3 minutes. Concentrate brushing on all surfaces of the teeth, so that plaque can be effectively removed. Use dental floss to clean between the teeth. Limit eating foods that contain a lot of sugar and starch, especially snacks that stick to your teeth. Visiting the dentist every 4-6 months along with oral hygiene, cleaning dental plaque is the way to eliminate up to 90% of the risk of dangerous oral diseases. Signs to identify dental plaque or not? Everyone has plaque, that’s because bacteria constantly build up in the mouth. These bacteria will take advantage of food scraps as well as saliva to grow. Plaque when combined with acids in the oral cavity, then, the enamel layer is destroyed and tooth decay is formed. Plaque that isn’t removed can also irritate the gums around your teeth, leading to gingivitis (redness, swelling, and bleeding gums), periodontal disease, and tooth loss.

The patient said that before, he saw an online ad and ordered a box of lip balm for 5,000 VND and a cream lipstick for 17,000 VND. Vendors advertise lipsticks that are natural, lead-free, chemical-free, and safe for their lips. However, after using, lips began to be dry, itchy, then swollen with pustules… eating, drinking, communication was very difficult. At the hospital, the patient received a doctor. Phan Ngoc Huy, Department of Cosmetology, confirmed superinfection contact dermatitis and indicated treatment with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, topical. The patient’s lips were dry, swollen, itchy, pus-filled, and bleeding when entering the emergency room. According to BS. Huy, lipstick allergy is a condition caused by the body overreacting to the ingredients of the lipstick. Usually, after using the lipstick for a few minutes or a few hours, the area where the lipstick has been applied will become red, itchy … If the allergy is worse, it will develop blisters, pus, bleeding … Allergic causes after using lipstick include: lipstick of poor quality, of no origin; These lipsticks often contain excessive levels of lead and chemical dyes, so when used, they will cause irritation. In addition, the ingredients in these products also make the skin of the lips dull, chapped, and dry. If used for a long time, it will directly affect the user’s health. Outdated lipstick can also cause allergies because the product is synthesized from many different ingredients. Therefore, when the expiration date is over, these substances can be degraded, thereby easily causing allergies. Sensitive terrain is also the cause of allergy because the skin on the lips is quite thin. The ingredients that can cause allergies in the lipstick consumers should pay attention to are preservatives (formaldehyde, quaternium, methylisothiazolione …), artificial color (eosin red), peeling agent (salicylic acid, phenol ). In particular, DIY (handmade) lipsticks are potentially unsafe because they have not been inspected by authorities. So, MSc. Phan Ngoc Huy recommends that, before buying and using a product, women should carefully check the ingredients and choose a lipstick with clear origin. Before you want to use the new lipstick, you need to test by applying lipstick on the skin on the inside of your arm to see if there is an allergic phenomenon. When there are signs of red inflammation, swelling, itching, … users should immediately stop using lipstick. After using lipstick, you need to gently remove makeup with clean water or coconut oil, olive oil; absolutely do not use makeup removers containing chemical ingredients. According to MSc.BS. Phan Ngoc Huy, lipstick is an indispensable cosmetic for women. So before buying and using the product, you need to pay attention to check carefully to see if you are allergic to any of the lipstick’s ingredients. When itching, swelling should use a wet washcloth on lips for 15-20 minutes. In case of a severe allergy that causes swollen lips, blisters … it is necessary to immediately go to a facility with a reputable dermatologist for examination and treatment by a doctor.

CONTENT:::::: 1. Things to remember when cutting eyelids
1.1. Consider carefully before deciding to cut eyelids
1.2. Work well with your doctor when performing eyelid removal
1.3. Understand the scar after eyelid surgery
1.4. Take care of your eyelids after cutting
2. Consequences of unsafe eyelid cutting at spa
3. How to fix faulty or broken eyelids after cosmetic surgery? Performing eyelid removal also works to remove fat from the eye puffiness. This has the effect of making your eyes look young and beautiful. This popular form of eyelid surgery helps to make the eyes look big, round and lively. At the same time, the doctor also removes excess skin, excess fat on the eyelids and regenerates new deep eyelid lines, suitable for the face. Cut eyelids also known as a gentle minor surgery, it only affects the skin area of ​​the eyelids. Also known as a fairly simple and safe form of beauty. However, if you want to cut your eyelids safely, you need to learn and choose a specialist doctor as well as quantify the ability to change the eyelids after cutting to look the most natural. 1. Things to remember when cutting eyelids 1.1. Consider carefully before deciding to cut eyelids In fact, eyelid removal should only be performed for cases such as: eyelid drooping too much, due to congenital collapse or the elderly are causing the eyelid skin to sag a lot. For women who want to perform eyelid cut to make their eyes more beautiful, before deciding to cut their eyelids, they should consider choosing eyelid cutting as well as eyelid cutting facilities. Before deciding to cut eyelids, consider eyelid cutting options as well as eyelid cutting facilities – Internet Photo 1.2. Work well with your doctor when performing eyelid removal While having decided to perform eyelid removal. The operator should remember to always cooperate with the doctor on the following issues: – Notify the doctor about her physical factors such as: keloids, concave scars, hypopigmentation on the body. – For large scarring, your doctor will check the scar for vaccination. Because, after performing eyelid cutting, the scar after cutting the eyelid is similar to the scars already mentioned above. This makes the doctor better predict how the new cut will form a scar. 1.3. Understand the scar after eyelid surgery After the eyelid surgery is done, the performer will feel that problems such as swelling and edema are unavoidable problems. However, in the early days, the site may also be inflamed, swollen and red. Then, three weeks later, tissues began to regenerate. At that time, the cut will form a little more convex on the skin’s surface. It takes up to 6 months for the subcutaneous tissue to begin to stabilize permanently. At this point, the eyelid cut will gradually become beautiful. Get the fastest concave scar treatment from naturopathy How dangerous a keloid complication is caused by folliculitis and how to treat it 1.4. Take care of your eyelids after cutting Because, the healing process of the eyelids after cutting will take many months. Therefore, it is necessary to be patient and take good care of the wound. Note, for the eyelids to heal quickly, they need: If you want to cut your eyelids for the best eyes after cutting, remember to choose the safe eyelid surgery sites – Internet Image – Limit the wound to get wet. In addition, when washing the face, the patient needs to wash his face quickly, soak it dry quickly. – Do not rub, move the wound because the tissue of the eyelid being regenerated is still very weak. – Wear sunglasses to protect against the sun. 2. Consequences of unsafe eyelid cutting at spa If you want to cut your eyelids for the best eyes after cutting, remember to choose reputable and safe eyelid surgery sites. Recently, an 18-year-old female student in Hanoi has lost her eyesight due to her knowledge after cutting her eyelids at a spa near her home. The patient has come to the spa to find a solution to this situation. However, after being revised, the second eyelid cut result made the complication worse. Abnormal symptoms occur when the patient has the eyelid removed: – 2 eyes in a state of lethargy, eyes heavy and difficult to open. Accompanied by red irises, eyestrain. Reduced vision. – Afraid of the light after cutting eyelids. – Exposure to the sun, the environment, and the wind makes the patient feel aching, aching and tearing very uncomfortable. Unsafe eyelid removal can cause dangerous complications later on – Internet photo 3. How to fix faulty or broken eyelids after cosmetic surgery? Eyelid removal is a way to help women have beautiful eyes. No one wants to get faulty or damaged after eyelid cut. However, it is still necessary to anticipate the worst possible risks. If the cut eyelid is accidentally damaged or damaged after surgery, it should be corrected by: – A period of 0 to 12 days is known as the golden time to repair broken and damaged eyelids after eyelid removal because when the eyelid organization has not yet adhered, the sclerotic sclerotic tissue has not formed. This is the time to determine the extent of the damage and where to restore the whole eyelid with the desired aesthetic beauty. – The period from 14 days to 3 months is already past the golden time to repair the damaged eyelid. When the patient develops symptoms such as pain, not opening the eyelids, uncontrolled watery eyes and dry eyes, pus, discharge, headache, … or other symptoms, the patient should be quick. quick examination and timely treatment. – With a period of 3 to 6 months or more than 12 months, patients can have their damaged eyelids corrected at any time. Note, at this time, the patient needs to choose the right doctor to perform the right technique, with the right disease, the surgery can be successful. The information about eyelid removal in the article will help you solve a few problems you are having before deciding to cut eyelids to beautify your soul window.

The patient said that she had a thin, small ear, so when she saw the information of an online spa advertised on the Internet, she “changed her luck” with winged words: “Injecting Tai fortune – receiving fortune at the beginning of the year” ; “Tai fortune, feng shui, good money” … Accompanied by a clip of a woman under 5 minutes of injecting fillers at this cosmetic facility has turned thin ears, flipped ears out into thick, full ears with beautiful round ears. Right after that, she decided to do it too. Here she is injected with each ear 1ml filler according to the advertisement as “genuine Korean goods, genuine portable”. A few hours after the injection, her ears showed signs of tightness and redness. The condition became worse when two days later, the woman’s ears were swollen, and it hurt just to touch. At this time, the patient checked the facility they made and discovered that the person who injected the filler was not a doctor but a hotgirl who had never had a school day through a cosmetologist training class. “Through examination, I found that the patient showed signs of organized necrosis (entire earlobe, earlobe). The reason is that the patient’s initial ear is quite small but the “fake plastic surgeon” has injected too many fillers. We have to prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and dissolve injections to save the patient’s ear tissue necrosis ”- TS. Dr. Hoang Thanh Tuan information. Cosmetic experts say that injecting filler into the ear is a non-surgical beauty method, but the risk of injecting filler will be quite a lot if the injecting person, the person being injected is not really careful. Ear filler injection is a non-surgical beauty method, using filler – a filler with ingredients containing Hyaluronic Acid put into the earlobe or earlobe to help shape the big, beautiful ears and improve the lack of the ear. . After the earlobe injection, the ear rim will be shaped naturally plump, in harmony with the facial contours. According to Dr. Hoang Thanh Tuan, the reason why many people choose to fill the earlobe filler service and is hot because it is a non-surgical beauty method, no bleeding, no swelling and pain, after the injection is complete, still living. , go to work, go to school as usual. However, the cosmetic surgery specialist also noted the risk of injecting filler will be quite a lot if the injecting person, the person being injected is not really careful. Accordingly, there may be complications and complications: bruising, redness, necrosis, local infection, paresthesia, granulomatosis “The ear area is an area with many small capillaries, so bleeding, bruising are common. Sometimes, there are cases of too much injection into the earlobe, causing pressure to block the blood vessels to feed, leading to the risk of ear necrosis. This is a very dangerous event “- TS. Dr. Hoang Thanh Tuan emphasized. Also according to Dr. Tuan, complications caused by beauty filler injections in general, and ear-ear complications in particular are mainly found in reputable spas that do not guarantee, the injecters are not doctors but hot boy hot girl does not study medicine any day Therefore, every person who wants to go to beauty should be really wise customers when choosing reputable establishments with genuine filler products as well as a professional doctor, skilled to avoid processions. because the beauty in places is not guaranteed.

On April 16, Beijing time, CBA announced on Thursday that seven players including Shen Zijie had left the hotel in the competition area without authorization for violating the anti-epidemic regulations. They were suspended for one game and fined 10,000 yuan.

Because of the suspension, Shen Zijie will miss the first round of the playoffs between the Shenzhen team and the Beijing team today. Considering that the first round of the playoffs is a decisive victory, so the main player’s absence from the inside will have a great impact on the Shenzhen team. After the announcement of the penalty result, Shen Zijie updated social media and apologized to the team, fans and staff in the competition.

Shen Zijie said: “For what happened today, I have deeply realized my mistakes. I will not escape, and I have never thought of avoiding it. Here, I apologize to everyone from the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry.”

“I violated the league regulations, left the hotel, went out to eat with friends. In the social environment of prevention and control of the epidemic, during the critical period of the team’s preparation for the playoffs, my behavior hurt everyone! I want to sincerely report Those who have been hurt by my actions apologize, to the fans, to every member of my team, and most importantly, I want to apologize to every epidemic prevention worker in the Zhuji Division, sorry! My wrong behavior has caused very bad effects. I will reflect on myself seriously and bear the consequences.”

“Finally, thank you all for reading my apology. I want to apologize again to my team, my teammates, fans and every epidemic prevention worker. I hope everyone can give me a chance to make corrections. Thank you!”

Regarding the suspension of Shen Zijie, there are rumors that he went to the bar to have fun and fights with others. However, this rumor was refuted by the front reporter Ding Xiaoqing. Ding Xiaoqing wrote on social media, “One thing is one thing, and it’s still wrong to spread rumors. Shen Zijie really didn’t fight, didn’t fight, didn’t fight!!!”

In the regular season this season, Shen Zijie played 49 games for the Shenzhen team, averaging 34.6 minutes per game, surrendering 16.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.8 blocks, and 1.8 steals. All data set a new career high.

According to the article by author Sylvie Borau, posted above The Conversation, Gender imbalances in the AI ​​world are a widespread trend. The status of female robots more than male robots could have detrimental consequences for women in the future. So why do female AIs appear more than male AIs? Direction to more humane robots AI experts prioritize female sex when programming robots because there are factors in women that are more important than men. Specifically, women have more warmth and ability to experience emotions than men due to their sensitivity. For AI, emotional experience is the elements they can emulate humans. To research on this issue, Borau created evolutionary scales and surveyed more than 3,000 people to see personality such as warm, cheerful, friendly, orderly, polite … whichever more. Not only suitable for the current social context, female robots are also considered to be easier to learn emotionally than male robots. Photo: Wonderland Magazine. Based on research theory, women possess the extreme human qualities more than men. Therefore, female robots are also more “human” than male robots. The way female AI deduces also opens up favorable directions for AI problems. In general, the research results show that female robots are endowed with qualities appropriate to the current service context of society. We tend to trust a female robot more. According to the The Conversation, Programming experts consider women the right group to develop AI because they realize that this gender possesses the qualities of a superman. Risk of increasing gender inequality In the view of writer Kate Manne, the quality of women can overcome the invisible gender barrier. The fact that women make up the majority of AI also stems from the perception that women are more “human” than men. However, UNESCO warns that gender imbalances in the AI ​​world can create prejudices against women, for example that some will view women as obedient groups. In the future, if the number of female robots explodes, materialized prejudices may emerge. Photo: GeekWire. Sylvie Borau thinks the process of turning women into AI development agents can have many consequences. Accordingly, in the future, when too many female AIs with high authenticity appear, women’s perspectives are tools designed to meet the needs of the owner, which will implicitly form in society. This could potentially result in more disregard for and loss of human rights among more women. Researcher Borau calls this human materialization. In social philosophy, materialization ( Objectification ) is the treatment of a human being (sometimes an animal) like an object. Therefore, Sylvie Borau’s research also emphasizes the ethical issue that AI designers must pay attention to. Seeing women as the key target for AI development doesn’t deliver good results for an egalitarian robot world. According to Sylvie Borau, we need to take measures to prevent women from falling into such prejudices. For example a solution similar to Google. The company stipulates that its AIs will be assigned a random male / female voice with equal probability.

From Anja Martini, tagesschau.de

How did the delivery stop come about?

In the USA, a vaccination ban with the active ingredient from Johnson & Johnson has been imposed. The CDC and the FDA had recommended this exposure. The reason for this were noticeable side effects: Six people were diagnosed with sinus vein thrombosis – that is, cerebral vein thrombosis – between six and 13 days after the vaccination. In three cases, thrombocytopenia, i.e. a lack of blood platelets, also occurred. They are women between the ages of 18 and 48 years. The delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine to the European Union had only started on Monday. Johnson & Johnson has committed to delivering 55 million cans by the end of June, with a total of 200 million cans to the EU this year. Because of the reports of complications, the US manufacturer postponed its delivery to the EU countries.

How many doses of the vaccine did Germany expect?

According to previous delivery commitments, Germany expects around ten million doses of the Johnson & Johnson preparation for the second quarter. These are now canceled. A first delivery of more than 230,000 doses of the corona vaccine arrived at the Bundeswehr pharmacy in Quakenbrück (district of Osnabrück) on Tuesday. All corona vaccination doses for Germany will first be brought there. From there the vaccine should then be distributed to the federal states.

Are there now further vaccination delays in Germany?

Not clear. The SPD health politician Karl Lauterbach does not expect any lasting damage to the vaccination campaign in Germany. The thrombosis cases were to be expected after the cases with the similar vaccine from AstraZeneca, according to Lauterbach im Deutschlandfunk . He assumes that the complication is so rare that after a while the vaccine will be vaccinated again in the USA and the start of vaccination will then also begin in Europe. In Bavaria, for example, a spokesman for the state health ministry told the Reuters news agency that the provisional delivery stop would not require any changes to vaccination planning in Bavaria. The vaccine had not yet been fed into the vaccination logistics. This is different in Brandenburg: Also because 6,700 vaccine doses from Johnson & Johnson would not initially be delivered to Brandenburg, this exacerbates the already existing bottlenecks, said State Interior Minister Michael Stübgen. Appointments for first vaccinations would be stopped.

How is the EU reacting to the delivery stop?

The European Commission has ordered a total of 50 million additional doses of corona vaccine from BioNTech / Pfizer. They should be delivered by the end of June. BioNTech / Pfizer also agreed to deliver the cans scheduled for the fourth quarter as early as the end of April. The total delivery volume from Biontech / Pfizer for the second quarter increases to 250 million cans. These are distributed across the EU.

How does the Johnson & Johnson vaccine work?

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is – just like that from AstraZeneca – a so-called vector vaccine. The genetic blueprint of part of the coronavirus is packaged in a weakened carrier virus that is not harmful to humans. This carrier virus brings parts of the genetic material of the virus into the cell. The human cell replicates these parts of the virus. The immune system reacts and makes antibodies. This makes Johnson & Johnson’s mode of action the same as that of the AstraZeneca vaccine. However, only one dose of vaccine is required for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. All other active ingredients previously approved in Germany must be vaccinated twice.

What causes the thrombosis?

Scientists believe it may be related to the specific type of these vaccines. “The fact that both vaccines are based on the same principle and cause the same problems, in my opinion, suggests that the vector itself is the cause,” said Johannes Oldenburg from the Bonn University Hospital of the German Press Agency. However, this is speculative at the moment. It is theoretically also conceivable that the spike protein of the virus, which is presented to the immune system in all available vaccines for the formation of antibodies, causes the side effects, explained Oldenburg. It is also fundamentally possible that the side effects are triggered unspecifically as part of the general immune response. Clemens Wendtner, chief physician at Munich Clinic Schwabing, also suspects that the side effects of both vaccines are based on a similar mechanism. “In the case of Johnson & Johnson, we have the same side effects that we have with AstraZeneca,” says Wendtner. “The question arises as to whether there is a class effect here, in other words the adenoviruses that are used as vectors that trigger problems.” Scientists at the University Medical Center Greifswald suspect a possible cause of the complications that the thrombosis is a defense reaction of the blood platelets. This led to the formation of blood clots in the brain.

What were the consequences of similar side effects with AstraZeneca?

Rare cases of thrombosis in the past few weeks had sowed doubts about the AstraZeneca vaccine and led to a temporary stop of vaccinations with this agent. By April 8, 46 cases of sinus vein thrombosis after vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine (new name: Vaxzevria) had been reported to the Paul Ehrlich Institute, in 24 cases additionally thrombocytopenia. Five women and three men died. With the exception of seven cases, all reports concerned women between the ages of 20 and 66 years. The men were 24 to 58 years old. In Germany, this vaccine can now only be used without restriction in people aged 60 and over .

What are cerebral vein thrombosis?

Sinus vein thrombosis is blood clot in veins in the brain that drain blood from the brain. Symptoms can be headache, but also epileptic seizures, paralysis or speech disorders. According to the Paul Ehrlich Institute, the blood clots in the cerebral veins occurred together with thrombocytopenia, i.e. a lack of blood platelets. Platelets are also responsible for blood clotting. A lack of platelets leads to an increased tendency to bleed. Symptoms include punctiform bleeding into the skin or mucous membranes, and severe nosebleeds are also possible.

CIA director William Burns is concerned about losing intelligence when the US withdraws its troops from Afghanista. Photo: Reuters

According to Reuters (UK), at the hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Mr. William Burns highlighted the important risk inherent in the decision of President Joe Biden, to withdraw all remaining forces. of the United States in Afghanistan, despite the existence of al-Qaeda and Islamic State militants.

“By the time US troops withdraw from Afghanistan, the US government’s ability to gather information and act on threats will decline. It’s the truth, ”said Burns, a veteran US deputy foreign minister, who took over as CIA director last month.

However, the head of the CIA also added that the US government is likely to keep some parts after the withdrawal, to help make intelligence predictions and resist efforts to restore the team. al-Qaeda terrorist organization.

Mr. Burns’ warning reflects the concerns of many experts that the withdrawal will significantly less secure US intelligence officers, limiting their ability to gather information in a timely manner.

“In the broader perspective, surveillance for US threats will be significantly reduced so that preventive measures can be taken. The Washington administration will no longer be able to cooperate directly with the Afghan security forces, ”said Lisa Curtis, a former White House top advisor to Afghanistan during the former Trump administration.

Ms. Curtis also questioned which US anti-terrorist forces would be relocated outside of Afghanistan, citing “historical hardship” that had placed American forces in “the most appropriate locations. “is Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

American soldiers step out of bases in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. Photo: Reuters

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden said the US will still monitor terrorist threats, reorganize its counterterrorism forces and retain substantial assets in the region to respond to threats from Afghanistan after withdrawal.

Marc Polymeropoulos, a former top CIA officer who served in Afghanistan, said intelligence agencies often rely on the US military for critical assistance such as security and medical evacuation. He worries if US troops withdraw from here, how the intelligence community will stay.

Previously, President Joe Biden announced that he would withdraw the last 2,500 US troops from Afghanistan before 9/11, the 20th anniversary of al Qaeda’s terrorist attack on the US and usher in the country’s longest war.

President Biden’s decision shows that the US military presence is no longer decisive in achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan, a core assumption that the Pentagon uses as a foundation for military deployment. American team here.

A UN report in January said there are still up to 500 al Qaeda terrorist fighters in Afghanistan. At the same time, the Taliban are also maintaining a close relationship with this terrorist organization. However, the Taliban denied the allegation and claimed that no al-Qaeda members remained active in Afghanistan.

At times, many places across the country were flooded with information about sophisticated tricks to “hide the ball” of multi-level business. At that time, the wave of multi-level sales such as octopus spouts, crept into every corner in many rural areas, stirred the already very peaceful lives of the people here. Because of the desire to be rich, many people have spent money to multilevel and then fall into the trap of scams that the family goes bankrupt.

But the multi-level “tornado” is still nothing compared to the “fever” of virtual land.

Artwork: Ha Giang

These days, real estate prices in many provinces are increasing “rapidly”, creating a “fever” of land, especially in rural areas. Provinces and cities such as Hanoi, Thanh Hoa, Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh … land prices in suburban areas have doubled or even tripled in just a few months. In many places, people quit production and business to carry money to trade land.

The land fever not only occurs in the planned areas but also occurs in locations that are not under the planning such as: forest land, field land, garden … “Storks” appear everywhere in the area. These areas create false excitement, pushing prices up every hour to entice investors in. For example, outside of Hanoi, there are areas that increase the price from 5 million / m2 to 7 million / m2 in just one day….

In general across the country, the average land price increases 10% -15% after 1 month. With such attractive profits, many people quit their businesses, their production, and withdraw money from banks to invest in land.

Everywhere, everywhere, people talked about land prices. This story appears in the whole meal, the people’s sleep makes life turn upside down, work stops.

Prescribe root treatment

According to many opinions, the low interest rate of credit plus the idle money of the people makes a large capital pouring into real estate, creating a virtual “fever” in the suburban areas.

This is not the first time the appearance of “fever” of soil. So the question is where is the managerial responsibility of the authorities, especially the responsibility of the local government?

The local government – where the land “fever” occurs, cannot ignore this situation because it will make a big obstacle to calling for and attracting formal investment. In fact, the increase in land prices will lead to a series of other costs increasing, especially the cost of compensation for site clearance … Thus, it will affect economic development in localities with ” fever “soil. Consequences of the land price increase will also reduce investment resources for production development in many other sectors and fields of the country.

Therefore, the local government needs to promote propaganda and explain to the people the serious consequences of the land “fever”, which will certainly limit a lot of speculation.

Commenting on this issue, Professor Dang Hung Vo – former Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, said that the “fever” situation of land everywhere over time is partly due to the impact of the 2013 Land Law. regulations on sub-plots for sale are expanded.

According to him, countries around the world use the form of subdivision for sale only to settle urban housing, not in commerce because in principle, the real estate market must exploit the value of the investment. land, not waiting for land price increases to make a profit as a form of “eating away”.

Professor Dang Hung Vo pointed out, from 2016 to 2020, the Government has instructed four times to amend the Land Law, however, up to now the Land Law has not been revised. In particular, the land is clogged with old regulations. For example, current agricultural land has not yet implemented effective accumulation and concentration. Along with that is the land transfer in the countryside almost not according to the procedure but mainly by handwriting. Then the problem of housing development nowadays also has many bottlenecks … Especially the problem of foreigners buying underground land in Vietnam … It is these shortcomings that have a direct impact on the real estate market, making distorting and manipulating the market, creating opportunities for those who have the opportunity to make money.

Therefore, Professor Dang Hung Vo emphasized that the revision of the Land Law is extremely necessary.

Along with that, according to experts’ view, in the context that lending interest rates are pouring heavily on real estate, the State Bank needs to closely monitor and supervise lending activities to prevent loans to production and business, but actually poured into real estate.

The above comments of Mr. Konstantin Roginsky, deputy director of the Institute of Oceanography of the Russian Academy of Sciences shared with the media on April 13.

“The amount of wastewater announced by the Japanese side is a small amount. This is a drop of water in the ocean. Even in the worst case, if the wastewater is poorly treated, this heavy water will sink to the bottom and lie at a depth of 5-6-8 km, ”said Mr. Roginsky.

The waste water is planned to be discharged into the ocean, not posing a threat to the ecosystem of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, because the currents in that area go from north to south in the direction of the Russian scientist. Japan”.

The wastewater discharge will begin in about two years and the entire process is expected to take decades. (Image: Reuters)

According to Roginsky, the discharge of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant does not pose a threat to the Sea of ​​Japan, which is separated from the Pacific by islands of Japan. “US naval bases are much more harmful to Japan’s coastal fisheries,” added Roginsky.

“About 1.5 million tons of wastewater will be dumped into the ocean. Accordingly, the water is diluted, losing its natural salinity. This can be more harmful to marine organisms than it is with poor radiation release. They are used to living at a certain salinity, at a certain depth, in a certain chemical composition of water, ”explained the Russian expert.

Also commenting on the contemporary Japanese announcement of the discharge of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, the expert of the Federal Council on Agricultural Policy – Food and Environmental Management, Ms. Natalia Sokolova undertook that if the wastewater is properly purified, there will be no radioactive threat to Russia.

“Right now, the amount of liquid accumulated is very large. Most of it is regular water. If purified from all harmful impurities, including tritium, the wastewater can be safely discharged into the oceans, as well as the coastal waters of other countries will not be affected. “, Ms. Sokolova shared with Sputnik.

According to the ecologist, discharging water from nuclear power plants is a common process for operating plants. But Fukushima is an emergency, so it is not known whether or not an operation will be able to proceed. It will become clear by 2023 whether wastewater can be filtered to the required parameters.

“Rigorous laboratory analyzes should be performed during the entire wastewater purification process. Two years prior to discharge is called approximate figure. I am sure that the Japanese government will make a decision on the outcome of the wastewater purification process. So far, these are just plans and the reality is that not all wastewater can be 100% purified ”, believes Ms. Sokolova.

Japan insists it is safe to discharge water from the plant as it has been treated to remove most of the radioactive elements and will be diluted. (Image: Reuters)

Meanwhile, Dmitry Lisitsyn, President of the Far East (Russia) environmental protection organization, said that the discharge of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan would lead to radioactive pollution. was brought to the heart of the North Pacific, where Pacific salmon are inhabited.

“The Fukushima nuclear power plant is located on the Pacific coast of Honshu Island. When radioactive pollution enters the Pacific off the coast of Honshu, they are quickly transported to the northeast by the Kuroshio currents, then into the North Pacific stream. All polluted wastewater is sent directly to the North Pacific. How does this threaten Russia? The fish forage in the North Pacific, then infiltrate the Russian table and there will be more before the polluted wastewater completely disappears, “RIA quoted Mr. Lisitsyn.

Lisitsyn noted six Pacific salmon species live in the Far East. They spawn in rivers, feed and grow in the ocean. Specifically in the central region of the North Pacific. This is exactly the site where this pollution was done.

What does the IAEA say?

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi, welcomed the decision of the Japanese Government to discharge wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea and promised that the organization would assistance to avoid negative consequences.

“I welcome Japan’s announcement of how they will treat wastewater stored at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The IAEA will work with Japan before, during and after discharge to help ensure this is done without negatively affecting health and the environment, ”wrote Grossi on Twitter.

According to Mr. Grossi, the controlled discharge of water into the sea is regularly used by nuclear power plants operating in the world and in the region, they comply with strict environmental safety standards and regulations. .

The start of wastewater discharge is expected to be around 2023. At the current rate of storage in reservoirs, all available reservoirs will be filled by the end of 2022.

Earlier, speaking at a press conference on April 13, Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide announced that it would discharge more than 1 million tons of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea, saying that the discharge of water into Thai waters Binh Duong was the “most realistic” and “inevitable” option to achieve the recovery of Fukushima.