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Controversial herbicide glyphosate Checked and undesirable

As of: 23.06.2021 12:55 p.m.

A test report commissioned by the EU does not consider the weed killer glyphosate to be carcinogenic or dangerous to the genetic makeup. Nevertheless, the drug will probably disappear from the market in Europe.

From Michael Heussen, WDR

The specialist authorities from France, Sweden, Hungary and the Netherlands come to terms with glyphosate to a clear result : The pesticide is not carcinogenic, it does not damage the genetic material and it is neither dangerous for human organs nor for the hormonal balance. The four national authorities had assessed the safety of glyphosate on behalf of the European Commission on the basis of existing study results. You confirm the findings of test authorities around the world.

Nevertheless, it can be assumed that the drug will disappear from the market sooner or later. “Glyphosate is socially dead,” said a farmer official in the run-up to the farmers’ day in Berlin. The public had long since made its judgment – even with solid scientific arguments, the majority of consumers could not be convinced of the harmlessness of the substance. Since 2015, the judgment of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which belongs to the World Health Organization (WHO), has been hovering over the evaluation process like a sword of Damocles: Glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic”.

“Very low probability”

It is hardly surprising that the glyphosate producer Bayer sees it differently and welcomes the positive study results that have now been published. The chemical giant, which with the US-American Monsanto group also took over its glyphosate-containing bestseller Roundup, also rejects another argument – that the herbicide threatens biodiversity.

“Evaluated scientific studies as well as publicly available research reports show only a very low probability that the proper use of glyphosate-containing pesticides has indirect effects on the biodiversity of most food chains,” says the company. For example, the effects on microorganisms living in the soil, worms, birds, pollinating insects such as honey bees, frogs and other amphibians as well as fish have been investigated, according to a Bayer spokesman. So could it happen that glyphosate may also be used in the European Union beyond the approval period that expires at the end of 2022? Much speaks against it.

The Bayer Group sees itself confirmed by the current audit at EU level. Image: dpa

Federal government expects glyphosate to be phased out by 2024

The Federal Environment Ministry, led by Svenja Schulze (SPD), firmly expects that no more glyphosate-containing pesticides may be used from January 1, 2024 at the latest after the end of the one-year transition period. “In agreement with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, we continue to assume that the Federal Government (…) has decided to phase out glyphosate use in accordance with EU law,” it says WDR -Inquiry . About the corresponding amending regulation the Federal Council will decide next Friday. Until the end of the transition period, the application “may only take place if there are no alternative options, for example in the case of weeds that are difficult to control or areas at risk of erosion” – so it is in the voting proposal. Its use on areas that serve the general public, as well as in house and allotment gardens, is completely forbidden.

No further approval expected at EU level

Federal Minister of Agriculture Julia Klöckner (CDU) has also emphasized several times, a spokeswoman for her ministry told the WDR “It cannot be assumed that there will still be a majority after 2022 in favor of an extension of the glyphosate approval at EU level”.

In 2017, the dispute over glyphosate between the ministries almost led to a coalition crisis in Berlin. Because the former Agriculture Minister Christian Schmidt (CSU) voted “yes” in the responsible EU committee in Brussels , although the then Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks (SPD) strictly against an extension of the approval for glyphosate was. The different evaluations of the current incumbents are not so obvious. But in the letters of reply to the questions of the WDR There are differences: “Glyphosate-containing pesticides are important for soil-conserving and water-saving cultivation of arable land, especially in areas prone to erosion,” writes the Klöckner spokeswoman. Schulze’s spokesman, on the other hand, emphasizes the dangers for biodiversity: “As a total herbicide, glyphosate destroys all plants indiscriminately and thus destroys the food and livelihood for many insect species such as butterflies and, indirectly, for field birds such as the skylark.”

EU assessment expected in 2022

At the European level, the European Food Safety Authority EFSA and the European Chemicals Agency ECHA will start public participation at the beginning of September – results are expected in one year.

Bayer AG continues to rely on the controversial herbicide. Europe does not play a major role as a sales market. The agricultural countries in North and South America are more important. In the USA around ten billion euros have to be paid in the context of a settlement to 96,000 plaintiffs who blame glyphosate for their cancer, and billions more will be due for future plaintiffs . Bayer therefore wants to limit its use for private customers – but Roundup should continue to be used in large-scale agriculture. Only the warning notices should be made clearly more visible. glyphosate The weed killer glyphosate was developed by Bayer subsidiary Monsanto and marketed under the brand name Roundup. The herbicide is also manufactured by other companies, as the patent has expired for years. Bayer is faced with around 9,300 plaintiffs because of the weed killer in the United States, as glyphosate is suspected of being carcinogenic. This is based on the assessment of the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC), which classified the active ingredient as “probably carcinogenic” in 2015. The Bayer Group always emphasizes that glyphosate is safe when used properly and relies on a large number of scientific studies.

At the end of 2017, the EU Commission extended the approval of glyphosate by five years and now has to make a new decision. A first round of talks is to take place in September and then the EU member states will be involved. Against this background, the EU Commission commissioned the assessment group for glyphosate (consisting of the testing authorities in France, Hungary, the Netherlands and Sweden) to prepare a draft of the risk assessment. This 11,000-page draft was submitted to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in mid-June 2021. A final recommendation from EFSA can be expected in the second half of 2022 after the submission has been examined

Aviation industry Corona isn’t the only problem

Status: 06/18/2021 6:46 a.m.

Aviation has been hit particularly hard by the Corona crisis. But the industry is also under pressure when it comes to climate protection. Will the change now succeed?

From Michael Immel, ARD aviation expert

The mood in the aviation industry has brightened. Because quite a few planes are filling up again, and many people are looking forward to their summer vacation. And so bookings are going through the roof almost everywhere these days: Lufthansa, Eurowings and Condor – all are experiencing a huge summer trend.

Will the first be the last?

The “National Aviation Conference”, which today is attended by top representatives from politics, business and trade unions at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport, wants to continue this positive trend. But it won’t be easy. Even if capacity utilization is now increasing sharply: over the year as a whole, the aviation industry will probably only end up at 40 to 50 percent of the pre-crisis level. Lufthansa boss Carsten Spohr had already stated last spring: “We were the first industry to be affected by this global crisis and aviation will be one of the last to leave it.”

Remove travel restrictions

In the joint declaration on the aviation conference to be signed in Berlin today, it is therefore stated: “After around 15 months of almost total standstill, the German air transport system is suffering from massive economic losses. Therefore, further decisions and measures are necessary to revive air traffic to support.”

It is primarily about travel restrictions that are to be lifted gradually. And to simplify travel, in particular through a digital vaccination certificate for proof of vaccination, recovery and test results. This should accelerate the processes at the airports.

Successful and sustainable

In the nine-page paper that tagesschau.de is available, the main focus is on a green strategy for the German aviation industry. The revival should be based entirely on sustainability. Climate protection, eco-efficiency and sustainable competitiveness: These are the future topics for the entire industry – which has also understood that lip service alone will not be enough in the future.

“An essential instrument for climate protection in air traffic is the rapid and continuous renewal of the aircraft fleets”, it says in the Berlin declaration. New commercial aircraft would emit up to 25 percent less CO2 than the previous generation. With the collapse of air traffic, however, the renewal of the fleet has largely come to a standstill. “That is why the federal government has initiated a funding program to provide an economic incentive for the fleet renewal. We are continuing to advocate for the rapid approval of the program under state aid law during this legislative period.”

Criticism from unions

Meanwhile, in the run-up to the aviation conference, there is massive criticism from unions. According to the ver.di survey, 16 percent of the workforce have left air transport since the beginning of the pandemic. “The numbers of downsizing are frightening,” said Mira Neumaier, ver.di federal specialist group leader for aviation, who is also taking part in the aviation conference today.

“In view of the extremely thin workforce even before the start of the pandemic and the great stress situation for the employees, it is to be feared that a regulated restart in air traffic – even at 50 percent of the pre-crisis level – will no longer be affordable.”

Securing jobs

“It is not enough to save corporations,” warns Stefan Herth, president of the cockpit pilots’ union. “The short-time work allowance was an important measure in the acute crisis. What we now need is the sustainable safeguarding of jobs. In the past year and a half, politics has shown too little commitment here,” said Herth.

As a major shareholder, the federal government also has the responsibility not to lose sight of the well-being of employees when making important business decisions. “Wage dumping and social cuts at state expense must not be accepted anywhere.”

Computer technology A quantum leap for Germany?

Status: 15.06.2021 6:25 p.m.

Europe’s first quantum computer was inaugurated in Ehningen near Stuttgart. The ultra-fast computer from IBM is supposed to help the economy compete with China and the USA. From Michael Herr, SWR The “marvel of technology”, as Angela Merkel called it, is massive: the quantum computer, IBM and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft on Tuesday at the German headquarters, is supposed to have a footprint of three by three meters at a height of three meters of the IT group in Ehningen near Stuttgart has presented to the public. According to IBM, the “most powerful quantum computer in the industrial environment of Europe” has officially arrived in Swabia. It was set up in November last year. Because of the pandemic, the computer could only be inaugurated today. The expectations that many have placed on the system are even greater than the computer: some experts predict that quantum technology will be the starting point for the next industrial revolution. The quantum computer should also ensure that Germany is at the forefront when it breaks out.

03/09/2021

Favorite project of the Chancellor

The new computer in Ehningen is called “Quantum System One” – and is considered a kind of favorite project of Merkel. At least it could be switched on live at the opening. She arranged the project herself – on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos 2019, during a conversation with IBM boss Ginni Rometty. In the autumn of the same year the promise was made: the computer will come to Germany. The Fraunhofer researchers will initially use the facility exclusively until the end of 2023. Fraunhofer President Reimund Neugebauer said that computing power would be rented to research institutions and companies of all sizes. Companies should also make use of their research results. Only recently, a quantum alliance of leading corporations in the field was founded in Germany. On board are among others BASF, SAP and VW. A total of six projects have now been started with partners from science and industry to research quantum technology, possible application scenarios and algorithms. The computer is the first that the US corporation IBM is making available outside the USA.

October 24, 2019

Computer technology revolution

Now that the potential of supercomputers has largely been exhausted, quantum computers are seen as a new beacon of hope for industry and research. Wherever large amounts of data arise, for example in the simulation of molecules or in drug research with its innumerable variables, quantum computers have the edge. The reason for this lies in their special type of information processing. A normal computer calculates in bits. However, these can only assume two states, 1 or 0. The computing power that can be provided is therefore limited. Quantum computers, on the other hand, calculate with qubits, tiny quantum particles such as photons or electrons. To put it simply, these can not only alternately assume the states 1 or 0, but both at the same time. This enables you to carry out many calculations in parallel.

05/12/2021

Germany Developing country in quantum computing

So far, Germany and Europe have practically not appeared on the world map of quantum computing. This is shown not least by the fact that it first took a US company to bring the first commercial quantum computer to Europe. The big players in the business are in the USA; A total of 13 established companies are currently working there on computers or associated software, including names like Google and Microsoft. China has also invested huge sums in the technology. In order to catch up with the deficit of the German economy, the state has reached into its pockets: 40 million euros are provided for the system in Ehingen, financed by the federal government and the state of Baden-Württemberg. The Chancellor said it was a future technology that could achieve breakthroughs in medical technology and revolutionize materials research because the speed of computers would make very complex calculations possible. With its funding of two billion euros until 2025, the federal government wants to support market-oriented development. In addition, Germany wants to develop its own quantum computer demonstrator with a company consortium in the next two years. In Germany the results of quantum technology research must now be used “as quickly as possible”, also economically, said Merkel. In other words: New industrial applications for the technology are needed. Many possible uses of quantum mechanics have so far only been at the research stage.

Exclusive 02/04/2021

Quantum technology improves cancer diagnostics

You can already see the potential of the technology at the start-up “NVision” in Ulm. 30 employees from nine nations work here. They share knowledge and curiosity for quantum physics. They are making use of their principles for new diagnostic methods with which cancer can be detected better and earlier. To do this, they use a sugar-like active ingredient that makes cancer cells detectable in the magnetic resonance tomograph. “We make sugar visible by using quantum technology to magnify the signals it sends out ten thousand times.” explains Ilia Schwartz, one of the founders of “NVision” and one of the most renowned quantum scientists at all. With the new technology, tumor diagnoses could soon be made without the use of radioactive contrast media. And doctors would gain deep insights into diseased tissue like never before: Tumors could be detected earlier and the success or failure of therapies could be determined. The new computer should also ensure that such success stories of quantum technology become even more common in Germany. However, there is another problem to be resolved on the way there: So far, there has been a lack of a sufficient number of programmers in this country who can exploit the potential of the new machine.

According to the GQ , Michael Jordan’s diet was defined by personal trainer Tim Grover. The expert shared about the athlete’s eating habits: “Michael doesn’t eat too much. He only eats when he’s hungry and refrains from overeating.” Tim Grover says the athlete’s eating plan is designed to keep sugar levels steady and boost metabolism, avoiding weight gain as much as possible. The menu of the day always ensures 3 full meals. Michael Jordan regularly performs strong exercises combined with a tailored diet. Photo: Reddit. Breakfast The simple breakfast menu Michael Jordan needs to start the day includes a large oatmeal with strawberries, raspberries, raisins and orange juice. Coach Tim Grover notes that athletes need to get more protein from egg whites. The above diet is packed with vitamins with fruit, while eggs provide protein. However, the amount of food for the star must be large to provide adequate nutrition. Lunch For lunch, the coach notes that athletes need to add lean protein such as chicken breast or burger. In addition, Michael Jordan’s lunch menu includes healthy carbohydrate dishes such as whole-grain pasta and green salad. Michael Jordan’s menus are tailored by the trainer to fit the needs of his body. Photo: Basketball. Snacks Michael Jordan doesn’t like junk food. Grove says the basketball player’s smoothie is a combination of Gatorade electrolyte water, protein powder and fresh fruit. Dinner In the words of Coach Grover, Michael Jordan had the opportunity to eat all he wanted at dinner. However, the basketball star still applies the rule of only choosing snacks that fit with his eating plan. So, if you want to follow the Jordanian diet, avoid dinner with high protein foods. Exercises to help you burn fat at home Many people want to focus on reducing excess fat before welcoming the new year to wear better clothes.

The boy works as a classical painter, enjoys riding an antique bicycle, writes with a brush and ink mark and even refuses to watch television. He used to spend more than 8,000 pounds to renovate bedrooms like Victorian times. A 19th-century passion for style has been with Michael since elementary school. His brother encouraged to play soccer, but Michael was only interested in history. Michael Koropisz was famous for dressing, behaving and acting like a gentleman in the 19th century. Until recently, Michael decided to shake off the image of “gentleman from the last century” to easily enter the entertainment industry in the land of fog. He spent more than £ 12,500 to renew his wardrobe, remove old-fashioned evening coats, headgear, leather gloves and change to branded sneakers, jeans and shirts. Michael also spent £ 8,000 for nose repairs and £ 4,500 for teeth to match today’s beauty standards. “I decided it was time to change to look for drama opportunities. I also go for plastic surgery to look as good as I can and stand out on stage. I’m very happy with my new look and direction, ”Michael said. The decision to change his lifestyle came after a picture of Michael’s history was noticed on television, making him realize how much he liked to appear on television. After abandoning the gentleman image in the 19th century, Michael Koropisz underwent plastic surgery and changed his appearance. “I want to appear in more TV shows and talk more about history with the audience. It’s the perfect combination of the two I love, ”he said. After giving up his old way of life, Michael kept his long coats, for any formal occasion that needed something more fancy than today’s fashion. “I continue to draw but for now that’s not the main focus. I was invited to be an expert on television and this is my priority area. I love art but sometimes the pursuit is lonely. Modernizing my hobby will give me the opportunity to meet more people ”.

The source told TMZ that the new season will have two stories to take place, Paris Jackson will appear in the second story. Paris Jackson participated in many film projects this year. After nodding join American Horror Story: Double Feature The 23-year-old actor has the opportunity to collaborate with famous stars Sarah Paulson, Katy Bates and movie child star Home alone Macaulay Culkin. The 10th installment of the FX-produced series re-started after a delay due to the Covid-19 translation. The full cast has not been officially announced by the producer. Paris Jackson started her acting career with the role of Rachel Wells in the series Star by Fox. In 2018, she continued to appear in comedy Gringo. Before that, the 23-year-old star confirmed to appear in the television series Sex Appeal produced by Hulu. In addition, Paris Jackson also developed a career in music. She just released the MV Low Key In Love , before that single Let Down and album Wilted. Paris Jackson was born in 1998 and is the only daughter of Michael Jackson. Every year, she receives $ 8 million, bonuses at the 18th, 33 and 40-year-olds, from a fortune of $ 100 million inherited from the father of the pop king. Page Six.