Boeing 737 Max given green light to fly in the EU

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27 January 2021

Boeing 737 Max given green light to fly in the EU

The Boeing 737 Max can safely return to service, the boss of the EU’s air safety regulator has said.

Patrick Ky, executive director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), said: “We have reached a significant milestone on a long road.

“Following extensive analysis by EASA, we have determined that the 737 Max can safely return to service.”

The latest version of the world’s biggest-selling aircraft was involved in two fatal crashes that cost 346 lives.

In October 2018, 189 people died when Lion Air flight 610 came down in the Java Sea shortly after take off from Jakarta. The following March, 157 passengers and crew lost their lives aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 after it crashed in very similar circumstances soon after departing from Addis Ababa.

Both crashes were attributed to software known as the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), which is intended to make the plane easier to handle in certain conditions. In each tragedy, a faulty sensor caused the software to kick in repeatedly, pushing the nose of the aircraft down.

In each accident, the pilots finally lost control of the plane.

Within days of the second crash, the Max was banned from passenger flights worldwide. After being grounded for 20 months, the plane resumed domestic services in Brazil and the US last month.

It will now be able to fly in Europe after what EASA calls a package of software upgrades, electrical working rework, maintenance checks, operations manual updates and crew training which will allow the plane to fly safely in European skies after almost two years on the ground.

Flight crew will be required to undergo improved procedures to equip pilots to understand and manage all relevant failure scenarios.

The EASA stresses: “This assessment was carried out in full independence of Boeing or the Federal Aviation Administration and without any economic or political pressure – we asked difficult questions until we got answers and pushed for solutions which satisfied our exacting safety requirements.

“We carried out our own flight tests and simulator sessions and did not rely on others to do this for us.”

Earlier this week a former Boeing 737 manager, Ed Pierson, wrote a paper in which he portrayed “a chaotic and dangerously unstable production environment” in the aircraft factory.

Mr Ky said: “Let me be quite clear that this journey does not end here.

“We have every confidence that the aircraft is safe, which is the precondition for giving our approval. But we will continue to monitor 737 Max operations closely as the aircraft resumes service.”

An Airworthiness Directive, specifying changes and crew training requirements, must be carried out before each individual plane returns to service.

Each plane must also undergo an operational readiness flight, without passengers.

Following Brexit, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the UK is responsible for signing off the plane for operation in British skies.

The Independent has asked the CAA when it expects to approve the aircraft.

EU demands access to AstraZeneca Covi…

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27 January 2021

EU demands access to AstraZeneca Covi...

A member of staff holding a dose of the Oxford/Astrazeneca coronavirus vaccine

The European Union has demanded access to AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured in UK plants as the bloc’s row with the pharmaceutical giant over a shortage of doses intensified.

Boris Johnson insisted the Government is “very confident in our contracts” after European health commissioner Stella Kyriakides told the firm on Wednesday it is contractually obliged to send jabs produced in the UK to EU member states.

AstraZeneca chief executive Pascal Soriot argued supply chain “teething issues” were fixed in the UK ahead of the bloc because Britain signed a contract three months earlier.

But Ms Kyriakides said: “We reject the logic of first come first served. That may work at the neighbourhood butchers but not in contracts.”

She denied the bloc would impose an export ban on vaccines leaving the EU but said the contract signed with AstraZeneca, which worked with Oxford University on its vaccine, contains two factories in the UK.

“There is no hierarchy of the factories. You are aware in the contracts there are four factories listed but it does not differentiate between the UK and Europe. The UK factories are part of our advance purchase agreements and that is why they have to deliver,” she added.

“We expect the doses that are in an advance purchase agreement to be delivered to the European Union.”

There were concerns that the UK could face supply issues for the Belgium-manufactured Pfizer jab if the EU imposed export controls, as previously suggested.

But Ms Kyriakides said: “Let me be absolutely clear, the European Union is not imposing an export ban on vaccines or restricting the export of vaccines to third countries.

“What we have proposed as a commission is an export transparency mechanism. What it will do is bring clarity on the production capacity of manufacturers.”

(PA Graphics)

During a Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson declined to get drawn into the row but said the vaccine is being produced in “ever growing quantities in the UK”, adding: “That will accelerate, the production schedules will continue to improve.”

He added: “All I can say is we’re very confident in our supplies, we’re very confident in our contracts and we’re going ahead on that basis.”

In an interview with Italy’s La Repubblica newspaper, Mr Soriot said “we are basically two months behind where we want to be” in supplies due to manufacturing issues in Europe, citing problems in a Belgian plant.

He said there had been “teething issues” in the UK supply chain as well but that the deal with Britain was signed three months ahead of the EU’s.

“So with the UK we have had an extra three months to fix all the glitches we experienced,” he said.

He rejected the suggestion the firm was selling to the highest bidder “because we make no profit everywhere” under the agreement signed with Oxford University.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday that he had “total confidence” in the UK’s supply of jabs.

MEPs: Hold companies accountable for harm caused to people and planet | News | European Parliament

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27 January 2021

MEPs: Hold companies accountable for harm caused to people and planet | News | European Parliament

, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210122IPR96215/

NX Prenatal Expands Leading Patent Position in Exosome-Based Liquid Biopsy Tests in Maternal- Fetal Medicine

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27 January 2021

NX Prenatal Expands Leading Patent Position in Exosome-Based Liquid Biopsy Tests in Maternal- Fetal Medicine – Book Publishing Industry Today – EIN Presswire

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Radicalisation in the EU: what is it? How can it be prevented? | News | European Parliament

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27 January 2021

Radicalisation in the EU: what is it? How can it be prevented? | News | European Parliament

, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/security/20210121STO96105/

MEPs call for binding 2030 targets for materials use and consumption footprint

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27 January 2021

“Take-make-dispose” economy must come to an end
Binding targets needed also for recycled content
EU policy on sustainable products should include non-energy-related products

The EU needs clear policy objectives to achieve a carbon-neutral, environmentally sustainable, toxic-free and fully circular economy by 2050 at the latest, say MEPs.

On Wednesday, the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety adopted its report on the new EU Circular Economy Action Plan, with 66 votes in favour, 6 against and 7 abstentions.

Circular economy principles

MEPs emphasise that the current linear “take-make-dispose” economy must be transformed into a truly circular economy, based on a series of key principles such as preventing waste and reducing energy and resource use. Products should be designed in a way that reduces waste, harmful substances and pollution, and protects human health. The consumer benefits of a circular economy should be made clear, they say.

Binding targets and indicators

MEPs call for science-based binding 2030 EU targets for materials use and consumption footprint, covering the whole lifecycle of each product category placed on the EU market. To this end, they urge the Commission to introduce in 2021 harmonised, comparable and uniform circularity indicators for material and consumption footprints.

The Environment Committee also calls on the Commission to propose product-specific and/or sector-specific binding targets for recycled content, while ensuring the performance and safety of the products concerned and that they are designed to be recycled.

Sustainable product policy

MEPs strongly endorse the Commission’s intention to broaden the scope of the Ecodesign Directive to include non-energy-related products. They insist that new legislation should be put forward in 2021. This should set horizontal sustainability principles and product-specific standards so that products placed on the EU market perform well, are durable, reusable, can be easily repaired, are not toxic, can be upgraded and recycled, contain recycled content, and are resource- and energy-efficient.

Other key proposals by MEPs include:

introducing measures against greenwashing and false environmental claims, as well as legislative measures to stop practices that result in planned obsolescence;
championing the EU Ecolabel as a benchmark for environmental sustainability;
strengthening the role of Green Public Procurement by establishing minimum mandatory criteria and targets;
mainstreaming circular economy principles into member states’ national recovery plans.

Quote

Rapporteur Jan Huitema (Renew Europe, NL) said: “The transition to a circular economy is an economic opportunity for Europe that we should embrace. Europe is not a resource-rich continent, but we have the skills, the expertise and the ability to innovate and develop the technologies needed to close loops and build a waste-free society. This will create jobs and economic growth and bring us closer to reaching our climate goals: It’s a win-win.” Watch video statement.

Next steps

The report will be put to the vote during the February plenary sitting.

Background

In March 2020, the Commission adopted a new “Circular Economy Action Plan for a Cleaner and More Competitive Europe”. A debate in the Environment Committee took place in October.

Up to 80% of products’ environmental impact is determined at the design phase. The global consumption of materials is expected to double in the next forty years, while the amount of waste generated every year is projected to increase by 70% by 2050. Half of total greenhouse gas emissions, and more than 90% of biodiversity loss and water stress, come from extracting and processing resources.

First perinatal mortality audit in North Macedonia reveals gaps in the health system and suggests ways to address them

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27 January 2021

First perinatal mortality audit in North Macedonia reveals gaps in the health system and suggests ways to address them

The results of the first perinatal mortality audit in North Macedonia, released today, highlight areas that need to be addressed in order to improve the care for mothers and their babies during pregnancy, childbirth and the neonatal period. This audit, conducted based on the data from 2019, provides important insights and evidence-based recommendations that can be used both to address system errors and barriers and to identify and praise points of strength. “Successfully reaching the goal of providing evidence-based health care at the appropriate health facility, when it’s needed, will mean more equal opportunities for every community in North Macedonia and ultimately, healthier women and children,” said Dr Elizabeta Georgievska Pendarovska, First Lady of North Macedonia, at the launching event of the report.

Table of Contents

North Macedonia takes action to continue reducing perinatal deaths

The number of perinatal deaths, or stillbirths and deaths in the first week of life, has systematically decreased in North Macedonia over the past three decades. After an upsurge in neonatal mortality in 2015, swift action was taken by the Ministry of Health with technical support from WHO, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UNICEF. A subsequent in-depth assessment clarified ways to strengthen the health system and fast-track improvements in maternal and newborn health outcomes.

As a result, the Ministry of Health established the national Safe Motherhood Committee and the Perinatal Mortality Audit Working Group to ensure a better quality of services for mothers and babies. In addition, the Perinatal Care Master Plan 2020–2030 was launched in 2020. It provides a consolidated analysis of the perinatal care delivery system, evidence-based recommendations for risk-appropriate care, and the organization and optimization of maternal and newborn services via a well-prepared workforce, strong quality assurance system and the strengthening of the health information system.

The 2019 perinatal mortality audit is an important means for North Macedonia to reach these goals, and both WHO and UNICEF are committed to continue their collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other partners.

“WHO in North Macedonia supported the perinatal audit in order to ensure quality of care,” said Dr Jihane Tawilah, WHO Representative to North Macedonia, at the launching event of the perinatal mortality audit report. “This audit makes it possible for health system managers to understand the causes of death and the contributing factors, so they are able to take corrective action to improve the quality of care.”

“UNICEF is strongly committed towards the objective of the Master Plan for strengthening the continuity of care and harnessing digital care technologies by forming a new model of perinatal care networks to include hospitals, primary health care gynecologists and patronage nurses,” said Patrizia Di Giovanni, UNICEF representative to North Macedonia.

Recommendations based on the solid analysis of facts and figures

The analyses of the perinatal deaths identified and reviewed gaps and bottlenecks in the quality of care for pregnant women and during childbirth, postnatal and neonatal care. Alongside other recommendations, emphasis was given to the importance of information among providers of antenatal care on the screening for several important maternal conditions. Such information is crucial in planning the appropriate care for a mother and her child.

Other fundamental recommendations, based on the audit findings, relate to the training of health care professionals, treatment guidelines, criteria for performing a caesarean section in the case of a stillbirth or neonatal death, and timely, correct interventions to prevent unnecessary complications.

Essential newborn care, which is a set of effective, low-cost interventions, is another important recommendation for North Macedonia. Thermal care, screening for temperature, and breast feeding can be implemented at almost any setting and are proven to enhance neonatal outcomes.

WHO in North Macedonia will continue its support of the perinatal mortality auditing process and will facilitate the implementation of the Perinatal Care Master Plan 2020–2030, in collaboration with UNICEF, UNFPA and other partners. All joint actions aim to achieve the best possible health outcomes for mothers and newborns.

RECOMMENDED CASH OFFER for SCAPA GROUP PLC by AMS HOLDCO 2 LIMITED

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27 January 2021

RECOMMENDED CASH OFFER for SCAPA GROUP PLC by AMS HOLDCO 2 LIMITED – Book Publishing Industry Today – EIN Presswire

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Don’t repeat what World Holocaust Remembrance Day remembers, world urged

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27 January 2021

Don't repeat what World Holocaust Remembrance Day remembers, world urged

(Photo: https://auschwitz.org/en/Auschwitz-Birkenau

Global church leaders such as Pope Francis and the head of the World Council of Churches have joined international leaders on World Holocaust Remembrance Day, calling for decisive action against antisemitism and warning of its danger to morph into other hate.

The UH human rights chief warned of indifference to growing hatred and extreme ideologies whipped up by powerful leaders, growing hate crimes fueled by conspiracies and falsehoods fed by irresponsible social media.

The remembrance day serves as a reminder for the governments and all the world’s people of their international human rights obligations, this year marking the 76th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp on Jan. 27, 1945.

“Today, we commemorate the victims of the Holocaust and all those persecuted and deported by the Nazi regime,” Pope Francis said at his weekly General Audience at the Vatican on Jan. 27.

LARGEST NAZI CAMP

Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest Nazi concentration and death camp and was liberated by the Soviet Red Army during the Second World War.

“Remembering is an expression of humanity. Remembering is a sign of civilization,” said Francis. “Remembering is a condition for a better future of peace and fraternity.”

“Remembering also means being careful because these things could happen again, beginning with ideological proposals intended to save a people and ending by destroying a people and humanity.”

He warned that we must be attentive “to how this path of death, of extermination, and brutality begins.”

World Council of Churches interim general secretary Rev. Ioan Sauca called upon people to pause to remember the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazism during the Second World War.

“As well as being an annual commemoration of all the precious living,” said Sauca the day, “is also a salutary recurrent reminder of the path that leads from fear and hatred of ‘the other,’ through the denial of the human dignity and rights of all people equally, to genocide.

“Far from being an episode receding in increasingly distant history, the Holocaust remains an ever-present threat.”

In recent years, Sauca reflected that the world had observed the increasing license of hate speech and others’ demonization in political and public discourse.

“We have seen resurgent expressions of antisemitism and other group hatreds,” he said. “And we have witnessed the impacts of these phenomena on our societies and relationships.”

In a statement, Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the past year has seen “frightening increases” in the number of hate crimes in many societies.

SPIKE IN ANTISEMITIC ACTIVITY

“Amid the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has also been a sharp rise in online anti-Semitic activity. The World Jewish Congress has reported a 30 percent increase in anti-Jewish slurs on major social media sites since November 2019.”

She noted the passive indifference of so many to these crimes – and the active involvement of many others.

“With renewed vigor, conspiracy theorists increasingly link extreme political ideologies and anti-Semitic delusions – weaving elaborate lies and falsehoods that lay responsibility for every kind of government failing on individual Jews or the Jewish community as a whole,” said Bachelet.

“Whipped up by irresponsible opinion-leaders – and amplified and legitimized by the uniquely powerful engines of digital media – these hate-filled fabrications are deeply damaging in themselves and can pose a real threat of violence.”

(Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC)Prayer at the western wall in Jerusalem.

Acclaimed Author, Steven Markoff, New George W. Bush Book Praised by Pierce O’Donnell, Renown Constitutional Lawyer

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26 January 2021