Uyghur Community and Supporters Rally in Amsterdam to Commemorate Urumqi Massacre

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7 July 2024

Gaza: Security Council adopts US resolution calling for ‘immediate, full and complete ceasefire’

The United States-drafted text calls for Hamas to accept a ceasefire proposal announced on 31 May by President Joe Biden that has already been accepted by Israel.

Adopted by a large majority with 14 votes in favour and Russia abstaining – choosing not to exercise its veto power – the resolution also urges both parties to fully implement the terms of the proposal “without delay and without condition.”

Russia’s Permanent Representative told the Council after the vote there was a lack of clarity over what exactly Israel had signed up to in the resolution, leaving too many questions unanswered for Moscow to offer its support.

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‘Durable end’ to the war in sight

President Biden described the deal as “not just a ceasefire that would inevitably be fragile and temporary” but one that would provide a “durable end to the war”.

He added that the terms of the deal had been transmitted by Qatar to the leadership of Hamas.

Signaling a hopeful shift in diplomacy, the US-led initiative brought both Israel and the Palestinian mission on board, avoiding the vetoes from permanent members – including the US itself – which have stalled action on several of the resolutions which have failed to pass since the 7 October terror attacks and kidnappings began the cycle of violence.

Three-phase approach

The motion envisages a three phase approach to ensure a lasting and comprehensive end to the fighting.

Phase one includes an “immediate, full, and complete ceasefire with the release of hostages including women, the elderly and the wounded, the return of the remains of some hostages who have been killed, and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners”.

It calls for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from “populated areas” of Gaza, the return of Palestinians to their homes and neighbourhoods throughout the enclave, including in the north, as well as the safe and effective distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale.

Permanent end to hostilities

Phase two would see a permanent end to hostilities “in exchange for the release of all other hostages still in Gaza, and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza”.

In phase three, “a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza” would begin and the remains of any deceased hostages still in the Strip would be returned to Israel.

The Council also underlined the proposal’s provision that if negotiations take longer than six weeks for phase one, the ceasefire will continue as long as negotiations continue.

No territorial change

In the resolution, the Security Council rejects any attempt at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza Strip, including any actions that reduce the territory of the enclave.

The text also reiterates the Council’s “unwavering commitment” to the vision of the two-State solution where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions.

“In this regard stresses the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority,” the resolution added.

Hamas must accept deal: US

The fighting could stop today if Hamas agrees to the deal now endorsed by the Security Council, said US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Hamas should now see clearly that the international community is united, “united behind a deal that will save lives and help Palestinian civilians in Gaza start to rebuild and heal. United behind a deal that will reunite hostages with their families after eight months in captivity.”

Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield said there was now an opportunity to chart a new course and the US will help ensure that Israel lives up to its obligations, “assuming that Hamas accepts the deal.”

Today is the fourth Security Council resolution making clear that the only way to end the cycle of violence “is through a political settlement”, she added.

Algeria: ‘Palestinian lives matter’

Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama said that his compatriots “deeply feel” the suffering of Palestinians and with their own history of struggle against colonial occupation, “fully understand and support” the Palestinian people’s legitimate and just demands.

“As a free and dignified people, the Palestinians will never accept living under occupation. They will never abdicate their fight for liberation,” he said.

Ambassador Amar Bendjama of Algeria addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

Stressing that Algeria’s sole guiding principle has been to save Palestinian lives, he said that his country cannot remain silent in the face of collective punishment against Palestinian people.

“Palestinian lives matter,” he stressed.

He said Algeria voted in favour of the draft because it represents a step towards an immediate and lasting ceasefire. “This text is not perfect, but it offers a glimmer of hope to the Palestinians as the alternative is continued killing and suffering…We voted for this text to give diplomacy a chance”, he added.

“It is time to halt the killing.”

Permanent ceasefire is key: China

China’s Ambassador Fu Cong said they have voted in favour of the resolution but there needs to be a permanent ceasefire which has been at the core of the international community’s concerns.

Ending the bombardment and offensive is also the most pressing need for civilians under fire in Gaza.

He stressed that all Security Council resolutions are binding, and today’s must be no different.

All resolutions have to be implemented in an efficient and constructive way, he added.

Russia: No clarity to ‘so-called deal’

Russian Ambassador and Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia said his country had abstained due to several outstanding concerns.

Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia of the Russian Federation addresses the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

“From the very outset of the military escalation, we have consistently and unwaveringly advocated for the imperative for a permanent ceasefire regime, including in order to release the hostages and remedy the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip,” he said.

“We have a whole of host of questions about the American draft resolution, whereby the Council welcomes some deal – the ultimate outlines of which are not known to anyone perhaps except the mediators,” he said.

Although the resolution calls on Hamas to accept the “so called deal” there is no clarity on the official agreement of Israel “as it is written in the resolution.”

Noting the public statements of Israeli leaders indicating that the war would continue until Hamas is completely defeated, he asked “what specifically has Israel agreed to?”

The parameters of this “deal” are “vague” and the Council should not be signing up to it, he added.

Israel: War aims unchanged

The Representative of Israel Reut Shapir Ben Naftaly said her country’s goals have been “very clear” since the first few days following 7 October: “To bring all our hostages back home and to dismantle Hamas’ capabilities…and ensure that Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future”.

Reut Shapir Ben-Naftaly, Minister Counsellor and Political Coordinator of Israel, addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

“As we have echoed several times in this very chamber, once these goals are met, the war will end,” she added, noting that 120 hostages remain in captivity and that Hamas continues firing rockets at Israeli towns and cities.

She called for more pressure on Hamas, stating that although three resolutions have been adopted by the Security Council calling for hostages to be released, none have been freed as a result.

“The pressure on the terrorists should have begun long ago but it is still not too late, it must begin now,” she added.

“We will continue until all of the hostages are returned and until Hamas’ military and governing capabilities are dismantled,” she said.

“Israel will not engage in meaningless and endless negotiations which can be exploited by Hamas as a means to stall for time,” she added.

World News in Brief: Doha talks on Afghanistan, human rights in Belarus, Rohingya refugees in India, global trade rises

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7 July 2024

World News in Brief: Doha talks on Afghanistan, human rights in Belarus, Rohingya refugees in India, global trade rises

“This morning, we heard views from members of Afghan civil society, women and men, who provided us – the special envoys and the UN – with valuable insights on the rights of women and minorities in the country, girls’ education, the media, business and many other issues,” Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for political affairs, told the media in Doha, emerging from the Third Meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan.

“They shared their views and perspectives on the Doha process, as well as on engagement between Afghanistan and the international community generally … our exchange was extremely important and useful,” she added.

The ongoing talks in Doha was the first instance the Taliban de facto authorities attended the discussions. They did not participate in the first and second rounds, held in May 2023 and February 2024.

The consultations build upon the proposals outlined in an independent review on an integrated and coherent approach conducted by Feridun Sinirlioğlu, in line with Security Council resolution 2679.

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Dialogue built on honesty

Ms. DiCarlo underscored that this is still the beginning of this process, and it will take time and patience.

She added that there is a need to build trust on all sides, emphasizing that the dialogue must built on honesty and on principles – those of the UN Charter and the various human rights treaties that Afghanistan is a party to.

However, helping all the people of Afghanistan remains the main objective, she said.

Answering questions on whether she thinks that human rights and civil rights is an internal issue in Afghanistan, Ms. DiCarlo stressed that she made it clear during the talks that Afghanistan has signed on to a number of treaties and international agreements that focused on human and civil rights, and Afghanistan, as a country, is bound by these agreements, therefore it is not an internal issue.

Rights experts call on Belarus to pardon older persons in prison

UN independent human rights experts called on Belarusian authorities to pardon or remit the sentences of older persons imprisoned on political charges.

In a news release, the experts – including the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus – said they received a list of 63 persons aged over 60, including 15 women, imprisoned for “real or suspected political opposition.”

Most are serving sentences up to 25 years, some are in pretrial detention and others face compulsory psychiatric care. Several detainees suffer from chronic diseases, acute illnesses, or disabilities.

“According to various sources, inmates who have been included in these lists are submitted to various forms of ill-treatment, including incommunicado detentions and denial of prompt and adequate medical care, as well as to restrictions on correspondence and money transfers,” the experts said.

Last month, the Belarusian parliament proposed amnesty for those of pension age, but it would not apply to prisoners convicted of offences like gross violation of public order, harming national security, slander against the President or discrediting Belarus.

“Which are frequently misused for politically motivated prosecutions,” the experts noted.

They also pointed to the incompatibility of Belarusian counter terrorism and extremism laws with international human rights law and reiterated their call for Belarus to comply with its international obligations and release all persons unfairly convicted for exercising their human rights.

Appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council and forming part of its Special Procedures, the Special Rapporteurs are mandated to monitor and report on country or thematic human rights situations. They are not UN staff and do not draw a salary.

Rights committee urges India to halt detention of Rohingya refugees

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination called on India to cease the arbitrary mass detention of Rohingya refugees and refrain from forcible deportation and returns to Myanmar, where they could face serious human rights violations and abuses.

The Committee said it was “concerned about reports of arbitrary mass detention of the Rohingya, including children, in inadequate conditions and in some cases without due process or access to legal representation.”

It expressed alarm about reports of “several cases of forcible deportation and returns to Myanmar between 2018 and 2022 as well as the ongoing risk of deportation of the remaining Rohingya in India, in violation of the principle of non-refoulement.”

It also urged India to end the arbitrary mass detention of the Rohingya, and only apply immigration detention as a measure of last resort – for the shortest possible period – and to provide detained Rohingya with legal safeguards and access to legal counsel.

The Committee further called on India to “end racial discrimination against Rohingya and to remove restrictions preventing them from enjoying their rights without discrimination, in particular with regard to access to employment, health and education, especially by ensuring the issuance of long-term visas and other identity document.”

The Committee is a body composed of 18 independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination by its States parties.

Its members are elected by the States parties to the Convention and serve in their personal capacity, independent of the UN and governments.

Global trade rises in early 2024, adding $350 billion in goods and services

Global trade trends turned positive in the first quarter of 2024, with the value of trade in goods increasing by around 1 per cent quarter-over-quarter and services by about 1.5 per cent, the UN trade and development body (UNCTAD) reported.

The surge was fuelled by positive trade dynamics for the United States and developing countries, particularly large Asian developing economies, according to UNCTAD’s Global Trade Update for July 2024.

“This is expected to add approximately $250 billion to goods trade and $100 billion to services trade in the first half of 2024 compared to the second half of 2023,” it said.

UNCTAD also reported that global forecasts for gross domestic product (GDP) growth remain at around 3 per cent for 2024, “with the short-term trade outlook being cautiously optimistic.”

“If positive trends persist, global trade in 2024 could reach almost $32 trillion, yet it is unlikely to surpass its record level seen in 2022,” it added.

Challenges persist

The report also voiced concern over the impact of geopolitical and policy challenges.

Despite these positive trends, “the outlook for 2024 is tempered by potential geopolitical issues and industrial policy impacts”, UNCTAD said.

Geopolitical tensions, rising shipping costs, and emerging industrial policies could reshape global trade patterns, it added, warning that an increasing focus on domestic industries and trade restrictions could hinder international trade growth.

More effective cancer treatment with iontronic pump

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Newsdesk

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7 July 2024

More effective cancer treatment with iontronic pump — Neurons – illustrative photo. Image credit: Pixabay (Free Pixabay license)

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When low doses of cancer drugs are administered continuously near malignant brain tumours using so-called iontronic technology, cancer cell growth drastically decreases.

Researchers at Linköping University and the Medical University of Graz demonstrated this in experiments with bird embryos. The results is one step closer to new types of effective treatments for severe cancer forms.

Malignant brain tumours often recur despite surgery and post-treatment with chemotherapy and radiation. This is because cancer cells can “hide” deep within tissue and then regrow. The most effective drugs cannot pass through the so-called blood-brain barrier – a tight network surrounding blood vessels in the brain that prevents many substances in the blood from entering it. Consequently, there are very few available options for treating aggressive brain tumours.

In 2021, a research group from Linköping University and the Medical University of Graz demonstrated how an iontronic pump could be used to locally administer drugs and inhibit cell growth for a particularly malignant and aggressive form of brain cancer – glioblastoma. At that time, experiments were conducted on tumour cells in a petri dish.

Proven concept

Now, the same research group has taken the next step towards using this technology in clinical cancer treatment. By allowing glioblastoma cells to grow using undeveloped bird embryos, new treatment methods can be tested on living tumours. The researchers showed that the growth of cancer cells decreased when low doses of strong drugs (gemcitabine) were continuously administered using an iontronic pump directly adjacent to the brain tumour.

“We have previously shown that the concept works. Now we use a model with a living tumour, and we can see that the pump administers the drug very effectively. So even though it is a simplified model of a human, we can say with greater certainty that it works,” says Daniel Simon, professor of organic electronics at Linköping University.

The concept behind a future treatment for glioblastoma involves surgically implanting an iontronic device directly into the brain, close to the tumour. This approach allows for the use of low doses of potent drugs while bypassing the blood-brain barrier. Precise dosing, both in terms of location and timing, is crucial for effective treatment. Additionally, this method can minimize side effects since the chemotherapy doesn’t need to circulate throughout the entire body.

Treatment for various cancer forms

Beyond brain tumours, researchers hope that iontronics can be applied to many types of difficult-to-treat cancer forms.

“It becomes a very persistent treatment that the tumour cannot hide from. Even though the tumour and surrounding tissue try remove the drug, the materials and control systems we use in iontronics can continuously deliver a locally high concentration of medication to the tissue adjacent to the tumour,” explains Theresia Arbring Sjöström, a researcher at the Laboratory for Organic Electronics at Linköping University.

The researchers compared the continuous drug delivery of the pump with once-daily dosing, which more closely resembles how chemotherapy is administered to patients today. They observed that tumour growth decreased with the ionic treatment but not with the daily-dose approach, even though the latter was twice as strong.

More research required

These experiments were conducted using bird embryos at an early developmental stage. According to Linda Waldherr, a researcher at the Medical University of Graz and a guest researcher at LiU, this model serves as a good bridge to larger animal experiments:

“In bird embryos, certain biological systems function similarly to those in living animals, such as the formation of blood vessels. However, we don’t need to surgically implant any devices in them yet. This demonstrates that the concept works, although there are still many challenges to address,” she says.

The researchers believe that human trials could be feasible within the next five to ten years. The next steps involve further developing materials to allow for the surgical implantation of iontronic pumps. Subsequent experiments will also be conducted on rats and larger animals to further evaluate this treatment method.

The study was mainly funded by the Austrian Science Fund, the European Union’s Horizon Europe program, the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and the European Research Council. Theresia Arbring Sjöström, Tobias Abrahamsson, Magnus Berggren and Daniel Simon are shareholders in the company OBOE IPR AB which owns the patents related to the iontronic technology.

Article: Continuous Iontronic Chemotherapy Reduces Brain Tumor Growth in Embryonic Avian in vivo Models, Verena Handl, Linda Waldherr, Theresia Arbring Sjöström, Tobias Abrahamsson, Maria Seitanidou, Sabine Erschen, Astrid Gorischek, Iwona Bernacka Wojcik, Helena Saarela, Tamara Tomin, Sophie Elisabeth Honeder, Joachim Distl, Waltraud Huber, Martin Asslaber, Ruth Birner-Grünberger, Ute Schäfer, Magnus Berggren, Rainer Schindl, Silke Patz, Daniel T. Simon, Nassim Ghaffari-Tabrizi-Wizsy; Journal of Controlled Release; published online 11 April 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.03.044

Written by Anders Törneholm

Youth in Haiti remain optimistic amid worsening instability

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6 July 2024

Youth in Haiti remain optimistic amid worsening instability

The agency surveyed over 3500 young people in early June, the majority of whom believe their rights are rarely or never respected.

“When I ask children if their rights in Haiti are being respected, the answer is often a resounding: “no”,” said Samarre Tercier Marcellin, Youth Advocate for UNICEF Haiti.

“Children are abused, die of diseases and malnutrition that could be cured or prevented, and lack access to quality learning. This needs to change,” he added.

Despite this stark reality, a shocking majority of youth respondents to the UNICEF survey still believe the future of children is brighter than it is in the present.

Haiti continues to suffer a series of political, socio-economic and security crises. Rival gangs are battling for control of territory across the capital Port-au-Prince forcing thousands of people to flee their homes. This has further exacerbated poverty and severe hunger across the nation.

Despite the ongoing gang violence and deep humanitarian crisis, Haitian youth remain optimistic.

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Worsening crisis

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) added Haiti to the list of countries of “greatest concern due to the escalation of violence by armed groups,” in their most recent outlook report for the months of June to October 2024.

FAO and WFP have also identified Haiti as a “famine or risk of famine hotspot,” with over five million people now experiencing acute food insecurity, the highest numbers seen since the 2010 earthquake.

The number of displaced people in Haiti has also greatly increased in recent months, from 362,000 in March to 580,000 currently, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

More than 100,000 left Port-au-Prince alone due to the deteriorating security situation.

This situation has had grave consequences on the children of Haiti. Of the 2,500 people killed or injured from January to March, many of them were children, said UNICEF.

“Each day, children are being injured or killed,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell told the UN Security Council in April. “Some are being recruited, or they are joining armed groups out of sheer desperation.”

Around 600,000 of the 1.6 million people facing emergency levels of acute food insecurity are children and many schools have shut down due to attacks, leaving thousands of children stripped of their right to education.

Still optimistic

Despite the devastating conditions, many youth remain hopeful. According to the UNICEF survey, 24 per cent are very hopeful and 41 per cent are at least a little. Fourteen per cent said they are not very hopeful, and just 10 per cent reported no hope at all.

When asked about what would allow the country to change the most, 40 per cent cited better access to education, 24 per cent the economic development and poverty reduction, 19 per cent security around the country and seven per cent improved health services.

Haitian youth cited education as a key factor to make lasting change in their country.

Increased humanitarian action

Humanitarian efforts have been intensified as a result of the worsening conditions. WFP has delivered 43,600 hot meals to nearly 13,500 displaced people in Port-au-Prince since 1 June. It has also allocated $1 million as part of its social protection and resilience activities to approximately 65,000 people across the country.

There have also been joint efforts on behalf of the Haitian authorities and national and international organizations to prepare Haitian civilians for the hurricane season that began on 1 June.

UN rights chief urges free and open space for debate in Venezuela

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6 July 2024

UN rights chief urges free and open space for debate in Venezuela

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk reported increasing restrictions on civic spaces, urging stakeholders to reverse course.

“My Office (OHCHR) continues to receive reports of detentions as election day approaches, including of supporters and members of the opposition,” he said, addressing the Geneva-based Human Rights Council.

“This does not augur well, and I urge a change to such practices.”

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Key opportunities

Venezuelan Presidential elections are scheduled for 28 July, while local, regional and legislative polls are planned for 2025.

These are “key opportunities to respect the people’s will”, Mr. Türk emphasized.

“Now, more than ever, a constructive and open dialogue among the people and with the institutions of the State is crucial to overcome the deep divisions and rebuild the social contract among Venezuelans,” he said.

Economic worries

In his briefing, the UN rights chief also expressed concerns over economic conditions.

He said that despite official figures indicating a 5 per cent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) last year, Venezuelans “still face serious obstacles” accessing food, health and education.

Women, people in rural areas and indigenous peoples are disproportionately affected.

He also cited reports indicating that almost three quarters of the country’s health centres lacked medical or nursing staff between July and August last year, while abortion continues to be criminalized, leading to unsafe procedures and resulting in maternal mortality and morbidity.

“I urge the authorities to take steps to address all of these concerns – on health, education, food, and dignified remuneration – in line with the State’s international obligations,” he said, calling also for lifting of sectoral sanctions that have exacerbated pre-existing human rights challenges.

Alarming numbers of femicide

High Commissioner Türk voiced concern over cases of femicide, noting that between January and November last year, 186 such cases were reported.

“Investigation into these killings is essential, as are much stronger prevention and response efforts. A protocol developed by the Office of the Attorney General is a first step but much more is needed,” he said.

UK general election: Labour wins an absolute majority in Parliament

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EuropeanTimes

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6 July 2024

UK general election: Labour wins an absolute majority in Parliament — Keir Starmer by Simon Dawson / N°10 Downing Street - Wikimedia Commons

Following Labour’s victory, the Conservatives suffered their worst defeat since the beginning of the 20th century.

Labour has won the general election by a large margin. Labour secured 412 of the 650 seats in the House of Commons, more than the 326 seats needed to obtain an absolute majority and form the future British government on its own.

The Conservatives suffered their worst result since the beginning of the twentieth century. The centrist Liberal Democrats appear to be gaining strength, while the anti-immigration party Reform UK has scored its first electoral success. Its leader, Nigel Farage, a fervent supporter of Brexit, was elected to the British Parliament.
On the other hand, the Scottish separatists suffered a serious setback, winning only nine seats out of the 57 representing Scotland, compared with 48 previously.

Labour’s comeback

Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, is set to take office at Downing Street, ending 14 years of opposition for Labour following a resounding victory over the Conservatives in the general election. The election was also marked by a significant surge from the hard right. The 61-year-old former human rights lawyer is expected to be tasked by King Charles III on Friday to form a new government.

The incoming British Prime Minister has promised a “national renewal” for the United Kingdom. “Our task is nothing less than to renew the ideas that hold our country together,” he stated in a speech as his party secured an absolute majority in the next Parliament. “I do not promise you that it will be easy,” he added.

Starmer has vowed to transform the country as he did with the Labour Party, focusing on economic re-centering methodically and pragmatically. He aims to boost growth, revitalize public services, strengthen workers’ rights, reduce immigration, and bring the UK closer to the European Union without reversing Brexit, a campaign taboo.

“Our national renewal is a task that we must undertake with determination and unity,” Starmer said, emphasizing his commitment to tackling the significant challenges facing the country. His approach, characterized by careful planning and steady progress, promises to address the key issues that have plagued the UK for years, offering a hopeful vision for the future.

Conservative Ministers Ousted in UK Elections

In a stunning series of defeats, several key Conservative ministers lost their seats in the latest UK general elections. Leading the fall was Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, who lost his North London constituency to a Labour candidate. This was soon followed by Penny Mordaunt, the minister for parliamentary relations and a 2022 contender to succeed former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who also lost her seat.

In an unexpected turn, former Prime Minister Liz Truss, who spent 49 days at Downing Street, lost her South West Norfolk seat. This constituency, a Conservative stronghold since 1959, has now flipped to Labour.

Dozens of incumbent MPs had chosen not to run for re-election, including notable figures such as former Prime Minister Theresa May. Conversely, several prominent Conservatives managed to retain their seats, including Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, and Trade Minister Kemi Badenoch. Badenoch, often mentioned as a potential future leader of the Tories, is considered a strong contender to succeed Rishi Sunak after the party’s defeat.

Unsurprisingly, Rishi Sunak announced his resignation as leader of the Conservative Party. “The Labour Party has won this general election,” Sunak conceded. “The British people have delivered a clear verdict tonight (…) and I take responsibility for this defeat,” added the Prime Minister after being re-elected in his Richmond constituency in Yorkshire.

Electronic medicine – at the intersection of technology and medicine

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Newsdesk

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6 July 2024

Electronic medicine – at the intersection of technology and medicine

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Imagine a future where your doctor can inject a gel into your tissue and the gel forms a soft current-conducting electrode. This can then be used to treat your nervous system disease. After a while, the electrode has dissolved and vanished. Swedish researchers have already developed the gel and over time they want to be able to connect electronics to biological tissue – such as the brain.

The conductivity of the injectable gel is tested on a microfabricated circuit. Image credit: Thor Balkhed/Linköping University

Electronic medicine is a field of research that does not neatly fit into an existing field.

“Right now you’re talking to a physicist, a chemist and me, who has a background in biomedicine. We work together along with material scientists and electrical engineers to integrate the knowledge from our different fields. For this to work, you need to understand the brain and you need to understand chemistry and physics,” says Hanne Biesmans, PhD student at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics, LOE, at Linköping University.

The research she refers to is about so-called organic electronics that can be connected to living tissue. The long-term goal is to be able to treat various nervous system and brain diseases. Her colleague Tobias Abrahamsson is a chemist.

“The interdisciplinary nature of our research, where we combine different aspects and fields of knowledge, is very exciting. You could also say that I have a more personal motivation, as in my family there are diseases that affect the nervous system,” he says.

Translates between biology and electronics

But what is organic electronics? And how could it be used to treat diseases – such as epilepsy, depression or Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s – that are difficult to treat nowadays?

“In the body, communication takes place through lots of small molecules, such as neurotransmitters and ions. Neural signalling is for example also a wave of ions that gives rise to an electric impulse. So we want something that can take all that information and act as a translator between ions and electrons,” says Xenofon Strakosas, assistant professor with a background in physics.

In 2023 they managed, together with other researchers at Linköping University, Lund University and the University of Gothenburg, to grow gel electrodes in living tissue.

“Instead of using metals and other inorganic materials to conduct current, electronics can be created using different materials based on carbon and hydrogen atoms – in other words, organic materials – which are conductive. These are more compatible with biological tissues and therefore better suited to integrate with, for example, the body,” says Tobias Abrahamsson.

The organic electronic materials are very useful for conducting biological signals, as they can conduct ions as well as electrons. Also, they are soft, unlike metals.
Electrical brain stimulation is already used to treat some diseases. Electrodes are implanted in the brain, for example to treat Parkinson’s disease.

“But the implants used clinically today are quite rudimentary; they are based on hard or rigid materials such as metals. And our body is soft. So there’s friction, which could lead to inflammation and the formation of scar tissue. Our materials are softer and more compatible with the body,” says Hanne Biesmans.

Electrodes inside plants

As early as some ten years ago, their colleagues at LOE showed that they could make plants suck up a water-soluble substance, which inside the stem of the plant formed a structure that conducts electricity. A kind of electrode, in other words, inside a plant.

The substance in question is a so-called polymer – a substance that consists of many small similar units that together can form long chains through a process called polymerisation. That time, roses were used and the researchers were able to show that they had created organic electrodes. This opened the door to a new field of research.

“But a piece was missing. We didn’t know how to make the polymers form inside mammals and in the brain, for example. But then we realised that we could have enzymes in the gel and use the body’s own substances to start polymerisation,” says Xenofon Strakosas.

The idea led to the researchers now being able to inject the mildly viscous gel-like solution into the tissue. When it comes into contact with the body’s own substances, such as glucose, the properties of the gel changes. And the Swedish researchers were the first in the world to succeed with the method used to activate the formation of electrodes in the tissue.

“The gel self-polymerises in the tissue and becomes electrically conductive. We let biology do it for us,” says Xenofon Strakosas.

Also, it remains in the place where it was injected. This is important because the researchers want to be able to control where in the tissue the gel is located. The research team has shown that they can grow electrodes in the brain of zebrafish and around the nervous system of leeches in this way. They are now investigating whether it also works in mice.

But there is a long way to go before treating diseases with the gel becomes a reality. First, the research team will explore how stable the gel is inside the tissue. Does it break down after a while and what happens then? Another important question is how the conductive gel can be connected to electronics outside the body.

“It’s not the easiest thing to do, but I hope that over time the method can be used to monitor what happens inside the body, down to the cellular level. Then perhaps we can understand more about what triggers or leads to different diseases in the nervous system,” says Tobias Abrahamsson.

“There’s a lot left to solve, but we’re making progress,” says Xenofon Strakosas. It would be awesome if we could eventually use the electrodes to read signals inside the body and use them for research or in healthcare.”

Written by Karin Söderlund Leifler

Source: Linköping University

Extra-Time Elation: Spain’s La Roja Edges Past Hosts Germany in EURO 2024 Nail-Biter

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Newsdesk

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6 July 2024

Spain celebrates victory against Germany in EURO 2024 — Photocredit: Screenshot from RFEF -

Spain secured a spot in the EURO 2024 semi-finals by defeating Germany with a late header from Mikel Merino. The intense quarter-final match was full of excitement and last minute heroics keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the end.

The game started with both teams displaying attacking skills, highlighted by Pedri‘s early shot that tested Neuer. Unfortunately, Pedri had to leave the field due to an injury, allowing Dani Olmo to step in and make an impact.

Throughout the half Spain dominated possession and created scoring chances with Yamal and Olmo getting close to scoring. Germany also showed strength through Havertz‘s header well saved by Unai Simón. The deadlock was broken in the half when Olmo calmly scored a low shot giving Spain the lead and prompting strategic changes, from the German side.

Julian Nagelsmann‘s tactical changes brought a dynamic to the German offense as Niclas Füllkrug and Florian Wirtz posed challenges for the Spanish defense. Füllkrug’s header and Wirtz’s late equalizer heightened the tension of the game pushing it into time with both teams tied at 1-1.

The extra period saw opportunities on both sides with Oyarzabal and Wirtz coming to scoring before the crucial moment unfolded. Merinos powerful header from Olmos cross sparked jubilation among Spanish fans while breaking German hearts. Despite Carvajal‘s red card Spain managed to secure a hard earned victory solidifying their spot in the semi-finals.

Dani Olmo’s outstanding performance earned him the Vivo Player of the Match title, with his goal, assist and defensive contributions playing a role in Spain’s triumph. Post game reactions from coaches and players underscored the intensity and spirit of the match, with Luis de la Fuente commending his team’s determination and Nagelsmann acknowledging Germany’s display despite defeat.

The showdown between Spain and Germany, at EURO 2024 will go down in history as a quarter-final clash that epitomized European football at its finest. The game displayed flashes of brilliance, exciting moments and a strong sense of determination, highlighting the beauty and unpredictability of soccer.

Yemen: UN chief demands release of aid workers held by Houthis

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5 July 2024

Yemen: UN chief demands release of aid workers held by Houthis

Four additional UN staff members have been detained and held incommunicado by the de facto authorities since 2021 and 2023, without access to their families or their respective organizations and agencies.

“This is an alarming development that raises serious concerns about the Houthis’ commitment to a negotiated solution to the conflict. The United Nations condemns all arbitrary detention of civilians,” Mr. Guterres said. “I demand the immediate and unconditional release of all detained UN personnel.”

The UN chief’s call came as he met with his Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, in Jordan. They discussed recent developments in Yemen including an escalating crackdown on civic space by the de facto authorities that reportedly led to the arbitrary detention of dozens of UN, NGO, and aid workers.

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UN and civil society targeted

The Special Envoy’s Office noted that the four staff held ahead of the latest detentions worked for the UN education, scientific and cultural agency, UNESCO, and the UN human rights office, OHCHR.

The 13 UN staff detained over the past few days included six from OHCHR, one each from the Office of the Special Envoy (OSESGY), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN World Food Programme (WFP), UN World Health Organization (WHO) and two from UNESCO. At least 11 civil society workers were also arrested.

In the meeting between the Secretary-General and Mr. Grundberg, the Special Envoy briefed on efforts to secure the release of the personnel including a meeting on Monday with Mohamed Abdul Salam, the Houthi chief negotiator, in Muscat. He also met senior Omani officials to solicit support.

“We are working diligently to secure the immediate and unconditional release of our detained personnel through all available channels,” Mr. Grundberg told UN News, as he called for the release of all arrested NGO workers as well.

During their encounter, the Secretary-General and his Special Envoy also stressed that the United Nations stands in solidarity with all humanitarian workers and civil society actors who play a crucial role in providing life-saving assistance and support to the people of Yemen.

Human rights chief’s call

Echoing the call to immediately release all the detainees, UN human rights chief Volker Türk expressed deep concern about the conditions in which they were being held, while also rejecting false allegations about their activities.

Two of the UN personnel detained last week are women, along with at least one other female civil society worker, continued the High Commissioner for Human Rights, as he insisted on an immediate end to “any further targeting” of human rights and aid workers in Yemen.

The UN human rights office has been working in Yemen since 2012, Mr. Türk noted, “for the promotion and protection of the rights of all the people of Yemen, including through engagement with the de facto authorities”.

Humanitarian crisis impact

The development has added to deepening concerns about the humanitarian emergency in Yemen where needs remain huge.

After nearly a decade of conflict between the internationally recognized government in and despite truce conditions largely holding, aid teams have repeatedly warned that 17.6 million people – half of the population in Yemen – face food insecurity and nearly half of all children under five suffer from moderate to severe stunting.

According to the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, 4.5 million people remain displaced across the Arabian peninsula country, many of whom have experienced multiple displacements over several years, as a result of more than nine years of conflict between the Government of Yemen and the de facto Houthi authority in control of the capital, Sana’a, and other areas of the country.

Top relief official’s plea

According to UN’s top relief official, the recent wave of detentions could have a negative impact on an already dire situation.

“Aid workers are neutral in a conflict. Their safety and the safety of the civilians they serve must be guaranteed,” said Martin Griffiths, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator to UN News. Ahead of the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Adha beginning this weekend, he added: “My heart goes out to the families of the detained personnel who fear for the wellbeing of their loved ones instead of celebrating Eid al-Adha together.”

Peace moves

In his briefing to the Security Council last month, UN Special Envoy Grundberg noted that the warring parties had agreed to a number of commitments in December including a nationwide ceasefire and an inclusive political process under UN auspices.

However, he warned that announcements by Ansar Allah – the official name for the Houthi movement – to expand the scope of attacks on Red Sea shipping were a “worrisome provocation in an already volatile situation”.

On Tuesday, Mr. Grundberg told UN News that the recent arrests hinder his efforts and erode trust. However, he noted that his efforts to convene the parties to address key issues related to the economy, a nationwide ceasefire and the launch of talks to reach a sustainable political settlement will continue for the benefit of the Yemeni people.