MEPs call for tougher EU rules to reduce waste from textiles and food

Textiles and food waste reduction: New EU rules to support circular economy — 60 million tonnes of food waste and 12.6 million tonnes of textile waste generated annually in the EU

On Wednesday, Parliament adopted its proposals to better prevent and reduce waste from textiles and food across the EU.

MEPs adopted their first reading position on the proposed revision of the Waste Framework with 514 votes in favour, 20 against and 91 abstentions.

Tougher objectives to cut down food waste

They propose higher binding waste reduction targets to be met at national level by 31 December 2030 – at least 20% in food processing and manufacturing (instead of 10% proposed by the Commission) and 40% per capita in retail, restaurants, food services and households (instead of 30%). Parliament also wants the Commission to evaluate if higher targets for 2035 (at least 30% and 50% respectively) should be introduced, and if so, asks them to come up with a legislative proposal.

Producers to cover costs for collecting, sorting and recycling waste textiles

MEPs agree to extend producer responsibility (EPR) schemes, through which producers that sell textiles in the EU would have to cover the costs for collecting, sorting and recycling them separately. Member states would have to establish these schemes 18 months after the entry into force of the directive (compared to 30 months proposed by the Commission). The new rules would cover products such as clothing and accessories, blankets, bed linen, curtains, hats, footwear, mattresses and carpets, including products that contain textile-related materials such as leather, composition leather, rubber or plastic.

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Rapporteur Anna Zalewska (ECR, PL) said: “Parliament has come up with targeted solutions to reduce food waste, such as promoting “ugly” fruits and veggies, keeping an eye on unfair market practices, clarifying date labelling and donating unsold-but-consumable food. For textiles, we also want to include non-household products, carpets and mattresses, as well as sales via online platforms.”

Next steps

The file will be followed up by the new Parliament after the 6-9 June European elections.

Background

Every year, 60 million tonnes of food waste (131 kg per person) and 12.6 million tonnes of textile waste are generated in the EU. Clothing and footwear alone account for 5.2 million tonnes of waste, equivalent to 12 kg of waste per person every year. It is estimated that less than 1% of all textiles worldwide are recycled into new products.

In adopting this report, Parliament is responding to citizens’ expectations for the EU to apply circular economy principles and promote measures against food waste, as well as to implement without delay an ambitious sustainable textile strategy and increase environmental standards, as expressed in proposals 1(3), 5(8), 5(9) and 5(11) of the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

The Benefits Of Owning A Cat For Mental Health

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17 March 2024

Benefits of having a furry feline friend extend beyond cuddles and purrs; owning a cat can significantly improve your mental health.

Cats are known for their independent nature, which is perfect for providing companionship without being too demanding. Studies have shown that interacting with cats can lower stress levels, reduce feelings of loneliness, and decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression. The simple act of petting a cat can release calming chemicals in the brain, promoting relaxation and reducing negative emotions. Furthermore, the presence of a cat has been linked to lower blood pressure and decreased risk of heart attack and stroke. If you are looking for a natural way to boost your mood and overall well-being, owning a cat may be the purrfect solution.

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The Soothing Purr of Comfort

Understanding the Calming Power of a Cat’s Purr

You may have noticed that when your feline friend curls up on your lap and starts to purr, there is an instant sense of calm that washes over you. This is because a cat’s purr has been scientifically proven to lower stress levels, reduce blood pressure, and promote relaxation. The frequency of a cat’s purr – between 25 and 150 Hertz – has a therapeutic effect on the human body, making it a natural stress reliever.

How Kitty Cuddles Can Lower Stress and Anxiety

When a cat snuggles up to you, it triggers the release of oxytocin, known as the “love hormone,” which helps reduce stress and anxiety levels. The act of petting a cat has been shown to decrease cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress. Additionally, the rhythmic motion of a cat’s purr can have a meditative effect, promoting a sense of peace and well-being.

Understanding the profound impact that a cat’s purr and cuddles can have on your mental health can be a game-changer in managing daily stress and anxiety. Taking the time to bond with your feline companion not only strengthens your relationship but also provides you with a natural and effective way to unwind and relax.

Cats as Companions: Beyond the Myths

Any Effects of the characteristic temperament of cats on mental health have shown that the companionship of a cat can have numerous mental health benefits. Cats are often misunderstood as solitary animals, but they can form deep bonds with their human companions and provide emotional support in times of need.

Debunking the ‘Lone Wolf’ Cat Stereotypes

Many believe that cats are lone wolves who prefer to be independent and aloof. However, research shows that cats are social animals that enjoy companionship and can thrive in a loving relationship with their owners. Cats may have a reputation for being aloof, but they are capable of forming deep bonds with their human companions. The stereotype of the lone wolf cat is simply not accurate.

Lone Wolves	Social and Bonding
Independent	Companionship
Aloof	Relationships
Stereotype	Deep Bonds
Lone Wolf	Companions

Building a Bond: How Relationships with Cats Enrich Our Lives

With Cats by our side, we experience unconditional love, comfort, and companionship that can significantly improve our mental well-being. Cats have a unique way of understanding their owners’ emotions and providing support when needed most. The relationships we build with our Cats are meaningful and rewarding, contributing to our overall happiness and well-being.

The Healing Whiskers: Therapeutic Benefits Unveiled

Despite the misconceptions surrounding cats as distant and aloof pets, research has shown that they offer a plethora of mental health benefits. According to 10 Mental Health Benefits of Owning a Cat, these feline friends have a remarkable impact on our well-being.

Feline Assistance in Coping with Depression and Loneliness

Therapeutic purrs and comforting cuddles from cats can be incredibly soothing for individuals struggling with depression and loneliness. Cats provide unconditional love and companionship, helping to reduce feelings of isolation and offering a sense of purpose to their owners.

The Role of Cats in Enhancing Mindfulness and Emotional Stability

With their calming presence and gentle demeanor, cats play a crucial role in enhancing mindfulness and emotional stability in their owners. Spending time with a cat can help individuals reduce stress, lower anxiety levels, and increase feelings of relaxation. Their playful antics and quiet purrs create a sense of peace and inner tranquility.

Paws for Thought: Practical Tips for Cat Ownership

After learning about the psychological benefits of owning a cat, you may be considering bringing one into your home. Here are some practical tips to help you make the most of your feline companion:

Ensure you have the right supplies: litter box, food, water bowls, scratching posts, and toys.
Regularly schedule veterinary check-ups to keep your cat healthy.
Provide a safe and comfortable environment for your cat to feel at home.
Spending quality time with your cat through play and cuddles can strengthen your bond.

The Psychological Benefits of Owning a Cat can be maximized when you incorporate these tips into your daily life with your furry friend.

Choosing the Right Cat for Your Lifestyle

Right from the start, it’s important to consider your lifestyle and living situation when choosing a cat. Whether you prefer a laid-back lap cat or an energetic playmate, selecting a cat whose personality matches yours can lead to a harmonious relationship.

Integrating a Cat into Your Daily Routine for Maximum Mental Health Benefits

For optimal mental health benefits, it’s crucial to integrate your cat into your daily routine. Plus, establishing a regular feeding schedule, interactive playtime, and designated cuddle sessions can create a sense of stability and companionship in your life.

Conclusion

With these considerations in mind, it’s clear that owning a cat can have numerous benefits for our mental health. From reducing stress and anxiety to providing companionship and boosting mood, the presence of a feline friend can truly make a positive impact on our well-being. So, if you’re looking for a furry companion to improve your mental health, consider adopting a cat and experience the love and support they can bring into your life.

World News in Brief: Rights chief appalled at Nigeria mass abductions, ‘pervasive’ hunger in streets of Sudan, Syria child crisis

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17 March 2024

World News in Brief: Rights chief appalled at Nigeria mass abductions, ‘pervasive’ hunger in streets of Sudan, Syria child crisis

“I am appalled by the recurrent mass abductions of men, women and children in northern Nigeria. Children have been abducted from schools and women taken while searching for firewood. Such horrors must not become normalised,” he said.

News reports indicate at least 564 people have been abducted since 7 March. More than 280 pupils were abducted that day from a school in Kuriga town in Kaduna State.

At least 200 others, mostly internally displaced women and children, were also abducted on 7 March in Gamboru Ngala in Borno state while reportedly searching for firewood.

Two days later, gunmen stormed a boarding school in Gidan Bakuso village in Sokoto state and abducted at least 15 pupils. On 12 March, about 69 people were abducted in two raids on a village in the Kajuru area of Kaduna state.

Justice must be done

“I acknowledge the Nigerian authorities’ announcement that they are taking action to safely locate the missing children and reunite them with their families,” said the UN rights chief.

“I urge them to also ensure prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into the abductions and to bring those responsible to justice.”

He called for perpetrators to be identified and brought to account – in compliance with international human rights law – “as a first step towards reining in the impunity that feeds these attacks and abductions”.

Sudan: Hunger ‘pervasive’ in Khartoum streets, warns UNICEF

Hunger across Sudan is on the rise, especially in the capital Khartoum, due to a near year-long war between rival generals that sparked a spiralling humanitarian crisis.

In a new alert, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that hunger and unaffordable food are now the main worry for desperate civilians.

A child flees from Wad Madani, Al Jazirah state east-central Sudan following recent armed clashes there.

Jill Lawler, UNICEF’s chief of field operations and emergency in Sudan, described to journalists in Geneva on Friday what she had seen in Omdurman just outside Khartoum, where she led the first UN mission to the Sudanese capital since war erupted in April last year.

“Hunger is pervasive; it is the number one concern people expressed,” she said.

“We met one young mother at a hospital whose three-month-old little child was extremely sick because she couldn’t afford milk, so had substituted goat milk, which led to diarrheal conditions. She wasn’t the only one.”

Ms. Lawler said the numbers of acutely malnourished children are rising, and the lean season hasn’t even begun.

She cited worrying projections that nearly 3.7 million children could be acutely malnourished this year in Sudan, including 730,000 who need lifesaving treatment.

The senior UNICEF officer also described how women and girls who had been raped in the first months of war were now delivering babies. Some had been abandoned to the care of hospital staff, who had built a nursery near the delivery ward, she said.

Around 7.5 million children need aid in Syria

After thirteen years of conflict in Syria, almost 7.5 million children in the country are in need of humanitarian assistance – more than at any other time during the conflict, said UNICEF on Friday.

Repeated cycles of violence and displacement, a crushing economic crisis, extreme deprivation, disease outbreaks and last year’s devastating earthquakes have left hundreds of thousands of children exposed to long-term health issues.

More than 650,000 under-fives are chronically malnourished, representing an increase of around 150,000 recorded four years ago.

According to a recent household survey conducted in northern Syria, 34 per cent of girls and 31 per cent of boys reported psychosocial distress, UNICEF reported.

Child deaths will continue

“The sad reality is that today, and in the days ahead, many children in Syria will mark their 13th birthdays, becoming teenagers, knowing that their entire childhood to date has been marked by conflict, displacement and deprivation,” said UNICEF regional director for the Middle East and North Africa Adele Khodr.

Marking the grim anniversary of the start of Syria’s civil war, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen emphasized the dire situation highlighting the unprecedented humanitarian crisis with millions in need of assistance, both inside and outside Syria.

He called for an immediate end to violence, the release of those arbitrarily detained and efforts to address the plight of refugees together with the internally displaced.

Offline AI Software For Phones Provides Answers Even When There Is No Smartphone Internet

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16 March 2024

Offline AI Software For Phones Provides Answers Even When There Is No Smartphone Internet

Lack of access to smartphones or the internet poses a challenge for visually-impaired individuals. However, a solution has emerged in the form of an Artificial Intelligence-powered mobile phone capable of functioning offline.

Using apps – illustrative photo. Image credit: NordWood Themes via Unsplash, free license

Launched by Canada-based Viamo in Nigeria recently, this service enables individuals, even those in remote areas without internet connectivity, to leverage AI technology.

Viamo utilizes a conventional handset to connect to local mobile phone networks, allowing users to submit commands or information requests via SMS or voice calls. Similar to other AI chatbots, this system can be activated through voice prompts, making it accessible to illiterate individuals. Furthermore, it offers a cost-effective alternative, particularly beneficial for financially constrained users.

Designed to serve the world’s poorest and most remote communities, the device is now being introduced in Pakistan, India, and Tanzania following its initial launch in Zambia.

Supported by development agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other nations, Viamo has partnered with UNICEF to disseminate information on various topics including HIV, tropical diseases, nutrition, and sanitation, demonstrating its potential to address critical healthcare and educational needs in underserved regions.

Written by Alius Noreika

European Health Data Space to support patients and research

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16 March 2024

EU Health Data Space to support patients and research

EP and Council negotiators agreed on the creation of a European Health Data Space to ease access to personal health data and to boost secure sharing for the public interest.

The provisional political agreement on a European Health Data Space (EHDS), reached early on Friday by Parliament and the Belgian Presidency of the Council, outlines that patients will be able to access their personal health data electronically across the EU’s different healthcare systems. The bill also gives health professionals access to their patients’ data, based strictly on what is necessary for a given treatment, and patients will also be able to download their health record free of charge.

Electronic health records (EHR) would include patient summaries, electronic prescriptions, medical imagery and laboratory results (so-called primary use).

Each country would establish national health data access services based on the MyHealth@EU platform. The law would also create a European electronic health record exchange format, and outline rules on data quality, security and the interoperability of EHR systems that will be monitored by national market surveillance authorities.

Data-sharing for the common good with safeguards

The EHDS would allow anonymised or pseudonymised health data, including health records, clinical trials, pathogens, health claims and reimbursements, genetic data, public health registry information, wellness data and information on healthcare resources, expenditure and financing, to be shared for public interest purposes (so-called secondary use). These reasons would include research, innovation, policy-making, education and patient safety purposes.

The sharing of data for advertising or assessing insurance requests will be prohibited. During negotiations, MEPs ensured that secondary use would not be allowed concerning decisions on labour markets (including job offers), lending conditions and other types of discrimination or profiling.

Stronger safeguards for sensitive data

The law ensures patients will have a say in how their data is used and accessed. They must be informed each time their data is accessed, and they will have the right to request or correct incorrect data. Patients will also be able to object to healthcare professionals accessing their data for primary use, except where this is necessary for protecting the vital interests of the data subject or another person. MEPs secured the right for patients to opt out of secondary use, with certain exceptions for public-interest, policy-making or statistics purposes, and protections for intellectual property rights and trade secrets when relevant data is shared for secondary use.

National data protection authorities will monitor the enforcement of health data access rights and will be empowered to issue fines in the event of shortcomings.

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Tomislav Sokol (EPP, Croatia), Environment Committee co-rapporteur, said: “The European Health Data Space will put citizens in control of their health data by providing a safe framework for storing and accessing their personal health records that will be accessible anywhere in the EU – enhancing healthcare at a national and cross-border level. the EHDS will also facilitate the responsible sharing of health data to researchers – boosting research and innovation in the EU, and ensuring the development of new treatments.”

Annalisa Tardino (ID, Italy), Civil Liberties Committee co-rapporteur, said: “The EHDS will contribute to providing state-of-the-art healthcare to patients everywhere in the EU. We have succeeded in including in the text significant reinforcements regarding the protection of sensitive personal data, in particular with the possibility for patients to opt-out both for primary and secondary use of their health data. In that regard, Parliament’s mandate was stronger and provided even more safeguards, but the majority of LIBE political groups considers that the final agreement strikes a balance between exchanging health data for treatment and for life-saving research, and protecting the privacy of our citizens.”

Next steps

europeThe provisional agreement still needs to be formally adopted by both institutions before it can enter into law.

How To Introduce A New Cat To Your Household

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16 March 2024

It’s an exciting time when bringing a new feline friend into your home, but introducing a new cat to your household requires careful planning and consideration to ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved. Proper introduction is crucial as it can set the tone for harmonious relationships among all your pets, preventing conflict and stress. By following some simple steps and patience, you can help your new cat feel welcome and comfortable in their new environment, creating a happy and peaceful home for all your furry companions.

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Preparing for the New Arrival

Setting Up a Safe Space

Space is key when it comes to introducing a new cat to your household. Before bringing the new cat home, designate a quiet room where the cat can acclimate to their new environment. This space should include all the vitals like a litter box, food and water dishes, toys, and a cozy bed.

Gathering Essential Supplies

Supplies are vital for a smooth transition for the new cat. Purchase high-quality food specifically designed for cats, a litter box with low-entry for easy access, comfortable bedding, interactive toys, and scratching posts. These supplies are crucial for meeting the cat’s basic needs and keeping them entertained and comfortable.

To ensure your new cat feels welcomed and secure in their new environment, it is important to provide a range of supplies that cater to their physical and emotional well-being. From nutritious food to engaging toys, these vitals will help your new feline companion settle in smoothly and feel right at home.

‘We cannot abandon the people of Gaza’: chiefs of UN agencies and NGOs unite in appeal for UNRWA

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16 March 2024

‘We cannot abandon the people of Gaza’: chiefs of UN agencies and NGOs unite in appeal for UNRWA

Despite the “horrifying” allegations that 12 UNWRA staff were involved in the Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel on 7 October, “we must not prevent an entire organization from delivering on its mandate to serve people in desperate need”, said the UN-led group of aid agencies, known collectively as the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC).

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Regional collapse

“Withdrawing funds from UNRWA …would result in the collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza, with far-reaching humanitarian and human rights consequences in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and across the region,” warned the IASC panel, headed by UN emergency relief chief Martin Griffiths.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been left homeless and “on the brink of famine”, the IASC Principals said, since Israeli bombardment and a ground invasion began after the Palestinian militants butchered some 1,200 people in Israeli communities and took more than 250 others hostage.

Historic role

UNRWA – the largest aid agency in Gaza whose key role in education, healthcare and more in the enclave dates back to 1949 – provides a lifeline to more than two million people in the Strip.

Its future is in jeopardy after several major donors halted funds pending probes into Israel’s allegations that 12 of the agency’s 30,000 staff played a role in the 7 October attacks.

Probe activated

A full and urgent investigation is already underway by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) – the highest investigative body in the UN system – the IASC chiefs said, noting in addition that UNRWA had announced an independent review of its operations.

“Decisions by various Member States to pause funds for UNRWA will have catastrophic consequences for the people of Gaza,” the IASC statement continued. “No other entity has the capacity to deliver the scale and breadth of assistance that 2.2 million people in Gaza urgently need.”

In its latest humanitarian update, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, noted that the death toll in Gaza since continuing “intense” Israeli bombardment began had now risen to at least 26,751, according to the enclave’s health authorities.

Hostilities continued to be “particularly intense” in the southern city of Khan Younis, OCHA reported late on Tuesday, “with heavy fighting reported near Nasser and Al Amal hospitals, and reports of Palestinians fleeing to the southern town of Rafah, which is already overcrowded, despite the lack of a safe passage”.

Ground operations and clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups were also reported across much of Gaza, OCHA noted, with new evacuation orders issued to neighbourhoods in western Gaza city on Monday and Tuesday, including Ash Shati Refugee Camp, Rimal Ash Shamali and Al Janubi, Sabra, Ash Sheikh ‘Ajlin, and Tel Al Hawa.

“The new order covered an area of 12.43 square kilometres…This area was home to almost 300,000 Palestinians before 7 October and, subsequently, 59 shelters with an estimated 88,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) seeking refuge there,” OCHA said.

Shrinking space to shelter

Mass evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military that began on 1 December cover a total of 158 square kilometres, amounting to 41 per cent of the Gaza Strip. “This area was home to 1.38 million Palestinians before 7 October and, subsequently, it contained 161 shelters hosting an estimated 700,750 IDPs,” according to the UN aid coordination office.

As of 30 January, 218 Israeli soldiers have been confirmed killed and 1,283 injured, citing the Israeli military.

The past week has also seen “large numbers of Palestinian men” detained by the Israeli military at a checkpoint in Khan Younis “with many of them stripped to their underwear, blindfolded and taken away”, the OCHA update reported.

Vulnerable populations in northern and central Gaza are increasingly beyond reach because of “an increasing trend in denied and restricted access”, the UN aid coordination office reported. “The reasons include excessive delays for humanitarian aid convoys before or at Israeli checkpoints and heightened hostilities in central Gaza. Threats to the safety of humanitarian personnel and sites are also frequent, impeding the delivery of time-sensitive and life-saving aid and pose serious risks to those involved in humanitarian efforts.”

The IASC signatories to the appeal are:

Martin Griffiths, Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Qu Dongyu, Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Jane Backhurst, Chair, ICVA (Christian Aid)
Jamie Munn, Executive Director, International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA)
Amy E. Pope, Director General, International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Paula Gaviria Betancur, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons (SR on HR of IDPs)
Achim Steiner, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Michal Mlynár, Executive Director a.i., United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat)
Catherine Russell, Executive Director, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Sima Bahous, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, UN Women
Cindy McCain, Executive Director, World Food Programme (WFP)
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO)

I lost hope and will to live, in Russian jail, says Ukraine POW

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16 March 2024

I lost hope and will to live, in Russian jail, says Ukraine POW

Latest graphic findings from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine – created by the Human Rights Council two years ago – highlight the ongoing grave impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

“I lost any hope and the will to live,” one Ukrainian soldier and former prisoner of war told the Commission of Inquiry, describing how he had been “repeatedly subjected to torture and left with broken bones, broken teeth and gangrene” on an injured foot.

After trying to kill himself at a prison in the town of Donskoy in Tula region, south of Moscow, the soldier recounted how his captors “subjected him to further beating”, said Erik Møse, Commission Chair.

“Victims’ accounts disclose relentless, brutal treatment inflicting severe pain and suffering during prolonged detention, with blatant disregard for human dignity. This has led to long-lasting physical and mental trauma,” he told journalists in Geneva.

“They beat him on his buttocks in the isolation ward, causing bleeding from his anus,” the investigators reported. “In the yard, they beat him on his face and injured foot, leading to bleeding. They knocked out some of his teeth. He begged them to kill him.”

Erik Møse, Chair of Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine (centre), Commissioner Vrinda Grover (left) and moderator Todd Pitman, OHCHR, at a press conference in Geneva

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Rape, beatings

Testimonies of rape and other sexual attacks against women “also amount to torture”, the Commissioners maintained, pointing to threats of rape against male prisoners of war and the use of electric shocks intended to hurt or humiliate detainees.

“There were beatings, verbal abuse, electronic devices being used on areas, body parts, there was very limited access to food, water necessities,’ Mr. Møse continued. “The whole treatment of the prisoners of war and the picture drawn up, emerging from the way they were dealt with – how they were treated over long periods, months – enables us to use the word ‘horrific’”.

Graphic testimony

The 20-page report relies on testimonies from hundreds of individuals in order to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law committed by Russian forces and authorities.

The publication focuses on the siege and indiscriminate bombardment of Mariupol at the outset of the invasion, the use of torture and rape against civilians, prisoners of war and alleged collaborators, the unlawful transfer of 46 children from a care facility in Kherson to Russian-occupied Crimea in October 2022 and the destruction and damage of protected cultural treasures.

“The evidence shows that Russian authorities have committed violation of international human rights and international humanitarian law and corresponding war crimes,” insisted Commissioner Vrinda Grover. “Further investigations are required to determine whether some of the situations identified may constitute crimes against humanity.”

Mariupol and the ‘road to death’

Detailing the ordeal endured by all those besieged in the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, the report noted how survivors emerged from shelters and “recalled seeing large number of dead bodies on the streets in the rubble of their houses and in the cities’ hospitals”.

At least 58 medical centres were destroyed along with 11 power stations, the investigators said, adding that women who fled on foot from the front line called it “the road to death” and expressed a “pervasive feeling of fear”.

“Often, Russian armed forces failed to take feasible precautions to verify that the affected objects are not civilian,” maintained the rights experts, who work in an independent capacity and are not UN staff.

Genocidal intent concerns

Confirming continuing deep concerns about allegations of genocidal intent by the invading forces, Ms. Grover said the Human Rights Council-mandated probe would “look further” into likely “direct and public incitement to commit genocide” by Russian media.

“We have gone through a large number of such statements and have found that many of them used are using dehumanizing language and calls for hate, violence and destruction,” she said. “And we are concerned with statements supporting the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, calling for the killing of a large number of persons.”

The report is due to be presented to the Human Rights Council on Tuesday 19 March. Watch the launch in Geneva here: https://webtv.un.org/en/schedule/2024-03-19

What Are 2D Materials, and Why Do They Interest Scientists?

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16 March 2024

What Are 2D Materials, and Why Do They Interest Scientists?

If you’ve read any stories about quantum research lately, in Columbia News or elsewhere, you may have heard the term 2D or two-dimensional materials.

An illustration of the atomic structure of graphene, a form of ultra-strong 2D carbon.

In January, Columbia chemists published a study about the first 2D heavy fermion, a class of material with very heavy electrons. In November, the Engineering school published a story on “Laser-Driving a 2D Material.” And earlier last year, researchers found both superconductivity and ferroelectricity in the same 2D material. The list goes on.

So, what are 2D materials and why are scientists so interested?

Two-dimensional materials are just what they sound like: Materials that are just 1 or 2 atoms thick but wider in every other direction. Often the 2D materials scientists are working with are a few square micrometers large– invisible to the naked eye, but visible with the kind of microscope you might have used in high school science classes. The 2D materials that scientists are working with are a mix of naturally occurring materials, like graphene, a form of ultra-strong carbon discovered at Columbia in 2004, and materials synthesized in labs, like CeSil, a crystal first assembled at Columbia last year, composed of cerium, silicon, and iodine. These materials usually begin as three-dimensional, and scientists peel them down to two dimensions to run experiments on them and find out what physical properties, like superconductivity or magnetism, might emerge when the materials are atom-flat. Scientists are working on developing new ways to make 2D materials from scratch, without needing to peel them down from 3D, but the quality of these is still imperfect.

Many things make 2D materials interesting but a primary one is that they confine the ways that particles like electrons can move within them. Columbia Chemist Xavier Roy used a traffic analogy to explain:

“Think of it like this: If we had flying cars that could travel in three-dimensional space, we would be able to reduce most of the traffic in New York. But since our current cars can only travel in two-dimensions, we end up with huge traffic jams in Times Square,” Roy said in a recent interview.

“The same thing happens for electrons when we move from 3D to 2D, but in our case, ‘traffic’ between electrons is beneficial! As these electron-electron interactions become stronger, we can completely change the properties of a material. For example, as the thickness of 3D heavy fermion materials is reduced (i.e. as they become more 2D), they can transition from being magnetic to superconducting.”

Two-dimensional materials can also be relatively easily tweaked: Stacking them with slight angles between the layers, applying forces like electric fields and magnetic fields, and straining the materials by twisting or applying pressure to them can change their properties. Take just one example: By simply stacking two sheets of a material called tungsten diselenide on top of each other, twisting them, and adding or removing electric charge, the material can switch from an electricity-conducting metal to an electricity-blocking insulator and back again.

Scientists are also excited by 2D materials’ potential uses in technology, which scientists often refer to as “applications.”

Two-dimensional materials will likely play a vital role in the next generation of electronics, including still-under-development quantum computers. Why? In large part, because 2D materials are ultra-small with unique, controllable properties (like superconductivity), and technology is always on the hunt for something that can achieve results more quickly, more efficiently, and using less space.

Source: Columbia University

Gaza: Aid operations in peril amid funding crisis

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15 March 2024

Gaza: Aid operations in peril amid funding crisis

“It’s difficult to imagine that Gazans will survive this crisis without UNRWA…(we) have received reports that people in the area are grinding bird feed to make flour,” said Thomas White, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza and UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Citing “colossal” needs now facing over two million people in the enclave who depend on UNRWA for their “sheer survival”, he warned the already dire humanitarian situation risks getting worse following the decision of 16 donor countries to cut the agency’s funding.

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Terror link accusation

The development follows allegations that some UNRWA staff colluded with Hamas during its terror attacks on southern Israel on 7 October that left some 1,200 dead and more than 250 taken hostage.

The UN’s highest investigative body is already conducting a probe into the allegations at the request of UNRWA, which plays a key role in Gaza as the largest humanitarian organization there. Of its 13,000 staff, more than 3,000 continue working.

Shortly after UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini announced the immediate dismissal of staff facing the allegations and his decision to involve the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services in New York, a number of donor countries suspended $440 million in funding.

Guterres appeal

“UNRWA is the backbone of all humanitarian response in Gaza. I appeal to all Member States to guarantee the continuity of UNRWA’s lifesaving work,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres, addressing the Palestinian Rights Committee on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, with no let up in Israeli bombardments across Gaza – and particularly in the southern city of Khan Younis – humanitarians warned that the exodus of people seeking shelter in the south has continued unabated.

“Rafah has become a sea of people fleeing bombardments,” said Mr. White, as UNRWA reported that tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee shelling and fighting in Khan Younis just this week, adding to the more than 1.4 million people already crammed in the southern governorate of Rafah.

“Most are living in makeshift structures, tents or out in the open and now also fear they might no longer receive any food or other humanitarian assistance from UNRWA,” the UN agency said in a statement.

Pointing to longstanding obstacles to humanitarian aid access in the north of Gaza since war erupted on 7 October, UNWRA issued a new warning that famine “is looming”.

“We continue to coordinate with the Israeli Army to be able to go to the north, but this has been largely denied,” said Mr. White. “When our convoys are finally permitted to go to the area, people rush to the trucks to get food and often eat it on the spot.”