News from Italy
Vita gazette – From the USA to NATO and the EU, from Russia to China and the Pacific… From energy to arms and hunger… From culture to history and art… From natural disasters to new discoveries and technology… Important history recorded notes… (22-28 October 2022)
In order to have an idea by being informed… Weekly information note for those who missed important developments in history…
Human and animal rights
Salman Rushdie: Rushdie’s agent says the author has lost sight in one eye and the use of a hand as he recovers from an attack from a man who rushed the stage at an August literary event in western New York, according to a published report. Literary agent Andrew Wylie told the Spanish language newspaper El Pais in an article published Saturday that Rushdie suffered three severe wounds to his neck and 15 more injuries to his chest and torso in the attack that took away sight in an eye and left a hand incapacitated. Rushdie, 75, spent years in hiding after Iran’s Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a 1989 edict, a fatwa, calling for his death after publishing his novel “The Satanic Verses,” which some Muslims consider blasphemous. Over the past two decades, Rushdie has travelled freely. (October 23)
Czech Republic Officially Closes Its Borders to Russian TouristsB The Czech Republic’s authorities have announced that starting today, October 25, the country will no longer permit entry for citizens of Russia who wish to reach the country for tourism, sport, and cultural purposes. The Czech Republic’s government approved such a measure following the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jan Lipavský, who said that by introducing an entry ban for Russians, the country aims to respond to the current situation in Ukraine, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports. (October 25)
Finland: Finnish citizens may now also request a medical abortion up until the 12th week of pregnancy without needing to provide further reasons. Under Finland’s current law — which dates to 1970 — women required approval from two doctors before having an abortion. (October 26)
Global warming – Climate change – Natural disasters
A Victorian council has taken steps to establish plant rights in its planning processes and education campaigns:
The Herald Sun reported that The Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is now carving out the guidelines to consider the legal rights of plants in a move that’s been described as the “first of its kind”.Councillor Debra Mar said that while there’s a biodiversity plan in place, there needs to be a policy protecting The Ninch’s unique ecosystem. She told the publication: “They aren’t working. We’re losing our tree canopy. I hear chainsaws … I look out my windows and see rooftops where once I saw trees.” She continued: “The future depends on what we do now for nature and our communities.” (24 oct)
Environmentalists: They glued themselves to million-dollar vehicles. Environmentalists in Paris, the capital of France, glued their hands to the vehicles at the International Auto Show. (24 oct)
Drought in Spain: Due to the growing water problem in Spain due to drought, water use was restricted in the city of Tarragona after Seville. Announcing that the water reserve in the city has fallen below 10 percent, the Tarragona Municipality in the east of the country announced that the water cut, which started between 22.00 and 06.00, has been extended to the range of 19.00-07.00. It is stated that the fountains in the squares of Tarragona are completely empty due to the drought, and not a single drop of water flows from the taps. In Tarragona, where there is a half-day water shortage in their homes, the people complain about the difficulties they experience in meeting their basic needs such as showering and cooking. (26 oct)
U.N.: “Untold human suffering” is soon as U.N. warns climate change is pushing Earth closer to extreme warming. Three new reports from the United Nations paint a grim picture of what is to come soon as the world falls short in mobilizing against climate change. According to the reports, Nations are failing to create and act on sufficient plans to reduce warming as global greenhouse gas emissions are on the rise a combination that is putting the planet on track to hit nearly 3 degrees Celsius of warming within less than 80 years. The U.N. issued the reports on Wednesday and Thursday providing details on the state of the planet. For years, scientists both in and outside of the organization have warned with growing urgency that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to preindustrial times is critical to minimizing extreme temperatures and climate disasters. But according to U.N. Environment Programmer’s Emissions Gap Report, there is now “no credible pathway” remaining to make that happen. (27 oct)
Stating that it is no longer possible to deny the effects of the climate crisis, US Special Representative for Climate John Kerry stated that the whole world should work in cooperation to reduce carbon emissions rapidly before it is too late. (28 oct)
Just Stop Oil’s target: Rolex: Eco-mob jet luxury watch shop in Knightsbridge with orange paint Just Stop Oil protesters have sprayed orange paint across a Rolex store in central London in their latest climate stunt. Video footage shared on Twitter shows at least two members of the eco-mob using fire extinguishers to cover the glass walls of the store in Knightsbridge with paint. It is the 28th protest launched by the group this month, as they demand the government halts all new oil and gas consents and licences. Some 585 activists have been arrested so far in October following a host of stunts, from throwing soup at Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, to scaling the QE2 Bridge and causing more than a dozen major roadblocks. (28 Oct)
Health
Cholera – United Nations: Cholera is now present in all of Syria’s 14 provinces and is “rapidly spreading” throughout the country, a United Nations said, calling for more donations. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) operations director Reena Ghelani addressed the UN Security Council in New York, warning that serious water shortages have exacerbated the outbreak. Cholera is a potentially deadly infection contracted by people consuming water or food containing cholera bacteria. There are currently outbreaks in several countries, including Syria, Lebanon, and Haiti. The World Health Organization has called cholera “extremely virulent”. (25 Oct)
Covid – 19 Tuberculosis deaths and disease increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. An estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with tuberculosis (TB) in 2021, a rise of 4.5% from 2020, and 1.6 million people died from TB (including 187 000 among HIV-positive people), according to the World Health Organization’s 2022 Global TB report. This is the first time an increase has been reported in the number of people falling ill with TB and drug-resistant TB. (27 Oct)
Covid – UK: Two new strains of Covid have been found in the UK which may be immune to current vaccines, health officials warn. There have been 717 cases of the BQ.1 variant detected across the country and 18 cases of the XBB variant. (29 Oct)
Art – Culture – History
Anna May Wong: Become the first Asian American to appear on US currency. Wong, a pioneering actor of the early 20th century who faced Hollywood discrimination, to image shown in new quarters Anna May Wong found more excellent opportunities after leaving Hollywood and travelling to Europe. Starting Monday, Wong’s appearance will be imprinted on quarters across the country. Recognized as Hollywood’s first Asian American movie star, she acted in over 60 films across a decades-long career. Wong called for more excellent representation of Asian people in Hollywood and challenged stereotypical depictions at a time when “yellowface” dominated the industry. The Chinese Exclusion Act was still the law. “Why is it that the screen Chinese is nearly always the villain of the piece, and so cruel a villain – murderous, treacherous, a snake in the grass,” Wong said in a 1933 interview with the Los Angeles Times. “We are not like that.” (24 Oct)
Haystacks – Monet: Climate Activists Throw Mashed Potatoes on Monet Painting. The stunt in a German museum was the latest attack on widely admired art, carried out by protesters demanding azione on climate change. (25 oct)
Girl with a Pearl Earring-Johannes Vermeer: The “Girl with a Pearl Earring” painting is the latest art piece from across the globe to be defaced by climate activists. According to the museum, one person glued their head to the glazing that protects the 17th-century painting created by Johannes Vermeer, while another glued their hand to the green wall next to the artwork. The museum reported that a red liquid was also thrown during the attack, but the painting did not appear to be damaged. Climate Activists Arrested After Protestor Glues Their Head to “Girl with a Pearl Earring” Painting end: comp type–lion article-heading mntl-text-block. (27 oct)
Science – Technology – Discovery
The flying car: A US company is resolving to be the first to bring the flying car to the market – in just three years. The Alef Model A, created by Alef Aeronautics in San Mateo, California, is a fully electric vehicle with a mesh-covered body that conceals eight propellers. These propellers, which replace the traditional car motors, allow it to take off straight up into the air from a conventional road, without the need for any runway space. Once airborne, it tilts 90 degrees so that the top of the car is facing forward – and then proceeds to fly through the air at up to 260 miles per hour. Meanwhile, a passenger “bubble” in the centre of the car, which holds up to two people, pivots on an axis so the passengers can face forward for the flight. Jim Dukhovny, the founder of Alef Aeronautics, said the car will cost $300,000 (£265,000), and that production and initial deliveries could start in 2025. (25 oct)
Ecuadorian: Six new species of rain frogs have been discovered on the eastern slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, according to a statement from Ecuador’s Ministry of the Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition. (25 oct)
Twitter: The world’s richest man, Elon Musk takes control of Twitter in a $44bn deal. Mr Musk tweeted “the bird is freed” and later said, “let the good times roll.” (28 oct)
Largest cruise ship: Royal Caribbiean has announced that Icon of the Seas, which will be its largest cruise ship, will begin cruises in 2024. Royal Caribbean this month announced a late January 2024 launch for what will be the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, the first in a new class of vessels able to carry nearly 10,000 passengers and crew. And on October 25, the day reservations for the ship opened, the cruise line reported its single largest booking day in its 53-year history (exact numbers were not disclosed). A lot of people want to get on a 250,800-gross-ton ship and mingle with up to 7,599 fellow passengers while checking out such features as a full-fledged water park with six slides, a 55-foot waterfall, and a different pool for every day of the week. Fans of intimate, small ships will want to look elsewhere. But for those who like the idea of a Miami beach club scene, Vegas attractions, the convenience of all-inclusive resorts, and the thrill of theme parks all rolled into one, they will find plenty to like. (28 oct)
A book with a poisonous: It has been found in the United Kingdom in the search for toxic books across the globe. The Poison Book Project is an investigation that dives into the materials used in Victorian-era book bindings and book cloth colorings that are potentially toxic. Senior librarian, Rhian Isaac, discovered the copy of “My Own Garden: The Young Gardener’s Yearbook” on the shelves in Leeds Central Library after finding it in the database of The Poison Book Project, according to authorities. “As a librarian, it’s always incredibly exciting to discover any sort of rare, or unusual book in our collection. But this project is also important as it helps librarians across the world work together and understand how and when these books were made as well as what steps we can take to keep track of them and make sure they are safely stored and cared for,” said Isaac. (28 oct)
International relations and strategies
French politician – USA: Biden ready ‘to blow up’ situation in Ukraine. “Beware of what Americans can do to blow up the situation in Ukraine on the eve of the 8/11 midterm elections!” the politician tweeted. Mr Philippot believes the US leader and his team do not want to lose in the election race for a reason. “If they are defeated, then peace will prevail – and they do not want it,” he explained.
UN: The Commission concludes that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine, and expresses concern about the suffering of civilians. The Commission has documented violations, such as the illegal use of explosive weapons, indiscriminate attacks, and violations of personal integrity, including executions, torture, ill-treatment, and sexual and gender-based violence. It also found that the rights of children have been violated. On a visit to Ukraine in June 2022, the Commission observed first-hand the damage that explosive weapons with wide-area effects caused to residential buildings and infrastructure in populated areas, including schools and hospitals. Several of the attacks that the Commission investigated were carried out without distinguishing between civilians and combatants. (23 Oct)
Russia-Ukraine-dirty bomb: Russia took its case to the U.N. Security Council that Ukraine is preparing to use a “dirty bomb” on its own territory, an assertion dismissed by Western and Ukrainian officials as a pretext for escalating the war. Moscow sent a letter detailing the allegations to the United Nations on Monday, and Russia raised the issue at a closed meeting with the Security Council. “We’re quite satisfied because we raised the awareness,” Russia’s Deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polansky told reporters. “I don’t mind people saying that Russia is crying wolf if this doesn’t happen because this is a terrible, terrible disaster that threatens potentially the whole of the Earth.” (26 Oct)
The White House – Russia: The White House says US would respond if Russia targets commercial satellites. It has responded to Russia’s assertion that commercial satellites are legitimate targets by stating that a U.S. response would follow any such attacks. (27 Oct)
Russian President Vladimir Putin – “Ukraine turned into a test field”: President Putin made statements during a meeting with officials of security organizations and special services. Expressing that blackmail, pressure and intimidation tactics are used by many countries, Putin said, “We see this in the example of Ukraine, which has become an instrument of American foreign policy.” Russian President Putin stated that Ukraine was ‘directly’ controlled by the USA and lost its independence, adding, “Blackmail, pressure, intimidation tactics have been used by some countries in almost all fields for a long time. “Ukraine has actually lost its sovereignty and is directly controlled by the United States, which uses it as a ram against Russia, our Union State of Belarus, the CSTO and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) as a whole.” Stating that Ukraine has been turned into a ‘test’ area by the US, Putin said, “The Ukrainian region has been turned into a testing ground for military biological experiments, and now they are providing weapons, including heavy ones. They ignore the Kyiv regime’s statements about its desire to acquire nuclear weapons. They are also supposedly dirty. There are also plans to use the bomb for provocation,” he said. (27 oct)
Germany: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier says war threatens Europe. Pointing out that there are concerns about the war in Europe, there is an energy crisis, prices are rising and the successful economic model is under pressure, Steinmeier explained that they are in a period when trust in unity and democracy is damaged and said, “The expansion of the war and even nuclear tension should be prevented.” (28 Oct)
Israel-Lebanon:
The maritime border demarcation agreement between Lebanon and Israel, mediated by the US under the auspices of the UN, reached its final official stage on Thursday, with both sides unilaterally signing the proposal without any contact between them at the headquarters of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon in Naqoura. Lebanon handed over a copy of the agreement to US mediator Amos Hochstein, signed and approved by President Michel Aoun. Another copy was handed over to the UN, represented by its Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka. French Ambassador to Lebanon Anne Grillo was also present in Naqoura. The agreement will allow Lebanon to start exploration operations through the French company TotalEnergies for potential quantities of gas and oil in the Qana field, part of which it shares with Israel. The agreement allows Israel to start extracting gas and oil from the Karish field, which became officially under Israeli control after Lebanon ceded Line 29. As US President Joe Biden received on Wednesday Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the White House, he noted that this agreement was a historical breakthrough. Germany said it was a big step toward more stability in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid described the maritime border agreement with Lebanon as historic and said his country will become Europe’s most important gas supplier soon. (29 Oct)
Poland-USA: Poland has chosen the U.S. government and Westinghouse to build its first nuclear power plant, announcing an essential step in its efforts to burn less coal and gain greater energy independence. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that Poland’s atomic energy project would use the “reliable, safe technology” of Westinghouse Electric Company, displaying a strong Poland-U.S. alliance that “guarantees the success of our joint initiatives. U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said the $40 billion project would create or sustain more than 100,000 jobs for American workers. (29 Oct)
Energy
Germany: The terrarium in the zoo is closing prematurely for good. The Dresden Zoo closed its terrarium prematurely – because of the increased energy prices. Visitors only have the chance to see the animals in the building during the autumn holidays. (23 Oct)
The Nord Stream: Swedish prosecutors said they would conduct a new complementary crime scene investigation of the Nord Stream leaks. “I have decided to, together with the Security Service (Sapo), conduct several complementary inspections of the crime scene,” public prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist said in a statement. (28 Oct)
France: The French government will spend 12 billion euros ($12 billion) to help small and mid-sized companies struggling to pay soaring energy bills. (28 Oct)
Armament
Holland: Netherlands Becomes First NATO Country To Deploy Killer Robots. The Netherlands has become the first NATO country to deploy armed uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) into an operational environment in which the tracked robots will join a military unit and become part of the defence force. Some are unarmed, while others carry large automatic machine guns for firefights. (22 Oct)
Australia: Australian troops to help train Ukrainian forces in the fight against Russia, as more Bushmaster vehicles were sent to war. (26 Oct)
US – Ukraine: The US said NASAMS air defence systems would be supplied to Ukraine in early November. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also announced that Ukrainian soldiers would be trained to use the NASAMS air defence system. And he noted that military aid to Ukraine would continue. (28 Oct)
EU
Ukraine’s Western allies have proposed a new Marshall Plan for reconstructing Ukraine, Ukraine Business News reported on October 25. The World Bank estimated that Ukraine’s reconstruction would cost at least €350bn, which the country cannot afford. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hosted a one-day conference in Berlin and announced the creation of a new Marshall Plan. (October 25)
EU determined to become independent from Russia. Von der Leyen:
“Our immediate priority is to stop the energy crisis, which can lead to an economic and social crisis. The unsustainability of the current energy system, still dominated by fossil fuels, is even clearer now that Putin is using energy as a weapon and blackmailing Europe. But we will not be blackmailed. We will not let our values be compromised. We are determined to end our dependence on Russian fossil fuels. Once and for all and quickly,” she added. “We will do this by diversifying energy sources, saving energy and accelerating the adoption of renewable energies,” he concluded. (October 28)
Sanctions
USA – Russia: USA did not give a visa to the Russian delegation to attend the IAEA conference. In her written statement, Zaharova reminded that the IAEA would hold an omic Energy in the 21st Century” in Washington on October 26-28. Stating that a delegation from Russia from the Russian State Atomic Energy Agency (Rosatom) and the Russian Federal Ecological, Technological and Nuclear Inspection Agency (Rostehnadzor) plans to attend this conference, Zaharova said, “Although the USA submitted the relevant applications in advance in the prescribed manner, they did not give visas to the Russian delegation. Thus, Russia‘s participation in an important international event under the auspices of the IAEA was unacceptable and without any justification.” used the phrases. Zaharova emphasized that with this action, the USA ignores international law. (October 24)
Russia: The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it had expanded the list of EU officials who are banned from entering the country due to the new sanctions against Russia adopted by the European Union. (October 25)
Czech Republic: Officially Closes Its Borders to Russian Tourists. The Czech Republic’s authorities have announced that starting today, October 25, the country will no longer permit entry for citizens of Russia who wish to reach the country for tourism, sport, and cultural purposes. The Czech Republic’s government approved such a measure following the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jan Lipavský, who said that by introducing an entry ban for Russians, the country aims to respond to the current situation in Ukraine, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports. (October 25)
Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended the restrictions imposed in March on importing and exporting several categories of goods and raw materials until 2023. Under the decree, the Russian government suspended the export of more than 200 types of goods and equipment previously imported into the country from abroad. The list includes technological, telecommunications, medical equipment, vehicles, agricultural machinery, and electrical equipment. An exception was made for countries-partners in the Eurasian Economic Union and Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Russian government also banned the export of certain types of timber to unfriendly countries. (October 26)
Norway: has included 30 Russian citizens and 7 Russian organizations in its sanctions list. Norway has imposed sanctions on Russia against more than 1,260 individuals and 115 entities. (October 28)
Countries
Artificial intelligence enters Danish elections: The Synthetic Party, a new Danish political party with an artificially intelligent representative and AI-based policy, is targeting a seat in parliament and plans to run in the country’s general election in November.
The artist collective Computer Lars and the non-profit art and technology organization Mind Future Foundation established the party in May. The public face and figurehead of the Synthetic Party is the AI chatbot Leader Lars, who has been trained on the policies of Danish fringe parties since 1970 and is designed to reflect the ideals of the 20% of Danes who do not vote in elections. Leader Lars will not appear on any ballots, but The Synthetic Party’s human members are dedicated to carrying out their AI-derived platform.
Asker Staunæs, the creator of the party and an artist-researcher at MindFuture, said, “We are representing the data of all fringe parties, so it’s all of the parties who are trying to get elected into parliament but don’t have a seat. So, it’s a person who has formed a political vision of their own that they would like to realize, but they usually don’t have the money or resources to do so.” Leader Lars is an AI chatbot that may be contacted via Discord. Leader Lars can be addressed by opening your remarks with a “!” The AI understands English but responds in Danish. (20 Oct)
England: Rishi Sunak Is Britain’s New Prime Minister. That Sunak, 42, entered 10 Downing Street less than two months after losing his first leadership bid to Liz Truss may well be remembered as one of the swiftest political comebacks in British history. But it is hardly a surprise: The former finance minister was the top choice among Conservative Party lawmakers to replace Boris Johnson after the erstwhile Prime Minister was toppled from power in July. (24 Oct)
Italy: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who established the 68th government in Italy, and her ministers took the oath and began their duties. (22 out) The coalition government, which emerged victorious in the elections on September 25 in the country, passed the first stage of the requirement to receive a vote of confidence from the Parliament, which was required to take office officially. In the vote of confidence in the 400-seat House of Representatives, attended by 389 deputies, the Meloni government received a vote of confidence with 235 Yes votes against 154 No votes. (25 Oct) The government’s new Premier, Giorgia Meloni, easily won the second of two required confidence votes in Parliament too. In the Senate Wednesday, 115 voted in favour of her coalition government and 79 against, while there were five abstentions. The Italian constitution requires votes for new governments. (26 Oct)
Ireland: Northern Ireland is to go to polls for 2nd time this year. Voters in Northern Ireland will go to the polls for a second time this year as politicians failed to reach an agreement on forming a new devolved government within six months after the May 5 election. Britain’s Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris announced on Friday that the snap election would be held, but he will reveal the details next week on Friday. UK to call Northern Ireland election within next 12 weeks. (October 28)