In the spotlight

 

Calling Omicron 'mild' is wishful thinking

 

theatlantic, 13.01.2022

 

A flurry of reports has encouraged a relatively rosy view of the variant, compared with some of its predecessors.

 

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Should we treat Covid like the flu? Europe is slowly starting to think so

 

cnbc, 12.01.2022

 

"The situation is not what we faced a year ago," Sánchez said in a radio interview with Spain's Cadena SER on Monday as Spanish school children returned to their classrooms after the holidays. "I think we have to evaluate the evolution of Covid to an endemic illness, from the pandemic we have faced up until now," he added.

 

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When will Covid-19 pandemic become endemic? Experts share scenarios

 

nbcnewyork, 12.01.2022

 

The staggering spike in COVID-19 cases nationwide fuelled mainly by the highly contagious omicron variant has many Americans questioning how long it will take for the pandemic to finally subside for good. While no crystal ball can provide an exact timeline, several medical experts help lay out what the future might hold.

 

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WHO warns against treating Covid-19 like flu

 

reuters, 14.01.2022

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday warned against treating Covid-19 as an endemic illness like flu, rather than as a pandemic, saying the spread of the Omicron variant has not yet stabilized.

 

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https://twitter.com/EU_Commission/status/1482012215834296324

 

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Digital transition

 

 

Massive cyberattack hits Ukrainian government websites amid Russia tensions

 

euractiv-en, 14.01.2022

 

A massive cyberattack warning Ukrainians to "be afraid and expect the worst" hit government websites late on Thursday (13 January), leaving some websites inaccessible on Friday morning and prompting Kyiv to open an investigation.

 

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https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1482041496576708610

 

https://twitter.com/risj_oxford/status/1481998034397327362

 

https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1481968087117099008

 

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Environmental sustainability

 

 

Australia sees 50.7 °C - highest temperature in 62 years

 

RTERadio, 14.01.2022

 

Australia's Pilbara region is known for its hot and dry conditions. Australian authorities have warned people to stay indoors as a severe heatwave along the northwestern coast pushed temperatures to a blistering 50.7 °C. The temperature is a high last seen 62 years ago.

 

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https://twitter.com/OECD_local/status/1482021449649074180

 

https://twitter.com/wef/status/1480919513629605888

 

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Mobility & Energy

 

 

The big idea: could fixing housing fix everything else, too?

 

guardian, 17.01.2022

 

From inequality to pollution, the housing crisis sits at the root of a surprising range of problems.

 

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https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1481653441113911300

 

https://twitter.com/TheEconomist/status/1482034810658906117

 

https://twitter.com/Davos/status/1482009136695066627

 

https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1481973135570350086

 

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Agriculture & Food

 

 

Could a global farmers’ assembly help cut agriculture pollution?

 

guardian, 14.01.2022

 

Ammonia from animal waste and fertilisers used to grow feed, create air pollution and poorer suffer most.

 

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https://twitter.com/TheEconomist/status/1482049922773966849

 

https://twitter.com/wef/status/1481927907262009348

 

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Health

 

 

Covid-19 testing policy put under the microscope

 

abs-cbnnews, 05.01.2022

 

Britain and Israel are overhauling their Covid-19 testing policies as governments seek to reduce the burden on laboratories and struggle with tight supplies of kits amid soaring infection rates fuelled by the omicron variant.

 

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https://twitter.com/TheEconomist/status/1482028247315623938

 

https://twitter.com/UniofOxford/status/1481978661100302341

 

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Science policy & Communication

 

 

Fact check: How do I spot a deep fake?

 

deutschewelle-en, 14.01.2022

 

In the era of deepfakes, it can be extremely difficult to know whether or not a video is real just by using your eyes and ears. Should you be worried? No, but you should be prepared. DW explains how to spot deepfakes.

 

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https://twitter.com/risj_oxford/status/1481202786608029697

 

https://twitter.com/EUvsDisinfo/status/1482035564023058438

 

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EU initiatives

 

How the EU space programme could deliver bigger economic impact

 

sciencebusiness, 13.01.2022

 

The EU should do more to help member states and small companies take up space data and technology, so that Europe’s public investment in space projects can return economic value, a new report commissioned by the European Parliament’s research and industry committee (ITRE) has concluded.

 

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Horizon Europe: Swiss researchers under pressure to relocate or forgo EU grants

 

swissinfo, 12.01.2022

 

The European Research Council (ERC) has announced that Swiss-based researchers who were recently awarded Horizon Europe research grants will need to do their work outside Switzerland in the absence of an agreement with the EU.

 

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https://twitter.com/euatweets/status/1481995519580852225

 

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Curious news

 

https://twitter.com/wef/status/1481698824892649477

 

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