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Das nennt man dann wohl belastbar: Freeski-Star Andri Ragettli (21) quält sich an Auffahrt mit einem Ultramarathon – an seinem freien RS-Wochenende.

Al-akhbar – La Commission Nationale des Droits de l’Homme (CNDH) rapporte auprès de sources officielles la prise de mesures disciplinaires...

South Africa’s white rhinoceros recovered from near-extinction thanks to intense conservation efforts. Experts around the world have called for international and local cooperation for biological preservation to prevent future pandemic. Credit: Kanya D’Almeida/IPS

By Samira Sadeque
UNITED NATIONS, May 26 2020 (IPS)

A future repetition of the current COVID-19 pandemic is preventable with massive cooperation on international and local levels and by ensuring biological diversity preservation around the world, experts recently said.

How to prevent the current crisis in the future

• According to the World Health Organisation the coronavirus originated in bats, and original theories had circulated the virus spread to humans from a wet market in Wuhan, China.

In celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity held on Friday, May 22, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) held a series of panels, bringing together experts to speak about this year’s theme “Our solutions are in nature”.

The current COVID-19  pandemic was the key theme in all the discussions and various experts from around the world shared their thoughts on topics such as the link between the current coronavirus crisis and biodiversity, methods and practices that can unite different communities and solutions that humans can carve out from our access to nature.

Many of the experts echoed the notion that better conservation can play a crucial role in preventing such a crisis in the future.

“Better conservation of large intact natural areas, including natural world heritage sites and urgent measures to address illegal wildlife trade are really considered important to limit the emergence of new diseases in the future,” Mechtild Rössler, director of the World Heritage Centre (WHC), said at the panel. 

“Focus should not only be gazetting protected areas but also on creating and [enabling] conditions [where] these areas can fulfil their biodiversity conservation objectives,” she added.

Paul Leadley, a researcher at the University of Paris-Saclay, pointed out that human health is “linked indissociably” with the condition or health of nature, and that about 70 percent of emerging diseases are a result of human contact with animals, including causes such as deforestation and trade and consumption of wild animals.

As such, he said, it’s crucial that we have preventative measures instead of carving out measures only in response to a crisis, as is happening now.

“We need to be more proactive and researchers and decision makers must understand that we need it to be upstream,” he said at the “What changes are necessary?” panel. “We need to identify diseases that could emerge before they spread, [and] we [need to] start to better understand the change from transmission from animals to man.”

And these issues have an economic impact as well.

Rössler noted that heritage sites in 90 percent of the countries where heritage properties are located have been partially or fully closed due to loss of entrance fees, thus contributing to the local economy in a negative way.

Closures of sites have caused major socioeconomic impact for communities living in and around these sites, Rössler said, including disruption of community life, aggravated poverty and serious issues related to the monitoring of conservation practices.

Rössler isn’t alone in this observation.

Roderic Mast, co-chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group, recently told IPS that they have been receiving reports of how a lack of monitoring and enforcers on the ground have caused increased illegal poaching in places such as Indonesia and French Guiana.

International and local cooperation

Leadley, who is also an Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) expert, further said it’s crucial for international and local cooperation in order to prevent such transmissions.

Rössler echoed a similar thought, and called for a “stronger commitment” between all parties.

“We need a stronger commitment from all governments to conserve and manage these areas, to exclude them from unsustainable development activities and we need increased solidarity and cooperation among nations to achieve that,” she said, adding that it will also help communities further contribute to actions surrounding climate change.

Tim Christophersen, coordinator of the Nature for Climate Branch at United Nations Environment, highlighted the youth’s activism on the matter.

“We see the emergence of a global restoration movement from youth networks to communities that want to rebuild their livelihoods all across the world so this movement is already emerging,” he said at the panel “What are the possible ways to regenerate ecosystems and restore our connections with biodiversity?”

Christophersen is also a focal point for the U.N. Decade on Ecosystem restoration 2021-2030, and said the next decade has a lot of opportunities for learning between local and international communities.

“What we can do with the U.N. decade is to link local activities to a global umbrella to give people at a local level more tools and hopefully more resources, more inspiration and a connectedness to a global movement where we can learn from each other,” he said.

Related Articles

• COVID-19 – China Tells World Health Assembly They Did their Best
• Biological Diversity is Fundamental to Human Health

The post Ensuring Biodiversity Now will Prevent Pandemics Later appeared first on Inter Press Service.

Obwohl noch in der Testphase, kann man die Schweizer Corona-App bereits downloaden. Das ist keine Panne, wie der Bund sagt. Er warnt die User aber auch vor möglichen Mängeln.

Abdelamdjid Tebboune a reçu aujourd’hui mardi un appel téléphonique de son homologue Turque, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, qui lui a présenté à l’occasion de l’Aïd El-fitr ses vœux de santé et de bonheur, souhaitant au peuple algérien davantage de prospérité et de bien-être, indique un communiqué de la Présidence.   À cette occasion, les deux présidents […]

L’article Tebboune s’entretient par téléphone avec son homologue turc est apparu en premier sur .

Prinz Charles muss Harry und Meghan unter die Arme greifen. Denn die beiden sollen die Kosten doch etwas unterschätzt haben.

Fachstellen haben ein detailliertes Schutzkonzept vorgelegt, damit Sexarbeiterinnen bald wieder ihren Tätigkeiten nachgehen können. Diese begrüssen die vorgeschlagenen Massnahmen, wie BLICK erfährt.

Le corps sans vie d'un homme a été découvert ce lundi 25 mai 2020 dans la lagune de Dantokpa à Cotonou.
Selon Frissons radio, il s'agit d'un homme de la quarantaine.
Le corps en état de putréfaction avancé a été repêché par les pêcheurs.
A.A.A

Saharamédias - Le nombre de personnes infectées au coronavirus en Mauritanie s’est multiplié plus de 30 fois en deux semaines seulement,...

Jennifer Aniston 25 évvel ezelőtt készült aktja a Christie’s aukciósház jótékonysági akcióján keresztül érhető el. Az aukcióból befolyó összeg a koronavírus-járvány elleni küzdelmet hivatott segíteni.

Par une décision en date de ce mardi 26 mai 2020, le secrétaire exécutif national des Forces cauris pour un Bénin émergent (FCBE), Paul Hounkpè, a annulé la radiation des 84 militants FCBE qui avaient démissionné.

La décision portant radiation des militants, selon la décision en date de ce jour, est reportée. Paul Hounkpè dit avoir pris cette décision au regard des dispositions statutaires du parti, et de la nécessité à privilégier le dialogue et la réconciliation entre les militants.
La décision d'annulation de radiation sera entérinée au prochain congrès des FCBE, a-t-il souligné.
En raison de la crise en cours depuis quelques mois dans le parti, certains militants ont démissionné en pleine période électorale lors des dernières élections communales municipales. Après la publication des résultats, le secrétaire exécutif national les a radiés. A travers la décision de ce jour, ils sont réintégrés dans la famille des cauris.

F. A. A.

Detailhändler experimentieren mit neuartigen Verpackungen für Früchte und Gemüse. Damit wollen sie Foodwaste und Plastik reduzieren.

Az SZK Bírói Tanácsának hat tagja Lenka Praženková, a tanács elnökének funkciójából való visszahívását javasolja. Ennek oka, hogy véleményük szerint az elnök asszony folyamatosan megszegi kötelességeit. (tasr) Kép: domov.sme.sk

Benedict Cumberbatch a járvány kitörésekor Új-Zélandon ragadt egy forgatás miatt. Azóta éjszakánként napi 1700 fontot fizet egy villáért.

VIENNA, 26 May 2020 –The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges that demand greater efforts from governments in order to build inclusive societies in the coming months and years, concluded OSCE participants at a meeting today on addressing the many dimensions of intolerance and discrimination.

“Concerns related to tolerance and non-discrimination are of legitimate concern to us all,” said Ambassador Igli Hasani, Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council. “Intolerance and discrimination are never blind. The pandemic has made it crystal clear that we cannot be indifferent to how women and men, youth, vulnerable groups and others are targeted and affected differently if we are to ensure that they all enjoy the same rights.”

Held online for the first time, more than 230 representatives of participating States, intergovernmental organizations, marginalized communities and civil society from across the OSCE region registered to discuss challenges and opportunities to strengthen tolerance during the pandemic and in the future. Participants discussed the importance of inclusive policies and coalition building in strengthening diverse and multi-ethnic societies, as well as the need for early action to prevent intolerance from escalating into open conflict.

“Governments are having to make difficult decisions at the moment in order to safeguard our health while ensuring that our rights and freedoms are respected,” said ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir. “As many parts of our lives have moved online, so too has intolerance and discrimination. Political leaders need to think creatively about how to counter cyberhate and other forms of intolerance so that our societies come out of the health emergency stronger and more united.”

Minorities have found themselves scapegoated in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, with people of Asian backgrounds and other marginalized groups, including Roma and Sinti, refugees, and migrants, facing a surge in discrimination and hate-motivated attacks.

“With challenges come opportunities, and those in power must lead the way by forging new and positive narratives of an inclusive society,” said Dr. Regina Polak, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination, also focusing on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians and Members of Other Religions. “Through dialogue, education, and civil society co-operation, State authorities have an unparalleled opportunity to promote understanding of and respect for different cultures, ethnicities, religions or beliefs.”

Diverse and inclusive societies have a greater ability to learn from different ideas and traditions, and at the same time are more resilient during periods of crisis. Tools and resources to help countries strengthen democracy and build more inclusive societies can be found here.

Supplementary Human Dimension Meetings are a platform for the OSCE’s participating States and OSCE institutions, as well as international organizations and civil society, to exchange views and good practices in order to find common solutions for the challenges facing societies across the OSCE region.

Maghreb Info - Le riche banquier mauritanien Mohamed Ould Bouamatou et plusieurs de ses compatriotes, poursuivis pour corruption présumée...

SUMMARY

KAMENSK-SHAKHTINSKIY, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons increased at both BCPs compared to the previous week.

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 20 permanent international staff members, including the Chief Observer (CO). The Mission is supported administratively by a staff member and the Chief of Fund Administration based in Vienna.

Update on COVID-19 measures

Activities have been impacted by COVID-19 and measures undertaken by the OM to ensure the safety and duty of care of its Mission members and compliance with measures set by the host country authorities. The Mission is continuing to keep the situation under review, in close contact with the OSCE Secretariat and the Chairmanship. Following the host country recommendations, the observers are applying a self-isolation regime between the shifts at the border checkpoints and adherence to social distancing. Due to the preventive measures taken by the central and regional authorities, the OM is faced with certain difficulties, but is still able to continue to fulfill its mandate without any limitations in its observation and reporting activities.

OBSERVATIONS AT THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS

Persons crossing the border                                                                                                                                                                                                              
The profile of persons crossing the border can be categorized as follows:

1. Adults travelling on foot or by car with little or no luggage.
2. Persons in military-style outfits.
3. Families (often including elderly persons and/or children) travelling on foot or by car with a significant amount of luggage.

The average number of entries/exits slightly increased from 649 to 686 per day at both BCPs compared to last week[1].

During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to the Russian Federation, with an average net flow of 11 per day for both BCPs. The Donetsk BCP continued to experience much more traffic than the Gukovo BCP.

Responding to the COVID-19 situation, the host country has closed its borders for the majority of foreigners starting from 18 March. Among the exceptions of persons allowed to cross the border (which entered into force on 19 March), are Ukrainian citizens and stateless persons holding passports or identification documents proving permanent residence in certain areas of Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine. In addition, reportedly, due to the threat of the spread of COVID-19, starting from 10 April, the organized passenger transport commuting between the non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region of Ukraine and the Russian Federation was suspended.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border was eight compared to one last week,  five of them  crossed  into the Russian Federation and three into Ukraine at the Donetsk BCP. These individuals crossed the border on foot.

Families with a significant amount of luggage

The OTs continued to report on families, sometimes with elderly persons and/or children, crossing the border at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage, or travelling in heavily loaded cars. During this reporting week, two families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and four families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when one family was observed crossing to the Russian Federation while seven families crossed into Ukraine.

Bus connections                                         

Regular local and long-distance bus connections between Ukraine (mostly from/to the Luhansk region) and the Russian Federation were stopped from 10 April. During the reporting period, no buses were observed at the two BCPs.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed an increase in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (1001 compared to 826 during the previous reporting week); 513 at the Gukovo BCP and 488 at the Donetsk BCP, 595 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 406 crossed into Ukraine. Most of the trucks observed by the OTs had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, on a daily basis, the OTs also noted trucks registered in the Russian Federation, Belarus, Lithuania and trucks with “LPR” plates.

The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting week, the number of tanker trucks decreased from 60 to 49. These trucks were observed crossing the border at both BCPs. The trucks had the words “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in either Russian or Ukrainian. The majority of tanker trucks had hazard signs, indicating that they were transporting propane or a mix of propane and butane.

All trucks underwent systematic inspection by the Russian Federation officials, which could include an X-ray check. Due to the unfavourable observation position at the Gukovo BCP, the OTs continued to be unable to observe any X-ray checks.

Compared to the previous week, the total number of X-ray checks at the Donetsk BCP increased from 98 to 162. Of the total number of trucks scanned, 128 trucks (79 per cent) were bound for Ukraine: the remaining 34 trucks (21 per cent) crossed into the Russian Federation.

Minivans

The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[2] crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. The OTs observed minivans predominantly with Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, the OTs also saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation. Compared to the previous week, the number of cargo minivans increased from 35 to 76 vehicles; 29 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 47 into Ukraine.

Trains

The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains on the railway tracks located approximately 150m south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 17 occasions; the OTs assessed that ten trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining seven trains were travelling to Ukraine (more details are provided in the sections “trends and figures at a glance” below).

Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees located between the train tracks and the BCP.

Other observations

The majority of vehicles crossing the border had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region or Russian Federation licence plates. A significant number of vehicles with “LPR” plates were also observed crossing the border in both directions on a daily basis.

On 19 May at 19:44, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a minivan with “LPR” plates entering the BCP from the Russian Federation with the sign “LPR Post” (in Russian) on the side. After undergoing border control procedures, the vehicle crossed into Ukraine.

On 20 May at 15:03, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a white van with “LPR” plates arriving at the BCP from Ukraine. The vehicle had the inscription “Ritual cortege” (in Russian) on the side and in front. In addition to the driver, two passengers were also observed on board. After undergoing X-ray check and border control procedures, at 13:12 the vehicle crossed to the Russian Federation.

On 20 May at 17:48, a police minivan entered Donetsk BCP from the Russian Federation and parked behind the main building. At 18:22, the vehicle left the BCP to the Russian Federation. At 18:37, the same police minivan returned and parked behind the main building. At 19:50, the vehicle left the BCP towards the Russian Federation with flashing lights on.

During the reporting week, the OTs at both BCPs noticed helicopters flying along the border on two separate occasions: 

• On 22 May at 12:25, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a helicopter flying from the north which then turned in an easterly direction. The helicopter remained inside the airspace of the Russian Federation the entire time it was visible to the OT.
• The same day at 12:50, the OT at the Gukovo BCP observed a helicopter flying from the north in a north-easterly direction at approximately 150-200 metres distance from the BCP. The helicopter remained inside the airspace of the Russian Federation the entire time it was visible to the OT.

On 26 May at 07:10, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed two white minivans with "LPR" plates arriving at Donetsk BCP from Ukraine. The minivans had the sign “LPR Post" on the side. After undergoing border control procedures, both vehicles left towards the Russian Federation at 07:33.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 21 April to 26 May 2020, please see the attachment here.

[1]Based on data received from the Regional Representation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

[2] Cargo minivans: light commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3.5 t and not more than 7.5 t; with or without a trailer with a maximum mass of less than 750 kg (small cargo vehicles which correspond to driving licence C1).                       

A Smer-SD-nek új harcosokra van szüksége, de nem teoretikusokra vagy vérző szívű liberálisokra. Ezt Robert Fico, a Smer-SD elnöke jelentette ki kedden, aki egyben elismerte, hogy a párt változások után kiált.

Der perfekte Detox funktioniert am besten mit leckeren und ausgewogenen Mahlzeiten. Man muss dabei auf frische Produkte und Proteine setzen. Unser Gemüse Salat mit Beluga Linsen und Frischkäse liefert viel Eiweiss, Ballaststoffe und wichtige Fette.

Das Schaffhauser Obergericht hat das erstinstanzliche Urteil gegen den 54-Jährigen bestätigt, der 2017 Mitarbeiter einer Versicherung mit einer Kettensäge angriff. Der psychisch kranke Mann wurde zu einer stationären Massnahme verurteilt.