USA - Democrats Presidential elections: The fight is on for progressives to push Biden to the left. They might just win

Joe Biden has had a hard time to capture the minds of progressive Democrats. Like the media, progressive Democrats tend to see him as a centrist – a status quo candidate who just wants to return the US and the world to the pre-Trump era. 

Even Biden’s collaborations with Bernie Sanders, including the recently announced unity taskforces, are often dismissed as pure window-dressing. But this kind of blithe dismissal of the presumptive Democratic nominee misreads both the politician and the times.

It is true that Biden was never a very progressive Democrat, but neither was he a particularly conservative one. He has been a classic “centrist Democrat”. But it’s important to note that this places him not in the political center of the US electorate, but in the center of the Democratic party – a party that has shifted left significantly since 2016, as has Biden.

Read more at:
The fight is on for progressives to push Biden to the left. They might just win | Joe Biden | The Guardian

France - rhe environment: Will cars be banned in Paris after lockdown?

Parisian Mayor Anne Hidalgo has announced that returning to a city dominated by cars post- pandemic is “out of the question”. A special session was organised by the Paris City Council to look at ways to guide citizens out of lockdown, where Hidalgo emphasised her stance on reducing pollution in the capital.

“I say in all firmness that it is out of the question that we allow ourselves to be invaded by cars, and by pollution,” she said. “Pollution is already in itself a health crisis and a danger — and pollution joined up with coronavirus is a particularly dangerous cocktail.” Early studies carried out by Harvard University in the US have found that a rise in exposure to particulate pollution of just one microgram per metre-cubed of air could increase our chances of dying from the disease by around 10 per cent.

Read more at:
Will cars be banned in Paris after lockdown? | Living

Coronavirus: Dutch singletons advised to seek ‘sex buddy’

The National Netherlands Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) says singletons should come to an arrangement with one other person.

But pairings should avoid sex if one of them suspects they have coronavirus, the advice says.

The guidance comes after critics said there was no sex advice for singles.

Read more at:
Coronavirus: Dutch singletons advised to seek ‘sex buddy’ - BBC News

Coronavirus: South African app aims to slow spread of COVID-19 in developing nations

Georg didn't look out of the window. He was concentrating hard on the three screens in front of him.

He and his team had organized a web seminar for political decision-makers in Africa, during which he would be presenting his coronavirus tracing app, Covi-ID.
Covi-ID was developed by a team of 150 volunteer scientists, bankers, entrepreneurs and students.

Georg teaches economics at the University of Cape Town, with a focus on financial technologies. He also works for the German Bundesbank, as well as on Covi-ID.

Read more at: African app aims to slow spread of COVID-19 in developing nations | World| Breaking news and perspectives from around the globe | DW | 15.05.2020

Hungary: 'Critics silenced' in social media arrests as EU debates Orban's powers | Euronews

Opposition politicians in Hungary are alarmed by a spate of detentions for alleged scaremongering on social media about the coronavirus pandemic.

It comes as the EU, citing Hungary, called on Thursday for emergency government powers granted during the crisis to be eased along with lockdowns.

Several people have been arrested at their homes and detained for several hours over social media posts. Police said on Thursday that 16 people have been questioned during their investigations.

Hungary: 'Critics silenced' in social media arrests as EU debates Orban's powers | Euronews

Middle East: Pandemic 'shock' could destabilise Middle East, EU fears - by Andrew Rettman

The economic "shock" of the pandemic could aggravate crises on Europe's southern fringe, EU diplomats fear, amid other concerns on Israeli annexation.

"From a political perspective, the impact of the pandemic may exacerbate the many existing crises affecting the [Middle East and North Africa] region," the EU foreign service said in an internal report on 8 May, seen by EUobserver.

The Syria war "may also see another wave of refugees towards Europe", it noted. "The tragedy of the conflict only deteriorates in Yemen," it added.

Other countries in the region also risked instability due to the "triple parallel shock on [falling] revenues, from oil, tourism, and remittances", the EU report warned.

"All this may result in increased risk of social upheavals, jeopardising security and stability in the region" and create "tensions between secularists and Islamists," it said.

"The plummeting oil price will have huge impact in Algeria," it noted.
"Iraq, due to the combination of political instability, insecurity, and low oil prices stands out as a country the EU should focus its attention on," it said.

"The pandemic can only worsen things in the protracted Libya crisis", it said.

Read more at: Pandemic 'shock' could destabilise Middle East, EU fears

The Netherlands: - Coronavirus: Rutte government under pressure to provide some financial relief for Dutch citizens

Dutch PM Mark Rutte

Corona Virus Pandemic in the Netherlands
raises many questions about the Dutch
Government's urgently needed actions
to support some of the financially strapped
population as a result of the pandemic.

The question which arises is; "what has the
Rutte Government done so far for its citizens
to assist them in the areas of Rent reduction,
Mortgage interest relief,Reduced health care
insurance premiums etc.?"

Unfortunately, basically nothing. 

 Opposition parties in the Netherlands have already
announced they want a rent increase for July 1, scrapped. 

Copyright: only if source of report refers to EU-Digest

EU-Digest

China-US ties on the brink of a complete breakdown: by Stephen S Roach

In his article "The end of the US-China relationship," Stephen S. Roach, a faculty member at Yale University and former chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia, describes new shifts in the China-US relationship amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He wrote, "After 48 years of painstaking progress, a major rupture of the US-China relationship is at hand. This is a tragic outcome for both sides - and for the world." How should both countries manage the economic and geopolitical risks of a full rupture? Is it still possible for the two great powers to regain the trust and cooperate in the fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic? Roach shared his views with Global Times (GT) reporters Hu Yuwei and Zhao Juecheng.

GT：How will the current pandemic reshape China-US relations? Will it drag the two countries into a new cold war?

Roach: My basic conclusion is that the relationship between the US and China right now is the worst that I have seen in my career, and I've been following this relationship for 25 years closely. I think it started with the trade war in 2018. It's now moved into disputes over the novel coronavirus. And public opinion in the US, as measured by a Pew Research survey conducted very recently, shows bipartisan sentiment against China is as bad as it has ever been since the survey was conducted.

Also, there has been a leak of the Republican Party's political strategy that was written up by some consultants for the presidential campaign. I've read this 57-page strategy document very carefully. Its basic premise on the politics of the novel coronavirus - Do not defend Trump, but attack China. Republican strategy in the upcoming presidential election campaign is very much focused on attacking China.

Many new policies are being floated consistent with this approach: Bringing back supply chains from China, renewed or increased tariffs, or the most ridiculous of all, a threat of withholding debt payments on Chinese holdings of US treasury securities.

This strategy - after a trade war and after blaming China for the coronavirus itself - leads me to believe that the relationship is on the brink of what I would call a rupture, a complete breakdown. And I don't expect things to improve between now and the election. This is a tragedy. It did not have to happen this way. In US politics, sometimes things go in unfortunate directions. This is one of those times.

Read more at: China-US ties on the brink of a complete breakdown: Roach - Global Times

Coronavirus: Air travel won't return to pre-crisis levels until 2023, IATA chief warns

When will flights resume between US and EU?

The trade association for the world’s airlines said that demand for air travel had dropped more than 90% in Europe and the U.S. since the start of the pandemic, and warned that recovery will be even slower if lockdowns and travel restrictions are extended.

“We are asking governments to have a phased approach to restart the industry and to fly again,” Alexandre de Juniac, the IATA’s director general and CEO, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” on Thursday. De Juniac is hopeful that some flying will resume by the summer.

“We are aiming at reopening and boosting the domestic market by end of the second quarter, and opening the regional or continental markets — such as Europe, North America or Asia-Pacific — by the third quarter, and intercontinental in the fall,” he said.

“So for summer we hope that you will see flights within Europe coming back, with I hope interesting prices and very safe processes of control.”

The European Union’s external borders remain closed to non-EU nationals until mid-June. The European Commission has recommended a phased approach for its member states to reopen borders that would start with countries with low levels of coronavirus infections.

Read more at: Coronavirus: Air travel won't return to pre-crisis levels until 2023, IATA chief warns

US Economy: Dow falls as US central banker offers a sombre view of economy

United States Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell wants more US congressional support to shore up the economy, he said Wednesday. He also warned the coronavirus could cause deep economic damage. His comments - and a major shift in a US retirement fund - sent markets lower.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.17 percent to close a 23,247.97. The widely used gauge of US retirement and education savings accounts, the S&P 500, lost 1.75 percent, to 2,820. The Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 1.55 percent to 8,863.17.

While Powell pledged in a webcast to use the US central bank's power as needed, he suggested that it might not be enough to avoid deep economic damage without more fiscal support. Powell's comments added more pressure on US lawmakers to take steps to protect US workers.

"The Fed's efforts amount to a temporary bridge loan to the private sector, but as time goes on, liquidity issues can morph into insolvencies. Long-term and large-scale business insolvencies can create long-term scars to the economy and the labor market," wrote Oxford Economics' Kathy Bostjancic in a research note.

Read more at: Dow falls as US central banker offers a sombre view of economy | Coronavirus pandemic News | Al Jazeera

USA: Facts versus Fantasy: Trump calls Fauci remarks on risks to reopening schools, economy unacceptable

  U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday described as not acceptable a warning given by top U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci this week about the dangers of reopening the economy and schools too quickly.

“To me it’s not an acceptable answer, especially when it comes to schools,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked about Fauci’s warnings to senators on Tuesday about the risks of reopening the schools and economy too soon.

Read more at :
Trump calls Fauci remarks on risks to reopening schools, economy unacceptable - Reuters

Germany: Coronavirus continues to be a 'danger for all of us,' warns Merkel

During a session in the Bundestag, Merkel warned against possible setbacks as Germany learns to live with the virus. She also paid tribute to health workers.

"The basic facts have not changed,"  Merkel said. As long as there is no treatment or vaccine, coronavirus continues to be a "danger for each and every one of us".

Merkel said Germany could be satisfied with the way it has handled the pandemic so far. However, she urged people not to endanger what the country has achieved in slowing the spread of the coronavirus, adding the pandemic will be with us for some time.

Read more at
Coronavirus continues to be a 'danger for all of us,' warns Merkel - The Local

World nuclear arms spending hit $73bn last year – half of it by US

The world’s nuclear-armed nations spent a record $73bn on their weapons last year, with the US spending almost as much as the eight other states combined, according to a new report.

The new spending figures, reflecting the highest expenditure on nuclear arms since the height of the cold war, have been estimated by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (Ican), which argues that the coronavirus pandemic underlines the wastefulness of the nuclear arms race.

Read more at : World nuclear arms spending hit $73bn last year – half of it by US | Nuclear weapons | The Guardian

U.S. Fed chair rules out negative interest rates even as Trump trumpets them

The head of the Federal Reserve said Wednesday the U.S. central bank is not considering using negative interest rates, despite President Donald Trump seemingly pushing for them.

In a tweet Tuesday night, the president said other countries are enjoying the advantages of negative interest rates, and he urged his own central bank to accept the "gift" they would bestow on the U.S. economy.


U.S. Fed chair rules out negative interest rates even as Trump trumpets them | CBC News

Saving summer: EU proposes three-stage plan to boost tourism amid Covid-19

• 
  

 EU on Wednesday set out plans for a phased restart of travel this summer, hoping to save millions of tourism jobs threatened by the coronavirus pandemic across Europe, the world's top holiday destination.


Read more at:
Saving summer: EU proposes three-stage plan to boost tourism amid Covid-19

The Coronavirus: returning to "status quo" after the storm has passed is impossible - Democrats here is your chance to shine - by RM

What must be clear to everyone, is that the Coronavirus has exposed that no country can be going back to what their governments considered normal before the coronavirus.

In the case of America, "We the people", must demand, and if necessary, force, our politicians, to make some radical changes to our country's present economic and political structures.

For starters, here are just a few, of the many changes, as expressed by many people I spoke to, that need to be urgently looked at.

Obviously, only really possible if the Democrats win the Presidency and the Senate in November :

*The Tax system must be radically revised to provide a more balanced source of income for the US budget, than the present Tax system does. 

*Education must be free for every citizen.

*Health care insurance must be available to everyone, and premiums based on the income of the insured individual. 
*The Environment needs to be considered a major priority in any new Government's strategy; the present unacceptable strong influence of the private sector, and special interest groups, over the US political system must be curbed. 
*The US infrastructure will need a complete emergency overhaul to keep America competitive. 
*And finally, to combat unacceptable violent crime, gun control laws needs to be legalized.

And all that, even if it is only the tip of the iceberg, would be a good beginning.

Copyright: this article can be reproduced, 
only if source is quoted
EU-Digest

EU’s China Ambassador Looks To Mediate U.S.-China ‘Divorce’

The European Union can be the voice of reason in the pandemic blame game. So says Europe’s Ambassador to China Nicolas Chapuis.

Chapuis said Thursday that the tit-for-tat between the the U.S. and China over the coronavirus are “not conducive”. In other words, neither side is helping solve the problem and put this behind us.

Chapuis’ response is typical EU diplomatic speak — you guys fight, but we will mediate. The EU also served as mediator in the Russia-Ukraine divorce.

As the U.S. says the pandemic happened because China’s lack of transparency, China hits back in essence saying it’s not their fault. Chapuis has made it clear that the EU is not sticking by Washington on this one, at least not overtly. Chapuis opted to play it neutral, which is arguably the only way to play it when you’re an Ambassador on foreign soil.

That doesn’t mean Europe doesn’t get it when it comes to China. While no one in the EU has been as vocal as the U.S. leadership has in blaming China for the global pandemic, the U.K. has been more willing to point fingers. The U.K. is exiting the European Union.

Read more at: EU’s China Ambassador Looks To Mediate U.S.-China ‘Divorce’

Coronavirus: EU will push to unlock borders as coronavirus ravages travel and tourism

The European Union executive will recommend on Wednesday that border restrictions be gradually lifted and travel stalled by the coronavirus pandemic allowed to restart in order to revive tourism, a major industry across the 27-country bloc.

Read more at
EU will push to unlock borders as coronavirus ravages travel and tourism - Reuters

USA: Trump accused of racism after clash with Asian American reporter | World news | The Guardian

Confrontation with a CBS News reporter which led to the president being accused of being racist towards Asian Americans.
OP
Seeming to tweet in response to the incident involving Weijia Jiang on Monday evening, Trump wrote without offering evidence: “Asian Americans are VERY angry at what China has done to our Country, and the World. Chinese Americans are the most angry of all. I don’t blame them!”

Read more at:Trump accused of racism after clash with Asian American reporter | World news | The Guardian

Future Air Travel: Four-Hour Process, Self Check-In, Disinfection, Immunity Passes

 Once airports and borders open again and people are able to fly freely — a process already in play as airports of all sizes around the world ready strategies to ensure healthy air travel — how much are you ready to change your flying habits?

Read more at: Future Air Travel: Four-Hour Process, Self Check-In, Disinfection, Immunity Passes