Showing posts with label Coronavirus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coronavirus. Show all posts

Friday, August 07, 2026

Strafanzeige gegen Anthony Fauci: Kommt der Ex-Corona-Berater ins Gefängnis?

BERLINER ZEITUNG: Ein republikanisch geführter Senatsausschuss will Anthony Fauci strafrechtlich belangen. Der Fall ist juristisches Neuland – mit ungewissem Ausgang.

Der juristische Streit um den amerikanischen Immunologen und ehemaligen Regierungsberater Anthony Fauci steuert auf ein Grundsatzverfahren zu, wie es die USA in dieser Form noch nicht erlebt haben. Der Grund: So deutlich das Votum des Senatsausschusses für Heimatschutz auch ausfiel, so unklar ist, ob es am Ende wirklich zu einer Anklage kommt – und ob die dafür nötigen rechtlichen Schritte überhaupt Bestand haben.

Im Zentrum steht eine Frage, die es in dieser Zuspitzung juristisch noch nicht gab: Kann jemand das Recht zu schweigen verlieren, weil ein Präsident ihn vorsorglich begnadigt hat? Fauci selbst hatte sich bei seiner Anhörung in der vergangenen Woche mehr als hundertmal auf sein Aussageverweigerungsrecht berufen. Er begründete das mit der Annahme, die Anhörung sei letztlich darauf angelegt gewesen, ihn zu einer falschen Aussage zu verleiten. » | Franz Becchi | Freitag, 7. August 2026

Related article here.

Und hier ist ein Artikel auf Deutsch.

Fauci Facing Jail after Refusing to Answer Covid Questions

THE TELEGRAPH: Scientist accused of covering up government funding may be found in contempt of Congress

Screenshot taken from this Telegraph article. | Dr Anthony Fauci being sworn in before a Senate committee during which he refused to answer a question | Credit: Alex WROBLEWSKI/AFP

Dr Anthony Fauci could be jailed for up to a year after being found in contempt of Congress for refusing to answer a single question during a Covid hearing.

The scientist, who helped spearhead the White House Covid-19 task force, invoked the Fifth Amendment and claimed the Senate committee was trying to coerce him into perjuring himself to justify criminal charges.

The Fifth Amendment allows individuals in the US to remain silent under questioning to protect against self-incrimination.

He accused its Republican chairman, Senator Rand Paul, of having an “unhinged obsession” with him. » | Telegraph’s US Staff | Thursday, August 6, 2026

This whole thing resembles a witch-hunt. — © Mark Alexander

Thursday, August 06, 2026

Streit um Corona-Aufarbeitung eskaliert: US-Republikaner wollen Immunologen Fauci strafrechtlich belangen

TAGESSPIEGEL: Der frühere Corona-Regierungsberater Anthony Fauci hat bei Kongressanhörungen die Aussage verweigert. Das könnte schwerwiegende juristische Konsequenzen für ihn haben. Ein Experte ordnet den Fall ein.

Er ist schon seit Jahren eine Hassfigur für US-Präsident Donald Trump und die Republikaner. Nun drohen dem Immunologen und früheren Corona-Regierungsberater Dr. Anthony Fauci schwerwiegende juristische Konsequenzen.

Der Ausschuss für innere Sicherheit und Regierungsangelegenheiten des US-Senats will am heutigen Donnerstag um 15.30 Uhr deutscher Zeit darüber abstimmen, ob Fauci wegen Missachtung des Kongresses – also des US-Parlaments – angeklagt werden soll. » | Von Lars von Törne | Donnerstag, 6. August 2026

Wednesday, September 07, 2022

Two Antibodies Identified in Israel Can Fight All Known COVID Strains, Study Finds

THE TIMES OF ISRAEL: Infusible to patients, antibodies are so powerful neutralizing the coronavirus they could eliminate the need for more vaccine boosters, peer-reviewed research says

Israeli scientists say they have identified antibodies that are so powerful in neutralizing the coronavirus that they could eliminate the need for more vaccine boosters.

A research team at Tel Aviv University experimented with numerous antibodies and found that two in particular neutralize all known strains of the coronavirus, including Delta and Omicron, in a lab setting.

Antibody infusions are already used to treat some coronavirus patients, and microbiologist Dr. Natalia Freund, who directed the new study, said the antibodies she identified could be used to concoct a particularly potent infusion. » | Nathan Jeffay | Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Wednesday, July 06, 2022

Holidaymakers Warned of Rising Coronavirus Cases at European Destinations

THE GUARDIAN: Increases reported in countries including Greece, Spain, France and Germany as Omicron variant BA.5 spreads

Ermones beach in Corfu, Greece: new coronavirus infections have risen on the islands of Corfu, Cephalonia and Zakynthos in recent weeks. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

Holidaymakers heading to and from the European mainland are being warned of a growing incidence of coronavirus, especially in tourist hotspots, which risks hampering travel plans.

Health officials are calling in some cases for a reintroduction of face masks and other measures, and are urging travellers to exercise personal responsibility, warning that an escalation of the virus could lead to the swift return of restrictions.

Greece, Spain, France and Germany – as well as further-afield destinations such as the Caribbean islands, Morocco and Tunisia – are all recording significant rises in cases. » | Kate Connolly in Berlin | Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Thursday, May 12, 2022

Grossbritannien steuert nach Brexit, Ukraine-Krieg und Corona auf eine Rezession zu

NEUE ZÜRCHER ZEITUNG: Die steigenden Lebenshaltungskosten sind in Grossbritannien ein grosses Thema. Die wirtschaftliche Erholung von der Corona-Pandemie hat schnell wieder an Schwung verloren.

Die Halbleiter-Knappheit sorgt dafür, dass in Grossbritannien in diesem Jahr so wenig Autos neu zugelassen werden wie 1988. Im vergangenen Jahr besuchte der britische Premier Boris Johnson die Nissan-Fabrik in Sunderland. | Jeff J Mitchell / Getty

Auf den ersten Blick hat sich das britische Wirtschaftswachstum im ersten Quartal lediglich verlangsamt. Das vom Statistikamt ONS gemeldete Plus von 0,8% wirkt respektabel. Volkswirte hatten im Schnitt zwar etwas mehr auf der Rechnung. Doch das wahre Ausmass der Entschleunigung erschliesst sich erst beim Blick auf die ebenfalls vorlegten monatlichen Daten. Sie zeigen, dass es im Januar noch zügig voranging. Bereits im Februar stagnierte das Bruttoinlandprodukt jedoch, und im März ging es bereits um 0,1% zurück.

Die Talfahrt könnte in eine Rezession münden

Die britische Wirtschaftsleistung bewegt sich zwar wieder auf dem vor der Pandemie erreichten Niveau, setzt aber schon wieder zur Talfahrt an. Noch will man bei der Bank of England das Wort «Rezession» nicht in den Mund nehmen. … » | Andreas Hippin, London | Donnerstag, 12. Mai 2022

An den Börsen liegen die Nerven blank: An den Aktienmärkten kehrt keine Ruhe ein. Der Crash auf Raten setzt sich am Donnerstag fort. Die europäischen Börsen verlieren wieder über 2 Prozent, auch in den USA geht der Ausverkauf weiter. »

North Korea Reports Its First Covid Outbreak.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, ordered a national lockdown after a subvariant of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus was found in the capital.

SEOUL — North Korea on Thursday reported its first outbreak of the coronavirus, declaring a “maximum emergency” and ordering all cities and counties in the nation of 25 million to lock down to fight the spread.

It was an abrupt change for a secretive country that had long insisted it had no cases of the virus that first emerged in neighboring China more than two years ago. Outside experts had been skeptical, however, citing a lack of extensive Covid testing and the North’s threadbare public health system.

The danger posed by an outbreak is greater in North Korea than in most other nations because most of its people remain unvaccinated. Outside health experts have long questioned the North’s ability to fight a large-scale outbreak although its regime is capable of imposing totalitarian control on residents’ movement. » | Choe Sang-Hun | Published: Wednesday, May 11, 2022; Updated: Thursday, May 12, 2022

Sunday, February 20, 2022

Queen Elizabeth Tests Positive for the Coronavirus

Queen Elizabeth this month. Buckingham Palace announced on Sunday that she has been infected by the coronavirus. | Pool photo by Joe Giddens

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The 95-year-old British monarch was “experiencing mild coldlike symptoms,” Buckingham Palace said. She recently met with her son Prince Charles, who had tested positive this month.

LONDON — Queen Elizabeth II has been infected with the coronavirus, Buckingham Palace said on Sunday, becoming one of the world’s most prominent figures to battle the virus and deeply rattling the country she has led for seven decades.

The palace issued few details about the condition of the queen, who turns 96 in April.

“Buckingham Palace confirm that the queen has today tested positive for Covid,” the palace said in a statement. “Her Majesty is experiencing mild coldlike symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week. She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines.”

She met this month with her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, who was reinfected with the coronavirus and went into isolation. He last contracted a mild case of the virus in March 2020, as the pandemic was first engulfing Britain. » | Mark Landler | Sunday, February 20, 2022

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Schweiz hebt fast alle Corona-Maßnahmen auf

„ÜBERLASTUNG UNWAHRSCHEINLICH“

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Die Schweiz hebt die meisten Corona-Einschränkungen auf, obwohl die Inzidenzrate höher ist als in Deutschland. Der Gesundheitsminister begründet das mit der geringen Zahl an schweren Verläufen.

Die Schweizer Regierung hat am Mittwoch beschlossen, die allermeisten Maßnahmen zum Schutz vor dem Coronavirus kurzfristig aufzuheben. Von diesem Donnerstag an muss in der Schweiz niemand mehr ein Impfzertifikat vorweisen, wenn er ein Restaurant, ein Fitnessstudio oder ein Theater betreten will. Auch das Verbot für Ungeimpfte, an privaten Treffen mit mehr als zehn Personen teilzunehmen, fällt weg. Die Maskenpflicht hat der Bundesrat, wie die Regierung in der Schweiz heißt, entschärft. Sie gilt jetzt nur noch im öffentlichen Verkehr und in Gesundheitseinrichtungen. Wer einen Einkaufsladen oder ein Kino betritt, muss nicht mehr zwingend eine Maske über Mund und Nase tragen. Auch am Arbeitsplatz ist das nicht mehr vorgeschrieben. » | Johannes Ritter, Zürich | Mittwoch, 16. Februar 2022

Monday, February 14, 2022

NZ Covid Outbreak ‘Like Nothing We’ve Experienced’, Ardern Says, as Cases Skyrocket

THE GUARDIAN: Virus-free for much of the pandemic, New Zealand is now reporting near-daily record case numbers

New Zealand’s prime minister has warned that the country is entering a new phase of its pandemic response that is “like nothing we’ve experienced to date”, as case numbers begin to explode.

“We are embarking for the first time in the two years since the start of the outbreak into a period where New Zealanders will see more Covid in the community,” Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.

“It is a period of disruption and, I know, of risk and will be like nothing we’ve experienced to date.” » | Tess McClure in Auckland | Monday, February 14, 2022

A letter to New Zealand, from Covid-ravaged Australia: Omicron has played out in a series of strange stages in Australia. Here’s what to expect when the wave hits »

Saturday, January 29, 2022

Covid and the Gaping Wealth Gap: What Can Be Done to Fix It? | DW News

Jan 29, 2022 • The coronavirus pandemic has made the rich even richer – and the poor even poorer. Here is why – and what we can do to combat this rise in inequality, which has pushed 160 million people into poverty, while the richest 10 men double their fortunes.

Thursday, January 20, 2022

The Guardian View on Dropping Covid Restrictions: Follow the Scandal

THE GUARDIAN: The scrapping of plan B is driven by the prime minister’s political panic, not scientific guidance

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland ‘are keeping the mask mandate on public transport, in shops and similar places, while England is dropping it’. Photograph: Guy Bell/Rex/Shutterstock

No one is under the illusion that the ending of Covid restrictions in England from next week is driven by science. The prime minister’s announcement on Wednesday was prompted by political desperation, not data. The daily death rate on Wednesday was reported as 359.

Scientists warn that infections are likely to resurge. While the level of infection across the population and health staff absences are falling sharply, the chair of the British Medical Association warned that hospitalisations are double the level that they were when plan B was introduced, and case rates close to twice as high. Dr Chaand Nagpaul noted that the NHS remains under crippling pressure, with a record backlog of six million patients.

After two years of the pandemic, it is not only Tory backbenchers who long for a return to normality. It is true that Omicron has wreaked less damage than feared – though many have still lost loved ones, or suffered serious and perhaps lasting damage to their health. With vaccines and treatments now available, it is entirely reasonable that people are rethinking what constitutes appropriate and proportionate responses to the virus. Restrictions have saved countless lives, but they have economic, social and indeed health costs: the effects of isolation have been punishing for many. » | Editorial | Thursday, January 20, 2022

It’s high time that this circus leave town! Complete with its clowns!

In order for the chief clown to obtain the keys to Number 10, we, the people, had to relinquish all our rights as citizens of the EU. Now, he wants the people to relinquish their right to life too, in order that he be able to save his political career! Enough already! It’s high time that the Conservative Party restore normality, restore decency. Once upon a time, it was the Party of decency and common sense!

It is peculiar and unfathomable indeed that at the very time that other European countries are toughening their restrictions because of the dangers of the Omicron variant that this government is relaxing them. How senseless is that? – © Mark

Wednesday, January 05, 2022

«Indigne», «sidérant», «vulgaire» : la sortie d'Emmanuel Macron sur les non-vaccinés enflamme la classe politique

La classe politique s'indigne depuis hier soir de la sortie d'Emmanuel Macron sur les non-vaccinés. AFP / STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP / ALAIN JOCARD / AFP / STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN

LE FIGARO : Le président de la République a déclaré hier dans une interview au Parisien qu'il avait «très envie d'emmerder» les non-vaccinés «jusqu'au bout».

Une pluie de réactions indignées. En déclarant mardi 4 janvier au soir dans une interview au Parisien qu'il avait «très envie d'emmerder» les non-vaccinés «jusqu'au bout» , Emmanuel Macron a provoqué un véritable tollé dans la classe politique. Hier soir, les débats à l'Assemblée nationale sur le projet de loi voulant instaurer le passe vaccinal ont tourné court, suspendus après les propos tenus par le président de la République.

Au cours de cette séance houleuse interrompue dans la nuit, les parlementaires de tous bords ont fustigé les déclarations du chef de l'État. Le patron des députés LR, Damien Abad, a regretté des propos «indignes, irresponsables et prémédités» qui relèvent d'un «cynisme puéril». Ugo Bernalicis, député LFI, a estimé que la France était désormais dans une «crise politique déclenchée par le monarque présidentiel, qui se permet d'insulter une partie des Français». «Un président ne peut pas tenir les propos qui ont été tenus», a quant à lui lancé Christian Jacob, président des Républicains. «Je ne peux pas cautionner un texte qui vise à emmerder les Français», a-t-il ajouté. » | Par Wally Bordas | mercredi 5 janvier 2022

Europe, vaccination, présidentielle… Emmanuel Macron se livre à nos lecteurs : EXCLUSIF. Le président de la République a répondu pendant un peu plus de deux heures aux questions de sept lecteurs du Parisien-Aujourd’hui en France. Des anti-vaccins au discours de l’extrême droite, en passant par l’écologie et la sécurité, il n’a éludé aucun sujet. »

Macron declares his Covid strategy is to ‘piss off’ the unvaccinated: French president stokes divisions as parliament debates tighter requirements for mandatory health pass »

Impfgegner sind für Macron keine Bürger mehr: In einem Zeitungsgespräch platzt dem französischen Präsidenten der Kragen. Er wettert gegen Impfgegner und will sie vom Sozialleben ausschließen. Rechte, Konservative, Linke, Grüne und Kommunisten – sie alle sind empört. »

Saturday, December 18, 2021

Macron schließt die Grenze zu Großbritannien

KAMPF GEGEN OMIKRON-VARIANTE

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Von diesen Samstag an ist die Einreise aus sowie die Ausreise nach Großbritannien nur noch aus zwingenden übergeordneten Gründen möglich. Viele versuchen, noch auf die letzten Züge, Fähren und Flüge zu kommen.

Das französische Einreiseverbot für Urlauber aus Großbritannien hat am Freitag in der französischen Tourismusbranche für Unmut gesorgt. Premierminister Jean Castex hat die Beschränkungen mit dem notwendigen Kampf gegen die in Großbritannien grassierende Omikron-Variante begründet. Präsident Emmanuel Macron berief am Freitagvormittag einen sogenannten Verteidigungsrat im Elysée-Palast ein, bei dem das weitere Vorgehen besprochen wurde.

Von diesem Samstag an ist die Einreise aus sowie die Ausreise nach Großbritannien nur noch aus zwingenden übergeordneten Gründen möglich. Touristische oder berufliche Gründe gehören nicht dazu, wie der Regierungschef erläuterte. Sowohl Geimpfte als auch Ungeimpfte müssen sich vor einer Reise von Großbritannien nach Frankreich registrieren, einen PCR- oder Schnelltest machen und sich nach der Ankunft in Frankreich an einem Ort ihrer Wahl in Quarantäne begeben. Diese können sie nach einem negativen Test nach 48 Stunden verlassen. » | Von Michaela Wiegel. Politische Korrespondentin mit Sitz in Paris | Freitag, 17. Dezember 2021

Friday, December 17, 2021

Offices Shut and Holiday Parties Dim as a Familiar Feeling Sinks In

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Employers mandate boosters, postpone return dates and brace for an Omicron surge.

Many financial firms, like Morgan Stanley, had employees returning to the office this summer. | Jeenah Moon for The New York Times

It was three words that workers don’t hear every day from their bosses: “I was wrong.”

Morgan Stanley’s chief executive, James Gorman, asked this week about employees returning to the office, said his projection about the pandemic subsiding was off. “I thought we would have been out of it past Labor Day,” Mr. Gorman said on CNBC. “And we’re not.”

Office workers this week watched as events unfolded that were once familiar and jarring in their persistence: Covid case counts ballooned, and employer plans deflated. The United States is reporting an average of more than 120,000 new Covid cases each day, up 40 percent from two weeks ago, according to a New York Times database. New York City is experiencing a spike in cases larger than any since last winter. Employers that had been growing bolder in their plans — reopening offices, mandating or strongly suggesting that workers report back, promising holiday blowouts — are now scaling back their ambitions for in-person business and socializing. » | Emma Goldberg and Lananh Nguyen | Friday, December 17, 2021

German Government Considering Classifying UK 'Virus Variant Area', Meaning Travellers Would Be Required to Quarantine

THE GUARDIAN: The German government is looking into whether the UK should be classified as a “virus variant area”, reports Reuters, following the rapid rise of Omicron in the country.

Classification as a virus variant area would mean that travellers arriving in Germany from the UK would be required to quarantine for two weeks, even if they are vaccinated.

A spokesperson for the health ministry said the government is expected to make a decision later today. » |Miranda Bryant (now); Jedidajah Otte and Samantha Lock (earlier) | Friday, Dece,ber 17, 2021

Saturday, December 04, 2021

UK’s Progress on Covid Now Squandered, Warns Top Scientist

THE GUARDIAN: Sir Jeremy Farrar, director of Wellcome Trust, suggests emergence of Omicron variant means pandemic is far from over

Farrar warned that rich countries had ‘a very blinkered domestic focus’ over Covid. Photograph: Nic Bothma/EPA

The emergence of the Omicron variant shows that the world is “closer to the start of the pandemic than the end”, one of Britain’s most senior scientific figures has warned, as he lamented a lack of political leadership over Covid.

Sir Jeremy Farrar, the director of the Wellcome Trust who stepped down as a government scientific adviser last month, said the progress in combatting Covid-19 since its emergence was “being squandered”.

Writing in the Observer, he said rich countries had been taking “a very blinkered domestic focus, lulled into thinking that the worst of the pandemic was behind us”. He said while he was cautiously hopeful that current vaccines would protect against severe illness from Omicron, that may not be true for future variants.

“The longer this virus continues to spread in largely unvaccinated populations globally, the more likely it is that a variant that can overcome our vaccines and treatments will emerge,” he writes. “If that happens, we could be close to square one. » | Michael Savage, Robin McKie | Saturday, December 4, 2021

Autriche : des dizaines de milliers de manifestants contre les mesures prises face au Covid-19

Plusieurs arrestations ont eu lieu pour troubles à l'ordre public. FLORIAN WIESER / APA / AFP

LE FIGARO : Des dizaines de milliers de personnes ont manifesté samedi en Autriche pour le troisième week-end consécutif contre les mesures gouvernementales de lutte contre le coronavirus, notamment la vaccination qui sera obligatoire à partir de février, a annoncé la police.

Plusieurs arrestations ont eu lieu pour troubles à l'ordre public, selon la police qui a recensé «plus de 40.000» manifestants à Vienne, après plusieurs rassemblements dans la capitale. Selon la police, certains manifestants ont jeté des «engins pyrotechniques» sur les forces de l'ordre qui ont répliqué par l'usage de gaz poivre et une contre-manifestation a rassemblé 1500 personnes. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | samedi 4 décembre 2021

Boris Johnson, the 'Clown' - Mistakes, Misjudgments, U-turns and Lies

Dec 4, 2021 • Boris Johnson, surely the worst prime minister ever, is not only dishonest but also incompetent making mistakes, misjudgments and U-turns almost every day.

Brexit, confrontation with the EU and especially with France, failure to resolve the Northern Ireland issue, failing to agree any serious new trade deals and the complete mishandling of the pandemic, whereby we have the second or third highest levels of new cases almost every day amounting to 40 - 50,000 cases per day. In three weeks, that’s a million cases! These are all problems caused, or made worse, by the prime minister.

Unlike countries throughout the EU such as Italy and France, this government half-heartedly brings in a new law making it obligatory to wear a mask in shops and on public transport. The public, seeing how the prime minister and Conservative politicians flout such regulations do the same.

In the past week Johnson has been called a liar in Parliament and the French president has described him as a clown running a circus and a knucklehead.


Thursday, December 02, 2021

Germany Shuts Unvaccinated People Out of Much of Public Life

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Facing a huge coronavirus surge, Chancellor Angela Merkel, her successor, Olaf Scholz, and state governors agreed on tough new restrictions on people who have not been inoculated.

BERLIN — Germany announced tough new restrictions on Thursday to exclude unvaccinated people from much of public life, seeking to break a soaring fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic and blunt the worrisome new Omicron variant.

The new rules, which stopped short of enforcing a complete lockdown on the unvaccinated, followed an agreement hammered out between Chancellor Angela Merkel, her successor, Olaf Scholz, and state governors.

Under the new rules, those wishing to go to bars and restaurants, or shop anywhere but in stores carrying basic necessities — like pharmacies or grocery stores — have to present proof of vaccination or documentation of recovery from a recent coronavirus infection. Some of those restrictions have been in effect already in some states; the agreement sets a uniform nationwide standard.

With the new rules, and a promise by Mr. Scholz this week that he would push a law making vaccinations mandatory, Germany is following the path of Austria, which recently mandated that all adults be inoculated by February. It comes as both countries contend with strident anti-vaccination sentiment in their populations that have kept vaccination rates low compared with other western European countries. » | Christopher F. Schuetze | Thursday, December 2, 2021