The Guardian · 16 May, 04:00
The UK's first Jewish culture month has begun, featuring over 150 events across the country to celebrate Jewish culture and community. A giant green pickle has been spotted at landmarks in London, marking the start of the festival.
The UK's first Jewish culture month has been launched, organized by the Board of Deputies of British Jews. The festival, which began on May 16, aims to bring 'less oy and more joy' to the Jewish community after difficult years. The event features over 150 events across the UK, including food, music, comedy, architecture, fashion, film, and literature. Institutions participating in the festival include the V&A Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and the National Holocaust Museum.
Why it matters: The Jewish culture month is significant as it aims to celebrate Jewish culture and community, and provide a platform for Jewish people to share their experiences and traditions with the wider public. The event also seeks to promote understanding and break down barriers between communities. The festival's organizers hope to showcase the rich history and contributions of British Jews to various fields.
150+ events, 16 May (start date), 7 October 2023 (date of attacks in Israel), 13 (JW3's anniversary)
For me, the response to antisemitism has to be this bold, proud, public moment. The history of British Jews is incredibly rich, and the contribution of British Jews to life across the UK spans not just arts and culture, but science, technology, innovation, psychotherapy, medicine and politics. - Liat Rosenthal, Board's director of culture, education and communities
The Guardian · 16 May, 04:00
International experts are urging the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the climate crisis a global public health emergency, warning that millions more people will die unnecessarily if action is not taken. This declaration would trigger a coordinated international response to address the health impacts of climate change.
The independent pan-European commission on climate and health, convened by the WHO, has concluded that the climate crisis poses a significant threat to global health and has called for the WHO to declare it a 'public health emergency of international concern' (Pheic). The commission's report highlights the international spread of vector-borne diseases, health impacts of extreme weather events, global heating, food insecurity, and air pollution as key concerns. The report will be presented to European ministers before the WHO's world health assembly.
Why it matters: Declaring the climate crisis a global public health emergency is significant because it would prompt a coordinated international response to address the health impacts of climate change. This is crucial as climate change poses an immediate and long-term threat to health, economic, food, water, environmental, personal, community, and national security. Without such a declaration, millions more people may die unnecessarily due to climate-related health issues.
600,000 premature deaths per year in Europe due to fossil fuels; €444bn (£387bn) spent annually on subsidies for oil and gas production in Europe; 5% of global emissions attributed to the healthcare sector; 10% of national health expenditure in 12 European countries exceeded by fossil fuel subsidies in 2023.
The climate crisis may not be a pandemic, but it's still a public health emergency that threatens humanity's very health and survival. And if we don't act more quickly and comprehensively, many millions more people could die or face life-changing illness. - Katrín Jakobsdóttir, former Prime Minister of Iceland and chair of the commission
The Guardian · 16 May, 05:00
Several European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, are facing significant popularity problems, with low approval ratings and high disapproval ratings. This trend is not unique to these leaders, as many European leaders are struggling with low popularity due to various structural and economic challenges.
Recent polling data shows that several European leaders are facing significant popularity problems. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has an approval rating of 27% and a disapproval rating of 65%. French President Emmanuel Macron has an approval rating of 18% and a disapproval rating of 75%. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has an approval rating of 19% and a disapproval rating of 76%. These numbers are not unique to these leaders, as many European leaders are struggling with low popularity due to various structural and economic challenges.
Why it matters: The low popularity of European leaders is significant because it may impact their ability to effectively govern and make difficult decisions. The challenges facing Europe, including the need to cut reliance on Russian fossil fuels, the rise of China as an economic powerhouse, and the ongoing cost of living crisis, require strong leadership and public support. The lack of popularity among leaders may make it harder for them to implement necessary reforms and policies.
Keir Starmer: 27% approve, 65% disapprove; Emmanuel Macron: 18% approve, 75% disapprove; Friedrich Merz: 19% approve, 76% disapprove; Europe's share of global economic output: 23% (down from 33% in 2005); US economy expected to expand by 2.4% this year, compared to 0.9% in the UK and France, and 0.6% in Germany
In Europe, in a sense, the holiday from history is over, which means we have to tell our populations that there are difficult times ahead, that this will have an impact on their daily lives, that this will entail decisions, which are unpopular, because of the global turmoil in which we find ourselves in. I don’t think our leaders have been able to convince populations that the pain which they are feeling is necessary, which means the this has a direct impact on their own popularity. - Fabian Zuleeg, European Policy Centre
Ars Technica · 15 May, 21:17
The series finale of Good Omens, a 90-minute single episode, has been released on Prime Video after a three-year wait. The episode wraps up the story of an angel and a demon who team up to avert Armageddon, with a mixed reception due to its rushed first half.
The Good Omens series finale, a 90-minute episode, was released on Prime Video after a three-year wait. The series is based on the 1990 novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, and follows the story of an angel, Aziraphale, and a demon, Crowley, who become friends and team up to avert Armageddon. The finale seeks to wrap up the story, but its first half feels chaotic and rushed due to the truncated final season. However, the on-screen chemistry between co-stars David Tennant and Michael Sheen shines through, providing a fitting end to the beloved comic saga.
Why it matters: The Good Omens finale matters because it provides closure for fans of the series, who have been waiting three years for the conclusion. The show's unique blend of humor, fantasy, and adventure has made it a beloved favorite among audiences. The finale's success is significant because it determines whether the series ends on a high note or not.
3 years (wait time for the finale), 90 minutes (length of the finale)
Ars Technica · 15 May, 22:19
Russian universities are offering incentives to students who agree to serve as drone pilots in the Russian military for a year, despite claims that they will avoid frontline combat duty in Ukraine. However, there has already been at least one confirmed battlefield death among the new cadre of student drone pilots.
Russian universities are recruiting students to serve as drone pilots in the Russian military, offering incentives such as free tuition and up to $70,000. The recruitment effort targets approximately 2 million men attending Russian universities, particularly those with technical skills. At least 270 Russian academic institutions are promoting military contracts to their students. Despite assurances that students will avoid frontline combat duty, there has been at least one confirmed battlefield death among the new drone pilots.
Why it matters: This recruitment effort is significant because it highlights Russia's ongoing efforts to bolster its military presence in Ukraine. The use of university students as drone pilots also raises concerns about the exploitation of young people in the conflict. The fact that students are being promised avoidance of frontline combat duty, but still facing risks, adds to the controversy.
2 million (university students targeted), $70,000 (offered to students), 270 (academic institutions promoting military contracts), 2022 (year Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began)
Ars Technica · 15 May, 21:31
A previously reported US case of hantavirus on a cruise ship in the South Atlantic was found to be a false positive, reducing the total case count from 11 to 10.
The World Health Organization announced that a US case of hantavirus, previously reported as 'mildly positive' and counted in the outbreak total, was found to be a false positive. The case was in Dr. Stephen Kornfeld, an American doctor who helped respond to the outbreak on the cruise ship MV Hondius. The false positive result came from one of two labs in the Netherlands that processed Kornfeld's nasal swab samples.
Why it matters: The correction of the false positive case is significant because it ensures the accuracy of the outbreak case count. This adjustment may also impact public health responses and risk assessments related to the outbreak.
10 (updated case count), 11 (previous case count), May 13 (WHO outbreak report date), May 14 (WHO briefing date)
NPR News · 16 May, 05:44
Summary not available.
NPR News · 16 May, 05:15
Summary not available.
NPR News · 15 May, 22:58
Summary not available.