In the new study, scientists used thousands of human genome sequences. The results are published in the journal Science.
Scientists have created a family tree for all of humanity to summarize how all people living today relate to each other and to our ancient ancestors. To build it, the researchers sifted through thousands of genome sequences collected from both modern and ancient humans. They also used data from ancient human relatives. All genomes are descended from 215 populations scattered around the world.
Using a computer algorithm, the scientists identified different patterns of genetic variation in the sequences, highlighting where they overlap and differ. Based on patterns, researchers have drawn theoretical lines of descent between genomes.
To build a unified human genealogy, the researchers first combined data from several large public datasets, including the 1000 Genomes Project, the Human Genome Diversity Project, and the Simons Genome Diversity Project. Obtaining data on ancient humans has been more difficult, but scientists have found 8 high-quality ancient hominin genomes. Among them are three Neanderthal genomes, one of which is over 100,000 years old; Denisovan genome, 74,000 to 82,000 years old; and four genomes from a nuclear family that lived in the Altai Mountains in Russia about 4,600 years ago.
After collecting a family tree, scientists conducted a geographical analysis. They confirmed human migration out of Africa and also found potential evidence for interactions between Homo sapiens and now-extinct hominins.
Note: Each line in this figure represents ancestor-descendant relationships in a new genealogy of modern and ancient genomes. Image: Unified genealogy of modern and ancient genomes, Science (2022). Doi: 10.1126/science.abi8264
Researchers have studied the largest bacteria ever discovered: it has surprisingly complex cells.
By definition, microbes are so small that they can only be observed with a microscope. But a recently described bacterium living in Caribbean mangroves is different. A filamentous single cell is visible to the naked eye, it grows up to 2 cm – the length of a peanut. This is 5,000 times more than most microbes.
Moreover, this microbe has a huge genome that does not float inside the cell, like other bacteria, but is located in the membrane. This is typical for much more complex cells, for example, those that are in the human body.
Researchers have long divided organisms into two groups: prokaryotes, which are bacteria and single-celled microbes, and eukaryotes, which are everything from yeast to most forms of multicellular organisms, including humans. Prokaryotes have free floating DNA, while eukaryotes have it in the nucleus.
But a newly discovered microbe blurs the line between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. About 10 years ago, Olivier Gros, a marine biologist at the University of the French Antilles, Pointe-à-Pitre, stumbled upon a strange organism that grows on the surface of decaying mangrove leaves. It wasn’t until 5 years later that he and his colleagues realized that these organisms were actually bacteria.
Her genome was huge, with 11 million bases and 11,000 genes. Typically, bacterial genomes average about 4 million bases and about 3,900 genes.
Like the microbe found in Namibia, the new mangrove bacterium also has a huge sac—presumably of water—that takes up 73% of its total volume. That similarity and a genetic analysis led the research team to place it in the same genus as most of the other microbial giants and propose calling it Thiomargarita magnifica.
“What an excellent name!” says Andrew Steen, a bioinformatician at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, who studies how microorganisms affect geochemical cycles. “Reading about it makes me feel exactly the same way as when I hear about an enormous dinosaur, or some celestial structure that is impossibly large or hot or cold or dense or weird in some way.”
The largest T. magnifica cell Volland found was 2 centimeters tall, but Carvalho thinks that if not trampled, eaten, blown by wind, or washed away by a wave, they could grow even bigger.
A newly discovered shrine in the eastern desert of Jordan was built in the Stone Age. Many artifacts and fossils were found in it.
Archaeologists have discovered a 9,000-year-old shrine in Jordan’s eastern desert, according to The Associated Press. It was probably used for religious hunting rituals.
In 2021, a team of Jordanian and French archaeologists excavated a site in the Khashabia Mountains, located in the eastern part of the Al Jafr Basin, Jordan. Scientists have found many artefacts there, including animal figurines, elaborate flint tools, an altar and hearth, and two large stones carved with human faces.
The team also discovered a trap used by ancient people to capture wild gazelles and deer. The hunters drove the animals there and then slaughtered them. The traps date back to 7000 BC, as does the location of the special ritual. According to scientists, they occupied an important place in the cultural, economic and symbolic life of the society of hunter-gatherers of the new Stone Age or Neolithic.
“This is a unique site, primarily because of its preservation,” said Wael Abu-Azzizah, project co-lead and archaeologist at the French Institute of the Near East, in an interview with the Associated Press. “It is 9,000 years old and almost everything is intact.”
At a crucial moment for Europe, the European Committee of the Regions and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region will welcome 2000 international, national, local and regional leaders in Marseille on 3-4 March. The 9th European Summit of Regions and Cities is being organised in the context of the French Presidency of the EU Council. Against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, EU local and regional leaders will formally express their support for the Ukrainian people. They will also share their vision for Europe, calling for a strengthening of the EU’s democratic foundations and fundamental change so it better equips local communities to respond to challenges such as healthcare provision, natural disasters, climate change and territorial disparities.
Local and regional elected politicians will adopt their final demands for theConference on the Future of Europe in the form of a “Manifesto of regional and local authorities for European democracy“, which underlines that the democratic functioning of the EU requires greater involvement of regions, cities and villages, as well as strengthening the democratic engagement of citizens and young people in particular. The focus should be on building an inclusive recovery after the Covid-19 crisis, strengthening territorial and social cohesion in Europe, and supporting the green and digital transitions.
The President of the European Committee of the Regions, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, said, “This Summit in Marseille gathers thousands of European leaders against the brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The leaders will stand together in solidarity, for peace, democracy, dialogue and fundamental rights for the people of Ukraine and will discuss how to offer them concrete help. It is an opportunity to reaffirm that the main challenges – security, protection of human rights, the climate emergency, public services and regional disparities – need European unity and common European answers that start in our regions, cities and villages. The Summit is about improving European democracy so it protects, supports and improves the lives of every citizen in and outside the EU’s borders, bringing it closer to people.”
Renaud Muselier, President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region and vice-president of Regions of France, said: “At a time when war is at our doorstep, we must strongly affirm that we love Europe, we need Europe and Europe protects us. Our region has wanted to put Europe back at the heart of the economic, environmental and digital development. The 9th Summit of Regions and Cities is of a special nature. I would like to thank President Tzitzikostas and the European Committee of the Regions for the quality of the work we are carrying out together at this crucial moment. European territories, mayors, regional presidents and local elected representatives, with Europe close to their heart, are now needed more than ever to build the future of decentralised European democracy. They embody the European project the best, so let’s empower them! Beyond this Summit, we must ensure the success of the French Presidency of the European Union. France needs to be the motor for Europe to reach major results and achievements.”
The two-day Summit will be opened by President Tzitzikostas, President Renaud Muselier, Jacqueline Gourault, French Minister for Territorial Cohesion and Relations with Local and Regional Authorities, Clément Beaune, French Secretary of State for European Affairs, Martine Vassal, President of the Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence and Bouches-du-Rhône Departmental Council, Benoit Payan, Mayor of Marseille and André Viola, Head of the French Delegation to the European Committee of the Regions.
The programme will be structured around four themes:
1. 3 March: European territories facing major societal challenges (3 March): This plenary and three high-level round table debates will focus on boosting health resilience, accelerating digital transition and anticipating, preventing and adapting to climate risks. Key speakers include Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank, Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, David Gallagher, Pfizer’s Regional President and Mami Mizutori, Head of the UNDRR.
2. 3 March Cohesion and recovery: The role of EU cohesion policy in post-pandemic recovery will be the topic of a debate featuring Elisa Ferreira, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Jacqueline Gourault, French Minister of territorial cohesion and local and regional authorities and Younous Omarjee, Chair of European Parliament’s REGI Committee. Revival of rural areas, cross-border cooperation, the Euro-Mediterranean partnership and EU’s enlargement are among the topics of the round table discussions.
3. 4 March Building the House of European Democracy: The European Commission Vice-Presidents Margaritis Schinas (Promoting our European Way of Life) and Dubravka Šuica (Democracy and Demography), President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, Christa Schweng, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Vasco Alves Cordeiro, First Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions, and MEP Eva Maydell, President of European Movement International, will join the debate with local leaders on the state of the play of the Conference on the Future of Europe, which aims to give European citizens a stronger voice in the EU decision-making process. The role of local and regional authorities in promoting European democratic values will also be discussed.
4. 4 March The Future of European Democracy: Youth engagement and European values: The afternoon’s discussions will discuss how to widen youth participation in civic and democratic life, in the context of the digital transformation and challenges to European values. The final session will include the launch of the co-creation process of a European Charter on Youth and Democracy, and an inspirational exchange between the President of the European Youth Forum Silja Markkula and the Summit co-hosts Presidents Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Renaud Muselier.
More information:
The European Summit of Regions and Cities is organised by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) to discuss the EU’s future challenges. Participants include CoR members, other prominent elected politicians from local and regional level, participants of the CoR’s programme for Young Elected Politicians, as well as top-level representatives of other EU institutions and civil society organisations.
The 9th European Summit of Regions and Cities will take place on 3-4 March at the Chanot Congress and Exhibition Palace in Marseille, with physical and online participation possible.
Read here the conclusions of a series of awareness-raising activities organised in the run-up to the event.
Visit the virtual fair held along with the Summit between 18 February and 18 March 2022 – a selection of projects and initiatives developed to strengthen resilience and support innovation and creativity
The intensification of the Russian offensive in Ukraine is having devastating consequences on women and children, senior UN officials have reported.
Catherine Russell, the newly appointed Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said on Monday that the situation for boys and girls caught up in the conflict grows worse by the minute.
Four-year-old Max and his mother Alona fled conflict in #Ukraine, leaving loved ones behind to seek safety in Romania.
“Children have been killed. Children have been wounded. And children are being profoundly traumatized by the violence all around them,” she said in a statement.
UNICEF has renewed a call on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Hospitals, schools, water and sanitation facilities, as well as orphanages, have come under fire, according to reports.
Explosive weapons in populated areas, along with explosive remnants of war, represent “real and present dangers” for children, said Ms. Russell.
She appealed for suspension of the ongoing military actions, which would facilitate humanitarian access to people who have been cut off after five days of intense airstrikes and ground fighting.
“It would also allow families in the worst affected areas to venture out to get food and water, to seek medical care, or to leave in search of safety,” she added.
Women and girls at risk
The fighting has sparked massive displacement, forcing many Ukrainians to flee their homes, including to neighbouring countries, said Pramila Patten, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict.
It is also putting women and girls at heightened risk of violence.
Ms. Patten issued a statement on Monday that stressed the importance of upholding human rights and exercising restraint.
“Unless the conflict ceases, thousands of additional families will be forcibly displaced, dramatically escalating the scale of the already dire humanitarian situation, and increasing the risk of sexual violence and exploitation,” she warned.
Include women in decision-making
Her statement came a day after the head of UN Womenunderscored the agency’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s people, especially women and girls, “at this time of greatest need.”
Executive Director Sima Bahous further emphasized that women’s full and meaningful participation is also vital to improving peace and security processes.
“The inclusion of women themselves in the decision-making processes and humanitarian response is therefore essential to ensure that their rights are upheld,” she added.
Ms. Bahous acknowledged civil society organizations on the ground in Ukraine, calling them critical partners in the work to amplify the voices of women and girls.
How is the war being felt inside the Russian Federation? Read here the impact of the invasion in Russia.
The source for this article chose to maintain anonymity.
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its 6th day, the situation in Russia gets worse and worse. Not only for the opposition but for all Russians. There are “many” people against the war, but most are afraid to speak out, mainly because most people are public servants or work for oligarch-owned companies, and so don’t want to lose their jobs.
“The people who are against the war want to protest but are too afraid to lose their jobs, get jailed, pay fines or just get hardly beaten by the police…”
The number of people arrested in protests against the war and Putin’s regime are already in the thousands, most sources say.
“The Russian opposition is disorganized, as many left the country or were jailed after Alexander Navalny’s return last year.” – “(…) the Russians aren’t really used to self-organization, especially in protest activity.”
As the western sanctions get tougher and tougher, the economic situation in Russia is starting to get desperate.
“Right now many people are storming shops to buy cars, electronics, and other items before the sanctions go into effect.” – Many international corporations have already said that they will stop imports to Russia.
“My friend told me that many people rushed to buy dollars and euros, as the rouble has become insanely volatile, but the Russian banks are having problems providing for the population.”
According to the source, Russians are having issues entering social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. “The Russian state announced that it will slow social media sites on Russian territory as the companies declined to stop calling Russian media outlets reports as “fake news”.
The scheduled work of the UN Human Rights Council was halted temporarily on Monday as Member States were called to vote on a request from Ukraine to hold an urgent debate on the matter and to condemn Russia’s military operation.
The development in Geneva echoed the concern of the Security Council, which on Sunday called for an emergency session of the General Assembly on the crisis.
Addressing the Human Rights Council, Ukraine Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Yevheniia Filipenko, outlined the death and suffering caused, as talks were under way at the Belorussian border between Ukraine and Russia .
The Ukraine delegation also presented a draft resolution, which it requested be considered during an urgent debate that called for an international probe into any alleged human rights violations stemming from Russia’s military action on 24 February.
“The reason for this request is known to the whole world. Russia – a Member of this Council – perpetrated an unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine,” said Ms. Filipenko, describing it as also “an attack on every UN Member State in the United Nations and on the principles that this organization was created to defend.”
Opposing the request, Russian Ambassador Gennady Gatilov expressed disappointment with a number of delegations’ attempts to “once again ramp up confrontation in the Council”.
“The proposal to discuss as an urgent debate the topic that has nothing to do with the true concerns about human rights in Ukraine,” he maintained.
For and against
After the intervention, Human Rights Council President Federico Villegas called on all 47 members to vote on Ukraine’s request.
The result was 29 votes in favour, five against with 13 abstentions, meaning that the Urgent Debate will take place at 3pm on Thursday.
Highlighting grave concerns over the toll on civilians from the “military attack on Ukraine”, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said that “countless lives” were being put at risk.
Ms. Bachelet explained that between last Thursday morning and Sunday evening, 406 civilian casualties had been confirmed – 102 of whom had been killed, “including seven children.”
Most were killed by “explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multi-launch rocket systems, and airstrikes,” she continued, noting that the true death toll is most likely considerably higher.
“People everywhere know that intuitively. And autocrats, especially, know that human rights pose the greatest threat to authority. That’s why they stop at nothing to deny, dismiss and distract people’s attention, as they trample on basic rights and freedoms,” underscored the UN chief.
He also spoke out on reports highlighted by the UN human rights office, OHCHR, that more than 1,800 anti-war protesters had been arrested in Russia after the crisis erupted, along with moves to shut Russian civil rights group Memorial.
“Closing down a celebrated human rights organization, with a proud history and global links, this is not the sign of a strong State. It is the sign of a State that fears the power of human rights,” upheld the Secretary-General.
No provocation: Swiss President
Ignazio Cassis, President of the Swiss Confederation, underscored the level of international concern, describing Russia’s efforts to legitimize its actions as “not credible.”
“No provocation happened to justify such an intervention…The military intervention of the Russian Federation runs contrary to the most fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, which were created out of the ruins of two world wars.”
Assembly President Abdulla Shahid underscored that the military offensive launched by Russia five days ago was a violation of the integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.
Mr. Shahid cited the UN Charter, the Organization’s founding document, which outlines a world where countries settle disputes by peaceful means, without the threat or use of force.
“The ongoing military offensive is inconsistent with this. It is an affront to the founders of this Organization and everything it stands for,” he said.
“The violence must stop. Humanitarian law and international humanitarian law must be respected. And diplomacy and dialogue must prevail.”
Countries observed a minute of silence during the rare emergency special session, which followed a meeting by the Security Council on Sunday.
Council members voted in favour of the General Assembly convening after Russia vetoed a resolution on Friday that would have deplored the assault on Ukraine.
The General Assembly has only held 10 emergency sessions since 1950, in line with the adoption of resolution 377A(V), widely known as ‘Uniting for Peace’.
The resolution gives the Assembly power to take up matters of international peace and security when the Security Council is unable to act due to unanimity among its five permanent members – China, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Russia – who have the power of veto.
Potential ‘ray of hope’
“As we convene here in the General Assembly, negotiators from both sides are holding talks in Belarus,” Mr. Shahid told ambassadors.
“This offers a ray of hope. We pray that these talks will calm down tempers and pave way to peace.”
The bombardment of cities such as the capital, Kyiv, has forced people to seek shelter, including in subway stations. Roughly half a million Ukrainians have also crossed the country’s borders.
‘Enough is enough’
Mr. Guterres said that although Russian strikes are reportedly largely targeting Ukrainian military facilities, “we have credible accounts of residential buildings, critical civilian infrastructure and other non-military targets sustaining heavy damage.”
Civilians, including children, have been killed in the violence.
“Enough is enough,” the Secretary-General said. “Soldiers need to move back to their barracks. Leaders need to move to peace. Civilians must be protected. International humanitarian and human rights law must be upheld.”
The world is facing what is a tragedy for Ukraine, he added, but also a major regional crisis with potentially disastrous implications for all.
“Yesterday, Russian nuclear forces were put on high alert. This is a chilling development. The mere idea of a nuclear conflict is simply inconceivable. Nothing can justify the use of nuclear weapons,” he said.
Mr. Guterres underlined the UN’s commitment to Ukraine, reminding that last week he had allocated $20 million from a UN humanitarian fund to support emergency operations, in addition to appointing a Crisis Coordinator for the country.
“At the same time, we are bringing together partners, in and outside the country – and surging personnel into the country,” he continued.
Humanitarian appeals
The UN will also launch two coordinated emergency appeals for Ukraine and the region on Tuesday.
One will address escalating humanitarian needs inside the country, including rising internal displacement, while the other will respond to the needs of people who have fled elsewhere.
International peace at stake: Ukraine
Ukraine’s Ambassador, Sergiy Kyslytsya, remarked that for the first time since the UN was established, a full-fledged war was unfolding in the centre of Europe.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider
Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya of Ukraine addresses the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session on Ukraine.
Some 352 Ukrainians, including 16 children have been killed to date, he reported, while more than 2,000 were injured.
He said now is the time to help his country.
“If Ukraine does not survive, international peace will not survive,” Mr. Kyslytsya told the General Assembly.
“If Ukraine does not survive, the United Nations will not survive, have no illusions. If Ukraine does not survive, we cannot be surprised if democracy fails next,” he added.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider
Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia of Russia addresses the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session on Ukraine.
Russian actions ‘distorted’: UN Ambassador
Speaking through an interpreter, Russian Ambassadsor Vasily Nebenzya said the actions of his country are being “distorted and thwarted”, with media and social networks proliferating what he called “these lies”.
The goal of the special military operation is to protect people in Luhansk and Donetsk, two regions in eastern Ukraine, “who for eight years were subject to torment and genocide by the Kyiv regime,” he said.
“To that end, there is a need to demilitarize and de-nazify Ukraine.”
Mr. Nebenzya said Russia believes the UN can play a role in addressing the Ukrainian crisis by helping “to bring stakeholder positions closer together and eradicate the causes of conflict.”
Vote on resolution expected
Some 100 countries are expected to address the General Assembly, which is scheduled to vote on a draft resolution on Ukraine, tentatively expected on Wednesday.
Although Assembly resolutions are non-binding, they are considered to carry political weight as they express the will of the wider UN membership.
In the interim, further information on the special emergency session can be found at UN Meetings Coverage.
450 employees in Spain who lost their jobs in the car industry when the Nissan production plant in Barcelona closed should receive €2.8 million in EU aid.
On Monday, the Committee on Budgets approved Spain’s request for support from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF). MEPs recall “that the social impacts of the redundancies are expected to be important for Cataluña, where the automotive industry is the third most important sector, after chemicals and food, both in terms of turnover and employment.”
Nissan closed its production plant in Catalonia in 2021, as part of its plan to reduce its presence in Europe and to focus on China, North America and Japan. The EGF application relates to ten suppliers to Nissan, which had to close down entirely or reduce their workforce considerably.
The total estimated cost of the support measures is €3.3 million, of which the EGF will cover 85% (€2.8 million). The funding will help the dismissed workers find new jobs through tailored guidance and advice, support to develop new skills, and help to start their own business.
The draft report by rapporteur Monika Vana (Greens/EFA, AT) recommending that Parliament approve the aid was passed by 37 votes, 1 against and no abstentions. Approval by plenary is expected during the 7-10 March plenary session in Strasbourg.
Background
Under the new 2021-2027 EGF regulation, the Fund will continue to support workers and self-employed people whose activity has stopped. The new rules allow support to be given to more people affected by having their jobs or sector restructured: all types of unexpected major restructuring events are eligible for support, including the economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis, as well as larger economic trends like decarbonisation and automation. Member states can apply for EU funding when at least 200 workers lose their jobs within a specific reference period.
Vienna (Austria), 28 February 2022 – “Our voices are strong, and we must be heard in the present and remain impactful in the future.” This call to action by participants of the UNODC Youth Forum 2021 is a reminder of UNODC’s commitment to empowering youth to work towards preventing drug use worldwide. The Youth Forum, under the umbrella of the UNODC Youth Initiative, inspires young people from around the globe to connect with each other and be active in their communities towards evidence-based drug use prevention and health promotion.
UNODC is celebrating a decade since the launch of the Youth Initiative in 2012, which has seen 10 Youth Fora held with the participation of 371 young people from 97 countries. The Youth Initiative continues to encourage young people to reflect on the potential impact of substance use in their schools and communities, and to start taking effective and evidence-based action to prevent substance use.
As the Youth Initiative steps forward into its next decade of action, UNODC continues to expand its youth community through the Youth Forum 2022. Organized virtually from 28 February to 4 March 2022, this year’s forum brings together some 75 young leaders to learn about evidence-based drug use prevention, discuss various perspectives on the world drug problem, and be empowered to continue action within the field of drug use prevention and health promotion.
“Young people are among the most vulnerable to drug use and the most affected. With their energy and fresh views young people are better placed than anyone to achieve true, lasting change in their communities,” said Ms. Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the UNODC. She told participants: “your engagement will be essential in raising awareness, changing attitudes, and developing solutions.”
Alani Meltel, a youth from Palau reflected: “I’m here to learn about how different people from around the world deal with this issue that we all face in our own communities, and how we can work together to improve the world for future generations.” Despite not being able to be present together in person, youth are coming together with high hopes and commitments to making the world a better place in which to live, learn, and grow together.
Continuing the tradition of empowering youth to make their voices heard by global policymakers, throughout the Youth Forum participants will develop a joint Youth Statement to be delivered during the 65th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the United Nations’ principal policy-making body for drug-related matters. UNODC reaffirms its commitment to protecting children and harnessing the transformative power of youth, and stands ready to support young people to become agents of change and innovation in their communities.
