onthedarkside

The assessment from the British Defense Ministry comes as Western countries seek some sign their tentatively unified pressure campaign on Russia has had some effect Roughly 15,000 of Russia’s millionaires are attempting to flee the country in protest of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine and amid fears of the effects of devastating international sanctions, British intelligence assesses. The U.K. Ministry of Defense’s military intelligence unit concluded in an analysis released Friday morning that skepticism about the war is “particularly strong amongst Russia’s business elite and oligarch community.” ... The assessment comes as Western countries are eager for some sign that their tentative unanimity has had some effect on Russia as it settles into a grinding and bloody conflict as the war approaches the end of its fourth month. (more) https://www.usnews.com/news/world-report/articles/2022-06-17/u-k-intelligence-15-000-russian-millionaires-take-flight-over-sanctions-concerns

PM backed Ukrainian leader making ‘no compromise’ with Putin as they met to discuss new military training programme ‘to change equation of war’ Boris Johnson made a second secret trip to Kyiv on Friday and backed Ukraine making “no compromise” with Vladimir Putin. The Prime Minister gave Britain’s support for the hard line against Mr Putin after the war crimes committed by Russian forces and the illegal deportation of Ukrainian civilians from occupied parts of the country. It cames as he announced Britain stood ready to launch a major training operation for Ukrainian forces, with the potential to train up to 10,000 soldiers every 120 days. (more) https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/prime-minister-boris-johnson-kyiv-ukraine-b1006865.html

The British government has approved the extradition of Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, to the United States to face charges of espionage. Assange now has 14 days to appeal the decision of both the District Judge and the Secretary of State’s decision to order extradition. Assange has always denied any wrongdoing. According to a tweet by Wikileaks, Assange will appeal through the legal system to the High Court. (more) https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/uk-government-approves-julian-assange-extradition-to-us-on-spying-charges/ar-AAYzzRQ

Biden says Americans are 'really, really down' over pandemic, gas prices but economy is resilient WASHINGTON – Americans are "really, really down" after two years of a pandemic and amid rising gasoline prices but the economy is in better shape than many think, President Joe Biden said Thursday. In a rare interview with a news organization, Biden told the Associated Press that a recession is not inevitable and there's "zero evidence" that the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package is a main reason prices are high. ... Biden said he made it clear that "there was going to be a price to pay" for helping Ukraine, but not acting would have been worse. "You’d see chaos in Europe," Biden said. The Russians might have continued into other countries and China and North Korea could have been emboldened to make their own moves. (more) https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/biden-says-americans-are-really-really-down-over-pandemic-gas-prices-but-economy-is-resilient/ar-AAYAc2x

The FDA on Friday authorized two Covid-19 vaccines for emergency use in babies, toddlers and preschool-age children, setting the stage for the country’s youngest kids to begin receiving shots as soon as next week. The agency’s action came two days after its independent advisory panel on vaccines unanimously voted to recommend EUAs for Moderna’s and Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccines, which can be administered to children as young as six months. The 21-member panel — comprised of pediatricians, infectious disease experts and vaccine researchers — found that the benefits of vaccinating children under 5 against Covid with either vaccine outweigh potential risks. ... The CDC’s panel of expert advisers will consider whether to recommend the shots’ administration during meetings on Friday and Saturday. Once CDC Director Rochelle Walensky signs off on a recommendation, children are expected to begin receiving shots by Tuesday. https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/17/fda-authorizes-pfizer-moderna-covid-19-vaccines-babies-toddlers-00040223

President Joe Biden said Thursday Americans were "really, really down." He's right about that. A new USA TODAY/Suffolk Poll shows the country in a funk and one that sets a problematic political landscape for Democrats in the November elections that are approaching fast. Only 39% of Americans approve of the job Biden is doing as president. A stunning 47% "strongly" disapprove; just 16% "strongly" approve. Academic studies have shown that presidential approval is one of the most reliable predictors of what happens in midterm elections, and a rating this low would traditionally signal significant losses for the president's party. (more) https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/biden-approval-rating-at-39-amid-economic-fears-47-strongly-disapprove-usa-today-suffolk-poll/ar-AAYzOxw

My purpose, was to let people here know that there's been ongoing work on the updated version of the COVID vaccine for months now...and it's nearing the point where it can be considered by regulators, probably first in the U.S., which is expected later this year. No idea what that's going to end up meaning for Thailand, which usually lags behind in such things. What many posters here are often complaining about are: --the need/recommendation to have booster shots every 4-5 months, and --the reduced effectiveness of the original vaccine in preventing routine infections. Both of those issues are going to be addressed in the forthcoming, updated version of the vaccine -- much better effectiveness against the current Omicron variant, and longer duration / less waning.

The current, original COVID vaccine does its best against Omicron in largely preventing death and serious illness from COVID, especially among older and other vulnerable populations. With the changes to the virus since the start of the pandemic and the latest versions of Omicron, the original vaccine has become less effective than it originally was in separately preventing basic infections and the spread of the virus. Both Pfizer and Moderna are currently testing new versions of their COVID vaccine that are designed to protect against the original version of the virus and the newer Omicron variants. And those newer vaccine versions -- not yet approved anywhere or available for public use -- also are supposed to have a longer lifespan of effectiveness in preventing infection, meaning boosters wouldn't be required so often as is currently the case. Also, the coronavirus circulating in the world continues to evolve and change, with the latest versions now being found in some areas even more able to evade the protections of the current, original vaccines. Covid hospitalisations rise in Europe as sub-variants fuel new wave Omicron offshoots BA.4 and BA.5 drive increase in infections in Portugal, UK, France and Germany European countries are experiencing a surge in Covid-19 hospitalisations driven by sub-variants of the highly infectious Omicron strain, threatening a fresh global wave of the disease as immunity levels wane and pandemic restrictions are lifted. Admissions have risen in several countries including France and England, according to data analysed by the Financial Times. The BA.5 sub-variant of Omicron now accounts for more than 80 per cent of new infections in Portugal. In Germany, where admissions have been rising for over a week, the share of Covid infections ascribed to BA.5 doubled at the end of last month. ... Piotr Kramarz, head of surveillance at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, said Omicron sub-variants such as BA.4 and BA.5 had an element of “immune escape” — meaning that neither previous infections nor vaccines provide such strong protection — which was driving them to overtake previously dominant variants." https://www.ft.com/content/8c871596-d3c0-438c-b54c-f47b26aa4b7a

A number of trolling and misinformation posts related to COVID vaccines have been removed, along with ensuing replies.

Ex-judge and Pence advisor accuses Trump of instigating a ‘war on democracy’ Retired federal Judge J. Michael Luttig, who advised Vice President Mike Pence ahead of the Capitol riot, directly accused former President Donald Trump and his allies of waging a “war on democracy” on Jan. 6, 2021. “Our democracy today is on a knife’s edge,” Luttig, a former judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, said in a blistering witness statement shared with CNBC by the select committee. Luttig, one of two witnesses to speak during the committee’s third public hearing, excoriated efforts by Trump and other to overturn the 2020 election, saying that “treacherous plan was no less ambitious than to steal America’s democracy.” (more) https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/16/trump-capitol-riot-hearing-jan-6-investigators-hold-third-day-of-testimony.html

Rep. Bennie Thompson says U.S. ‘fortunate for Mike Pence’s courage’ in refusing to accept Trump’s scheme to reject electoral count The House select committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol on Thursday said Donald Trump’s “dangerous” last-gasp attempt to pressure his vice-president, Mike Pence, to reject the electoral count, brought the country “dangerously close to catastrophe”. With live witnesses and recorded deposition, the panel aimed to show how an increasingly desperate Trump became fixated on a “completely nonsensical and antidemocratic” theory – devised by conservative law professor John Eastman – that Pence, in his role as president of the Senate, could reject the congressional certification of Joe Biden’s win in the 2020 election. The vice-president has no such power. Congressman Bennie Thompson, chairman of the committee and a Democrat of Mississippi, began the session by quoting from the former vice president who said earlier this year that there is “almost no idea more un-American” that one man could choose the president, as Trump was asking him to do. (more) https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jun/16/jan-6-panel-reveal-new-evidence-pressure-from-trump-put-mike-pence-danger

U.K.: It’s the hottest day of the year again and Friday's going to be a scorcher The UK recorded its second consecutive hottest day of the year on Thursday before the mercury is expected to rise again to a sweltering 34°C on Friday. A high of 29.3°C was registered at Heathow and Kew Gardens in London on Thursday, surpassing the 28.2°C recorded at Kew on Wednesday, a record high for the year so far. The southeast is set to sizzle in 34°C heat on Friday, with much of England and Wales expecting temperatures of 27 to 30°C – making the country hotter than parts of Jamaica and the Maldives. However, experts – some of whom attribute the heat to climate change – have warned people of the dangers surrounding the exceptionally hot weather. (more) https://metro.co.uk/2022/06/16/weather-hottest-day-of-the-year-so-far-at-29-3c-ahead-of-34c-scorcher-16840565/

Surge in gas prices continues as Russia cuts Europe’s supplies Gas prices in Britain and Europe surged for a second consecutive day yesterday as Russia said it was further curtailing supplies to the Continent. Gazprom, the Kremlin-controlled gas group, said it was limiting volumes through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany, while Eni, of Italy, said that its supplies from Russia also had been reduced. UK wholesale gas prices jumped by 30 per cent to more than 257p a therm. Prices rose by 28 per cent on Tuesday after Gazprom announced an initial cut to flows through the pipeline and the owners of one of America’s biggest liquefied natural gas export terminals warned it would be out of action for months longer than expected after a fire. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/surge-in-gas-prices-continues-as-russia-cuts-europe-s-supplies-6rwz896lq

European leaders back Ukraine’s bid to apply for EU membership France, Germany, Italy and Romania support move but say ‘profound reforms’ needed to fight corruption The leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Romania pledged on Thursday to back Ukraine’s bid to apply for EU membership after travelling to Kyiv and meeting president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to show support in the face of Russia’s invasion. “Europe is at your side and will stay there for as long as it takes,” French president Emmanuel Macron told Zelenskyy at a news conference, condemning Russia for “war, destruction and chaos” and the “barbarity” committed in the Kyiv suburb of Irpin, which the leaders visited earlier in the day. “All four of us support the immediate granting of EU candidate status for Ukraine,” Macron said ahead of an EU summit next week that will consider the application and is expected to impose conditions on Kyiv including improving the rule of law and fighting corruption. (more) https://www.ft.com/content/bb506967-b56d-4513-9cde-331aa00bfe1e

Landlords are to be prevented from evicting tenants in England without giving a reason, under proposals published in a government White Paper. The Renters Reform Bill will also end blanket bans on benefit claimants or families with children - and landlords must consider requests to allow pets. Housing charity Shelter called it a "game-changer". But landlords associations said the government must ensure the changes would not worsen the housing crisis. (more) https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61817249

In his letter he said he had been asked to offer a view on "measures which risk a deliberate and purposeful breach of the ministerial code" Boris Johnson will "carefully consider" whether to hire a new ethics adviser after Lord Geidt became the second to quit the role - saying he was put in an "impossible and odious position". Downing Street said it was a "vitally important" role but when asked whether a new adviser was being sought, Mr Johnson's spokesman said Lord Geidt had raised a number of issues about it. ... Lord Geidt admitted this week that he had considered resigning over Mr Johnson's response to his partygate fine for breaking COVID-19 rules. ... The ultimate reason for his departure was a separate issue relating to potential decisions on steel import tariffs. https://news.sky.com/story/downing-street-publishes-resignation-letter-from-pms-ethics-adviser-lord-geidt-12634911

Bill Clinton says he’s never before been so concerned about the country’s foundational future, lamenting there’s a “fair chance” that the United States could “completely lose our constitutional democracy.” The former president appeared Wednesday on CBS’s “The Late Late Show” and responded to a question from host James Corden that alluded to Donald Trump’s presidency without mentioning the ex-commander in chief by name. ... “I actually think there’s a fair chance that we could completely lose our constitutional democracy for a couple of decades if we keep making — if we make bad decisions,” Clinton, 75, said. ... Clinton’s remarks come a day after a poll found that nearly half of all Americans believe the U.S. might “cease to be a democracy in the future.” (more) https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/bill-clinton-fair-chance-us-could-completely-lose-its-democratic-system/ar-AAYxNbJ

During a press briefing, World Health Organization (WHO) officials from the European region said they were investigating whether reports from Germany and Italy—which showed a small number of patients had monkeypox DNA in semen samples—mean the disease could be transmitted through sexual intercourse. "It's something we are looking at, but it doesn't change our assessment of the current transmission route we are seeing at the moment, which is skin-to-skin contact, skin-to-mouth. That's what's driving the transmission," said Catherine Smallwood, PhD, the monkeypox incident manager at the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Smallwood said because of this discovery of the virus in semen, patients who are fully recovered—meaning scabs have fallen off revealing healed skin—should still wear condoms for 12 weeks. Currently Europe has 1,160 confirmed cases in 22 countries, many of which had never seen a monkeypox case until this year. The majority are in men who have sex with men. (more) https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2022/06/who-says-its-investigating-monkeypox-dna-semen

The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack plans to seek testimony from conservative activist Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, the panel’s chair said Thursday. Why it matters: The decision comes after public and private wavering among committee members in recent weeks over the importance of Thomas’ role in Jan. 6 and former President Trump’s efforts to overturn the election. Thomas played an active role in pushing then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to take measures to help overturn the 2020 election results, according to texts obtained by the Washington Post and CBS News. (more) https://www.axios.com/2022/06/16/ginni-thomas-jan-6-panel

Two women enjoy the hot weather in Green Park, London The hottest day of the year so far has been recorded in St James Park, central London, where the mercury soared to 28C on Wednesday - and is expected to be beaten later this week The hottest day of the year so far has been recorded in St James Park, central London on Wednesday, when temperatures reached 28C. Further highs of 34C (93.2F) are expected to arrive by Friday in some parts of England, prompting a Met Office expert to warn of a 'rare' climate change event. The Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a level two heat health alert for a large part of southern and central England, with a level one alert in place for northern England. Wednesday's 28C heat has beat the previous record for this year of 27.5C (81.5F) set in May at Heathrow airport. (more) https://news.sky.com/story/uk-weather-temperatures-could-hit-34c-this-week-as-expert-warns-of-rare-climate-change-event-12634460

Hong Kong's Jumbo Floating Restaurant — a famed but ageing tourist attraction that hosted Queen Elizabeth II and featured in many Hollywood films — has been towed out of the city's harbour after the COVID-19 pandemic finally sank the struggling business. The massive floating structure — which was designed like a Chinese imperial palace and at 76 metres long could house 2,300 diners — was towed from Aberdeen Harbour on Tuesday. Since its establishment in 1976, it had received more than 30 million guests. But Jumbo Floating Restaurant was forced to close in 2020 due to the pandemic, and all staff were laid off. (more) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-15/victim-of-pandemic-hong-kong-floating-restaurant-towed-away/101153896

Unemployment rise and prospect of new Scottish independence referendum fuel recession fears The pound has fallen to its lowest level against the dollar since the onset of the Covid pandemic amid growing concern over the strength of the British economy. Sterling dropped by more than a cent against the dollar to trade below $1.20 on foreign exchange markets for the first time since March 2020, as City traders reacted to mixed figures from the jobs market and the prospect of a fresh referendum on Scottish independence. The currency also lost ground as the dollar strengthened to a fresh two-decade high in anticipation of the US Federal Reserve raising interest rates on Wednesday to tackle soaring inflation, possibly by as much as 0.75 percentage points. The Fed last raised rates by this amount in 1994. Versus the euro, the pound fell more than 1% to about 86.81p, its lowest level since May last year. (more) https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jun/14/pound-falls-to-lowest-level-since-pandemic-crash

June 14 (UPI) -- Pope Francis on Tuesday again denounced Russia's bloody war in Ukraine -- and again suggested that perhaps Moscow was baited into invading the former Soviet republic. In an interview with Jesuit magazine La Civiltà Cattolica, the pontiff called for an immediate end to the fighting in Ukraine, and cautioned against viewing the war as battle between good and evil. Previously, Francis condemned the war as a "macabre regression of humanity" and said he was willing to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss an end to the hostilities, despite the centuries-long tensions between the Russian and Catholic Orthodox churches. ... "A couple of months before the war started I met a head of state, a wise man, who speaks very little, very wise indeed," Francis told the magazine. "He told me that he was very concerned about the way NATO was moving." (more) https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/Pope-Francis-again-suggests-NATO-may-have-provoked-Russian-war-in-Ukraine/ar-AAYsaxX

Former senior Obama adviser David Axelrod warned that President Biden’s age could be a “major issue” in the 2024 presidential election. “The presidency is a monstrously taxing job and the stark reality is the president would be closer to 90 than 80 at the end of a second term, and that would be a major issue,” Axelrod told The New York Times of 79-year-old Biden. “He looks his age and isn’t as agile in front of a camera as he once was, and this has fed a narrative about competence that isn’t rooted in reality,” he added. (more) https://thehill.com/news/administration/3520559-bidens-age-would-be-major-issue-if-he-runs-again-axelrod-says/

The High Court ruled last week the first asylum seekers could be flown to Rwanda for relocation - but fresh legal challenges have been made in an attempt to stop those trying to enter the UK from being sent to the African nation The Court of Appeal has ruled the first deportation flight taking asylum seekers to Rwanda can go ahead tomorrow. Human rights campaigners had appealed against a decision by a lower court last week to allow the one-way trip but the appeal court said it "cannot interfere" with the original decision. The flight to the capital Kigali is scheduled to take place tomorrow with 11 asylum seekers onboard. Activists have argued that the government policy is inhumane and will put migrants at risk. (more) https://news.sky.com/story/rwanda-deportation-plan-first-flight-taking-asylum-seekers-to-african-country-can-go-ahead-says-court-of-appeal-12633234