University News

Lessons are being held online until at least March 14th. The Lombardy region has been designated as a “strict orange zone” in terms of Covid-19 spread, and the containment measures include holding University lessons remotely. Study places remain available in the library and in study rooms upon reservation.

Bocconi University is 18th worldwide in Economics and Econometrics. The 2021 QS World University Rankings assigned Bocconi University the 18th place in the field of Economics and Econometrics, down from the previously held 17th position.

European News

Italy blocked a shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines to Australia. In close cooperation with the EU Commission, the Italian government blocked the export of 250,000 AstraZeneca vaccines headed to Australia. This was the first ban under the EU scheme which requires vaccine exports to be previously authorized. The move follows sharp criticism of AstraZeneca by the EU countries, that accuse the company of reneging on its agreements with the block by not supplying enough vaccine doses.

Sarkozy was sentenced to jail in a historic ruling. Former French President Nicholas Sarkozy was sentenced to three years in prison, two of which suspended, for corruption and influence peddling. He was widely expected to be running at the 2022 presidential elections.

EMA evaluation of Russian vaccine Sputnik V started. The Russian vaccine could be the fourth approved by the European Medicines Agency. The EU showed loss of unity with regards to Sputnik V, as two Member States (Hungary & Slovakia) already began distributing it prior to EMA’s green light. 

Austria and Denmark will collaborate with Israel concerning vaccines production, due to EU delays. The decision by the two Member States regards vaccines intended to tackle future mutations of the virus. In particular, Austrian PM Sebastian Kurz announced the choice for both countries and accused EMA of being “too slow” in its evaluation process.

The ‘Stability and Growth Pact’ fiscal rules will remain suspended in 2022 as well, the Commission says. The persisting weakness of the European economy due to the pandemic won’t allow the restoration of previous fiscal rules until May 2022 at least, as stated by Dombrovskis. The Stability and Growth Pact limits amounts that can be borrowed in deficit by Member States, as well as national debt levels and public aids to the private sector.

World News

The Biden administration accused the Russian intelligence of poisoning Navalny. The Biden administration on Tuesday released a report accusing the FSB, one of Russia’s intelligence agencies, of being the author of the poisoning of Alexey Navalny, the Russian dissident who is now imprisoned. Sanctions were announced for the attack and the current imprisonment.

The US Senate passed the stimulus bill. A deeply divided US Senate passed on Saturday the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill strongly advocated for by President Biden. The package, which will need to again seek the approval of the House of Representatives, is the first major legislative act during the Biden presidency.

Harry and Meghan were interviewed by Oprah Winfrey. Oprah Winfrey’s highly-anticipated interview with the Dukes of Sussex was broadcasted on Sunday night. Meghan recalled concerns in the royal family on the colour of her child’s skin, and said she thought of suicide.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) began investigating war crimes in Palestine. The ICC’s enquiry is expected to look into potential violations by both Israeli and Palestinian officials during the past 6 years. While such investigation found large support within Palestinian authorities, it was deemed as hostile by Israeli PM Netanyahu who said his country is “under attack”.

Khashoggi’s fiancee called for measures by global leaders against Mohammed Bin Salman. After a report of the US intelligence holding Saudi crown responsible for the murder of the journalist, his fiancee Hatice Cengiz asked leaders to take a stand and punish Saudi Arabia. The call for action was soon welcomed by Biden, who stated that the US administration is “going to hold them accountable for human rights abuses”.

Notizie italiane

Zingaretti si è dimesso da segretario del Pd. Nicola Zingaretti giovedì ha annunciato a sorpresa le dimissioni da segretario del Pd con un post su Facebook, puntando il dito contro l’opposizione interna colpevole di parlare “solo di poltrone e primarie”. È sconcerto nel Pd e nel M5S, con un coro unanime di voci a chiedergli di ripensarci.

Domenico Figliuolo è il nuovo commissario per l’emergenza Covid. Il Presidente Draghi ha annunciato martedì la sostituzione dell’ex commissario per l’emergenza Covid Domenico Arcuri con il generale Domenico Figliuolo, comandante logistico dell’Esercito. La mossa segue un analogo cambio di passo alla Protezione Civile, dove Fabrizio Curcio ha (ri)preso il posto di Angelo Borrelli, e prelude a un’accelerazione nella campagna vaccinale.

Il 2020 ha visto un milione di persone cadere in povertà assoluta in Italia. Era possibile attendersi un dato negativo, ma quello presentato dall’Istat è a tutti gli effetti drammatico. Oltre ad essere il peggior dato in tal senso dal 2005, l’aumento è stato più significativo nel Nord del paese, mentre le famiglie numerose sono state quelle più colpite.

Entra in vigore il nuovo Dpcm. Il 6 marzo è entrato in vigore il nuovo Dpcm che conferma e aggiorna la suddivisione in zone nell’applicazione delle misure anti-Covid fino al 6 aprile. E c’è l’ipotesi di una nuova stretta.

Covid, Mise: aziende pronte per creare vaccini in Italia tra 4/6 mesi. Dall’incontro con il Mise è emerso che alcune aziende italiane sono disponibili a produrre i “bulk”, ovvero il principio attivo e gli altri componenti del vaccino. Si è deciso di mantenere la massima riservatezza circa le imprese coinvolte, ma si stima che la produzione potrà avvenire tra circa 4-6 mesi, a conclusione del processo autorizzativo.