Good morning. It's Wednesday, Feb. 16, and we're covering a de-escalation in Ukraine, an advance in treating HIV, and much more. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday he will withdraw some troops from Ukraine's border while seeking to renew security talks with the US and NATO. It’s unclear how many troops will retreat, but the partial pullback marks the first potential sign of de-escalation since Russia began its military buildup.
Over 100,000 troops have surrounded Ukraine since late last year, and recent satellite images show increased activity. Western allies fear a potential war, but Putin has dismissed such claims, while pushing for a number of security demands, including a guarantee Ukraine will not join NATO (see 101).
In other news, Russian lawmakers voted yesterday to ask Putin to recognize two Russian-backed regions in eastern Ukraine as independent. If adopted, the resolution could jeopardize the Minsk accords—an agreement to stop fighting in eastern Ukraine—and open the door for Russia to annex the regions as it did with Crimea in 2014 after an invasion.
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A New York City woman appears to have been cured of HIV, according to doctors yesterday, becoming the first female patient to have beaten the infection via medical treatment.
The woman, who suffered from leukemia, would represent just the fourth known case of HIV being successfully cured by doctors. While previous patients received bone marrow transplants from donors with an HIV-blocking genetic mutation, the new procedure relied on umbilical cord stem cells with a similar mutation.
Researchers say the use of cord-derived cells is less invasive, has less severe side effects, and requires only a partial donor match versus bone marrow transplants. The patient was reportedly able to leave the hospital two-and-a-half weeks after treatment.
Two other cases of patients naturally clearing the virus have been identified. See why HIV is so difficult to cure here (w/video).
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Prince Andrew reached a settlement yesterday with a woman accusing him of sexual abuse when she was a minor, according to reports. Virginia Giuffre claims she was sexually abused by the British prince three times when she was 17 at the homes of deceased sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The settlement did not disclose the sum but noted Andrew has agreed to donate a significant amount to Giuffre’s charity, supporting victims’ rights. His worth was estimated at $6.8M in 2017.
The deal comes after a US judge denied Andrew’s request to dismiss the lawsuit last month. The prince will now avoid a full civil trial in the US scheduled later this year. Andrew did not admit guilt in the settlement and stated he never meant to smear Giuffre’s name while also praising her for speaking out. Giuffre previously settled a lawsuit with Epstein for $500K in 2013.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment but had announced last month the prince would lose his royal titles and patronages.
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