Author: Alan Lorenz

Putin Wants 70 Percent Less Greenhouse Gas Emissions Than in 1990
5Nov By Alan LorenzNo Comments
Russia, News

Putin Wants 70 Percent Less Greenhouse Gas Emissions Than in 1990

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered that greenhouse gas emissions in Russia be reduced by 70 percent compared to the year 1990.   That goal must be achieved by 2030 at the latest, according to the decree issued by the Kremlin on Wednesday. It also mentions that the warming of the climate in Russia is going faster than in other parts of the world. Scientists are particularly concerned about the thawing of the permafrost layer in the Siberian soil, releasing massive amounts of methane gas. Putin's decree was issued the day the United States formally left the Paris Climate Agreement. Climate scientists around the world warn that firm measures are needed to prevent the Earth from warming by more than 2 degrees from pre-industrial temperatures. Russia, the world's largest cou...
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Aegean Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 115
4Nov By Alan LorenzNo Comments
News

Aegean Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 115

The death toll from the earthquake in the Aegean Sea has risen to 115. Authorities say at least 113 people have died in Turkey and two have been killed in Greece.   At least 1,035 people in Turkey were injured. 137 victims are still in hospital with injuries; it is not known how many people are still under the rubble. The mayor of Izmir told Turkish media that 15,000 people had lost their homes in the massive quake. 4,600 tents and 17,000 temporary beds have been set up for these people. On Tuesday, another girl was taken from under the rubble alive, more than 90 hours after the earthquake.
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More Leaders Express Support After the Vienna Attack
3Nov By Alan LorenzNo Comments
Austria, Europe, News

More Leaders Express Support After the Vienna Attack

Several world leaders responded on Tuesday morning to the attack in Vienna on Monday evening.   German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the city had become the target of terrorist violence and that Germany stands alongside Austria in the fight against "radical Islamic terrorism". "In these terrible hours, when Vienna has been the target of terrorist violence, my thoughts are with the people there and the security forces facing the danger," Merkel said in a statement on Twitter. She says the fight against radical Islamic terrorism is a "joint fight". Israeli President Reuven Rivlin also condemned the attack on Twitter. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Austrians as we look with concern at the despicable terrorist attack in Vienna," he writes. Earlier, Prime Minister Mark Rutte, ...
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Baby Shark New Top-Viewed Video on Youtube
2Nov By Alan LorenzNo Comments
Entertainment, News, Technology

Baby Shark New Top-Viewed Video on Youtube

The video of the South Korean children's song Baby Shark has been the most viewed video on YouTube since Monday with more than 7 billion views.   It takes over that position from the song Despacito. Monday morning Baby Shark from production company Pinkfong passed the hit of Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. Pinkfong's original song is in South Korean but based on American songs. The popular version is sung in English. The song started as a children's sensation but is now also known and popular among adults. During the corona crisis, a new variation of the song was released called Wash Your Hands. In it, children are taught to wash their hands properly during the corona crisis. For Despacito, the songs Shape Of You by Ed Sheeran and See You Again by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth were ...
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Youngest 4 Months Old COVID-19 Patient in Peru is Allowed to Go Home
30Oct By Alan LorenzNo Comments
Peru, News

Youngest 4 Months Old COVID-19 Patient in Peru is Allowed to Go Home

Little Jorge, or Jorgito as everyone now calls him, was born more than three months prematurely in a hospital in the Peruvian capital of Lima.   His mother had contracted the coronavirus and had other medical problems during pregnancy. With a birth weight of 580 grams and a positive corona status, Jorigito's life seemed to hang by a thread. But both the baby and his mother struggled through, becoming a symbol of hope in Peru.
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More Than 8 Million Corona Infections in India
29Oct By Alan LorenzNo Comments
India, News

More Than 8 Million Corona Infections in India

India passed the grim milestone of 8 million corona infections on Thursday. The second hardest-hit country in the world is gearing up for a second wave.   According to the latest figures from the Indian government, a total of 8,040,203 corona infections have been identified. In the country of about 1.3 billion inhabitants, 120,527 have been proven to have died from Covid-19. The Indian death rate is in stark contrast to the most affected country in the world, the United States. According to the figures from Johns Hopkins University, 8,856,413 infections have been diagnosed there, but no fewer than 230,000 people died. Although mortality in India appears to be relatively limited and the number of new infections has been declining in recent days, authorities are bracing for a second...
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Despite Chinese Pressure the US Signs A New Arms Deal With Taiwan
27Oct By Alan LorenzNo Comments
US, News

Despite Chinese Pressure the US Signs A New Arms Deal With Taiwan

The United States on Monday approved the sale of 100 Harpoon coastal defence systems worth $ 2.4 billion to Taiwan.   Earlier in the day, China announced it would impose sanctions against US companies involved in previous arms sales to the island, which China contemplates a renegade province. The proposed transaction "will improve Taiwan's defence capabilities," the US State Department said in a statement. Last week, the ministry already approved the sale of 135 air-to-ground missiles to the island. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian previously urged the US to "stop the sale of weapons to the island."
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Seventh Formula 1 World Title Almost Formality for Hamilton
26Oct By Alan LorenzNo Comments
Sports, News

Seventh Formula 1 World Title Almost Formality for Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton can hardly miss his seventh world title in Formula 1. With five races to go and a 77-point lead over his first attacker Valtteri Bottas, the Briton of Mercedes can already win the championship in the fourth to last race of this year.   That will be on November 15 in the Grand Prix of Turkey at Istanbul Park. Hamilton won the Grand Prix of Portugal on Sunday after a strong performance at the Portimão circuit. It was his 92nd Formula 1 victory, and he passed Michael Schumacher as the driver with the most GrandPrix victories. Hamilton also holds the record with 97 pole positions and will rival Schumacher with his seventh title. The 35-year-old driver has ruled Formula 1 since moving from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013. In his years at the German racing stable, Hamilton h...
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Muscular Language at the Celebration of Chinese Aid North Korea
23Oct By Alan LorenzNo Comments
News, China, North Korea

Muscular Language at the Celebration of Chinese Aid North Korea

China will never let its sovereignty, security or development interests undermine. Chinese President Xi Jinping said this in a speech in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday.   Xi spoke at the 70th anniversary of the deployment of Chinese troops to the Korean Peninsula during the war in 1950-1953. Beijing helped North Korea fight South Korea, backed by the US and the UN. "Let the world know that the Chinese people are now organized and not to be trifled with," Xi quoted the founder of the People's Republic, Mao. In October 1950, Chinese troops crossed the Green River that forms the border with North Korea. The Chinese soldiers received close air support from Russian aircraft. In all, Beijing sent 2 million soldiers to the peninsula. The war ended in a truce in 1953 w...
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Ferrari Has Back the Sole Right to Use the Testarossa Brand Name
22Oct By Alan LorenzNo Comments
Business, News

Ferrari Has Back the Sole Right to Use the Testarossa Brand Name

Sports car manufacturer Ferrari is again the only one allowed to use the Testarossa brand name. The European Court of Justice has ruled that.   In 2017, a German court ruled that Ferrari had not used the iconic name for too long and was therefore no longer protected. The European Court has now ruled that a trademark remains valid as long as the owner still provides services or resells second-hand goods under that name. Ferrari convinced the court that it is still carrying out maintenance and repairs for the Testarossa. The Testarossa, Italian for a red head, was produced by Ferrari in the 1980s and 1990s. The sports cars have eye-catching doors reminiscent of egg-slicers, and they have folding headlights. The car also played a prominent role in the US police show Miami Vice, whi...
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