News Archives - Page 26 of 81

19 Dead in IS Attack on Kabul Hospital, Taliban Commander Among Victims

3Nov

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

Afghanistan, News

19 Dead in IS Attack on Kabul Hospital, Taliban Commander Among Victims

Hamdullah Mokhlis, a senior commander with the Taliban forces in Kabul, is one of the 19 dead in the attack carried out by Islamic State on Tuesday on the most significant military hospital in the Afghan capital, the Taliban confirmed on Wednesday. Mokhlis was a member of the extremist Haqqani network, which the United States describes as a terrorist, and of the Taliban special forces known as Badri 313. He is the most senior Taliban commander killed since that group took power in August in Afghanistan. At least 19 people were killed and 50 injured in Tuesday's attack, the Taliban said. Two explosions took place, after which unknown persons also fired shots. The Taliban confirmed that there were explosions at the entrance to the 400-bed hospital, where Taliban fighters and former...

India Only Wants to Become Climate Neutral in 2070

2Nov

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

India, News

India Only Wants to Become Climate Neutral in 2070

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that his country wants to become climate neutral by 2070. That's 10 years later than China and 20 years later than most major economies that committed before. The date may not be what the world was hoping for, but it's a step(s) forward, as it's India's first time to speak out effectively. Countries like the US, Japan, South Korea, the UK and the European Union aim for climate neutrality by 2050. But India has consistently pointed out that its historical emissions are much smaller than most Western industrial countries. Last week it had refused to put a date on climate neutrality, so it is a step forward in that area. In the meantime, India also wants to further focus on new technologies for green energy. Modi announced that by 2030 his c...

Bolsonaro Security Uses Force Against Journalists

1Nov

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

Brazil, News

Bolsonaro Security Uses Force Against Journalists

According to media reports, the security personnel of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro used violence against journalists who reported on his trip to Rome for the G-20 summit. According to an article in the Brazilian newspaper "O Globo", the television journalist Leonardo Monteiro of the television channel "TV Globo" was punched and poked in the stomach by security guards of the Brazilian President Bolsonaro on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome. He asked why Bolsonaro did not take part in the G20 events on Sunday. A video recorded by another journalist shows chaotic scenes with security forces harassing the press and Bolsonaro supporters berating the journalists. It is still unclear whether the security forces were Brazilians or Italians. The Bolsonaros office and the pre...

Guns Responsible on Film Set Of ‘Rust’ for First Time Since Fatal Shooting Incident with Alec Baldwin

29Oct

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

News, Entertainment

Guns Responsible on Film Set Of ‘Rust’ for First Time Since Fatal Shooting Incident with Alec Baldwin

For the first time since the shooting incident on the film set of the film Rust, in which one person was killed and one injured, the weapons manager has made himself heard. Hannah-Gutierrez-Reed was the third to last person to touch the weapon in question before Alec Baldwin fired the fatal shot. "No idea where the real bullets came from." A week after camera director Halyna Hutchins was killed by a bullet from Alec Baldwin's weapon that should have been filled with blanks, Hanna Gutierrez-Reed is still shocked and unsure of what happened on the film set in New Mexico. That says the weapons manager in a statement sent out by her lawyers. Gutierrez-Reed was the third last to touch the weapon before the bullet fired. After her, assistant director Dave Halls checked even before it ...

28Oct

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

Germany, News

Scholz Goes with Merkel to G20 Summit

According to sources, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is taking her likely successor Olaf Scholz to the G20 summit to be held in Rome next weekend. Scholz is Minister of Finance in the current German cabinet. Merkel and Scholz will go to the top together to demonstrate continuity despite the change of power in Germany. Government sources have told the AFP news agency that it is a "historic signal". It would also be a sign of confidence in Scholz. This weekend, Scholz and Merkel will meet with US President Joe Biden and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, among others. They also participate in a summit on Iran together. Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) beat Merkel's conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) in the election. Merkel, however, did not participate in the elections; s...

Queen Elizabeth Has to Rest Again from Doctors and Misses Major Climate Conference

27Oct

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

UK, News

Queen Elizabeth Has to Rest Again from Doctors and Misses Major Climate Conference

Queen Elizabeth II of England does not appear to have fully recovered since her hospitalization last week. So once again, the 95-year-old monarch cancels an important event because her doctors make her rest. Last week, Buckingham Palace shared photos of Elizabeth showing her return to work. This was the first time she returned to action since her hospitalization last week, forcing her to cancel a visit to Northern Ireland. She welcomed several ambassadors to the palace via video call from Windsor Castle. Many people were shocked by these images because the queen did not look very good. Buckingham Palace reports that Elizabeth has "reluctantly" decided not to attend the COP26 climate conference, a major UN meeting where the goals of the Paris climate agreement are discussed. Earl...

Aerospace Company Jeff Bezos Builds Business Park in Space

26Oct

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

Technology, News

Aerospace Company Jeff Bezos Builds Business Park in Space

The space company of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is going to build a commercial space station. Blue Origin will collaborate with industry peer Sierra Space for this. The space station, dubbed Orbital Reef, should be in orbit and fully operational by the second half of this decade, Blue Origin announced in a press release on Monday. According to Blue Origin, anyone will be able to travel to the space station if they pay for it. The company mentions in a press release from researchers, but also from commercial customers. "Seasoned space agencies, high-tech consortia, countries with no space programs, media and travel companies, entrepreneurs and investors all have a place in Orbital Reef," said a Blue Origin press release. That still describes the space station as a 'mixed-use busine...

German Business Confidence at Lowest Level in Six Months

25Oct

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

Business, Germany, News

German Business Confidence at Lowest Level in Six Months

German business confidence fell for the fourth straight month in October and is now at its lowest level in six months, according to research institute Ifo. In particular, persistent problems in the supply chain are a source of concern for German companies, the researchers say. The index that measures confidence now stands at 97.7. There is more uncertainty among entrepreneurs, in particular concerning future expectations. But they are also less optimistic about the current situation due to shortages of materials. For example, the lack of computer chips at car companies is inhibiting production in the German industry. Ifo president Clemens Fuest explains "sand in the wheels of the German economy", hindering the recovery. Major German economic research institutes, including Ifo, ...

After 19 Miscarriages, Cary Gives Birth to A Baby of 6.4 Kilos

22Oct

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

News, US

After 19 Miscarriages, Cary Gives Birth to A Baby of 6.4 Kilos

Fox News reports that an American woman gave birth to a baby weighing no less than 6.4 kilograms earlier this month. "Finnley had a lot of attention in the hospital," said the mother, who had to process nineteen miscarriages in the past. Flemish boys weigh on average about 3.45 kilos at birth. Finnley Patonai, a boy from Glendale, Arizona, weighed almost 3 pounds more. "My water broke when I stood on the scale with the gynaecologist," says mother Cary Patonai. "That's why my planned cesarean section was brought forward by a day. It was estimated that he would weigh 6.25 kilos." But that apparently wasn't enough for Finnley because his final birth weight would be 150 grams more: 6.4 kilos. It also measures no less than 60 centimetres. "He was already that big, and I also had almos...

China Offers Big Reward for Helping Find Escaped Prisoner Who Previously Fled North Korea

21Oct

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

China, News, North Korea

China Offers Big Reward for Helping Find Escaped Prisoner Who Previously Fled North Korea

North Korean Zhu Xianjian entered China illegally in 2013. Three years later, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison for illegally crossing the border and for theft. Since then, he has been in prison in the northeastern city of Jilin. Monday evening, around 6 p.m. local time, he managed to climb over a shed and escape while the other inmates were working in the yard. That can be seen in images from the surveillance camera that are circulating on social media. The man climbs onto the roof and then uses a rope to damage the electric fence, it seems. In other images, you can see him jumping off the wall and running away. After the escape, the police launched a manhunt in the area. The cops ring at every door to make sure he isn't hiding there. Many roads have also been closed to nea...