News Archives - Page 35 of 81

UN: Racism Against People of African Descent Often Systematic

28Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

News

UN: Racism Against People of African Descent Often Systematic

Racism against people of African descent is still systematic in many parts of the world. That's what Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a new report Monday. Systematic racism is still common, especially in North and South America and Europe. This makes it more difficult for people with an African background to find jobs, healthcare, housing, education and fair treatment. These problems are especially common in countries with slavery or colonial past. "I call on all countries to stop denying racism and start dismantling it," Bachelet said. The UN started its report after the death of black American George Floyd in May 2020 to the consequences of police brutality. The report cites another 190 deaths of Africans or people of African de...

Max Verstappen Also Fastest in Second Austria Training

25Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

Sports, News

Max Verstappen Also Fastest in Second Austria Training

Max Verstappen also set the best time in the second free practice for the Styrian Grand Prix. The fastest lap of the Dutch driver over the Red Bull Ring in Austria went in 1.05,412. Verstappen was also the best in the first session (1.05,910). Australian Daniel Ricciardo set the second-fastest time in the McLaren, 0.336 behind his former teammate. Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine) finished third, and Lewis Hamilton finished fourth. The British leader of Mercedes is Verstappen's main rival in the battle for the world title. The Dutchman has a 12-point lead after his victory in France last week. Valtteri Bottas provided the most striking moment of the training. The Finn spun when he drove away a little too enthusiastically after practising a pit stop. Bottas lost control of his Merc...

Charles Still Supported Harry and Meghan Financially After Their Departure

24Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

UK, News

Charles Still Supported Harry and Meghan Financially After Their Departure

Prince Charles did support his son Prince Harry financially after he and Meghan Markle renounced the British royal family. According to Harry, however, the money tap was immediately turned off at the beginning of last year when he left for the US. But that's not right. Documents with which the royal family has to account for its income and expenses, however, show that Charles still gave money to his youngest son. The heir apparent gave £4.5 million from his private income to his sons Harry and William last year. A portion was used to help Harry and his wife Meghan, a spokesperson said. The financial support did stop last summer.

Petitions: Let Multi-Billionaire Bezos Stay in Space

23Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

Business, News

Petitions: Let Multi-Billionaire Bezos Stay in Space

Multi-billionaire Jeff Bezos' planned space trip has sparked multiple petitions from people who are believed not to be fans of the Amazon founder. On the internet, some 120,000 people have signed up for actions calling for the businessman not to return to Earth. Bezos recently announced that he would join the first manned flight of his space company Blue Origin next month. "Since I was five years old, I've dreamed about a trip to space. On July 20, I will actually go on such a trip, together with my brother," the wealthiest person on Earth told Instagram. That announcement sparked the "don't allow Jeff Bezos to return to Earth" petition on the Change.org website. Almost 100,000 times had already been signed for that on Wednesday afternoon. "Billionaires shouldn't exist. Not on Ea...

OECD Focal Point Looks into Chevron Tax Avoidance

22Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

Business, News, US

OECD Focal Point Looks into Chevron Tax Avoidance

The National Contact Point for OECD Guidelines (NCP) handles a complaint from the trade union FNV about tax avoidance by the American oil and gas company Chevron. FNV submitted the complaint to the NCP 2.5 years ago. This institution checks whether companies adhere to the guidelines of the OECD, the organization of mainly western industrial countries, on corporate social responsibility. FNV chairman Tuur Elzinga expects a "firm final judgment" from the NCP and realizes that such a judgment does not help much. "The NCP cannot impose a penalty, and Chevron has walked off the table during discussions in the complaints procedure. That shows that Chevron is evading its responsibility." Elzinga, therefore, sees more benefit in new legislation that puts an end to such practices. "That ...

Pope Receives Prisoners at Home in Vatican City

21Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

Europe, News

Pope Receives Prisoners at Home in Vatican City

Pope Francis received some 20 inmates at his home in the Vatican on Monday. What the Argentine prelate discussed with his visitors has not been disclosed. The 84-year-old pope received the prisoners of a detention centre on the outskirts of Rome at the Casa Santa Marta. He has lived there since he was elected pope in 2013. Francis has previously made it a habit to wash and kiss the feet of prisoners on the eve of Good Friday. His predecessors chose priests' feet and washed them in one of the great churches in the Italian capital. The current pope's choice refers to Jesus' humility and servitude to his apostles on the eve of his death.

Verstappen Third Behind Mercedes in First Training

18Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

Sports, News

Verstappen Third Behind Mercedes in First Training

Max Verstappen has set the third-fastest time in the first free practice for the Grand Prix of France in Formula 1. The Dutch driver, the leader in the world title, had to tolerate the two Mercedes at Circuit Paul Ricard in southern France... Valtteri Bottas set the best time with 1.33.448. The Finn damaged the front wing and floor of his Mercedes at the start of practice when he drove a little too much over the curbstones along the track. Verstappen also did that later in training. The Dutchman immediately went back to the pit lane to have the underside of his Red Bull car examined. Briton Lewis Hamilton conceded 0.335 seconds to his teammate Bottas. Verstappen was 0.432 seconds slower than the Finn. His Mexican teammate Sergio Pérez, winner of the Azerbaijan GP two weeks ago, f...

Tennis Player Nadal Skips Wimbledon and Olympics

17Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

Sports, News

Tennis Player Nadal Skips Wimbledon and Olympics

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal skips Wimbledon and will not participate in the Tokyo Olympics. The number 3 in the world announced this via Twitter. "It's never an easy decision, but after listening to my body and talking to my staff, I understand it's the best decision," Nadal said. The 35-year-old Spaniard has won twenty Grand Slam titles in his career, as many as Roger Federer. They thus share the record. Novak Djokovic came to nineteen titles by winning Roland Garros last week. The Serbian number 1 in the world was too strong for Nadal in the semifinals, with thirteen titles the record champion in Paris. Wimbledon starts at the end of this month, on the 'sacred' grass in London. Nadal won Wimbledon twice, in 2008 and 2010. In the last two editions, in 2018 and 2019, the ...

Emaciated Kim Jong-Un: Food Shortage Threatens North Korea

16Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

North Korea, News

Emaciated Kim Jong-Un: Food Shortage Threatens North Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un warns his people of food shortages and famine. A severe typhoon would cause a failed grain harvest, but the consequences of the corona pandemic and the closed borders with China may also be responsible for a shortage of food. Kim Jong-Un also looks a lot thinner compared to a few months ago. In a rather unusual warning, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un speaks of a "tense" food situation in his country due to major flooding after a typhoon, the corona pandemic and international sanctions. The country's difficult economic situation is well known, but Kim's now openly mentioning the food shortage is highly unusual. Kim called on the Central Committee of his ruling Workers' Party to make eliminating that food shortage "a top priority": "The population'...

British Regulator Investigates Apple and Google Power

15Jun

By Alan LorenzNo Comments

Technology, News, UK

British Regulator Investigates Apple and Google Power

The British market regulator Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will further investigate the strong dominant position of the tech companies Apple and Google in mobile phone operating systems and app stores. According to the CMA, consumers can be disadvantaged by this dominant position in various areas. The competition watchdog is examining the iOS operating system from Apple and Android from Google and the App Store and Play Store and the web browsers Safari and Chrome. It looks at whether the two companies' control over these so-called "mobile ecosystems" undermines competition. The CMA is concerned that, for example, innovation will be reduced, and consumers will have to pay more for mobile devices, apps and other services. The study, lasting up to 12 months, will also l...