Foreign press

[Sergey S]

Electric motorcycle completes solar-powered 6,000-kilometer journey through Africa

     The Roam electric motorcycle covered 6,000 km from Nairobi to Stellenbosch on solar power. The goal is to prove the viability of renewable energy sources for long-distance travel in underdeveloped areas. The batteries were charged from a solar panel in the escort vehicle. Roam Air has set a new record for a single battery - powered flight range of 113 km. The trip passed through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana and Stellenbosch. The team covered about 400 km per day, using about 80 km per battery. The weather was the main problem, but the team successfully coped with it. Most Roam customers charge their bikes at home from the grid, but this trip shows the potential of solar energy. Roam and the University of Stellenbosch collaborate to develop sustainable transport solutions.

Source: CNN.com

[Sergey S]

Spain flood death toll expected to rise as weather warning systems criticised.

     In Spain, the search continues for flood victims after deadly storms. Heavy rains caused flooding that killed at least 95 people. Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced the start of combing through mud and rubble with sniffer dogs. The number of victims may increase, but rescuers are not optimistic. Heavy rain is forecast for the Valencia region and the northeast coast. Some residents asked for news about missing loved ones through social networks and TV and radio broadcasts. The National Meteorological Agency AEMET has issued a "red alert" for the Valencia region. Professor of Hydrology Hannah Cloke believes that the warning system of Valencia is out of order.

Source: The guardian.com

[Sergey S]

Japan's famous Mount Fuji hasn't had any snow yet this winter, breaking a 130-year-old record

     Mount Fuji in Japan remains snow-free, which is the last date without a snow cap since the 1890s. The top of the mountain is usually covered with snow by early October. The lack of snow raises concerns about the impact of the climate crisis on tourist attractions. The lack of snow is due to high temperatures and rain in Japan. Japan recorded its hottest summer on record in September. Extreme summer heat has become three times more likely due to the climate crisis. Scientists warn of the need to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. The climate crisis has reduced snow cover in most parts of the Northern Hemisphere over the past 40 years.

Source: CNN.com

[Sergey S]

'The Christmas panic is real': the holidays start earlier every year, as the analysis shows

     The Christmas downturn is a real phenomenon when Christmas-themed products, songs, and ads take over the calendar. In the UK, Christmas songs start playing in the charts in mid-November, 45 days before Christmas. Christmas songs have been growing in popularity since the 1990s. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Christmas songs were more often in the top 40 in the last two weeks of the year. The earliest Christmas hit to hit The Guardian charts is Justin Bieber's "Mistletoe" (2011). Since 2014, the Official Chart Company has included streaming data in its rankings, which may explain the earlier appearance of songs. Christmas now starts in the summer, which may be due to the fact that consumers can't get enough of Christmas treats. Christmas markets also open earlier and earlier in the local council calendar, starting in 2010.

Source: The Guardian.com

The Christmas shop at the John Lewis store on Oxford Street in London on 24 October. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters

[Devi]

A space rock is about to become Earth’s new ‘mini-moon

Earth is about to gain a new “mini-moon,” but it won’t stay around for long.

The newly discovered asteroid, named 2024 PT5, will temporarily be captured by Earth’s gravity and orbit our world from September 29 to November 25, according to astronomers. Then, the space rock will return to a heliocentric orbit, which is an orbit around the sun.

Astronomers first spotted the asteroid on August 7 using the South Africa-based observatory.

The asteroid is likely about 37 feet (11 meters) in diameter, but more observations and data are needed to confirm its size, said lead study author Carlos de la Fuente Marcos, a researcher on the faculty of mathematical sciences at the Complutense University of Madrid.

But as a mini-moon, Asteroid 2024 PT5 isn’t in any danger of colliding with Earth now or over the next few decades, de la Fuente Marcos said. The space rock will orbit about 2.6 million miles (4.2 million kilometers) away, or about 10 times the distance between Earth and the moon

Source: CNN

[Sergey S]

Central Europe braces for further flooding as swollen rivers continue to rise

Floods in Central Europe

      Volunteers and rescue services strengthen flood defenses in Central Europe.Storm Boris caused flooding in Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, killing 18 people.Water levels continue to rise in some areas and new peaks are expected.

Precautions and consequences

     In Hungary and Slovakia, mobile dams were built, tram lines and roads were closed, and residents were encouraged to use sandbags.Mobile flood walls have been installed in Dresden, and the Elbe River is expected to peak.In Poland and the Czech Republic, volunteers are helping to restore river embankments, and local authorities are calling for evacuations and warning of high waves.

Impact of climate change

     Extreme precipitation events have become more frequent due to anthropogenic climate change, especially in Europe and some other regions.Flood protection planning and land use also play a role in increasing the number of floods.

Financial support and impact on the population

     Poland and the Czech Republic have announced the creation of flood relief funds, and Poland will turn to the EU for assistance.In the Czech Republic, more than 13,000 people have been evacuated, tens of thousands remain without electricity, and eight people are missing.In Austria, Lower Austria was declared a disaster zone, thousands of households were left without electricity and water, and the army and emergency fund were mobilized.

Forecasts and implications for other regions

     Weather is expected to improve in Central Europe, but Storm Boris will move to Italy, where precipitation is expected.

[Sergey S]

People are angry at Gen Z taking photos of airport trays. Here’s what’s really going on

     At airports, there is a tendency to photograph loose items in security trays. TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest have become platforms for displaying framed photos of things in standard dishes. This trend is worrisome, as airports are places where it is important to avoid delays. The New York Post and Metro criticized the trend, calling it a detrimental effect on TSA operations. In a TikTok video, Chelsea from New York gives step-by-step instructions on how to follow the trend and not be a burden. The main thing is to do it after passing security control: find a quiet place and install several different trays. A European study found that airport trays are the least hygienic part of the airport. This trend has been hugely successful with marketing teams and brands such as Anthropologie and Faber. Stackers specializes in aesthetic travel products.

Source: CNN.com

[Sergey S]

Oasis reunion.

     Oasis Reunion is expected to be the most popular tour in UK history. Liam and Noel Gallagher have reconciled for £ 50 million. The band is planning concerts in Cardiff, Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin. Oasis hope to emulate the success of Taylor Swift and Beyonce in large-scale concert tours. The band's return to the concert stage can attract a new wave of interest and increase ticket sales. A tour of the UK can bring in 400 million pounds sterling through ticket sales and additional services. The reunion tour can be the beginning of new high-income Oasis tours.

source: The Guardian.com

[Sergey S]

Telegram CEO charged in France for ‘allowing criminal activity’ on messaging app

 The head of Telegram, Pavel Durov, is accused by the French judicial authorities of criminal activity in the messaging app. Durov was released on bail of 5 million euros and must report to the police station twice a week.The charges include complicity in the distribution of sexual images of children and other violations. Durov's arrest sparked controversy over freedom of speech and state censorship. Telegram declares that it complies with the laws of the European Union and complies with industry standards. Durov left Russia in 2014 and founded Telegram in 2013. Russia tried to ban Telegram in 2018, but lifted the restrictions after Durov's cooperation in the fight against terrorism and extremism.

source: The Guardian.com

[Sergey S]

   

  Japan claims Chinese military plane violated its territorial airspace for the first time

 Japan accuses a Chinese military reconnaissance plane of violating the airspace of islands in the East China Sea.Tokyo for the first time accused the Chinese Air Force of violating its airspace. A Chinese spy plane flew over the eastern part of the Danjo Islands and briefly headed west. The Japanese Defense Ministry scrambled fighter jets, but there were no reports of a collision. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Charge d'affaires a. i.of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo.The Japanese military often counteracts Chinese military aircraft approaching their territory.The incident raises tensions in Sino-Japanese relations over the Senkaku Islands. Analysts note that any incident in the Senkaku could lead to a broader conflict over Japan's mutual defense treaty with the United States.

Source: The CNN.com

[Sergey S]

Elon Musk’s AI photo tool is generating realistic, fake images of Trump, Harris and Biden

      Elon Musk's Grok chatbot allows users to create AI-generated images from text prompts.Grok is used to create fake images of political figures such as Trump, Harris, and Musk. The tool creates photorealistic images that may mislead voters. Some X users have posted images using Grok depicting famous personalities in false situations. CNN has confirmed that Grok is capable of creating such images.
     The tool may increase concerns about false information on the Internet, especially before the US presidential election. Lawmakers, civil society groups, and tech leaders have expressed concern about the misuse of such tools. Some companies, including OpenAI, Meta, and Microsoft, use technologies to identify AI-generated content. XAI introduced some restrictions on Grok after critical messages and disturbing images created by users.

Source: The Guardian.com

[Sergey S]

‘I love these chimps more than my kids’: inside the wild world of ‘monkey moms’

The Story of Tonka the Chimpanzee
 Tonka the chimpanzee was abducted from a zoo and sold to the United States, where she became a pet. Tonka was known for her love of people and ability to learn, which attracted public attention.

Problems with the law and keeping chimpanzees
 In the United States, chimpanzee ownership has become illegal, but laws do not prohibit the possession of chimpanzees.
 Chimpanzees can be dangerous, and keeping them requires special safety measures.

Documentary "Crazy Chimpanzee"
The film focuses on the lives of Tonka and other chimpanzees, as well as the problems associated with their maintenance.The film's director, Steve Goode, used home movies and archival materials to create the documentary.

Ethical dilemmas and consequences

 The film raises questions about how to observe and intervene in the lives of animals. As a result of Peta's investigation and legal proceedings, Tonka was transferred to a shelter.

Public reaction and cultural changes
The film caused a wide response and changed the attitude towards the content of chimpanzees in the United States. Alan Cumming, the actor who starred with Tonka in "Buddy," contributed $ 10,000 to a reward for information about her whereabouts.

Final moments and Tony's perception
At the end of the film, Tonka receives another blow, but is unrepentant and remains loyal to the chimpanzee. Director Steve Goode sees Tone as a product of her environment and believes that she couldn't see the complexity of the situation.

Movie broadcast and availability
 The film aired on HBO and in the UK, and is also available on Binge in Australia.

[Sergey S]

OpenAI worries people may become emotionally reliant on its new ChatGPT voice mode

OpenAI's Concerns about ChatGPT

 OpenAI is concerned about a possible dependency on ChatGPT due to its new voice mode. ChatGPT voice mode sounds realistic and adapts to real-time communication. Users can establish social relationships with AI, which can negatively affect their interaction with people. OpenAI highlights the risk of trusting AI because of its error - prone nature.

Ethics and responsibility issues

 Technology companies must be ethical and responsible in using AI that is not yet fully understood. Relationship experts express concerns about forming romantic relationships with chatbots. OpenAI plans to continue studying the emotional dependence of users on its tools.

The source: CNN.com

[Sergey S]

Hurricane Ernesto turns its attention to Bermuda, will churn up dangerous beach conditions for East Coast

 Hurricane Ernesto is strengthening due to record-breaking warm water and may hit Bermuda and the East Coast of the United States. A Category 1 hurricane may become the second major hurricane of the season or stronger due to crossing 600 miles of the Atlantic. A hurricane warning is in effect for the island due to extremely warm Atlantic waters. Heavy rain and wind gusts may start on the island as early as Friday morning. Dangerous storm surges and significant coastal flooding are expected on the island on Saturday. A hurricane will create huge waves in the open Atlantic that can extend for hundreds of miles. Increased wave heights will cause waves and dangerous storm currents on the East Coast of the United States, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. At least 29 people have died as a result of storm currents in the United States and its territories this year.

Source: The CNN.com

[Sergey S]

Banksy reveals rhino as eighth artwork in animal-themed London series

 Banksy unveiled a mural of a rhinoceros on the roof of a car in London. The artist posts his work daily on Instagram from Monday, August 5. Banksy has previously created images of goats, elephants, monkeys, wolves, pelicans, cats, piranhas, and other animals. An artist has confirmed that he created a painting of piranhas on a police box in the City of London. The artwork has been moved to Guildhall Yard for security and opening to the public. A decision on the permanent residence of the author will be made in due course. A crowd of people took pictures of Banksy at the aquarium near the Old Bailey, and the cat's billboard was removed due to safety concerns.