The Japanese government is accusing China of not letting a good crisis go to waste. In a Defense Ministry White Paper, the Abe administration accuses the CCP of using the COVID-19 pandemic to expand its influence, particularly in East Asia. According to the Associated Press, “As evidence, a Japanese Defense Ministry official noted that a Chinese Foreign Ministry official had posted on Twitter in March an accusation that the U.S. military had spread the coronavirus in Wuhan and that Chinese media have touted herbal medicine as effective COVID-19 treatments. He spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing department rules.” This development comes on the heels of the Trump Administration’s complete rejection of China’s claims in the South China Sea.
https://bit.ly/3esZSmP
Beverage maker Diageo is tackling plastic pollution head on. Next year, they will be testing a paper-based bottle for its Johnny Walker line of drinks. As per Reuters, “The new bottle, developed in partnership with venture management company Pilot Lite, will be made from wood pulp that meets food grade standards and is fully recyclable, the Guinness and Tanqueray Gin maker said.”Other companies like Coca-Cola are resisting change and insist consumers still prefer plastic bottles. https://reut.rs/3euY8cR
History and Hope will have to wait for another few days. The launch of the United Arab Emirates’ Mars spacecraft has been put on hold. According to AP, “The liftoff of the United Arab Emirates’ Mars orbiter was postponed until Friday due to bad weather at the Japanese launch site. The orbiter named Amal, or Hope, is the Arab world’s first interplanetary mission. The launch was scheduled for Wednesday from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan, but the UAE mission team announced the rescheduled date on Twitter. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ H-IIA rocket will carry UAE’s craft into space. Mitsubishi launch official Keiji Suzuki had said on Monday a postponement was possible as intermittent lightning and rain were forecast over the next few days.” https://bit.ly/3eAbVix
It’s the fifth anniversary of the New Horizons satellite’s epic Kuiper Belt flyby and Alan Stern, the mission commander, has chosen a handful of his favorite images. They’re wonderful images. Enjoy. https://bit.ly/3iVllIy
Thanks for reading. Let’s be careful out there.
IMAGE SOURCE: Creative Commons
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