Youngest Person to Climb Everest Reaches Summit

Jordan Romero, 13, was inspired by a poster in his school hallway to climb the highest peaks on all seven continents.  He climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa when he was 10.  This morning, he reached the top of Mt. Everest, becoming the youngest person to climb the mountain.  Temba Tsheri of Nepal held the previous record which was 16.

With Solar Valley, China Embarks on Bold Green Technology

Sounds like China has the right idea.  If only we could follow suit…

With Solar Valley project, China embarks on bold green technology mission.

Iran Sanctions: Which Way Will China Go?

Good article on the dilemma China faces in dealing with Iran.

I’m glad China did attend the summit last month and hope that they will work with us on sanctions for Iran.  It comes down to a decision between their economy (their demand for oil is larger than ours) and how they want to be seen by the international community.  They will never back us on punishing North Korea, so if they want to be seen as tough on nuclear proliferation, they must act on Iran.

I do agree with them that a 4th set of sanctions probably wont accomplish much, if anything.  That said, it’s really all anyone can do to Iran since nobody is willing or able to send their military there.  Either impose sanctions or do nothing and send a loud message that the international community can’t unify in their condemnation of Iran’s policies.

School Rampage Kills Nine in China

Okay this is getting ridiculous. There have been 5 attacks like this one in 2 months, leaving a total of 17 dead and countless others wounded.  What on earth possesses these people to do this?  Authorities in China are saying that all of the perpetrators have a “social psychological infectious disease”, which may be true, but why children and why at schools?

Rather than cover this up (since they are obviously failing), the government needs to put an end to this killing spree.  If there is one way to incite people against you, it is to mess with their children.

China’s Soaring Energy Use

 

 

Coal and oil sales both increased over 24% in the first quarter, after similar gains in the fourth quarter last year.  China is the world’s leading emitter of greenhouse gases, and has been since 2006 when it passed the United States.  The main cause is the increased standard of living in China, as more people have cars and household appliances such as washing machines.    Check out the full story in the New York Times: China’s Soaring Energy Use Weakens Pledge on Efficiency – NYTimes.com.

Which Way Is The “Urine District”? China Trying to Fix Broken Translations

I sympathisize with those who say they are embarassed by China’s inability to correctly translate their signs into English, I would feel the same way if the tables were turned.  That said, some of these humdingers are just too good not to chuckle at.  Besides, I agree there is something almost poetic in seeing how their language truly translates to ours.