# Some facts about 2020

## Twitter victim of a large-scale cyberattack
###### Armand Vanel

American personalities on Twitter as well as big American companies were all attacked on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 15. Large-scale hacking to promote cryptocurrency scams. The scam involves asking subscribers of hacked accounts to send bitcoin to cryptocurrency wallets, promising that the money sent will be doubled and then returned.

Officials behind the report called for additional cybersecurity regulation of major tech platforms.Twitter said in a statement that it has taken steps to improve the security of its platform.
According to the report, hackers used fake websites to steal employee login credentials and then seized the stolen information from Twitter's real management website, triggering a multi-factor authentication challenge. Employees took up the challenge to access the backend of Twitter. Ultimately, the plan led to the widespread spread of Bitcoin scams to millions of users and the theft of $ 118,000 worth of Bitcoin.
Since the most powerful and popular accounts have been hacked, that means a huge impact. Think about Twitter's influence on global political dialogue, especially in the United States. The real consequence is that business leaders, politicians, and everyday users are realizing that the real-time information network they choose is more likely to be hijacked than they thought.
10 key words and definitions :
Hacking : the activity of using a computer to access information stored on another computer system without authorization, or to spread a computer virus.


* Cybersecurity : measures taken to protect a person, organization or country and their computer information against crime or attacks carried out using the Internet.
* Bitcoin : a brand name for a type of cryptocurrency.
* Enhance : intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of.
* Cryptocurrency :a digital currency in which transactions are verified and records maintained by a decentralized system using cryptography, rather than by a centralized authority.
* Triggering : causing a particular action, process, or situation to happen.
* Cyberattack : Hacker attack on the internet to block a site or steal data
* Hijacked : take control.
* Scams : a dishonest scheme, a fraud.
* Widespread : existing or happening in many places and/or among many people.

sources :

* [maddynnes](https://www.maddyness.com/2020/07/17/maddyfeed-twitter-cyber-attaque/)
* [edition](https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/14/tech/twitter-hack-tech-support-scam/index.html)
* [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Twitter_bitcoin_scam)

---

## Terrorist attack on Samuel Paty


On October 16, in Parisian’s suturb,
a high school teacher was murdered for showing his students a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad to his students, as part of a court on freedom of expression and secularism.
These were the cartoons that
Charlie Hebdo had published and that
had been the source of the attack
on the publishing house.

Who was his killer?

His murderer, Abdullakh Anzorov, was shot and killed by police at the age of 18 and was killed shortly after the attack. The same day, there were 6 suspects who were warned. Anzorov was born in Moscow and his family comes from the predominantly Muslim Chechnya region of Russia in the North Caucasus. He had been living in France since 2008.

How could the murderer have known about this, and how did he proceed?

We know that everything starts from a parent of a student named Brahim Chnina who filed a complaint and launched a campaign on social networks, he was prosecuted and imprisoned as a result of this. Two high school students were also arrested for giving information to the killer. The murderer bought students information about the teacher’s schedule.

What was the reaction of Emmanuel Macron ?

Emmanuel Macron therefore declared
following this attack that it wouldnever
infringe on freedom of expression.
He spoke of his desire to fight radical
Islamism. Following the death of
Samuel Paty, a march took place
in Paris and a tribute throughout
France on November 2

Keys Words Definition :

Freedom of expression : Right to express oneself freel
Cartoon : Humouristic representation of something
Tribute : Act of Reconciliation, memorial
Infringe : Not respectetd something
Prosecuted : Wanted
Warned : Notify
Secularism : Séparation between gouvernement and religion
Suturb : Cities next a big city

Sources :

https://www.thelocal.fr/20201102/french-schools-pay-tribute-to-murdered-teacher-samuel-paty
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/21/europe/france-secularism-macron-samuel-paty-intl/index.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54632353
https://www.euronews.com/2020/11/26/four-more-students-charged-over-murder-of-french-teacher-samuel-paty

###### Written by Arthur DEMAY

---

## Beirut explosion: What we know about this disaster ?

### 

Beyrut, capital of Lebanon, was devastated by an accident: a big explosion in its port on 4 august 2020 that killed at least 200 peoples and injured 5 000 others.

### What happened ?

Before the disaster, a fire broke out in Beirut Port on the Mediterranean coast in the north of the city. In a video posted on social media, white smoke is seen in warehouse 12 next to the huge granary. Shortly after 18:00 (GMT 15:00), the roof of the warehouse and a large-scale initial explosion occurred, followed by a series of smaller explosions, some witnesses said it sounded like a firework explosion the noise experienced by a shock wave from a physical object, specially here, it’s different fragment of the explosion.
The explosion wave flattened buildings near the port and caused extensive damage to the rest of the capital (home to 2 million people). The hospital was quickly overwhelmed by so many people, big part of the population have a strong emotional effect on. The head of the Lebanese Red Cross, George Keitani, said: “What we have witnessed is a huge disaster.” “There are victims and casualties everywhere.

### Economic and ecological impact

Lebanon's economy is on the verge of collapse. The government shut down in response to the global pandemic to stop the protest movement in Lebanon, but it also exacerbated the despair of its economy. One-third of Lebanese citizens are unemployed. Since last fall, the currency’s exchange rate against the US dollar has depreciated by 80%, and city electricity is only available for a few hours a day. In a report on July 28, a statement showed that nearly one million people in Beirut did not have the money to buy enough food. The Acting National Director of Save the Children Fund Judd Sackel said: “We will start seeing children dying from hunger before the end of the year.”
With our own little hindsight, today we find : mushroom clouds spread into the air and the supersonic explosion wave radiating the entire city.
A future for Beirut ?
Actually, Beirut wants to recover an equilibrium with the help of every country like France, and starting a plan of reconstruction

Thank you for your attention

### Keys word:

* granary : building or room (usually in a barn) that holds grain,in the port
* warehouse: where raw materials or manufactured goods may be stored prior to their distribution for sale was ignited
* mushroom: a danger for human’s health, which can create so many disease
* supersonic: noise experienced by a shock wave from a physical object
* damage: physical injury that impairs the value, usefulness, or normal function of something.
* overwhelmed: to be invaded or to invade
* collapse: Fall suddenly or give way

#### Sources:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53668493
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/05/world/middleeast/beirut-explosion-what-happened.html
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/massive-explosion-shakes-lebanons-capital-beirut/articleshow/77356143.cms
https://time.com/5876052/beirut-explosion-lebanon-economy/

###### *Written by Amel AISSA*

---

## Black Lives Matter : the most important movement of the decade ?


###### *Written by : Wendy Gorlier, student of ESIEE Paris*

On May 25th, 2020, a tragic event happened in the United States. In fact, a black man named Georges Floyd was arrested by police officers. However, the arrest became a murder: an officer put Mr Floyd on the ground and has suffocating him with his knee until he died. This killing was filmed and went around the world in all media.
Unfortunately, Georges Floyd was not the only one, other black people were killed this year such as Breonna Taylor or Jacob Blake.

These events created a revolution by Black Community in the United States and also in the world.
Indeed, since the murder of Georges Floyd, a million people participated in manifestation in honor to the death of victims of racist violence.
These people come from all cultures, all generations, and they are gathered to protest against racism and police violence and also to support the Black Community.

All events were organized under the name Black Lives Matter. This movement has existed since 2013 but it has been marked in history this year.
This big movement is noted as the largest with an increased number of protestants and petitions. In fact, in many cities of countries, many people go out to claim “Justice” and “Peace”, especially in the United States, the most impacted by police violence and racism.

Thanks to social networks, by sharing and tweeting it, Black Lives Matter stays consistently in the heart of the actuality and more and more people can follow the movement.

Now, Black Lives Matter is extremely popular but must be converted into a political power.
Indeed, it is a question of political revolution to brawl injustices and the conservatives, people who can’t change their old ideologies. Therefore, more and more black people are starting to do meetings to expose their ideas to change mentality.

*10 keys words* :
1) **suffocating**: verb suffocate, when a people can’t breathe normally
2) **knee**: an articulation of the leg
3) **unfortunately**: an adverb which use to describe a bad new
4) **such as**: a word to compare a subject with another thing
5) **especially**: a word to characterize a specific thing
6) **consistently**: synonym of constantly, to describe a constant action
7) **brawl**: a verb which describes the fact of fighting, in this context it is protesting to change things
8) **conservatives**: people as Americans, who are opposed to progress and keep loyal to their past traditions of the past
9) **mentality**: way of thinking in addition to our beliefs
10) **gathered** : verb gather to describe people who are together

*Sources* :
* [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/23/protests-erupt-breonna-taylor-decision)
* [BBC News](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52861726)
* [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jul/29/george-floyd-death-fuelled-anti-racism-protests-britain)
* [The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/03/us/george-floyd-protests-crowd-size.html)
* [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/21/chi-osse-black-lives-matter-protest-gen-z)

---

## Invasive Asian giant hornets have been spotted in the US for the first time:
###### Intartaglia Paul
Why this insect represents an important threat:
The Asian giant hornet is the world's largest hornet. They are an invasive species and a terrible predator for all other species. They are very venomous insects and they can kill humans. They destroy the fauna and flora around them, in particular bees are the perfect target. Compared to the bees, the Asian giant hornet is a war machine.

How did they come to the US?
In December for the first time some scientifics founded the giant hornet in Washington.They didn't no knew how they came here. Some hypotheses say they can come from cargo.This species is already present in Europe, in France they arrived in 2014 in cargo who came from japan.
Washington state agricultural officials are asking beekeepers and residents to report any sightings of the giant hornets. The state doesn’t take threats lightly.

What are their impacts on the environment and us?
The main target is the bees which are slaughtered, and everybody knows they have an important role in the fauna. Today, with global warming and climate deregulation, we need to protect bees more than anything. Bees pollinate plants producing fruits, nuts and vegetables, and are crucial to the nation's food industry. Attack by the hornet’s risks is to decimate bees, which are already on endangered lists due to their sharply declining numbers.

How to fight against this threat?
To fight against this insect, we can use new technology. For example, to destroy hornet nests, European companies use drones to attack effectively. That represents a useful tool because a drone can access high and inaccessible areas.

**Key words:**
- Hornets: Hornet is the tallest flying insect, it looks like a wasp. It is venomous and we can find many species.
- Threat: A sign that something is dangerous.
- End up : Finished by/ ended by
- Cargo: A massive boat which transports merchandise (fret).
- Sightings: An observation of something.
- Beekeepers: People who cultivate honey.
- Slaughtered: Decimate is a synonym.
- Global warming: When the global temperature is rising because of pollution.
- Sharply: Suddenly is a synonym.
- Nests: A place where insects like bees or hornets live with their queen.

Sources:
-- National Geographic article : https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/05/asian-giant-hornets-arrive-united-states/
-- CNN article : https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/03/us/washington-giant-murder-hornets/index.html
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXCYoTFX3HM
other link: https://www.freshfruitportal.com/news/2020/05/05/invasive-asian-giant-hornets-spotted-in-u-s-for-first-time/#:~:text=The%20invasive%20pest%20Asian%20giant,a%20rapidly%20declining%20bee%20population.

---

## Australian bushfires : One of its most devastating wildfire

##### *written by : Océane Saint*

First between June 2019 and May 2020 the country faced one of its most devastating wildfire seasons and burned a record 47 acres million, displaced thousands of people and killed at least 34 people
In Australia New South Wales and Victoria have been worst affected.

In fact, fire has affected more than five million hectares, destroying more than 2,000 houses. As of January 14, 2020, reports show around 18.6 million hectares burned, 5,900 buildings destroyed (including around 3,000 homes) and at least 34 dead. In addition, at least 445 people were killed by smoke inhalations, and 4,000 were hospitalized.

Air quality has often reached dangerous levels and the water have been polluted.
As of January 7, 2020, smoke was visible 11,000 kilometers away in Chile and Argentina. As of January 2, 2020, according to NASA, 306 million tonnes of CO2 had been emitted.

Also Fauna and flora will be permanently affected, endangering biodiversity because several endangered species could disappear.

Furthermore Two people and about 25,000 koalas were killed when flames devastated Kangaroo Island in South Australia state on January 9. Tens of thousands of farm animals, mostly sheep, were also killed in the island blaze.

To conclude, The most common causes of bushfires in Australia include lightning strikes, falling trees on power lines, cigarettes, sparks from power tools, farm machinery.

***10 key words with definitions in English* :**
* wildfire : a large, destructive fire that spreads quickly over woodland or brush
* burned : produce flames and heat while consuming a material such as coal or wood.
* hectares : Area measurement equivalent to one hundred acres
* lightning strikes : Electric shock that occurs in stormy weather between two clouds
* smoke : a visible suspension of carbon or other particles in air, typically one emitted from a burning substance.
* biodiversity : the variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat, a high level of which is usually considered to be important and desirable.
* inhalations : Suction through the nose of vapors
* Power lines : a cable carrying electrical power, especially one supported by pylons or poles.
* Sparks :Glowing patch that breaks away from a burning body

***Sources***
https://nypost.com/list/major-2020-events/
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-50951043
https://www.9news.com.au/bushfires

---
## Donald Trump loses against Joe Biden
##### *written by : Damien LEGER*
Since the election of the US, there has been much tension in this country. Despite Joe Biden winning (306 points) against Donald Trump (232 points), there is a lot of tension in the USA. One point means a big elector. Donald Trump disputes still today the US election’s result.

To begin,according to Trump,there are many fraund’s voters.Votes of Joe Biden represent 51.4 % of Big electors. Votes of Donald Trump represent 46.9 % of Big electors.The big majority of tensions are generated by the fact that Joe Biden and Trump are ideologically opposed. Trump led the Republican party while Biden leads now the Democrat party. The two parties are totally opposite. The Republican party has conservative ideas like climate skepticism for instance. Since Trump’s election, his administration has generated 6 million new jobs, the unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest point in 50 years, and wages have grown at more than 3% for 10 months in a row. « The manufacturing industry created nearly half a million new jobs ». « 625,000 new construction jobs have been created since President trump took office ».

However ,the democratic party is the opposite, it promotes the idea of progress in society. This political party defends the LGBTQ community and all color’s minorities. As a consequence, Trump had a radical policy about some topics, especially on immigration. Like his party, he shares the idea of skepticism about the environment. Effectively, he left the COP and has reopened carbon to improve GDP’s USA. On the contrary, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have a more open-minded vision of the future of the USA. With the election, Biden wishes to apply to his program. He would like to give 2000 billion dollars for renewable energies and do more actions for the environment.

**Key words with definitions in English**
Big elector : He is an elector who is famous in USA and represent a part of the USA’s population.

Skepticism: It is a sceptical attitude.

Wages : It a fixed regular payment earned for work or services
Row : It is a number of people or things in a more or less straight line

GDP: It is the total value of goods produced and services provided in a country during one year.

Disputes: It is argue about something.

My fist source is about “ Promises Kept | President Donald J. Trump's Accomplishments” the URL’s link is : https://www.promiseskept.com/

My second source is an article which is entitled “Joe Biden for President: Official Campaign Website” write on 10 november 2020, the URL’s link is : https://joebiden.com/presidency-for-all-americans/

My third source is an abc’ article which is entitled “California certifies US election results, officially sealing Joe Biden's win” write on 05 december 2020,the URL’s link is:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-05/biden-officially-secures-enough-electors-to-become-president/12953986

My fourth source is an article which is entitled “ Most Republican lawmakers still won't acknowledge Biden's win over Trump, report says” write on 05 december 2020, the URL’s link is : https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/05/only-25-republican-lawmakers-have-acknowledged-bidens-win-over-trump-report-.html

My fifth source is an article which is entitled “US election results 2020: Joe Biden's defeat of Donald Trump” , the URL’s link is :
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2020/dec/06/us-election-results-2020-joe-biden-defeats-donald-trump-to-win-presidency