Saudi Arabia ends gender segregation in restaurants - Rocio

Gender segregation ends in Saudi Arabia's restaurants and meeting places. Saudi Arabia use to mandate one entrance for men and one entrance and another entrance for women and children. While these practices have slowly decreased by restaurants and other meeting places, social reform has cracked down on this practice.

Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50708384

At Japans Most Elite University , Just 1 in 5 Students Is a Woman _Sierra Perez

In the article "At Japan's Most Elite University, Just 1 in 5 Students is a Woman" by Motoko Rich, talks about how in Japan the University of Tokyo is the most prestigious institution of the state but has a very low female population. According tot he article just 1 in 5 students that attend are female. Apparently in Japan it is saif that men are intimidated by a female with a diploma therefore a woman who attends the university is stereotyped to not get married. It is interesting how much this fear holds back these woman from academic opportunities. This has reached the officials of the state where the Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe promoted a movement that would empower females to continue to seize academic opportunities as he often boasts about the women participation to outrank even the United States. This has confirmed to be true but fail in the more higher levels of government. There has been talk on requiring female quotas for colleges to try and reach but have been challenged for being outright because some feel this would mean giving some female an unfair advantage as colleges may accept one with a lower academic profile than a male with a higher academic profile. This argument is very valid and it is interesting to see how Japan will react to the overwhelming men to female ratio in politics and more prestigious universities.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/08/world/asia/tokyo-university-women-japan.html

France, Germany and UK reiterate claim that Iran has nuclear-capable ballistic missiles - Rocio Olvera

In a letter addressed to the U.N, France, Germany, and UK accuse Iran of having nuclear developed missiles. According to U.S Intelligence, "Iran is believed to possess the larges ant most diverse nuclear weapons in the Middle East". According to the article, the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal did not directly address Iran's missile program.




Link: https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/05/middleeast/iran-nuclear-ballistic-missiles-intl-hnk/index.html

Ukrainians fear president will accept peace on Putin's terms -Rocio Olvera

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky will be meeting with Russian President Putin tomorrow morning in order to discuss Russia's conflict with Ukraine.While the United States is very busy with the impeachment hearings, discussions are escalating between Russia and Ukraine amid control of Ukraine's eastern borders.




Link: https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/08/europe/zelensky-putin-meeting-ukraine-russia-intl/index.html

France braces for even worse travel woes, govt seeks answers

"PARIS (AP) — France braced for even worse transportation woes when the new work week begins Monday due to nationwide strikes over the government’s redesign of the national retirement system. French President Emmanuel Macron convened top officials to strategize for the high-stakes week ahead.

Sunday saw more travel chaos as the strikes entered their fourth day, with most French trains at a standstill. Fourteen of Paris’ subway lines were closed, with only two lines — using automated trains with no drivers — functioning. International train routes also suffered disruptions."

-AP News

https://apnews.com/f875ff134f42b8c3ab6d654498eb5b70

Britain Gears Up for Its Most Divisive Election in Decades

"LONDON—British Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a double-digit lead in opinion polls as Britain prepares to vote Thursday in a crucial general election that will determine Brexit’s fate.

If reflected in the election, the lead would be enough to give him a comfortable majority—though a recent narrowing of the lead reflected in some polls is enough to keep the outcome uncertain.

The bitterly fought election campaign bookends more than three years of political stalemate over how—or even if—the U.K. should quit the European Union. If Mr. Johnson’s Conservative Party wins enough votes to form a majority in Parliament it will open the way for the U.K. to leave the EU on Jan. 31."

-WSJ

https://www.wsj.com/articles/britain-gears-up-for-its-most-divisive-election-in-decades-11575814301

New Sword Missile Reduces Damage

A new missile that utilizes swords has recently been used in Syria. The AGM-114R9X Hellfire missile significantly reduces collateral damage. A target in a car was sliced to death using this missile, leaving little damage to anything except the car and it’s target. Currently, it seems to be the weapon of choice for assassinations.
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/31375/americans-hellfire-missile-that-uses-swords-instead-of-explosives-struck-again-in-syria

Katherine Staniszewski

Iran frees Student for Scientist

https://apnews.com/93d8ad4cc7a1b8dc7a01296bd770d5d9
George Queisser

A Princeton scholar who has been held in Iran on widely loose accusations of espionage has been finally released in exchange for an Iran scientist. This situation was a large and rare break thru between the two countries. The scientist was prosecuted for his relations in supporting research into chemical weapons being sold to multiple countries.
The trade did not go without proceeding with President Trumps full pressure campaign including more sanctions put on the exportation of oil and gas from Iran.
These sanctions have caused more protest within the country causing up to 200 lives taken by the police forces in the country and has caused more displacement between the government and its citizens.

Pensacola Attack: US to review screening of foreign military.

US Defence Secretary Mark Esper has ordered a review of the screening process for foreign military in the US after a Saudi soldier launched a deadly attack at a Florida navy base.

A Saudi gunman who trained at the site killed three soldiers after going on a deadly shooting rampage.

Several Saudis trainees have been detained as a result of investigations, as it was reported that several students waited outside and filmed while the shooting was occurring. 

Speaking to Fox News Sunday, Mr Esper confirmed reports that one or two of the detained Saudis filmed the attack. "What is unclear is - were they filming it before it began or was it something where they picked up their phones once they saw it unfolding?" he said.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50706835

5 takesaways from the leaked files on Chinas mass detention of Muslims - Alex Eberhardt

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/16/world/asia/china-muslims-detention.html

5 Takeaways From the Leaked Files on China’s Mass Detention of Muslims

Austin Ramzy, New York Times


The article starts by explaining how internal papers from the Chinese government were leaked to the public regarding the muslim detention centers. Apparently the papers reveal that Chinese government officials as far up as Xi Jinping himself were aware of the plans. The article claims that someone in China who had access to these documents leaked them in order to hold xi jinping and other officials responsible. The leaker has decided to remain anonymous according to the article.

The article says that these camps rose out of response to many violent attack in the China's western region Xinjiang conducted by Muslims. Something I thought was particularily interesting, is the justification for the camps was based on an observation of the terror attacks in Britain. Officials said that the terror attacks in Britain happened due to policies that put human rights above security. This suggests that in the thinking of the Chinese government, these camps are justified in the interest of national security.

Overall this is a very scary article. I was very fascinated by the security over human rights statement. It's really interesting because it seems, to me at least, that security and rights/freedom are like ice cubes and water. The more of one you put in, the less space you have for the other. Like in airport security, it's invasive for people to search your bag. But the benefit is it reduces the likeliness someone is going to bring in a dangerous weapon of some sort. When studying China and comparing it to the US, I find that they are often at exactly opposite ends. America is all about the worth of the individual while China is about the value of the whole community. It makes sense to me that China would care more about national security than the individual rights of the people. It seems both ideologies are dangerous however. As in China with too much security, you seriously hurt people and do immoral acts. With too little security like here in the US (comparably) you have mass shootings, terror attacks, a much more dangerous country to live. Having lived in both countries, I can say China is definitely safer for the most part. It's safer as long as you don't speak up, or do anything the Chinese government doesn't want you to do.

by Alex Eberhardt

Trump Impeachment to Go Ahead, Says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House of Representatives will file impeachment charges against US President Donald Trump for alleged abuse of power.

Nancy Pelosi today released a statement on behalf of Democrats confirming that they will continue to seek the impeachment of President Donald Trump. 
The California congresswoman told Thursday morning's news conference: "The facts are uncontested. The president abused his power for his own political benefit at the expense of our national security, by withholding military aid and a crucial Oval Office meeting in exchange for an announcement for an investigation into his political rival."

Donald Trump quickly responded on Twitter, stating "If you are going to impeach me, do it now, fast, so we can have a fair trial in the Senate, and so that our country can get back to business."

Many polls have indicated that while the majority of Americans support there being a trial and even impeachment, the interest in the process is waning. Many Americans believe that this takes away from more important issues, and Donald Trump has capitalized upon that, seeking to end the investigation as soon as possible.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50671570

North Korea warns US to prepare for 'Christmas gift,' -Rocio Olvera

North Korea claims they will be sending the United States a “Christmas gist”. They have not released what this gift will be but they say it all depends on the outcome of talks between Washington and Pyongyang. Some believe the gift will result in North Korea resuming long-distance missile tests. 

Link: https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/04/asia/north-korea-christmas-gift-kim-jong-un-intl-hnk/index.html

North Korea Threatens U.S. with Nuclear Christmas Gift

North Korea has resumed it's threats of hostility against the U.S. and their allies in the region. North Korea is demanding that the U.S. adopt a different approach to negotiations. This threat coming after North Korea tested what they call a "super large multiple-rocket launcher" (yes, I included this just because I thought the name was funny) on Thanksgiving Day. This is just another example of how nuclear weapons have been so effectively used by North Korea to gain international media attention and as a bargaining chip for expanding their power on the international stage. Quite reminiscent of the developments in our in-class simulation as word of nuclear proliferation spread and people began to panic.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/north-korea-warns-united-states-of-an-unwelcome-christmas-gift/2019/12/03/ad406634-1599-11ea-80d6-d0ca7007273f_story.html

-Alex Miller

Trump impeachment evidence overwhelming - House report

There is "overwhelming" evidence for impeaching Donald Trump, according to the panel leading the impeachment inquiry. Apparently, the President placed his own personal interests "above the national interests of the United States." This was stated in a key report to House lawmakers. He did so by trying to "solicit foreign interference" from Ukraine to help his 2020 re-election bid. The current report is designed to attempt to remove Mr. Trump from office. Even with all of these allegations, Trump continues to deny any wrongdoing. Trump has claimed this "attack" against him as very "un-patriotic." The report now goes to the House Judiciary Committee, which will begin proceedings on Wednesday and consider formal impeachment charges against Trump.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50650216

- Ben Williams

Uncertainty remains as Iraq parliament accepts PM's resignation

The Iraqi parliament has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Abdul Mahdi after months of political protests that have left over 400 people dead. This comes just days after over 50 demonstrators were killed in the streets by Security Forces in the southern Shia cities of  Nasiriya and Najaf. Added to his resignation, he was faced with tough opposition by the leader of the Shia's for the way in which these protests have been handled. The Iraqi government will now resume a 30 day caretaker government or until there is a suitor to fill the role of Prime Minister. Although the resignation of Mahdi is a pleasant sight for these protestors, they will not stop demonstrating until they see a complete overhaul of their political system. They went to see public elections fill in the role of parliament, which has embodied corruption since its conception. The government will fight back, and there will be on on-going battle between the public, and the politicians. The end is not in sight, and the protests will continue until the people of Iraq see real change.

Michael Pollack

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/iraq-pm-offer-quit-country-191201092331173.html

Climate change: COP25 talks to open as 'point of no return' in sight

Climate talks occurring in Madrid as the “Point of No Return” climate crisis approaches. Political leaders and climate advocates held a two week meeting to talks about the crisis. Save the Children, and organization states 33 million people are at emergency levels of food insecurity due to droughts and cyclones. The conference was originally going to be held in Chile but was cancelled due to the “civil disturbances”. 

Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-50614518

White House will not participate in Judiciary Committee hearing

President Trump nor his attorneys will be able to participate in Wednesday’s House Judiciary Committee impeachment hearings. Chairman Jerrold Nadler wrote in a letter to the White House counsel “"We cannot fairly be expected to participate in a hearing while the witnesses are yet to be named and while it remains unclear whether the Judiciary Committee will afford the President a fair process through additional hearings. More importantly, an invitation to an academic discussion with law professors does not begin to provide the President with an semblance of a fair process. Accordingly, under the current circumstances, we do not intend to participate in your Wednesday hearing”.

Link: https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/01/politics/white-house-not-participating-judiciary-hearing-impeachment/index.html

At least 180 Killed in Iran -Sierra Perez

There has been a surprise increase in gasoline prices in Iran that has resulted in a lot of angry protestors. Since the Islamic Revolution Iran has been experiencing the deadliest political unrest leading to at least 180 killed and possibly hundreds more. The surprise gasoline prices increased of at least 50% which led the first outrage in large cities within 73 hours asking for the end to the Islamic Republic's government. Iran has ordered to security forces to respond appropriately but have started opening fire on unarmed protestors that included low-income young men anywhere between 19 and 26. There has been another estimate of 180-450 people in four days of violence with 2,000 wounded and 7,000 detained. This is really unsettling to hear considered the protestors were unarmed and caused no threat. Since Trump administered sanctions on Irans oil it for hopes of a nuclear agreement to be renegotiated it is really interesting to see how the United States will respond to this and even the rest of the world.

Point of No Return

https://apnews.com/7d85d6d7b05c4436b6f4d162f6c06566
George Q
U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres made a statement to the UN that included that the worlds efforts on climate change have been "Inadequate"and we are soon to reach upon "A point of no return". These statements take a look into the US domestic problems with climate change and also criticize select countries on their efforts.

This meeting of the U.N highlighted certain parts of the Paris Climate change agreement and also noted ways of compensation for poor countries who are losing land and assets due to rising sea levels.  Secretary Guterres expressed the push of support for climate change from citizens of the U.S but specifically from its young.

Delegates discussed a new market to involve carbon and emissions into trading negations and add a value to how the product is produced. This idea gained support from the popular idea of taxing the companies who produce the carbon instead of taxing the people.

Finally, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres stated that some 70 countries many of them among the most vulnerable to climate change have pledged to stop emitting more greenhouse gases by 2050.

Iran Leader Warns "Thugs"

https://apnews.com/0a1699c5fa1549f9b3ef239a19427d70

George Q

Irans supreme leader recently backed the governments decision by raising the gas prices by 50%. This decision to raise prices sparked large protests thru out the country now reaching up to 100 different cities . Irans leader describes protesters as "Thugs" for their acts and the growing conflict between the government and its citizens.

The citizens of Iran have been protesting for more than the rise in gas but also the lack of jobs and medical services. As the official report of Iran says that only 3 people have died from these protests, but many videos have been posted showing way worse casualties and force used by the police.

As these protest gain more and more support from citizens the government has approved of more force being used and no compromise from ether side of the situation. 

Stabbings Around London Bridge Kill 2 in 'Terrorist Incident'

Two people were killed Friday afternoon and left several injured as an acclaimed Islamic state terrorist crossed the London Bridge. The motive is still unclear to why the man attacked and why he had a hoax bomb attached to his chest. Despite the threat of the incident, those nearby stepped in immediately and attempted to disarm the man before police arrived. These people are now considered heros for stepping in when they did. When police arrived they shot the man who then ended up dying later at the scene. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/29/world/europe/london-bridge-shooting.html

By: Chloe Erickson

Students Fainting From Hunger In Venezuela's Failing School System

With the decline in the Venezuela economy that began in 2013, education has declined immensely. Millions of Venezeulans have left the country in the 6 most recent years the economic crisis has been occuring. Among these citizens, teachers started leaving their jobs that payed only $8 per month. They fled to find work in nearby cities or completely left the country to start over and overcome poverty. As more teachers left, the younger generation was in desperate need to be educated. The economy here has been at a constant downfall since. The younger generation is lacking basic knowledge and teachers to teach them what they need to know. According to the article, "the collapse of the education system in Venezuela is not only condemning an entire generation to poverty, but risks setting the country's development back decades...". Students' families are struggling to provide food, therefore, making the children rely on eating school meals. But because of the economic crisis, schools stopped serving food and became a large deciding factor if a student would attend class or not. Of the few students who still attend school, they risk fainting from hunger while trying to learn all they possibly can before having to begin working in fields to support their families.

 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/30/world/americas/venezuela-students-hunger.html

By: Chloe Erickson

Desi Bouterse: Suriname president gets 20 years in jail for murder

Desi Bouterse has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for the murder of 15 political prisoners in 1928.
The sitting president is currently on an official visit to China, which makes things quite awkward. He has two weeks to appeal the decision, which he is expected to do.
Bourtese led Suriname during the 1980s as head of a military government and de facto leader.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-50611555

Schools Offer a Safe Learning Environment for Refugee Children

Valencia Newcomer School located in Phoenix, Arizona has international flags waving from the tops of each doorway, welcoming in the refugee children and allowing them a safe place to learn. These classes will teach these young kids English skills and classroom customs that many students here in America have been taught at a young age in order to succeed in a classroom setting. New environments are scary for most people and many of these children start off startled when first entering the school. But once becoming accustomed, they begin to learn the rights and the wrongs of the classroom along with making friends across many different cultures. It sounds like an amazing outcome for all of these students intermingling and learning about one another's cultures and customs. "This year's kindergarten through eighth-grade students come from 21 countries and speak 15 languages." The schools are popping up where local education officials have decided to create them and are located in Indianapolis, Houston, Fort Worth, Texas, Greensboro, North Carolina, and Providence, Rhode Island. Trump's order to refuse refugees from entering into America has of course decreased the amount of refugees that have been entering into our country. But, the refugees that do enter our country deserve attention and safety to get them into the groove of things here and I believe these schools are a great way to get them integrated and educated. Valencia has a handful of U.S. schools who have been taking in these refugee students and dedicate their time to helping them out. In regards to Trump's order, "There may be less, but they're still coming," says a teacher from Valencia. "And we have to be there for them, whether it's academically or getting them services like immunizations." The Arizona Department of Economic Security last year devoted $635,000 to help 1,026 school-aged refugees. I find these programs to be extremely beneficial to these young children because they're still growing mentally and intellectually and it's easier to teach a young child a new language than it is for a grown adult to learn. Additionally to educational services, the children are also provided social services that way they are able to vent about any previous trauma or hard feelings they have. All of these services are the building blocks to creating a successful and healthy individual in our country. It's hard for young kids to go through trauma and then be expected to adjust quickly to a new culture and a new way of living. "We want to provide them a space where they can get grounded, whenever they feel traumatized or whenever they remember something from the past," said Principle Moreno as she showed the school's peace garden. These schools are a magical place for these young individuals and they supply them with the necessities they need to thrive. It gives them hope that they've been lacking and allows them to create healthy relationships with faculty and other students their age. 


























https://apnews.com/ee60eb7fc0f646e58c194be8f9206dbd
By: Nicole Bellino

Hong Kong Election Results Give Democracy Backers Big Win

Democracy advocates have witnessed a huge victory which is represented in several local counsel seats being earned by democratic politicians in Hong Kong. This has been made possible by the months of street protests. With 70 percent of the population voting, democratic politicians secured 389 out of 452 possible positions. The article does later go on to say that these positions are of the lowest political prowess and tend to be focused more on community issues like more bus stops and traffic lights. However, just because these positions don't have much power, does not mean that it isn't important. This is the biggest transformation that China has seen which pushes for democracy. And based on the deep unrest Hong Kong has for their central government, this is only the beginning.

Michael Pollack

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/24/world/asia/hong-kong-election-results.html

Hong Kong Election Results

Pro-democracy candidates have made a major victory in the Hong-Kong District Council elections. An estimate of more than 2.9 million individuals voted in the election. So far, 95% of constituencies have been declared which results in a landslide victory for the democrats. 

Link: https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/24/asia/hong-kong-district-council-elections-intl/index.html 

Mass surveillance system flags Uighurs for detention camps

"Voluntary job training is the reason the Chinese government has given for detaining more than a million ethnic minorities, most of them Muslims. But a classified blueprint leaked to a consortium of news organizations shows the camps are instead precisely what former detainees have described: Forced ideological and behavioral re-education centers run in secret.

The classified documents lay out the Chinese government’s deliberate strategy to lock up ethnic minorities even before they commit a crime, to rewire their thoughts and the language they speak.

The papers also show how Beijing is pioneering a new form of social control using data and artificial intelligence. Drawing on data collected by mass surveillance technology, computers issued the names of tens of thousands of people for interrogation or detention in just one week."

https://apnews.com/4ab0b341a4ec4e648423f2ec47ea5c47

White House Discovers Emails of Trump Justifying Trumps Decision to Block Ukraine Military Aid_Sierra Perez

It has been released today November 24th by Josh Dawsey, Carol D. Leonning and Tom Hamburger the article "White House review turns up emails showing extensive effort to justify Trump's decision to block Ukraine military aid". In this article it explains how hundreds of documents have turned up due to the impeachment inquiry, that are trying to justify whether or not the hold on Ukraine's military aid was legal or not. White House lawyers have even reviewed the exchange and are concerned this could "embarrass" the president and possibly pose legal problems. The concern was that the hold on the military aid did not take its proper steps and was not approved by congress through the congressional Budget and Impoundment Act. It is interesting to see how this will affect Trumps image and the impact how his impeachment hearings. Trump continues to deny all accusations and the impeachment inquiry as a "hoax".

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/white-house-review-turns-up-emails-showing-extensive-effort-to-justify-trumps-decision-to-block-ukraine-military-aid/2019/11/24/2121cf98-0d57-11ea-bd9d-c628fd48b3a0_story.html

China can go carbon neutral by 2050 while still growing its economy: report -Cortney Ferretti

China can go carbon neutral by 2050 while still growing its economy: report

By Laura He, CNN Business

Updated 6:35 AM ET, Fri November 22, 2019

https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/22/energy/china-2050-climate-crisis-report/index.html

           In the next few decades, China can go carbon neutral without sacrificing economic growth or prosperity. Going “carbon neutral” is a way of releasing no carbon dioxide into the atmosphere or balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal. By 2050, China could triple its economic output per person, while reducing its carbon footprint. Adari Turner, the former chairman of the UK Financial Services Authority and UK Climate Change Committee, had a lot to say about China this past week. He stated that, “Given China's central role in the global economy, its vast renewable energy resources, and its technological leadership in key industries, China is uniquely positioned to lead the global energy transition and to decarbonize its economy completely by 2050”. Currently, China is one of the world’s biggest polluters. China and the U.S signed the 2015 Paris Agreement. Which is a pledge by 187 countries to reduce their carbon emissions. When the United States, began a formal withdrawal from the treaty this past month, Chin’s role has become even more important than ever before.

            Turner continues to that’s that China’s ability to meet its objective by 2050 will “stir investment and innovation that could accelerate progress”. He believes that it would make the world’s second largest economy stronger. It is recommended that China focus on lower emissions from industries like steel, cement, and chemicals through the use of recycled materials. Another step would be to transitions into total electrification of rail and road services. Solar energy is another popular suggestion in the report for China. It is stated that China may set forceful public policies to obtain their objective.

Hong Kong Pro Democracy parties make major gains in de facto protest referendum - Alex Eberhardt

Hong Kong Pro Democracy parties make major gains in de facto protest referendum
by Maisy Mok, Eric Chueng and James Griffith
CNN

https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/24/asia/hong-kong-district-council-elections-intl/index.html

This story was pretty interesting to me. There was an election in Hong Kong and the pro-democratic party completely destroyed the polls (figuratively). It was a huge win for their party as several district leader positions were won by pro-democracy candidates. It's likewise a huge loss for the pro-government supporters. I don't believe there are really going to be too many immediate effects for the people of Hong Kong, but in the longterm, things are probably going to get interesting.
I see this event as a very good and troubling for the people of Hong Kong. Several records were broken in the polls largely due to the pro-democratic party. Their party is extremely dedicated to their cause. The good thing out of all of this (at least for me being a westerner) is that Hong Kong got a little bit closer to keeping an ensured democracy. It is obviously something the people highly value and desire and the fact they are keeping it is good in my opinion. However, I also know that China is very powerful and potentially just as dedicated in enforcing their governmental system on Hong Kong. China claims they own the islands down south in the sea and look at what they've done to ensure that. China literally does own Hong Kong and so I expect that they may go to great lengths to keep control over it in the way they see fit. I mean China even claims that Taiwan is still their land (although the vice-versa is somewhat true here too).
This just scares me because it's two dedicated and powerful (even though one is significantly more so than the other) sides that are getting into a conflict. In order to prevent this one side has to give in and I'm not sure if one will. I will say that as China gets bigger and bigger, I think that they are going to have to start accepting more open policies in regards to western ideals. I think their restrictions of free speech and their human rights violations are too extreme and that, despite the advantages of that system that have helped China grow, it will hurt them overall in the long run. Having such tight control over your people is good for getting stuff done, but is bad for your relations with other powerful countries which is equally as important. If I were China, I would start rethinking some of my tactics and values. At the same time, however, China is a very unique country and full of very smart, thoughtful, and calm people. They certainly do not act like our president does. They think and plan, and so if they want something done, there is a good chance it will be done.

by Alex Eberhardt

Secret Documents of Chinese Detention Camps Leaked

What the Chinese calls “voluntary job training” has been described as a “forced ideological and behavioral re-education centers run in secret” by former detainees of Chinese detention camps. Leaks of classified blueprints shows the Chinese strategies of what they are doing to the ethnic minorities they lock up. Their strategy is to lock up ethnic minorities before they commit a crime to “rewire their thoughts and the language they speak.”  

These leaked documents describe the most “high-tech mass detention in the 21st-century.” Most of these ethnic minorities are Muslims. Detainees confirm these camps are committing cultural genocide as they are forced to assimilate to the Chinese way of life. The Chinese government has been justifying these actions of religious restrictions through relating back to the 9/11, claiming that the Muslims in China are susceptible to Islamic extremist influences.  

Inside of the “education camps” detainees are only allowed to leave when absolutely necessary, but they still we be under strict surveillance. Escaping was also impossible, there are armed police at every corner at these facilities. A detainee called the detention center a “’concentration camp...much more horrifying than prison,’ with rape, brainwashing and torture in a ‘black room’ were people screamed.” Detaniees were also given medicine to help them become “obedient”.  

After the detainees leave they are forced to sign job contracts, which forces them to work long hours with little pay. If they refuse these jobs they most go back to the camps.  

https://apnews.com/4ab0b341a4ec4e648423f2ec47ea5c47  

Dominika Szczepaniak

US Security Adviser Says World Silent on China Camps

US security advisor, Robert O'Brien, says that the world is silent on China re-education camps. O'Brien said that he believed that the world's silence on the 1 million Muslims currently present in Chinese re-education camps is due to China's economic influence and power in the rest of the world. He further went on to basically call the camps a genocide of China's minority Muslim Uighurs population, and said that after every genocide all you hear is never again, never again, but now there is another genocide occurring in China, and no one speaks up about it. China denies that any wrong doing by the state is occurring in these camps, and says that they are schools designed at providing their populace with employable skills and combating extremism. The US has condemned them occasionally, but not as frequently or as adamantly as some may like due to the ongoing trade negotiations. O'Brien then further went on, talking about the US's concern over the Hong Kong protests, and that he does not wish to see another Tiananmen Square type crackdown on the pro-democracy protestors.

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/us-security-adviser-world-silent-china-camps-67255283?cid=clicksource_76_null_headlines_hed

-Alex Kitzmann

Russia Bans Technology W/O Russian-made Software

Russia will be enforcing a new law as of July 2020, stating that all smartphones, smart TVs and computers have a Russian-made software installed to make these gadgets easier for the users in their country. The alternative to this proposal is that the people of Russia worry that there could be problems with surveillance with this software, thinking that the government could be spying on them through this software. Also, problems could arise with the firms who are in the Russian market, as this software could be difficult to install. One of the bill's co-authors, Oleg Nikolayev, said "When we buy complex electronic devices, they already have individual applications, mostly western ones, pre-installed on them." For this reason, I can see how Russians can have difficulty with using their new gadgets when the applications they're using don't apply to their country. The Association of Trading Companies and Manufacturers of Electrical Household and Computer Equipment has said that this software will not be compatible with some computer devices, and therefore it will be more likely for some firms to pull out of the Russian market. It seems that Russia's most recent laws have been becoming overpowering and has been restricting toward the internet and technology use. The Russian government wants to have more control over what it's people have access to online... I feel that when laws restrict the rights and freedoms of people, riots and protests begin to emerge. Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, is an authoritarian figure and is power hungry. Through the sovereign internet law, government officials have the authority to ensure that the Russian web's traffic is kept to a restricted limit, and if it isn't they have the authority to restrict the internet use amongst the Russian users. Many gathered when this law was made, protesting an unjust law that was made to censor the internet use and to gather private information about their civilians. As these laws continue to crack down, it'll be interesting to see how Russians agree to this new law involving Russian software that will be official this upcoming summer.  








https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50507849
By: Nicole Bellino

Using AI to Battle the Climate Crisis

The solar energy startup company, Heliogen, recently made a major breakthrough while testing new concentrated solar heating technology. Concentrated solar heating is when you use mirrors to focus sunlight at a concentrated point. By using an AI to automatically track and adjust thousands of mirrors to focus the sun's energy at a single point, they have possibly discovered a clean way of powering super-heated systems. Heliogen's breakthrough may industrial companies, such as cement and steel making, to switch to a green power source. The fossil fuels required in cement, steel, and glass making account for one-fifth of the total greenhouse gas emissions.

Alex Miller

https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/19/business/heliogen-solar-energy-bill-gates/index.html

US has the most detained kids

According to a study by the UN that was written by an international law expert, separating babies and children from their families “in order to deter irregular immigration” is prohibited by treaties. And yet the United States has the world’s highest rate of detained kids, this includes more than 100,000 children in immigration related custody which violates international law. The United Nations and it’s Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty state that children should only be detained as a measure of last resort and I believe it’s the least the US should do although I personally don’t believe in detaining immigrant children and separating them from their loved ones at all. As of today, the US still has more than 100,000 children who are in migration related detention. Therefore this article also states that this immigration detainment at the Mexican-US border is “inhuman treatment for both the parents and the children”. This may be difficult for some people to understand but it’s the logical truth because at the end of it all, these people are human just like everyone else in the US. Immigrant or not, I don’t think anyone would ever want to be in these kids shoes regardless of if they fully understand everything about this ongoing issue or not since when you’re a kid you can’t truly understand why there are people separating you from your family.

-Melissa A.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/u-s-has-world-s-highest-rate-detained-kids-should-n1084841

Hong Kong protests: up to 800 trapped as police lay siege to university

800 protestors are currently trapped in Polytechnic University. The university has been one of the staging grounds for demonstrators and protestors this week in Hong Kong's continued fight against China's authority. As of last night Sunday, via a Facebook post from the student union of the university, stated that Hong Kong police have blocked the exits of the university essentially trapping some 800 protestors inside. The protestors have prevented Hong Kong police from pushing into the building using petrol bombs and arrows, while Hong Kong police have prevented protestors escape firing tear gas and water cannoning any who attempt to flee. The growing concern is that the trapped protestors are running out of supplies and some are suffering from injuries as a result of the police.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/18/hong-kong-protests-up-to-800-trapped-as-police-lay-siege-to-university
Weston Valkner

Kim Jong Un watches air drills after US, South Korea delay theirs

Kim Jung Un watched air force drills for the second time in 3 days. He is doing this amidst the U.S and South Korea scaling down their combat drills in hopes of re-initiating talks of denuclearization of North Korea. Washington has denied that this move has resulted in another concession to Pyongyang. The drills that the U.S has scaled down their drills known as the Combined Flying Training Event which simulates air combat scenarios and a classified amount of warplanes from the United States and South Korea. Kim, in regards to North Korea's drills, said that "It is necessary to wage a drill without notice under the simulated conditions of real war" for improving the preparedness." Trump, on Sunday told Kim that he should act quickly and that he will see him soon.

Michael Pollack

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/kim-jong-watches-air-drills-south-korea-delay-191118040001928.html

Sri Lanka Elects New President

Sri Lanka elects a new president since the deadly bombings in April. In April, a series of bombs destroyed churches and hotels. This incident occurred on Easter Sunday and killed 290 people. The newest president is named Gotabaya Rajapaksa and he competed against 35 candidates and won 52.2% of the vote. He was also Sri Lanka’s former defense secretary.  

Link: https://www-m.cnn.com/2019/11/17/asia/sri-lanka-election-intl/index.html?r=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fworld

'Show no mercy': leaked documents reveal details of China's Xinjiang detentions

According to a report  by the guardian over 400 pages of documents originally obtained by the New York Times reveal how China’s mass detention of Uighurs and other minorities came from direct orders by Xi Jinping, to “show absolutely no mercy” in the “struggle against terrorism, infiltration and separatism”.  This has added to the criticism of the Chinese government's treatment of minority groups into government camps for political indoctrination. The Chinese government claims it is voluntary "vocational training" to intended to provide "students" with skills for jobs. The recently released documents contradict that, with some excerpts stating that they want to avoid placing human rights above security. The report details how Uighurs and other minority groups were had been exposed to "religious extremism" and therefore had to receive "concentrated education"to eradicate them of "violent terrorist thoughts". The report hos sparked international outrage and has lead to scrutiny of the Chinese government who have pushed back on the report claiming it is illegitimate. It will be interesting to see if the report leads to any action as most countries have done little to address the treatment of the minority Muslim populations by the Chinese government.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/17/show-no-mercy-leaked-documents-reveal-details-of-chinas-mass-xinjiang-detentions

Tighter production targets have failed to lift the price of oil

Climate change is causing worry for the leaders of OPEC. With the demand for oil declining with new advancements in energy usage, the price of oil is not going where they want it to. In early December members of OPEC will meet to discuss what they plan on doing with the slow-moving price rates of the oil they produce. This time last year they did almost the same thing, announcing that they were planning to restrict the amount of oil that the members of OPEC could produce in order to raise prices. The more open OPEC alliance will now have to decide if they will stick with last year's plan or will they make an even bigger cut in production.

Chloe Hart

https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2019/11/14/tighter-production-targets-have-failed-to-lift-the-price-of-oil

Leaked Files Expose Chinas Organized Mass Detentions of Muslims -Sierra Perez

In the article "Absolutely No Mercy: Leaked Files Expose How China Organized Mass Detentions of Muslims" by Austin Ramzy and Chris Buckley there has been leaked files exposing how China deliberately organized mass detentions of Muslims which included over 400 pages of internal Chinese documents intended to crackdown on ethnic minorities. Students that attended school internationally had come home to almost all of their relatives gone in detention camps. The authorities in Xinjiang region worried of the situation and directed the local authorities to corner the students as soon as they arrived to help keep them quiet. The officials called the camps "training schools set up by the government" and that their behavior could "either shorten or extend the detention of their relatives". The government has fought international criticism by saying these camps are job training centers meant to fight Islamic extremism. The papers were leaked baby a member of the Chinese political establishment who requested anonymity but it was unclear how the documents were gathered to be selected. I think its really interesting to see how other countries are going to respond to these documents and how its going to effect more riots from the Chinese people.

Iran supreme leader backs petrol price rises as protests spread-Tom Pancione

Tom Pancione

Iran Supreme Leader Backs Petrol Price Rises as Protests spread

So Iran is dealing with massive protests as they spike the price of oil by 50% overnight. This despite sitting on the fourth largest oil reserves in the world. This is said to be very concerning to Iran, because the country has seen a massive economic downturn thanks to sanctions. In order to try and limit protestors, they have almost completely cutoff internet access in the region. Saying that they are only at 7% of the internet connectivity compared to normal levels. That is drastic, and in my mind shows how scared they are. If only 7% of normal internet users in the US could connect to internet, I think people would freak out, and wonder what is happening. As we have talked about in Petrol-politics, when the price of oil is low petrol states generally have a heard time keeping the level of oppression on their people. I think that is what we could be seeing that Iran can't sustain itself. It probably won't gas prices doesn't rise dramatically or sanctions are lifted. After that happens god only knows what happens next.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/16/protests-erupt-in-iran-after-government-raises-price-of-gas-by-50

Iraqi's Question: Where does the oil money go?

The waves of protests in Baghdad and the Southern province of Iraq that started October 1st has left at least 320 people dead and thousands of people injured. The protestors have been fighting for the downfall of their political system that does not help their people.

Oil accounts for 85-90% of the state's revenue. The federal budget predicts $79 billion in oil money this year. Iraq’s economy has been improving in 2019 due to oil money. A protestor states “We are jobless and poor, but every day we see the flares of the oil fields. Where do the millions go?” This is extremely concerning, because Iraqi leaders are not changing how they use this oil money. Many Iraqi’s express the concern that this form of income is bound to collapse leaving the nation with nothing. 

These protests are fueled over their economy that is filled with oil money. This oil money has failed to provide jobs and failed to improve the lives of young people, who are the majority of the protestors. They claim that they “have had enough of blatant government corruption and subpar basic services.”  

Dominika Szczepaniak 

Link: 

https://apnews.com/96cafdaa891e41d9b3f0cc19db01fa5d