I read about the current status of the Tump Impeachment. Today, The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution to formally proceed with the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. However, this wasn't something that removed the president from office, it just elaborated on how the inquiry will move into a more public phase. Truly, this was the first test of support in the Democratic-controlled House for the impeachment process. All the Democrats except for two - representing districts that Trump won handily in 2016 - voted for the resolution. The end vote was 232 in favor and 196 against because all of the Republicans voted against it. Trump still continues to claim no wrongdoing throughout this journey.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50246324
Ben Williams
Thursday, October 31, 2019
CIA-backed Afghan troops 'committed war crimes'
The Human Rights Watch says that troops in Afghanistan that are supported by the CIA have killed, attacked healthcare facilities, and forced disappearances illegally. The CIA does not support these allegations. One man alleges that troops took him and his family to a mountain where Americans told the troops to kill them. The HRW says that these troops, which often act independently of US forces, have been committing war crimes and otherwise terrorizing cities.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50236357
Allison Gammons
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Facebook Agrees to Pay Fine over Cambrige Analytica - Alex Eberhardt
Facebook Agrees to Pay Fine over Cambrige Analytica
By Hadas Gold, CNN Business
https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/30/tech/facebook-cambridge-analytica-settlement-uk/index.html
So Facebook agreed to settle in a claim regarding the insecurity of data on their website. It's interesting to see how user data and privacy policies are going to play out in the future. All sorts of interesting laws and court cases are sure to be explored. This one was in the UK and they got Facebook to pay about a half a million US dollars.
The UK seems like the kind of country to be more progressive on this kind of stuff. There are many questions. How much data should we give companies like facebook, what rights do we have to be reasonably protected from Facebook using our data? Does Facebook have any rights to our data? I think one major aspect of this are those extremely long contracts that these companies make you agree too. No one reads them and everyone signs them. I am waiting for the day when a company screws some people over with those contracts and am also waiting for the case law that comes out of it.
I know we have to be careful with how much information we put online. Our expectations of privacy are changing. But we are also becoming more accustomed too, and therefore, more reliant on these social media platforms. It's like the cell phone too, we are super reliant on them. It's getting to the point where the internet or a smart phone my start being considered to be as vital as a car or a highschool education. It's all very interesting stuff, but scary too.
by Alex Eberhardt
By Hadas Gold, CNN Business
https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/30/tech/facebook-cambridge-analytica-settlement-uk/index.html
So Facebook agreed to settle in a claim regarding the insecurity of data on their website. It's interesting to see how user data and privacy policies are going to play out in the future. All sorts of interesting laws and court cases are sure to be explored. This one was in the UK and they got Facebook to pay about a half a million US dollars.
The UK seems like the kind of country to be more progressive on this kind of stuff. There are many questions. How much data should we give companies like facebook, what rights do we have to be reasonably protected from Facebook using our data? Does Facebook have any rights to our data? I think one major aspect of this are those extremely long contracts that these companies make you agree too. No one reads them and everyone signs them. I am waiting for the day when a company screws some people over with those contracts and am also waiting for the case law that comes out of it.
I know we have to be careful with how much information we put online. Our expectations of privacy are changing. But we are also becoming more accustomed too, and therefore, more reliant on these social media platforms. It's like the cell phone too, we are super reliant on them. It's getting to the point where the internet or a smart phone my start being considered to be as vital as a car or a highschool education. It's all very interesting stuff, but scary too.
by Alex Eberhardt
Lebanon Prime Minister Resigns
For about 2 weeks there has been country wide protests against the current state of the government in Lebanon, mainly pointed at the Prime Minister Saad Hariri. A crippling economy, and spiking prices, along with questionable taxes on services like Whatsapp, have sparked these protests. Some of them have gone violent like in the capital city of Beirut where protesters stormed the city and started to light fires. These acts prompted the Prime Minister to resign, saying he "Had hit a dead end".
by Jared Weaver
https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/29/middleeast/lebanon-saad-hariri-resigns-intl/index.html
by Jared Weaver
https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/29/middleeast/lebanon-saad-hariri-resigns-intl/index.html
Monday, October 28, 2019
Truck driver makes 1st court appearance over Essex deaths
Maurice ‘Mo’ Robinson, a truck driver, appeared in court through video on Monday because he was charged with the manslaughter of 39 people who were found deceased in a trailer outside London last week. He’s a 25 year old from Craigavon, Northern Ireland and will appear once again in court on November 25th for his crimes. He was quickly arrested after the bodies of the deceased were found in an industrial park in Grays, Essex on October 23rd. On Saturday he was also charged for the conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration, and money laundering as well. Then in court crown prosecutor Oghenerouna Iguyovwe stated that Maurice Robinson is actually a part of a global ring to facilitate illegal immigration into the UK. And at least some of the deceased found in the trailer could be missing individuals in the Vietnamese community although it is not known for certain just yet. The Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford Essex now has the bodies of the deceased in their care to start figuring out what happened to them. Lastly three other people were arrested in connection with the investigation but have been released on bail according to the Essex police.
-Melissa A.
https://news.google.com/articles/CAIiEJ2ByZs_T5XC3x6X8JiLeeQqGQgEKhAIACoHCAowocv1CjCSptoCMPrTpgU?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen
-Melissa A.
https://news.google.com/articles/CAIiEJ2ByZs_T5XC3x6X8JiLeeQqGQgEKhAIACoHCAowocv1CjCSptoCMPrTpgU?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen
Sunday, October 27, 2019
This Sunday, police in China use harsh tactics such as tear gas as tensions rise between protesters and police
After four months of long anti-government rallies in Hong Kong the police use heavy handed tactics including tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper spray, and water canons against protesters. These protesters are fighting for the rights of Hong Kong to be an independent democratic part of China and have their own fair trials without having to go to mainland China for them. The police claim they are the ones who are victims to violence such as hurled bricks and firebombs. As tensions rise, one protester went as far as slashing a policeman with a knife. This Sunday, protesters went as far as throwing umbrellas at the police and they responded in releasing tear gas.
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/hong-kong-rally-targets-police-conduct-dogs-66560387?cid=clicksource_76_null_articleroll_hed
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/hong-kong-rally-targets-police-conduct-dogs-66560387?cid=clicksource_76_null_articleroll_hed
Inside the dramatic US military raid that killed ISIS leader Baghdadi
Griffin Curran
Last night the U.S. announced that they had killed the ISIS leader after a dramatic series of events. After an intense journey to the leaders compound, U.S. forces engaged a large amount of ISIS troops without taking any casualties. Trump credits part of the success to Iraq and Russia as they allowed the U.S. to move through some of their occupied areas to reach their target. Hopefully, the actions by America stick this time as this is not the first time we thought the leader had been killed, however, this was the first direct attack with troops carried out on him. If they were truly succesful this could potentially spell the end of ISIS.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/27/politics/bagdhadi-inside-the-raid-timeline/index.html
Last night the U.S. announced that they had killed the ISIS leader after a dramatic series of events. After an intense journey to the leaders compound, U.S. forces engaged a large amount of ISIS troops without taking any casualties. Trump credits part of the success to Iraq and Russia as they allowed the U.S. to move through some of their occupied areas to reach their target. Hopefully, the actions by America stick this time as this is not the first time we thought the leader had been killed, however, this was the first direct attack with troops carried out on him. If they were truly succesful this could potentially spell the end of ISIS.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/27/politics/bagdhadi-inside-the-raid-timeline/index.html
Likely Successor to Dead ISIS Leader Also Reported Killed
Over the weekend, President Trump announced that ISIS's leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, had been killed by a United States raid. New reports are saying that less than a day later, the likely successor of him, Abu Hassan al-Muhajir, has also been killed in a US air strike. This news has not been confirmed yet, but this would be more good news to end the weekend with.
-Michael Gargano
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/27/world/middleeast/al-baghdadi-successor-reported-killed.html
-Michael Gargano
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/27/world/middleeast/al-baghdadi-successor-reported-killed.html
Germany's Left party tops Thuringia election, far-right AfD surges to second-Tom Pancione
Tom Pancione 10-27-19
The German state of Thuringia held elections today October 27th 2019. In those election the political party The Left which is essentially made up of the remnants of Germany's Communist Party. One the most seats in the state. They were in a coalition with the SPD (Social Democratic Party of Germany, a center left party) and the Greens. Now that coalition seems to have fallen just short of a majority in their parliament. The CDU Angela Merkel's party (Center-right) had its worst electoral results ever losing 11% of the vote it got last time, much if not all of it going to the AFD(Alternative for Germany Right-wing/Nationalist/Far-right depending on who you ask). The AFD which has made a name for itself with being very anti-immigration, has risen to become the #2 party in the state. Now getting a coalition in that state will be almost impossible. There is talk that the The Left, the SPD, The Greens and the FDP(a small pro-business center right party) form a majority coalition together. However this is highly unlikely for a number of reasons. One the FDP and The Left have radically different policies and ideologies, it is highly unlikely that they would support a minority government or be in the government unless The Left made significant changes, which I doubt. Also the FDP barely passed the 5% threshold needed to get into parliament, they got in by reportedly only 5 votes. If for some reasons a recount is requested or mail in ballots come in (I don't know how it works) they could easily fall below that threshold. So if they somehow fail under that 5% then that coalition would no longer even be possible. Then there is the CDU, the CDU if they formed a coalition with the AFD and the FDP they would have enough for a majority. However the CDU likens the AFD to Nazis and have refused to work with them in all state legislatures, but the CDU also said they would not prop up a government run by The Left either, as the CDU has radically different policies than The Left. Now if the FDP fails to meet the electoral threshold, this may change the seat calculations and I honestly don't know how it would because again I am not an expert on German election law. However as it currently stands it is unlikely that there would be a majority for any governing coalition. Now the only other options I can think of would be that either the CDU and the FDP form a government and the AFD just agree to confidence and supply in exchange for nothing (highly unlikely) or vise versa. If this happens it could mean another German state election. No matter what it is likely to be a complicated mess
https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-left-party-tops-thuringia-election-far-right-afd-surges-to-second/a-51010071
The German state of Thuringia held elections today October 27th 2019. In those election the political party The Left which is essentially made up of the remnants of Germany's Communist Party. One the most seats in the state. They were in a coalition with the SPD (Social Democratic Party of Germany, a center left party) and the Greens. Now that coalition seems to have fallen just short of a majority in their parliament. The CDU Angela Merkel's party (Center-right) had its worst electoral results ever losing 11% of the vote it got last time, much if not all of it going to the AFD(Alternative for Germany Right-wing/Nationalist/Far-right depending on who you ask). The AFD which has made a name for itself with being very anti-immigration, has risen to become the #2 party in the state. Now getting a coalition in that state will be almost impossible. There is talk that the The Left, the SPD, The Greens and the FDP(a small pro-business center right party) form a majority coalition together. However this is highly unlikely for a number of reasons. One the FDP and The Left have radically different policies and ideologies, it is highly unlikely that they would support a minority government or be in the government unless The Left made significant changes, which I doubt. Also the FDP barely passed the 5% threshold needed to get into parliament, they got in by reportedly only 5 votes. If for some reasons a recount is requested or mail in ballots come in (I don't know how it works) they could easily fall below that threshold. So if they somehow fail under that 5% then that coalition would no longer even be possible. Then there is the CDU, the CDU if they formed a coalition with the AFD and the FDP they would have enough for a majority. However the CDU likens the AFD to Nazis and have refused to work with them in all state legislatures, but the CDU also said they would not prop up a government run by The Left either, as the CDU has radically different policies than The Left. Now if the FDP fails to meet the electoral threshold, this may change the seat calculations and I honestly don't know how it would because again I am not an expert on German election law. However as it currently stands it is unlikely that there would be a majority for any governing coalition. Now the only other options I can think of would be that either the CDU and the FDP form a government and the AFD just agree to confidence and supply in exchange for nothing (highly unlikely) or vise versa. If this happens it could mean another German state election. No matter what it is likely to be a complicated mess
https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-left-party-tops-thuringia-election-far-right-afd-surges-to-second/a-51010071
Reports show U.S. has begun reducing troops in Afghanistan - sierra perez
In the past year it has been reported that the U.S. is working to reduce the troops in Afghanistan and continues to within the past month despite the end of peace talk with the Taliban. According to a U.S. military spokesman, last year the troop levels were at 15,000 and this year decreased to about 13,000. Although this doesn't seem like a huge change there are 2,000 troops that are no longer deployed in Afghanistan which is a significant number. Trump calls the Afghanistan war the "endless war" abroad and has voiced how important to him to continue to decrease the numbers. In fact, the Trump administration said it was prepared to reduce the number of American troops to 8,600 in a draft of a peace deal between the U.S. and Taliban negotiators. The Afghanistan's security forces rely heavily on American support yo hold territory. It is very interesting to know that nearly 2,400 American troops have died in Afghanistan and more than 20,000 have been wounded since 2001. Therefore reiterating how positive it is to hear the number of troops are slowly decreasing.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/us-has-begun-reducing-troops-in-afghanistan-commander-says/2019/10/21/d17a9e30-f3f1-11e9-8cf0-4cc99f74d127_story.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/us-has-begun-reducing-troops-in-afghanistan-commander-says/2019/10/21/d17a9e30-f3f1-11e9-8cf0-4cc99f74d127_story.html
'He died like a dog' Donald Trump addresses the nation and confirms that 'coward' ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed by U.S. Special Forces
Donald Trump announced Sunday morning that ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi 'died like a dog' as the result of a U.S. Special Ops forces raid on his hideout in northwest Syria.
'Last night the United State brought the world's number one terrorist leader to justice. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead,' Trump said from the Diplomatic Reception Room, where just a week earlier he announced a ceasefire between Turkey and the Kurds.
What we know about the tragic case of 39 people found dead in a truck in England - Alex Eberhardt
From the Washington Post,
By Miriam Berger
Essentially, in Essex, England, someone found a big truck full of dead people. It's a pretty big mystery right now because no one yet knows quite why or who is responsible. The talk of the town seems to be that it is some kind of human trafficking disaster. Most of the bodies are of suspected Chinese or Vietnamese Nationals. Both would be prime targets for human trafficking. The dead bodies were mostly men with about ten women. 4 people have been arrested but their identities are unknown. It is believed that 3 were arrested under suspicion of human trafficking, and one was arrested for manslaughter. The one arrested for manslaughter was the driver of the truck. Because the truck driver was arrested for manslaughter, and the truck is a refrigerated truck. I'm guessing the people in the truck either froze or suffocated and that it was accidental or at least unintended.
The believe the container came from Belgium originally, and then made its way to Northern Ireland, and eventually to England. This crime is really interesting to me because it necessitates and international investiagtion. The British police are likely going to need to work with Belgian, Chinese, and Vietnamese police to figure this out. This was probably part of an organized crime trafficking ring. I am really interested to see how this all turns out when we hopefully get more answers.
By Alex Eberhardt
By Miriam Berger
Essentially, in Essex, England, someone found a big truck full of dead people. It's a pretty big mystery right now because no one yet knows quite why or who is responsible. The talk of the town seems to be that it is some kind of human trafficking disaster. Most of the bodies are of suspected Chinese or Vietnamese Nationals. Both would be prime targets for human trafficking. The dead bodies were mostly men with about ten women. 4 people have been arrested but their identities are unknown. It is believed that 3 were arrested under suspicion of human trafficking, and one was arrested for manslaughter. The one arrested for manslaughter was the driver of the truck. Because the truck driver was arrested for manslaughter, and the truck is a refrigerated truck. I'm guessing the people in the truck either froze or suffocated and that it was accidental or at least unintended.
The believe the container came from Belgium originally, and then made its way to Northern Ireland, and eventually to England. This crime is really interesting to me because it necessitates and international investiagtion. The British police are likely going to need to work with Belgian, Chinese, and Vietnamese police to figure this out. This was probably part of an organized crime trafficking ring. I am really interested to see how this all turns out when we hopefully get more answers.
By Alex Eberhardt
Islamic State Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Died in U.S. Raid, Trump Says
The article I read in the Wall Street Journal recapped the events of how ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi reportedly committed suicide whilst being pursued by U.S. in an underground tunnel in northern Syria today. The White House and it's allies claim this is the biggest loss ISIS has faced since losing it's caliphate earlier this year. Personally I found this to be very interesting because ater talking about ISIS and terrorism in class, the killing of their ideological leader could be a big blow to ISIS as the leader used in so much of their propaganda was killed by the United States making the organization appear weaker as he is the figure head of their terror group. However, much like the killing of Osama Bin Laden didn't end Al Qaeda the United States still has a way to go in defeating ISIS.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/islamic-state-leader-targeted-in-u-s-military-raid-11572155580
Julie Kupiec
https://www.wsj.com/articles/islamic-state-leader-targeted-in-u-s-military-raid-11572155580
Julie Kupiec
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi killed in US raid, Trump Confirms
This Saturday night, during a two-hour, special forces raid in the province of Idlib in north-west Syria, lead to the death of ISIS leader Baghdadi. US forces cornered Baghdadi at the end of a tunnel, where Baghdadi detonated a suicide-vest killing himself and his three sons. Trump took to Twitter, tweeting his success and describing the death of Baghdadi, stating, "He died like a dog. He died like a coward." World leaders welcomed the news, but were also cautious, claiming that the war with ISIS is not over yet. And many of Trump's critics argued that Trump's withdraw from Syria will only open the door for ISIS's reemergence. For now we celebrate the victory, but should remain vigilante. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/27/abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-isis-leader-killed-us-donald-trump
Weston Valkner
Weston Valkner
TRUMP APPROVES SPECIAL OPS RAID TARGETING ISIS LEADER BAGHDADI, MILITARY SAYS HE'S DEAD
TRUMP APPROVES SPECIAL OPS RAID TARGETING ISIS LEADER BAGHDADI, MILITARY SAYS HE'S DEAD
Last week, President Trump approved a military mission to target the leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. An army official reported that Baghdadi was killed during the mission on Saturday. Apparently, the ISIS leader detonated a suicide vest during the raid. Results are still pending to verify it is him, however. President Trump's tweet stating that, "Something very big has just happened!" was about the report of Baghdadi's death.
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-approves-special-ops-raid-targeting-isis-leader-baghdadi-1467982
Griff Inskeep
Last week, President Trump approved a military mission to target the leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. An army official reported that Baghdadi was killed during the mission on Saturday. Apparently, the ISIS leader detonated a suicide vest during the raid. Results are still pending to verify it is him, however. President Trump's tweet stating that, "Something very big has just happened!" was about the report of Baghdadi's death.
https://www.newsweek.com/trump-approves-special-ops-raid-targeting-isis-leader-baghdadi-1467982
Griff Inskeep
ISIL chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi killed in Syria, confirms Trump
One the night of October 26th, U.S special forces led a military operation in Syria's Northwest providence, Idlib. In a press conference today, October 27th, President Trump confirmed that the operation concluded in the dead of the current head of the ISIL state, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The president later went on to say military personnel cornered him and his three children in a dead-end tunnel. al-Baghdadi then ignited an explosive vest, blowing up him and his three children in the tunnel. He has 11 other children that are now under care by an undisclosed third party. In the article, Trump wanted to make clear that the ISIL leader died as a coward, hoping to kill what memory there was left of him. With the ISIL leader dying this way, the U.S should take proper safety precautions in the event that there is a revenge terrorist attack by whatever is left of ISIS.
Michael Pollack
ISIS Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is Dead
Earlier this morning, President Trump announced that ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead. The President gave a speech, saying that he was killed in a U.S. military raid in a small town on the border of Turkey and Syria. Baghdadi has been the target of an international manhunt for years, and his death is another defeat for ISIS.
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-isis-intl-hnk/index.html
Michael Gutierrez
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-isis-intl-hnk/index.html
Michael Gutierrez
Saturday, October 26, 2019
A North Korean-Themed Pub Opened in Seoul, South Korea, Sparking Interest as well as Protests
A North Korean-themed pub opened in Seoul, South Korean, sparking interest as well as protests. The pub, called Pyongyang Pub, opened in the busiest district of Seoul, South Korea, and provides patrons with beer containing fake North Korean labels and North Korean dishes, such as tofu-wrapped rice, which is a traditional junk food in North Korea. Furthermore, the pub is decorated in a traditional North Korean style: mint and pink walls with North Korean parodied propaganda posters. Pyongyang Pub also contains actual products from North Korea, and allows customers to dress up in traditional Korean clothing and take pictures in it. The owner, who wanted to be called Kim said, "I expect people will be curious over this place that many want to visit." Originally, when the pub was under construction, portraits of North Korean leaders dotted the bar, but they have since been taken down after backlash and replaced with a portrait of President Donald Trump and of a local comedian. Protests did occur when the pub opened and it surprised the owner.
https://abcnews.go.com/International/north-korea-themed-pub-opens-seoul-sparking-interest/story?id=66464958&cid=clicksource_76_null_headlines_hed
-Alex Kitzmann
https://abcnews.go.com/International/north-korea-themed-pub-opens-seoul-sparking-interest/story?id=66464958&cid=clicksource_76_null_headlines_hed
-Alex Kitzmann
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
‘What Is Going to Happen to Us?’ Inside ISIS Prison, Children Ask Their Fate
"The prisoners cover the floor like a carpet of human despair. Many are missing eyes or limbs, some are bone-thin from sickness, and most wear orange jumpsuits similar to what the Islamic State, the terrorist group they once belonged to, dressed its own captives in before killing them". A rare look inside prisons in the territory of northeastern Syria that is held by ISIS. Tens of thousands of men, women, and children have been moved into these prisons or into squalid camps after surviving the toppling of the Islamic State from the Turkish military excursion. These people are not only from Syria but also Iraq, Russia, and elsewhere; countries that are not willing to take their people back. The "people" referred to are the children whose parents were killed. Children who think that they are going to be killed in the prisons, or die from disease.
Chloe Hart
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/world/middleeast/what-is-going-to-happen-to-us-inside-isis-prison-children-ask-their-fate.html
Chloe Hart
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/23/world/middleeast/what-is-going-to-happen-to-us-inside-isis-prison-children-ask-their-fate.html
Nelle Scranton
https://theconversation.com/no-americans-shouldnt-fear-traveling-abroad-118305
Summer is the time where Americans travel to different places, especially aboard. People have asked Martin LaMonica, who is a journalist, a researcher and a macroeconomist, if it is safe to travel outside of the US. People have heard stories of like busses being bombed, being knifed in a bus, and many other different fears. He states that traveling to other countries is not dangerous. People should not have terrorism attack as their number one concern when traveling. The leading causes of death is motor vehicle accidents which claimed to take the lives of 167 Americans. The reasons why there are so many motor vehicle deaths are because a lot of other countries do not have the same safety standards that are common in the US. Next, are airplane deaths which said to have taken 10 Americans in 2018. In 2018, there were only 6 Americans that were killed in a terrorist incident; therefore terrorism is not to blame for the fear of traveling to other countries.
https://theconversation.com/no-americans-shouldnt-fear-traveling-abroad-118305
Summer is the time where Americans travel to different places, especially aboard. People have asked Martin LaMonica, who is a journalist, a researcher and a macroeconomist, if it is safe to travel outside of the US. People have heard stories of like busses being bombed, being knifed in a bus, and many other different fears. He states that traveling to other countries is not dangerous. People should not have terrorism attack as their number one concern when traveling. The leading causes of death is motor vehicle accidents which claimed to take the lives of 167 Americans. The reasons why there are so many motor vehicle deaths are because a lot of other countries do not have the same safety standards that are common in the US. Next, are airplane deaths which said to have taken 10 Americans in 2018. In 2018, there were only 6 Americans that were killed in a terrorist incident; therefore terrorism is not to blame for the fear of traveling to other countries.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Parliament rejects Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan by October 31
On October 17, Boris Johnson and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced that the parties had reached an agreement on Brexit.
On October 19, the British Parliament refused to consider the agreement. The deputies decided that first it was necessary to adopt the legislation necessary to exit the European Union, and then put to the vote a draft transaction with Brussels.
After this, Johnson, obeying the law, asked the EU for a new postponement (the European Union decided to support it), but assured Parliament that he would submit all the necessary documents for the deputies to approve the deal with Brussels until October 31.
Today, on October 22, the House of Commons, the lower house of the British Parliament, has approved a bill proposed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to implement Brexit.
At the same time, the deputies rejected Johnson’s proposal to ratify the Brexit agreement in three days, which the prime minister concluded with the EU. This means that the ratification process will be delayed, and the UK may not have time to leave the EU on October 31, as Johnson wants.
Before the vote, the British prime minister said that if parliament does not approve his plan to leave the EU and does not agree to accept it in three days, he will withdraw the agreement and will seek new parliamentary elections.
Anaita Andikkhou
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-50146182
On October 19, the British Parliament refused to consider the agreement. The deputies decided that first it was necessary to adopt the legislation necessary to exit the European Union, and then put to the vote a draft transaction with Brussels.
After this, Johnson, obeying the law, asked the EU for a new postponement (the European Union decided to support it), but assured Parliament that he would submit all the necessary documents for the deputies to approve the deal with Brussels until October 31.
Today, on October 22, the House of Commons, the lower house of the British Parliament, has approved a bill proposed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to implement Brexit.
At the same time, the deputies rejected Johnson’s proposal to ratify the Brexit agreement in three days, which the prime minister concluded with the EU. This means that the ratification process will be delayed, and the UK may not have time to leave the EU on October 31, as Johnson wants.
Before the vote, the British prime minister said that if parliament does not approve his plan to leave the EU and does not agree to accept it in three days, he will withdraw the agreement and will seek new parliamentary elections.
Anaita Andikkhou
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-50146182
Turkey Syria offensive: Erdogan and Putin strike deal over Kurds
I read this article and found out that Turkey launched an offensive to drive out Kurdish forces and create a buffer zone. However, Russia is an ally of Syria's Bashar al-Assad and they raised concern about possible foreign interference in Syria. Now, Turkey and Russia both will conduct joint patrols on the border which will hopefully help resolve the issue. Later on, Turkey announced that there was no need to re-launch their offensive as the Kurds had withdrawn from the area. Overall, "Turkey seized a 120km-long strip of land between the towns of Ras al-Ain to Tal Abyad to create a 'safe zone' to resettle up to two million refugees currently in Turkey."
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50138121
Ben Williams
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50138121
Ben Williams
Monday, October 21, 2019
Japanese Emperor Enthronement
Although Emperor Naruhito began his reign in May, the formality process of him becoming emperor will take place soon. His formal process was delayed in respects to the victims of Typhoon Hagibis and the 80 people who died because of it. There is a celebration to honor victims and their families.
During the Emperor's enthronement, he will pardon a half million people who have been convicted of petty crimes. The emperor will do the Ceremony of Accession, which is a 6.5m-high ascension to the throne in a ceremonial garb. His wife will sit on the adjacent throne and the ceremony will include the sacred treasures - an ancient sword and jewel - that symbolize imperial power. The ceremony will last 30 minutes and will be concluded with an address by Japan's Prime Minister. This is the first enthronement ceremony in twenty-nine years.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50120563?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world&link_location=live-reporting-story
jackson frank
During the Emperor's enthronement, he will pardon a half million people who have been convicted of petty crimes. The emperor will do the Ceremony of Accession, which is a 6.5m-high ascension to the throne in a ceremonial garb. His wife will sit on the adjacent throne and the ceremony will include the sacred treasures - an ancient sword and jewel - that symbolize imperial power. The ceremony will last 30 minutes and will be concluded with an address by Japan's Prime Minister. This is the first enthronement ceremony in twenty-nine years.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50120563?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world&link_location=live-reporting-story
jackson frank
Violent protests over social inequality in Chile
Chile's President Sebastián Piñera has said his country is "at war" on a night that increased the death toll from the serious riots that erupted on Friday in the biggest wave of violence since the return of democracy in 1990. The riots, which began as a student protest against the increase in the metro ticket, have left 11 dead throughout the country. Over the past three decades, Chile have been one of South America's wealthuest countries. Piñera ordered a curfew on Saturday to try to calm the situation and handed over security control in the Santiago metropolitan area and other regions to the military authority.
José Luis Villarreal
José Luis Villarreal
Withdrawing US troops enter Iraq from Syria
On Monday dozens of US armored vehicles ferrying American soldiers crossed into Iraq Kurdistan from Syria. It was then reported that a Reuters news agency cameraman witnessed more than 100 United States forces vehicles crossing into Iraq from Syria through the Sahela border crossing in the northern province of Dohuk. Though the crossing of the United States forces vehicles was not a welcomed act. Residents of a Kurdish-dominated Syrian city threw potatoes at the US troops and proceeded to shout expletives at them as they drove by. It was also evident that the US troops weren’t welcomed in other cities as well, like in Qamishli. The residents there were angry and decided to also throw potatoes at the US troops while shouting things like “No America” and “American liar” in English. One of the US vehicles even backed up over the sidewalk in attempt to try and get away from the angry residents. Trump has now tweeted that the soldiers will be brought home (but not immediately according to Trump’s top aide) since they secured the oil they wanted.
-Melissa A.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Increased Disappearances in the Americas - Sierra Perez
According to the article, "Disappeared in El Salvador: The return of a Cold War nightmare" by Mary Beth Sheridan and Anna-Catherine Brigida, following the Cold War in Latin America there has been an increase of tens of thousands of people disappearing due to their political views. Nowadays latin countries such as Mexico, Brazil and El Salvador there are criminal wars where gangs and drug cartels have fought the governments instead. In Mexico more than 3,000 "clandestine gravesites" have been dug up to search for the 40,000 missing people and the same situation is very similar in El Salvador. Now that El Salvador is a democracy there has been a resurrection of these disappearances due to the fact that it is easier for killers to avoid deep investigations because there has been no bodies found. The other reason has been said as a political strategy. it has been suspected that the gangs and the government hide the corpses to keep the homicide rate down because they carry one of the highest percentages in the hemisphere. Even with recent news of Mexicos cartels and gangs taking over the government in Culiacan and forcing them to realize El Chapos son. How many more people need to be in danger for other countries to step in and help the people? To take in refugees? I find it heartbreaking to think there is this much danger in one place.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/disappeared-in-el-salvador-amid-a-cold-war-nightmares-return-a-tale-of-one-body-and-three-grieving-families/2019/10/19/d806d19a-e09d-11e9-be7f-4cc85017c36f_story.html
Thousands of Lebanon Demonstrators keep pressure on government as Protestors enter Fourth Day- Tom Pancione
Tom Pancione
10-20-19
There are protest in Lebanon as people are feed up saying"There are no good schools, no electricity and no water." this is causing a lack of confidence in the unity government, and people are calling on the entire government to resign and be replaced by technocrats. The government is trying to get support to put a tax on banks and to overhaul their electric grid and try and lower cost with it. However it is unknown as one minister resigned saying that they lacked confidence in the governments ability to get anything done. An interesting piece in this story, is that Hezbollah long been an Iranian ally is supporting the government. If the government falls it will be interesting to see what Iran does, and Hezbollah does.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/lebanon-protesters-keep-pressure-government-protests-4th-day
10-20-19
There are protest in Lebanon as people are feed up saying"There are no good schools, no electricity and no water." this is causing a lack of confidence in the unity government, and people are calling on the entire government to resign and be replaced by technocrats. The government is trying to get support to put a tax on banks and to overhaul their electric grid and try and lower cost with it. However it is unknown as one minister resigned saying that they lacked confidence in the governments ability to get anything done. An interesting piece in this story, is that Hezbollah long been an Iranian ally is supporting the government. If the government falls it will be interesting to see what Iran does, and Hezbollah does.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/lebanon-protesters-keep-pressure-government-protests-4th-day
Amid mounting drug war deaths, Mexico's President sticks to his strategy
Recently Mexico saw a spike in deaths related to its' ongoing drug war as authorities made attempts to arrest some high-ranking cartel members. These attempts at arrests saw gun battles breaking out all over the state of Michoacan. The current president Andrés Manuel López Obrador has been working to tackle these issues in a new way by rooting out underlying issues of economic imbalance, and despite recent evidence claims that his plan will still work. Critics are arguing that, while it is nice that the government is taking a new approach, it is hard to maintain hope when the death toll rises every day.
Griffin Curran
https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/18/americas/mexico-violence-chapo-son/index.html
Griffin Curran
https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/18/americas/mexico-violence-chapo-son/index.html
Trump Impeachment
Trump is being accused of using his power to pressure Ukraine President back in July over a phone conversation to investigate Joe Biden, soon to be rival. Trump was asked to hand over additional documents to the democrats to further investigate this issue. If Trump were to deny this (which he did), a subpoena would be issued where he would have to attend court and upon refusal to hand over these documents this would be evidence for the democrats to use against him in the impeachment that was issued. Knowing the stubbornness of the president, I can't see him going along with whatever the democrats say without having some type of rebuttal. Democrats are now becoming more demanding with documentation and such that they want to go over, and have issued 6 separate subpoenas against the President, as well as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani. I'm interested to see how history will play out with this impeachment process. I'm also curious on how long the process will play out if this continues considering that the phone call occurred in July and the impeachment process was placed about a month ago. While many republicans still continue to support the president, I think that his sketchy actions and secrecy may have caught up with him this time.
By Nicole Bellino
Egypt unveils discovery of 30 ancient coffins with mummies inside - Cortney Ferretti
Egypt unveils discovery of 30 ancient coffins with mummies inside...
Updated 11:30 PM ET, Sat October 19, 2019
This Saturday, thirty ancient wood coffins were discovered in Luxor (a city in southern Egypt). The discovery was the country’s largest finding in over a century. The past discoveries in 1881 and 1891 were lead by foreigners, but this event was the first one by Egyptians. The coffins found were over 3,000 years old and were “exceptionally well-preserved” with traces of color surrounding the artifacts. Men, women, and children’s remains were found mummified. Through centuries of research, the gender of each mummy was identified through the placement of their hands on the coffin. The discovery of children mummies is a rare occurrence, which lead the coffins to create a worldwide interest.
The discovery is relevant to the rest of the world because a new piece of history has been discovered. Important details on ancient Egyptian burial rights were shown as every person, regardless of age or gender, were buried in the coffins. Egyptologists around the world have access to more information on the belief in the afterlife. Many of the coffins found will be moved to a museum by the Giza pyramids for any visitor to see.
Kurdish fighters leave Syrian border town, giving Turkey control
Kurdish officials report that their fighters have evacuated the town of Ras al-Ayn, letting Turkey and its allies to gain control of this border city within the once US troop occupied, 20-mile buffer zone, between Turkey and Syria. The withdrawal of Kurdish forces from the border city was part of the five-day, US ceasefire between the two forces (Turkish militants and Kurdish soldiers). However tensions are still high between the two nations, and Trump continues to face heavy bipartisan critique of his decision to pull the US from the buffer zone. The conflict is not over and the world continues to stress the need for a solution to this crisis. theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/20/nancy-pelosi-visits-jordan-to-discuss-turkish-syria-incursion
Weston Valkner
Weston Valkner
US troops leaving Syria will go to Iraq, says Pentagon chief
US troops leaving Syria will go to Iraq, says Pentagon chief
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said that all of the troops leaving Syria will be relocated to Iraq. The reason for the relocation is "to help stop the resurgence of Islamic State." They are there to defend Iraq from the Islamic State. After President Trump announced the troops were leaving, Turkey decided to begin an offensive.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50117765
Griff Inskeep
Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said that all of the troops leaving Syria will be relocated to Iraq. The reason for the relocation is "to help stop the resurgence of Islamic State." They are there to defend Iraq from the Islamic State. After President Trump announced the troops were leaving, Turkey decided to begin an offensive.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50117765
Griff Inskeep
Justin Trudaeu's Liberals make final push as Canadian election campaign reaches conclusion - Alex Eberhardt
Justin Trudaeu's Liberals make final push as Canadian election campaign reaches conclusion
Fox News
Written by Benson Cook
This article is essentially just saying that the Canadian election is almost over and that there is a lot of skepticism as to whether or not Trudaeu will win. Apparently he is having some trouble with the Quebec province of Canada. This is the French speaking province that has a large political party holding the desire to separate from Canada entirely. The big reason I am interested in is his costume party appearance.
As I am sure you know, Trudaeu was found to have done blackface for an alladin costume at a Halloween party. This obviously is going to make people upset. This is especially bad for him because he is a liberal leaning politician, and things like blackface are things that the liberals are particularly strongly against. I think the question here whether or not his blackface appearance should be forgiven or affect his chances at office?
In my opinion... he should be forgiven but also accept that it will affect his chances in office. I can't personally understand how offensive something like blackface is. But I also have good reason to believe that is not something so horribly offensive he should be put in jail or anything to that extreme. It is (hopefully) common knowledge that being offensive isn't illegal, it's just offensive. People are going to be understandably angry if you do something to offend them. Now at the time, do I think Trudaeu was trying to offend anyone? No. Do I think he should have been aware that that was an offensive thing to do? Yes. Him doing that was a mistake and so now he is paying for his mistake. However I think there is some responsibility on the side of the offended to make sure he pays an appropriate amount for his mistake. Again, I can't dictate what this amount is because I don't fully understand the level of offense that has been done here. But I do know that the punishments people are receiving today for screw ups like this are increasing more and more. It used to be that if something offensive happened to someone at school or in the work place, there were attempts to remedy the situation and find a common understanding between the two parties. Most instances of offense, in my experience, are not intentional. However, more and more I am seeing that when something like this happens, the offending party is punished immediately and severely without a chance to defend himself. In instances where there is no immediate threat of violence or consistent pattern of harassments, don't go straight to destroying the dude that offended someone. Give a chance to work things out, it's a better outcome for everyone.
by Alex Eberhardt
Fox News
Written by Benson Cook
This article is essentially just saying that the Canadian election is almost over and that there is a lot of skepticism as to whether or not Trudaeu will win. Apparently he is having some trouble with the Quebec province of Canada. This is the French speaking province that has a large political party holding the desire to separate from Canada entirely. The big reason I am interested in is his costume party appearance.
As I am sure you know, Trudaeu was found to have done blackface for an alladin costume at a Halloween party. This obviously is going to make people upset. This is especially bad for him because he is a liberal leaning politician, and things like blackface are things that the liberals are particularly strongly against. I think the question here whether or not his blackface appearance should be forgiven or affect his chances at office?
In my opinion... he should be forgiven but also accept that it will affect his chances in office. I can't personally understand how offensive something like blackface is. But I also have good reason to believe that is not something so horribly offensive he should be put in jail or anything to that extreme. It is (hopefully) common knowledge that being offensive isn't illegal, it's just offensive. People are going to be understandably angry if you do something to offend them. Now at the time, do I think Trudaeu was trying to offend anyone? No. Do I think he should have been aware that that was an offensive thing to do? Yes. Him doing that was a mistake and so now he is paying for his mistake. However I think there is some responsibility on the side of the offended to make sure he pays an appropriate amount for his mistake. Again, I can't dictate what this amount is because I don't fully understand the level of offense that has been done here. But I do know that the punishments people are receiving today for screw ups like this are increasing more and more. It used to be that if something offensive happened to someone at school or in the work place, there were attempts to remedy the situation and find a common understanding between the two parties. Most instances of offense, in my experience, are not intentional. However, more and more I am seeing that when something like this happens, the offending party is punished immediately and severely without a chance to defend himself. In instances where there is no immediate threat of violence or consistent pattern of harassments, don't go straight to destroying the dude that offended someone. Give a chance to work things out, it's a better outcome for everyone.
by Alex Eberhardt
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Violent Protests Continue in Barcelona After Catalan Leaders Sentenced for Independence Push
Violent protests continue in Barcelona after Catalan leaders were sentenced for the Catalan independence from Spain push that occurred in 2017. On Friday night, police utilized water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets to thwart demonstrators who grew violent, throwing cobblestones and flammable bottles, building barricades, and setting many bonfires in garbage bins. Early in the week, demonstrators were able to cancel flights at Barcelona's airport by taking the airport over. According to the AP, 400 people have been injured in the demonstrations, many of them police officers. Barcelona's Mayor, Ada Colau called for peace Friday, and the Catalan Interior Chief Miquel Buch, who oversees the regional police, said that the violence does not overshadow the half a million people who came out to peacefully protest the imprisonment of the Catalan leaders, who were sentenced to between 9 and 13 years by the Supreme Court of Madrid.
https://abcnews.go.com/International/violent-protests-continue-barcelona-catalan-leaders-prison-sentences/story?id=66390001&cid=clicksource_76_null_headlines_hed
-Alex Kitzmann
https://abcnews.go.com/International/violent-protests-continue-barcelona-catalan-leaders-prison-sentences/story?id=66390001&cid=clicksource_76_null_headlines_hed
-Alex Kitzmann
"Only God is with us" Syrians Feel Betrayed by the US
There was a feeling of hope from the northern Syrians when Turkey threatened to invade because of the American troops presence in the area. However, with Trumps order to move U.S. forces out of the area transformed one of the safest regions of Syria into a war zone. This leaving residents and the Kurds with a sense of betrayal.
An estimated 160,000 Syrians have fled the area due to Turkey’s offense. One of these Syrians is Hanna. Her and her husband were smuggled into Iran for $200.
“I left my home, and I just started a new home” Hanna said. “There are no emotions anymore. We live as if we are dead... For a full year the Turks threatened us I
kept saying we should escape, because with the Turks there is no
security. But my husband always said there are Americans, Britain,
France, and they won’t abandon us.”
The Trump administration defended their decision by stating they were opposed to the invasion but are too powerless to stop it.
Northern Syrians are now stating no foreign nation is with them, “only God is with us.”
Link:
Dominika Szczepaniak
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