A Canadian oil firm thinks it has struck big. Some fear it could ravage a climate change hotspot

 Land in Namibia and Botswana has been purchased by a Canadian oil company. This area is believed to be the last giant on-shore oil find. The problem with the area where this oil may be is that it is already struggling from rising temperatures from climate change. The argument is whether or not this land should be exploited for fossil fuels. The risk this poses the climate in the area is hotter and drier summers. On the other side this could bring billions of dollars to the area. This interested me because it is an example of where developing countries are facing the problems of climate change that developed countries are creating. 

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/03/africa/namibia-oil-exploration-intl-cmd/index.html

Will Kettelkamp

US Accuses China of Acting More Aggressively

The US secretary of state Antony Blinken accused China of being more aggressive internationally, and more suppressive domestically. This comes in a time of rising tensions between the United States and China, with the United States continuing to tiptoe around actually stating that China is an enemy of the United States. Both Blinken and President Biden have assured that military action is not in the interest of either of the countries involved, yet the United States seeks to hold China accountable for many of their actions, such as stealing intellectual property.

The relationship between the US and China is crucial for both sides and the world as a whole, and Beijing has been calling on Washington to improve the relationship that was deteriorated under Donald Trump's presidency. Accusing China of being more aggressive certainly isn't taking a step in the right direction. President Biden said in his first address to congress that "we welcome the competition" with China to be the dominant global power.

Sarah Runchey

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56967211

Manchester United fans mount protest against US owners as Premier League match against Liverpool postponed

 Manchester United is a football club in the Premier League in England. Fans of the club are not happy with Americans being the owners of the team. They feel so strongly about their team that they stormed the field to protest before the game. The game was postponed because of the protest. This interest me because it reminded me of our lessons on nationalism. Although they simply disagree with the owners decisions, the owner being American adds fuel to their anger. 

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/02/football/manchester-united-old-trafford-protests-spt-intl/index.html

Will Kettelkamp

Turkey enters first national lockdown as Covid-19 cases rise

 Turkey has entered its first lockdown since the start of the coronavirus pandemic at the beginning of 2020. They currently have the highest amount of positive cases in Europe and their lockdown started last Thursday. The lockdown is estimated to end on May 17, lasting a total of three weeks. Thousands of people flooded stores on Thursday morning, picking up essentials needed for the 3-week lockdown. It is a result of poor vaccine rollout and lifting restrictions too quickly. Many local businesses such as farmers' markets raised prices on produce because they will not have any business in the next 3 weeks.  Also, the variant of covid which is wreaking havoc in India has been identified in Istanbul. Hopefully, Turkey will be able to reopen soon and we will see if another lockdown may be necessary for other countries. 

-Hannah Kohl (Blog #13 )

https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/29/europe/turkey-enters-national-lockdown-intl/index.html