Death toll in Pakistan floods passes 1,280 -- and a third of them are children

Death Toll in Pakistan floods passes 1,280

 Humanitarian agencies have warned Pakistan is in need of long-term aid as the death toll from its catastrophic flooding continues to climb.

The cumulative number of deaths since June 14 rose to 1,282 on Saturday, the country's National Disaster Management Authority reported, and almost a third of the victims are children. On Saturday alone there were a further 57 deaths, 25 of them children.

Aid agencies warn the country's woes are far from over -- and that as the disaster continues to unfold children will be among the most vulnerable.

Jason Connor

https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/04/asia/pakistan-september-death-toll-intl-hnk/index.html

The Yen's Steepest Fall in Decades

The yen first arrived at its slide to the abyss on April 28th and consistently since has only gotten worse: it remained at only 115 to the dollar toward the beginning of this current year. Japanese policymakers have begun to fret, leading markets to speculate about whether they will intervene to halt the fall. That would probably prove futile: deep forces are driving the yen’s depreciation.

Policymakers have customarily seen a frail yen as a positive for Japan and its strong commodity-centered businesses. "The flip side," a banker of Goldman Sachs says, Is that they can't reap as many benefits from depreciation." The yen could keep falling, maybe to 150 to the dollar, a level unseen, even during the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98.

https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/will-an-ever-feebler-currency-save-or-sink-japans-economy/21809095

By: Noah Hittie

Are Russian Sanctions Working?

President Vladimir Putin says that Western sanctions aiming to cause panic and shortages among Russians have failed abysmally. A few Western-owned stores, like The Body Shop and L’Occitane, have notices posted on their doors that cite temporary closure, with no reason given. But many local franchises all seem to be working as usual. Russian life, at least around Moscow, looks shockingly normal. 

Opinion surveys show that almost 10% of Russians say they didn’t even know about the situation. “For the most part we are still living in our previous reality,” says Ivan Timofeev, a sanctions expert with the Russian International Affairs Council. “But at some point, we will begin transitioning to a new reality, and then it will be very hard to ignore the deep changes we shall have to make.” 

https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2022/0502/Sanctions-What-sanctions-Russians-aren-t-feeling-the-sting

By: Noah Hittie

Ukraine Civilians Describe Desperate Efforts to Flee Bombed-Out Mariupol

 Ukraine Civilians Describe Desperate Efforts to Flee Bombed-Out Mariupol

            

            While the war between Ukraine and Russia continues, the longevity of the war continues to take a toll on the people of Ukraine. With the relentless attacks from Russia on Ukraine, many Ukraine’s have been stuck in rubble for weeks. In particular, the city of Mariupol. Mariupol is a city with a large steel plant that Vladimir and the Russians have being eyeing for a while. In recent weeks Russia has doubled their military efforts to taken control of the city. According to the Wall Street Journal their efforts were successful and left many people of Ukraine left forgotten. Those who were fortunate to live through the attack were left hiding in the bunker of the steel mill. Many rationed foods and lived off scraps for days. This was not the end of their nightmare though. While in the bunker they could steel feel the attacks of the Russians and heard the bombs going off around them. When finally left to leave, the had no choice but to take a long journey too safety. This journey included two full days of travel through Russian occupied spaces. After the journey they were met with Russia troops. Who forced them to hand over their phones too check for connections or communications to the Ukraine resistance. Though the process seems straightforward, a report from someone in the convoy said that the line to get too safety was so long it was taking days to get through. This was too much time for some people, as some Ukrainians turned around. This is a very scary time for the people of Ukraine, not knowing when the war will end or how the next few months might play out. It seems that Russia is going to continue their push through the country no matter the cost. 

By: Luke Schmidt 

“2 More Survivors Found 3 Days After China Building Collapse"

 https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-05-03/2-more-survivors-found-3-days-after-china-building-collapse

Megan Campion

The title of my article I am writing about is “2 More Survivors Found 3 Days After China Building Collapse.” This article is from U.S. News and written by Associated Press. There was a six story building that collapsed on Friday in the early afternoon in the Hunan provincial capital of Beijing. There was a woman who was rescued from the building after being buried for about 88 hours. The reason why the building collapsed is unknown so far, but nine people have been arrested for possibly ignoring building codes and for committing other violations as well. I can’t even imagine being buried for 3 days under a building. I’m glad this woman was found alive, but what I wonder is how many are still buried and are alive, and how many are still buried but are dead.

Civilians Evacuate from Mariupol steel plant

 Civilians are finally evacuating Mariupol, which tis the city that was "bombed-out" and has since been under Russian siege. The evacuation or rescue of these civilians took weeks due to the fact that Russia has now taken on a more offensive role in the war. However, the US and its allies have been stepping up, Nancy Pelosi visited Ukraine, met with Poland's President, and Jill Biden, First Lady, is traveling to NATO to meet with some families who have fled the war. While the US and its allies are continuing to step up Russia lost one of its last few allies, Israel, when Israel compared Putin to Hitler. 

russia-ukraine-war-live-updates-civilians-evacuated-mariupol-azovstal-rcna26863 

Abby Cox 

Punishing heat wave in India reaches 115 degrees, part of a 'hotter and more dangerous world'

There has been a month-long heat wave across Asia, seeing some areas reaching a scorching 115 degrees. This heat wave is the cause of a significant rise of heat stroke, health issues, and 277 fires across the continent that are ongoing. These heatwaves that have been seen now, and last summer in Northwest America are a scary indicator on where climate change will be taking the world. Without change in policy and a true effort to limit green house gases, the heat will only rise and cause more and more deaths globally.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2022/04/29/climate-change-india-heatwave/9583931002/

Skyy Hills

Is the War in Ukraine a Holy War?

The Patriarch Kirill of Russia has announced being on the side of Putin and claims that God is on Russia's side despite the mass carnage going on from the hands of Russians. The war is said to be turning into a Holy war as many are using Russia's religious affiliations and beliefs as the reason for the violence. Pope Francis speaks out against the War. People are asking for religious leaders to stay out of the war business. 

Written by Jennifer Schroeder

 https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/04/26/ukraine-war-russian-orthodox-church-support-patriarch-kirill-homophobia/

“China is hunting Uyghurs around the world, with help from some surprising countries”

 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/chinese-government-hunting-uyghurs-world-help-surprising-countries-rcna24987

Megan Campion

The title of this article is “China is hunting Uyghurs around the world, with help from some surprising countries” by Anna Schecter. This article was taken from NBC News. The article talks about how the Chinese government isn’t just mistreating Uyghurs that live in China, but also looking for Uyghurs across China’s borders. China is specifically looking for Uyghurs in other countries which is a problem. What is going to happen to Uyghurs because China is now looking for them outside their country. There has been cooperation between China and governments in the Middle East and North Africa to harass Uyghurs. They aren’t hunting them down and bringing them to China, but they are harassing them by cyber attacking them and controlling their lives in another way. I don’t know what will happen to Uyghurs but what is currently going on is awful. 

Global stocks and oil prices hit by fears of a Beijing lockdown

https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/25/investing/stocks-oil-sink-beijing-lockdown-fears-intl-hnk/index.html

Global Stocks and oil prices dropped dramatically on Monday as fears of a serious COVID-19 breakout spreads across Beijing. The capital of China will suffer drastically from an outbreak. They began mass testing the past weekend, followed by residential shut downs. Since China is the second-largest economy, the whole world may feel the impact of a COVID-19 lockdown. 

U.S. Officials Make Top-Secret Visit to Ukraine

 Two American officials secretly traveled to Kyiv on Sunday where the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, prepared to ask for more aid in the nations battle against Russia. The U.S wanted to keep the visitation a secret until the men were safely out of Ukraine. People in Ukraine are saying that it sent "“a powerful signal to Russia that Ukraine will not be left alone with this war.” Congress has approved $13.6 billion related to emergency spending (weapons, military supplies, and aid) due to the invasion. In attempt to help Ukraine defend off Russia, Biden has announced $800 million more in military aid, Metropolitan Epiphaniy (the head of Ukraine’s independent Orthodox church) even stated, “In this difficult fight,” he said, “spirit is not enough. You also need weapons.” Ukraine has said they aren't backing down and they'll fight with their weapons until they can't anymore. Many people have died and have been injured due to this and Ukraine is deciding to take a stand and wanting to do everything they can to protect their land and their people. 

Kayla McSweeney

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/24/world/europe/blinken-austin-ukraine-visit.html

Turkish businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala sentenced to life over Gezi Park protests

 On Monday, an Istanbul court sentenced Turkish activist for civil rights Osman Kavala to life in prison for attempting to overthrow the government. Kavala was convicted in connection with the 2013 anti-government protests in Turkey. This turned into a more significant amount of anti-government protests. The court also sentenced seven other defendants to 18-year prison sentences for aiding an attempt to overthrow the government. 71-year-old architect Mucella Yapici, Istanbul Municipality urban planner Tayfun Kahraman, and documentary filmmaker Cigdem Mater. 

https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/25/europe/turkey-osman-kavala-sentence-life-imprisonment-protests-intl/index.html

Russia warned United States against sending more arms to Ukraine

 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russia-warned-united-states-against-sending-more-arms-to-ukraine/ar-AAWykh2

Russia is becoming frustrated with the United States constant allocation of military resources to Ukraine. This is beginning to stir up questions about the return of the Cold War between the two global hegemons. The United States believes they are justified in their action because they see Russia's actions as an unprovoked War of aggression. Will these continued allocations of resources to Ukraine from the United States make things worse globally? 

Jake Leggero

Violence erupts from Gaza, during a week of Religious holidays, causing further concern

Tensions are almost never settled in Jerusalem between Israelis and Palestinians. During the time of Ramadan, Passover, and Easter, violence and rockets fired out as Palestinians are fighting for their justice and a political solution. Although, this has been done before, the tensions are bordering on a threat to rerun the Gaza war of 2021. 

Written by Jennifer Schroeder

https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2022/0421/Jerusalem-erupts-Why-Israeli-Arab-bid-to-thwart-violence-fell-short

Photographing the Reality of War

 This article is about a photographer for the New York Times, Lynsey Addario, who spent several months in Ukraine documenting the war through pictures. In the article we see Addario's work and she explains her process when documenting something so serious. The article also includes some reflection questions for the viewers after studying the photo. Some examples of the questions are "How do you think photographs are important in reporting about the war in Ukraine?" and "What is Ms. Addario’s approach to photographing war? What is her usual focus?" I liked the style of this article because it was interactive and allowed me to physically see what is going on in Ukraine and form feelings and opinions. It also allowed me to learn how to put myself in their shoes and just imagine what it would be like to be in the middle of a war. Although the pictures are sometimes hard to see it's important to understand what they are going through and how we can help. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/13/learning/lesson-plans/lesson-of-the-day-photographing-the-reality-of-war.html 

Abby Cox 

Warning Ukraine’s Friends to ‘Think Twice,’ Putin Tests Advanced Missile

 Russia just test launched a new intercontinental missile even though they've already planted bombs, missiles, and artillery in Ukraine in attempt to weaken Ukraine's defense. Putin said the new missile "“will force all who are trying to threaten our country in the heat of frenzied, aggressive rhetoric to think twice,” which was said in remarks to the U.S and other countries who are sending aid over in Ukraine to help. They say that the missile is not ready for deployment and the United States has commented saying that they're not surprised of this new found missile launch. In attempts to make Ukraine look like the bad guys, Putin is saying that Ukraine is committing genocide against Russia which is why they are putting forth their military. It is noted that 5 million people have fled Ukraine and 7 million fled or been forced removal from their homes but still remain in Ukraine. NATO is spending way more money on military than ever before and they are way more united due to this war. Ukraine has tried making deals with Russia even to just help women and children flee but all attempts have fallen through. 

Kayla McSweeney

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/20/world/europe/russia-icbm-ukraine-bombardment.html

Violence Intensifies in Afghanistan

    Eight months ago, U.S. troops retreated from Afghanistan, allowing the Taliban to return to power. Since the Taliban has started taking over, there have naturally been concerns about the country becoming a hub of terrorism. If Taliban-ruled Afghanistan is again turning into an exporter of terror, it’s in part because of the collapse of its economy and law and order; security across the country is virtually non-existent and getting worse by the minute. 

    The Taliban’s inability to govern has effectively provided free rein for terrorist groups to operate in and from Afghanistan’s territory. Some of the terror groups operating in Afghanistan have teamed up with the IMU to destabilize some Central Asian neighbors that remain in Russia’s sphere of influence. 

    Many Central Asian states see their relationship with Moscow as a potential liability following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Western sanctions that will send economic and social problems their way. Tight supplies of pricey commodities could bring unrest, as fuel price hikes did earlier this year in Kazakhstan. It would very much be in Afghanistan's interest to destabilize Russia, one way or another. 

https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/04/20/afghanistan-taliban-terrorism-jihad-control/

By: Noah Hittie

6 Killed in Mogadishu, Somalia

 Today 6 people have been killed in a blast of the seaside of Mogadishu. The attack happened at a Seafood restaurant facing the South side of the city. A video was up loaded showing the attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. In the past, there was a know Islamist militant group allied with al-Qaeda and attacked Somalia during the war. Six people were reported killed and seven were reported injured. Even though government officials were seen at the site of attack, non were hurt in the attack. There has been political unrest in previous weeks, because a new parliament wear inaugurated into office. In March and April there were two attacks on parliament. This information was retrieved from : https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61196325 

Jenny Smith

Chinas Growing Influence in Africa Seen in Arms Trade and Infrastructure Investment

Chinas Growing Influence in Africa Seen in Arms Trade and Infrastructure Investment

 

China seems to be a growing influence within the African Continent. With their different many investments in African infrastructure the increase in projects is making a huge statement within. This is parallel with their arms trade within. According to an open-source intelligence company, the arms sale alone gives china a lot more influence and a lot more power over the African states. With all the military forces within Africa, nearly 70% of the 54 countries possess Chinese armored military vehicles. This proves to be a sharp increase in sales too Africa in the last two decades. This gives China a lot of pull within the country and could possibly be seen as a threat to other countries. In comparison to the US, China is contributing much more too the country. As the US only makes up about 11% of the military forces on the continent. The US shares its concerns with African officials as they do not want China setting up bases and other military functions in Africa. This comes after a decision made by former President Donald Trump, as he pulled out several hundred troops. This is a developing story and the US should keep an eye on things, as the more power China has in foreign lands, the less power the US does. 

 

By: Luke Schmidt 

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-growing-influence-in-africa-seen-in-arms-trade-and-infrastructure-investment-11650554282

These airlines are dropping mask mandates after a federal judge's ruling

 On Tuesday April 19th, the U.S. Arlines are lifting the mask mandate. A Florida judge ruled against the Biden administration's mandatory mask mandate for travelers on planes and other forms of transportation. The CDC still strongly recommends wearing a mask while traveling, but the mandate is no longer in place. Each airline made an announcement on each flight on Monday and said that people were more then welcome to mask but it was no longer needed. 

https://www.npr.org/2022/04/18/1093451075/masks-optional-airlines-travel

What is Canada doing about COVID-19 dosages that have expired?

 Thousands of COVID-19 vaccine doses are slated to expire by the end of the month, and the federal government and provinces are scrambling to get them into people's hands before they're forced to throw them away. 

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, more than 14 million doses of vaccination were languishing in the central vaccine inventory as of April 14. (PHAC). PHAC told Global News in an email on Tuesday that 429,450 doses of the Moderna vaccination will expire by the end of April. Last month, 759,948 expired Moderna pills were thrown away after their expiration date of March 21.

To reduce wastage even further, the federal agency says it has a few alternatives, including transferring doses between jurisdictions, donating vaccines, and examining any pending shelf life extensions. 

Vaccine manufacturers were able to obtain better data on how long the vaccines stayed viable, therefore Health Canada altered expiration dates many times in the recent year. 

Last summer, Pfizer's shelf life was extended from six to nine months, and Moderna's was extended from seven to nine months in December. "If the doses' shelf life cannot be prolonged, they will be disposed of correctly," according to PHAC. Although provinces claim that vaccine wastage has been limited thus far, experts are concerned that not enough is being done to get the available doses into Canadian arms due to a slower uptake of booster shots during the sixth wave. 

"We're letting them expire without even trying to bring them ahead, and we're not being upfront about it," Kerry Bowman, a bioethics and global health professor at the University of Toronto, said. 

"We need to make a clear judgment about what we need right now," he told Global News. "We also need a management plan, which we haven't seen." 

Donations are one way to manage the supply that isn't being used by Canadians.

-Jake Moore

https://globalnews.ca/news/8773034/canada-covid-vaccine-wastage-expired-doses/  

Russia says it has successfully tested a new intercontinental missile that can evade defenses.

Russia announced on Wednesday it had successfully launched a new missile that it said could deploy nuclear warheads at hypersonic speeds anywhere in the world and outwit defenses, a move that President Vladimir V. Putin said was aimed at showing Russia’s adversaries that they needed to “think twice” before threatening his country.

Mr. Putin first announced Russia had developed the Sarmat in 2018, but his decision to test it on Wednesday appeared intended to send a blunt message in the middle of the war in Ukraine.

Link: russia-icbm-putin.html

By: Javier Isasi Serrano

Kenya police launch manhunt after athlete killed

Writers of BBC talk about how Kenya Police are searching for boyfriend of famous track runner,  Damaris Muthee Mutua. She was apparently stabbed to death by her boyfriend in the last week and is the second athlete to be killed in the last year in Iten.  Regarding when and where the killing occured, Tom Makuri, chief of police in Kenya issued a statment," The suspect called a friend whom they were training together and informed him that he has killed a girlfriend and the body was in the house. Many of Ehtopian people are devested by the tragic loss of the a phenomenal  athlete and called her a "Heroine Athlete" 

Written by: Erik Batkiewicz 

Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61160434 

Isreal Attacks Gaza Strip

On Monday, Israeli Warplanes attacked what the military said was a weapon manufacturing site. This attack was shortly after a rocket was fired from the besieged Gaza Strip into southern Israel. The rocket was intercepted on Monday, the first such attack in months amid soaring tensions about the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the attack and no Palestinian group claimed responsibility for the rocket.

Palestinians accuse Israel of encroaching at Al-Aqsa during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Israel says Palestinian protesters seek to disrupt Muslim prayer for political ends and to prevent visits by Jews who are celebrating Passover.

Prior to the rocket attack, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett accused Hamas of waging a "Wild harassment campaign" against Israel.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/18/rocket-from-gaza-into-southern-israel-intercepted

By: Noah Hittie

Xi Jinping's plans will possibly alter China's forward movement on Technology

For the past 2 years in particular, Xi Jinping and his partners have seen the growth of China's technology hubs as threats to security and the administrations power. This week, Xi Jinping talked about a plan to crackdown on technology. They will speed up the creation of new laws and regulations on the countries homegrown boom of AI and data companies. This will greatly impact the countries economy. 

Written by: Jennifer Schroeder

 https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2022/04/16/xi-jinpings-bold-plan-for-chinas-next-phase-of-innovation

IMF says Russia's war in Ukraine will 'severely set back' global economy

 The article "IMF says Russia's war in Ukraine will 'severely set back' global economy" talks about how most countries will be affected from this war. Ukraine and Russia's economies will be hit the hardest, but more of Ukraine's. With the war happening in Ukraine they have lost so much. In 2021 the growth of the world economy was 6.1%. In 2023 it is predicted to only grow by 3.6%. Other countries in Europe and the U.S. are affected by this war because they would get resources from Russia that they have now cut off. It will be interesting to see how this war continues or if it will soon come to and end and how it will keep affecting everyone else. 

https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/19/investing/imf-economic-outlook/index.html

Elise Kamp

"Former Russian foreign minister reveals precisely when Putin may pull trigger on nuclear weapons" - Joey Jens

 "Former Russian foreign minister reveals "Precisely when Putin may pull trigger on nuclear weapons" 

Experts say Russian President Vladimir Putin would only explore nuclear weapons if he or his nation  faced a "existential threat." According to former Russian foreign minister Andrei Kozyrev, "They may be used, but under very, very particular conditions," "If Russia or one of those countries actually threatens in their hearts—existentially, that is—if NATO forces come to Moscow, then undoubtedly they will resort to nuclear weapons." But as of now there is no existential danger to Russia under the existing conditions. Russia has altered tactics over the last several weeks after failing to conquer Kyiv despite a month-long war in northern Ukraine. The Russian military claimed to have fulfilled its phase one objective and would instead concentrate on securing the Donbas area—a move that some have termed a consolation prize to make up for the sacrifice. As stated by Heritage Foundation Senior Fellow Brent Sadler, Putin may launch a tactical nuclear attack if Russia faces an overwhelming military loss in Donbas. That may be the circumstance where a tactical nuclear bomb would be contemplated to show determination and essentially reverse whatever trends are going on in the Russian military, Sadler said. "I don’t see them deploying city assassins, because it would surely bring in World War III, and the presumption is that if he does that, he’s attacking NATO." 

Article: 

https://www.foxnews.com/world/foreign-minister-putin-nuclear-weapons-existential-threat 

By: Joey Jens 

Unrest sparked by far-right demos continues in Sweden

On Friday, April 15th, violence broke out in the central Swedish city of Orebro. This clash came between everyday citizens and a right-wing Danish party, the Straw Kurs party. The party pushes heavily on a anti-immigration and anti-islamic agenda, having threatened to burn Qurans in the city and cause violence with police officers. Swedish government is struggling with the group, as their actions have fell in the fine line of rights that the people have as citizens. From the right to demonstrate, to freedom of speech, the government will have to keep a close eye on the group and decide how to handle them quickly. 

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/unrest-sparked-demos-continues-sweden-84124003

Skyy Hills

North Korean leader shown observing weapons test as country fires projectiles into eastern waters

South Korea has reported that North Korea tested two missiles earlier this weekend in eastern waters. North Korea says that this was a new type of weapon that was carried out successfully. Their aims are to create missiles that can fly under radars of surrounding countries, as well as the U.S'. So far, 12 ICBM tests have been performed this year which is a significant ramp-up from years prior. The validity of the power of the weapon, per North Korea's claim, is still not fully clear. This year marks several anniversaries in the dynasty and pressures to show national strength could've been the cause for recent events.

Hunter Scherer

 https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/16/asia/north-korea-weapon-test-intl-hnk/index.html

Ukraine completes questionnaire for EU membership - official

 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ukraine-completes-questionnaire-for-eu-membership-official/ar-AAWjAqN

With the war continuing in Ukraine and there being no end in sight Ukraine has looked to take a different approach to end the war. Ukraine has decided to apply to become a member of the European Union. This is a huge occurrence due to the start of the war being because Russia wanted to bring Ukraine back to being a Russian ruled state. Everything on the Ukrainian side of the application is done. Now the ball is in the court of the EU. This decision will have a huge effect on the future of the Russia and Ukraine war. 

Jake Leggero 

Judge Jackson's Supreme Court Confirmation

 I wanted to write about this article because I think it is very exciting news. This article is all about Judge Ketanji Jackson's confirmation into the Supreme Court. Jackson is the first black woman to serve as a Supreme Court justice. This also means that there will now be 4 women on the court and 2 Black justices. This is a huge step in the right direction for the Supreme Court. Within the article there are quotes from a reporter and also students from women of the Harvard Black Law Students Association from which Judge Jackson graduated. In the quotes they answer "How Ketanji Jackson's nomination affected them on a personal level" Their words were so positive and inspiring. My favorite was student Brianna Banks who wrote "the sky is the limit" expressing how she felt that black women no longer have restrictions or limitations as to what job they get after seeing Judge Jackson's confirmation. Judge Ketanji Jackson is an inspiration for all people and this article showed that. If you have the time take a look, it is so uplifting! It's such a breath of fresh air to see positive things in current events. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/11/learning/what-does-judge-jacksons-supreme-court-confirmation-mean-to-you.html 

Abby Cox

Pakistani military airstrike killed 45 people

In Afghanistan, explosions have occurred in several areas near the border with Pakistan, and according to the Afghan Air Force, Pakistani forces have carried out airstrikes that have killed at least 45 people so far. Afghanistan’ s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the Pakistani ambassador to Afghanistan to protest. Since last year, the Pakistani Taliban movement, a domestic Islamist militant group, has repeatedly attacked the Pakistani military in Pakistan.

Lana Matsuda

4/17/2022

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/17/world/asia/afghanistan-airstrikes-pakistan.html

Ukraine Sinks Major Russian Missile Cruiser

 This morning Russia's missile cruiser, Moskva was taken out of commission. It is unclear but assumed the ship was attacked by Ukraine. The Russian media reported a quote from the Defense Ministry. The Ministry reported a ammunition detonation on aboard the ship and major damage due to a fire. Out of the whole crew 510 people were evacuated. It is also unclear if the cruiser sank or if it is being repaired. Whatever the situation the ship was a military pillar for Russia. After 50 day of conflict it is clear the Ukraine are still fighting for their country and they have not given up hope. Could this situation turn into an advantage for the Ukraine's ? What comes next? only time will tell for more information accesses this link: https://news.yahoo.com/russias-loss-black-sea-flagship-111917271.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall retrevied from Yahoo! New 4/14/2022.

By Jenny Smith

"Brazil's indigenous communities fear mining threat over war in Ukraine"

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been pushing for more economic development in the Amazon, however his recent attempts to do so would encroach on indigenous territories. And recently, President Bolsonaro is using Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a reason why Brazil should mine in indigenous territories. This is because Brazil relies heavily on Russia for its fertilizers that Brazil's agriculture requires, and by mining in those areas he says that it would help Brazil build its own potassium reserves. However, many are against this plan since "only 11% of the reserves are inside indigenous lands" so there are other places where they could mine, and it would also not help short term because it is estimated that it would take seven to ten years until these products would be available to the Brazilian market. In 2020 this bill was voted by the lower house as being under emergency provisions so there would not have to be committee debates, and although it was expected to be voted on by the lower house this week, few people believe that it will be voted on this election year because many people are against it. And with an Australian election coming up in six months this could impact his chances against former president Lula de Silva. 

By: Madelyn Milowski

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-61093258

Putin's War in Ukraine is a Watershed. Time for America to Get Real.

     There was some miscommunication in a speech by Biden who expressed that Putin “can't remain in power” and had to later announce that it wasn't an American action, it was simply Biden expressing his outrage. Putin's invasion of Ukraine just proves that he shouldn't be in office, but unfortunately he will most likely remain in office for the next decade. Washington's commitment to keeping NATO open in order to allow Ukraine to join was a stand against Russia, the article says that Putin is sending history into reverse and that he should be punished for it. The article also touches on the importance of geography and geopolitics and how major powers don't like when other major powers enter their territories. Russia also just hinted that they might deploy its military to Latin America and in that case, we would respond quickly and with a lot of thought. By NATO not protecting Ukraine and not making them feel worthwhile, it has separated the ties between the organization and country because of their unwillingness to protect them. Russia's invasion on Ukraine has made it economically and strategically dependent on China and the two teaming up with one another can end badly. The goal is to pull Beijing away from Moscow because Russia is more dependent on China than the other way around.

Kayla McSweeney

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/11/opinion/ukraine-war-realist-strategy.html

Putin vows war will continue as Russian troops mount in east

 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/putin-vows-war-will-continue-as-russian-troops-mount-in-east/ar-AAW9WzT

As the war enters its seventh week, there is no end in sight. Even though the war has not gone well for the Russians they still believe the war is going to plan and will continue to press on with their offensive. The Russians aim to push their way through the eastern region of Donbas because there are Russian allies that will be able to support them in their war with Ukraine. Military strategists believe this will turn the tide of the war into the Russians favor. But as the war goes on Russia continues to commit many war crimes with more mass killings on innocent Ukrainian civilians. 

Jake Leggero

"World Bank to send Ukraine $1.5 billion as food, energy prices spike" - Joey Jens

 "World Bank to send Ukraine $1.5 billion as food, energy prices spike"

    On Tuesday, World Bank President David Malpass said that the bank is drafting a $1.5 billion assistance package for the war-torn Ukraine, and that the bank also aims to assist developing nations that are struggling to keep up with rising food and energy costs. According to Malpass's claims made at the Warsaw School of Economics in Poland, Ukraine is benefitting from the bank's help, which includes payments for medical personnel and pensions among other things. As recently as February, Russia launched an incursion into Ukraine, causing widespread devastation. Although the bank's board of directors has yet to approve the proposal in detail, the spokeswoman stated that it would enable Ukraine to maintain "essential government services" amid the battle with Russia.  

Article: 

https://www.reuters.com/business/world-bank-says-it-is-preparing-15-billion-aid-package-ukraine-2022-04-12/ 

By: Joey Jens

Nine volunteer drivers on rescue mission to Mariupol detained by Russian forces, aid group says

Nine drivers that were working for a group called "Help People" (a Ukrainian volunteer group that brings food and medicine for anyone in need and they help in assisting during evacuations.) 10 minibus drivers had driven into the Donbas region to help evacuate citizens. Russian soldiers stopped them, and tried to get them to drive the buses into Russia. When they refused, the soldiers took them in as prisoners. They lost contact with all of them but one, one of the ten people were released. The other nine are still being held captive.

 https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/11/europe/ukraine-russia-hostage-bus-drivers-help-people-intl-hnk/index.html

Google plans to create an underwater cable that will connect Vancouver and Japan across the Pacific Ocean.

Google has revealed plans to construct the world's first high-speed fiber-optic line connecting Canada and Asia. 

Next year, the new submarine fiber cable will be completed, which will be the width of a garden hose. It will travel from Vancouver to Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, then over the Pacific Ocean to the Japanese prefectures of Mie and Ibaraki.

The Topaz cable is anticipated to speed up access to Google products like YouTube, Gmail, and Google Cloud and "expand capacity to the region for some network operators to both Japan and Canada," according to Bikash Koley, the head of Google Global Networking. 

The tech giant is constructing the cable alongside Japanese and Canadian partners. It will be open to other internet providers as well.

In an informative video, Google senior staff engineer Bobby Ninan remarked, "We are essentially boosting the reliability of the bandwidth that we can supply them." 

The Hupacasath, Maa-nulth, and Tseshaht First Nations, whose traditional areas will be crossed by cable, are all in favor. 

In a blog post, Chief Charlie Cootes, president of the Maa-nulth Treaty Society, said, "This arrangement, in which both Google Canada and our Nations benefit, is based on respect for our constitutionally recognized treaty and aboriginal rights and helps the process of reconciliation."

While this is the first cable to connect Canada and Asia, it is not the first to cross the Pacific. 

In the 1960s, the Commonwealth Pacific Cable System, a copper undersea cable that connected Vancouver Island to Australia with stops in Hawaii and New Zealand, was installed. 

According to Koley, that cable has been retired. However, the Topaz cable will be terminated at the same site in Vancouver where it was attached.

-Jake Moore

https://globalnews.ca/news/8752695/google-fiber-cables-vancouver-japan/

Mariupol Mayor Says Siege Has Killed More Than 10K Civilians

 As the war in Ukraine continues, the Russians invaded Mariupol, a Ukrainian city. The article "Mariupol Mayor Saya Siege Has Killed More Than 10K Civilians" discusses the attack and how many more people might die. Right now more than 10,000 people have died and it is likely that number will exceed 20,000 by the end of the week. The article goes on to say where the bodies are taken and out to be cremated. This is so horrible and devastating to hear the immense number of people who have died from this war. Those who have managed to survive in Mariupol are in desperate need to food and water. It does not seem that Russia will stop invading any time soon so the loss will continue to grow. 

Elise Kamp 

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-04-11/ukrainian-defenders-dig-in-as-russia-boosts-firepower