Sunday, March 30, 2014

The World Today- What I am reading now 3/30

Effects of climate change seen everywhereRice, Doyle. "Report: Effects of Climate Change Seen Everywhere." USA Today. Gannett, 30 Mar. 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2014/03/30/climate-change-report-ipcc/7085937/
This article discusses how climate change is affecting people around the world, but little to no government action is being done about it. There has been an increase on the amount of information known about climate change and global warming, but since humans are dependant on fossil fuels, the emissions are causing global warming to happen quicker, The article states there will be an increase in hunger because of famine and flooding of coastal cities. This is mostly an objective article, and the language does not state any outward bias, but the purpose of the article is to convince people to stop being wasteful with resources.

North Korea Vows to Use ‘New Form’ of Nuclear Test

Sang-hun, Choe. "North Korea Promises ‘New Form’ of Nuclear Test." The New York Times. The New York Times, 30 Mar. 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/31/world/asia/north-korea-promises-new-form-of-nuclear-test.html?_r=0
North Korea promises a new type of nuclear testing. While N. Korea did not specify, U.S. is worried that N. Korea means they are developing small, sophisticated nuclear missiles. China's efforts to persuade N. Korea to stop missile testing are less effective now, and the article states that if N. Korea does fire any missiles, we will go to war with them. This article is slanted against the Koreans, and this is understandable, since it is written by and for Americans.

London skeletons reveal secrets of the Black Death
"London Skeletons Reveal Secrets of the Black Death." Jackson Hole News Guide. The Associated Press, 30 Mar. 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.

http://www.jhnewsandguide.com/jackson_hole_daily/our_world_people/our_world/london-skeletons-reveal-secrets-of-the-black-death/article_aa45a1f9-c420-57b2-af3a-1b3243e961de.html
During an evacuation of a site for a new subway in London, skeleton remains were found in a grave. the grave was full of skeletons from different time periods, leading researchers to believe that the grave was used many times. From teeth and spines, scientists were able to discover that all 15 skeletons had and most likely died from the Black Plague. The DNA extracted from the teeth will help scientists discover and learn more about the disease that still impacts people today. This was an objective article that was really fascinating. Its amazing what science can do nowadays!

The World Today- What I am reading Now- 3/30

Benjamin Netanyahu accuses UN of 'hypocrisy' over human rights votes

Tait, Robert. "Benjamin Netanyahu Accuses UN of 'hypocrisy' over Human Rights Votes."The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 30 Mar. 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/10732788/Benjamin-Netanyahu-accuses-UN-of-hypocrisy-over-human-rights-votes.html
This article is about Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his anger at the UN's decision to condemn Israel's human rights. Netanyahu states that the UN is deciding to focus on a minor problem when there are other more serious issues, like the Syrian war. This article is mostly objective, but tends to sympathize for the Israeli. The article also briefly touches the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and how peace talks are coming to an end between the two.

Russia plays down impact of Western sanctions before talks with US

Heinrich, Mark. "Russia Plays down Impact of Western Sanctions before Talks with US."Reuters.com. Reuters, 30 Mar. 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/03/30/ukraine-crisis-lavrov-sanctions-idINDEEA2T05C20140330
Russia has acquired Crimea, and states that Moscow has no intention on acquiring Eastern Ukraine. This article mentions that Russia and the US have been talking to each other, and that the US Secretary of State and Russian Foreign Minister will meet in Paris to work out a way to reduce tension between the two countries. It hopefully will bring an end to the tension between the US and Russia, which the article states is the "worst East-West confrontation since the Cold War ended." This is an objective article that does not side with either the Americans or the Russians, and simply states the time, date, and facts about the meetings. 

Despite sighting of floating debris, still no confirmed signs of missing Malaysian airliner

Yang, Jia Lynn. "New Debris Sightings but No Confirmed Signs of Missing Malaysian Airliner." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/despite-floating-debris-still-no-confirmed-sign-of-missing-malaysian-airlines-jet/2014/03/30/5aa638a4-b811-11e3-96ae-f2c36d2b1245_story.html
After three weeks of searching, the malaysian flight MH370 that disapeared over the Indian Ocean still hasn't been found. There has been some discoveries of debris found in the ocean, ut after investigation, it turns out to be just debris. People have been unable to go out and search because of bad weather, but on Monday, the search should be able to continue. There is only one week left for us to find the black box, which is emiting signals and  contains cockpit audio and flight data from the flight.   

Sunday, March 16, 2014

The World Today- What I am reading now 3/16

Crimeans vote overwhelmingly to join Russia

"Crimeans Vote Overwhelmingly to Join Russia." Irish Times. Irish Times, 16 Mar. 2014. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/crimeans-vote-overwhelmingly-to-join-russia-1.1727351
This is an objective update on what is happening in the world today in Ukraine and Russia. Over 90 percent of Crimeans have decided that they would rather join Russia than stay with Ukraine. This strains East-West relations, as the US does not want Russia to claim parts of Ukraine. The author of the article does not state their own opinions, and only states the facts of the situation, making this a good non-biased article.

Search Widens for Missing Malaysian Airliner

Corben, Ron. "Search Widens for Missing Malaysian Airliner." VOA. Voice of America News, n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.
http://www.voanews.com/content/search-for-missing-plane-now-involves-25-countries/1872213.html
This is relatively objective, and talks about different theories behind the missing airplane. There are more countries looking for it than before, and  the plane's course was changed and communications turned off during the flight. People now believe that the plane may have been hijacked and pirated, and not crashed at all. It then talks about how the south east Asian airplane companies need to tighten security. The author's ideas on what should be done to prevent this from happening again, and by comparing this to 9/11 makes it more opinionated. 

China Unveils Long-Awaited Urbanization Plan

"China Unveils Long-Awaited Urbanization Plan." The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, 16 Mar. 2014. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303287804579444112058812626
China plans to implement new urbanization goals. This article is very objective, and only states China's plans. It plans to help farmers by loosening restrictions on registrations, letting people move between rural and urban areas. China hopes to have 60% of it's people in cities by 2020. 

Thursday, March 6, 2014

The World Today- What I am Reading Now 3/6

 Are Opponents of Arizona's Anti-Gay Law Eager to Deceive?
Powers, Kirsten. "Are Opponents of Arizona's Anti-Gay Law Eager to Deceive?"The Daily Beast. Newsweek/Daily Beast, 03 Mar. 2014. Web. 06 Mar. 2014.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/03/03/are-arizona-anti-gay-law-opponents-eager-to-deceive.html

This is an opinion paper about the Arizona anti-gay laws that did not pass. Powers states that republicans are trying to cover up the failed bill by claiming it was never going to hurt same-sex couples. The conservative arguments that are presented seem ridiculous and weak, and there is a scathing tone about the whole bill. The bill would have let business owners discriminate against those who went against their religion, so it would not only legalize discrimination against same-sex couples, but would also let owners discriminate against other minorities.

 Jan Brewer's Foolish Veto
 Lowry, Rich. "POLITICO Magazine." POLITICO Magazine. Politico Magazine, 26 Feb. 2014. Web. 06 Mar. 2014. 
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/02/jan-brewers-foolish-veto-104014.html#ixzz2ujkubCRJ

This article is an opinion paper about the recently veto'd Arizona anti- gay law. Lowry states that the law held no anti- gay sentiment, and only would have served to "clarify the sate's Freedom Restoration Act." She fails to mention how if the law had ben passed, it could be used to legally discriminate against people. She also, although she states that the bill itself does not explicitly say "anti- gay" ,  clarify the bill and is elusive and vague about it. Her post is critical and disapproving of the way the media is responding to the bill, and she believes that it should have passed.  She uses quotes from other political journals and newspapers aimed against Christians, and says everyone is overreacting.

 Antigay Laws Gain Global Attention; Countering Them Remains Challenge.

Sengupta, Somini. "Antigay Laws Gain Global Attention; Countering Them Remains Challenge." The New York Times. The New York Times, 01 Mar. 2014. Web. 06 Mar. 2014.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/world/africa/antigay-laws-gain-global-attention-countering-them-remains-challenge.html?_r=1

This article briefly covers anti-gay laws around the world. For example, it mentions the recent Uganda and Russian laws, along with how recently there has been an outcry against these anti-gay sentiments throughout the world. This is read from a more objective standpoint, as it only serves to explain and educate what is going on in the world today. This article mainly focuses on how the USA might react to anti-gay sentiments throughout the rest of the world, and if it will continue to support such countries.