CURRENT EVENTS Olivia Dorfman
 
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New and Now:
 6th Graders Have the Story!

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...INTERNATIONAL CONFLICTS...NATIONAL CONFLICTS...NATURAL DISASTERS...SCIENCE NEWS...BUSINESS NEWS... ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS...HUMAN RIGHTS...INTERNATIONAL CONFLICTS...NATIONAL CONFLICTS...NATURAL DISASTERS...SCIENCE NEWS...BUSINESS NEWS... ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS...HUMAN RIGHTS


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Follow the News Currents:




INTERNATIONAL CONFLICTS

North Korea and South Korean Conflicts
The North Korea And South Korean War, which started in 1950, has caused conflicts between the two countries ever since. On March 26th, 2010, North Korea sank a South Korean war ship. While South Korea tries to “get revenge” at them for their action, North Korea is testing nuclear weapons. They claim to have tested bombs as strong as the Hiroshima bomb. Meanwhile, South Korea is participating with the U.S. in military exercises. To learn more about the conflict with North Korea...CLICK HERE

War in Afghanistan
The war in Afghanistan has been going on for 7 years now. It is also the second longest war in American history, the longest being Vietnam. Even though it is the second longest war in history, the war has the lowest American death toll at about 1087 people.The war that had the most American deaths was the Civil War with 400,000 people. The war in Afghanistan is about hunting terrorist leaders.
The Obama administration wants to pull out troops in the summer of 2011.
To learn more about the war in Afghanistan..., CLICK HERE

Old Terrorist Threat Returning
In some of the earliest attacks by Americans in Iraq, a large portion of the resistance faced by U.S. troops was caused by the Mahdi army, a Shiite worshiping militia. Although the U.S. and coalition forces did an efficient job of eliminating and dispersing the militia in past years, there is strong suspect that they could be regrouping to retaliate. If so, the force could be the size and/or much bigger than the Taliban currently being conflicted.
To learn more about the war in Iraq...CLICK HERE


Jamaican Drug Wars
The powerful Shower Posse, one of Jamaica’s estimated 250 gangs, run by drug lord Christopher “Dudus” Coke is known to be involved with the selling and use of drugs. The Jamaican army stormed into Dudus’ nerve center on the 24 of May, leading house to house searches for the gang leader.
To learn more about the drug wars in Jamaica, CLICK HERE

NATIONAL CONFLICTS

Economic Problems caused by Anti-Government Protestors in Thailand
Thai Anti-Government protestors have potential to wreak havoc on Thailand’s economy. Thailand’s tourism trade accounts for six percent of Thailand’s economy, and this year, hotel occupancy in Bangkok was down to 20% when it is usually up to 80 or 90%. It also affects foreign investments and stunts and economic growth.
To learn more about the issues in Thailand...CLICK HERE

 Mexican Drug Problem
Mexico has an increasingly amount of drug dealers in their country. It has gotten out of control and there are currently opposing drug cartel wars in the streets of Ciudad Juarez. The dealers and their drugs are traveling into the US and it has become a very dangerous situation.
To learn more about the Mexican drug problem...CLICK HERE

NATURAL DISASTERS

Storms Cause Disasters in U.S.
 Since January, there have been several tornadoes and floods, and scientists have predicted that there are many more storms to come such as hurricanes and tornadoes. Hurricane season lasts from June 1st to November 30th this year.
To learn more about the storms, CLICK HERE

SCIENCE NEWS

Global Warming Becoming a Big Problem
Global warming has been around since the time of the industrial revolution. However, of late, global warming has become worse, causing a very serious problem. Humans are carelessly cutting down trees, opening factories, not recycling and using up all the ozone in the atmosphere. As a result to our carelessness, millions of animals are losing their habitats and even getting tangled in our trash. Humans need to be more conservative, mind full and resourceful.
To learn more about global warming CLICK HERE

Interesting Science News
A star eating a planet...synthetic life...and a newly discovered octopus fossil!

To read more about this interesting science news...CLICK HERE


BUSINESS NEWS

Europe’s Economy in a Down Fall
Greece is having economic troubles. Greek government officials have proposed a 185 billion dollar bailout plan. Other EU countries are also having trouble, including Spain, Italy, Ireland, and recently Portugal. This is happening because Greece and other countries had huge investments in tourist locations. Some of the countries did not enforce their taxes.
Since September 2008, the U.S. economy has dropped dramatically. While recently it has been recovering from the feared next Great Depression, the European Economy has crashed as well. Goldmann Sachs has committed fraud, and the S.E.C. is carrying out a further investigation. Also, South Korea will be hosting a G-20 conference this week of May 31st. World markets have tanked amid uncertainty over Europe's government finances while The Dow Jones industrial average declined 7.9 percent in May and has dropped even more due to the turmoil in Europe’s economy. The European situation will be on the agenda in the G-20 conference.
To learn more about the financial crisis in Europe...CLICK HERE

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

Oil Spills in Gulf of Mexico
An explosion on a British Petroleum oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20th caused a massive oil spill. More and more oil is leaking every day. The United States government and British Petroleum are frantically searching for ways to stop the leak but nothing efficient has arisen. Cleanup efforts are on their way. If the oil reaches the marshes, plants and animals will die.
To learn more about the oil spill...CLICK HERE

HUMAN RIGHTS

India Makes Education a Fundamental Law
India makes free education a fundamental law as a response to critics. The law was passed last year, and on April 1, 2010 Indian children were able to go to school with no cost. This new law should help a huge number of children all over the country. However, many teachers are needed to fulfill this law. Will this action end in good or bad results? Some opinions are far more positive than others.
To learn more about education in India and the world...CLICK HERE

Illegal-Immigration Reform in Arizona
Arizona has passed a law that will come into effect on July 23, entitling police and other government officials to ask anyone for credentials and proof of citizenship. It is draining tourism but also will regulate citizens and illegal immigrants.
To learn more about the immigration issue...CLICK HERE

Soldier Opens Abandoned Afghan School
A soldier named Jeremiah Ellis wanted to reopen the Pir Mohamed School in Serenjay Afghanistan. This town is 80% Taliban ruled so opening the school and protection is a hard task. He was requested by the villagers to help open the school which some girls went to. He had to get rid of the bombs that the Taliban placed so the Canadians that built the school couldn’t go in. Jeremiah got permission from the town elders and the Taliban. At first the Taliban disagreed but finally they said yes. It is still a work in progress, but this project has been approved.
To learn more about the war in Afghanistan...CLICK HERE

South Korea and North Korea
by Eggplant Gecko
 Who: North Korea and South Korea
What: Conflicts between the countries, sunken navy warship, nuclear weapon testing, U.S. participating in military exercises
Where: North Korea, South Korea, Yellow Sea
When: (several different dates)
Why: Ever since the war, conflicts are happening

North Korean and South Korean War
After North Korea and South Korea broke free from Japan in 1950, the Korean war broke out. This is because small skirmishes arose along the border between the two countries. Conflicts have been occurring ever since the war.

Sunken Ship
*March 26, 2010, South Korea’s Cheonan Corvette navy warship went down
* Was caused by and torpedo attack from North Korea
*Occurred in the Yellow Sea
*Killed 46 out of 104 people
*As a result, South Korea broadcasted through loud speakers along the North Korean border

Nuclear Weapons
*Currently, North Korea is testing Nuclear Weapons
*They claim that they have tested some as powerful as the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima
*An earthquake was caused by an underground test of a nuclear bomb
*South Korea claims to have felt that earthquake
*President Obama says that the testing could cause north east Asia to lose its stability

U.S. Involved in Military Exercises
*Currently, U.S. and South Korea are planning two major military exercises
*This is happening off peninsula of South Korea
*White house said that they are doing this to prevent future problems toward South Korea


 The War in Afghanistan
by Groggy Whale

7 years ago President George Bush declard war on the terrorist that are in Iraq and Afghanistan. As we sent troops over to battle them. To this day June 4, 2010 we have lost 1093 sodiers fighting in Afghanistan. Over 500 where lost in 2008 alone. The Obama administration want our troops to pull out by summer of 2010. We are currently training Taliban to be police officers. We are doing this so that we do not loss more troops and so that they can protect themselves.


 Terrorists in Iraq
by Cheesy Uncle

 It all started with a large scale invasion in 2003, ever since there has been non-stop chaos. The soldiers are fighting a war unlike any ever experienced by U.S. forces. Blazing sun, a consistency of in-direct fire, and their true enemies watching them ever so constantly, standing unarmed just watching, and mentally planning where they will place their next I.E.D. Sometimes it seems as though the soldiers’ patrols are simply acting as bait to get hit by an explosive, as direct contact with armed enemies is rare.

The soldiers’ most common MO is to integrate with society, ultimate goal to become friends but gaining a neutral trust will satisfy these U.S. warriors. The men and women of the armed forces even go as far as to hand out essential living equipment not to mention toys to children of the villages. What do they get in return for their generosity? One might ask. They get nothing more than what has been happening since 2003: the news of another I.E.D. ripping through the bottom of another sparsely armored military jeep, the news that more people are being blackmailed to not cooperate with our soldiers, making their jobs that much more difficult with every upgrade of military aggressiveness.

One reason why America invaded Iraq was because of Iraq’s oil supply. In the last years Iraq has begun accepting Euros from the euro-zone so that they can get a slice of the pie, and with so many countries pegged to the Euro it significantly has increased the value of the Euro, thus giving American government yet another reason to invade Iraq. In response to their invasion oil pipelines have been being purposely damaged and punctures. (Suspects= Arab insurgents, likely many groups) In a short summary, with every day that passes with invasive troops in the country, the population and government falls deeper and deeper into a black hole of turmoil, violence, and increased poverty.

Also, there have been on and off threats to the U.S. that Iraq and other Middle East countries possess nuclear weapons, the power to turn the world upside down is in their Israeli hating hands. Despite the high frequency of poverty within the country, it isn’t very difficult for a desiring citizen to arm themselves for purposes of both criminal intents, and insurgent intents. This is true because a standard AK-47 rifle is valued at about $13 and is available at almost any general store in Iraq.

Friendly forces are currently at somewhat of a disadvantage as the insurgents are constantly using textbook guerrilla tactics, something that only Special Forces units in the U.S. are conventionally trained for. Obviously, this can put our forces at a disadvantage, a disadvantage of inexperience. The issue is especially growing in the marine branch of the military, as they, conventionally, are ready at all times to deploy anywhere in the world, thus making it a training necessity for the men to be best outfitted for anywhere where they could be deployed in the world. But, the branch has not yet come to realization that pretty much all of the soldiers trained will be, if deployed, deployed to Iraq or at least a Middle East country in which they will conduct more than half of their patrols in urban environments. Luckily, all branches of military have upgraded a lot of their training and have focused more on CQB. (Close quarters combat) CQB is a method of room clearing in which a stream of soldiers pour through an entrance of a room quickly and decisively each one looking every which way for threats, and then moving into the next room doing the same as previously often using the element of surprise to their advantage.

One of the elements that make this war so difficult to fight is the element that U.S. soldiers are fighting in the insurgents’ backyard. There are two dangerous parts to this. First, the insurgents now have a second incentive, to protect their own personal family and land. Second, they know the land much better than a bunch of Yankees do, so this often poses as a serious threat for soldiers to face sniper attacks. Snipers can be brilliantly hidden in a dark nook in a building with a makeshift suppressor on their weapon, making themselves invisible, or they could inhabit an old, abandoned hotel moving from balcony to balcony wreaking havoc upon warriors below, often causing the soldiers to call in an M1 Abrams tank to take out a single individual. Unfortunately, that is too often the sole purpose of an enemy sniper. A tactic that they use is that at the point that the tank is called, they have used the sniper as bait to get on that road. Before the marines know what has happened, the tank is crippled by an I.E.D.

There are now suspicions that the original enemy that the U.S. faced in operation Desert Storm, the Mahdi army, could be regrouping. They are more of a potential force to the U.S. because they are more organized than Taliban or Al Quaida forces currently being faced. There have been recent threats by who experts think are Mahdi militia members, that if forces do not pull out in the near future, then terrorist attacks will be conducted in American bases both in Iraq and attacks on American soil. This brings the topic back a root of the war itself, 9/11. That and Pearl Harbor were two of the only and most deadly attacks on American soil. Historically, America has no tolerance for attacks on our turf, and both fights have sent the country plummeting in to war. Within hours of the attack war was declared.

And so the war continues as you read this article, new threats presenting constantly. Even if the war in Iraq is suppressed, war on terror is to be seen throughout the world in both near and far into the future.


 PROTESTS IN THAILAND

by Eager Dinosaur
 Most of the world is wondering what happened in Thailand with the protests. Here are some facts to show how what happened.

What/ Why?Protestors, lead by Seh Daeng, were protesting in Thailand against the government. The government of Thailand had chosen a prime minister that many of the people did not approve of. The protestors enjoyed having the old prime minister better. They wanted to be more involved with choosing their own prime minister. After Seh was shot, the protestors wanted to negotiate with the government, but they said no. This caused the protestors to bomb the stock exchange, a widely selling store, and to loot the town. If that wasn’t enough, they rioted more after that.

Who?Protesters called the Red Shirts are protesting. Seh Daeng, also known as Khattiya Sawasdipol, their leader, is also a military general. He was shot by the government with a sniper rifle in the head. He died on May 15th this year but he was shot on the 12th.

Where?This rioting, protesting, bombing, looting, and killing was all done in Thailand’s capitol, Bangkok. Seh Daeng died in the Vijira hospital which is also in Bangkok.

What next?The government decided that the protestors would be charged with a terrorist offence, leaving most horrified. They also decided to shut down public transportation, turn off the power, and cut the cell phone lines. It seems like everyone is going crazy. But all the protestors wanted was to be more involved with their government and to feel like they were participating citizens within their home town.

Mexican Drug Problem
by Lime Fish
 Who’s using drugs?
Why is it a problem?
Where are they being sold?
What kind of drugs?

In the past year, thousands of people have been killed in the Mexican Drug War in Ciudad Juarez. Rival drug cartels are getting into major, gory gun battles. The ratio is one hundred and ninety-one murders to every one hundred thousand people in Mexico. Every day, more and more people are being killed. The streets are unsafe and people are advised to stay inside their houses and out of the road. Gunmen are everywhere and it is a treacherous place to be at the time. Mexican President Felipe Calderon insured Mexico as well as America that there will be an investigation immediately and there is one now.

Many police officers have given their lives trying to save Mexico of the drug wars. These cartels have gone to the dogs; last week they chased down a white van with a man and his pregnant wife and shot at it until it swerved off of the road in a fiery crash. Both people were killed including the preborn baby. This area is so unsafe that many people have fled. You would never think that people would go low enough to kill a pregnant woman but they indeed did that exact thing.

Now American troops have been ordered by President Barack Obama to stand guard at the Mexican Border to keep out Mexican drug fugitives.

Although few dealers have made it into the US, the drugs have now reached places as far from Mexico as Washington and Oregon. You can walk through a park and stumble upon a drug cartel in the middle of the forest. It is guarded by three armed men. They will shoot you and kill you if they realize that you have seen their operation.

The wars and operations are not only the problem; there is also the drugs themselves. Mexico is now the head of drug operations in the entire western hemisphere.

Mexican drug lords are the head of a $142 billion a year industry selling heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and cocaine.

The whole issue of drug trafficking is that it is illegal and it is ruining lives all over the world. Drugs are so powerful that they can make users lose their mind and become psychopathic. It changes minds of completely normal people and turns them into different, confused, and crazed people. The problem is that there really is no way to stop. Drugs are extremely addicting and kill thousands of people a year.

The drugs are being sold throughout Mexico and also in the areas of the United States that are on near the border of Mexico (The users are also from the places that the drugs are being sold). The drugs are being illegally smuggled from Mexico into all of these places and are being spread throughout all of North America.
Because of the fact that soldiers have been put on the border to stop the dealers, the problem should stop soon. And if it doesn’t, hopefully it will be contained before it gets worse.


Jamaican Drug Gang (Shower Posse) vs. Jamaican Police
by Smiling Narwhal
 Who: Shower Posse, the most powerful of Jamaica’s estimated 250 gangs; Michael Christopher “Dudus” Coke, police, USA
What: a battle between Jamaican security forces and supporters of alleged drug lord Christopher Coke because Coke faces extradition to the United States
When: 24 of May - Current
Where: Tivoli Gardens area of Kingston, Jamaica
Why: The use and selling of drugs is illegal in Jamaica. Government officials are searching for “Dudus”. Residents of Tivoli Gardens want the drug lord to stay because his presence offers security in the area, thus promoting less danger for inhabitants.

The powerful Shower Posse, one of Jamaica’s estimated 250 gangs, run by drug lord Christopher “Dudus” Coke is known to be involved with the selling and use of drugs. The Jamaican army stormed into Dudus’ nerve center on the 24 of May, leading house to house searches for the gang leader. Supporters of Dudus, who love the protection that he causes while in their neighborhood, have attacked 14 police stations, causing violence and conflict with the law enforcement agencies. Three days afterwards, the death toll was close to 73 with 500 detained, 28 weapons seized, and police in control of the entire district. After all this, Dudus is still at large. Some believe he has crossed border, or is as close as a flanking suburb. So far, Dudus is missing, and the violence continues.
For more information about the Jamaican drug wars, check out the website at the bottom of the page.


 Storms
by Red Owl

TORNADOES
As hazardous as it was, the tornado that hit Oklahoma on March 8th did not kill anyone. Five homes and one county barn were completely destroyed. Roofs were ripped off and power lines were down all over the area. About 900 residences were without power. The thunderstorms that produced the conditions for the tornado weakened shortly afterward and a tornado warning was cancelled.

WHAT ARE TORNADOES?
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air in contact with and extending between a cloud and the surface of the earth. Winds in a tornado are normally about 100 mph, but in the most violent situations they can reach winds of 250 mph. Abundant low level moisture is necessary, and a trigger is needed to lift the moist air up.

DEADLIEST TORNADO IN HISTORY
On March 18, 1925, the deadliest tornado to ever hit America , plowed through and destroyed three states: Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. It was so big it became known as “The Tri-State Tornado.” The death toll was 695 people, and the number of people injured were 2027. It is recognized by many as an F5 tornado, the maximal damage rating. The tornado was part of a larger tornado outbreak, with several other destructive tornadoes in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana, as well as tornadoes in Alabama and Kansas. The vortex was first sighted at around 1:01 p.m., north-north-west of Ellington, Missouri.

FLOODS
The flood in Nashville, Tennessee was horrible. On May 4 the city of Nashville was blanketed with ten feet of water after the Cumberland river flooded, and after weekend storms all over Tennessee.




2 Devastating Earthquakes of 2010
By Pacific Pony

On February 27, 2010 an 8.8 earthquake shook up the Maule region in Chile, South America. This giant quake is the biggest in the world since 2004 and the biggest in Chile since 1960. The first after shock was twenty minutes after the original shake and it had a magnitude 6.6. That’s bigger then most main earthquakes! Beside the fist giant there were over 130 others felt throughout the country. The quake was huge the death count is relevantly small compared to others like Haiti. About 512 died because of the monster quake although it is a lot of people it could have been far worse. But not only the Maule region felt the affect of the quake about 93% of Chile blacked out thanks to this natural disaster. That and the damage caused by this major shake costs roughly 66.7 million dollars. That’s one natural and economical disaster.

Chile was not the only place struck with a disastrous earthquake this year. On January 12, Haiti got hit with a 7.0 earthquake that was devastating to everyone on the little island. Chile lost 512 but Haiti lost a whooping 230,000 people to this monstrous shake. Another 300,000 was injured and it left nearly 1,000,000 people homeless. Nearly 3,000,000 people in total were affected. The devastating quake toppled about 280,000 buildings. But the main earthquake was no the only problem it was followed by 52 after shocks, some reaching the magnitude of 4.5. This earthquake left Haiti in ruins.

 Global Warmingby Azure Raven
 Some people believe that global warming is not a result of man being wasteful, but simply a bad turn in that was started by nature. Even without including deforestation problems, the increase of industries and the depletion of ozone in the atmosphere as factors in this equation, many people believe that what is done is done and that we will not be able to reverse Global Warming. I am not one of those people. If you read some quick facts on global warming below, you will see that global warming is not a result of nature, but a result of mankind. If everyone works together we might be able to reverse global warming for good. Here is what you can do to help!

*Recycle
*Pick up trash
*Carpool
*Plant trees
*Reuse paper
*Turn off your light when you are not in your room
*Use reusable water bottles versus plastic
*Turn off your sink when you’re using your water

Quick Facts:

What: Global Warming is becoming a big problem.
Why: Humans have been creating more and more carbon dioxide and as a result there is too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

When: Many people believe that global warming started during the industrial resolution. Although that is the estimated date, global warming has been getting much worse lately.

Who: Global warming is starting for one reason. Humans are ignoring their responsibilities to the world. Cutting down trees to make into paper and buildings, not recycling, and filling up the ocean with gasses and pollution are just some of the countless things humans are doing.

Where:
Global warming is accruing everywhere around you. Look in your backyard. Do you see a piece of trash? This is pollution. Look in a stream. Do you see a floating candy wrapper? Does the water look dirty? If it does it is most likely polluted. Look on television; is there a news report on an oil spill or a new factory opening? Guess what these things lead to? You guessed it: pollution. And pollution leads to global warming.

For additional information, check the website links at the bottom of this page.


 Wasp-12b: Sun Eaten Sister Planet
by Shadow Alpaca
A distant Milky Way planet known as WASP-12b is reportedly being destroyed by its own sun. We owe knowing this to the Hubble Telescope, of which has also has recognized unknown elements in the planet’s atmosphere.
It is a gas planet, of which Is a yellow dwarf and is about 600 light-years away from the constellation Auriga. The planet is around 2800⁰F, being the hottest planet known in the Milky Way, and it is 75X larger than Jupiter. It orbits its sun in less than 24 hours, and will probably be totally enveloped in the next ten million years.

Synthetic Life Has Been Created!
by Shadow Alpaca
How it was done
1.The scientists synthesize the DNA of the Mycoides
2. Portion of the DNA is inserted into the bacterium
3. Bacterial genome is cloned in yeast
4. Cloned bacterial genome is removed from the yeast and it is methylated
5. The cloned bacterial genome is transplanted into its’ host cell
6. Methylation protects the cloned genome from being deterred by the host
7. The host cell reboots as the synthetic mycoides.

To read more about synthetic life, click the link at the bottom of this page.

Nectocaris pteryx: Cephalopod Relative?by Shadow Alpaca
Nectocaris pteryx is an octopus and squid-like ancient creature of which has lived 505 million years ago. Its two tentacles in its front could have been used for snatching up its prey. Its weak beak and radula (small microscopic teeth of which most cephalopods and all slugs and snails use to eat with) help to break up that incoming food. It moves with side fins like such ones on a cuttlefish or flounder. It is up to four inches long, tentacle and all. Before, fossils of it have been discovered, but now, a more intact fossil has been found. This new fossil has lead to the conclusion from science that Nectocaris pteryx is indeed a cephalopod.
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/59713/title/Octopus_origins

Bad World Economy
by Laughable Bear
 *Unemployment claims fell by 14,000 in U.S, though still at 9.9%
*started in 2000’s
*Real estate downturn, prices dropped, but is now stabilizing
*Purchases of new homes jumped in April to a two-year high and orders for durable goods climbed the most in three months, signaling the U.S. economy strengthened before the European debt crisis gained force.
*The United States is in a current economic crisis. Since the mid 2000’s, the real estate market has dived and become more and more insecure. Prices have dived, making no profits for the sellers. While the market is now more secure, it may become unstable once again.
*Mortgages are not being paid, and neither are taxes. The stock market and economy hasn’t totally recovered since Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers, Merril Lunch, and AIG had economic issues, including bankruptcy.
*The stock market dived. Bailouts began, and then in the summer of 2009, President Barack Obama passed a law with the economic stimulus package. This took the taxes citizens paid and gave it to businesses.
*Now, Goldmann Sachs has committed fraud. They are currently seeking lesser charge from SEC, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, hoping to avoid fraud charges due to the investment firm’s business practices.
*South Korea will be hosting the next G-20 conference on the week on May 30th. Click here for more information about the G-20
*World markets have tanked amid uncertainty over Europe's government finances.
*The Dow Jones industrial average declined 7.9 percent in May and has dropped even more due to the turmoil in Europe’s economy.
*The European situation will be on the agenda
*Unemployment rates dropped in 90% of metropolitan areas


 Gulf Oil Spill
by Amazing Fish
Exploding on April 20, a deepwater oil cap has been releasing crude oil for 37 days, and is still going. This is happening in the Gulf of Mexico, when it exploded eleven platform workers were killed and seventeen were injured. The oil is slowly but steadily creeping towards the U.S. and other islands, and has already washed up on Louisiana. This is affecting all wildlife and economy near and far away from the spill.

*BP (the company that is responsible for the spill) is not allowing scientists to properly measure how much oil is coming out.
*Estimated 6,800,000 gallons per day
*This is a threat to the Gulf coast and East Coast

Map: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/posted/2931/SCAT_Oil_Spill_Daily_Status_Map_060110_Map_ID_Houma37_letter.577035.pdf Wildlife Effects
The massive oil spill is mostly injuring birds and sea turtles. 186 of the sea turtles the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Rescue have recovered, only a few were found alive. Out of sixty birds, forty-three were found dead. The sea turtles are poisoned by the oil they drink in the water, leaving them ill. Also the water is now much more burdened, making it hard to swim through. The sea turtle population was already threatened, and may be changed to endanger if this epidemic continues. The birds are also contaminated and their wings are oiled which results in them unable to fly. The oil also leaves them dripping wet and freezes them to death. More information: http://oils.gpa.unep.org/facts/wildlife.htm

Economic Effects

The oil spill is affecting everything in its path, from seafood to swimming. This all has to do with the ocean. Fish and bird carcasses washing up on the beach will stop tourists from visiting a once known paradise. It will stop people from fishing, sailing, swimming, snorkeling… Oyster harvesters are unable to sell to customers all over the world because of the oil spill, leaving many restaurants stranded. This may not seem important, but then shops will close down and people will lose their jobs.

 Education in India
by Mango Lemur
Who: The Indian population
What: a law was passed that said all children from 6 to 14 are allowed free education
Where: In all of India When: This law was passed April 1st 2009
Why: 60% of all Indians in India can’t read or write
Details: Though India is a rich country, India’s economic growth does not help with the problem that so many people cannot afford school. There are still slums in India and it was brought to the attention of many movie viewers when the movie Slumdog Millionaire came out and was Oscar Nominated. Teaching is very hard in slums where money is scarce and so are teachers. This law should help 8 million children. 1.2 million teachers must fulfill this new law of teaching all these children.
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Last updated  2010/06/14 21:32:53 EDTHits  401