NKorean soldiers put down arms to help plant crops

Taken From: Chron

Date Published: April 24th, 2013

North Korean soldiers seen using their military trucks
helping the farmers in the Spring planting.

Summary: Soldiers in North Korea are putting down their arms and giving a hand to plant crops. It is the time of year again where North Korea has food shortages. North Korea had already asked other nations for support. And are taking it into their own hands Neighboring nations still remain on guard for a missile launch, but right now the focus in the North is planting crops. The main focus for the North Koreans right now is planting rice, cabbage and soybeans. All along the DMZ, soldiers are helping farmers plant for the spring planting. The soldiers are ready for battle at any time, but right now they are farming. 

Opinion: I am glad the North Korean soldiers are taking the initiative and helping the farmers plant crops. I am happy they are focusing on something important, and putting what is most important first. I really hope the North Koreans have enough food to feed their people. I don't think people should go hungry. I am glad they are getting their priorities straight.

Father "appalled" that Millet mother who drowned young boys could be released Thursday

Taken From: CTV News

Date Published: April 3rd, 2013

Father and mother are shown with their sons Connor
and Jayden.

Summary: The father of two young boys, who were drowned by the hands of their mother is appalled by that the mother could be released from the hospital and set free. The mother's name is Allyson McConnell  She admitted to have drowned her two songs in the bathtub of their home. During her trial she testified she didn't remember any of the events that happened that day. The court was informed: McConnell had a long history of attempted suicide, after being impregnated by her father when she was only 15. She had been charged last summer with second-degree murder for the drowning and sentence to 6 years in prison, but the charges were downgraded. From last summer she faced 15 months in custody and is eligible for parole in 10 months. 

“I am appalled that a person who kills two innocent children and leaves their dead bodies (for her husband to find) next to the wedding ring she hadn't worn in months has only served 10 months,” the statement read.

McConnell is now leaving back to Australia. The province is fighting to ensure McConnell has to stay in Canada, but there is a deportation order in place. The father claims she never once apologized during the whole trial for drowned his two children.

Opinion: I think it is terrible for somebody to do such a thing, to children that are so young and innocent. They have their whole lives ahead of them, only to be cut short. I do believe McConnel should have served a longer sentence than just 10 months in prison. I believe she should have been kept with the original charges of 6 years in prison.

Putin signs law banning smoking in public in Russia

Taken from: BBC News Europe

Date Published: February 25th, 2013

It's an estimated 40% of Russians are smokers

Summary: By the next year smoking in public areas will officially be illegal in Russia. That means smoking in restaurants, on long-distance train rides, and in metro stations. Studies have shown that Russia has one of the highest smoking rates in the world. In every 10 Russians 4 become smokers. The bill was passed in early February, with only one deputy voting against the bill. The law is called the "On protecting the health of citizens from the danger of passive smoking and the consequences of the use of tobacco" will come into play one the first of June. The bill also includes the restriction of advertising tobacco. There has also been a minimum retail price set for the sale of tobacco.

Opinion: I don't smoke myself, but I think it is unfair for the people that do smoke. They should have the freedom to smoke, they should be able to in a smoking only room or something. It will be better for the health of other people, but it is still unfair for the people that already smoke. In the end the factors favor the bill, but I don't think smokers will be happy for this. 

One in five French bottled waters 'contain drugs or pesticides'

Taken From: The Guardian

Date Published: March 25th, 2013

Some of the brands the drugs and pesticides have been
found in

Summary: It is said that the average French water is cleaner, healthier, and purer than others. But a recent investigation found traces of pesticides and prescription drugs. Including a drug that is used to treat breast cancer. The investigation showed every one in five bottled water sold contains pesticides or drugs. The investigation included looking at 47 brands of bottled water sold in France. They discovered that around 10 of the brands contained residue from drugs or pesticides. 

"The biggest surprise was the presence of tamoxifen, a synthetic hormone used in the treatment of breast cancer," the magazine said.

It is a popular and powerful prescription drug used to treat breast cancer. It was found in 4 of the 10 brands. Other traces of prescription drugs including buflomedil and naftidrolfuryl were found in the other 6 brands. They are prescription drugs used to dilate arteries, for those with high blood pressure. The results were later contested by the water companies. The tests were run again a second time, to find the same results.

Opinion: I think it's very important that water bottling companies check for stuff that shouldn't be in their water. They are sending the water out for thousands of people to drink. Even if the amount is minuscule  i still think it is important for the water companies to check. They are putting other people's lives at risk, because they were not careful. I think they should question how they got the drug in the first place. Then they should work on, maybe, implementing better filtering technologies to make sure unwanted particles do not get into the water. 

Scottish government approves windfarm opposed by Donald Trump

Taken From: The Guardian

Date Published: March 26th, 2013

United States businessman Donald Trump and his
golf resort.

Summary: Scottish ministers have just recently given the go-ahead to start building an experimental offshore wind-farm site near Aberdeen. They are building the wind-farm ignoring billionaire Donald Trump's angry threats of legal action against the building of the wind-farms. Mr. Trump says the huge wind generators will block the view from his golf course. Mr. Trump claims it effects the financial viability of his resort. Scotland says the wind-farms will be capable of generating up to 100MW of power, enough for almost half of all the homes in Aberdeen. The wind turbines will all the different as they are still experimental. Some will be taller than other and some will have different designs than others. The main purpose for this is to find a new "break through" technology to provide Scotland with power. Despite Mr. Trump stating he would do anything in his legal power to stop the project, it is still going to happen. 

"Well done to the Scottish government for standing up to Donald Trump's threats and 

bluster"

Opinion: I think that it was good of the Scottish government for standing up. It will help for the future of Scotland. The wind turbines may affect Mr. Trumps resort, but they are being built on land that is not his. So I believe he has no power to do anything. The wind turbines may affect Scotland's tourism industry, which is the biggest. As people enjoy views of the cliffs and coastline, and not big industrial machines. In the end I believe it was good to build the turbines and it is thinking for the future, which is more important.

North Korea 'defeats' US troops in new propaganda video

Taken From: The Telegraph

Date Published: March 24th, 2013

Summary: A four minute video was just recently released by the North Koreans on their official website: "Uriminzokkiri". It is a website that distributes news and propaganda from the state media. The video has a male narrator describing as what North Korea calls "A Short, Three-Day War". The video describes the different stages of the invasion that the North Korean army had been through. Which includes the destruction of forces under the US Pacific Command with "powerful weapons of mass destruction". The narrator also claims the North Korean army is currently in Seoul, South Korea with 150,000 United States prisoners of war.

Opinion: I think this shows how badly the North Korean government wants the keep their citizens from the real world. I video has a really low quality, and I'm sure its not the first, but it may make the North Korean citizens wonder to themselves if that is actually real. It may make them question themselves and their government. The North Koreans know there is a war going on, and the government responded with this.

China Wants Nuclear Reactors, and Lots of Them

Taken from: Business Week

Date Published: February 21, 2013

Construction of a reactor at the Chanjiang Nuclear Power
Plant, in September 2012.

Summary: After the nuclear meltdown that occurred in Japan on March of 2011, Japan has announced they will take down their nuclear power plants and leave them off. Germany has also announced they are decommissioning their nuclear power plants. To follow Switzerland and Italy have rejected proposals to build more reactors. But on the other hand China has not ceased to build their nuclear power plants. Last November the government approved four more projects. This adds up to 29 nuclear power plants. More than any country in the world. China will now own 40% of the world's nuclear power plants. China has already adopted a new type of technology, which increases the power of the reactor, which can now produce 1400 megawatts from 1000 megawatts. This new reactor also has an 8 million pound water tank on top of the plant, in the case of a power outage. This will create a three day window of time, which is the estimated time to prevent a meltdown. The nuclear operator does not have to do anything, the machine will do it automatically. In the case of a power outage the power plant will be cooled by the water which is run by gravity. China is testing all kinds of new technologies to create the most efficient and highest energy producing power plant, while still looking at safety. They have begun testing with the radioactive chemical thorium, which is said to be safer than uranium as nuclear fuel. 

“China is now one of the most important countries, if not the most important country, in the global nuclear industry,” 

Opinion: I think that it is great that China is moving forward to provide more energy for the world and for itself. I think nuclear power plants are a good source of energy, but building too many is bad. It poses a safety risk and it is bad for the environment. I think building 29, is going over the top. As long as they can keep the public safe and create a new technology that has less of an impact on the environment, it is a good step forward. I am glad that China is test new ways and new innovations to create a safe and reliable source of power for themselves and the rest of the world to use.