Iran warns U.S.

By: Ciera Johnson

U.S. aircraft carriers travel through the Persian Gulf. Photo courtesy of Google images

         On Tuesday, the U.S. received a warning from Iran to keep an aircraft carrier out of the Persian Gulf. The U.S. did not follow the warning because they believe they’re testing nuclear weapons. The U.S. is not going to back down from Iran and is choosing to ignore the warning.

            Iran is not happy with the rejection of the warning and although they do not plan to attack or act maliciously, they will be prepared if it is needed. The commander of Iran’s army, Maj Gen, says that they will not repeat their warning to the U.S. They are serious about their warning and advise the U.S. to listen to them.

               Iran sent the warning referring to the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier, which belongs to the 5th fleet. It traveled recently through the Persian Gulf to the North Arabian Sea. Iran states that the Americans understood that they were not being “aggressive” towards them and were just doing their own practices. Western diplomats, though, state they were shooting off missiles and were being violent.

               The U.S. states it will continue to travel through the Persian Gulf like it has for years. The U.S. has had ships traveling through the gulf since WWII and the ships fleet covers 2.5 million miles, including the Persian Gulf. They are not going to stop now randomly for no apparent reason. If Iran is messing around with nuclear missles, then they need to be stopped, but if they are not doing anything wrong, there should be no problem with the U.S. traveling through.

Panda Express stops in Scotland

By: Mariah Wilson

"Sunshine" and "Sweetie" get pampered while on flight. Photo courtesy of Google images

December 4, 2011 marked a historical day for theUnited Kingdomwhen two giant pandas were presented toScotlandfromChinaas a gift of goodwill. Scotlandhas been without endangered bears in the country since 1994, when their giant panda, Ming Ming, was shipped back toChina.  The two Pandas, affectionately known as “Sweetie” and “Sunshine” were transported by FEDEX on an 11 hour flight, which included a personal vet and in-flight meals. The giant pandas traveled in a Boeing 777, flown by four pilots with ‘extensive experience’ and were greeted with Scottish bagpipes as they landed.

            The transfer betweenChinaandScotlandtook five years to complete and included negotiations held by Chinese and Scottish officials coupled with input from both British and Scottish royalty.  The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the charity organization that runs the Edinburgh Zoo where “Sweetie” and “Sunshine” are to call home, commenced talks regarding acquiring a pair of pandas as early as 2006.  Over years of negotiations, Scottish officials paired with the China Wildlife Conservative Association and made arrangements for the giant pandas to be flown fromChina.  It will take an estimated $70,000 a year to care for the endangered species in their new home.

            The transfer of “Sweetie” and “Sunshine” was not the first time that giant pandas were used in as a tool to enhance aUnited Kingdomcountry’s relations withChina.  In 1974, British Prime Minister Edward Heath received two giant pandas when he visited the country ofChina.  Since the endangered giant panda is a treasure to the Chinese population, receiving the two bears is seen as a special gift in the effort to bring theChinaandUnited Kingdomcommunities together.

The Panda Express stops in Scotland

By: Mariah Wilson

"Sunshine" and "Sweetie" get pampered while on flight. Photo courtesy of Google images

December 4, 2011 marked a historical day for theUnited Kingdomwhen two giant pandas were presented toScotlandfromChinaas a gift of goodwill. Scotlandhas been without endangered bears in the country since 1994, when their giant panda, Ming Ming, was shipped back toChina.  The two Pandas, affectionately known as “Sweetie” and “Sunshine” were transported by FEDEX on an 11 hour flight, which included a personal vet and in-flight meals. The giant pandas traveled in a Boeing 777, flown by four pilots with ‘extensive experience’ and were greeted with Scottish bagpipes as they landed.

            The transfer betweenChinaandScotlandtook five years to complete and included negotiations held by Chinese and Scottish officials coupled with input from both British and Scottish royalty.  The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the charity organization that runs the Edinburgh Zoo where “Sweetie” and “Sunshine” are to call home, commenced talks regarding acquiring a pair of pandas as early as 2006.  Over years of negotiations, Scottish officials paired with the China Wildlife Conservative Association and made arrangements for the giant pandas to be flown fromChina.  It will take an estimated $70,000 a year to care for the endangered species in their new home.

            The transfer of “Sweetie” and “Sunshine” was not the first time that giant pandas were used in as a tool to enhance aUnited Kingdomcountry’s relations withChina.  In 1974, British Prime Minister Edward Heath received two giant pandas when he visited the country ofChina.  Since the endangered giant panda is a treasure to the Chinese population, receiving the two bears is seen as a special gift in the effort to bring theChinaandUnited Kingdomcommunities together.

Buildings in South Korea resemble 9/11 attack

By:Bryana Gose

Two large buildings in South Korea that are going to be used for new apartments strangely resemble the collapse of the Twin Towers after the September 11, 2001 attack. One of the new buildings will have 54 floors, and the other will have 60.In the middle both will conjoin, having many restaurants and places to shop.  Many families affected by 9/11 say it closely resembles the World Trade Center. The PR chief at the Yongsan Developmental Company says that these accusations were surprising. “If I’d been living in New York at the time, and been part of the experience, I might agree it looked like it. But to me, at the moment, it doesn’t resemble the World Trade Center attacks at all,” Mr. Seo said. Designers say it’s not supposed to resemble the attack but to resemble a pixelated cloud making the apartments a luxurious place to live.

            Even on the streets of Seoul, where the buildings will be located, people do make the connection and see that it does look like the attack. “Even if it does remind people of 9/11, there’s no law saying it can’t be built,” one pedestrian said. “It might even remind people of the tragedy that happened back then.”

New apartments in South Korea look similar to the Twin Towers being attacked during 9/11. Photo courtesy of Google images

The development company has said there were two designs to choose from and they chose this one because it was viewed as a trendy look, the other was leaning more towards old- fashioned. In South Korea, buildings aren’t just buildings. That’s where the symbolism and spiritual impact of buildings is cherished. Mr. Seo says this latest dispute is not a matter of insensitivity towards the U.S but different cultural perceptions. As they chose this “trendy” styled building, the design will not be completely finalized until next year, but the company is saying they will not change the design of the building from their plans to make the critics happy or to please the people complaining about how the design looks. The designers like the look and think it’s a very unique building so changing the style is out of consideration. Construction on this relatively familiar look of buildings is not due to start until roughly 2013.

China takes down child traffickers

By: Jordan Brown

This past Thursday, a break in the battle against child trafficking was made. In the Chinese providence ofSichuan, a large child trafficking organization was brought down. The Chinese police arrested 608 suspects and were able to save 178 children that would have been sold on the international child trafficking market.Chinahas a “zero tolerance” law for child trafficking.

            The bust was said to be the biggest since the law was passed. The police had waited several months to conduct this nationwide investigation; over 5,000 police officers where used in the case. The Ministry of Public Security, which is theUnited Statesequivalent to the FBI or Homeland Security, has made several statements about the case.

“We will ensure the buyers lose both their money and the purchased children, so that we can address the problem from the source by reducing the demand for kidnapped and trafficked children” the Ministry of Public Security stated, after the arrests were made.

Although this was a large case, it is nowhere near ending the child trafficking problem inChina. Because of child trafficking, thousands of children are reported missing every year. As for the fate of the children in this case, they will most likely go to orphanages around the country. Over 18,518 children have been rescued from situations like this one.China’s zero tolerance law has started a new campaign to end human trafficking in the country.

 “This policy is aimed at cracking down on the buyers’ market,” the Ministry of Public Security says. It’s hard to say whether the policy is working or not. But with all the arrests made on Thursday, it seems likeChinais very serious about following through with previous statements. Among the arrests that have been made, many will be convicted. Most are members of gangs and larger human trafficking organizations.

 Crimes like these are tough to track down and make arrests, butChinaseems to be doing a pretty good job. With allChina’s providences cooperating, more and more arrests will be made. Maybe this special enforcement will encourage other countries with human trafficking problems to take action.

Journalist jailed

By: Sasha Jimenez

The number of journalists in jail around the world has reached an all-time high this year. Photo courtesy of Google images

                Everyone has the right to know the truth of issues going on in the world. Journalism is the investigation and reporting of events, issues, and trends. It’s what gives the people insight on what is really happening behind closed doors. However, this practice isn’t allowed in certain countries, which tend to be the most corrupt. If caught reporting any information that is confidential, the journalist is arrested and could serve time in jail.

            The number of journalists jailed has reached an all-time high this year, increasing more than 20 percent. Studies from the Committee to Protect Journalists found that 179 writers, editors and photojournalists were in jail on December 1, up from 145 in 2010. This nonprofit organization also states that not one journalist was jailed in theAmericasfor work-related activities on December 1.

           Iranwas the highest reported country with 42 journalist jailed, followed byEritreawith 28,Chinawith 27,Burmawith 12 andVietnamwith nine. The Committee believes this increase is due to the fact of government crackdowns in the Middle East andAfrica. “Independent journalists, who often lack the institutional support necessary to resist legal pressures or defend themselves in court, are bearing the brunt of this unprecedented rise in the incarceration of journalists,” Joel Simon, the CPJ executive director, said.

            The percentage of journalists in jail is 45 out of all the journalists in the world, and it is only expected to increase over the years. Journalism is a highly interesting career to pursue, but is also very dangerous. The Committee to Protect Journalists promotes the freedom of press and will do all they can to save these journalists from detention and ensure their rights.

Virginia Tech shooting leaves two dead

By: Cassidy Parker

 

 

Virginia Tech has another shooting, leaving two dead. Photo Courtesy of Google Images

          Five years ago, Virginia Tech was the scene of a 33 person-massacre that shook both the school and the nation as one of the bloodiest shootings in modern history.  This past Thursday, yet another shooting occurred on campus.  A gunman allegedly took out a gun, approached VT Police Officer Deriek Crouse, and shot and killed him.  The gunman then ran into a building and changed clothes, and was found dead later.  Crouse had just made a traffic stop when the gunman attacked him in the parking lot.  Crouse called in the traffic stop at 12:15 p.m.  Fifteen minutes later, the first call was made to report that a cop had been shot and that the shooter had run away from the scene.  The investigation is still going on, so therefore they have not released the gunman’s name.

            Virginia Tech, unfortunately, has experience when it comes to shooter protocol.  The campus used it’s alert system to put the entire campus on lockdown.  Virginia Tech’s high-tech alert system got out the word that shots were fired, and students and teachers were to remain indoors.  Only 20,000 of the campus’s 30,000 students were actually on campus, due to classes ending on Wednesday. Exams have been postponed. 

            A Montgomery County sheriff was the cop that discovered the shooter’s body.  It is said that the gunman shot Crouse and then fled the scene.  About half an hour later, he was discovered dead from a gunshot wound that they believe was self-inflicted.  The police are almost positive they know who the shooter was “We are very confident we know who this individual is…at that point we will be able to release his name.  I can tell you at this point that he is not a Virginia Tech student.” The police are keeping a tight lock on all information about the case, because it has not been confirmed who the shooter was. 

            Ironically, the shooting occurred on the same day that Virginia Tech was in a hearing for their actions in the 2007 shooting.  They were given a $55,000 fine for not reacting soon enough

 

after the first two students were killed in the original shooting.  They waited two hours before they alerted the faculty and students that two students had been shot.  At that point, the student gunman had already taken captive 30 more students, with intent to kill them. Virginia Tech is mourning the loss of their police officer, and the new shooting has brought up the sad and mournful feelings the original feelings that the first Virginia Tech massacre created when it occurred.

7-year-old’s body found

By: Kristen Hegel

            “She was a very sweet girl,” Maria Rodriguez said about the murder of 7-year-old Jorelys Rivera. “She was the type of little girl who likes her presence to be known. It’s just so sad.” Rivera was abducted from her apartment complex playground on Friday afternoon and her body was found on Monday, just three days later.

While DNA evidence is still being gathered, the identity of Rivera's murderer still remains unknown. Photo courtesy of Google images

           Rivera’s body was found in a dumpster near her home. She was disfigured, bludgeoned, and suffered from stab wounds. Autopsy results revealed that she was sexually assaulted and killed within 60 to 90 minutes of being kidnapped. The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. “This was a very calculated and planned crime,” Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director, Vernon Keenan, said. “A child who dies under extreme violence is absolutely the worst thing that can happen to a human being.” Keenan refused to go in depth about Rivera’s wounds because they were so severe.

            So far, investigators have scanned the apartment complex searching possible suspects. Though police have interviewed sex offenders currently residing at the complex, no arrests have been made. “We have no reason to believe, at this point, that sex offenders are involved,” Keenan stated. Detectives are sure, though, that the killer either lives in the complex or has access to it.

            Residences of the complex have expressed concerned. “Every day children play out here. It’s starting to become a dangerous place for them. If it’s happened to one little girl already, it could happen to someone else. I hope they catch whoever did it soon,” Jeremy Gibson, a complex resident, said about the safety of the children. “I’m very concerned,” 17-year-old, Drew Baucom, said.” It makes me feel like my home life is violated, that I can’t trust somebody walking around that you think you may know, but you really don’t. It just worries me that something else will happen like this.”

            According to a second-hand account, Rivera’s mother said she was “friendly, sweet, had lots of friends and everyone just loved her.” As DNA evidence is being collected and tested, the brutal murder of Rivera will remain under investigation.

Firefighters watch house burn again

By: Kristyn Blackwood

This is not the first time fire fighters have just stood by and watched a fire burn. Should a $75 fee be waived if someone is in dancer? Photo courtesy of Google images

Earlier this week, Tennessee firefighters stood by and watched a house burn to the ground. They said they did not try to save it because the homeowners had failed to pay the annual fee for the fire service in their county. Since these homeowners lived outside city limits, in the county, they had to pay the $75 fee. Those who live inside city limits are guaranteed fire protection for no cost to them at all.

            According to journalists, this is the second time such an event has occurred where the firefighters stood by and did nothing. Two years ago the same thing happened because a homeowner did not pay the yearly fee. According to officials, this city makes no exceptions for anybody. If they do not pay the fee, they do not get the service for free, even in an emergency.

            Mayor of South Fulton, David Crocker, said, “There’s no way to go to every fire and be able to keep up the manpower, the equipment, and just the funding for the fire department.” He also said that since the incident from two years ago occurred, he had hoped everyone would realize that the city and fire department was not kidding around and there would not be a problem like this again.

            Vicky Bell, the homeowner, said, “You could look out my mom’s trailer and see the trucks sitting at a distance. We just wish we could have gotten more out.” Not only was there a fire destroying all that they knew and all that they owned, but to see the firefighters, who are supposed to protect the city, just sitting by and watching was almost as disturbing as the fire itself.

            The couple said they were aware of the policy but could not ever imagine a fire happening to them. The city has received much criticism and judgments for what seems to be a harsh policy, in case of an emergency, but is refusing to change it. Rules are rules, and they apply to everyone.

Pakistani actress sues magazine for nude photos

By: Persephone McCollough

FHM of India, a well-known magazine filled with scantily-clad women, could be facing a law suit from a Pakistani actress by the name of Veena Malik. Her agent, Ayaz Bilawala, says that the magazine either photo-shopped or changed a previously dressed magazine cover to a barely dressed version. According to CNN, the agreement that Malik and FHM made was violated. She was allowed to see the photos before they were put on public display.

Of course there is a pending court case that could possibly leave FHM India short 1.9 billion dollars. As any company in the middle of a lawsuit would, they denied the allegations, but it was clear to Bilawala and Malik that the photos had been doctored. “What I am doing takes a lot of guts, if I had posed nude for the magazine, I would be the first to admit it,” Malik says. According to CNN, this isn’t the first time Malik has hit the spotlight with controversy. A couple of years ago, her boyfriend was in trouble for “spot-fixing international matches,” This most recent controversy has sparked an outrage in her native country, and she is deeply angered and devastated that someone would actually publish something like that and expect to get away with it.

"What I am doing takes a lot of guts, if I had posed nude for the magazine, I would be the first to admit it." Malik says. Photo courtesy of Google images.

Some may question the fact as to why a company would put its own self into jeopardy. The only logical explanation for something of this nature would be that the client consented to have nude photos made, but didn’t expect them to go out to the public. Anyone could look at the photos and see that whoever did photo-shopping had to be extremely skilled to completely eliminate the clothing on a model.

As if there was not any more proof to show that the photo was not edited, FHM Editor Kabeer Sharma said that the photos were in fact real and that he even had a video of the shoot to show lawyers in a meeting. Whether or not this really happened is only known to Sharma, his staff and Malik. “It’s a considered decision on our part not to make that video public because of the nature of the video,” Sharma says. Obviously there was some explicit material in the making of the cover of the December issue of FHM India. As a Pakistani voice for women’s rights, Malik is not backing down with her accusation and hopes that her voice will be heard by females all over Pakistan.