Liddane,+Anna


 * // China Anger at Dalai Lama Visit to U.S. //**

On Thursday, President Barak Obama welcomed the Dalai Lama to the White House. China currently is angry at the U.S. over this visit because they believe that the Dalai Lama should be viewed as a separatist and should not have any official contact with foreigners in a political way. China had warned President Obama in the first place that having this meeting would damage China’s tie with the U.S. and future trading agreements. The meeting has also deeply hurt the Chinese people’s feelings. Washington held this meeting in the Map Room instead of the President’s Oval Office and was quite “low-key” which implied that it was private not political.

Aljazeera: [] BBC News: [] The BBC News article was very similar to the Aljazeera article, but they did differ in certain ways. Both pieces had the same quote from the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu. Also, the articles both discussed that the Chinese people now have hurt feelings because of this meeting in the White House. The BBC News and Aljazeera articles each said that the meeting was supposed to be low-key and not political. These articles were different because the BBC News didn’t contain any information that said what exact day the meeting happened. They also were different because the BBC News title made it seem that China was angry at the Dalai Lama’s visit, while the Aljazeera article said they were angry at the U.S. Finally, the Aljazeera article explained more about what happened during the meeting, while the BBC article focused more on the China-U.S. relations. My opinion on this is that it is unfortunate that the Chinese have to be so concerned over the U.S. meeting with the Dalai Lama. I also think that it was probably a huge honor to the Dalai Lama for President Obama to invite him for a meeting in the White House and accept him as a great leader. I wonder now what China will do about this visit from the Dalai Lama and how it will impact foreign relations between the U.S. and China.

​ **//Sri Lanka Protesters Clash//**

On Wednesday, protesters continued to clash in the Sri Lanka capital, Colombo, and several people have been injured. On Tuesday, President Mahinda Rajapaksa stepped down from his government position. The violence occurred near the Supreme Court and police fired tear gas to break-up the crowds. Gen. Sarath Fonseka lost to President Rajapaksa, and people were angry about this. Fonseka’s recent arrest for speaking out against the Supreme Court was also the most recent form of protest. Because of the President’s dissolved parliament, officials say elections are now planned for April. The pro- and anti-government groups were attacking each other with stones and bottles. Heavy police is now monitoring the area but opposition protesters still remain.

BBC News: [] Aljazeera: []

Both articles had quite similar information. They both had the same information about the Supreme Court and the arrest of Gen. Sarath Fonseka. Also, they both said that the opposition supporters threw stones and bottles at each other. The BBC and Aljazeera articles said that elections are planned to be held in April, which may cause controversy. But, the pieces did differ. The BBC News article said that specifically eight people were hurt while the Aljazeera didn’t say anything about casualties. The BBC article also didn’t have any information on when exactly the clashes started while the Aljazeera did. Finally, the titles of the articles were very different. The BBC implied that the clashes were because of the arrest, while the Aljazeera said it was because of protesting.

My opinion on this is that it is unfortunate that people go to such extents about these issues. I do believe though, that this may be caused by lack of democracy. Now that their president has stepped down, they probably feel now is the time to express their opinions. Also, it is sad that the police had to use such harmful toxins to stop the fighting, but it may have been necessary to get such extreme violence to stop. I wonder what will happen to Fonseka and if these violent clashes will come to an end soon.


 * //North Korea Arrests U.S. Man//**

Recently, North Korea has said that they are holding a man captive from the U.S. The detained man has not yet been identified and is the second American citizen to be held in North Korea in the last couple of months. His arrest was on Monday and now he is being questioned. Another American citizen, Robert Park, is also currently being held in North Korea. Supposedly, on December 25, he crossed a frozen river on the border of North Korea and China in hope to make a protest against the Communist North in China. The only way the U.S. has had communication with Park is through the Swedish embassy in Pyongyang, which represents U.S. interests. Both men are being questioned and the most recent detained man should soon be identified.

Aljazeera: [] BBC: []

Overall, both articles had very similar information, but the Aljazeera article had much more background on the topic. Both articles had the same idea about the state that the most recent detained man is in. Also, they talked about Robert Park’s arrest and how the Swedish embassy was involved. Aljazeera and BBC news discussed how the U.S. was getting their information about Park from the Swedish embassy. Aljazeera had much more background information on North Korea’s involvement with South Korea and how they have been firing artillery rounds into the sea. Also, the BBC article talked about two other women who were held captive on the border of China, while the Aljazeera article did not. Finally, Aljazeera said that Mr. Park had been crossing the border for different reasons than what the BBC news article stated.

My opinion on this issue is that it is unfortunate that people get arrested for freedom of speech. But, I also believe that the countries were just trying to protect their people from harm being done. I find it interesting that Robert Park entered the country to protest for things that are not directly related to U.S. issues. Also, I am curious to know who the man is that most recently crossed the border into North Korea and why he did it.


 * //​//****//U.S. Drone Attack on Pakistan//**

On Thursday, several people in North Waziristan, Pakistan were killed by a U.S. unmanned spy plane. A compound was fired at near the Afghan border where Taliban and al-Qaeda militants were said to be stationed. The Pakistani Taliban chief, Hakimullah Mehsud was also believed to have been in the area and officials are still unsure if he is dead. There have been more than 10 drone attacks in this year alone and the U.S. is not planning to stop any time soon. The U.S. has increased the attacks in the passed couple of months due to a suicide bomber killing seven CIA agents across the border of Afghanistan on December 30. Although the American military does not confirm the firings, reporters say the U.S. is the only country with the power to send an aircraft into the area.  Aljazeera: [] BBC: []

The BBC and Aljazeera articles had many differences and similarities. The articles were very scattered about the number of people killed in the attack. BBC said that there were only five, while Aljazeera said there were 14-18 people killed and injured. Also, the Aljazeera piece had much more information on the background information on the suicide bomber incident, while the BBC article didn’t. Finally, the Aljazeera article had details on other leaders that were either killed or hurt in similar attacks, and again, the BBC article did not. The articles did both have the same information on where the attack took place and who the U.S. had been targeting. They also both said that the U.S. has increased drone firings due to the suicide bomber.

My opinion on this issue is that the U.S. is protecting our country. These kinds of incidents happen often and people get killed or injured, and since there was a recent bomber threatening the U.S., there is probably a good reason for us going to attack. Also, I am curious to know the outcome of Hakimullah Mehsud because he sounds like an important leader of the Taliban and al-Qaeda militants.


 * //​ Al-Qaeda Claims European Kidnappings //**

Recently, their have been several reported kidnappings by Al-Qaeda. On November 25, in Menaka, Mali, Pierre Camatte, 61, was captured from his hotel by gunmen. Camatte, a Frenchman, was among three other Spaniards who had been kidnapped in the month of November. The three Spaniards had been working as volunteers in Mauritania delivering aid, when they were kidnapped on November 29. The spokesman from the Al-Qaeda Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping in an audiotape contained by Al Jazeera on Tuesday. The spokesman also said that “France and Spain will be informed later of the legitimate demands of the mujahedeen.” But, he did not give details about the demands. Also, in June this year an American teacher was killed in Mauritania, and the Al-Qaeda later said it was because he had been spreading Christianity in the Islamic state.

BBC News: [] Al Jazeera: []

The two articles both had quite different information on the event. Since Al Jazeera obtains the direct audiotape, they of course had more detailed coverage. The Al Jazeera article said that when the American teacher had been threatened to be killed, while the BBC article said that he was killed. Also, the Al Jazeera article said the reason for this threatening was because the British needs to release Abu Qatada, a Muslim cleric, from a UK prison. But, BBC said it was because the man was spreading Christianity in the Islamic state. The Al Jazeera also had more minor details such as the age and name of every person while BBC lacked some names. Although the two articles were very different, their titles proclaimed the same topic. BBC says the group “claims kidnapping” while BBC says “Al-Qaeda ‘took Europeans hostage’”. ​ My opinion on this topic is that it is sad that so many people have been kidnapped in such a short time. I also didn’t know much about the Al-Qaeda being so involved in Africa, so it was interesting for me to learn about their threats there. I am curious to know more about the details on the demands of France and Spain. Since the articles gave such different information on the killing of the teacher, it also made it hard on me to write this using both of the article’s information.


 * // Guinea’s Leader Shot and Survives //**

Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara has been injured in a shooting on Thursday by the head of his own presidential guard. Camara, 45, is said to not have his life in danger. Anoubacar Toumba Diakite was identified on the attempt of assassination during the visit to a military camp in the capitol, Conakry. According to the government, Diakite has been found, meaning arrested. The cause for all of this was because apparently there was a dispute broken out between Diakite and Camara. It was over whether Diakite should be arrested for the September 28 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters that rights groups said killed over 150 people. Diakite had been accused of having led the presidential guard that had open fired on protesters gathered inside the national stadium.

Sources: BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8394307.stm Aljazeera: []

Both the Aljazeera and BBC articles were very knowledgeable on the recent shooting in Guinea. The BBC article felt like it had a bit too much background information about the protest in September, while the Aljazeera piece had more on what took place before the shooting. The articles also differ in the state that Camara is believed to be in. The Aljazeera piece felt more assured that Camara had survived and was doing well, while the BBC article seemed unsure of Camara’s condition. Although the articles were quite different, they both had many quotes and had good information on what happened in September.

My opinion on this is that it is unfortunate that Camara was shot and that the issue had to go to such extreme matters. I think that the crackdown in September was really bad and that if Diakite was behind it, he should be tried for crimes against humanity. I also believe that the news should be a bit surer about the state that Camara is in and wonder if he is truly okay. My other question is what effect this shooting will take on the civilians in Guinea?

// **Climate Change Leads to Conflict** // Researchers have been recently looking into how climate change drives African conflict. Specifically civil wars in the Congo have killed 5.4 million people in 10 years. Since people depend so much on agriculture in these areas, droughts make food scarce and it causes conflict amongst groups of people. Researchers predict temperatures will rise in the upcoming years in sub-Saharan areas, which will increase conflicts by 50% in the next 20 years. Even when economic growth and better governance are present, higher temperatures have a larger consequence. Researchers have been urging African governments to make changes to help the effects of climate change.

Sources: BBC: [] Telegraph: []

Both articles had lots of information on the issue. The Telegraph piece had fewer quotes than the BBC article. Also, the BBC article had information on what is predicted to happen in the future. But, the Telegraph piece had more statistics and death rates caused from the issue. Specifically, the BBC title uses the word “conflict” and the Telegraph title says “civil wars”. Although the articles had differences, I noticed many similarities in the statistics that were shown and the information discussed.

I definitely agree with what researchers are predicting and demanding. Governments across the world need to help control this issue and pay closer attention to what is happening in these countries with bad climate change. It also interests me how conflict evolves from climate change and how people aren’t really helping to prevent these problems. It doesn’t surprise me either that predicted rates of conflict will be increasing in the upcoming years, because when people don’t have enough food they turn to desperate measures.

​ **//Sierra Leone Asks for Foreign Investment//** Last Wednesday in London, former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, held a trade forum for the need of financial aid from other countries to help Sierra Leone. President Ernest Bai Koroma has told hundreds of London delegates that this conference would have never happened a decade ago. Although the country is still struggling from the brutal war, they want to start healing their country and bring tourism back. Blair helped Sierra Leone during the war a lot and he sent troops into the country in 2000. Blair’s help played a big role in preventing the rebels from taking over the capital, Freetown. Washington is backing up Koroma and is saying he has “made impressive strides creating the stability and investment environment required to achieve long-term economic growth.” Sources: AFP: [] Associated Press: []

My opinion on the topic is that it makes me happy to know that people are finally helping Sierra Leone. It seems they should have had support a long time ago, though. I also think that it is really good that the country seems to have a stable President who has big dreams for the country and its recovery. Although Tony Blair seems to be doing a lot to help, I don’t understand why other countries are not taking initiative as well?  Both articles had very informative information. The AFP had more background knowledge on Sierra Leone’s agriculture and resources while the Associated Press article had more information on the war. The pieces of writing both had many quotes that were helpful for the understanding of people’s opinions. The articles were also not extremely long which helped the reader understand more of the broad picture.


 * //Ethiopian Leader Tackles Climate Change//**

Recently in the news, 54 year-old Meles Zenawi has been speaking openly about climate change specifically in Ethiopia. Zenawi is a trained doctor and now is the Prime Minister of the drought-stricken country. From December 7-18, there will be a United Nations summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he will be representing 52 African nations. Meles wants industrial nations to agree to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 40 percent and for the richer nations to provide $67 billion per year for climate damage and clean energy equipment. For the past 50 years, Ethiopia has fallen from 40 percent of tree covered land to an outrageous 3 percent.

Sources: Bloomberg: [] Reuters: []

My opinion on this topic is that it’s a very good idea. I appreciate that he is serious about this issue and that he is enforcing the more wealthy countries to take responsibility for their actions. Also, I think that since he is from a country with immediate impact due global warming, it makes his demands even more sincere. I hope that this request comes through and can prevent future damage.

Both articles had well stated information. The Bloomberg piece was long and had many quotes that added depth to the topic and how serious it is. The Reuters article was more to the point, but it still had useful quotes. Also, both articles had some of the same statistics and talked in length about the effect specifically on Ethiopia. Although both articles differed, they were mainly focused around the overall topic and were equally well-written.


 * //Somali Pirate’s Hijack Couple//**

Last Friday, October 23, a British couple, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, reported that they had been captured by Somali pirates near the Seychelles. Paul and Rachel Chandler who are 59 and 55, were heading for Tanzania in their yacht, the Lynn Rival. The spokesperson for the Pirates, Farah Abdi, said “We have them safely in our hands”. Commander Harbour had seen a helicopter take off from the deck of a Spanish naval vessel, which spotted the yacht. The kidnapped victims were supposedly captured a few hundred miles from the Somali coast. But, several hours after the call, Mr. Abdi said the pirates had been under attack from “navel forces” that he could not recognize. The pirates have kidnapped a number of ships and usually for ransom, but so far no ransom has been demanded by the pirates. No one knows their fate at the moment.

Sources: BBC: [] New York Times: []

I thought both articles gave really thorough information. The BBC article was interesting because almost the whole thing was in quotes. It did give background information, but sometimes was a bit hard to understand with so many quotes. The New York Times article had more of an explanation about the spokesperson for the pirates and how he was involved in the conflict. Both articles talked about how the helicopter from the Spanish naval vessel had spotted the yacht. Otherwise, each article contributed a lot to the topic.

My opinion on this topic is some-what torn. I think that the couple could have been more aware of the common attacks in these waters, which would have lowered their chance of getting hijacked. But, on the other hand, I think that these waters are huge and only so many people become victims of the Somali pirates. The capture of the two is unfortunate, and I hope that the outcome of the story will be good.

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