Branigan,+Viet+Thanh

=3/19 Thai Protesters Spill Blood Toward the Prime Minister #13=

Source:
Aljazeera BBC

Synopsis:
In protest of the Prime Minister red-shirted protesters gather around the home of Abhisit Vejjajiva to split bottles of their own blood. The police ended up temporarily guarding the walls of the Sukhumvit from the blood protesters. Although a couple protesters managed to slip by the police and splatter the walls with blood. There were about 900 security guards at the Abhisits residence, which some of them were hit with bags of excrement. On Tuesday the red-shirts ended up spilling hundreds of liters of their own blood at the gates of the government office. Since the weekend the protesters numbers have dwindled from 100,000 to 10,000. The protesters left announcing that they have succeeded.

Compare and Contrast:
BBC contained everything, Aljazeera had. Aljazeera was definitely the better article. BBC mostly just gave an overview of the event instead of going in depth. For example Aljazeera provided information like the number of the protesters that attended. This is important because it helps the reader really understand the magnitude of the situation. Also Aljazeera provided a quote "We are near victory... If we make a mistake now we will be defeated for a long time. We want a sustainable victory so please be patient," Jatuporn Prompan, a red shirt leader, said. Its always important to have quotes because it gives proof of some opinions people have on an event. Despite BBC's article not being very detailed it did have a video. Videos are useful because they can give a much better feel of the event than text alone. Both of the articles still weren't clear of why the people were protesting.

My Opinion:
I think its really disgusting that people are throwing their own blood in protest. It must be a major health hazard. I have not heard of a protest going to these extremes. There were some giant jars of blood being poured. I hope those weren't just from one person.

**Japan Arrests a Whaling Activist #12**

Source: Aljazeera BBC

Synopsis: After a New Zealand whaling activist boarded a southern whaling ship he was arrested. Peter Bethune boarded the docked ship in the effort to arrest the Japanese crew for whaling. Shonan Maru ended up leaving with Peter on the boat heading toward Japan. This a occured during the whaling fleet's annual hunt.

Compare and Contrast: Unlike BBC, Aljazeera specified how Peter got on board of the ship. Aljazeera said that Peter some how used a jet ski to board the boat. This is important because even some of the smallest details can be useful to the reader. Also the Aljazeera article added a number of information about the charges that Peter could recieved from the Japanese whalers. For example Peter was charged under Japanese law possibly 100,000 yen ($1,000) for trespassing. Another piece of information that only Aljazeer a gave is that there was a possibility of Peter facing three years in prison. This failing of BBC's absence of information is important because the details on the charges are pretty essential to this article. Everything that was mentioned in the BBC article was also in the aljazeera article.

My Oppinion: I think that the whole idea that someone got stuck as a stowaway on the boat is kind of amusing. I think that its definitally unessesary for Peter to have a possibly of a 3 years sentence. I think that the Japanese Judges have a total biased against this non-Japanese culture-challenging man. = Conflict Occurs With Japanese Whalers #11 = Source: Aljazeera []BBC []

Recently Japanese whalers have been in conflict with anti-whaling activists. Japan has been known for animal slaughtering in search seafood. Recently the anti-whaling activists have been more active with there protesting. The feelings of aggression have been equal on both of the opposing whale groups.

Compare and Contrast This subject was a very good one because each of the articles were from two different views (Whalers and anti whalers). First, I will talk about the Aljazeera article. This article was through the point-of-view of the Activists. This article talks about an alleged ramming of a whaler boat into an activist boat, reported by an Anti-Whaling group. "No crew was injured during the collision" a statement said. Paul Watson, head of the Sea Sheppard mission said that this demonstrated an escalate in violence committed by the Japanese. "Because the whalers got away basically scot-free with the outrageous sinking of the // Ady Gil //, they now apparently think they can do whatever they want and they appear to have no qualms about endangering Sea Shepherd crew," Watson said. "Australian and New Zealand lives are at risk every day in these waters," he said, referring to his mostly antipodean crew. "What we really need is for the governments of Australia and New Zealand to step up and start enforcing maritime laws in these waters, or who knows what the whalers will do next."

The BBC article talked about an attack that some activist allegedly made on the Japanese whalers. This was reported by the fisherie's Hirakata Hamamatsu. Apparently the group threw butyric acid (made of rancid butter) at the boat, mildly injuring 3 members of the boat. Although the Sea Sheppard said that no injuries were reported in the clash. The crew is incredibly angry and threatened about this event. A statement on its website said that the Sea Sheppard had fired warning flares when the whalers attempted to shoot down their helicopters with a water cannon. "Our goal now is to make it two weeks and then three weeks. We will not tolerate the death of a single whale," the Sea Sheppard said.

My Opinion

I have to say, I’m on the activist’s side with this subject. I think it’s cruel and universally unhealthy that so many aquatic creatures are being killed in Japan. I remember hearing about this same thing but with dolphins in a documentary I saw once. I also had no idea that there was such a thing as butter and water being used as a weapon.

=Suicide Bomber Kills at Least 16 People #10= Sources: BBC [] Aljazeera []Synopsis:

At a check point in a north eastern market in Pakastan at least people were killed from a suicide bomber. This was in the town of Bazaar, Khar a very troubled tribal region. In addition a number people were injured. The bomber was on foot heading toward government buildings and military baracks before he was stopped by 2 soldiers. The explosive pack detonated when the troops performed a body search. Much more was destroyed by the explosion including several vehicles and four buildings. Recently Bazaar's security has been deteriorating.

Differences: They both had the same overview but many differences popped up here and there. One example is that BBC said that 20 people were injured and Al Jazeera said that 23 people were injured. This is significant because it can show that the BBC article is unreliable or the Aljazeera article is unnacurate. Another difference is that BBC only had 1 quote, Al Jazeera had 2. This is significant because the more quotes an article has the more reliable it is. Another difference is that Al Jazeera said the number of cars that exploded from the bombing. This shows that Al Jazeera could have hadthe better article.

My Thoughts

I thought that this article was interesting because it talked about the warfare going on in that area. I thought that both of the articles were very level with each other. Although Al Jazeera gave more information. =2 U.S Troops Killed In Afghanistan By Bomb Jan 23 #9= Sources: Yahoo []Philly [] Synopsis: 2 U.S service members died from a road side bomb in southern Afghanistan. The country's top NATO commander acknowledged the risk for foreign troops. Therefore there will be an increase of reinforcements aimed toward the Taliban (A Sunni Islamic Political Movement). 37,000 additional troops were sent to the south Taliban Heartland. Similaritys: Both of the two articles held the same basic information. They both said that 22 Americans have been killed in Afghanistan that year. They both mentioned the kidnapping of a district police and two other officers, that Sat. They both mentioned that 37,000 additional troops were sent to the south Taliban Heartland. Differences: There weren't any large differences but many small minor differences. Philly specifically said that NATO reported this story unlike Yahoo. This difference is important because if the sources aren't very clear the information does seem reliable. Another difference was that Yahoo gave the name of the police chief, Jamtullah Khan. This is important because its very essential to put the name of the victim in an article. Also Philly said that the kidnappings that also happened saterday might of been linked to the Taliban. This is important because it shows the reader some possibility's for the future. I thought the Philly article was more descriptive therefore a better article. My Opinion: I thought this was a very interesting article. Especially because it sort of gives you a foreshadow on what might happen in the future. This event might even lead to a war. I also liked this article because it involves the US so this event could possibly effect this country. This event has left me curious to know about this topic. =Suspected Rebals Kill 6 police In India # 8= Sources: Yahoo News [] Bellingham Herald []

Synopsis:

A spokesman stated that some Maoist rebals blew up a police car in east India killing 6 policeman and a accomponied civilian. The police were on their routine when some insurgeons detonated a roadside bomb in Ghumla.

For over three decades rebals have been fighting demanding land and jobs for the poor. 2,000 people have been killed through the violence of the Maoist rebals. Maoism is a practice advocated by Mao Zedong involving communist revolutionary movements and guerilla warfare.

Compare and Contrast:

These two articles were mostly the same just worded differently.

My Opinion:

I think its interesting how this relates to the Africa unit because they both involve rebals. I wonder how the mentality of the rebals in Asia differ from the ones in Africa. I would like to learn more about these rebals.

=Somali Pirates Free Greek Ship #7=

BBC News
[]

Washington Post [|http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/10/AR2009121001954.html]
A Ukrainian Crew of 24 and a Greek ship (Maltenese-Flagged Vessel), that had been held hostage by some Somali pirates, has now been freed. The pirates received $3m dollars as ransom in (Shown in American money). The Ukrainian Crew was said to be rescued in good health. This vessel was said to be carrying 35,000 tons of soya. It was captured sailing from Brazil to the Middle East. Piracy has been common off the horn of Africa. It was very difficult for them to negotiate with the pirates. They had to land a plane on the ship to give them the money.

Differences
Washington Post:


 * Said the crew was in hostage for six months


 * Said the navy has only drove the pirates away from shore.


 * Provided a quote: "The ship was released a few hours ago and the pirates have left," Spyros Minas

BBC News:
 * Provided a quote: "I congratulate the nation, and I congratulate the families on the successful operation to free our sailors," said Mr. Yushchenko.

My opinion:
I think that they should send more patrols to the horn of Africa to prevent piracy. I think that might scare the pirates away to other seas. If the pirates keep taking hostages the numbers will multiply because they will see how weak Somalia forces are. =Bomber Identified In Somalia 12/11 #6=

Sources:
AfricaNews

[]

Online.WSJ

[]On Thursday the Somalia Government announced that a number people were killed last week at a ceremony in Banadir University. They said it was a 26 year suicide bomber Abdurrahman living in Denmark for a long period of time. Mr. Nor said the attack was investigated. After the photos were released the father of the suicide bomber was revealed. The bomber killed three government ministers, doctors, journalist, and students last Thursday. The Islamic group, Al-shabaab was accused by Somalia. The group denied being responsible.

Online.QSJ:
= Said at least 22 people were killed Gave quotes "He was one of the Somali children who fled from Somalia's war to Denmark, who returned to the country for a suicide attack when he got older," said Sheikh Aden Mohamed "He was sadly brainwashed by foreigners to massacre his people," Mr. Nor Says that Somalia is becoming a sanctuary for Al-Qaeda terrorists from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq. Said that the father claimed his son to be one of the victims. Said the Somali community leader told BBC that the bomber became deeply religious in Denmark. Said that Al-Shabaab was accused for recruiting students from the US = Said that this attack has angered many people. Many protesters are backlashing against Al-Shabaab.

Said that: No large differences.
My Thoughts:

I think that the Online.QSJ had a better article. It had more info. I wonder why the alleged father of the bomber kept denying that his son was the bomber. They had camera evidence. I think that the whole idea of suicide bombing is the most stupid thing you could do. I wonder how someone can be brainwashed enough to want to do that. I wonder why the bombing occurred at the University. What is some sort of threat? Were they trying to kill someone in particular? = 100 Women Raped in Guinea November 28 2009 #5 = Sources: African News [] Reuters:

[]

During a crackdown of protesters 100 women were said to be raped by guinea soldiers. This information was released by The Guinean Organization of Human Rights. The GOH have evidence that proves that 20 victims were taken from a medical clinic to unknown locations to be drugged and rapped repeatedly. Some witnesses have said that women were violated by some of the soldier’s bayonets and gun barrels. The protesters gathered in the Conakry stadium protesting the country’s military leader captain Musa Dadis Camara who was thinking about running for election again. This crackdown has been a huge problem to the ruling military, Junta.

"We have recorded 100 cases of rape against women committed on September 28 and the two days that followed," Thierno Maadjou Sow, president of the Guinean Organization of Human Rights, said.

"Most were schoolchildren, students, businesswomen, teachers, even journalists."

Reuters:

Said that Musa came to power through a coup in December following the death of strongman President Lansana Conte, briefly enjoying popularity among Guineans hopeful for a less ruthless regime.

Said that Camara hired foreign mercenaries to train a force to secure his place in power.

African News:

No major differences

My Opinion
I think it’s horrible that all these women were raped by the Guinea Soldiers. I agree with the protesters, I think that Captain Musa shouldn’t be re-elected, because it will cause many problems. This reminds me of the horrible things the rebels and soldiers did in "Along Way Gone". =French National Kidnapped in Mali November 28 2009 #1=

Sources:
== Africa News [] [|France 24] == []

In the Malian town of Menaka a French national was kidnapped by armed men. The authorities couldn’t attain the identity but according to the area they think he might be part of the Malaria research. The armed men were a group dressed in turbans. The local officials think that the kidnapping of the man in his fifties was pre planned. Meneka is an area where much trafficking smuggling and organized crime has occurred. Affiliates of Al-Qaeda like Tuareg rebels and Islamic militants roam the areas between Mali and neighboring countries. The victims 4x4 at his hotel was left untouched. = Compare and Contrast = France 24:

They gave a quote

"We are doing everything to find him," Regional Government Official

Mentioned the June killing of the British tourist Edwin Dyer and the kidnapping of Werner Greiner.

Africa News:

They gave a quote

A local politician said the “kidnappers waited till midnight when power is usually cut until the next day to save electricity, before they carried out their action.” = My thoughts = = = == I wonder how the authorities saw this happen but weren’t able to stop the kidnapping. I wonder who the French official was and what he was doing there. I also wonder who the armed men were and why they kidnapped him. I wonder what they will demand for ransom if any. ==

=Pirates kill Ukranian November 25 2009 #4=

Sources: AfricanNews [] Adelaide Now

[] A Ukrainian was killed through the attack pirates made to an oil tanker. This occurred off the coast of West Africa. The pirates were believed to be from Niger. The oil tanker vessel was attacked 18 nautical miles off the coast of Benin. Commander Fernand Maxime Ahoyo of the Benin Naval forces confirmed that the chief engineer of the vessel was killed. The captain of the ship's name is Jaroslavs Semenovics. The pirates specialize in hostage taking and demanding huge ransoms. An oil tanker is a ship that is designed to carry large amounts of oil. The crew of 24 includes Russians, Filipinos, Lithuanians and Ukrainians. Piracy in the oil rich West Africa is on the rise. There have been more than 100 events last year. They have found a ship of shipping to Tema, Ghana, and in the Lagos and Bonny River areas of Nigeria.

Compare and Contrast
Adelaide Now:

They gave the name of the ship, "Calcale Star" and the way the seaman died; “ was shot dead when he confronted the pirates after they boarded the vessel in darkness 33km off the coast of Benin".

Said there were 7 pirates in the speedboat

provided quotes; "They came on deck, pointed a pistol to the head of one of the sailors, marched him to the cabin," Captain Semenovics said. "They asked me to open the safe and they collected all the cash," he added. He did not say how much was stolen. Said that four people were wounded.

Mentioned a person capturing one of the pirates

Said that the West African pirates might be copying the tactics of Somalia gangs. African News:

Didn’t contain anything Adelaide Now didn’t have

My Thoughts
I think that hands down Adelaide was the better article. It had alot more information than African News. I agree there is a possibility that the West African pirates are copying Somali gangs because they have pretty much the same intentions. I wonder if any oil was stolen and how much.

= Libya Sends Touareg Rebels Back to Niger // [|Monday 16 November 2009] # 4 //= Sources: AfricaNews [|http://www.africanews.com/site/Libya_repatriates_Touareg_rebels_to_Niger/list_messages/28040] IRIN [] Libya has repatriate hundreds of rebel from Niger. This repatriate occurred from two years of progress and revolt. The rebels laid their guns down in Libya, which they used as a base. In the last 48 hours the rebels have been flown back to Agadez, their home town of northern Niger. The rebels launched their attempt to achieve a better view of nomadic Tuareg people. Also they wanted a greater share of minerals mined in Agedez. Niger's President Mamadou Tandja agreed to forgive the disarmed rebels. Two rebel groups agreed to lay their weapons down but the third, FFR, Is agreeing for peace but is reluctant to be disarmed. The conflict in Nigeria Shut down the tourist industry and threatened mining operations.

Compare and Contrast
AfricaNews:

IRIN:

They mention the French nuclear giant

"But French nuclear giant Areva plans to open 1.2 billion euro uranium mine in Niger, which will make the desert state a leading global uranium exporter."

=="We are happy to see that these young men who took up arms have returned home to take part in building their country," Abba Malam Boukar, the governor of the Agadez region – home to rich deposit of uranium and centre of tough violence -said.==

They mentioned the uprising the rebels launched 2007
they list many quotes

“The movement was created because nothing has been done by the government,” Moktar Roman, spokesperson for the Mouvement des Nigeriens pour la Justice (MNJ) said. “There is no work, no schools, not even drinking water in all Niger. It’s terrible, it’s genocide, and the government is corrupt, taking money from people and leaving them to live in poverty,” he said.

They say that the movement was to fight for the poorest and least developed countries.

They go into depth about what the rebels want

Talked about the claiming that the rebels did not use drugs

Talked about the actual fighting going on

My Thoughts
I think that the rebels had a reasonable reason why they committed these events but I think they shouldn’t have brought in violence. I like that Niger's President Mamadou Tandja is agreeing to forgive the rebels. I think it was smart to repatriate the rebels. =34 illegal Imigrants Have Been Arrested in Mauritania Wed 11 November 2009 #3=

Sources: AfricaNews []China Daily [] = The security officials of Mauritania cought 34 Migrants on wednesday. The illegal immigrants were trying to smuggle themselfs into spain. State news agency, AMI reported this. The immigrants were arrested on a Morraco administratid border, along Western Sahara. The officials said that the immigrants were trying to get farther into Morraco but were chased by guards into Mauritania. The security official said that Nouakchott would hold the immigrants in detention until they went back to their country of origin. Nouakchott is the capital of Mauritania. Nouakchott has a detention center to hold illigal immigrants. The Spanish authorities expressted their graditude for protecting them from the immigrants. =

**Compare and Contrast Sources**
AfricaNews:

The AfricaNews reporter said the immigrants were trying to get into Morroco searching for greener pastures, and voyages to nearby Spanish islands.

China Daily:

China daily was the only one that provided an actual quote: "We learned that the 34 illegal immigrants coming from different African countries were initially sent away by the Moroccan police before landing in the hands of the Mauritanian police," a security official told Xinhua. China daily said Mauritania was being used as a transit point for people from africa and asia going to Europe. Gave detail on Mauritanian Marine: Mauritanian Marine were reinforced with an airplane with coastal survailence equipment to support there fight against the illegal immigrants.

=
**My Thoughts I think its good that the Mauritania is putting the law down to help another country, without being too brutal to the immigrants (I get the impression) like the police in the US. I like that Mauriitania is allowing the immigrants to go back to their own country, which (I think) in America would not allow. I also think that the Nouakchott detention center isnt as harsh as America's.. ** ===== = =

=Nigeria: MEND Wants Foreign oil Companies out Of the Niger Delta #2=

The "Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta" wants foreign oil companies out of Niger Delta, Nov 3 2009 #1 The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Niger Delta) threatened foreign oil companies violently if they don’t leave Nigeria Delta (assuming that the foreign companies were taking oil from the Niger Delta). This message was an outrage to many people because of its violent suggestions. MEND’s leader Henry Okah, accused the government of not following its rule to refrain from possibility violence. MEND is one of the largest military groups in Niger Delta. MEND. MEND handles conflict in the Niger Delta like sabotage, property destruction, theft, guerilla warfare, and kidnapping. The Niger Delta is at the mouth of Niger River. The people of Niger sometimes call it "Oil Rivers" because it was once the major producer of Palm oil, and petroleum. Niger Delta has many oil wells. Some 2 million barrels are extracted a day. This status leaves Niger Delta a prime target for foreign oil companies.

News from Africa:

allAfrica: []
My first source, News from Africa lacked of quotes. Although it did mentioned a discussion between MEND, and The Federal Government about solutions in solving the regions oil problem. Except this portion of the article would be more reliable and informative if they used actual quotes. The first source did mention some things that allAfrica did not. The first article talked about the deal that the government didn’t follow according to Henry Okah, the possible recurrence of violence. The second source I found was allAfrica. This source made it clearer that MEND was being aggressive towards the oil companies. allAfrica used words like chilling, threatening to describe MEND's message. Unlike News from Africa, allAfrica gave the location of the oil companies. allAfrica said that these oil companies were the Northern Sultans and Amirs. allAfrica also provided a couple of quotes.

"Our message to the Northern Sultans and Emirs is this: The period of exploiting the Niger Delta is coming to an end. It is not the birth right of your people to rule the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

-MEND

"The war is just beginning and by the time it ends, Nigeria will practice true federalism such as fiscal federalism which will benefit the entire populace. Let your people brace themselves to develop their resources and such a bold change will be remembered,"

-Jomo Gbomo, MEND's spokesman said through electronic mail on Sunday.

Both of these articles shared the same main idea. I thought allAfrica was a better source because it had quotes to support it.

My Thoughts
If the companies don’t have legal right I think that MEND has the right to threaten the oil companies to stop using their oil. Except I don’t think the conflict should result to war.

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