Chin,+Stuart-ASIA

=**Asia**=

//1) N. Korea Arrests Second American Man//

SYNOPSIS: In North Korea, a man had been found illegally passing borders to Korea from China and is being held under arrest for nearly a month already along with a second American man who had been already arrested well over two months ago. The first man, Robert Park who has recently been arrested, attempted to cross borders to send a "letter urging the North Korean leader, [|Kim Jong-il], to shut down prison camps." It is believed that the previously arrested man was also fighting for human rights. No further information had been released and more investigation is taking place.

SOURCES: New York Times: [] Aljazeera English: [|http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2010/01/201012854031726751.html> >]

COMPARE/CONTRAST: In New York Times article, it had given an exact day (thursday) to when the catpure took place. New York Times had also give a reason as to why the man will be detained longer; "The United States citizen to be held as the North’s dispute with Washington over its [|nuclear weapons] program continues". Both artilces provide information as to the second mans reasons to better human rights, but on the other hand, Aljazeera does not state that the man was "carrying a letter urging the North Korean leader, [|Kim Jong-il], to shut down prison camps", which the New York times did.

OPINION: I think that both artlces are well writen, but may need alittle more information in some spots. The thing is, i dont understand why the would hold the first man for so long and since they are holding the information in, it makes those who are holding the men under arrest making bad decsions. Also, i dont see why the men could have just flown in from China, then the letter would have been delivered safely and the men would not have been harmed. Altought the articles give good details, there are some clarifications the articles need.

//2) Quake damage twice value of Haiti economy//

SYNOPSIS: The catastrophic earthquake of Hati which took place on January 12, was found to be twice the value of the country's annual economy. Part of the study had found that about one in 50 Hatiains were killed and was said, "It is the most destructive (natural disaster) a country has ever experienced when measured in terms of the number of people killed as a share of the country's population." An estimated the magnitude-7 quake by economists Eduardo Cavallo, Andrew Powell and Oscar Becerra and that damages were estimated to range from between $8.1 billion and $13.9 billion, while in 2008 Hati only produced $7 billion worth of goods and services. With the a disaster on the scale of Hati's earthquake, it will cause long term poverty and extremely difficult to reverse. The Inter-American Bank stated that Hati's disaster was found far worse than "2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was for Indonesia, and five times deadlier than the 1972 earthquake that leveled Nicaragua's capital."

SOURCES: CBN News: [] Associated Press: []

COMPARE/CONTRAST: Both articles had found the study that the disaster is to cause twice as much as the country's economic value by the Inter-American Devlopment Bank. The two articles shared very similar information such as the apoximently estimated value of eight to 14 billion dollars of damages. Although Associated Press had alot more detail in the text, CBN News had a short video clip of an interview with Christina Christiansen, a nurse from Virginia Beach, Virginia, who had came from Haiti with her mission team, which i found to be alot to be alot more convenient to me. Although the video was included, more opinion and stories were given in the clip, rather than information in the text with was better given in Associated Pess.

OPINION: There has been alot of commotion about Hati's disaster and is devistating for that to happen to anywhere. There has been alot of help such as fund rasings and donations to help aid Hati that ive seen and heard all around within just the short month that the earthquake took place. Its amazing to see that there is much concern and the kindness and generosity of people willing to help strangers that are even on the other side of the world. Even friends of mine who are young teens had created a fund raising at an Ultimate Frisbee event for money to the Red Cross to help aid Hati.

//3) China Rejects Cyberattack Accusation//

SYNOPSIS: China's gonvernment has been accused for a cyber attack upon the U.S which they have denined. A spokesman for the Industry and Information Technology Ministry stated in an interview by Xinhua News agency, "Accusation that the Chinese government participated in cyberattack, either in an explicit or inexplicit way, is groundless and aims to denigrate China." The spokesman had also said that "China is the biggest victim country of hacking as its Internet has long been facing severe threats of hacker and online virus attacks." Seperatley, from the Chinese states council, spokesman explained that just because they have been like facing hackers, they should not be accused of hacking themselves. Also stating that to ensure the false accusation of cyber attacks, they will increase their cooperation to fight internet crimes.

SOURCES: UPI: [] Afterdawn: []

COMPARE/CONTRAST: Both articles convey the same point, and keep to topic. Although UPI contained much more information than Afterdawn, Afterdawn stated the facts alot more clear. UPI also had alot more quotes from the spokesman from the Xinhua News agency and had added quotes from a spokesman from the Chinese states council. Overall, i found that although UPI contained more information, it was pretty much the same telling of Afterdawn which was short and simple. I found Afterdawn's article alot more convenient.

OPINION: Although China's internet is the biggest victim country of hacking and have been facing severe threats of online hackers, it does not give anyone the right to accuse them of hacking or creating a cyber attack, but it still does not mean that they are not innocent and free of the accusation. I feel that "guilty untill proven innocent" is in someways right and wrong. There should really have facts as to why China should take responsibility for the cyberattack, but untill then, no major accusations should be made.

//4) China's Spitting Image//

SYNOPSIS: The city of Ghuangzou in southern China has purposed from the Chinese government that there will be new code of conduct for the citizens. Due to preparation of the Asian games that will be held later in the year, the city has been planning to shape up on its bad habits. Now, the citizens may not slurp soup nor cut in front of lines and most of all no spitting. If anyone were to be found spitting, there will be a consequence of an "on-the-spot fine of 50 yuan, the equivalent of about €5." It is said that because of the dusty, climate and high levels of pollution, there is a need for most to clear their throats to rid of unwanted siliva and mucus. Measures have been taken to enforce new rules; "Millions of brochures are being sent out to persuade individuals that spitting is unhygienic." It is thought to the wealthier citizens that spitting refers to the low class and poor workers.

SOURCES: Spiegel: http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,403921,00.html Aljazeera: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2010/02/201022012712309131.html

COMPARE/CONTRAST: Both articles were found to be very informing and filling of information needed. Although there were pros and cons to both sides. In Aljazeera's article, there was a summary given of the ever all occurance, along with a video clip from youtube which filled in all the details. Spiegel on the other hand, just had a larger artice that included much information that the video contained. The video clip that aljazeera provided, had visual elements which included: interviews, public roads, streets, and clean up crews. This gave a better idea of how it was in their setting rather than just an overall telling. Even with the convienent video clip, Spiegel's article included the consequences: on-the-spot fine of 50 yuan, the equivalent of about €5. Which was important to know because it shows to seriosity of clean up.

OPINION: This article easily caught my attention because a ban of spitting sound quite bizzare. A way to help clean up streets is a good thought, but to what extent? I feel that many of the people of Ghuangzou pay find the new rules annoying but the majoirty will find themselves to bide by the rules because of the fine that is at risk. I feel like its stupid that they cannot slup their noodles and spit on the streets even thought it is common courtesy not to, but im sure that no one would follow the rules if there were not a consequence. I'd hate for those rules to apply here in Seattle.

//5)Thailand braces for mass protests//

SYNOPSIS: Thailand will soon under go a large protest by supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra who is the former prime minister, in Bangkok. Thousands of protesters had been preparing, but realisticly, it is called the 'million-man march'. Although the organisers said the protest will be peaceful, they will be demanding ouster of the government. Its uncertain that any says are reliable. Panitan Wattanayagorn, a government spokesman, said "We are watching out for possible incidents. We don't want to exaggerate but small numbers of people may try to cause incidents ... like throwing hand grenades." About 50,000 security personnel, including soldiers have been dedployed to help keep the protest under control. The number of protesters will grow to an esitmate of atleast 500,000 but less than a million. The protest is said to begin on Saturday and extreme safety precautions will be made.

SOURCES: Aljazeera: [] BBC: []

COMPARE/CONTRAST: Both summarys from Aljazeera and BBC were similar, although some information and statistics were not. In Aljazeera, it had been stated that about 50,000 personnels and soldiers were to be included to reenforce the protest if it got out of hand. While in BBC, it had been stated that there would be about 40,000. Also, BBC gave a better understanding and easier read to more details to the event. Rather than the 'protesters', BBC called them the 'red shirts'. BBC really emphasized the who, what, when, where, and why more orderly. Although Aljazeera had all included these, they were more scattered about in the article, which made it somewhat more difficult to all take in. Another thing i liked more about BBC is that there was a visual element. There was a video clip that showed the preparation of the protest of the red shirts.

OPINION: I found this event interesting because there could potenitally be 500,000 to a million protesters. Usually when i think of protesting, alot to me would be near 100 people. When i think about atleast 500,000 and including 40,000 to 50,000 security, it must be something big they are protesting for. For so many people to be apart of it, they must really have a strong liking to Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister. If so many people are supporting him, why would they accuse him of abuse of power, especially if it is wanted.

//7)Deaths in China coal mine fire//

SYNOPSIS: In a mining area by Zhengzhou, a fire had stuck. The official Xinhua news agency said, "It was thought to have been caused by an electrical fault." State media had also explained that in the illegal mining, atleast 25 people were killed. The demand of coal supplies about 70% of China's energy source, but with a consequence. China's coal mines are considered the most deadliest. Due to the dangerous sites, thousands of people are killed while mining every year. The government has vowed to change the safety laws and crack down to enfore the illegal mines

SOURCES: Aljazeera: [] Celebrifi: []

COMPARE/CONTRAST: I found that both articles gave a complete telling of the happening. Celebrifi contained information that was alotmore detailed. Rather than just saying like how Aljazeera stated it was a mining area by Zengzhou, Celbrifi stated "at the Lisheng Coal mine in Tanjiashan Town." This gives a better knowing of exactly where it is. Also Celbrifi focused more on the deaths, and the illegal miners. It was stated "confirmed the deaths of 25 of the 30 miners trapped in a coal mine fire," and that 43 of about 73 managed to escape. On the other hand, Aljazeera only stated 25 deaths and concluded with future actions and precautions that will be taken upon mining.

OPINION: Time and time again, Aljazeera is seeming to fall weak in details in the articles. I definitely found reading Celebrifi's article more detailed and reliable. It was nice that Aljazeera explained how the future will be looked at and how the happening of the deaths and mines will be taken care of, but the article's title is seemed to be based on the deaths. Celebrifi really carried out on the deaths and the illegal mining that caused the fire. Also, i wonder why China has the most dangerous mining sites?