"Disease" in the news

Vavra, Shannon. “Chronic Disease Rates up in Middle East amid Violence.” Axios, 4 Aug. 2017, www.axios.com/chronic-disease-rates-up-in-incidence-in-middle-east-amid-violence-2469160706.html. Accessed 30 Aug. 2017.

www.axios.com/chronic-disease-rates-up-in-incidence-in-middle-east-amid-violence-2469160706.html

Deaths in the middle East have grew 850% between 1990 and 2015 and this is a serious problem that needs to get more attention. The leading cause of death in the area is due to cardiovascular disease at 34%and other deaths include war, terrorism, and state punishment for crimes committed. Stresses on mental health play a huge role and has a huge link to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Researchers say that a solution to all of these deaths is to stop all the fighting, since people need a more balanced diet, medical care, and exercise. With more help and support things can be done to save more lives.

"conflict" in the news

Drye, Willie. “3 Advances in Hurricane Science Could Make Us Safer.” National Geographic, 24 Aug. 2017. National Geographic, news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/08/hurricane-science-forecasting-andrew-harvey/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2017.

news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/08/hurricane-science-forecasting-andrew-harvey/

Hurricane Science could make us safer by first getting new computers that help us by allowing forecasting to be more accurate. The new computers could track the hurricane's three days in advanced and see where it could be heading. It could also tell us how bad the storm is going to be so we can prepare better and less tragedies occur.

"history in the news"

“University of Texas Removes Confederate Statues from Main Areas.” CBS, 21 Aug. 2017. CBS, www.cbsnews.com/news/university-of-texas-moving-confederate-statues-from-main-area/?ftag=CNM-00-10aac3a. Accessed 28 Aug. 2017.

www.cbsnews.com/news/university-of-texas-moving-confederate-statues-from-main-area/?ftag=CNM-00-10aac3a

At the University of Texas the President Greg Fenves had the removal of the statues of Robert E. Lee and many other confederate figures because it showed as a symbol of white supremacy. Many supporters and opponents showed up to protest about Fenves decisions. There was lot of controversy over what should be done and if it was okay because a lot of people got offended by this. The statues had been taken down over night so that nobody would be watching. The school decided weather to take them down or not because of all the other recent events that involved white supremacy around that time.

"climate" in the news

Flowers, Jane. “Climate Change: Minor Temperature Rise Will Heavily Impact Food Production.” Blasting News, 21 Aug. 2017. Blasting News, us.blastingnews.com/opinion/2017/08/climate-change-minor-temperature-rise-will-heavily-impact-food-production-001946045.html. Accessed 26 Aug. 2017.

http://us.blastingnews.com/opinion/2017/08/climate-change-minor-temperature-rise-will-heavily-impact-food-production-001946045.html

Record tell us that glaciers are melting and ocean temperatures are increasing. But the most important impact of climate change is that temperature will majorly impact the food production by as much as 5 percent. Data was taken in four different studies that looked at how corn, wheat, soybean, and rice are affected by the different temperature change because those plants make up 2/3 of the caloric input of the worlds people. The studies show that on average the reduction of wheat would be 6%, rice by 3.2%, corn by 7.2%, and soybean by 3.1%. As you can tell global warming caused by climate change can impact the world in a huge way.

"Technology" in the news

Vartabedian, Marc. “Exclusive: Tesla’s ‘long-haul’ Electric Truck Aims for 200 to 300 Miles on a Charge.” Reuters, 24 Aug. 2017. Discover Thomson Reuters, www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-trucking-exclusive-idUSKCN1B42GC?utm_source=applenews&scrlybrkr=ae1d8f9f. Accessed 28 Aug. 2017

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-trucking-exclusive-idUSKCN1B42GC?utm_source=applenews&scrlybrkr=ae1d8f9f

The Tesla motor company is planning on unveiling an all new semi truck that is all electric and has a range of 200-300 miles on a single charge. Elon Musk Chief Executive is expanding his company into other markets beyond just luxury cars. Although it might sound like a good idea for the future but there is a lot of issues. For instance an average semi truck would cost around $120,000 and a battery alone would cost that much to make a truck go at least 200 miles, thus meaning that the electric truck would be quite pricey.

"Agriculture" in the News

Gallegos, Jenna. “This Quiet Agricultural ‘moonshot’ Could Change the Future of Food.” The Washington Post [Washington D.C.], 24 Aug. 2017, www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/06/24/this-quiet-agricultural-moonshot-could-change-the-future-of-food/?utm_term=.04b0f9806de9. Accessed 28 Aug. 2017.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/06/24/this-quiet-agricultural-moonshot-could-change-the-future-of-food/?utm_term=.04b0f9806de9

As the global population grows rapidly and climate change is erupting, many wonder how we will be able to feed over 9 billion people in the future. One answer for this is developing strong agricultural technology. Major diseases have been taking over plants, so new data has come out that will allow the agriculture to be protected and properly nourished. Farmers have also started monitoring photosynthesis levels and the amount of excess fertilizer that goes onto the crops.

"Technology" in the News

“Shark-Detecting Drones to Patrol Australian Beaches.” New York Times [New York City], 25 Aug. 2017, www.nytimes.com/reuters/2017/08/25/technology/25reuters-australia-sharkdrone.html. Accessed 28 Aug. 2017.

https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2017/08/25/technology/25reuters-australia-sharkdrone.html

After many attacks from sharks in Australia, new inventors decided to come up with new technology to help prevent the attacks. Shark detecting drones are now being placed on almost every beach to help determine of there is a shark near the shore. Previous aerial videos of sharks will train the new drones and help the device determine sharks from other marine animals. The new technology then has the opportunity to tag the sharks and make record of them for future instances.

"Geography" in the News

Londoño, Ernesto. “Chile’s Energy Transformation Is Powered by Wind, Sun and Volcanoes.” New York Times [New York City], 12 Aug. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/08/12/world/americas/chile-green-energy-geothermal.html. Accessed 28 Aug. 2017.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/12/world/americas/chile-green-energy-geothermal.html

Men from Chile spend endless hours in Chile's snowcapped volcanoes 14,760 feet above sea-level mountains. The geography in Chile's high volcanoes would make the most efficient geothermal energy plant for South America. Chile is among the top ten renewable energy markets, and would improve greatly with the geothermal energy plant. Chile's geography also allows them to place solar panels on flat farmland that stretches many miles.

"Disease" in the News

“Can India Stop Its Children from Dying.” New York Times [New York City], 24 Aug. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/08/24/opinion/india-child-mortality-hospital.html. Accessed 28 Aug. 2017.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/24/opinion/india-child-mortality-hospital.html

This past week, within five days, 70 children died in India. The surprising deaths were due to a disease from Japan called Encephalitis. Encephalitis is a fatal brain disease that is passed onto a human through mosquitos. Half of the deaths occurred to the closing of the lungs and the ability to receive oxygen. As of now, this disease is incurable.

"Climate" in the News

Diffenbaugh, Noah. “Climate Lessons from California.” New York Times [New York City], www.nytimes.com/2017/08/17/opinion/california-climate-snow-heat-trump.html. Accessed 28 Aug. 2017.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/17/opinion/california-climate-snow-heat-trump.html

California seems to have serious risks erupting due to the climate change. Through the past five years scientists have concluded that the temperatures will be rapidly increasing, the limited amount of precipitation will be from few rainstorms, and the storm water runoff will melt earlier in the year and no water will be saved fro the dry season. The rising sea level and amount of greenhouse gases will also contribute to the climate changes. Not only California has this risk, but they have been noted as  a state with the most severe climate change.

"History" in the News

Kenning, Chris. "U.S. Cities Step up Removal of Confederate Statues, despite

    Virginia Violence." The New York Times, New York Times Company, 15 Aug.

    2017, www.nytimes.com/reuters/2017/08/15/us/

    15reuters-virginia-protests-statues.html. Accessed 26 Aug. 2017.

https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2017/08/15/us/15reuters-virginia-protests-statues.html

State and city leaders from several southern states say they are increasing their efforts to remove Confederate statues from their public spaces. Supporters of efforts to remove the statues claim they are an affront to African Americans as the Confederate Flag is seen as a symbol of slavery. Opponents of statue removal claim that they represent an important part of history and should be preserved. In the aftermath of the deadly Charlottesville rally, a national debate has ensued over whether Confederate memorials should remain or be removed.

"Nuclear" in the News

Marcus, Jonathan. "Can North Korea Nuclear Threat Focus Minds?" BBC News, BBC, 9

    Aug. 2017, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40865901. Accessed 26 Aug. 2017.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40865901

As North Korea continues to ramp up its nuclear weapons program, the U.S. and Japan have begun speculating about how far North Korea can actually launch their missiles. It is believed that North Korea has now manufactured nuclear warheads that are able to reach long distances. As of now, North Korea’s leader is very unpredictable. Under Donald Trump’s leadership the U.S. has three options, confronting North Korea, containing, or diplomacy.

"Conflict" in the News

Gowen, Annie. "China and India Are Dangerously Close to Military Conflict in the

    Himalayas." The Washington Post, WP Company, 17 Aug. 2017,

    www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/

    china-and-india-locked-in-tense-military-standoff-at-border/2017/08/16/

    30e7bb42-810c-11e7-9e7a-20fa8d7a0db6_story.html?utm_term=.e44c99162754.

    Accessed 26 Aug. 2017.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/china-and-india-locked-in-tense-military-standoff-at-border/2017/08/16/30e7bb42-810c-11e7-9e7a-20fa8d7a0db6_story.html?utm_term=.f85daf274fb4

Over the past two months tensions between Chinese and Indian military forces in the area of Bhutan in the Himalayas have escalated. The Chinese troops are attempting to build a road into the area claiming it is Chinese territory. India, which has a special relationship with Bhutan to provide military support, is defending the border. India does not want China advancing close to the Siliguri Corridor (a narrow stretch of land that joins northeast India to the rest of the country). Relations between India and China have been uneasy for many years and they deteriorated even further in 2005 when India signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with the U.S. Currently there are several hundred Chinese and Indian troops in the area at a standoff, with the potential for violence increasing.

"Terrorism in the News

Booth, William. "In Barcelona, Five Minutes of ‘Pure Panic’ and

    ‘Absolute Terror’." The Washington Post, WP Company, 18 Aug. 2017,

    www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/

    in-barcelona-five-minutes-of-pure-panic-and-absolute-terror/2017/08/18/

    7e64b8ba-8414-11e7-9e7a-20fa8d7a0db6_story.html?utm_term=.edeadd478858.

    Accessed 26 Aug. 2017.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/in-barcelona-five-minutes-of-pure-panic-and-absolute-terror/2017/08/18/7e64b8ba-8414-11e7-9e7a-20fa8d7a0db6_story.html?utm_term=.edeadd478858

Several people who witnessed the Barcelona terror attack on August 17, which left 13 people dead and more than 100 injured, share their reactions. Most of the onlookers say the image of the van driving down the street and running people over is haunting them. Many of the witnesses were local business owners who sheltered people in their shops for 5 hours until the police released them. They describe a scene in which people were running and hiding and no one really knew what was going on. Police were yelling to everyone to take cover and hide. By Friday afternoon the area had returned to normal with the exception of several makeshift memorials with candles and flowers.

"Technology" in the News

Drye, Willie. "3 Advances in Hurricane Science Could Make Us Safer." National

    Geographic, National Geographic Partners, 24 Aug. 2017,

    news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/08/

    hurricane-science-forecasting-andrew-harvey/. Accessed 26 Aug. 2017.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/08/hurricane-science-forecasting-andrew-har

vey/

Twenty five years ago Hurricane Andrew struck Dade County Florida causing massive destruction. While the devastation was terrible, the hurricane prompted an increase in research into how the U.S. monitors, prepares for, and reacts to hurricanes. The three major advances that have been made in the field of hurricane science are two recent computer models that permit more accurate forecasting of a hurricane’s track, storm surge watches and warnings, and a two-day warning of when high winds from an approaching storm will arrive. While these tools are helpful, scientists are still working on being able to predict the type of rapid intensification that occurred during Hurricane Andrew.

"Technology" in the News

"Samsungs New Galaxy Note 8 - the Elenics Giant Hopes to Extinguish Memories of 
     the past." Euronews, 8 Aug. 2017, http://www.euronews.com/2017/08/23/samsungs-new-smartphone---electronics-giant-hopes-the-new-galaxy-8-will
     Accessed 27 Aug. 2017. 

After the disasterous flaws in the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung is attempting to bounce back with their latest technology, the Galaxy Note 8. Battery fires forced Samsung to withdraw the Galaxy Note 7 just two months into sales costing the company about 4.6 billion euros. According to Fortune magazine, anyone who owned a Galaxy Note 7 will get a huge discount on the Galaxy Note 8. The Galaxy Note 8 will feature New technology, such as an even larger screen, new multi tasking capabilities, and a duel lense rear camera.

Sectarianism In the News

Ingelaere, Bert. “Rwanda’s Forever President.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 2 Aug. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/08/02/opinion/paul-kagame-rwandas-forever-president.html



Kagame Paul is coming up on his third term for the Presidency of Rwanda. Even though the countries constitution doesn't allow this, yet the government literally voted for him to be allowed to run more than 2 terms. Since he first became president, Kagame has grown the economy by 8% between 2001 and 2014. He has also dropped the rates of poverty by 17%.  While all of this sounds promising, the Rwanda government also hides the bas news and some say that the poverty rate has gone up 6% and hasn't increased at all. Even if he has done good in his 2 terms of his presidency he should not be allowed to break the country's constitution and run for a third term. 

Modernization In the News

Reuters. “China Says Nothing Will Stop Its Long-Range Air Force Drills.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 24 Aug. 2017, www.nytimes.com/reuters/2017/08/24/world/asia/24reuters-china-defence.html.


As China advances the power of its Air Force other countries like Taiwan have become worried. China's long ranged Air Force drills have put Taiwan on High Alert. However, Taiwan would like to be self ruled and China fears this, which is mostly the reason for these Air Force drills. The Chinese military claims that these drills are basic necessities, to grow and advance the Air Forces skill. China is right in the middle of being modernized to give their military far more powers off shores.

m     

"Nuclear Weapons" in the News

"Air Force Takes Step to Build New Nuclear-capable Cruise Missile." The
     Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2017. The Washington Post, www.washingtonpost.com/
     news/checkpoint/wp/2017/08/23/
     air-force-takes-step-to-build-new-nuclear-capable-cruise-missile/
     ?utm_term=.8728db3f8a49. Accessed 27 Aug. 2017.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/08/23/air-force-takes-step-to-build-new-nuclear-capable-cruise-missile/?utm_term=.8728db3f8a49

The Air Force started a program to expand the US arsenal of nuclear missiles. They gave Lockeed Martin and Raytheon $900 million to make a cruise missile for a B-52 bomber plane. This missile is the "Long Range Standoff" weapon. This weapon would serve as a replacement to the AGM-86B missile. As this is all occurring, the Pentagon is working to know how to deliver the missiles just in case the situation occurred.

"Agriculture" in the News

This Is Why When You Talk about Climate Change, You Can’t Ignore Agriculture."
     The Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2017. The Washington Post,
     www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/08/23/
     this-is-why-when-you-talk-about-climate-change-you-cant-ignore-agriculture/
     ?utm_term=.753e54441b91. Accessed 27 Aug. 2017.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/08/23/this-is-why-when-you-talk-about-climate-change-you-cant-ignore-agriculture/?utm_term=.753e54441b91

Information that was just recently released shows that agriculture has released almost the same amount of carbon into the atmosphere as deforestation. Over the past 12 years, land use changes that were associated with crops and grazing have caused 133 billion tons of carbon to make their way from the soil into our atmosphere. Researchers are attempting to find the areas where the most loss of carbon is taking place and trying to teach land management to restore it. Studies showed that agriculture was responsible for the loss of carbon from the top six feet of soil around the world.

"Disease" in the News

Brazil May Face a New Threat, This Time from Biting Midges." New York Times, 25
     Aug. 2017. New York Times, www.nytimes.com/2017/08/25/health/
     brazil-oropouche-mosquitos-biting-midges.html. Accessed 27 Aug. 2017.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/25/health/brazil-oropouche-mosquitos-biting-midges.html

In the past few years, Brazil has experienced several disease outbreaks and it seems now there might be another one. The new disease outbreak is "Oropouche Fever", which runs through monkeys and sloths in the Amazon Jungle. It has recently spread to urban areas, mostly northeast Brazil. This virus has many awful symptoms and doesn't have a vaccine yet. People catch the virus by small biting midges that can be mistaken for gun powder. Disease specialists think it could be a major health concern for Brazil.

"Technology" in the News

"Apple, Citing U.S. Sanctions, Removes Popular Apps in Iran." New York Times, 24
     Aug. 2017. New York Times, www.nytimes.com/2017/08/24/technology/
     apple-iran.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Ftechnology&action=click&con
     tentCollection=technology®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&content
     Placement=6&pgtype=sectionfront. Accessed 27 Aug. 2017.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/24/technology/apple-iran.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Ftechnology&action=click&contentCollection=technology&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=6&pgtype=sectionfront

Although iPhones haven't been legally for sale in Iran, citizens have been able to illegally get them from other countries such as Hong Kong and Dubai. This resulted in Iranian app developers making applications for users. The Apple company took action and quickly began to take down any existing apps in Iran. After the removal of all Iranian apps, there has been protesting on social media from those who are outraged by the ban. The Apple company says they cannot do business that has to do with apps connected to US embargoed countries. 

"Terrorism" in the News

Van Driver in Barcelona Attack Is Killed by Police." New York Times, 21 Aug.
     2017. The New York Times, www.nytimes.com/2017/08/21/world/europe/
     spain-catalunya-barcelona-imam.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FTerrorism&acti
     on=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=l
     atest&contentPlacement=9&pgtype=collection. Accessed 27 Aug. 2017.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/21/world/europe/spain-catalunya-barcelona-imam.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FTerrorism&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=9&pgtype=collection

On August 17th, a terrorist attack occurred in Barcelona where a van driver drove through a crowd of people. After driving through the crowd of people in Las Ramblas, he escaped on foot and was nowhere to be found.  Following this, there was a 4 day search for the van driver. A woman saw a suspicious figure that she recognized to be the man who drove the van and shortly after police arrived at the site and cornered and shot the man. They killed the 22-year old man in the area west of the city.

Summer News Stories

Wow!  It has a busy news summer both on the national level and internationally.  Below is a list of some of the major news stories from the past couple of months.

• Elections in Kenya & Angola
• Severe weather in Sierra Leone
• Political scandals in South Africa & Pakistan
• Nuclear threats by North Korea
• Senate votes on health care
• Terror attacks in London & Barcelona
• Tower fires in London & Abu Dhabi
• Political crisis in Venezuela
• US withdrawal from international treaties
• Testimony before the Senate
• US Naval collisions
• Political uses of social media
• US travel restrictions
• Russian political interference
• Struggle against ISIS in Syria & Iraq
• Protests & unrest in the United States
• Opioid epidemic
• Eclipse

Remember, if you choose to bring notes or a journal on paper on the first day of class, you will be permitted to use those notes on the quiz.

"Climate" in the News

"Scientists Fear Trump Will Dismiss Blunt Climate Report." The New York Times,
     New York Times Company, 7 Aug. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/08/07/climate/
     climate-change-drastic-warming-trump.html. Accessed 24 Aug. 2017.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/07/climate/climate-change-drastic-warming-trump.html

According to a federal climate change report, the recent decades have been the hottest out of the past 1,500 years. The draft report shows that Americans are definitely experiencing affects of climate change now, contradicting claims by Trump and other members of his cabinet. The thirteen federal agencies who published the report are waiting for President Trump to approve it, although they fear that he will not since in the past it has become clear that he feels that human impact on climate change is not proven and it is not possible to predict the affects of climate change. One scientist who was involved in making the report said that he and other scientists expressed concern that the report would be pushed down and forgotten by the president and his cabinet. In contrary, those who do not believe the link between human actions and climate changed are worried about the release of the report and the effect it could have.

"Technology" in the News

"Galaxy Note 8 Samsung's Phoenix Phone?" BBC News, BBC, 23 Aug. 2017,
     www.bbc.com/news/technology-41010142. Accessed 24 Aug. 2017.

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-41010142

So far, it has been a rough year for the Samsung brand. First, they destroyed their reputation with hand-sets that blew themselves up, and shortly after that the boss of the company was arrested and charged with corruption. Despite these disasters, the company's successful prices show that the company is still intact, so they can be pretty calm and relaxed about releasing the Note 8. The features of the Note 8 include the biggest screen of any smart phone, a dual lens rear camera, and new abilities to multi-task. Some loyal fans have been waiting two years for this new phone, and most of them claimed that the Note 7 was the best smartphone they had ever had.

"Identity" in the News

"Policy by Tweet: Trump's Transgender Ban Moves Forward." The New York Times,
     New York Times Company, 24 Aug. 2017, www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/
     plum-line/wp/2017/08/24/policy-by-tweet-trumps-transgender-ban-moves-forward/
     ?utm_term=.4d15e685053e. Accessed 24 Aug. 2017.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2017/08/24/policy-by-tweet-trumps-transgender-ban-moves-forward/?utm_term=.f2d06c28b577

At the end of July, out of nowhere, Trump released a group of tweets that stated he would be banning transgender Americans from being in the military. Although many did not like this ban or believe it was necessary, most people hoped that it would just disappear, since the military did not appreciate the ban nor had the president ever mentioned it beforehand. Contrary to what those people thought, the White House is moving ahead with the ban and is going to send word to the Pentagon about how they can create a policy that will ban transgender people from the military. They are also directing the Pentagon to stop spending money on medical treatments for those transgenders that are currently serving. All in all, Trump is succeeding on creating a policy that started as a tweet.

"Nuclear Weapons" in the News

"This Missile Could Reach California. but Can North Korea Use It with a Nuclear
     Weapon." The New York Times, New York Times Company, 22 Aug. 2017,
     www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/08/22/world/asia/
     north-korea-nuclear-weapons.html. Accessed 24 Aug. 2017.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/08/22/world/asia/north-korea-nuclear-weapons.html

North Korea is finally getting close to being able to hit a major U.S. city with a nuclear weapon, their goal that they have been after for many years. However, the reality is, sending such a weapon so far across the world poses a lot of challenges and difficulty. It is probably already possible for North Korea to reach America's mainland with their missile, but a major problem for them is finding a way to develop a missile that can withstand the violent pathway that leaving and re-entering the atmosphere entails. Another issue that North Korea faces is actually making a small enough bomb that could even fit inside the tight nose of a missile. Two other key components that North Korea must master are hitting the correct place, and create a powerful bomb that will inflict the maximum amount of damage. They could probably afford to be a little bit off in their aim if they could make a powerful enough bomb, but they're still way off with that part, considering the small space they would have to combine the bomb into.

"Terrorism" in the News

"Van Hits Pedestrians in Deadly Barcelona Terror Attack." The New York Times,
     New York Times Company, 17 Aug. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/08/17/world/
     europe/barcelona-catalunya-van.html. Accessed 24 Aug. 2017.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/17/world/europe/barcelona-catalunya-van.html

On Thursday, a van driver drove into a large group of people on a busy thoroughfare in Barcelona, killing thirteen people and leaving eighty injured in its wake. Just hours after this, in the town of Cambrils, five people were shot and killed during a second attack by vehicle, along with six pedestrians and one police officer being injured. This was Spain's worst terrorist attack in more than a ten years. Although three people were arrested and the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in Barcelona, the driver of the van had escaped and still remained missing. It is possible that the Barcelona attack is connected to recent events in Europe where attackers drove large vehicles into crowded parts of cities, but it is not certain that the Barcelona attackers cooperated with ISIS beforehand.

"Religion" in the News

B.K. Bangash/The Associated Press. "Pakistan: Teenager Detained over Blasphemy."
     Aljazeera, Al Jazeera Media Network, 20 Aug. 2017, www.aljazeera.com/
     news/2017/08/pakistan-teenager-detained-blasphemy-170820153639270.html.
     Accessed 20 Aug. 2017.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/pakistan-teenager-detained-blasphemy-170820153639270.html

Assif Masih, an 18 year old Christian, was arrested for blasphemy after burning pages of the Quran on August 12 in Pakistan. Vigilantes and mobs in which are passionate on the subject have tried taking manners into their own hands, killing many others just like Masih whom have committed crimes of blasphemy. He was charged with the death penalty, for blasphemy against Islam is a sensitive subject in Pakistan, with 40 other people currently on the death row because of it. Although legal rights experts in Pakistan have been working towards abolishing this law, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom still report many incidents of people serving life long sentences because of it.

"Nationalism" in the News

Maler, Sandra, editor. "Some 115 Migrants Rescued from Truck in Eastern Mexico-
     Official." Reuters, 20 Aug. 2017, www.reuters.com/article/
     us-mexico-immigration-idUSKCN1B00SS?il=0. Accessed 20 Aug. 2017.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mexico-immigration-idUSKCN1B00SS?il=0

With President Donald Trump stepping up the border security and pushing this country's nationalism of lessening the amount of illegal immigrants making their way into our country, more and more immigrants have been turning to packing themselves into large tractor trailers and trucks in order to avoid Mexican immigration authorities when moving into the U.S. In July, eight immigrants were found dead inside of a large tractor trailer parked in a Walmart parking lot in San Antonio, Texas, with at least 100 left in the back of the sweltering trailer. Two more of the immigrants died a few days later, and the driver of the truck was just recently indicted this month. State officials are reporting more and more cases of immigrants traveling in unsafe, high-risk conditions due to maximum amount of effort being put towards border security.

"History" in the News

BBC News. "USS Indianapolis Wreck Found after 72 Years." The Week, 20 Aug. 2017,
     theweek.com/5things/719583/uss-indianapolis-wreck-found-after-72-years.
     Accessed 20 Aug. 2017.

http://theweek.com/5things/719583/uss-indianapolis-wreck-found-after-72-years

The wreckage of the American Warship, USS Indianapolis, that was once used to carry the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, was just recently found after 72 years. The warship went down in only twelve minutes, which was far too quick for any distress signals to be sent out. Out of 1,197 crew members on board, 900 survived the initial sinking, but only 316 lived to be rescued. Paul Allen was in charge of the search team in which just uncovered this missing piece of history.

"Nuclear" in the News

Kristian, Bonnie. "North Korea Threatens 'Merciless Strike' for Annual Military
     Drills." The Week, 20 Aug. 2017, theweek.com/speedreads/719569/
     north-korea-threatens-merciless-strike-annual-military-drills. Accessed 20
     Aug. 2017.

http://theweek.com/speedreads/719569/north-korea-threatens-merciless-strike-annual-military-drills

The North Korean government threatened the U.S. with a "merciless strike" when they took notice to the annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian military exercises. These exercises consist of ten days of joint drills that the U.S. military combine with the South Korean military to complete together every year. Although these exercises are nothing more than defensive drills, Pyongyang stated that they have the capability of driving the situation into an uncontrollable nuclear war. President Trump is said to be keeping military options readily available incase of any sign of North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

"Terrorism" in the News

The World staff. "Why Did ISIS Target Spain? The Answer May Lie in History."
     Pri, Pri Public Radio International, 18 Aug. 2017, www.pri.org/
     stories/2017-08-18/why-did-isis-target-spain-answer-may-lie-history.
     Accessed 20 Aug. 2017.

https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-08-18/why-did-isis-target-spain-answer-may-lie-history

Recently, ISIS came forward and claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Spain, where a van ruthlessly took out pedestrians walking along Barcelonas Las Ramblas strip. Many raised questions as to why ISIS would target Spain, due to their almost nonexistent participation in the anti-ISIS coalition. It is possible that is has to do with Spain's involvement in the fight against a group in Syria and Iraq, or may even date all the way back to 1492 when there was a Muslim rule in Spain, and the Muslim conquest had taken place. Even so, this attack still comes with much shock and little clarity, for Spain was never militarily involved with ISIS.

"Agriculture" in the News

Lipton, Eric, and Roni Caryn Rabin. "E.P.A. Promised ‘a New Day’ for the
     Agriculture Industry, Documents Reveal." The New York Times, New York Times
     Company, 18 Aug. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/08/18/us/politics/
     epa-agriculture-industry.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FAgriculture%20and%20
     Farming&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics®ion=stream&module=stream_un
     it&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection. Accessed 20 Aug.
     2017.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/18/us/politics/epa-agriculture-industry.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FAgriculture%20and%20Farming&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=collection

The Environmental Protection Agency was given advice by its own scientists to ban potentially harmful pesticides, but the agency's head, Scott Pruitt, decides to avoid the advice given. Emails and petitions were sent in the weeks leading up to the decision to make an argument for whether or whether not the pesticides should be banned. However, ultimately Pruitt did a favor for the agricultural industry, while potentially compromising public health. 

"Technology" in the News

Baraniuk, Chris. "How Hackers Are Targeting the Shipping Industry." BBC, 18 Aug.
     2017, www.bbc.com/news/technology-40685821. Accessed 19 Aug. 2017.
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-40685821

Cyberkeel, a technology company, investigated email activity at an average sized shipping firm and found that the firm's system had been hacked with a small virus. Every time an email was sent from one of the firm's fuel suppliers asking for a payment, the virus would change the bank account number being sent by the supplier's before the email was read. Maersk, the shipping firm, made an official statement saying that the hacking will cost them as much as three hundred million in profits. There was also instances of pirates hacking into ships manifest to know which cargo to find and then board the ship and locate the barcode specific item they were looking for. Furthermore, a targeted attack on a ship's broadcasting system could help pirates locate a ship to raid.

"Climate" in the News

Fears, Darryl, and Steven Mufson. "Trump to Reverse Obama-era Order Aimed at
     Planning for Climate Change." The Washington Post, Washington Post Company,
     15 Aug. 2017, www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/08/15/
     trump-to-reverse-obama-era-order-aimed-at-planning-for-climate-change/
     ?utm_term=.50b5d1e5dac7. Accessed 19 Aug. 2017.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/08/15/trump-to-reverse-obama-era-order-aimed-at-planning-for-climate-change/?utm_term=.50b5d1e5dac7

During Obama's eight year term in office, there were several policies and plans put into place to accommodate rising sea levels and climate change. However, President Trump, who stands on an opposite position on climate change to Obama, has took it upon himself to reverse policies and put in orders that go against what Obama had been working towards. Trump signed an executive order that allowed for quicker approval of building roads, and other infrastructure, by getting rid of an approval step that involved considering potential flood and climate change dangers. Climate scientists warn that sea levels will rise substantially in the coming decades and the long-term infrastructure being put into place will face more serious and frequent flood risks.

"Disease" in the News

The Associated Press. "Is It Really Lyme? Researchers Developing a New Test to
     Tell." The New York Times, New York Times Company, 16 Aug. 2017,
     www.nytimes.com/aponline/2017/08/16/health/ap-us-med-diagnosing-lyme.html.
     Accessed 19 Aug. 2017.
https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2017/08/16/health/ap-us-med-diagnosing-lyme.html

When bitten by a tick, it is difficult for doctors to diagnose whether the tick has brought a disease, such as Lyme disease, in your system. Annually, three hundred thousand people are infected with Lyme disease, but the test to diagnose Lyme disease in the first few weeks are only 40% effective. However, there is a new approach by the Center for Disease Control to better diagnose early stages of Lyme disease, or similar diseases following a tick bite. The new test is highly experimental, but studies show that it may be the key to detecting disease in the early stages of an infection.