China's Space Ambitions

Over the weekend, China's first lunar probe, The Jade Rabbit, landed on the moon. This step in space exploration was reached by Russia and the U.S. in the 1960's, but it is a large milestone for the developing country. It is not the only space activity that has been happening in China so far. Over the past decade or so, China has been expanding their fleet of satellites that patrol the space around the Earth. These satellites are capable of interfering with and destroying U.S. satellites if the U.S. begins to plot against China. Also, satellites that have been developed by China can now locate aircraft carriers that make their way into the Western Pacific ocean space. China's new space satellite and development enables them to defend and also interfere with other countries communication and surveillance. These new creations of more advanced space equipment seems to be merely to better their own country, but the U.S. and other superpowers must remain cautious of the military intent of China.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304858104579260061533168286?mod=googlenews_wsj

Shanghai Pollution ‘Huge Health Risk’ as Smog Engulfs City

For the past two weeks, the city of Shanghai, China has been experiencing seriously hazardous air pollution problems, and just recently, it has reached a new record high. According to the World Health Organization, the pollution level in Shanghai is 12 times the recommended limit of smog. Citizens of Shanghai have been issued warnings about their daily activities, being advised to stay indoors when possible, and only stay outside for small periods of time. Long exposure to the pollutants can be harmful to breathe in. Shanghai is has recently become a free-trade zone to further expand foreign investment and multinational firms, but China's commercial hub has encountered this small bump in their long-term goal. The Shanghai government fears that this pollution issue will decrease interest in them, but their actions towards the alleviation of the smog have not been near to what is necessary for the safety of the city.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-09/shanghai-reports-pm2-5-pollutants-13-times-who-recommended-level.html

Paul Walker death investigation: Police rule out second vehicle, focus on speed

A few days ago, the popular "Fast and Furious" actor, Paul Walker, tragically died in a car accident. The vehicle crashed into a pole and burst into flames, presumably instantly killing Walker. It was unknown why Walker crashed the vehicle. It had been suspected that Walker, in his Porsche, was drag racing another vehicle, and lost control. Investigators have ruled this scenario out, and it is now assumed that Walker was merely speeding. His new Porsche model, valued at $450,000 when new, is notorious for being difficult to handle, even for experienced drivers. Walker most likely was speeding and lost control, crashing into a light pole on Hercules Street, about 30 miles from Hollywood. Walker and Roger Rodas both died in the crash, and autopsies are to be performed tomorrow.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/02/showbiz/paul-walker-death/

Deadly storms spawned more than 80 tornadoes in Midwest

This Sunday, intense storms spawned more than 80 tornadoes across the Midwest. The tornadoes raged mostly across Illinois, spanning over Champaign, Grundy, LaSalle, Massac, Tazewell, Washington, and Woodford counties. The storms reported six dead, and many more injured. Wind speeds ranged from 100 to 200 miles per hour.The Red Cross assembled service centers in towns that were hits by the tornadoes, but did not get a lot of visitors. They assumed it was a good sign.  In certain areas, storms leveled series of town blocks. Power lines were strewn through the affected areas. Currently, there are still 19,000 victims that do not have electricity following the storm. Considering the circumstances, it's a miracle that so few died throughout the duration of the tornadoes.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-tornado-disaster-area-20131118,0,5469499.story

Filipino-Canadians rally to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan

Just this past weekend, a typhoon raged across the Philippines and the surrounding area. The storm was one of the most intense and powerful on record. The Filipino military has reported 924 people dead, but it is estimated that there could be as many as 10,000 that were taken by the storm. Communication lines in several places were destroyed, and it was unknown where the possible survivors were. Many Filipinos were able to evacuate the premises, but those that stayed behind are the expected dead. There is a large settling of Filipinos in Canada, and their hopes and prayers go out to their homeland. Already Canadians in many towns and cities are donating towards the cause, and asking if there is any way they can help in the effort towards helping the Philippines.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/filipino-canadians-rally-to-help-victims-of-typhoon-haiyan-1.1537251

Embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford 'to stay on'

Only a few days ago, a video currently held by the Toronto police was released. The video included Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking from a crack pipe. The mayor denied claims against his usage a year ago. This of course was a lie, when it was found of his habit. He has told the press that he had most likely done it in a drunken stupor, however he has said he does not use drugs nor is he an alcoholic. Ford accepted the video and admitted to his usage, but did not linger on the thought. He simply explained that it was a mistake and he couldn't change the facts, for it was in the past. Ford spoke to the people of Toronto, telling them that he would try to regain their trust as much as he could. The Mayor runs for reelection next year, but will have tough time. Many political counselors believe he does not have a shred of credibility left.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24829046

Was Beijing crash a planned attack?

Just today, a vehicle raced into Tiananmen Square in Beijing and burst into flames. The vehicle contained three individuals who are reported dead, the driver, two tourist passengers, and two other victims were known of the cars violent path into the Square. It is speculated that the crash was possibly planned. The route that the car took, following the sidewalk, and then spontaneously bursting into flames did not seem to be merely an accident. The crash injured 38 people. Tiananmen Square is not a stranger to random protests and public displays of outrage. Several groups have attempted protested here in the past, only to be snuffed out by Chinese officials on scene just for this reason. Protests can range from self-immolation to simply handling out leaflets. The square is the political center of China, as well as a large tourist attraction, and is kept very safe. The random appearance of the out of control vehicle was indeed a shock to most everyone.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/10/28/police-forbidden-city/3284551/

Tennessee medical helicopter crash kills 2 hospital workers who were trying to save a sick child

Just earlier today, a hospital helicopter crashed in Tennessee on its way to pick up a child that needed medical attention. The helicopter departed Memphis's Le Bonheur Children's Hospital early this morning. The pilot was very experienced, their plans were simple, and there was no worry. The helicopter contained a respiratory therapist and a nurse from the hospital. Both of these individuals have been reported dead. No information has been released about the pilot. It was estimated that the helicopter flew for about a half an hour before it crashed into thick forest. It is not known why the vehicle fell from the sky. The placement of the crash made it difficult for rescue officials to get to the scene. The ailing child that was to be picked up was able to be transported on ground in an ambulance. Another crash of a Hospital Wing helicopter in Tennessee was in 2010, when a pilot attempted to outrun a storm, killing him and two nurses.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/tennessee-medical-helicopter-crash-kills-2-article-1.1492740

Dry ice bomb at LAX: No threats made before explosion, FBI says

Sunday night, a dry ice bomb exploded in a Los Angeles Airport bathroom. The bomb was not aimed to harm anything. The blast was heard and officials rushed to the scene, where a bottle was discovered that contained the dry ice. The LA Bomb Squad was summoned, but there was little need for it. The only major report of dry ice bombs in public areas was last May, when a large dry ice bomb caused Disney World to shut down the portion of Toontown. Last month, a former TSA worker was arrested for making threats against the LAX terminals and the TSA agency. After the bomb went off, flights and operations were put on hold for about two hours. Four flights following the time of the minor explosion were affected. Thankfully, no damage was done, and no one was injured.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-lax-dry-ice-bomb-blast-20131014,0,1390058.story

U.S. strikes al-Shabab in Somalia and captures bombing suspect in Libya

This past Saturday, the Navy SEALs undertook a mission to capture one of the main al-Shabab militants on the coast of Somalia. The mission was a response to the attack on a shopping mall in Nairobi which killed 67 people. It was the first mission that was performed in Somalia since the shooting of a senior al-Qaeda figure, Saleh Ali Saleh Nehban, in 2009. This recent mission was unsuccessful, but there was success in Libya around the same time as this. U.S. captured and took into custody Nazih Abdul-Hamed al-Ruqai, a main al-Qaeda figure who was suspected in the bombing of the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya in 1998. Ruqai was captured in Tripoli when three cars caught up to his and the U.S. soldiers seized him. The Libyan government was surprised at this, for they had not gotten notice ahead of time. They claimed that Ruqai was a Lybian citizen and should be tried for his crimes on Libyan soil. Their is a good relationship between the U.S. and Lybian government though, so there shouldn't be a problem in determining where Ruqai, one of the FBI's 5 Most-Wanted, is tried for the crimes.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-navy-seals-raid-al-shabab-leaders-somalia-home-in-response-to-nairobi-attack/2013/10/05/78f135dc-2e0c-11e3-8ade-a1f23cda135e_story_2.html

Yosemite National Park: Happy birthday! Too bad you're shut down

Just today, Yosemite National Park celebrated its 123rd anniversary of becoming a national park. However, it didn't get quite what it wanted for it's birthday. As a result of the current government shutdown, all national parks and monuments have thus far been shut down. Anyone visiting the park will be turned away by barricades and closed gates. Residents that are staying there currently have been asked to leave within the next 48 hours. Visitors that have made reservations have canceled them and are opting for refunds. While closing Yosemite is a matter of closing gates and kicking out residents, other national parks such as Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area will be hard to close. Some of these parks are public land, while some is private, so hikers and horseback riders will have access to some areas and not others. Now that Yosemite is closed, it is arranging a furlough for around 87% of its staff, about 21,000 people. The remaining 3,000 individuals will stay for law enforcement and emergency services. With the closure, Yosemite will be losing a calculated some $450,000 a day from fees of its visitors. This will remain in effect as long as the government does not have its budget established and can manage the parks.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-yosemite-birthday-google-doodle-shut-down-20131001,0,7529457.story

Pakistan’s Christians struggle with casualties after bloody church bombing kills 85

Only today in Peshawar, Pakistan, suicide terrorist bombers attacked a Christian church courtyard as victims left the church service. There were 85 deaths, along with some 120 injured in the blast. As the the remaining survivors mourned the death of their families, blood and flesh stained the white walls of the chapel. Individuals that had survived were transported to a nearby hospital, and cried out for help as the staff struggled to accommodate everyone. This attack completely ousted any effort to maintain public order between the Muslim and Christian populations in Pakistan. This hasn't been the first attack either. On Sunday, a Taliban splinter group assumed responsibility for the murder of children and a church choir that were attending Sunday school. Some Islamic followers helped dig graves for the deceased, letting the Christians believe there are at least some good people in the world. The attack, however, has ignited tensions between the two religious populations, essentially tearing the country apart.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/pakistans-christians-struggle-with-dead-wounded-after-bloody-church-bombing-kills-85/2013/09/23/780331da-246a-11e3-9372-92606241ae9c_story_1.html

This Monday, a powerful typhoon tore into Japan, leaving much destruction in its path. The storm was centered around the city Sendai, which lies only 350 kilometers north of Tokyo. The popular tourist destination, Kyoto, was partially flooded, and around 260,000 civilians were forced to evacuate the premises. Typhoon Man-yi brought winds of 162 kilometers per hour, and dropped a teeming amount of rain upon Japan, leaving one reported death, several missing, and dozens injured. Mudslides raged through some towns, completely demolishing certain houses. Luckily, most occupants had been evacuated. The enormous amount of rainfall caused a nuclear power plant to pump the water out of the plant immediately as to not mix the water with possible radioactive leaks. The rescue service did a good job at preventing much death, and although there was some destruction, this disaster was mostly avoided as far as lives go.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/powerful-typhoon-lashes-japan-causing-floods-as-thousands-evacuate/article14335172/

Iran's President Urges Government on Facebook

Recently, Iran's President, Hasan Rouhani, and his cabinet have encouraged the government to open their own Facebook pages. They've requested to "friend" each other, for doing this would enable them to network over the internet, making their government more expansive and connected over the world. It is assumed that Rouhani is doing this as to reform the reputation of the presidency after his predecessor's, Ahmedinejad, combative rule. This idea of using Facebook is fairly new to Iran, for the civilian population still has restrictions on the websites they can visit. Facebook is not included in these. Some of the ministers that have been encouraged to join Facebook, have not yet, and refuse to do so. Some of the Iranian government, however, believe that becoming Facebook savvy is an important step in becoming more connected to media and technology in the coming years.

http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/world/article/Iran-s-president-urges-government-on-Facebook-4797751.php

This past Tuesday, it has been reported that Israel has launched a joint defense missile with the U.S. into the Mediterranean Sea. Israel borders the country of Syria, and in light of recent events that have taken place there, testing defense missiles seems to be a right plan of action. These past weeks, there have been numerous allegations against the Syrian government, stating that they have used chemical weapons against their own civilians. This has struck fear into the hearts of the Syrian people, causing the refugee population in surrounding areas to skyrocket to numbers not seen since the disaster in Rwanda. The Syrian government denies all claims to their use of chemical weapons, but their have been several accounts in which the U.S. believes their denial to be false. This is why President Obama has been discussing and organizing with his advisers and Congress a possible military action to stop any momentum that Syria might have with its weaponry. The concept is still under consideration, and the decision will be made in the next week or so. Israel may have the right idea testing out its defense missiles, because if this situation unravels and Syria unleashes anything that they've kept secret, we are well on our way to a full scale conflict.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23947354