The Taliban sends deputy leader to Qatar peace talks with the U.S.

February 25, 2019

By: Daniela Escobar 

The Taliban sent an A-team as a closing deal to end America’s longest war and winding down decades of devastating violence.Baradar is believed to have the authority to have a pact to rank and file members that were fighting to overthrow U.S.backed government in 2001.U.S. promises in return that the Taliban will no longer use the country as a launchpad for terrorists attacks. When the group ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, imposing their harsh version of Islamic law on the poor population, hosted Osama bin Laden khas he masterminded the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. About 2,300 american troops have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001, and U.S. commanders referred as a “stalemate”.The Taliban control more territory than it has since the U.S. defeated the group after 9/11. Back in 1970s has had an effect on Afghanistan and the region, displacing millions of civilians and this impacts today. While the Taliban say that there are not looking to impose threat to countries, their representatives have refused to have talks with the government.

Articles link

Discussion questions

Could these peace talks help end the war in Afghanistan?

Can the Taliban remain in power in Afghanistan or does another group need to take power to maintain peace?

what are your thoughts about Taliban wanting peace?

President Trump Leaves Hanoi with no Deal

On February 28th, 2019 President Trump left the Hanoi Summit without a deal. To many people this was a surprise. The President though did not walk angrily out instead it was a friendly exit. Leaving chairmen Kim Jong-Un peacefully was a wise choice do to severity of the topic they were discussing, Denuclearization of North Korea. A major problem people noticed was the preparatory negotiation, which was none. The Northern Koreans wanted to lift all sanction put upon them by the US, This was the major sticking point according to Trump.  The N. Korean government demanded that all sanctions were to be lifted Put on by the US and in exchange They would dismantle the Yongbyon nuclear facility. On the other side of Korea, the South Koreans said it would put the defusal of the nuclear standoff with North Korea was now “at a crossroads.” The outcome could provide a setback for S. Korean president, Moon Jae-in, who has plans for a greater inter-Korean engagement depend on a breakthrough in North Korea’s nuclear program. Moon has been “instrumental in bringing Kim into the global diplomatic fold has been instrumental in bringing Kim into the global diplomatic fold”. Kim Jong-un took a private train back to North Korea on November 28th, stopping off along the way for a meeting with President of China Xi Jinping on other matters.

Link to article              

Questions:
1: What would you do if you were the President in this situation?
2:How do you feel about North Korea's request to lift all the sanctions?
3: Do you feel that there will be more summits to discuss denuclearization?

MIchael Cohen testifies before Congress

Michael Cohen testifies before Congress

 Michael Cohen testified for hours in front of the White House oversight committee today. There was a lot of key things that were stated by Cohen. Cohen confirmed that Trump payed off Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. He has also stated Trump directly told him to lie to Congress. Another main point stated was he said that Trumps lawyer Jay Sekulow (and others) edited his congressional testimony in August 2017. It is prettying interesting that Mr.Cohen's own demeanor, and he also directed some insults he directed at the present. The former fixer who in the past was a charming and genuine guy totally changed. Cohen then proceeded to call the president a con-man and mocked Mr.Trump for calling himself brilliant even though he doesn't want to disclose his high school grades and people can recognize how less convincing this is because of the praise he gave the president a while back by saying he would take a bullet for Trump. Now it is interesting that back then all he wanted was Trumps approval but now facing federal crimes and going to prison he want to rehabilitate himself and show the people on who Trump really is apparently. Now he people of America have a choice if they can view President Trump as a contender for a Noble peace prize for his work with North Korea or portray him as a criminal and con-man portrayed by his former Lawyer Mr.Cohen.

Discussion Questions: Is Mr.Cohen's response on President Trump a Legal or Political problem for Trump?

https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/cohen-hearing-2019

Negotiations Between Trump and Kim Jong Un

President Trump and Kim Jong Un of North Korea Upcoming Negotiations

     President Trump of the US and Kim Jong UN, leader of North Korea will ultimately have formal talks, in regards to the dismantling North Korea's nuclear weapons program. During their dinner, the two leaders had exchanged several compliments about one another:
"I think your country has tremendous economic potential," Trump stated. "I think you will have a tremendous future with you country-a great leader. And I look forward to watching it happen and helping it to happen." This was a compliment stated by Trump towards Kim before they had their dinner. The importance about this meeting is that this historical event can potentially be the steps to declare permanent peace on the divided Korean Peninsula. It also has the potential to build a new relationship between the two countries and finally end the bitter rivalry between the two. Another importance is that Trump is trying to persuade Kim Jong un to agree with denuclearization. Both countries have also agreed to build a better relationship establishing a peace regime on the Korean peninsula, and work towards complete denuclearization.

Discussion Questions:
1.What are your thoughts on the negotiation between Trump and Kim Jong Un?
2. Will forming a good relationship with North Korea result in rivalry with other nations?
3. What do you think the outcome of all this will be?

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/27/world/asia/trump-kim-summit-vietnam.html

Mexico border wall: US states sue over emergency declaration

After President Donald Trump’s call for a national emergency declaration, 16 states have decided to sue Trump
for his unconstitutional decision. The President believes that the border wall will estimate to cost $23bn to construct. Though states have decided to sue Trump because he has decided to take there taxpayers money:“the lawsuit aims to protect their residents, natural resources and economic interests”. They believe that the order given by Trump will cause them to divert funds from things like the bullet train (meant to be built in California) and instead into the border wall. The governor of California says that Trump's decision is a  “political theatre” and does not make any sense. Trump says that the wall will be built in order to keep immigrants and the contents that they bring out of the United States, though the majority of immigrants are said to come through ports, which would not be blocked by then wall. Trump seems to have gotten his way with the call of the national emergency, giving him $8bn out of the $23bn, but will most likely not get any, due to the massive number of states filing lawsuits which will most likely
end up in the supreme court.

Original Article 

1. What do you think about the border wall? Should it be built?

2. Do you think  the border wall calls for a national emergency

3. Do you think Trump will get the money to approve and build the wa

President Donald Trump VS. California

President  Donald Trump has recently decided to go against the state of California and some of its funds. He claims that the money the state has, has been given to them to build a "bullet train" to make transportation easier between the north and the south. His administration plans on cancelling $929m in grants for this project even though California has already began with the construction of part of the rails. President Trump has called it "failed" project and posted on his Twitter a tweet that said "Send the Federal Government back the Billions of Dollars WASTED!" This Bullet train would make transportation from San Francisco to Los Angeles much faster and cheaper for the general public. Just a day before Trumps allegations against california on Twitter "a coalition of 16 US states led by California said they were suing the president to block his "misuse of presidential power" over building a US-Mexico border wall".

1. What are your thoughts on Trumps allegations?

2. Do you think this "Bullet Train" should be built? if so, how do you think it will be helpful?

3. Who do you think in this back and forth fight between the states and Trump, and why?

Article Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47310215

Thousands protest against anti-Semitism in France

Article Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47300117

About 70 protests have happened in cities around France, including in 
Paris' Place de la République.  In France, high-profile anti-Semitic acts have been 
occurring a lot recently. France has the biggest Jewish population in Europe, 
about 550,000 people.  Protesters have been going around, protesting, with signs
that read “That’s Enough”. Portraits a of late Holocaust survivor, Simone Veil, 
have been destroyed, and a tree in memory of a Jewish youth tortured to death 
by an anti-Semitic gang was cut down. Also, nearly 100 Jewish graves have been 
ruined with Nazi symbols.  During a visit to the cemetery where Jewish graves were
ruined, French President Emmanuel Macron said “Whoever did this is not worthy
of the French republic and will be punished”. Statistics show that anti-Semitic attacks
in France had a rise of 74% from 2017 to 2018 (311 to 541).

Discussion Questions:
Why do you think anti-Semitic attacks are still going on today, in 2019?
What do you think the punishment should be for whoever did these acts?
How do  you think the French government or anywhere around the world
could put a stop to anti-Semitic attacks?

Opponents of Border Wall Rally

Article link
















     


People marched in El Paso, Texas in protest of the proposed border wall. 2 weeks ago bulldozers arrived in Rio Grande Valley of Texas. To aim where the construction will begin. The area of a six-mile "stretch of wall" that has already been fundraised for.  Federal Government scheduled to start construction this month, but since the central filed a restraining order to prevent the workers from constructing. The government made 28 laws to proceed the constructing. Also,  a foundation raised about half of 100,000 to pay for legal fees connected with continuing legal action that opposes Trump's Administration.



Do you support the border wall? why or why not?
Is it a good investment to spend 5 billion dollars?
For those who disagree what is an effective way to challenge trump?

Violent Acts of Protests made by the "Yellow Vests"

Recently in Paris, there have been several violent acts of protesting made
by the “Yellow Vests” group. These protests have been going out hand ever
since President Emmanuel Macron recently announced that the taxes will go
up by 20%. This made citizens very furious and has caused the 4,000 protesters
to burn police cars on fire, throw grenades, and trash the city streets. While most
citizens of Paris are fine with the actions of the “Yellow Vests” protesters, some
are hesitant and afraid. The protests are so dangerous that while a man was trying
to take pictures of the action, a couple of witnesses saw a grenade in his way and
his hand completely blew off. These violent protests have caused people to act
rebellious and many witnesses have gotten injured. The members of the “Yellow Vests”
have been not found and are unidentified for now.

Questions:

1. Do you think the government should change the tax?
2. In your opinion did the members of the Yellow Vests go too far?
   
   https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/10/world/europe/france-yellow-vest-protests.html

French Tourist Could Face Prison for Flying Drone in Myanmar’s Capital

Source: New York Times

After allegedly flying a drone near Myanmar's Parliament in Naypyidaw, Myanmar's capital,
a French tourist, Michel Deslaux could possibly face up to three years in prison under strict laws
on unmanned aerial vehicles. Under flight restrictions, the law restricts the importing of drones
and they cannot be flown near airports and over gatherings of people near/on private property
without permission. These tough restrictions on drones have increased complaints that visitors
who want footage of these areas can easily break and find themselves violating the law. There
are signs in the area that state drones are banned such as in Burmese, but in this case there
was only a small sign on the gate of the Parliament in Burmese language, with only the word
"drone" in English. Critics suggests rules should be advertised and more notices should be put
up for visitors who may be unaware of the rules. This arrest suggests advocation of media
freedom, such as Myanmar's government using criminal investigations as coverage in order
to cover critical news.

Discussion Questions
1.Do you think it is unfair for tourists to be held to such strict laws if they are unaware of them?
2.What do you think can be done to spread awareness about the restrictions and rules that apply
to Myanmar to those who don’t live in Myanmar?
3.Do you believe the Myanmar government can/should be partly blamed for because of
such little awareness of the rules?

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/12/world/asia/myanmar-drone-french-tourist.html

New York Times

   Hospital Mergers Improve Health? Evidence Shows the Opposite 

In recent years, the competition among health care organizations has drastically increased. To create a larger chain of hospitals, increasing profit and solving this issue, many hospitals decided to merge. A hospital merger, or consolidation, is defined as the combining of administrative and organizational resources of two or more health care facilities. However, this solution has multiple flaws. Along with raised prices, such consolidation can result in worse health care. Studies show that rates of mortality and of major health setbacks grow when competition falls. In one recent example, two Texas health systems — Baylor Scott & White, and Memorial Hermann Health System — decided to merge. This would create a 68-hospital system. The health care systems have since abandoned the plan, but not before Jim Hinton, Baylor Scott & White’s chief executive, told The Wall Street Journal that “the end, the more important end, is to improve care.” This further proves that the quality of hospital's health care benefits greatly from a smaller- scaled hospital. 

1) What would be the benefits of a merger and a chain of hospitals?

2) What is your definition of "quality" health care?

3) Do you think that a larger hospital with more staff can provide better health care than a smaller hospital?

NBC

    Joaquin Guzman 'El Chapo' Found Guilty in US Trial


After an intense 11 week trial 'El Chapo' was found guilty during a trial in The U.S. He is currently facing life in prison without the chance of parole and will be sentenced June 25. With his previous two attempts of escaping The U.S doesn't want death penalty. Throughout the trial 56 witnesses were called to testify over the span of 35 days. The jury ruled that he was guilty of all 10 charges some of them were four counts of international distribution of cocaine and engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise. His defense argued that the case was being held together by the testimonies "of criminals who 'lie, steal, cheat, deal drugs and kill people' for a living". 'El Chapo' decided to not testify on his behalf after consulting with his attorneys.

1. How does his conviction affect the U.S. and Mexico?

2. Are the testimonies in this case creditable?

Trump bashes partisan investigation during the state of the union

During the state of the union speech this Tuesday president Trump calls partisan investigations ridiculous saying “If there is going to be peace and legislation, there cannot be war and investigation. It just doesn’t work that way.” Trump is referring to the Mueller Russia investigation, the special counsel investigation looking into Russia’s involvement in the 2016 elections. If there was evidence of Russian collusion Trump would be impeached. People involved in the investigation say that it is close to being completed. Democrats responded to the speech saying that the investigation should be seen to the end and that he is attempting to undermine the investigation.

Questions:

1. Do you think Trump is guilty of collusion with Russia?
2. Do you think the investigation should be seen through?
3. Did you watch the state of the union?  

source: cnn

WhatsApp is helping people in India vote for more easier elections. Its causing around 800 million people to vote. Now political parties need to rest on spam messages. WhatsApps helped ban around 6 million accounts. They search for any suspicious activity in order to keep the competition fair. The WhatsApps company gave people a heads up on risky behavior and that their accounts will get a permanent ban. WhatsApps has a good reputation in India and that might affect based on others thoughts. They also have limits on how much they will get attacked and stamp out abuse. They have stopped indian governments and proposed tech regulations to require online platforms to stop unlawful accounts in the span of a day. "The proposed changes are over broad and are not consistent with the strong privacy protections that are important to people everywhere, not just in India but around the world," Carl Woog says. They also protect and help out indians who just start using the internet, making sure they don’t receive “rumors”.

1. What is your opinion on WhatsApps status?
2. Do you agree that it’s ok to Ban accounts?
3. How will you think this will impact the rest of the world?

On One of the Coldest Days in Chicago History, Someone Put 70 Homeless People Up in a Hotel

Source: CNN

Late last week, a good samaritan put 70 homeless people in a hotel to avoid the 20-25 below zero Chicago weather. These record-shattering temperatures quickly became life threatening and had already caused multiple deaths. The homeless encampment was heated by many portable propane tanks that were donated by generous citizens. Shortly after noon that day, one of the hundreds of propane tanks had exploded due to being too close to a space heater and caused a fire. City officials were forced to close the encampment and rushed to find shelter for the displaced homeless people. The Salvation Army prepared to welcome in all 70 of them, later getting notice that a good samaritan offered to put them all in a hotel and pay for the hotel costs. The identity of the good samaritan is still unknown. However, the fire department is cautioning people to not donate any more propane tanks for they are a fire hazard.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think the city should tax citizens in order to provide a better source of heating for all homeless encampments? Why?

2. Do you think it is the city's responsibility to house the homeless in extreme life-threatening temperatures like this? Why?

3. Do you think organizations such as the Salvation Army can do a better job with housing the homeless in these extreme temperatures before disasters strike? Why?

Protests Held Outside NYC Correctional Facility with Limited heat

Recently, a very chaotic protest was reported outside of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York because of  the inmates suffering for the last week with no power or the ability to be able to communicate with their attorneys or families. A congresswoman who had visited the Detention Center for the second time on Saturday had claimed and reported that the officials aren't taking the inmates situation serious enough. Nydia Velazquez reported, "After visiting MDC again today it is clear the officials there have disregarded the basic human rights of inmates".  The clients with health problems have been suffering from the freezing cells without access to warm clothes or blankets because the jail officials have taken zero steps to provide them with the necessities they need to stay healthy. Similarly, the inmates are being treated just like living in the Ghettos during the Holocaust because they are suffering from scarce heat and lack adequate clothing and are also being weakened by exposure to the cold. Groups vowed to camp outside the facility in Brooklyn until conditions improve. 

1.) Do you think officials should take this more seriously? Why or Why not?

2.) Is protesting beneficial in this case? Why or Why not? 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-york-city-inmates-stuck-freezing-cells-brooklyn-metropolitan-detention-center-lawyers-say-2019-02-02/

Zimbabwe army responsible for murder and rape

Zimbabwean army being accused of murder, rape, and armed robberies. Zimbabwean police documents were leaked and UK’s Guardian newspaper claimed that the military  was responsible for all of the bad stuff that was happening. Police officials were upset about how careless the military is being so they shared the documents which described alleged attacks including the homicides of two civilians, the rape of a teenage girl and many more assaults. There was one report about a 15 year old girl that got raped and abducted by what they say to be three men wearing army uniforms and carrying rifles. All of these attacks are yet to be proven but the leak of these documents created tension between the military and the civilian law. In response President Emmerson Mnangagwa pledged to investigate on these brutal incidents and make arrests within the military.

1. Do you think that the Zimbabwean military is responsible for these alleged attacks?
2. What do you think the people in this country might feel(their own military may or may not be attacking them)?
3. Would you still trust your military?

Source:

https://mg.co.za/article/2019-01-30-zim-army-responsible-for-murders-rapes-report