More Votes, and More Deaths, in Southern Sudan

On January 11th, 2011, 10 civilians were killed and 18 were injured in Juba, located along the tense north-south Sudan's border. Sudan officials announced that truckloads of heavily armed nomads ambushed 23 vehicles carrying Southern Sudanese who were on their way to vote for the referendum. This incident is especially horrifying and stunning as it was just 3 days since more than 40 people were killed within the same region due to a skirmish between Sudanese police force and opposing militia. United Nations stated that "There is an evident increase in tension... The situation is volatile and there could be outbreaks of further violence."

The referendum vote which is taking place currently in Sudan will decide whether southern part of Sudan will be seperated from Sudan and form its own country. While the result is expected to be positive for independence of the southern part of Sudan, there are strong oppositions against this referendum such as the Misseriya community. Misseriya community is located between the southern and northern Sudan and they do not want the Sudan to be separated since then their community will be divided as well. Thus, the Sudanese government suspects that the Misseriya community is responsible for recent killings of people through ambushes and skirmishes including this incident.

Despite all of the life-threatening and violent attacks, majority of the people from both Southern and Northern part of Sudan are participating in the votes. The voting is expected to continue for the rest of the week, and the election officials have extended their hours at voting stations in order to accommodate flood of people eager to vote.

From my perspective, I can see how devoted people are towards this independence as flood of people still continues to vote despite the recent violent incidents which took place along the borders. Thus, I strongly believe that the vote should be continued cleanly without any corruption and flaws. However, I find these skirmishes and ambushes extremely immoral and problematic. I believe that every citizen must be guaranteed with safety when voting however it is evident that the security in Sudan is very poor. Both parts of Sudan must strengthen their forces to oppress the oppositions' militia in order to secure their citizens safety. If a country cannot protect their citizens, then who would? Who can? If I was living in Sudan as one of their citizens, I would refuse to vote even though I find the vote very important because my life is much more important than the vote. Important votes regarding to ideas like referendum must not be affected by unnatural and unacceptable factors like the attacks of oppositions. Promoting clean and fair votes are essential in Sudan today.

Furthermore, oppositions such as the Misseriya community should be granted with some forms of privilege or rights to help them keep their community as whole although their actions of killings were ultimately wrong. Because Sudanese government is responsible for not recognizing minorities and their problems which lead to horrifying killings, the Sudanese government must oppress the oppositions, promote peace afterwards and find resolution which can help visible minorities to keep their culture and custom as soon as possible. Moreover, the Misseriya community must formally apologize and take full responsibility of their actions to achieve peace and rights to keep their community as whole. If not, the border between north and south part of Sudan can become just like the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Durand Line, which is the centre of the world's conflict. In order to prevent another country evolving with the same problems as Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Sudanese government must act now and supports from other international countries must be provided as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/12/world/africa/12sudan.html?_r=1&ref=world

Hacked iTunes accounts for sale in China

China's global Times reports that over 500,000 iTunes accounts (each linked to confidential credit card information) were hacked and were being auctioned with prices as low as $30 US through a Chinese auction website, TaoBao. According to the publication, thousands of hacked iTunes accounts has already been sold through this website and this is strictly prohibited and is violating the Apple's terms of services. These hacked accounts can be used to download hundreds and thousands of songs through the iTunes with the original owner's expense and the prices can be very significant. However TaoBao officially stated that they will not be preparing to take actions to resolve these problems until an official request from Apple is issued. Even with over 500,000 users under significant threats, Apple stated that the users should take better responsibility towards their own passwords thus immediate request from Apple to TaoBao is unlikely. Further investigations are being done in order to identify any Canadian victims.

China has recently been a hotbed for internet fraud, including the mass hackings of Gmail. The study states that over $559.7 million US were lost in 2009 due to the internet fraud and the rates of digital misconduct including internet fraud and hacking is predicted to increase in following years. Despite the estimates on digital misconduct rate, the municipal police departments of Canada are not required to maintain cybercrime data while FBI-led study confirms that increased security from the government are essential.

In my opinion, it is extremely problematic to have increasing number of digital misconduct which is affecting great number of internet users negatively. iTunes is one of the biggest application on the web today and holds millions of users and their private information. Although I am not familiar with the method, these information and user accounts are being stolen and sold in China. Buying an iTunes account for as low as $30 US and purchasing hundreds and thousands of songs with the original owners' credits is a serious crime. Stricter and much more rigid regulations and immediate actions to resolve and prevent further problems are essential. Apple must act immediately in order to protect the security, credibility and privacy of their users in order to keep up with their reputation as the largest and legitimate online music market.

World Wide Web, also known as internet, is the biggest social network which exists in this world and holds almost 2 billion users. Moreover, there are millions of different applications on the web which holds private information that can be critical if exposed such as credit card and personal information. According to the experts, it is evident that as the number of users and usage of the web is increasing, the number of internet misconducts is increasing as well. Thus, stronger security level should be applied on each websites which hold any types of private information and the government must develop much more effective cyber regulations in order to prevent and stop the crimes that are happening through online. Physical violence, theft, and fraud are not the only crimes. In fact, the number of thefts, frauds, over-pricing above the price ceiling and many other illegal activities being done online has already exceeded the number of physical crimes as the technology and cyber network are developing rapidly. 21st century is a new era of technology and in order to use such convenient and beneficial resources such as internet, definite assurance of safety should be given to every user for a clean and adequate environment.

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2011/01/07/hacked-itunes-accounts-sale-china.html

Mass bird deaths rare, not apocalyptic: Experts

In recent years, there has been freak examples of mass animal deaths; ranging from birds falling out of the sky, beached whales to deluges of frogs. These mass animal deaths are unusual thus, increasing number of people are starting to believe that these incidents are signs of apocalypse or are caused by apocalyptic reasons. Due to these mass animal death incidents, the theory of 2013 apocalypse is gaining more credibility throughout the world. However the experts say these incidents are caused by natural and human activities.

Scientists stated that modern threats such as pollution and climate change are adding stress to the wild life. Researches showed that the beached whales are caused by the illness and disorientation caused by extra noise from the oceans, such as shipping, oil and gas drilling. In addition, according to the statistics, majority of the mass death incidents of birds occurred in two common cases. The first case was caused by the oil spill. Birds or ducks often landed on the oil spill thinking that it is an attractive patch of calm water and were killed. The latter case often took place in unnoticed sea and rural areas where the food and resources are scarce. Thus, the birds in those areas, especially in winter, grew weaker and died.

Experts officially announced that these unusual mass animal death incidents are not apocalyptic but caused by natural and man-driven events. While increasing number of people still believe that these incidents are apocalyptic, many others are promoting the awareness and significance of the environmental threats and are waiting for appropriate actions to be taken by the government and experts to resolve and stop these problematic incidents and to protect our mother earth.

From my point of view, these mass animal death incidents are not apocalyptic although they are enigmatic. I personally do not believe in 2013 apocalypse either therefore these horrifying incidents being the signs of apocalypse are implausible. However, I am seriously concerned by the fact that the animals are dying in a gradual rate. As the result showed, both natural and human events are contributing towards these incidents. Therefore, us, people should be held responsible for causing the mass deaths of animals. From contamination through pollution to oil spills, humans are causing ultimate stress and killing animals every day. What people have to realize is that our beautiful nature and wilderness is not a right, but a privilege. Environment does not only belong to us but also to wild animals. Thus, if we are polluting the environment and making it unbearable to the animals, it is our fault and we should change our actions to resolve these problems.

It is evident through many incidents such as the mass animal death to global warming that the environment is seriously being damaged. Moreover it is possible that if the damaging continues at this rate, one day the world might not be bearable even for humans. In order to save and protect our mother nature, every individual in the world should make effort to make changes now. Environment wasn't given to us, it was lent to us and it is our duty to preserve the environment in order to pass it on to the future generation. It is not too early to act. Changes are essential.

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http://www.torontosun.com/news/world/2011/01/06/16782526.html

U.S. man arrested, accused of threatening to kill Obama

A 78 year-old American man, Michael Bowden, was arrested for threatening to kill the U.S. President, Barrack Obama, and is expected to show up to the county jail on November 26th. Federal authority stated that the suspicion began when he told a nurse that he was thinking of killing the U.S. president Barack Obama because Obama is "not doing enough to help African-Americans" during the Veterans Affairs clinic. Immediately after the telling, the nurse has reported Bowden to the police and the case was eventually reported to federal security. After the search of this man's property, the suspicion and threat has gradually increased due to the fact that this man owned dozens of rifles.

After being arrested by the federal agents, Bowden admitted to his statement and gave a written sworn which wrote "If I had opportunity to put Obama against the wall and shoot him, I would". After several investigations, Bowden turned out to have several mental problems. According to the records, Bowden had suicide tendencies during a screening in April. United States' Magistrate Judge, Kevin McDonald, ordered Bowden to be held in bond until a mental evaluation had been completed.

In my perspective, whether Bowden was really planning to commit a murder or he was just saying it out loud to express his dissatisfaction towards the president, it was equitable to arrest Bowden in order to prevent any possible threat. President, a leader of a country voted by the citizens, should be protected in every way and every single threat towards the president should be eliminated or quarantined immediately. It is clear to me that Bowden had palpable mental problems and insecurity according to the investigation results. From suicide tendencies to murderous statement towards the president is psychophatic. I believe that the best way to resolve this problem is to give mild penalty and help him recover from his mental problems rather than condemning Bowden severely as he still is a citizen of the country.

Moreover, according to Bowden statement "not doing enough to help African-Americans" suggests that racism was one of the biggest factors towards creating this incident. Racism, even over 65 years after the official United Nations Charter promising equal rights towards every human race was signed in 1945, it still is one of the world's biggest issues which should be dealt with. Incidents like this can happen not just in United States but in every nation around the world. It is every individuals job to step up and make changes to eliminate prejudice and racism around the world to promote fairness, equality, mutual respect and finally, to prevent any further horrifying incidents like this.

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/897199--u-s-man-arrested-accused-of-threatening-to-kill-obama

South Korean military on high alert

On Tuesday November 24th, North Korea fired heavy artilleries towards Yeonpyeong Island, 120 km west from Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Due to North Korea's artillery fires, two marines were killed, 15 troops and 3 civilians were injured and dozens of buildings were burned and destroyed. In return, South Korea quickly responded back by firing their artilleries towards North Korea. The casualties and damages caused in North Korea are currently unknown. South Korean Minister of Defense stated that South Korea will be sending additional military enforcements towards five islands near the disputed sea border including the Yeonpyeong Island.

South Korean government announced that the skirmish began as North Korea warned South Korea to halt their military drills near their sea border. However, South Korea refused and continued the military drills and fired their artilleries in to disputed waters. However the shootings were clearly away from the North Korean shore and their official sea regions. Despite the fact that the shots did not effect North Korea in anyway, North Korea retaliated by firing artilleries to Yeonpyeong Island as South Korea refused in return. Few minutes later, South Korea responded back with artillery firings towards North Korea.

As the tensions between South Korea and North Korea developed with much intensity due to the artillery fire exchanges, the whole world's views immediately became focused towards Korean peninsula including U.S. , Canada and China, just to name a few. U.S. government stated that they will be increasing the military supports towards their ally, South Korea. U.S. government also stated that North Korea's attack was outrageous and unprovoked. Moreover China, a country with great influence towards North Korea, is expected to encourage North Korea to ease their tension.

As a South-Korean, it is heartrending and outraging to see North Korea's attack especially because the attack was towards civilians as well. Attacking an island where thousands of civilians are present, just because opposition army had fired artilleries towards "disputed" water which had no impact on North-Korea in any aspect is horrendous and pugnacious. The Korean War has been dragged on for over 60 years and instead of choosing the safer and rightful way to resolve the trouble, North Korea decided to provoke South Korea and the world with an absurd excuse. Therefore it seems questionable whether the North Korea is concerned with peace and safety for their country and their civilians.

Secondly, it is surprising to see how North Korea has paid back after all the financial and food aids that were supported by South Korea for past decades while North Korea has never made any significant contribution towards South Korea. Moreover, South Korea has promoted peace and negotiations in order to search for resolution to end the dreadful war which lasted for 60 years. Ever since the armistice was signed in 1953, South-Korea had never made any forms of direct provoking actions which involved any harmings towards North Korea. Therefore, it is evident that all of the struggles within the Korean peninsula since 1953 has been due to North Korea's preposterous actions.

The war within the Korean Peninsula can possibly develop in to a larger scale internationally and perhaps it can even trigger the start of the World War III. As the world has experienced the abysmal world wars twice in the past century, I would like to see the whole world step up as one in order to resolve the problem within the Korean peninsula peacefully to stop repeating the same mistake that we have made in the past which resulted in vile and atrocious outcomes. I wholeheartedly hope that the tension within the Korean peninsula will settle down and ultimately, I hope to see the conflict between South and North Korea resolve peacefully.

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/11/24/korea-artillery-attack.html

Irish banks will be reorganized in bailout

Irish banks will be accompanied with huge bailout which the Ireland will need to navigate its way out of a spiraling debt and banking crisis according to the Irish government minister on monday. Irish finance minister suggested significant financial struggle that they are going through as he stated that the Irish banks will not be able to access normal markets until they are reorganized. The rescue bailout package which will be issued to Ireland from EU(European Union) and IMF (International Monetary Fund) is worth up to 100 billion euros (US$ 137 billion) and it is expected to keep Ireland solvent for at least three more years.

Experts believe that the main factor which lead to the near bankrupty of major Irish banks is because of Irish government's risky investements which they have made towards British and American properties. According to the statistics, the taxpayers in Ireland has paid over 50 billion euros over the past two years as Irish authorities nationalized three of the major banks and took major stakes of two additional banks since 2008. It is said that government's risky investment or "gamble" has lead to country's financial sector to become almost bankrupt and these investments could not have been possible without governments action on nationalizing and taking stakes of the 5 major banks in Ireland. Therefore the Irish government, especially the prime minister, Brian Cowen is being blamed for financial struggle of Ireland.

EU-IMF bailout is intended to give Ireland somewhat long term stability as they sort out their problematic issues in order to prevent Ireland's bank, government and market from crashing and collapsing. Entire EU as well as the world will be focusing their perspectives towards Irish government and the decisions and policies they will be making in order to reorganize the country and get back on the track.

In my opinion, I find the financial struggle of Ireland very shocking and problematic. First of all, according to the HDI (Human Development Index) for 2010, Ireland has the 5th highest HDI in the world. Therefore it was stunning to see a country with 5th highest standard of living struggle financially due to its major banks being on the verge of bankrupty. Secondly, it was disappointing hear about the cause of the whole situation. I believe that Irish government should not have nationalized and take major stakes of the banks in Ireland. As the Irish government took control of the major banks, they were able to control their financial budgets easily without any serious questionings or conflicts. Thus the Irish government was able to invest billions of dollars towards risky investements such as the properties in foreign countries. There is no doubt in my mind that this risky investment was not worth leading five major banks in the nation to bankrupcy and spending over 50 billion euros from the citizens without definite assurance.

In order to minimize the impact of this incident and to secure financial stability for the country and its citizens, the Irish government should act immediately by accepting the bailout and financial supports from other countries. Moreover, the Irish government must come up with assuring and definite plans to reshape and reorganize country's financial mangement, economy, banks and so on. At times like this, where the world's economy is struggling, it is government's full responsibility to approperiately guide, organize, and help the citizens in every aspects including suitable financial and economical managements and supports.

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20101122/ireland-eu-imf-bailout-details-emerging-101122/

Toronto School Board floats cash-for-grades

TDSB(Toronto District School Board) is considering to pay money for students in order to get the students to stay in school and achieve good grades. According to this idea, the students will be paid money as an incentive for going to school, taking tests, getting good grades and so on which will ultimately encourage students especially those who are in poverty to keep up their education. This idea generated from Chris Spence, an education director of TDSB, as he wrote: "Should we pay kids in our more disadvantageous communities to do well in school? Perhaps, as a part of a poverty reduction scheme." TDSB announced that this idea will be carefully examined by the board's new anti-poverty task force. Head of the TDSB's nine-member group Lloyd McKell also said "This is not about bribing. This is helping students who have no resources or very limited resources to focus on learning". TDSB finds that the idea of paying students in order to help those who are struggling from poverty and to encourage students to get better grades could be a great solution towards many aspects that needs improvements.

On the other hand, there are great numbers of oppositions who have made complaints and showed sign of discouragement towards this idea including TDSB's own students. Grade 12 student Derek Neilson said "I like having my job, having my own place. I don't like being in school. People want to get bribed, go ahead. It's your morals, not mine". Anni Kidder with group People for Education also discouraged the idea of cash-for-grades by saying "There are solutions, but they're not necessarily simple and they have to be integrated solutions". According to the statistics, the money incentive policy which was initiated in U.S. in the past have worked out for some students but not for all. People's viewpoints especially the viewpoints of people in Toronto will be focused on this idea to see if the money incentive policy will actually be set in place for the students.

In my opinion, I strongly disagree to the cash incentive policy to students. Yes, it is true that education is critical and necessary towards all students. Yes, it is true that both government and school board must financially aid students who are in poverty in order to help them receive appropriate education. However, I believe that the idea of paying students "if" they get good grades is a way of bribing, segregating students and also wasting money that could be spent much more effectively. By paying money only towards students that get good grades, this can ultimately separate and divide students in to different groups depending on the grades that they are receiving and create serious social and intolerant problems within the students.

Moreover, in my opinion, there can be much more effective ways to support students struggling with financial issues than only paying students that get good grades in order to"force" the students in poverty to study hard so that they could receive cash for their living. I believe that setting up student support charity for living, study, etc. and paying families that are struggling financially which are causing problematic effects towards students' education will be much more effective and adequate solution. Because every student has right to study and be educated in same environment, I believe that it is government and school board's job to help those who are less fortunate and create the adequate environment for them to study in.

On the whole, I disagree with the idea of cash incentives only for students that are getting good grades and I believe that there could be much more meaningful and effective ways to support students that are less fortunate in order to help them receive appropriate education. Better education for younger generation now will benefit our country in the future as they will be the generation that will be running the country in 20~30 years. I would like to see TDSB come up with much more suitable policy than paying, bribing and ultimately forcefully making students to work and study.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/11/18/toronto-cash-for-grades.html