World News Issue I
December 7, 2015

Venezuela: Opposition victory: PSUV loses majority in Venezuela's National Assembly
By Ryccia


Venezuela- The opposition has won what it long wished for: a legislative victory.

With 99 seats, the coalition of opposition parties has resulted triumphant against its main contender, the PSUV and its coalition with the Communists, who only won 46 seats.

The opposition is just one seat away from an absolute majority of 100 seats, but 99 is still enough for a majority. The opposition, however, expects to win 112 seats, so it could release political prisioners and to reserve senior legal position appointments done by Maduro's Government.

The opposition could fufillsl a three-fifths(or 60%) vote, and with this, it could replace the vice-president, ministers and members of the electoral body. But if it wins 75% of the vote(which it already has done according to the alliance) it is a supermajority.

This could mean big change in Venezuela.

With this supermajority, the opposition could have the power to rewrite the constitution, even if Maduro disagrees. It could also replace prosecutors and judges as well,meaning that the opposition might leave Maduro almost powerless. According to the BBC, there are 4 seats to be declared.

It is likely the Socialists lost because of the ailing economy, which shrunk by 10% in 2015 and inflation soared by 100%. Venezuela is also marred with alleged authoritarianism, rampant corruption and a shortage of basic goods and medicines. It is predicted that if things continue like this, Venezuela could be also facing a 18.1% unemployment rate in 2016. The economy has been so bad since oil prices dropped in late 2014-early 2015, which caused an economic crisis in the oil-dependent nation. Many say the people are tired of this, and want change.

There was a high turnout in this vote, with 74.3% of the electorate participating in it. There were also some irregularities reported, but in general, the process went well, at least.

Nicolas Maduro has not been as charismatic nor academically qualified as his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, who started Socialist Chavista rule and died three years ago.

Whatever the outcome, we wish Venezuela the best in the future.

Notes from the Writer- Congrats and stay safe, RG!

United States: Obama vows to overcome terrorism
By Ryccia


United States- President Obama has given a presidential speech on the San Bernardino attacks.

He has called the attacks an act of terrorism.

In this speech, he advocated for gun control measures, more cooperation between US and its Middle Eastern allies and has defended Muslim Americans, calling them "our friends and neighbors, our co-workers and sports heroes" and "the men and women in uniform who are willing to die in defense of our country". He also spoke against discrimination and radicalization, said that ISIS wants that to happen, and stated that they are "thugs and killers" in a cult of death.  

Obama also said that "we can't turn against each other"

People's Republic of China: Beijing issues first ever smog red alert
By Ryccia


Beijing, People's Republic of China- For the first time ever, Beijing has issued a red alert on air quality.

Schools and businesses, including industry and construction, were completely shut down or limited, in order to curb pollution.

Smog levels are actually lower at the moment than they have been in recent weeks. But authorities are expecting an extreme amount of pollution in the coming days, and have imposed the order to ensure public safety during that time.

The order will last from Tuesday morning Beijing Time or UTC +8 until mid-day on Thursday, when the weather is expected to change and blow away the smog.

According to Greenpeace, the smog that affects not just Beijing, but Northern China, is the size of Spain.

The city had already been in a state of orange alert, which meant that some construction and industry was being limited. The city had also issued a ruling that said cars with odd and even number plates would be stopped from driving in Beijing on alternate days.

9 out of 10 cities in China even fail the government's own pollution standards, and, according to the US Embassy in Beijing, an average of 49% of all days have unhealthy pollution standards in the People's Republic capital since 2008.

Air pollution monitors showed that areas of Beijing had more than 256 micrograms per cubic metre of the poisonous particles. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that anything over 25 micrograms is considered unsafe.

Puerto Rico: Wal-Mart sues Puerto Rico over "unfair" tax hike
By Ryccia


Puerto Rico, United States- Wal-Mart has sued Puerto Rico over new legislation that is aimed at combatting its economic crisis.

The tax hike would make Wal-Mart pay 91.5% of the net revenue it gains from the island, which is $2.75 billion in gross revenue. Wal-Mart wants the tax to be declared by a federal judge as unconstitutional.

Wal-Mart is the biggest employer in the caribbean island, which suffers from a 12.4% unemployment rate, more than double than the average US state.

Puerto Rico's GDP has been slowing drastically and/or falling since the economic crisis. Its GDP is $103 billion, four times less than total Wal-Mart earnings.