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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 [Image: SaAe2l3.jpg]
San Bernardino was marred by the terrorist attacks committed by islamist radicals, motivated by jihadist groups. Sources: BBC, ABC 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 [Image: H3ZDxax.jpg]
This is the first time ever that Beijing issued a red alert on its air quality since 2013, when Beijing implemented an emergency response programme for air pollution. Sources: BBC, The Independent, China Uncensored, Xinhua News Agency. Photo: The Guardian 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 [Image: tkscFqa.jpg]
Wal-Mart employs more people on the island than anyone else, according to The Daily Caller. Sources: The Daily Caller. Photo: Wikipedia 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.
Deputy Regional Minister of the Planning and Development Agency(March 8-May 19, 2014)
Local Council Member(April 24-August 11) Court Justice of TSP(August 15-December 7)
What happened?!
Deputy Regional Minister of the Planning and Development Agency(March 8-May 19, 2014)
Local Council Member(April 24-August 11) Court Justice of TSP(August 15-December 7)
Breaking: Opposition gets 112 seats, 51 gained by PSUV in Venezuela elections.
Sources: Noticiero Venevision
Deputy Regional Minister of the Planning and Development Agency(March 8-May 19, 2014)
Local Council Member(April 24-August 11) Court Justice of TSP(August 15-December 7)
Who the hell keeps moving my posts?!
Deputy Regional Minister of the Planning and Development Agency(March 8-May 19, 2014)
Local Council Member(April 24-August 11) Court Justice of TSP(August 15-December 7)
There is like a thousand Nova threads now
I am Zadiner/Zak. Part of Assembly, some other stuff, Founder of some other region.
Hey, I have a bunch of issues. You don't need to care. Emoji of the week: :dodgy:
I don't even
Darkstrait :ninja:
Former Justice, Former Local Councilor, Roleplayer, Former SPSF Deputy for Recruitment, Politically Active Citizen, Ex-Spammer Supreme, and Resident Geek "Hats is very fashion this year."
Of course not. There are only four.
Deputy Regional Minister of the Planning and Development Agency(March 8-May 19, 2014)
Local Council Member(April 24-August 11) Court Justice of TSP(August 15-December 7) World News Issue II December 14, 2015 Argentina: Mauricio Macri sworn President By Ryccia [Image: TneVFJR.jpg]
Mauricio Macri is a millionaire and a former president of a sports club. Sources: BBC. Photo: grasswire.com Argentina- Mauricio Macri, centre-right politician, was sworn as Argentina's President in December 10. This ends ten years of leftist Kirchner rule in Argentina. During Cristina's presidency, the economy worsened, but the pantagonian nation also got closer to Russia. Macri has said that he will try to improve relations with the United States, maybe hinting that Argentina could maybe move to the West than Russia in his tenure. Then again, that might not be the case, as the future might be always unexpected. Macri has vowed to fight against corruption, poverty and drug trafficking. Mauricio Macri was elected by winning against Daniel Scoli, Mrs. Kirchner's chosen successor. In the first round of votes, Scoli won, but in the runoff, the millionaire Macri managed to beat his contender. The runoff was caused by a lack of votes needed to become President under Argentinian law. Latin America has seen a shift from populist leftist governments to rightist ones, as corruption soars and the economy in these nations are deteriorating. Brazil and Ecuador might not be the exception when their elections come. However, the poor in Argentina are hoping that many of Kirchner's welfare policies will stay, as the new government is a conservative one. Iraq: Ramadi offensive: Iraq tackles IS in Ramadi By Ryccia [Image: qX1L4nn.jpg]
Both Iraq and Syria have struggled to fight IS. Sources: BBC, WTOL, The New York Times Iraq- Iraq is tackling the Islamic State in Ramadi in a offensive by the government. The government says that it has taken ~60% of the Anbar Province city had been regained, including a former key Iraqi Army HQ in northern Ramadi, as well as southern and western parts of the city. The city's sudden downfall to IS six months ago made some question Iraq's capabilities and competence to fight the terrorist group. There have been reports of ISIS fighters blocking exits to civilians and even using them as human shields. Civilians are raising white flags to approaching Iraqi and tribal soldiers, and there are reports of shortages of food and medication due to the fighting. Despite the siege, officials say that it could take weeks to fully retake Ramadi. Right now, the Iraqi Army and the tribe militias helping them are locked in a fierce battle for the city's center. The United States has said that it will help Iraq with attack helicopters and advisers in Ramadi. It is likely that Iraq will accept the help. We take a break from our objectivity here at The Nova to negatively condemn this terrorist menace. IS in no way should treat civilians in this brutal way, and it should be destroyed. These extremists are the worst of the worst in this world, and deserve no mercy for their cruelty. From the Paris attacks to taking over many parts of Syria and Iraq to terrorising the world to aiding Boko Haram in Nigeria to even effectively trying to genocide the Yazidi and selling captive women as slaves and even keeping our and other nation's citizens hostage, we must unite and destroy IS. For we must end the cruelty, the authoritarianism, the genocide, the horror, everything. I make a call to the powers of this world(i.e. USA, UK, France, Russia, China) to unite and put their differences aside. I know this message is useless, but we must have hope. Australia: 10 Years On From The Cronulla Riots By Zak6858(otherwise known as Zadiner), Local Correspondent in Australia. Sources: The Sydney Morning Herald Australia- It is the tenth anniversary of the dreadful Cronulla Riots, something most of Australia is ashamed of. But two groups have decided to meet, and tensions have boiled over. An anti-racism group has turned violent against an Anti-Islam group at Cronulla Beach this weekend. This comes just after an Australian woman was denied a room in Edinburgh after the landlord said Australia was a land of 'drunks and racists'. Both sides have been met by riot police, and they have been asked to leave the place. A few people have been assaulted, including a woman with an Australian flag draped around her. The anti-racism group is also anti-racism, and strongly dislikes the current Australian flag. They say people of this country are more dangerous than immigrants. Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has once again voiced his racist and anti-Islamic views and has been compared to Donald Trump. The Cronulla Riots are part of our dark history, and this is just another repercussion. Saudi Arabia: Women vote for the first time in history By Ryccia [Image: pv9p7Cj.jpg]
The move is hailed as a landmark, progressive move by women's right advocate groups. Sources: BBC. Photo: The Telegraph Saudi Arabia- For the first time in history, Saudi women were allowed to both vote in municipal elections and to be elected officials, in a country where it is illegal for them to drive. Many around the world hail this is a progressive move in the ultraconservative, Islamic, theocratic absolute kingdom. Elections are rare in Saudi Arabia. This is the third time Saudis have gone to the polls in the oil-rich nation. At least 4 out of the 978 women candidates were elected, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Some other news agencies say between 9 to 17. There were 5,938 male candidates in this election. 130,000 women registered to vote, compared to 1,350,000 men. Female candidates were also not allowed to directly address male voters in their campaigns. Male agents were needed to do that. The decision of allowing women to vote was actually taken by King Abdullah, the last king, before he died. He also appointed 30 women to the Shura Council, the top advisory body of the nation in January, before his death.
Deputy Regional Minister of the Planning and Development Agency(March 8-May 19, 2014)
Local Council Member(April 24-August 11) Court Justice of TSP(August 15-December 7)
Any comments?
Also, a big thank you to Zadiner for helping me write this issue! However, his piece, I think it is biased, so I'll treat it as an editorial issue piece.
Deputy Regional Minister of the Planning and Development Agency(March 8-May 19, 2014)
Local Council Member(April 24-August 11) Court Justice of TSP(August 15-December 7)
It was Sunday evening and i literally had no idea what to write because nothing has really happened. Cricket is dominating the news (and would be a bit boring to write about
). But I thought about that and along with my little obsession with trying to fight racism I wrote that.
I am Zadiner/Zak. Part of Assembly, some other stuff, Founder of some other region.
Hey, I have a bunch of issues. You don't need to care. Emoji of the week: :dodgy: |
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