Israel denies apartheid South Africa nuke talks

Documents arose saying that Israel was to sell South Africa nuclear weapons in 1975 while the apartheid era was going occurring. Although the defense minister denies these claims based off of interpretation of the South African documents instead of the real facts. With multiple documents floating around stating that the two countries are working together, it has been confirmed that Israel has almost 200 warheads.

This article has global importance because at the moment in class we are learning about apartheid occurring in South Africa. This article states that Israel and South Africa were working together during that time period. While most of the other countries only speculated about those unknown nuclear weapons and their collaboration.

American woman among 3 aid workers kidnapped in Darfur

An American citizen was kidnapped in the war zone of Western Sudanese area of Darfur. She was there with three others while working for their organization. While the U.S. government and the Sudanese try to secure their release. There has been conflict going on in Darfur since 2003 and an enormous amount of people have been killed and displaced from their homes because of the attacks.

The global importance of this article displays the issues that have been going on in Darfur. Having an American involved/captured made the U.S. and or other countries more aware of this situation. They have been working to arrest the president, which shows that the world is helping. Also that can start different countries contributing to ending these issues.

Pirates hijack chemical tanker in Gulf of Aden

Pirates hijacked a chemical tanker of a crew with 15 Bulgarians. The European Union Naval Force Somalia said that they can not take action when no one has been hurt so far. But, the Force focuses on delivering aid for the World Food Program. While other groups such as the African Union Mission in Somalia protect ships in the Gulf of Aden and in the Indian Ocean from piracy.

This hijacking has importance to the world because it displays the ugliness of others in the world when there are multiple groups/forces set up to distribute aid. Also that while others try to improve the world , there will always be people using violence to stop the increase of development for other countries. While it is a simple hijacking, this aid that other will not receive makes a huge dent or disruption in their lives.

Berlin Conference

My group was Italy. I believe that we obtained land that was not our first pick but it a success in the end. Also that it was not bad going last because we got to take whatever left over land there was and Ethiopia. I think that Portugal won because of the resources and ports they gained. They did not focus on the amount of land they had but the substances in it. Then I think that France lost. Comparing the experience in class to real life is extremely similar. I believe this because now and then countries are greedy and selfish. Our actions in class for this project proved that the Berlin Conference never solved anything. It effected Africa because it divided all the land. Which results in the people not being able to be controlled or have a successful country.

"Scramble for Africa"

When I look at the quote " Scramble for Africa" I think of multiple nations rushing to be in control of Africa's natural resources. Also that inside of Africa is not structured and has no development. While others try to invade Africa to set up the countries and increase the trading business for everyone.

African Regional Folklore: Rainforest

A boy's village was struggling to find meat to survive off of. Multiple people were dying because meat being scarce. Finally, the boy caught an elephant to share with his people. But, he was still hungry so he sat another trap. The boy accidently ate a female spirit's son. As the mother realized what happened the men in the town shot the spirit. Then that was the end of the female spirit.

The animal life in Africa was incorporated into the story. Also the story told of the rainforest containing more than just animals by mentioned roaming spirits/supernatural things. I think the thing that was most entertaining was the spirits and how the people in the village just ignored them by not caring a boy ate the female spirit's son.

The story taught about how people in the village will do anything to help each individual . Also that everyone is extremely important to the entire village. That a village is more of a family than being considered neighbors. I could apply this story to my own life by helping anyone no matter what it takes. That every person has something unique to contribute to my life.

Iceland closes airports for first time due to volcanic ash cloud

The volcano in Iceland has caused two airports for the first time, although it has been a week since the eruption. Having this cloud of ash not disappearing effects the business of airports and their travelers. This cloud of ash will not go away because it is extremely large and effects more than just Iceland's airport situation.

This is an important topic because the volcano continues to distribute ash into the air. Which causes disruptions for thousands of people or more. Also it is dangerous for anyone to try to fix the problem because planes cannot handle that amount of ash. With airports closed, countries/places that were effected need to work together to figure out which areas have little pollution to solve this issue.