Communist Vietnam celebrates the 35th anniversary of their historical defeat of the United States and reunification by reenacting the day North Vietnamese tanks smashed through the gates of the Presidential Palace and ousted the U.S.-backed government.
Makes me proud.
VERITAS: CHINADAILY
Chinese officials say that reconstruction of Yushu in the Qinghai Province will be finished within three years. Money will be provided from the government as well as private donations. About 2,200 people were killed when the earthquake struck in April.
VERITAS: NEWYORKTIMES
NASA captures pictures of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
The oil reached the shore of Louisiana yesterday, hours earlier than predicted.
Times Square was closed off due to a bomb scare. Police had blocked off the area due to a suspicious-looking cooler and plastic bag. This is just one week after the failed car-bomb attempt which took place only a block away. It was a false alarm. The cooler and the plastic bag did not explode.
VERITAS: IBNLIVEINDIA
Yes, of course they’re vamping up security because of the recent threats and attempts, but seriously… an abandoned cooler and a plastic bag?
The U.S. economy added 290, 000 jobs yesterday. President Barack Obama praised the numbers and highlighted it as a positive sign while still keeping in mind that the unemployment rate in America is still high. Over 8 million Americans lost their jobs in 2008 and 2009.
VERITAS: ALJAZEERA
North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Il, visited China earlier this week. He shares word of North Korea’s rigid aim to denuclearize the Korean peninsula and his desire to settle nuclear disarmament issues through dialogue.
North Korea had tested two nuclear bombs since abandoning the six-party talks (includes North/South Korea, China, Russia, Japan and the United States). They had promised to dismantle their nuclear programme in return for aid and security.
South Korea and the U.S.A. think talks should be resumed after investigation of the warship which sunk near the North Korean border.
VERITAS: AFP
About 1,000 protesters stormed the streets of Port-au-Prince in protest against Haiti’s president; Rene Preval. Protesters believe that Preval is using the earthquake as an excuse for him to stay in power. Preval’s term ends in February and he says he will remain in power if there is no presidential election scheduled in November. A November vote may not be possible since the earthquake destroyed all voting records and places.
VERITAS: ALJAZEERA
A bronze statue of Bobby Orr’s “flight” after scoring, “The Goal” that would win the Bruins the Stanley Cup over the St. Louis Blues in 1970 was presented this afternoon by the Boston Bruins and TD Garden.
VERITAS: BOSTON
American President, Barack Obama, has made an agreement with Russia’s President, Dmitry Medvedev. This pact allows for the transfer of nuclear technology and equipment. This issue had been put off due to the conflict between Russia and Georgia. Obama wants to restart relations with Russia which were strangled due to previous U.S. President, George Bush.
VERITAS: BBC
David Cameron of the Conservative party can now call Buckingham Palace his home. Cameron attained power after previous Prime Minister Gordon Brown (Labour) had resigned. Cameron intends to form a coalition with the Liberal Democrats.
LAST WEEK’S ELECTION RESULTS:
VERITAS: INDEPENDENT, WIKIPEDIA
The Montreal Canadiens have advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 in Game 7.
Swine flu. Does anyone remember that? Where was this “inevitable pandemic”? It never even happened.
The World Health Organization (WHO) had predicted a death toll of 7.5 million people. The virus killed 14 000 people. Many of these people had other pre-existing lethal conditions. The usual seasonal flu’s death toll is about 500 000.
At least the drug industry benefitted. Their profits all jumped from selling and distributing anti-virals and vaccines.
In 1976, H1N1 appeared at a US army base. 40 million Americans were vaccinated. One person died from the flu. Hundreds of people experienced severe side-effects to the vaccines.
VERITAS: INDEPENDANT
Major General Khattiya Sawasdiphol, the military strategist for the Red Shirts in Thailand, died today. He was shot in the head by a sniper on Wednesday. For months now, the Thai people from the lower and middle class have been protesting against the government. They have continually stated that they will fight until the current prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, resigns, disbands the parliament and calls for elections.
VERITAS: THISISLONDON
Heavy oil deposits washed up on Louisiana’s shore today. The oil slick is headed towards the popular beaches of Florida.
VERITAS: REUTERS
The French cabinet approved the veil ban today. The new law will go through parliament in July. It calls for $185 fines and citizen classifications to women who do not cooperate.
VERITAS: ALJAZEERA
