Tag Archives: International

Was Washington a real estate mogul?

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By LIAM FABRE

One year ago this month, President Trump and the First Lady, accompanied by French President Emanuel Macron and his wife, visited the renowned Mount Vernon estate. Mount Vernon, located 13 miles south of Washington, D.C., was the historic home of George Washington, the first president of the United States.

So why are we talking about a story that took place a full year ago? The answer is a Politico article that was published yesterday about the visit.

According to Politico, the visit was, “truly bizarre.” The tour guide assigned to the Presidents was none other than Doug Bradburn, president and CEO of the Mount Vernon estate. Bradburn told reporters that President Trump knew little about American history and struggled to keep him interested in the tour.

Bradburn piqued President Trump’s interest when he told him that Washington was an 18th-century real-estate titan.

“That is what Trump was really the most excited about,” said an inside source.This led the president to ask Bradburn if Washington was “really rich.” He was pleased to hear that Washington was in fact, really rich. Sources also stated that the president didn’t understand why Washington had not put his name on the building.

“If he was smart, he would’ve put his name on it,” Trump said, “You’ve got to put your name on stuff or no one remembers you.”

Bradburn pointed out that after all, Washington was successful in getting the nation’s capitol as a well as the Washington Monument, named after him. “Good point,” replied the president.

Though this story should not surprise anyone, it is nevertheless, disappointing. The president represents the United States and it is quite embarrassing to know that Macron was a witness to all of this behavior. It makes the president look foolish, but more importantly, it makes the United States look foolish.

Royal couple expecting first child

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By: KARLI FEINSTEIN

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are set to expect their first child within the next few weeks. The Duke and Duchess both announced they were expecting in early October 2018 during their 16 – day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tonga.

It’s only been 11 months since the wedding last May and the couple is already making way for the child to be seventh in line to the throne. Not only will this be the first child of both Meghan and Harry but also will become the first British-American baby born into royal descent.

Officials at Kensington Palace have been very secretive about the Duchess of Sussex’s exact due date. Meghan is said to have told members of the public at numerous royal events that the baby is set to be due around the end of April or the beginning of May. 

It is unlikely the baby will be delivered at the Lindo Wing at London’s St. Mary’s Hospital. This hospital is where Prince William and Harry were born, as well as where the Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine Middleton, gave birth to her three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The couple is likely to choose another hospital, one closer to their home.

The sex of the baby has not yet been revealed. At an event in February, the Duchess of Sussex was overheard saying that the couple does not want to find out the gender of the baby until it is born.

When the baby finally arrives, both the royal family and Meghan’s family will be the first to be informed. British Prime Minister Theresa May and the Governor General of each Commonwealth Nation will also be informed, before the public, of the new baby’s birth.

Jane Merrick, a writer for CNN stated, “The new prince or princess will not only have that American heritage but will also be the first biracial baby in line to the British throne.”

What is happening here is something historical. The fact that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are about to have the first British-American, biracial baby is a thought no one in the royal family has ever had. I like to see that certain boundaries can be broken without the discrimination of race and ethnicity. 

Slovenian fans celebrate at Heat game

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By EVAN SIEGEL

After Thursday night’s win over the visiting Dallas Mavericks, the Heat are back in the playoffs, sitting just above the Orlando Magic for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. The Mavericks jumped out to a double digit lead in the first half and pushed the Heat to the brink in a tense battle that came down to the wire.

The Mavericks got another special performance from their prized rookie, Luka Doncic. Doncic threatened to achieve his seventh triple-double of the season, which would have tied the all time record for rookies in NBA history. Goran Dragic, his Slovenian counterpart, notched a triple double of his own, shredding the Mavs defense particularly in the third quarter.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of the game, however, was the amount of Slovenian fans that attended the game. Both Doncic and Dragic were born and raised there, where they have become international sensations. Doncic played professional basketball in Spain for six years before coming to the NBA, and Dragic has been a star in the NBA for nearly 10 years.

During each sequence where either Dragic or Doncic scored, the entire crowd erupted into a frenzy, chanting their names so loudly that the typical chants of “defense” or “let’s go Heat” were completely drowned out. Both Doncic and Dragic returned to the court after the game to see the crowd and shake hands with the fans.

Burundi schoolgirls released

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By KARLI FEINSTEIN

The three Burundi schoolgirls who were detained for drawing on President Pierre Nkurunziza’s picture in a school textbook have been released.

The schoolgirls, aged 15, 16 and 17, were first charged on March 18 with “insulting the head of state” by doodling designs like mustaches and glasses on his face in a textbook used at the school.

Nyanzira Prosper, the girls’ lawyer, told the BBC they were freed on bail until the girls appear in court. Mr. Prosper states that the charges will stand, and prosecutors will continue to investigate the case.

Due to the schoolgirls’ being detained, the Burundian government went into international condemnation. People all over twitter were showing their support for the girls by recreating the images the girls drew of Nkurunziza with the hashtag #FreeOurGirls.

Other school children in Burundi have been jailed for very similar acts.

The National Intelligence Service of Burundi arrested eight high school students in 2016, for apparently disrespecting Nkurunziza by writing phrases such as “No to the 3rd term” on a picture in a textbook, according to the Human Rights Watch.

“Authorities should focus on holding perpetrators of serious rights violations to account instead of jailing schoolchildren for doodles,” said Human Rights Watch’s Central Africa Director, Lewis Mudge.

Nkurunziza has been in office since 2005. He was re-elected to a third term in 2015 despite major protest and concerns about his past terms as president. 

Reading a story like this makes me feel so blessed to be living in a country like America. It’s so sad to see that in other countries children can get treated so badly by the government especially for such a minor incident. Drawing on the president in a textbook is something no one would get in trouble for in America due the first amendment and freedom of speech. I hope the Burundi government over throws the president so that country can live under better, more reasonable laws.

World’s biggest T. rex discovered

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By PAIGE FLANNERY

Paleontologists at a fossil site in Saskatchewan, Canada, discovered the heaviest Tyrannosaurus rex specimen ever found. The dinosaur, which was unveiled last week in The Anatomical Record, is estimated to have weighed 19,500 pounds during its life.

The skeleton includes the skull and hips along with some of its ribs, leg bones, and tail bones, making it roughly 65 percent complete. Paleontologists have nicknamed the massive Tyrannosaurus rex “Scotty” and he would have been much heavier than the elephants that walk our planet today.

Although the bones were actually discovered in 1991, it took paleontologists over a decade to excavate them from the sandstone that they were in, and even longer to put all of the bones together.

This discovery is a large step for the paleontology community, but surprisingly these findings to not typically get much attention from the media outside of the science world. Articles about this enormous skeleton can be found on websites such as National Geographic, ScienceAlert and New Scientist, but not on any major news websites.

Our news feeds today are filled with politics, scandals and sports, but it is unfortunate that the news media today tend to shy away from science. Although dinosaurs have not walked our earth in 66 million years, these findings help scientists gather more information on important topics such as evolutionary biology and climate change. Hopefully this impressive discovery will get the attention that it deserves, because paleontology is still very relevant in science today.

Deadly floods swamp Iran

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By LAUREN MAINGOT

Flash floods in 20 of Iran’s 31 provinces have killed at least 24 people and injured hundreds more earlier this week, according to emergency services.

Days of “unprecedented” rain have caused rivers to overflow and engulf cities and villages across the country. Video footage on Twitter shows people clinging to lampposts as currents sweep through streets with massive debris.

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered his condolences to the people of Iran and expanded government-led relief efforts, which will be supported by the United Nations.

The torrential rainfall was at times equivalent to half of the average annual levels within 24 hours, according to CBS News, which is highly unusual for the country that suffered decades of drought until 2018.

“Climate change is forcing itself on our country,” Energy Minister Reza Ardekanian told Tasnim news agency. “These unprecedented floods in our country are because of climate change worldwide.”

Coverage of the floods in Iran adds to the continuing narrative of increasing natural disasters around the world as a result of climate change. Although the story would receive more attention in the U.S. if a Western country was devastated, social media allows Americans to better visualize of the extent of the tragedy.

Boeing loses large 737 Max order

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By OLIVER JIA

According to the CNN news, Indonesian airline has canceled its $4.9 billion order for the Boeing 737 Max.

“Boeing 737 Max has happened plane cash twice and caused death in less than five months,” said Indonesian airline Garuda. Indonesia lion air happened crashing in October 2018, killing all 189 people aboard. An Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max crashed earlier this month and 157 people were killed.

People are afraid to fly on a Boeing 737 Max. Passengers have lost their confidence in Boeing. The Indonesian airline ordered 50 planes in 2014. It has already taken one of the planes, but the airline stated that it no longer want to receive any other 737 Max planes.

According to the black box data and physical evidence, there were similarities in the Ethiopian Airlines and Lion Air crashes. Boeing company has developed a software patch and pilot training program to solve this problem.

These incidents have been a blow to Boeing. The plane has been grounded worldwide and Boeing also lost money.


Airline cancels $4.9 billion Boeing order

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By LAUREN MAINGOT

Indonesia’s national airline Garuda cancelled a $4.9 billion order of Boeing 737 Max 8 passenger jets after the model suffered two fatal crashes in less than five months.

This move follows a worldwide grounding of Max 8s in response to the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which killed all 157 people on board and Lion Air Flight 610, which killed all 189 people on board. Officials are investigating whether or not Boeing’s changes to the model’s flight control system played a role, according to CNN.

“Continuing the Max order does not benefit Garuda,” Garuda spokesperson, Ikhsan Rosan, told The New York Times. “Our passengers, psychologically, they don’t trust flying with Max anymore. They often asked during booking what type of aircraft they would be flying on.”

Garuda sent a letter to Boeing on March 14 requesting the withdrawal of their order, but acknowledges that it will be difficult to proceed since the agreement has already been signed. Garuda and Boeing executives plan to meet to discuss the cancellation request.

Boeing’s chief executive, Dennis A. Muilenburg, said in a statement this week that the company is working to update its software and “taking actions to fully ensure the safety of the 737 Max.”

The resonating effects of the two Max 8 crashes have been covered across media platforms, including stories regarding the families of the victims, the investigation on the cause of the crashes, and the minimal training given to pilots before flying the model. Recent coverage by The New York Times also revealed how some of Boeing’s safety features on the Max 8 are sold only as extras.

New Zealand announces gun changes

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By NAOMI FEINSTEIN

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced new law gun control laws that will ban all military-style weapons and assault rifles in wake of the mass shootings that killed 50 people at two mosques in Christchurch.

“On 15 March, our history changed forever. Now, our laws will too,” Ardern said. “We are announcing action today on behalf of all New Zealanders to strength our gun laws and make our a country a safer place.”

However, Ardern later clarified that this new legislation will be proposed to Parliament in beginning of April. She hopes to restrict access to such guns while the country waits for Parliament to pass the new legislation.

It took only 72 hours for New Zealand to act and make the proper changes to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring.

The United States has a mass shooting almost every week, but no progress has been made in banning military style assault rifles, such as the AR-15, the common weapon in mass shooting

Not only has Arden fulfilled her promise of pursuing gun control, but also vowed to not give the shooter notoriety or mention is name in conversation. The “No Notoriety” campaign has not been as successful in the United States as the media continues to mention the perpetrator.

Prime Minister Ardern stands as a symbol for gun control and should be applauded for her response following one of the deadliest shootings in New Zealand history.

New Zealand shooting shocks world

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By MCKENZIE STOUTE

Last Friday, a terrorist attacked a New Zealand mosque, leaving 49 dead, marking this as worst mass killing in New Zealand history.

During the attack the terrorist live streamed the shooting to Facebook and Twitter using a helmet camera.

The suspected gunman was an advocate of white supremacy, and had a hatred for immigrants, which fueled his decision to target the Mosque. The gunman wrote a manifesto which he posted on Facebook and stated, that he wanted to avenge attacks in Europe perpetrated by Muslims. The dead and wounded include individuals from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Jordan, and Turkey.

World leaders have spoken out about the attack, including President Trump

“My warmest sympathy and best wishes goes out to the people of New Zealand after the horrible massacre in the Mosques. 49 innocent people have so senselessly died, with so many more seriously injured. The U.S. stands by New Zealand for anything we can do. God bless all!” he stated.

This shooting comes at a surprise for New Zealand natives being, Mass shootings are extremely rare in New Zealand. The most well-known shooting is the Aramoana massacre that happened all the way back in 1990, when a man gunned down 13 people in a tiny seaside village. Immediately after this pas attack, The prime minister on Saturday vowed to tighten New Zealand’s gun laws.

Markle online abuse worries royal staff

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By CAMILA MUNER

CNN posted an article entitled “The racist online abuse of Meghan Make has put royal staff on high alert,” written by Max Foster.

Foster did a neat job with this article providing useful and interesting information. He not only provided factual information but related pictures and videos as well. 

The article emphasizes the vulgar online hate the Duchess of Sussex has received in the past few months after announcing her pregnancy. This has made Kensington Palace staff devote more time to target social media trolls by blocking abusive Twitter and Instagram accounts. 

It showed that most hate accounts were against Meghan Markle because she is of black descent breaking royal protocol.  Foster remarks how “Meghan and Harry’s forthcoming child will be the first known mixed-race baby in the royal family’s thousand-year history.” 

The article shows a very important and under-looked aspect of journalism that needs to be changed. Much of the hate Markle and also Kate Middleton receive is due to the news media. Foster narrates how “the pressure to produce ever more dramatic headlines to drive traffic is intense.” He also mentioned that Markle has had to deal with much more hate than Middleton had to when she first joined the royal family.

The media can sometimes illustrate the on-going issue of racism and selfishness in our society. Journalism should always be true and raw. I’m glad CNN posted an article discussing the lies told about the media such as spreading rumors of Markle and Middleton not getting along. 

Second man​ cured of HIV/AIDS

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By KARLI FEINSTEIN

For the second time in history a patient with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the virus that causes AIDS, has been cured of the infection.

A man from Britain known as the “London Patient” was cleared of the AIDS virus after he was given a bone marrow transplant by an HIV resistant donor. The London patient is the second man in the world to be cured of this virus, 12 years after the first patient, Timothy Ray Brown, was cured in Germany in 2007.

The London patient and Brown were both receiving bone marrow stem cells from a donor with a rare genetic protein called CCR5, this protein fights against the HIV virus. Both the patients were also first treated originally for cancer, but the protein ended up killing the cancer cells as well as the HIV.

After three years of the transfusions and 18 months of not receiving anti-retroviral drugs, highly effective test shows no signs of the London patients’ previous HIV/AIDS infection. This makes the London patient the first patient since Mr. Brown to remain HIV/AIDS free for more than a year after stopping.

Ravindra Gupta, a professor at University College London and HIV biologist, co-led the team of doctors who treated the London patient. Gupta described his patient as “functionally cured” and “in remission.”

Gupta has been treating the London patient since 2003, when he was first diagnosed with HIV. In 2012, the patient was then diagnosed with blood cancer called Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

In 2016, when the London patient was very sick, the doctors decided to seek a donor that would fit for the transplant. According to Gupta “This was really his last chance of survival.”

According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, “The misperception that’s floating out there now is that bone marrow transplantation is now a cure for HIV infection and that is completely untrue.”

The overall cure for AIDS has not been found, but in some patients’ the infection can be killed depending on the situation. Even though doctors don’t want people to assume these transfusions can cure anybody with AIDS, it’s incredible to know that they are working on the step of finding the ultimate cure. Hearing this makes me feel blessed to live in a world with this much-advanced technology. I have faith that one day, AIDS/HIV will be gone forever.

India-Pakistan conflict​ heats up

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By OLIVER JIA

According to CNN news, with the amid rising tensions in the Kashmir region, China could be sucked into an India-Pakistan crisis. 

Pakistan and India’s diplomatic relations has reached their lowest point. Indian military said their air force had let fighter attack a terrorist camp in Pakistan. This is a first incursion by Indian air forces since the India-Pakistan war on 1971.

This conflict happened in the in the Kashmir region that borders China. So, China needs to balance this conflict. China has good relationship with Pakistan on the economic, diplomatic and military. 

At the same time, the trade war made China look for alternative trading partners. China has started rebuilding ties with India. The India Prime Minister Narendra Modi made two visits to China last year. Nowadays, China had called for both Pakistan and India to maintain self-restraint and focus on regional peace and stability.

The Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi asked Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to help them. Wang Yi stressed that “China respected all of the countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, China doesn’t want to see any acts that violate the norms of international relations”

Some experts and university professors are saying China could maintain the balance between these two countries. Pakistan is one of the largest buyers of Beijing’s weapons. And India’s purpose is against terrorists.

Brexit deadline fast approaching

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By EVAN SIEGEL

Prime Minister Theresa May and the European Union are continuing their standoff as the deadline for a deal in Brexit talks is nearly a month away. On March 29, the deadline for both sides to reach a deal regarding the circulation of goods and whether or not people may continue to move freely between countries in the United Kingdom. The prospects of not reaching a deal and installing a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland is an extremely dangerous proposition.

The IRA, or Irish Republican Army, infamously was behind hundreds of bombings and murders that was part of decades of sectarian violence in the region. Theresa May, who’s facing severe backlash from parliament and from the British news media, agreed with the European Union on a backstop, which means that instead of a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, there will be a hard border between Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. People in the United Kingdom were furious with both Prime Minister May and the rest of parliament for delegating the decision on whether or not to leave the European Union to the voters. In a 52-48 percent vote, the public voted to leave.

Polling however suggests that the public is not fully aware of the various ramifications of leaving the organization, specifically regarding the various deadlines and what they mean. March 29 is when the two sides enter a transition period, in which the United Kingdom and the EU will discuss their future relationship, and then six weeks later, they will separate entirely.

Britain is technically able to reverse course completely and re-enter the EU, although the organization is reluctant to let them back in, so as not to create a precedent and encourage other countries to leave knowing they can return at any time. Many have suggested a second referendum, however the earliest that a full vote can be organized at all is estimated to be 22 weeks, and there are roughly only five weeks left before the deadline.

Saudi crown prince visits China

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By OLIVER JIA

According to ABC news, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman traveled to Beijing on Thursday. He visited the Great Wall, grinning and posing for the cameras. This trip also symbolized the good relationship of China and Saudi Arabia.

During the G-20 meeting, the Chinese President Xi Jinping and few country leaders had offered support to MBS publicly. And China had already became Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner. These two countries have exchanged $63.3 billion in goods last year.

Recently, Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company, Saudi Aramco, signed a deal to develop a $10 billion petrochemical refinery with two Chinese firms. So, we can see how China and Saudi Arabia are working together. China needs resources and Saudi Arabia needs high technology, that encourages the two countries to have a close relationship. Also, Saudi Arabia is one of China’s suppliers for crude oil. At the same time, this deal may reclaim the top spot from Russia.

China wants Saudi Arabia to play a role in Xi’s massive worldwide infrastructure project, the Belt and Road Initiative. This project seeks to build a network of roads, railways the and ports connecting the world to China.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman stated that China is the last stop on his economic travels after he also visited to India and to Pakistan.

Trump discusses Venezuela at FIU

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By LESLIE ANNE DOMINIQUE

On President’s Day, President Donald Trump flew to Miami to give a speech at Florida International University, where he was joined by hundreds to thousands of Venezuelans chanting, “libertad, libertad, libertad” (freedom, freedom, freedom).

The purpose of Trump’s speech was to address the crisis in Venezuela and announce his support for Juan Guaidó, an opposition politician to the Venezuelan regime and the man who many believe is the rightful president. The South American nation is currently going through a political crisis involving hyperinflation, leaving millions of citizens in poverty. President, Nicolás Maduro, who many citizens blame for the nation’s decline, has refused much of the humanitarian aid that is being sent to feed the starving in Venezuela.

Trump spoke to the pleas of much of his audience stating, “a new day is coming in Latin America.”  The president seeks a “peaceful transition of power” in which Guaidó is president. The large majority of his speech was focused on discrediting Maduro’s socialist agenda.

He warned Maduro supporters that they would lose their livelihoods. Speaking of the blockage of aid from the United States, the president said of Maduro, “He would rather see his people starve than give them aid.” Although Trump’s speech was rather mellow for him, there were underlying hints at a military invasion by the U.S., if the presidency was not granted to Guaidó.

Many question Trump’s intentions and stance on the issues revolving around Venezuela. Trump spoke greatly of Venezuelans who have protested and raised arms against the corrupt government however; this is the same man who is supporting the deportation of Venezuelans who seek to flee tyranny from the Maduro regime.

Maduro has since responded to President Trump’s speech, stating that it was “A tired rhetoric questioning our right as a free country to adopt the ideas of socialism which is humane and Christian. It was a Nazi-style speech.” It seems that the two leaders share a flair for the dramatics.

In a video surrounded by military officials, Maduro claimed “Donald Trump wants to ban ideologies… [He] wants to impose his way of thinking of the white supremacists in the White House. No! Venezuela will continue with its division of ideologies. We will continue to be multiracial.”

Maduro believes that Trump is encouraging an invasion of Venezuela and has taken action to avoid such. Since Monday, Nicolas Maduro has forbid all aid from the United States to enter the country. This has put the Venezuelan crisis at a climax.

What now?

Fighting back is not in the favor of Venezuelans, as the military regime is rather strict and forceful. It seems that it would take outside interaction from military giants, such as the United States, to get Venezuelans the freedom and supplies that they need. In opposition of the regime, Guaidó has called for a huge nationwide march on Feb. 23 to get charitable relief into the country. Venezuelans are in wide support of Guaidó and find that he will be the key to gaining them their freedom.

How are we reporting this story?

This story, along with many stories regarding the Venezuelan crisis, has been reported by various news sources. Every day different networks such as CNN, NBC and FOX are reporting stories on Venezuela on paper, on air, and on television. There hardly is a day that passes when Venezuela is not being reported by journalists. Many news organizations are reporting it by focusing on the food crisis and how citizens are fighting to gain supplies; others are focusing on statements from Maduro himself. Many journalists are also suspecting an invasion from the U.S., and reporting on this expectation.

Designer Karl Lagerfeld dies

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By ALEXA ECKEMBRECHER

Karl Lagerfeld, the iconic fashion designer for Chanel, has passed away at the age of 85 on Tuesday in Paris.

“It is with deep sadness that the House of Chanel announces the passing of Karl Lagerfeld, the creative director for the Chanel Fashion House since 1983,” Chanel said in a statement.

Lagerfeld’s tenure at the fashion house re-imagined Gabrielle Chanel’s outdated codes on the unmistakable Chanel suit, classic little black dress, handbags and more. He rejuvenated the brand with narrower lines and eccentric details. When Chanel’s owners, Alain and Gérard Wertheimer, hired him decades ago, Lagerfeld claimed the brand had become an “old hat.”

The German-born designer spent the majority of his entire career at luxury labels, granting him international influence. He previously worked at Chloe and Fendi and yet, remained a relatively elusive figure with his trademark white ponytail, dark glasses and high-collar.

In recent seasons, Lagerfeld appeared to be weaker; But in the latest couture show in Paris, he did not walk out at all to bow. A spokesperson claimed that he was simply “tired”.

Around the world celebrities, models, fashion moguls and even politicians all celebrated Lagerfeld’s legacy and shared their unforgettable moments with the couturier. They thanked him for his inspirational nature and for creating a more fashionable world. Among those who honored his success were: Anna Wintour, Donatella Versace, Rihanna and Claudia Schiffer.

Upon learning of his death, I grew saddened because if there was a brand that I liked to follow, it was always Chanel. Lagerfeld was a visionary and never failed to create anything less of chic. Likewise, I consider the reporting of his life to be thorough in most on the news articles I came across.


Oliver entertains, informs his audience

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By RYAN GRILLE

British comedian John Oliver has become a leading figure in late night television in recent years. His HBO series “Last Week Tonight” has garnered critical acclaim and receives millions of views on YouTube. His most recent video, which was part of the first episode of the sixth season, touched on the Brexit controversy and the serious consequences it could have on the United Kingdom. This video is a perfect illustration of how Oliver entertains and informs his audience.

First of all, John Oliver’s videos are highly researched. The sources used to explain the situation at hand are often presented as a graphic on screen or even brought out as physical items. For example, during the video, he produced a physical copy of Theresa May’s Brexit transition plan. In addition, Oliver uses video footage from other media in order to more fully illustrate his points. For example, he will use footage of a local news station reporting on Brexit to legitimize his points.

Primarily, however, his show is concerned with comedy. Oliver not only uses each topic in order to craft a joke, but he often uses humor in order to get across important information to his audience. In this video, for example, he uses a Dutch boy band in order to further illustrate the EU’s response to Brexit. This approach keeps his audience entertained while supplying them with information.

While John Oliver’s content is informative and entertaining, it is certainly not flawless. One major criticism that can be lobbied against him is that his content is extremely left leaning in its discussion of politics. Also, while his videos are highly researched, he has been known to make a few errors from time to time. This can mainly be attributed to the format of his show being only 30 minutes in length and thus being forced to simplify a lot of information. Despite this, John Oliver’s content has not only impacted real legislation, but has also managed to build up a large fan following.

Vietnam Airlines soon to fly to U.S.

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By HUY TRAN

Vietnam is all set to receive permission to fly directly to the U.S., and Vietnam Airlines plans to launch four flights a week.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has declared that Vietnam now complies with international safety standards, giving its airlines the opportunity to fly to the U.S. and codeshare with American carriers.

The FAA has awarded the country with the Category 1 (CAT 1) rating, which means air carriers from the country may initiate or continue services to the US and take part in reciprocal codeshare arrangements with US carriers.

Vietnam Airlines CEO Duong Tri Thanh told local news media that the carrier would begin with four flights a week to Los Angeles and later daily flights to the West Coast, which is home to a large Vietnamese community.

There are currently no direct flights between the two countries, in spite of a large market catering to tourism and trading. All passengers must transit in another country or territory such as Qatar, Korea or Japan, with a total travel time of 18 to 21 hours.

Vietnam’s aviation industry has seen increasing demand in recent years. According to the CAAV, Vietnam welcomed more than 100 million passengers passing through airports in the country in 2018.

The number of flights in the country grew by 16 percent on average between 2010 and 2018, according to official data.

But there are also concerns about possible losses. Thanh said it would take at least five years for the direct service to the U.S. to break even, and there could be an annual loss of $30 million in the first few years.

It would take at least five years for the national flag carrier to break even, he added.

Dinh Viet Thang, head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), said that local airlines would need to purchase larger airplanes as most of the existing fleet cannot manage such long flights.

U.S.-Huawei fight messing with 5G plans

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By OLIVER JIA

According to CNN, American’s fighting with Huawei is messing with the world’s 5G plans. 5G is a new technology that can bring high internet speed. Especially, it useful on self-driving cars and other high technology area. 

Huawei technology company has already built up such a strong lead in 5G technology. The United States is trying to persuade other countries do not let Huawei equipment and base stations into their countries, because the gear could be used by the Chinese government for spying. Huawei strongly denies the accusations. 

Some top international mobile operator stated that shutting Huawei out of 5G networks countries could have a risk on the undermining their own tech capabilities. Comparing the 4G network, 5G network was faster than 4G as much as 100 times. 

Australia’s government has decided to ban Huawei from providing 5G technology for network. The Vodafone’s (VOD) CEO Nick Read stated that complete ban on all Huawei gear would delay the variability of 5G.The United States and China are all big country in the world. They all have advanced technology, good economy in the world. So, the competition is always existed. If they cooperate each other. The 5G internet will be stronger.