Social Media Out in Front After Paris Attacks

When the deadly attacks unfolded across Paris last Friday, social media played a crucial role as a tool to help people in the crisis zone, as well as across the world, communicate, help and show their support for France.

Millions took to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to post messages of support and solidarity.

Facebook activated its Safety Check tool, which allows users to mark themselves or others as safe. The tool, created to help people in times of crisis, has been previously used in times of natural disasters, like after the devastating earthquake in Nepal.

This was the first time it was used for a human caused calamity.

Safety Check determines the location of Facebook users by the city listed on their profile, the last location used in the Nearby Friends product, or where the person last used the Internet. The feature also provides a hub page for users to visit and check which of their friends have checked in as safe, or are in the area.

"In the last 24 hours, since we activated Safety Check: 4.1 million people marked themselves safe using the tool [and] 360 million people were notified that their friends were safe," a Facebook spokeswoman told CNNMoney Saturday.

Since the attacks, Facebook has faced growing criticism that the Safety Check feature was made available to the victims in Paris, while it remains unavailable to people under similar attacks elsewhere in the world, including the twin bombings that claimed more than 40 lives in Beirut a day earlier.

"Many people have rightfully asked why we turned on Safety Check for Paris but not for bombings in Beirut and other places," said Facebook Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg on his official account Monday.

"Until yesterday, our policy was only to activate Safety Check for natural disasters. We just changed this and now plan to activate Safety Check for more human disasters going forward as well."

Also Saturday, Facebook launched an app that allowed the site’s users to overlay the blue, white and rouge French flag on top of their profile picture to show their support. Zuckerberg  used the app to changed his profile picture, and hundreds of thousands of Facebook users followed suit.

Social media platforms also took center stage in co-coordinating help and spreading information.

The Twitter hashtag #PorteOuverte, which means “Open Door” in French, was used in the immediate aftermath of the attacks as a way for Parisians to offer shelter to others who may need a place to stay.

Across the ocean, #StrandedinUS and #StrandedinCanada were developed to offer assistance to those whose travel plans had been disrupted by flight cancellations after the attacks.

Descriptions of loved ones and requests for information accompanied the hashtag #RechercheParis.  A Twitter spokesman said it was used more than a million times within 24 hours.

#PrayForParis also became a worldwide trending topic. As of Saturday, it had been used more than 5 million times on Twitter, and 4 million times on Instagram. The hashtag was attached to images of the Eiffel Tower and the French flag, as well as scenes from around Paris.

A simple but powerful image by London-based French artist Jean Julien emerged as a symbol of support for the people of France. The drawing that overlays the Eiffel Tower with a peace symbol with the message of "Peace for Paris" went viral on the Internet.

http://www.voanews.com/content/social-media-out-in-front-after-paris-attacks/3061236.html

Nordwall, Smita. "Social Media Out in Front After Paris Attacks." VOA. Voice of America, 17 Nov. 2015. Web. 17 Nov. 2015.

Response

Nowadays, social media affects the world greatly. When awful tragedy happened on last Friday, millions of people supported France through social media. Facebook has activated its Safety Check tool, allowing people to find out whether their friends and family are safe. Social media also played big role in co-coordinating help and spreading information. Twitter was used to a way for Parisians to offer shelters to the people who may need a place to stay. Although social media had caused lots of problems, author of this article seems to support the social media's effectiveness in these situations. I agree with the author that social media can be helpful.

Egypt police kill leading ISIS militant in Cairo

Egyptian police said on Monday they killed a top Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group operative in the capital implicated in a string of attacks including the murders of a Croat and an American.

An interior ministry statement said Ashraf Ali Ali Hassanein al-Gharabli was shot dead in an exchange of fire after police tried to arrest him.

Hassanein was one of the most sought after militants in the country, and had featured in a wanted notice by police as early as January 2014, months into a militant insurgency centred in the Sinai Peninsula.

He was also implicated in the bombing of the Italian consulate in Cairo last July.

A police official told AFP he had been the right-hand man of Hisham al-Eshmawi, a feared former commando who is believed to have spearheaded a string of bombings and assassinations in the capital for the militant Ansar Beit al-Maqdis group.

In November 2014, the group pledged allegiance to ISIS, prompting Eshmawi to abandon it, and leaving Hassanein as one the group’s top operatives west of Sinai.

The interior ministry statement said police had managed to track down Hassanein in the capital, but when they tried to arrest him as he drove a car in a north Cairo suburb he opened fire.

“He sensed them and shot at them, in an attempt to flee, requiring the police forces to exchange fire with him leading to his death,” the ministry statement said.

"Egypt Police Kill Leading ISIS Militant in Cairo." Al Arabiya News. AFP, 10 Nov. 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015.

Response

One of the most concerning issues these days is terrorism especially by religious group. Current 'leading' group of terrorists is ISIS. The death of Ashraf Ali Ali Hassanein al-Gharabli is somewhat a relief for many countries. He was also convicted of bombing of the Italian consulate in Cairo last July. However, this won't necessarily give a solution to this issue. The author of this article knows this and implying it when he mentions Hisham al Eshmawi. He seems to protect the police who shot Hassanein to death. He's definitely against ISIS. I'm also against most if not all of the terrorist groups. I think this issue won't be solved until whole religious extremist groups dissolve not with individual deaths. 

Zanzibar opposition urges calm amid political crisis

Zanzibar opposition urges calm amid political crisis

- Tuesday, November 03, 2015 - From Print Edition

ZANZIBAR, Tanzania: Zanzibar’s opposition chief called for calm on Monday, having previously threatened to lead protests if results of annulled elections were not released on the semi-autonomous Tanzanian islands.

Troops patrolled the streets of the capital of the Indian Ocean archipelago, after homemade bombs exploded in Zanzibar town over the weekend, an AFP reporter said.

Zanzibar’s electoral commission ruled last week that the October 25 vote on the islands -- where the 500,000 registered voters also cast ballots for Tanzania’s national president -- must be carried out again, citing "violations of electoral law".

The annulment came after a key candidate, Seif Sharif Hamad of the opposition Civic United Front (CUF), declared himself the winner before the results were officially announced.

Hamad threatened to call for protests if the situation was not resolved by Monday, saying he would not concede victory to his main rival, incumbent president Ali Mohamed Shien of the long-running Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM).

But on Monday Hamad urged supporters to allow a political deal to be struck.

"I ask CUF fans and Zanzibaris to remain calm and observe peace -- diplomatic efforts have been going on well," Hamad said. "Let us be patient, as the international community is also helping to have Zanzibar’s political crisis resolved."

Outgoing Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said in a statement on Sunday he had been "working tirelessly and consulting widely over the last few days to find an amicable and peaceful resolution to the situation in Zanzibar."

African and other international observers in Tanzania have said they are deeply concerned at Zanzibar’s annulment, urging leaders to "cast aside their differences" to ensure peace.

Zanzibar has experienced sectarian and political tensions in recent years, including several grenade explosions.

A government statement said that Shein would remain in charge until fresh elections.

"Some people including politicians are misleading Zanzibaris by saying the islands would have no legitimate president after November 2, 2015," the statement read.

"The president is here to stay until next elections."

The twin blasts on Saturday caused no casualties but the explosions sparked concern on the islands, whose economy is dependent on foreign tourists.

Late Friday, explosives experts also detonated a homemade device in the heart of the historic Stone Town district, a Unesco-listed area.

Haram, Muharram Ul. "Zanzibar Opposition Urges Calm amid Political Crisis." The News International, Pakistan. The News International, 03 Nov. 2015. Web. 03 Nov. 2015.

Response

This article is about election crisis in Zanzibar. Last week, Ali Mohamed Shien of the long-running Chama Cha Mapinduzi(CCM) won the election. People group against CCM protested with violence and Tanzanian troops had to intervene to stop the violence. The violence eased after awhile and the political party who lost accepted the loss. The author of this article wants peace in Tanzania. He seems to be relieved to have peace in the country. I believe that the acceptance of the loss and bringing peace was a great decision since my parents live in Tanzania.

The Israeli restaurant giving discounted hummus to Arabs and Jews who dine together

Could the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict be solved with a plate of pureed chickpeas and tahini?

One family-style restaurant in a village near Netanya, a coastal city nicknamed the “Israeli Riviera,” is doing its part to try.

Arabs and Jews are invited to break (pita) bread together at the eatery and, if they share a table, enjoy 50 percent off a helping of creamy hummus.

The chickpea-inspired peace agreement has made international headlines since Hummus Bar posted the promotion on Facebook last week. Written in Hebrew, the post roughly translates to: “Scared of Arabs? Scared of Jews? By us we don’t have Arabs! But we also don’t have Jews… By us we’ve got human beings!”

The restaurant’s manager, Kobi Tzafrir, told the Times of Israel that several Arab and Jewish customers had taken advantage of the deal and sat together. He told Al Jazeera he wanted to show the world that not all Arabs and Jews were participating in the violent attacks across Israel that have resulted in the deaths of 10 Israelis and 43 Palestinians.

We knew hummus was a delicious, heart-healthy snack, but a broker for peace? Yes, there is some debate over whether its authentically an Arab or Israeli dish, but perhaps the two sides’ shared love for it could be the missing ingredient for Middle East peace.

As Tzafir told the Times, “If there’s anything that can bring together these peoples, it’s hummus.”

Response:

Long time conflict, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has been trouble for not only those two countries but also many countries. This article talks about little but huge improvement between two countries. Arabs and Jews were invited to eat together. Peace agreement has made between two races although it was not official. The author seems to be excited about the event and wants peace between two countries. Although the author seems a little bit doubtful, it is clear that author thinks this event will lead to an improvement between two countries. I would agree with the author because conflict often can be solved through little event and I think this even would contribute highly to the solution of the conflict between two countries.

Nato chief doubts Russia's violations of Turkish airspace were accidental

Nato chief doubts Russia's violations of Turkish airspace were accidental

Jens Stoltenberg says US-led Nato alliance, of which Turkey is a member, has not received ‘any real explanation’ from Moscow about incursions

 Jens Stoltenberg said Nato had discussed the possibility of using its military lines of communication with Russia over its Syria air campaign.

 Jens Stoltenberg said Nato had discussed the possibility of using its military lines of communication with Russia over its Syria air campaign.

Russian incursions into Turkish airspace over the weekend “don’t look like an accident”, the Nato secretary general has said.

Jens Stoltenberg said he doubted Russia’s explanation that its airspace violations were a mistake because they happened twice and both lasted longer than just a few seconds.

Stoltenberg said the US-led Nato alliance, of which Turkey is a member, had not received any real explanation of what happened. He had not had any direct contact with Moscow, he said, but Nato has discussed the possibility of using its military lines of communication with Russia.

Turkey summoned the Russian ambassador to Ankara for a second time after a new violation of its airspace on Sunday. The Russian envoy was warned that similar incidents should not happen again otherwise “Russia would be held responsible”, an official told AFP.

The violation on Sunday appears to have been the second in as many days after Turkey said its fighter jets intercepted a Russian warplane close to the Syrian border on Saturday, forcing it to turn back. The Russian ambassador was first summoned after Saturday’s incident.

Turkey’s prime minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu, said on Monday that Ankara would activate military “rules of engagement” irrespective of who violates its airspace.

“Even if it is a flying bird it will be intercepted,” Davutoğlu said in an interview with Turkish television.

Russia’s defence ministry said an SU-30 fighter aircraft had entered Turkish airspace “for a few seconds” on Saturday because of bad weather, adding that measures had been taken to prevent a repeat of such incidents. The Russian embassy in Ankara said Moscow was looking into the allegation of a second violation on Sunday.

Russian warplanes have been flying over Syrian territory since Wednesday, conducting airstrikes on what Moscow says are targets belonging to Islamic State jihadis and other “terrorist” groups in the country’s northern and central provinces.

The west has accused Moscow of using the raids as cover to strike moderate opponents of the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad.

Turkey opposes Russian intervention in Syria. The government of the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has insisted on Assad’s departure as a prelude to resolving the crisis, and has backed a range of rebel groups fighting to overthrow him.

Last week, Turkey issued a joint statement with its allies involved in the US-backed campaign against Isis that asked Moscow to cease attacks on the Syrian opposition and to focus on fighting Isis.

Agence France-Presse and Reuters contributed to this report

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/06/nato-chief-jens-stoltenberg-russia-turkish-airspace-violations-syria

"Nato Chief Doubts Russia's Violations of Turkish Airspace Were Accidental." The Guardian. The Guardian, 6 Oct. 2016. Web. 6 Oct. 2016

Response

This article talks about Russia violating Turkish airspace. NATO had concluded that it doesn't seem to be an accident. The author of this article seems to be in more doubt. He seems to be more in side of Turkey than Russia. Although there are some doubts that it was just an accident, I want to think it as an accident. I don't think Russian government would want any trouble with Turkey and especially US. Since US will make an action to help out Turkey. 

Political Cartoon Analysis

Analysis

This political cartoon is about Nuclear program of Iran. Iran is described as a untamed warlike dog where as UN is described as a man who is afraid of the dog. Iran holding a bone symbolizes that Iran is in control of this situation. The bone that the dog is holding named nuke program symbolizes Iran's nuclear program. Man is asking for the nuke program, trying to stop Iran from building nuclear weapons however, man doesn't seem to have power to do so. Creator of this political cartoon seems to think UN as weak in their action, and weak in their power as well. It is implied that Iran is fierce and dangerous. However, people from Iran wouldn't think that way. They would think that when U.S. is getting stronger building more nuclear weapons, other countries should be able to compete with building nuclear weapons since without the competition U.S. would have absolute power.The way the author portrayed two sides, one behind the rocks like a coward and the other standing and intimidating, makes us to think UN as incapable and Iran as dangerous.

At least 54 killed in Nigeria blasts

Police in Nigeria say at least 54 people have been killed in a series of blasts blamed on Boko Haram.

Rescuers and the military had said there were three blasts on Sunday night in the Gomari and Ajilari areas in the city's western suburbs, without giving casualty figures.

Locals on Monday said there were four separate explosions, including at a mosque during evening prayers and among football fans watching a televised match.

Bashir Ibrahim, who lives in the densely populated Gomari area, near Maiduguri airport, said: 'I saw the corpses with my own eyes. There were four separate blasts.'

The first, at Ajilari Cross, killed six while a second minutes later injured 14, including children hawking goods at the scene, he said.

Trader Faruq Ali said a third device went off at a mosque in Binta Sugar area, which is also heavily populated and close by.

'Luckily enough, only few people were observing the Isha (night prayers) but we counted 11 dead bodies and about 21 others sustained injuries,' he said.

Markus John, a tyre repairer, said the fourth bomb exploded near a football 'viewing centre' close to the mosque, where fans had gathered to watch a televised match.

'We counted four dead bodies (at the viewing centre) and many others sustained injuries.'

Boko Haram has previously attacked football viewing centres. The hardline Islamists consider the sport a Western diversion from religion.

The militants have also repeatedly attacked mosques, including with suicide bombers, and other 'soft' civilian targets such as markets.

Nigerian army spokesman Sani Usman said in a statement the attacks showed the 'high level of desperation on the part of the Boko Haram terrorists'.

Ibrahim Abdulkadir, regional co-ordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Monday said he could not give an exact death toll but told AFP: 'The casualty is high.'

AFP

n.d.,"At least 54 killed in Nigeria blasts" Sky news. AFP, 21 Sept. 2015. Web. 21 Sept. 2015

http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2015/09/22/at-least-54-killed-in-nigeria-blasts.html

Response

This article talks about the blasts in Nigeria that happened on Sunday night. Boko Haram, the extreme Islamist, is suspected or rather blamed on this issue. He once blew up the sport viewing center and this event that blew up four different places killing 54 people is most likely happened by this man. The author of this article seems to be against extreme Islamist and tries to criticize actions of Boko Haram. I'm also against Islamist especially extremist. I think some action should be done to stop them from any violence.

Palestinians Get Approval to Flag at United Nation

Palestinians Get Approval to Flag at United Nation

Palestinians overwhelmingly won the right to fly their national flag in front of the United Nations headquarters, a symbolic step opposed by Israel and the United States.

The change was made by the UN General Assembly, when a vast majority of member countries voted in favour of a resolution granting what are known as non-member observer states the right to fly their flags alongside member states. Palestine became an observer state in 2012. The Vatican, the only other observer state, has held that status since 1964. Palestinian diplomats secured the support of a majority of the assembly, as was expected, with 119 countries voting in favour of the resolution, eight voting against it and 45 abstaining. The flag is expected to be hoisted for the first time when the Palestinian Authority’s president, Mahmoud Abbas, delivers his remarks to the annual meeting of heads of state and government at the General Assembly on Sept 30th. The resolution is part of the effort by Mr Abbas and his associates to gain international recognition for a Palestinian state on lands seized or controlled by Israel since the 1967 war. Israel and the United States have argued that such measures are meaningless without a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “Today’s vote is a reaffirmation of the legitimacy of the national aspirations of the Palestinian people, of their existence among the nations of the world and their right to self-determination,” the Palestinian ambassador, Riyad H Mansour, said in thanking his General Assembly supporters. Voting in favour of the resolution were the countries of the Arab world, Iran and nearly every African and Asian country. It was co-sponsored by more than 50 countries. Israel, the United States, Canada and Australia were among those that voted against it. The 28-member countries of the European Union did not manage to take a united position as they had hoped. Ireland voted in favour of the resolution alongside fellow-EU members France, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Belgium and Malta.

Others, including Britain, Germany and Austria, abstained. The US ambassador, Samantha Power, in explaining her no vote, said that raising the flag “is not an alternative to negotiations and will not bring the parties closer to peace.” The Israeli ambassador, Ron Prosor, described the resolution as a cynical action. “Make no mistake, the goal of this resolution is a photo op,” Mr Prosor said. “The Palestinians want to bring together world dignitaries and the media to gather around and watch as Mahmoud Abbas raises a flag. They plan to use the prestige of the UN as a backdrop for this charade.” How much the resolution buoys Mr Abbas’ standing among his domestic constituency remains to be seen. On Thursday, Ghassan Khatib, vice-president of the Palestinian Birzeit University, called it “a good symbolic move” that he hoped would bring more tangible benefits. “People need to see real achievements that have a practical impact on people’s lives,” he said. In another international challenge to Israel, the European Parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a resolution that supports labeling of products made in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, and for “differentiation” between Israel and the settlements in European relations. The resolution does not mean settlement products will immediately be labeled, but increases the pressure on European leaders to move the initiative forward. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel denounced it as “unjust” and said, “It also hurts peace.” “The root of the conflict is not the settlements,”Mr Netanyahu said in a statement, adding, “We have historical memory of what happened when Europe labeled Jewish products.”

n.d.,"Palestinians Win Approval to Fly Flag at UN." The Irish Times. Reuters, 11 Sept. 2015. Web. 14 Sept. 2015

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/us/palestinians-win-approval-to-fly-flag-at-un-1.2348456

Response

This article is about the Palestine getting right to raise its flag in front of the United Nations headquarters. Palestine is a observer state which doesn't get to raise its flags. However, for the first time the United Nations recently allowed observer states which are Palestine and Vatican to raise their flags. United States and Israel, being rivals or enemies of Palestine, voted against it. The author of the article seems to support the Palestinian side. He or she gives more insights and explanation of Palestine than the thoughts and explanation of United States and Israel. I don't really want to pick a side on this issue but I think that letting Palestine to raise the flag shouldn't be a big deal. Rivalry intervening in this particular situation seems somehow childish. I think that Palestine, being a country and part of United Nations, should be considered as a self-determined country and be able to raise its flag.

Koreas begin family reunion talks

September 7 2015 at 11:04am
By AFP

Seoul - North and South Korean Red Cross officials kicked off talks on Monday on organising a rare and emotional reunion for families separated by the Korean War.

The discussions at the border truce village of Panmunjom were the product of an agreement the two Koreas reached two weeks ago to end a dangerous military standoff and reduce cross-border tensions.

But given North Korea's past record of manipulating the reunion issue for leverage over the South, there is no guarantee the planned event - only the second in five years - will go ahead.

Monday's talks were expected to focus on confirming a date and venue for the event, with the most likely outcome a reunion at the North's Mount Kumgang resort sometime in early October.

Millions of people were separated during the 1950-53 conflict that sealed the division between the two Koreas.

Most died without having a chance to see or hear from their families on the other side of the border, across which all civilian communication is banned.

About 66 000 South Koreans - many of them in their 80s or 90s - are on the waiting list for an eventual reunion, but only several hundred can be chosen each time.

The reunion programme began in earnest after a historic North-South summit in 2000, and was initially an annual event.

But strained cross-border relations have allowed only one reunion in the past five years, with several being cancelled at the last moment by North Korea.

For those on the waiting list, the reunion selection process is an emotional roller-coaster - raising hopes of a meeting they have longed for but which, statistically, they are very unlikely to experience.

For the last such event in February 2014, a computer was used to randomly select 500 candidates, after taking age and family background into account.

That number was reduced to 200 after interviews and medical exams, and the two Koreas drew up a final list of 100 each after checking if relatives were still alive on the other side.

And even after all that, the reunion almost never happened, with 11th-hour, high-level negotiations required to prevent the North cancelling over South Korea's refusal to postpone annual military drills.

For the lucky ones who do take part, the reunions are hugely emotional - almost traumatic - affairs, with many of the elderly participants breaking down and sobbing as they cling to each other.

They typically last several days and the joy of the reunion is tempered by the pain of the inevitable - and this time permanent - separation at the end.

The agreement that produced Monday's talks followed a month of heightened inter-Korean military tensions, which involved a rare artillery exchange across their heavily fortified land border.

Pyongyang has already accused Seoul of spinning the settlement as a North Korean climbdown, and warned that it would scupper the entire deal - including the family reunion - if the South continues making “wild remarks”.

AFP."Koreas begin family reunion talks." ioLNews., 07 Sep. 2015. Web. 07 Sep. 2015

http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/koreas-begin-family-reunion-talks-1.1911796#.Ve11uhHvPIU

Response:

This article is about South and North Korea having a reunion of the separated families. The article portrays the complex relationships between North and South Korea. The author seems to be critical towards North Korea, blaming them of unsuccessful meetings of separated families. The author also points out that North Korea tried to take advantage of South Korea by using this separated family reunion method. The author seems to favor South Korea then North Korea. As a South Korean, I naturally see this issue with bias. I definitely favor South Korea in this issue. North Korea seems play with the fact that is really sensitive. I think North Korea has ruined this event because of small reasons and it is ruining again. The fact that North Korea is accused of bombing or mining places in South Korea has raised the intensity of this issue. This issue won't go away easily if none of the two sides apologize.

Pyeongan's Bio

I was born in South Korea in 1997. I lived in Korea until my family decided to move to Honduras in 2010. I lived in Honduras and attended several schools. So I'm really comfortable with Hispanics or Spanish speaking people. After three years, my family, mostly my dad, decided to move to Tanzania. I got into R.V.A., a boarding school in Kenya, beginning of my sophomore  year. I'm a senior in R.V.A.  My dad is a Christian missionary and I'm also a believer so my responses will probably contain Christian worldview. One of my hobbies is playing sports and I'm a huge fan of soccer. Also I love playing video games.