Iran:Little Change

Many Iranians are disappointed with President Rouhani and his unfulfilled promise of "transformation".    Iran is still dealing with sociocultural restrictions, unemployment, and downward social mobility. President Rouhani's first six months of presidency has only made breakthroughs in international negotiations but had neglected to "transform" Iran into a prosperous  country. He is neglecting to  address the main issues that many Iranians must struggle with like unemployment. Tehran Bureau Correspondents founds that, "The Iranian economy shrank 2% in the past six months, according to official statistics, and consumer prices have increased 5.6% since Rouhani’s inauguration last August". The unemployment and inflation control has only gotten worse. many  Iranians are growing impatient and many must turn to government handouts to stay above water. Basically, President Rouhani has done more harm then good. From the trading markets to un accessibility of medicated pills. Iran is slowly declining and the one who can take his country out of a state of loss, has not yet addressed ways in which  he can improve the country.  Through history, Iran has faced a number of leaders that weren't  necessarily looking out for the peoples best interest. If President Rouhani makes strives to improve Iran's economy, I think Iran can one day become Democratic. 

http://www.theguardian.com/world/iran-blog/2014/feb/28/little-change-in-iran-despite-promise-of-transformation

Nigeria: Progress in move against child,maternal mortality

The country of Nigeria is make steady progress in decreasing  child mortality rate. On  April thirteenth, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina, announce to the public that their is a steady progress in the reduction of child, maternal mortality  rate in the country.  According to Maina, “we are half way to meeting the 2015 target for infant mortality rate and one-third from the under fives mortality rate”. Nigeria  has had many struggles in the past on the massive increase of mortality rate and the number of  deaths due to economic instability. Basically, their are to many mouth to feed and not enough food to go around. In many cases,  a woman die during child birth are not receiving the proper assistance and live in very poor villages were sanitation and lack of medication cause deaths.  Maina has worked with her minister to provide boat ambulances to the reverine areas . Members of the Women Affairs distribute Mama Kits during advocacy visits to various states, support the training of specialized health personnel, and more importantly provide supplies used during labor to ensure the safety of the mother and her child. Maina help to  Integrate Maternal and Child Health Strategy, Midwifery Service Scheme, the Conditional Cash Transfer for Pregnant Women to encourage skilled birth attendants and Immunization for children, and the SURE-P Maternal Project. I am glad to see the government work with their people and provide equipment and service to decrease the amount of child, maternal mortality rate. Maina advocates an ongoing determinism to save hundreds of lives. Child labor is a excruciating experience for a woman to go through and during this event, the midwife must take cautionary steps to ensure the safety of the child and the mother and to do so, the midwife must have proper training and the proper "sterilized" equipment. Nigeria has provided these essential things for child birth to go swiftly. Keep up the progress!

http://ngrguardiannews.com/index.php/news/national-news/157629-nigeria-making-progress-in-move-against-child-maternal-mortality

Brazil: currency inflation due to 2016 Olympics

The city of Rio de Janeiro has had a recent inflation in the prices being charged by restaurants bars, shops and properties due to the 2016 World Olympics. With the next Summer Olympic held in Rio, the government waist no time promoting and taking advantage of this up an coming event. Residents of Rio are infuriated by the increase and decided to turn to social media to address this issue. Reporters Gavin McOwen and Stephan Moss states that a group of Rio residents created a Facebook page titled, Rio $urreal -Don't Pay and their are currently 150,000 followers. What was very intriguing was that the country of Brazil does not have its own currency. Even at a state of democracy and being the first Latin American country to have developed a prosperous  government system but use another country's currency? Obviously, the country has a ways to go in order to become independent. I really liked the idea of saving money by being a "iceboxer", bringing your own food and drinks to the beach with definitely save someone a lot of money. I also like the fact that social media is a very helpful tool to address concerns and issues. I hope the government listens to its people and cut down prices. 

http://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2014/feb/02/rio-residents-fighting-inflation-fake-currency

Mexico:Boarder Patrol

A recent  altercation between the U.S.  officials and Mexican officials raises a few concerns.  In January , two heavily army Mexican soldiers crossed the boarder, stepped into Arizona and  drew their weapons against U.S.  Boarder Patrol agents.  The two Mexican officials retreated and were forced to go back to go back to Mexico’s territory. The U.S. Is very concern  because within the last four years, incidents like this one and Mexican Embassy denied the Mexican soldiers were involved and does is not doing anything  to control their men. The boarder between the United States and Mexico has had numerous incidents involving, immigration, drug smuggling and conflict between both officials. U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee  demand a stronger U.S. defense along the four states that constitute this side of the 1,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border. The main concern is that Mexican officials are uncooperative. The U.S. needs to once again meet with Mexico but this time, propose an ultimatum. If the Mexican Embassy cant cooperate, refrain from having any social and economical ties with Mexico and possibly restrict Mexicans from legally immigrating to the U.S.

thttp://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-border-mexico-20140402,0,878301.story#axzz2xlbUqeDt

India: Muthalik's Plea

Chief of right wing outfit Sri Ram Sene, Pramod Muthalik begs the BJP's central leadership to change their decision, allowing him to join the BJP . The BJP had originally voted to have Muthalik part of their party but allegations of his misconduct has surfaced and denied his entry. A recent incident between Sri Ram Sene activists and a few bi-standards in a pub turned violent. These activists assaulted men and women and acting in an "obscene manner". That incident  jeoperdized Mithalik's chances of joining the BJP party. I can understand  why the BJP decided to let Mithalik go. If they would have allowed Mithalik into their party knowing what his right wing activities had done, The public would be outraged. Like any democratic government system, the voters place a significant importance in electing leaders to serve in each party. The people would not want anyone of the members condoning in violence amongst their own people so  Mithalik's acceptance to the BJP was right to be abolished. Mithalik is now begging to have his spot back and it is unclear if the PBJ is willing to budge. I agree with their decision and do not find their decision unreasonable. Th




http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/specials/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/Pramod-Muthalik-breaks-down-urges-BJP-to-reverse-decision/articleshow/32614984.cms?

India:Muthalik's Plea

Chief of right wing outfit Sri Ram Sene, Pramod Muthalik begs the BJP's central leadership to change their decision, allowing him to join the BJP . The BJP had originally voted to have Muthalik part of their party but allegations of his misconduct has surfaced and denied his entry. A recent incident between Sri Ram Sene activists and a few bi-standards in a pub turned violent. These activists assaulted men and women and acting in an "obscene manner". That incident  jeoperdized Mithalik's chances of joining the BJP party. I can understand  why the BJP decided to let Mithalik go. If they would have allowed Mithalik into their party knowing what his right wing activities had done, The public would be outraged. Like any democratic government system, the voters place a significant importance in electing leaders to serve in each party. The people would not want anyone of the members condoning in violence amongst their own people so  Mithalik's acceptance to the BJP was right to be abolished. Mithalik is now begging to have his spot back and it is unclear if the PBJ is willing to budge. In my opinion I don't not disagree with the BJP's decision. I think they made right move in taking Mithalik's out of BJP.

China and U.S. Solar Trade Agreement

In this article, China and the U.S. have had mayor disagreements with the transportation of solar panel materials from one country to another. Recently, China had finalized their tariffs and duties against the U.S. polysilicon suppliers. China is sticking to their original proposal to provide an antidumping penalty of 53-57 percent on a roster of US suppliers, and 2-49 percent on a smaller list of South Korean suppliers, all in effect for five years starting January 20.These long months of trying to settle an agreement has tarnished the profit margins of these companies in China producing these particular material. This article has some substantial detail of  the ongoing debate and to sum it up, both parties a negatively affected by not coming to terms with a solution. I can  agree with both sides and think that is China is more reasonable with  the amount of tariff they want to charge to the U.S. Editor James Montgomery believes that, "Any U.S. companies importing solar products or components need to make sure their suppliers are participating if they are called upon -- if they don't they'll likely be hit with big penalties, and the importing company will be fully liable".  Montgomery stresses on this alarming neglect by the U.S. when this whole debate began.  This whole debate is a little fuzzy to me because this prolonged debate is not only affecting both the U.S. and China's economy, it also affects the workers and business corporations. 

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2014/01/us-china-solar-trade-update-another-battle-or-a-path-to-peace