China to decrease purchase of US goods

Recently, Donald Trump made efforts to limit the trade deficit with China by encouraging China to buy more US products and discouraging the purchase of Chinese products in America. He aimed to do this by a peaceful negotiation with China to avoid the all out "trade war" many foretasted would occur as a result of Trump's "America First" policy. One of the main criticisms of his deal is that it attempted to fix only the materials side of what is a more complex issue. One of the biggest "fights" between the US and China is not the physical import and export of goods but the transfer of intellectual materials, a transfer that many believe China was violating. This agreement made no attempts to mitigate or even address this issue.

Link to Article

Discussion Questions:
1. Do you think China will follow through on their claims to purchase more US goods?
2. Is this agreement sufficient to resolve a "trade war" or has it merely postponed it?
3. Especially with regards to intellectual property, what further steps must be taken?

United States opens Embassy In Jerusalem

The United States moved their embassy in Israel 2 miles south from the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Israelis are full of joy and also concern of this placement. They like that President Trump and the US is recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital, but they are worried about how the Palestinians will act. Palestinian protests containing thousands of people have formed, and they are trying to cross the border into Israel. Israeli snipers have been shooting the protesters have killed and injured thousands. Israel police are bracing for attacks of pent up anger and impatience because of Israel's continued control, America not doing anything to balance out the matter, and the Palestinian government being weak and corrupt. Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf states are trying to keep hopes high for Israel to expand their relationships. Most Israelis see the new placement of the embassy an acknowledgment that Jerusalem is Israel's capital, while Palestinians see it as an abdication of any vestige of American impartiality in determining the region's future.


1. Should the United States be responsible for dealing with the protests and if so, how should they?

2. What could happen to Palestinians if Israel did create new relationships with other countries in their region?

3. Was moving the embassy a good idea?

Link to article

Russian Opposition Leader, Alexei Navalny, is Arrested

On Saturday, May 5th, Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny was arrested for leading a protest against Russia's current president, Vladimir Putin. During Russia's presidential campaigns, Navalny was kicked from the race due to his previous fraud conviction. Navanly's protest was unsuccessful because Putin ordered police to fire a red flare into the crowd of fifteen-hundred protesters, causing panic. Additionally, three-hundred protesters were arrested. Although Navalny rallied over fifteen-hundred protesters', Putin successfully won the election and was inaugurated as Russia's president for six years.


Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think Navalny is suited to lead Russia?

2. Although he was arrested multiple times, do you think Navalny will continue to lead protests?

3. Why do you think Navalny rallies so many protests?

On May 8th, 2018, Donald Trump dropped the Iran Nuclear Deal, a deal meant to stop Iran from
achieving nuclear weapon capabilities. This was done by taking sanctions off of Iran in return for their
enriched uranium, which is used to create nuclear weapons. Dropping this deal has led to international
outcry from the likes of France, Germany, and Britain. These countries have not only vocally opposed
Trump’s decision, but have also stated that they will attempt to stay with and salvage the deal. In the
words of French diplomat Mr Le Drian, “We feel that the extraterritoriality of their sanction measures
are unacceptable. The Europeans should not have to pay for the withdrawal from an agreement by
the United States, to which they had themselves contributed.”

Dropping out of this deal will affect many companies from both US and European companies. Multiple
French firms have signed billion dollar agreements with Iran since the Iran deal was signed back in
2015. This includes airbus, which signed a deal to give 100 planes to Iran. This also includes
companies like oil giant Total and car companies Renault and Peugeot. On the other hand in the US,
US individuals and entities are barred from doing business with multiple Iranian individuals and
companies. This was done with more US sanctions coming.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44079831

Discussion Questions:

1. Should Trump have dropped out of the Iran Deal?
2. Do you think that France, Germany, and Britain made the correct move in opposing the US?
3. Should France, Germany, and Britain take on the Economic burden that the US was holding in the Iran deal?
4. How do you think companies will respond to this compromise to their deals?

NRA elects Oliver North as President

On Monday, April 30, the National Rifle Association elected former Marines Corps lieutenant colonel Oliver L. North as president of the NRA. Oliver North used to be a former aide of President Reagan and agreed to take the helm of the organization in the next few weeks. Mr. North was involved in the Iran-contra scandal where the Reagan administration used the proceeds from secret arms sales to aid rebel forces in Nicaragua. On Sunday, the NRA concluded its 147th annual meeting in Dallas. The meeting was during a time when the NRA was the focus of criticism for recent mass shootings.

Article Link

Discussion Questions:
1. Do you think that with his background, Oliver North is fit to lead the NRA?

2. What do think of the recent criticisms that the NRA has suffered in the wake of the recent mass shootings?

Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski Expelled from Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

On May 3rd, the academy of motion picture arts and sciences announced toady that they had voted for the comedian Bill Cosby, and "the Pianist" director Roman Polanski, to be expelled from the academy, the group that presides over the academy awards. This announcement comes less than a week after the conviction of Mr. Cosby for the sexual assault of Andrea Constand, and continues the fall from grace the comedian has experienced ever since sexual assault allegations have appeared. The more surprising part of this announcement comes at the expelling of Mr. Polanski, who has been a charged with the rape of a thirteen year old girl in 1977, and his fleeing of the US in 1978. This comes as a surprise because only 4 people have ever been kicked out of the academy, with Carmine Caridi in 2004 for leaking film, and Harvey Wienstien for Sexual Harassment last October. Mr. Cosby's conviction came as the first major conviction from the #metoo movement. Mr. Polanski won best director for "The Pianist" in 2003, thirty two years after fleeing the US.

Discussion Questions:
1. Are actions like these enough condemnation from organizations?
2. What actions should be taken by high profile organizations with "sexual predators" as members?
3. How can average people be involved with the removal of incidents like these from society?
4. How has the #metoo movement affected public and celebrity views on sexual assault?

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Special Counsel Threatens Trump with Subpoena

On Wednesday May 2, 2018, Special Counsel Robert Mueller threatened President Donald Trump with a subpoena. A subpoena is a writ ordering a person to attend court. This specific one forces Mr. Trump to testify as part of a probe into alleged Russian interference of the 2016 Presidential Election. This is believed to be the first time that the special counsel has used its power to show hostile behavior towards the president. Trump has repeatedly denied the conclusion that Russians hacked the 2016 Presidential Election. Meanwhile, Trump’s main lawyer in legal representation has now stepped down. Robert Muller's idea of declaring a subpoena came after Trump’s lawyers persisted in telling Mr. Mueller’s team that the President is under no obligation to face questioning by federal investigators. If Trump decides to decline investigation and the subpoena goes through, Mueller’s team has promised to give the administration information for possible questions that the President may be asked. Personally, I believe that this situation could have the potential to create bigger problems between the US and Russia. If not handled properly, this investigation could lead to a problem with Russia’s leaders as well as US government officials. I think Trump needs to follow through with this investigation and handle it in a proper manner without it getting out of hand.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think Trump will follow through with federal questioning?

2. How do you think this situation will continue to affect US-Russia relations?

3. Do you think Mueller poses a large threat to Trump and his presidency?

Article Link

North and South Korean Leaders Meet to Discuss Denuclearization

On Friday, April 27, 2018, the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-Un, and leader of South Korea, Moon Jae-In, met in North Korea to cross the border together into South Korea. This event marks history as the first time a member of the Kim Dynasty has set foot in South Korea since the Korean War in 1953. Following the long-awaited unification of these two leaders, global uneasiness about the situation regarding nuclear weapons has calmed. The two leaders made a statement together that established their commitment to achieve “complete denuclearization” of the peninsula. Kim Jong-Un has agreed to close North Korea’s nuclear test site in May, though many people believe that the North Korean leader will not be willing to completely denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

Discussion Questions: 

1. Do you think Kim Jong-Un will follow through and denuclearize the Korean Peninsula? How would this benefit North Korea?

2. Do you think denuclearization of North Korea will create incentive for other countries to denuclearize? Why?

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The Golden State Killer

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On Tuesday 24 2018, after about 40 years, Joseph James DeAngelo is finally arrested on account of being the “Golden State Killer,” who is linked to 12 murders and over 50 rapes. These tragic events occurred from 1976 through 1986 across Northern and Central California. They found the suspect by entering DNA from a crime scene through the free genetic database GEDmatch and it matched with a relative of DeAngelo. Then they were able to correctly match the crime scene DNA with DeAngelo using his discarded DNA. This method brings out ethical and privacy issues of investigating crimes using people’s genetic information.

Of the many murder cases against him, there are even more instances of sexual assault. However, due to the statute of limitations on rape that still existed during DeAngelo’s actions, he may not be able to be prosecuted with sexual abuse. The statute of limitations on rape was eliminated a few years ago but it only applies to crimes committed after January 1, 2017.  In the other hand, there is no statute of limitations on murder, so the Golden State Killer will be able to be convicted of murder.

Joseph James DeAngelo

Discussion Questions

1. Should authorities be allowed to use people’s information in a genetic database to solve crimes?

2. Is it fair that DeAngelo could not be charged with rape? Explain. How would the victims feel?

To Students Dismay, Chinese University Suppresses “#MeToo” Activism

As the #MeToo movement has become more prevalent in China, Peking University in Beijing has been quick to put down student activism against campus assault. Student activist, Yue Xin, was issued a personal warning by the university after she spoke out about a rape case that occurred on campus twenty years ago. Students began rapidly sharing Xin’s online letter, in which she addressed the administration’s threat to block her graduation after exploring the 1998 rape of student Gao Yan. Unfortunately, Xin’s name and letter were soon censored on social media. President Xi Jinping has discouraged the propagation of Western influence in universities, and officials say that the foreign “#MeToo” campaign has no place in China. However, students are outraged at Peking University’s attempt to silence Yue Xin, and they continue to call for better protection against assault and harassment.

Discussion Questions:
How should universities, like Peking, address students who speak out?
Is it right for the government to condemn the #MeToo movement solely because it is a Western-born movement, and especially because it deals with such an important topic?
Is the government 's censorship of material ever appropriate in cases of activism?
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Starbucks Closes Stores for Racial Bias Training

On May 29th, Starbucks will close over 8,000 of its stores in order to offer racial-bias training to employees after an incident regarding the arrest of two African-American men in their Philadelphia location. These two men refused to leave after an employee didn't allow them to use the bathroom, which led to the calling of the police by an employee and their eventual arrest. After a video of the arrest exploded on Twitter, with more than 10 million views, protests took place in the store in which the arrests took place along with the hashtag #BoycottStarbucks emerged. In response to the episode, Starbucks will close all their domestic stores in order to provide training, costing them a great deal of money they would have otherwise received. Article

1. Is one day of racial-bias training enough to provoke change, or should more be done?
2. Should the officers involved receive any punishment?
3. Is America progressive enough in its fight with racism? If not, how do we push forward?

Waffle House Shooter Leaves 4 Dead

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This Sunday, April 22, Travis Reinking opened fire at a restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee, and killed four individuals doing so, adding to the list of many shootings this year. In the incident, the gunman arrived at the Waffle House and shot two people outside the restaurant, then shot two people inside the restaurant with what appeared to be an AR-15 semi-automatic weapon. An individual, naming James Shaw Jr, was able to stop Reinking from shooting more people when he came out of hiding in a bathroom, after the door was shot and Reinking was adjusting himself, as well as the weapon. Eventually, Reinking was taken into custody in a wooded area and will be held in the Nashville jail, and he is booked on four accounts of criminal homicide.  

Discussion Questions: 

1. As more and more shootings are continuing to occur, what changes should lawmakers make in order to break the pattern of shootings?

2. After a shooting in a public location like this, how should companies/businesses create a safer environment for future customers to prevent this from happening again?

The Summit of the Americas

During the Summit of the Americas, there was one leader that didn't receive an invitation, Nicolas Maduro. The different nations in the Summit discussed on trade deals and on fixing their political fences. They all had a question in mind of what to do to help Venezuela's problem of Nicolas Maduro's Power. Many of the nations have agreed to just to isolate Venezuela by not helping the government, but actually helping the people who flee towards freedom of the tyranny. Since President Trump was absent in the summit the Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence, took his place to represent the U.S.  and he stated, "we'll continue to do everything in our power to provide sustenance an support to those who have fled this tyranny." The U.S. has agreed to help the refugees from Venezuela, meanwhile Bolivian President has stated he will be helping the government instead.

• Do you believe that the Americas should isolate Venezuela's tyranny?
• What other possibilities should be done to help the people of Venezuela?
• Do you believe it was a good idea to not invite Nicolas Maduro to the Summit to the Americas?

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South African Woman Jailed for Verbal Racial Abuse

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      In a landmark ruling, Vicki Momberg, a white woman, was sentenced to 3 years in prison with 1 year suspended for hurling verbal racial abuse at a black police officer. This has been the first prison sentence imposed for verbal racial abuse in South Africa, as fines are the most common punishment.
     In the incident, the police officer attempted to help Vicki Momberg after her car was burglarized. In a viral video clip, she requested a white or Indian police officer, claiming that black people were "clueless" and "useless." 48 times during the rant at the police officer, she called him a "k*****r," one of the worst racial slurs in South Africa.
     Despite apartheid having been over for 25 years, racial tensions are still high in South Africa. The white minority still holds most of the wealth and racially-motivated crimes are still common.

Discussion Questions:
1. Should laws against hate speech exist, or are the principles of free speech more important to society?
2. Despite efforts, South Africa still has hostility between races. How could the government attempt to counteract this?
3. Is jail time for racism and racist actions too far, or should the punishment have instead been a fine?

US, France, and UK Launch Missiles Targeted at Syrian Chemical Weapons

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On Saturday, April 14, the US, UK, and France launched missiles upon several locations in Syria that are thought to have affiliations with chemical weapons. This response to the chemical attack that occurred in Douma on April 7th was lead by the US president, Donald Trump. All of the countries that fired missiles believed that the Syrian dictator, Bashar al-Assad was the suspect behind the attack that crossed the "red line" set by all countries. The missiles were targeted at a Syrian chemical weapons storage facility and a chemical equipment storage facility that were both located in the city of Homs and a research center in greater Damascus that is affiliated with chemical weapons research. In total 110 missiles, like the US Tomahawk cruise missiles and Storm Shadow missiles were targeted at Syria, however because of the prior threats made by the US president, Syria was more prepared for an attack. This allowed the Syrian defense system to be bolstered which resulted in the interception of some of the 110 missiles. Despite this, missiles still hit all three targets and President Donald Trump called it a "mission accomplished." In response to these attacks, Russia and Iran who are major supporters of Assad have condoned the actions made by these three countries but refuse to perform any action in response, as the Russians fear the escalation of the already tense atmosphere. Assad, in response to the attacks has remained relatively unfazed, as he and his supports have called the attacks a "crime."

Discussion Questions:
1. Was the use of missiles an effective way to deter Assad from using chemical weapons?
2. Was it just for the US, UK, and France to target Assad without any solid proof of his use of chemical weapons
3. Judging on how complex the situation in Syria is, was this move too aggressive in terms of sparking a new war?
4. Is there a better way for the US to diffuse the situation around chemical weapons?

Holocaust Is Fading From Memory, Survey Finds

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A survey released on Holocaust Remembrance Day found that a number of adults lack the basic knowledge of what happened during the holocaust. 31% of Americans as a whole, and 41% of millennials believe that 2 million, not the actual 6 million, Jews were killed, and many don’t even know what Auschwitz was. 52% of Americans don’t know the correct answer when it comes to how Hitler rose to power.

Though many people cannot relay correct information about the Holocaust, 96% believe the genocide did occur, and 93% believe that all students should learn about it in school.

Prisoners at the Buchenwald concentration camp in April 1945.

Only 400,000 Holocaust survivors remain alive, most of them in their 80s and 90s. Many Holocaust remembrance advocates dread the day no survivors are left, as they believe there is no better way to educate people than through the voice of a survivor.

Photographs of prisoners at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum

Museums and memorials from around the world are searching for ways to tell the witnesses’ stories once they are gone.

Questions:

1. Does the fact that so many Americans do not have their Holocaust facts correct worry you? Why or why not?
2. Once the remaining survivors have all passed away, how do you think Museums and memorials should educate the world about the Holocaust?
3. Is the Holocaust something you believe should be taught about in school? Why or why not?

Syria and Russia blame Israel for attacks on Syrian airbase

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 On Monday April 9th, Syrian and Russian officials claimed that two Israeli F-15 warplanes launched guided missiles from Lebanese territory targeting the T-4 Iranian airbase in Syria, following a chemical attack against Syria on Saturday.The Syrian media reported that numerous people were killed and injured in the attack. Iranian State Media also reported that at least four Iranian military advisors were killed. Russia blames Israel on the attacks on the T-4 base based on their previous attacks against Iranian and Syrian bases in early February 2018, after an Israeli combat helicopter intercepted an unmanned Iranian drone which was launched from Syria. After the attacks in February, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would "do so again if necessary".  Israeli officials have yet to release a response on the accusations that they attacked the T-4 base.


Questions
1.Do you believe that it is justified for Syria and Russia to blame Israel for the attacks?

2.How do you believe Israel should respond to these accusations?

3.Is it justified for Israel to continue to attack Syria following their attacks in early February and the chemical attacks against Syria earlier this week? 

Trump Abandons Latin America Trip to Focus on Recent Crisis in Syria

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This Friday, April 13, President Trump was supposed to leave on his first official trip to Latin America to attend the Summit of Americas. The president claims that his cancellation is due to wanting to focus on the alleged chemical attack in Syria. Despite this possible excuse, many find it suspicious that the announcement came only one day after the FBI raided the office and hotel room of Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. Trump seemed greatly upset by this, going so far as to calling the action an "attack on our country." On Tuesday morning, the White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, stated that Trump will remain in America and manage the US's reaction to the deadly crisis in Syria and "to monitor developments around the world." On Monday, Trump met with military leaders to examine possible options, promising a swift response to Syria. Moments before that meeting, the president was infuriated to learn of the federal raid on Cohen, in which documents were seized, and deemed the raids a "disgraceful situation."

Discussion Questions:

1. Was canceling the trip to Latin America was the best choice Trump could have made for our country? What the positive and negative effects of his decision?

2. Do you believe that the President remained in the US because of the crisis in Syria, as he claims, or because of a reason related to the FBI raids on Michael Cohen? Does Trump's reaction illicit suspicion?

3. What should Trump's next step regarding the suspected chemical attack in Syria be?

27 Deceased in Bus Accident

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On Monday April 9, 2018, a driver was carrying about 34 kids on a bus in the Kangra district of India. At 4 p.m., the bus was driving students from school in Himachal Pradesh on the rocky road. The school bus took a sharp turn and plummeted 200-300 feet into a deep gorge, authorities claimed. The crash had killed 27 children. The age ranged from 4 to 12 years old. 3 adults were also found dead at the scene, the bus driver and 2 teachers. President Ram Nath Kovind of India tweeted and confessed he was "extremely saddened to learn about the tragic school bus accident in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh". In his tweet, he also expressed his condolences, and he gave out thoughts and prayers to the families of the injured and deceased. The NDRF (India's National Disaster Relief Force) is currently searching for anymore passengers stuck in the bus. An investigation is also being conducted to further look into the incident. However, these accidents are very common in India since there are poor foundations, careless safety measures, bad driving, and badly maintained roads and vehicles.

Discussion Questions:
1.  What do you think India's government can do to ensure that accidents like these don't happen regularly?
2. Should bus drivers be given a test to ensure that the children are given a safer ride back home and to school? Why? How?
3. How can India's drivers avoid getting into big accidents like this?

Russia Denies Evidence in Syrian Chemical Attack on Civilians

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UN Security Council emergency meeting after the chemical attack

As many as a dozen people may have been killed in the alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria on Saturday April 7. Specialists and aid workers have investigated the area where the rebel fighters have begun to evacuate under a surrender deal. According to the Syrian-American Medical Society, more than 500 people, including many children, had to be treated in Douma, near the capital Damascus, suffering symptoms such as having difficulty breathing, bluish skin, mouth foaming, and corneal burns. These alarming scenes have brought the UN Security Council to discuss the allegations. According to Mr. Donald Trump, “President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad.” In response, French president Mr. Emmanuel Macron and US president Mr. Donald Trump have been coordinating together to initiate a “strong, joint response.” On the Russian side, foreign minister Mr. Sergei Lavrov insisted that the Russian military had warned many times of a possible “provocation” and places the blame on Damascus for attacking the civilians with chemical weapons. He denies of any evidence found in the area: “[The military specialists] did not find any trace of chlorine or any other chemical substance used against civilians.” Not only does this horrific attack on innocent people threaten the safety of Syrian civilians, but also forces one to question the trustworthiness of people in power.

Children receive medical treatment after the suspected chemical attack in Douma

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think the US should respond to this? If so, how?

2. What do you think should be done to prevent these attacks from happening in the future?

3. What do you think was the intent behind this attack?

4. Why would someone do such an atrocious act?

Trump Refuses to Repeal Second Amendment

U.S. President Donald Trump recently posted this Tweet about his thoughts on the Second Amendment.  Many democrats believe that the Second Amendment should be repealed, especially considering the recent school shootings around the country.  This Amendment deals with the issue of the right to bear arms.  The president has been open about his opinion on the idea of repealing this Amendment.  He is evidently not planning on doing so.  The president has not been known for his advocacy for gun control.  He states in his post that the country needs more Republicans this year, and that they must always hold the Supreme Court.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/28/us/politics/trump-second-amendment.html

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

1.)  Do you think the Second Amendment should be repealed?  Why or why not?

2.)  Do you think there are ways besides repealing the Second Amendment to prevent gun violence, or is the repeal necessary?

3)  Do you think gun violence will continue to worsen if the Amendment is not repealed?

Dozens Dead by the Philippine Drug War

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In Manila, dozens of drug dealers and users are killed by an organization lead by the President of the Philippine, Rodrigo Duterte. This organization is called the Philippine Drug War or also known as the War on Drugs. On December 5, 2017, over the past two months, as many as 50 people were killed with suspicion of selling and/or using drugs. Police officers took part in an operation called Double Barrels Reloaded and raided more than 3,000 houses killing a total of 46 people who used or sold drugs. However, recently the government stated that there were fewer than 4,000 deaths but the exact number is unknown. Some attacks were issued by the governments and those victims who died were often found with cardboard signs around their necks which indicated they were drug dealers or users. Mr. Duterte asked the United States and the European Union for criticism on his antidrug campaign. James Walsh, a State Department Official overseeing the American Policy has suggested that he should reduce the number of extrajudicial killings. 

Discussion Questions: 

1. Is this type of violence beneficial to the community? Why?

2. How does the death of an individual affect the families and surroundings? 

3. Is this type of action protecting or destroying human rights?

4. What are some other alternatives besides killing to prevent or lessen the use of drugs? 

Trump vs China: Imposing Tariffs & A Possible Trade War

As a means of “punishment”, President Donald Trump intends on hitting China with
around $60 million in tariffs on imports.  The nation’s largest retailers and big-box stores
are warning President Trump of the consequences of imposing such tariffs. Prices will
be raised, causing items such as everyday necessities to be more expensive which wouldn’t
leave customers very happy.  This could possibly spark a trade war between China and the
United States, as China has mentioned that they are not afraid of stepping into such a situation.
Products could face duties of up to 25%, but they are willing to negotiate before starting a trade war.
Trump signed an order that is the “first of many” trade actions and could possibly result in restrictions
on Chinese investment in the US and also duties of up to 25%. If the US does not reach a negotiation
with China within a specified time frame, China has warned that they will impose a 15% tariff on
120 goods worth almost $1 billion.  Their second move would be to impose a 25% tariff on 8 goods
around $2 billion. This was a direct response to the US’s steel and aluminum tariffs.

Discussion Questions:

How will this affect consumers in the US?

How will this affect relations between the US & China?

Do you believe that Trump will come to a negotiation with China or start a trade war? Why?

https://www.yahoo.com/news/think-twice-tariffs-president-trump-cheap-imports-keep-voters-afloat-090013393.html

Iran angered by US imposition of cyber sanctions

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The Mabna Institute is one of the Persian leading management of giving expert advice to professionals of the firms. This Institute is claimed of theft for valuable intellectual property and data. The US punishments inflicted on 10 citizens and the tech firm of cyber attacks on at least 320 universities worldwide, as well as US firms and government agencies. The Mabna Institute was official in the year 2013, and US prosecutors presumed that this company was constructed to help Iranian research organisations steal information. The hackers are known to be fugitives of justice and will face expulsion in many countries. The intrusions made were done at the command of the Iranian government. President Trump sees the agreement negotiated by Obama administration, is flawed, and he has vowed to withdraw from it. When he decides where to renew a presidential waiver of US sanctions lifted in exchange for Iran's reversal of an alleged nuclear program. This will cause the US to punish Iran for other activities made like, the development of long-range ballistic missiles, its use of proxy forces to fight wars in Syria and Yemen, and the buildup of asymmetric capabilities, including cyber warfare. This will add even more tension between the Islamic Republic and the US. 

Discussion Question:

   Do you think that because of Washington's stance of belligerence against the Islamic Republic caused this cyber attack?

The Iranian company and 10 individuals of the alleged cyber attacks, involving hundreds of universities has the US impose sanctions. How will these sanctions affect both Iran and the US?