15/10/2017

The United States and North Korea : Towards a nuclear war ?

Since Donald Trump obtained the President’s position, he doesn’t keep his tongue in his pocket criticizing without scruples some countries instigating their indignation. But he especially criticizes North Korea that Trump has been condemning since the beginning of the year making the tension with the USA even bigger and worrying the rest of the world.

Old ennemies

The tensions between the two countries have existed for quite a while. At the end of the Korea's War, on the 15th August 1945 after 35 years of Japan’s occupation, Korea was divided in two different countries : North Korea supported by the Soviet Union (at that time), and South Korea supported by the US. In July, 1953, an armistice, never transformed into peace agreement, was signed and Washington imposed penalties in North Korea.

Five years later, in June 1950, North Korea with support of China and the Soviet Union tried to invade the South,  unfortunately for them the US came to help the South to retrieve Seoul. 

Many other events made the tension grow between the two countries : the Crisis of the «Spy Ship» in 1968, in 2002 Georges Bush qualified North Korea as "Axis of evil" , not to forget Otto Warmbier an American student who was jailed in North Korea in January 2016 for stealing a propaganda poster, and died in June 2017 one week after his repatriation while he was in coma, 3 other Americans are still imprisoned in North Korea at this time.

Since Donald Trump’s speech in January 2017,the tension has never been stronger than now and the possibility of a nuclear war is not to be anymore ruled out. 

A Flame Rekinkled

Since the start of the year 2017, North Korea has come out of the shadows and is often expressed in the media. Indeed, the country did nuclear tests and tests of ballistic missiles which do not stop increasing as the days pass. And it doesn't seem to please President Trump who doesn't hesitate to comment on these tests through Twitter : 

 


 

As we can see in these tweets Trump doesn't hide his displeasure to these tests, not using a professional language "This guy", and evoking China that he criticizes subtly for not helping enough to persuade North Korea to stop its way to the nuclear weapon.

On the other side, North Korea doesn't seem to be intimidated to the multiple threats the U.S send it and intensifies its research. The North-Korean government justifies these as a way to protect itself face to the Americans. 

Can we avoid the war ?

The UN and the Security's Council organised meetings to give sanctions to the political regime of Pyongang but without sucess, it seems unstoppable . Insults, threats and provocations do not stop being exchanged between both countries :

- At the start of August 2017, North Koreans declared to study the possibility " to fire " around an island of the Pacific where American soldiers are parked. On the 8th of August in answer to this new provocation Trump promised "Fire and Anger" to North Korea.

- On the 12th of September in answer to the penalties taken by the UN, North Korea promised " Pain " to the United States.

- After the nuclear test during the night between the 2nd and 3rd of September 2017, the Pentagone promised a " massive military answer " to Pyongyang in case of threats aiming at its territory. It is General Mattis, the American secretary of Defense, that sent the warning to Kim Jong's regime. "We have numerous military options and the president wanted to be informed about each of them. Any threat aiming at the United States or at its territories, including the Guam Island, or his allies, will be the object of a massive military answer."

    

But do we have to take these words exchanged between them seriously ? Only time will tell us.

 

25/05/2016

Gun violence in the USA, a modern issue

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How to decrease the gun-related problems in the USA nowadays? That's the question everybody's asking in the world, but even more in the USA, where opinions are divided.

How could we explain that half of the US inhabitants are so attached to the 2nd Amendment, guaranteeing them the right to bear arms, and that the other half is totally opposed to and wants to abolish this?

In Michael Moore's documentary Bowling for Columbine (2002), a cartoon deals with this controversial subject that is the fact to bear arms in the USA.

 

As we can see the bullet shows us, with irony, how the USA were created and the consequences of the history on today's society. Indeed, we learn that fear made the Pilgrim Fathers leave England for the New World and that the 2nd Amendment was created as a result of the Revolutionary War. The problem is that the right to bear arms was given to the citizens in case the British soldiers would come back but people still consider that the fact to bear a gun will provide them protection in every case. As the bullet declares, everybody is afraid of the other nowadays, as we can see people bought a quarter of a billion guns in the way to be safe.

One striking thing is that the USA have the highest rate of people killed by firearms every year (almost 13.000 in 2015) and even though, a majority still thinks that carrying a gun will protect them from any threat.

 

One of Obama's campaign promises was to solve the gun issue in the USA but lobbies like the N.R.A. still have an important influence on people's minds and also, many people want to purchase guns when they hear about mass shootings and so on. As this prevention group tried to do, many people come to purchase their first gun because they think they'll be safer but when they understand that guns are part of mass shootings, they think twice about it because they understand the harsh reality : even if guns can protect you, the fact to own one and to bear it is a threat for your life and the one of those you love because a simple mistake, like putting your gun in your handbag where your 3-year-old toddler can grab it, can cost you your life...

We need to make people change their minds about it, we need to make them think twice before purchasing a firearm because in the USA guns mean death. Indeed, everywhere on TV, in the games or just in the everyday life, people see guns and think it's normal to have one, but in Canada, even though there are many millions of firearms for nearly 30 million inhabitants, the kill rate by firearms is very low because the mentalities are totally different, there isn't such a pressure from lobbies to make people want to buy a gun and to think that it can be like a game to shoot at others, as we can do in some video games.

Here are some numbers about this harsh reality...

Guns in America: The impact of having more guns in society 

04/11/2014

One World Trade Center comes to life !

Press Review #3

On Monday, November 3rd One World Trade Center (commonly named "Freedom Tower") has officially opened its doors to new employees of the World Trade Center, the business district of downtown Manhattan.

After the dark events of 9/11 and 13 years of hard work, the WTC site comes back to life !
1WTC_opening.jpeg

The storied Condé Nast magazine empire, with titles like Vogue, GQ and Vanity Fair, moved in with 2,300 employees spread among 24 floors.

“It’s a fantastic milestone,” said Steve Plate, who has overseen WTC construction since the beginning. “I was there that fateful day. And to see from where we started to where we are today,

1WTC_opening2.jpeg it’s truly a miracle.”

Public will be able to go up to the observatory installed between the 100th and 102nd floors, (opening in spring 2015).
The new WTC site includes five towers, a memorial, a museum (opened in May) a health public transport, 550,000 m² of commercial space and a place for artistic performances.

"Some people are nervous, others excited to move to the south of the city and start a business transformation, helping to revitalize this part of Manhattan. Most of our staff are happy but some people feel they can be potential targets again, "assured John Duffy, manager at Condé Nast.Publisher Conde Nast Begins Move Into One World Trade Center


Indeed the 9/11 attacks (2,753 deaths), have left an indelible mark on the city and the country in general.


Sources:

Photos One World Trade Center

Article "Renaissance du WTC"

03/12/2013

Hunger Games : Catching Fire

Press Review #3

On the 27th of November, The Hunger Games : Catching Fire was released in France.
In this second part of The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellarck ( the two main characters played by Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson) become targets of the capitole after their victory in the district of Panem.
They will have to do the 75th Hunger Games with the other winners of the other districts. For the Week-end of Thanksgiving, The Hunger Games is the first ex-aequo with Frazen in the box office in the United States.

30/11/2013

Release of the movie Gravity



Press Review #2

On October 4th, 2013, a new cinematographic experience appeared in the USA.
The new movie called "Gravity" by Alfonso Cuaron, was released in France on October 23rd, 2013.
This movie tells with subtlety the story of two astronauts in a space shuttle.The captain on the American space shuttle "Explorer", Matt Kowalski played by George Clooney and the astronaut and scientist Ryan Stone played by Sandra Bullock, are the only survivors of a special mission.They had to restore the Russian satellite, destroyed by a missile, which has created a cloud of spatial scraps.This cloud met the American space shuttle and made a real space disaster.
During the principal action, there are only two actors.Some of the people who have seen this movie say that they felt like a third character.This feeling is reinforced by the fact that the movie is in 3D.
Space had never been seen like this in the story of cinema, a mix of anxiety and emotion.
Real astronauts and specialists are really amazed to see a movie which shows the reality of what happens when you are in space.This movie was a real success in the United States, and it will be a success in France too!

16/12/2012

R.I.P.

NY_DN.jpg
Some articles concerning the tragedy which touched the hearts of all Americans:
Obama says it’s time for nation to join together
Debate on Gun Control Is Revived, Amid a Trend Toward Fewer Restrictions
Gun-control advocates say Connecticut massacre could be tipping point
Don't hesitate to comment upon these articles and tell us your reactions

02/12/2012

Neil Armstrong's death

Press review n°4: He was born on August 5 1930 in Wapakoneta,Ohio and died on August 25 2012 in Cincinnati,Ohio at the age of 82 years old. He was an astronaut and he was the first man who set foot on the moon; he said "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind" on July,21 1969 during the mission Apollo 11. He obtained a degree in aeronautics at Purdue University. In 1950, his studies were interrupted because of his military service in the navy of the United States. He trained as a jet pilot. He participated in the Korean war. After obtaining his degree, in 1955 he joined the NASA. In 1962, he made his first space flight aboard Gemini 8 and he was selected as commandant in Apollo 11 whose mission was to set feet on the moon. In my view, this man is a hero for everyone because he was the first man who touched the moon. His death will make people unhappy, everyone will regret him.

Neil_Armstrong_pose.jpg Neil-Armstrong-l-antiheros_article_main.jpg

30/11/2012

Linkin Park won an award at American Music Awards

Welcome to today's press review (n°4). Today, I want to talk about the victory of Linkin Park at American Music Awards.

This week, American rock band Linkin Park participated to the AMA, best known as American Music Awards, and won the award for best alternative artist rock artist. During this show, the band played one of the singles of their new album, Living Things. This single, Burn It Down has already won an award at European Music Awards, two weeks ago, in November. With this award, Linkin Park has won a total of more than 30 awards, including 2 Grammy Awards (the best award in the world) : 1 for their music-type metal Crawling , and one for their music with Jay-Z, Numb/Encore. But also, last July , Linkin Park was recognized as the best artist of the 2000s, before Eminem and Britney Spears, by 200,000 votes. Moreover, one of their video clips, New Divide, used in the movie Transformers 2, reached 125 Millions views on Youtube, for a total of 1 billion views on the band's chain. Consequently, the band has become the first rock band to reach 1 billion views on Youtube.

LP-3 Linkin Park during the show.

The band has enjoyed great success during their career. Indeed, they have released five albums, for a total of 50 millions sales, and one album with Jay-Z. Three of their singles, New Divide", "What I've Done and Iridescent were used in the Transformers' saga.

During the evening, other artists were rewarded : - Justin Bieber won 3 awards : Artist of the year, best album of pop music and best male artist. - Nicki Minaj won 2 awards : Best hip-hop music artist and best hip-hop album. - Carly Rae Jepsen won the award of New artist of the year. - David Guetta won the award of best electro artist.

20/11/2012

Elections in the USA!

Press review n°4: This election opposed Obama and Romney on the 6th of November. In the USA, the President is in office for 4 years. Obama was re-elected with 59%, he WON !

Results of the american's election

The Americans voted to elect their members of parliament. For the great election of the President of the United States, a lot of polls were made.

Obama took away the state of Delaware.

19/11/2012

Resumption of NBA championship.

Press review n°3: Resumption of NBA championship

Grizzlies.png Wayne Ellington and Rudy Gay, two of the best players in Memphis

The Championship of the National Basket Association, better known as NBA, resumed this week, and the big surprise came from a little team : Memphis Grizzlies. Indeed, this team who evolves in Kansas has known its best beginning in the championship.

After defeating the champions, Miami Heat, composed of the best players in the world such as Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Memphis continues on its way, beating other big teams like Oklahoma and New York. And now, Memphis is the first in championship (championship composed of 30 teams).

12/12/2011

Some facts about 9/11 : Answers

Here are the answers to our quiz.

mural.jpg

On 9/11, 2928 people died in the terrorist attacks ( 2 759 in the World Trade Center, 125 in the Pentagon, 44 in Shanksville).
401 first responders died in the World Trade Center collapse .

343 fire fighters died in the World Trade Center collapse.
The Twin Towers burnt for 56 minutes ( for the South Tower ) and 102 minutes ( for the North Tower ) before collapsing.
They fell in 12 seconds.

08/12/2011

Some facts about 9/11

9/11/2001 : what are your memories of that event? Let's do a little quiz !

''What is the number of people killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks? (World Trade Center, Pentagon and Shanksville)

What is the number of first responders who died in the World Trade Center collapse?

What is the number of firefighters who died in the World Trade Center collapse?

What is the number of minutes the Twin Towers burned before collapsing?

What is the approximate amount of time, in seconds, that it took each of the World Trade Center towers to fall?''

A few clues will be given in our next article, and the solution to our little quiz will eventually be given :)

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05/12/2011

Remembering 9/11 gallery

Here are some striking photos of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the heroes of that day and the 10th anniversary in 2011

20/11/2011

Pizza is a vegetable ? Really ?

pizza_vegetables.JPEG Congress wants to keep pizza and french fries on school lunch lines, fighting back against an Obama administration proposal to make school lunches healthier.

Read these articles and tell us your opinion !

article MSNBC

article Guardian UK

article CBS

07/11/2011

World Trade Center, the film : plot summary

WTC_poster.jpg Plot:

On September 11, 2001, Port Authority Police officers John McLoughlin and Will Jimeno, who are patrolling the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, see a plane fly dangerously low overhead. As all of the police officers return to the station, they see on TV and that the North Tower of the World Trade Center has been hit by a plane. Sergeant McLoughlin assigns many of the officers to assist in an evacuation attempt of the still undamaged South Tower and they board a commandeered Metropolitan Transit Authority bus. On the bus, they hear reports that the South Tower has also been hit.



When they arrive at the World Trade Center, they realize the extent of the disaster and see one of the first victims to jump out of the towers to certain death. The men proceed to get safety equipment and enter the concourse between the towers. The group consists of McLoughlin, Jimeno, Dominick Pezzulo and Antonio Rodrigues. An officer named Chris Amoroso appears to inform them of other events, such as the attack on the Pentagon and the second plane's hit on the South Tower, though the group does not accept this. As the men prepare to enter the North Tower, the buildings begin to rumble. McLoughlin realizes that the South Tower is collapsing onto them and that their only chance of survival is to run into the service elevator shaft. Chris trips and does not have time to get up. Rodrigues is unable to get to the shaft in time. McLoughlin, Jimeno and Pezzulo manage to escape the huge amounts of dust and rubble flying down from the South Tower. However, as the rubble continues to crush the elevator shaft, the three are trapped.



As the cascade of debris subsides, Pezzulo realizes he can free himself and manages to move nearer to Jimeno who, along with McLoughlin, is pinned under rubble and cannot move. Pezzulo tries but fails to shift the debris covering Jimeno's legs and is told by McLoughlin not to leave. As Pezzulo becomes optimistic that they will live, the rumbling begins again as the North Tower starts to collapse. Although Jimeno and McLoughlin are not further harmed, Pezzulo is fatally injured. After he fires a gun through a gap in the rubble to try to alert rescuers to their position, he dies.



Jimeno and McLoughlin spend hours under the rubble, in pain but exchanging personal information. McLoughlin is particularly anxious to keep Jimeno from falling asleep and Jimeno also realizes that by straining to grab a metal bar above his body, he can make a noise that rescuers might hear. Two United States Marines, Dave Karnes and Jason Thomas, who are searching for survivors, do hear it and find the men, calling for help to dig them out.



Jimeno is rescued first, and then hours later McLoughlin is lifted out of the debris, barely alive. They are then both reunited with their distraught families at the hospital. (en.wikipedia)

Remembering 9/11

9/11 was a tragedy that claimed the lives of thousands in an instant. The United States is marking a decade since the 9/11 attacks. Terrorists crashed hijacked planes into the twin towers of the World Trade centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington. A fourth plane came down in the state of Pennsylvania. Remembrance ceremonies were held at Ground Zero in New York, and all across America to commemorate the 10th anniverary.

Students have been working on this first theme "Remembering 9/11". They have studied different documents dealing with the events, their chronology, the main facts, they have watched and studied the trailer of the film "World Trade Center", found out who the heroes of that day were.

WTC_heroes_in_film.jpg

The final task for this theme will be providing a voice over for a video commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks... Coming soon, they will provide a short presentation of 9/11, its main facts and the aftermath of that terrible day.

31/10/2011

The Help, another trailer

The Help has two trailers, one showing in the UK and another showing in the US theaters. Which one do you prefer?

The Help, an uplifting and inspiring movie

The Help is an uplifting and inspiring movie that shows what happens when a southern town's unspoken code of rules and behaviour is shattered by three courageous women who strike up an unlikely friendship.