South Korean coastguard "killed by Chinese fisherman"

A South Korean coast guard was stabbed to death by Chinese fisherman in an attempt to gain control over a Chinese ship operating illegally near South Korean waters. Another South Korean was injured in the process. Chinese fishing are often caught fishing in South Korean waters. "One officer is dead. There is another one injured. There are no other injuries," a coastguard officer said. "It happened in the EEZ (exclusive economic zone), outside the territorial waters, but it's still illegal fishing." Last month South Korea said they start to crackdown on illegal fishing by Chinese fishing boats in its EEZ. About 2,600 Chinese fishing boats have been caught illegally fishing in the South Korean EEZ since 2006 and nearly 800 Chinese fishermen have been arrested.

http://news.yahoo.com/south-korean-coastguard-killed-chinese-fisherman-020454885.html;_ylt=Aq8XpL_zTv9yleP9bCdW8kxvaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTRibzRvcWtsBGNjb2RlA3ZzaGFyZWFnMgRtaXQDSnVtYm90cm9uIFdvcmxkU0YEcGtnA2E3ZjYyNTMzLTk3YTMtMzFhYS1iMzQ1LWI1NTllMTAyYWVhNARwb3MDMQRzZWMDanVtYm90cm9uBHZlcgNiNGVmODcxMC0yNDZjLTExZTEtYjdiOS0yN2U0NjEwNzE0NjE-;_ylg=X3oDMTFwZTltMWVnBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdAN3b3JsZARwdANzZWN0aW9ucwR0ZXN0Aw--;_ylv=3

Treatment for Blood Disease Is Gene Therapy Landmark

Roughly one in 30,000 babies born are born with Hemophillia B Gene. It is a fatal disease which is most prevalent in males as it is involved with the x chromosome. Women have t wo x chromosomes while men only have one, so if a woman is affected by the disease, her second x chromosome takes over and she is fine. She does however pass the gene to her children. Recently, through gene therapy, a new treatment has been created. In the past gene therapy has been very dangerous and not helpful. This is a breakthrough not only in Hemophilia B, but also in the entire pr actice of gene therapy. Gene therapy works by taking a working gene and attaching it to a virus. The virus then introduces the working gene to the body. The old treatment for Hemophilia B costs $300,000, this gene therapy costs $30,000 one time! http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/11/health/research/hemophilia-b-gene-therapy-breakthrough.html?_r=1&ref=world

Issa Plans Probe Into Report U.S. Helps Drug Cartel Laundering

Issa Plans Probe Into Report U.S. Helps Drug Cartel Laundering
by Jeff Bliss


Are United States government agents helping Mexico’s drug cartels to learn about their financial operations? A state representative from California, Issa is looking into this matter. This article mentions another recent incident in Mexico where illegal gun purchases in the U.S. occurred to link weapons to drug cartels. A few months ago one of U.S. Border agents was murdered with a gun the U.S. gave to Mexico. Our Justice Department should be looking into these matters and although much is confidential the public needs to be aware of some of the actions the Department is taking.

The New York Times is like a check on the Department of Justice and that’s a good thing.
The problems in Mexico with drugs and U.S. borders seem to be growing. These problems
relate to immigration and the Mexican cartels moving into the U.S.. Our country should closely
study and work toward solving or alleviating these problems.

M5 and Autobahn Crashes prompt debate about speed limits

In early November, a crash on the M5 motorway in southwest England involving nearly 40 vehicles was among the worst in the country's history and left seven dead and over 50 injured. The cause of the crash is yet to be determined, but it was said that flames rose more than 20 feet into the air. Just a few weeks later, during a heavy fog on the German A31 not far from the Dutch border, a minor fender- bender turned into a 52 car crash resulting in 3 deaths and dozens of injuries. The Autobahn is known for not having speed limits, while there are places without, many areas have variable speed limits ranging from 60-130 km/h (81.1mph). These limits can be changed based on conditions and is seen as beneficial. In the UK, the current highest speed limit is 70mph (112.6km/h), 2km/h higher than the lowest motorway limit in Europe. These current crashes have created two perspectives; one saying keep or lower this limit, and the other claiming that an 80mph speed limit would be safer and save travellers money as well as time. The UK's transport secretary is in favor of a higher limit, though no law has been put into place. The highest speed limit in the US is in Texas, where some locations allow speeds of up to 85mph.

Ryan Fraleigh

Sources: Telegraph, Autoblog

More Coverage & Video: BBC

Unrest in Egypt

Tahirir Square was quiet Wednesday, in wake of much tumult and protest over upcoming elections. Many not only fear, but believe so strongly, that the elections will be fixed that they held out of voting, although for many this will be the first time they fill out a ballot after dictator Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in February. The most recent protests and rioting in the Square began in wake of a strong feeling that vendors working in the vicinity selling Marijuana gave the protesters a bad image. This escalated into the most recent skirmishes that sent 28 people to the hospital on Tuesday, and causing 88 people in total to be hurt. The country is currently electing a lower house of parliament, with the next step in the process being the election of an upper house. Presidential elections will take place in June if everything remains in schedule. However, many also fear that the military will try and hold onto power, however, leading to more unrest.
Will Case
cnn.com

Australia Agrees to US Marine Deployment Plan

Obama has decided to establish military personnel in Australia to combat China's growing influence. China has been rising, and in order to counter that, Obama has decided to deploy 250 US Marines next year, and it will eventually be built up to 2,500. Obama has said that the US was "stepping up its commitment to the entire Asia-Pacific". Earlier in the year, Obama had announced that all U.S. troops were to be removed from Iraq by the end of 2011, but now the US will establish themselves in the opposite direction. Many believe that this is a mistake by Australia, claiming that if they let the US use their military bases, then they will eventually be caught in crossfire. If the US "intrudes on China's core interests" then Luo Yuan, a senior officer at the People Liberation Army's Academy of Military Sciences says that a military conflict would be unavoidable. This is big new to all US citizens, because perhaps the US is one step closer to war with China, or perhaps one step closer from saving the south pacific from China's influence.

Deadly protest over chemical plant in northern Egypt

Protests have been occurring in Egypt near a fertilizer plant with concern for the pollution caused. There have been demonstrations to relocate or close the plant and prevent the opening of two more plants. This is significant because under Egypt’s previous leader, Hosni Mubarak, protests would not have occurred or been tolerated. Activism is now taking place more frequently in Egypt; protesters of the chemical plants even took their demonstrations outside the governor’s office chanting anti-government slogans. It is interesting and significant that protests like these are happening more and more due to new leadership throughout the Middle East.  

By Matt and Becca