Current Events October 26, 2010

Local

Paterson man who provided tip in police officer killing sues over $60k reward

The Record

On October 26^th, 2010, it was reported that a man has sued the city of Patterson, New Jersey in order to receive, what he believes to be, his rightfully owed reward money for his assistance in the arrest of a man who killed a Patterson police officer. The man who is seeking the reward money, says that he provided the police with information that led them to the killer, a good deed that yields a $ 60,000 reward. The Police have acknowledged his assistance but have yet to provide him with the proper compensation.

National

'Hiccup Girl' Jennifer Mee, Faces Murder Charge

New York Times

On October 25^th 2010, Jennifer Mee was arrested in Florida on murder charges. In is suspected that Ms. Mee tried to assist in a robbery that went awry and ended up shooting a 23 year old man. This is not Ms. Mee’s first appearance in the headlines, as she achieved her first 15 minutes of fame back in 2007 for having the hiccups for 6 weeks.

Global

At least 112 dead, more than 500 missing after Indonesia quake

CNN

On Monday, October 25, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 triggered a tsunami that hit Sumatra. Currently, 112 people have been found dead and 502 people have been reported missing.

Field Trip

During our field trip, I saw an interesting seminar on photojournalism. It was given by a photojournalist from The Record. He spoke about SLR cameras and strobes. He showed us the importance of good lighting through example; he present a picture without flash and then the same picture but with the right lighting and flash. We learned about using interviews to make videos, and learned the importance of fitting your video footage with peoples responses. He showed us some example videos he made; one video of a Tuskegee Airman and another of a Teenage girl who had one a song writing competition.

October 18, 2010. Current Events

Local

Football tragedy strikes Rutgers

The Record

Eric LeGrand, defensive tackle for Rutgers, is paralyzed from the neck down. The injury occurred Saturday while LeGrand made a tackle on a kickoff in Rutgers overtime victory over Army. LeGrand is planned to remain at Hackensack University Medical Center, in the ICU for the near future.

National

Bp Sells Assets to TNK-BP to Pay for Gulf Spill

New York Times

On October 18^th 2010, It was reported that the Oil company Bp raised 1.8 billion dollars in an effort to pay for the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. They were able to raise the money by selling their assets in Venezuela and Vietnam to their own joint venture in Russia. This is one of the many new steps newly appointed CEO Robert Dudley has implemented in an effort to pay back the many claims resulting from the spill.

Global

31 Dead in China Coal Mine Leak

CNN

The death tole from a coal mine gas leak in central China, that took place on October 16, has now risen to 31. With the discovery of five new bodies, six others remain trapped; their chances of living are slim. Due to this recent event, in conjunction with China's past of high rates of dead minors, the National Energy Administration is taking action to restructure China's mining system.

10/13/10 Current Events

Local

Woodcliff Lake Police Department Gets Award

The Bergen Record

On October 8, 2010, the Woodcliff lake police department received the third place award in the Law Enforcement Challenge. The challenge, a competition between law enforcement agencies of the same size that recognizes departments for their enforcement of traffic laws, presented the Woodcliff Lake police department with a plaque along with an abundance of new surveillance software for their integration of technology into the department.

National

Wall Street's record bonuses: How outrageous are they?

The week

On October 13^th 2010, it was reported that bankers on wall street are set to earn a record amount of bonuses, 144 billion to be exact, a fact that has many people up in arms as the increase in bonuses comes at a time when unemployment is still close to ten percent and most industries are still struggling. Wall Street bankers justify their record bonuses by explaining that they have saved and revitalized the Dow Jones industrial average along with the fact that banks need to pay their top talent more if they want to retain them.

World

HIV-poitive Man Denied Job

Strait Times

On October 13^th 2010, it was reported that a man was denied a teaching job in Anqing, China due to the fact that he was HIV positive. The man, who’s alias is Xiao Wu, then went on to file a civil case against the Anqing department of education claiming discrimination as he felt he was well qualified for the job yet was rejected due to his failing of a physical that exposed his illness. The Chinese Government has claimed that the department of education was right in their decision due to the fact that, as stated by a anonymous government official, “No one is willing to put their children in the hands of an HIV-positive teacher even if the virus has limited ways of spreading.”

October 4, 2010 Current Events

Local

N.J. lawmaker authorize funds for transit projects

The Record

In order to continue the road and rail projects, New Jersey lawmakers have authorized the selling of over $1 billion in bonds. After Governer Christe stopped the work on these projects, an emergency meeting was called by the Join Budget Operating Committee called an emergency meeting to approve the selling of the bonds.

National

Suicides Put Light on Pressure of Gay Teenagers

By Jesse McKinley

The New York Times

In Fresno, California, Seth Walsh, a 13-year-old boy, attempted to hang himself because he was being tormented about being Gay. After being on life support for a week, he died tragically last Tuesday. Between this death, the recent suicide of the Rutgers student, and other recent suicides due to bullying because of one's sexuality have caused alarm amongst federal officials. They hope to work to increase tolerance and thus lower the stress of America's youth.

Global

More Countries Adopt China's Tactics on Currency

By David E. Sanger and Michael Wines

The New York Times

China's artificially low value of currency is being battled by the Obama Administration. Other countries are changing some of their free-market rules and switching to policies similar to the Chinese. For example, Brazil and Japan have tried to lower the value of their currency in order to keep it from appreciating against Chinese currency further.