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	• NEWS >> ATW Week of January 31, 2008 Yearly Script Program Index -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPEN/WELCOME Hi and welcome to Assignment: The World for the week of January 31st, 2008… I’m Teej Jenkins. Our top story this week President Bush gives his final State of the Union Address. TOP STORY - UNITED STATES 38 degrees, 54 minutes North 77 degrees, 02 minutes West As concern for the economy continues to rise, President Bush traveled to capital hill to address Congress for the final time. With polls showing that people are more concerned with the economy than the war in Iraq President Bush called for quick passage of his economic stimulus package. Last week a bipartisan effort called for a tax rebate of up to twelve hundred dollars to millions of families. The president remains positive about the economy… he is careful not to use words like “recession” and instead talks about “economic challenges and uncertainties.” On Iraq, President Bush reaffirmed the success of the troop buildup while reminding Americans of “what is at risk.” He also asked lawmakers to reauthorize the domestic surveillance law. President Bush has 51 weeks left in his administration. While he had hoped to concentrate on peace in the Middle East and stability in Iraq, it appears the economy here at home is going to be the main focus of his attention. Bipartisan (adj) representing, characterized by, or including members from two parties or factions. ATW FACT George Washington and John Adams delivered their State of the Union Addresses in person. Thomas Jefferson, however, sent his in writing…a practice followed by all Presidents until 1913. Woodrow Wilson decided to deliver his speech in person, as have all Presidents since. INTRO REST OF THE NEWS In the rest of the news this week… - Condoleezza Rice travels to Colombia - Border troubles in the Middle East - And Barack Obama wins a major victory #2 – UNITED STATES 34 degrees, 00 minutes north latitude 81 degrees, 02 minutes west longitude As supporters chanted, “race doesn’t matter” Barack Obama took to the stage to claim victory in South Carolina, the latest stop in the race to the White House. Obama received 55 percent of the vote easily out-distancing Hillary Clinton and John Edwards. With wins in Iowa and South Carolina Obama says it is proof that he can win in any region. While the victory in South Carolina is a boost for his campaign Senator Obama still trails Hillary Clinton in delegates. A total of 2, 025 delegates are needed to secure the Democratic nomination. On the Republican side candidates Mitt Romney, John McCain and Rudy Guiliani faced off in Florida’s primary this week before turning their attention to “Super Tuesday”. On February 5th more than 20 states will hold nominating events for both the Democrat and Republican parties. region (n) a district without respect to boundaries or extent. #3 - EGYPT 30 degrees, 03 minutes north latitude 31 degrees, 15 minutes east longitude Arab Foreign Ministers met in Cairo to discuss the Egyptian border with Gaza after tens of thousands poured into Egypt last week. Palestinians from Gaza crossed into the Egyptian town of Rafah when Hamas militants blew down a border wall. Thousands bought up fuel and other items made scarce since Israel instituted severe restrictions of movement in and out of Gaza. Israel tightened its control in response to on-going rocket fire at southern Israel from the territory. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas that he would not let the situation escalate into a humanitarian crisis. Israel wants Egypt to reseal its border, as it did last June when the militant group Hamas violently seized control. Abbas wants the border to remain open and for his security forces to assume control of the Gaza side of the crossing. restrictions (n) Something that restricts; a regulation or limitation. #4 - COLOMBIA 06 degrees, 33 minutes north latitude 75 degrees, 50 minutes west longitude Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Colombia’s President last week at the end of her visit to promote a free trade agreement. Rice traveled to the South American country with nine US lawmakers in a bid to revive the trade pact. The agreement was signed by both countries in 2006 but still needs ratification by Congress. Rice did not say if the White House would follow through on threats to force a vote on the trade deal. Rice said that failing to pass the agreement would hurt the United States and its image in Latin America. Rice’s visit is the latest in a campaign by Colombia and The White House to win support… nearly 70 other congressional leaders have visited Colombia on similar missions. There is no indication that ratification will occur any time soon. trade~(n) the act or process of buying, selling, or exchanging commodities POP QUIZ #1 In our story about the race for the White House we told you the next round of nominating elections is scheduled for Feb. 5th… that day is called. 1. Super Primary 2. Super Election 3. Super Tuesday And the correct answer is number three, Super Tuesday is when over twenty states will hold their nominating elections. OLD CLUE # 1—LOCATION – DAVOS, SWITZERLAND Now its time for the answers to last week’s clues in the news. Find the location of our first clue and you get Davos, Switzerland the site of the World Economic Forum. The five-day meeting brought together government, business and academic leaders from around the world. The main focus of the forum is the global economy. The meetings opened with concerns that the downturn in the American economy might spread to other nations. Discussions also focused on global warming, poverty, terrorism, debt relief for Africa and efforts to prevent and treat AIDS. OLD CLUE # 2— NATO SUMMIT Fill in the blanks of our next clue and you get NATO Summit. Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf met with EU and NATO leaders in an effort to ensure Pakistan as a reliable ally in the fight against terrorism. Musharraf has been criticized for his declaration of emergency rule last year. Musharraf is asking for understanding as his country struggles to become a democracy and takes a lead in the global fight against terrorism. OC #3 – MAYOR’S CONFERENCE Unscramble our next clue and you Mayor’s Conference. More than 250 of the nation’s mayors gathered in Washington, D.C. for the 76th Winter meeting of The United States Conference of Mayors to discuss climate protection, jobs, and the economy. The three-day conference brings together mayors from across the country to discuss issues affecting their cities and metro areas. THIS WEEK IN WORLD HISTORY This week in World History... January 29th, 1936. The first inductees into the National Baseball Hall of Fame were named. The first class included Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Christy Mathewson, Honus Wagner and Walter Johnson. CHECK IT OUT INTRO Rec centers are located in almost every community. They offer endless ways to have fun and stay fit year round, whether it’s a space to run or a place to splash. Check it out. CHECK IT OUT Suzanne Zeman-RN, exercise physiologist (Participant) Power kids is where you can come and play games with people that you don't know, but can get to know really well. Like, I made alot of friends at power kids. You stretch and it makes you healthier. (Suzanne) The nice thing about rec centers that have areas with open gyms is it gives you the opportunity to stay moving, really challenge your muscles, you know, keep the blood moving. (Participant) We're playing a game called capture the flag and we have to run to the other teams side and try to get their flag. If we get out we have to go into their jail. (Participant) Every time I get the flag.. (Participant) She gets tagged. (Participant) I get tagged, as soon as I get it. (Participant) She ends up in jail. (Suzanne) It doesn't have to be even a particular game; maybe even it’s a game of tag. You know it really lets kids use their imagination and really get creative. (Participant) This is how I stay fit for the winter. (Participant) I like swimming because its fun. (Suzanne) The great thing about swimming is its something you can do at any age. Its something you can do in a competitive sense or you can do non-competitive. You know it’s a low impact exercise so there’s a very low risk of injury. It’s a great aerobic exercise because it uses almost all of your large muscle groups. (Participant) It gets me in lots of shape like this. (Participant) Swimming makes your arms and legs very healthy and it gives you good workouts. (Suzanne) Its something that can really challenge you and make your heart stronger, increase your endurance. So even when you're playing outside, but you've been swimming inside on a regular basis, you're going to be able to play and do that for a longer period of time without feeling like your getting winded or you feel like you have to stop down and take breaks. Its something you can start doing as a young child and you can continue right on up until you're a senior. ISN’T IT COOL A German born polar bear named Flocke is capturing the affection of Germany. Zookeepers say the polar cub is growing fast but remains under careful watch. Zookeepers took in Flocke, meaning snowflake, when they became concerned at the ability of its mother to raise cubs. The five-week-old cub is in excellent condition. ISSUE Scientists all over the world are working to find cures for diseases of the brain and nervous system. And often times they are using animals in their testing of new drugs and procedures. Proponents say animal testing is important since so little is known of the human brain. That makes computer modeling difficult. They say experiments with primates are a regrettable necessity. But animal rights activists argue that experiments on any animals are unethical and unnecessary. They say primates in particular have advanced nervous systems, which increases the likelihood that they will feel fear, pain and distress. They say animals should not be used in experiments, no matter what the reason. Well, we’d like to know what you think? “Should animals be used in research experiments?” Discuss this issue with your classmates after the show and then write to us with your opinions. MAILBAG We received almost three hundred responses to our issue question, :”Should Oscar Pistorius be allowed to compete in the Beijing Olympics?” The majority of you, 66 percent say yes he should be allowed to compete in Beijing. 26 percent say no; he should not be allowed to run in the Olympics. 8 percent are undecided. Some of you feel he would have an unfair competitive advantage. Mitchell V. of Fargo, North Dakota writes, “His bionic legs could give him an advantage… it would be like cheating.” Mandy G. of Mt. Solon, Virginia adds, “He has springs for legs which give him more power and speed.” And McKenna K. of Ticonderoga, New York says its not like he can’t compete somewhere else. McKenna writes, “There are the Paralympic Games made especially for people like Oscar who want to race.” The majority of you, however, feel Oscar Pistorius should be allowed to compete in the Olympic Games. Hayden O. of Stevens Point, Wisconsin writes, “He is still human, he still gets tired. He loves to compete and it’s not like his artificial legs make him run faster.” Shannon V. of Bondurant, Iowa agrees and writes, “It isn’t his fault he doesn’t have legs. He’s a good athlete, he should be able to do what he wants.” Erich K. of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin adds, “Everyone should have a chance at a sport, even if you are disabled.” Finally, Natalie H. of Pentwater, Michigan thinks there needs to be more tests, Natalie writes, “The International Association of Athletics Federations has only tested for two days. The IAAF needs more proof.” We look forward to your responses to our two latest questions: “Should foreign-born US citizens be allowed to run for President?” and “Should animals be used in research experiments?” If you would like to receive an Assignment: The World Press card, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. You may write to us here at Assignment: The World, Post Office Box three-zero-zero-twenty-one, Rochester, New York… one-4-6-zero-3… or you may contact us at the A-T-W website at http://atwonline.org. We also read e-mail at atw@wxxi.org POP QUIZ #2 In our story about Condoleezza Rice’s visit to Colombia, we told you she was there to promote a… 1. trade pact 2. tourism agreement 3. festival And the correct answer is number one, Condoleeza Rice was trying to win support for a trade pact between the United States and Colombia NEW CLUES And now it’s time for next week’s clues in the news… Our first clue a location… 33 degrees, 58 minutes north latitude 91 degrees, 58 minutes west longitude Our second clue is a fill in the blank…it is two words. First word A blank R blank C blank N Second word Blank N blank O blank And finally, our third clue is a scrambled letter clue. It is two words. First word. E B A N I R S Second word O T E V These are clues to stories we think will happen in the coming weeks. You can find the answers on radio and television newscasts and in newspapers and newsmagazines. We’ll reveal the answers on next week’s show. Good luck! GOOD-BYE And that’s it for this week’s show. For all of us here at Assignment: The World, I’m Teej Jenkins. We’ll see you again next week. © 2008 WXXI-TV/ Assignment: The World. All Rights Reserved.