Friday, May 18, 2012
You are here
Week of December, 08 2011
Visit the Episode Page
OPEN/WELCOME
C1 & C2/STS>8-7 NR
Hi and welcome to Assignment: The World for the week of December 8th, I’m Elissa Orlando. Teej has the week off.
Our top story this week… European leaders come together to solve the finical crisis in Europe.
TOP STORY
S 8-8
European Debt Crisis
48 degrees 52 minutes N
2 degrees 20 minutes E
AP-5A, 3P
On Monday French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met in Paris to prepare for a critical meeting of European Union leaders. The officials are expected to agree on a major plan to tackle the region's debt crisis.
Observers expect to see a proposal for tighter integration of the 17 countries that use the euro, especially on budget matters. New punitive measures against countries that fail to adhere to tough budgetary rules are also expected to be included in the proposal.
Meanwhile, in Italy, Prime Minister Mario Monti presented his proposal for taxes and spending cuts that total up to 41 billion dollars over two years. The majority of these cuts will come from the restructuring of Italian workers’ pensions and increasing the retirement age.
All of these meetings and proposals stem from the concern by European nations about a financial collapse that could affect all of Europe.
punitive(adj): intended to punish someone or something.
ATW FACT
S 8-8 The euro was lunched on January 1, 1999, but did not become a valid currency until July 1, 2002. There are currently 17 out of the 27 countries in the European Union that use the euro as their form of currency including Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, and the Netherlands.
Source: The BBC
INTRO REST OF THE NEWS
C2/8-7 NR/ S 8-8
In the rest of the news this week…
- Vice President Biden visits Greece
- Russia holds parliamentary elections
- And world leaders come together to discuss the future of Afghanistan.
#2-Afghanistan Foreign Forces
50 degrees 44 minutes North
7 degrees 05 minutes East
AP-5A,4P,4A
The United States and other nations came together on Monday during the Bonn Conference on International Development Policy in Germany. The attending nations vowed to keep supporting Afghanistan until foreign forces leave the country in 2014.
Afghanistan currently faces Taliban-led rebellions and a possible financial collapse.
The Bonn Conference is focused on the transfer of security responsibilities from international forces to Afghan forces during the next three years, long-term prospects for international aid and a possible political settlement with the Taliban.
About 100 countries and international organizations are represented at the conference. The attendees are hoping to agree on a set of common, necessary commitments under which Afghanistan would promise reforms and work toward goals.
Afghanistan is economically dependent on foreign aid and spending related to the huge military presence, currently totaling about 130,000 international troops. The country seeks assurance that donor nations will help fill the gap after most forces leave by 2015.
prospects (n): an opportunity for something to happen in the future
#3—Russian Elections
55 degrees 45 minutes N
37 degrees 35 minutes E
AP-5A, 4P, 4A
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told supporters on Monday that results from the weekend’s parliamentary elections showed that the polling was fair and democratic.
He denounced accusations that Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's United Russia party relied on administrative clout to maintain its majority in the lower chamber of the Russian parliament.
With about 96 percent of precincts counted, the Central Election Committee said United Russia wasleading with 49.5 percent of the vote.
United Russia is still expected to retain its majority in the lower house, with 238 of the Duma's 450 seats. As for Putin, he is all but certain to win next March's presidential election, but Sunday's vote badly dented his image.
The change in parliament reflects a strong public frustration with the lack of political competition, corruption of officials and the gap between rich and poor.
clout (n): the power to influence or control situations
#4—Vice President Biden visits Greece
37 degrees 59 minutes N
23 degrees 44 minutes E
AP-4P
US Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Athens last week for a two-day visit during which he met with Greece's political leadership as the country faces an unprecedented financial crisis.
On Monday, Biden met with Greek President Karolos Papoulias, Prime Minister Lucas Papademos and the leaders of the two major political parties.
This was Papademos' first meeting with a senior US official since he was appointed last month.
Greece’s government faces challenges restarting emergency loan payments and securing a massive, new rescue deal from “Eurozone” countries and the International Monetary Fund.
unprecedented (adj): not done or experienced before
POP QUIZ #1 S 8-8
In our second story what did we say world leaders were coming together for in Germany . . .was it?
1.) The future of Afghanistan
2.) The future of the euro
3.) The future of America
The correct answer is number one. The United States and other nations came together to discuss the future of Afghanistan.
OLD CLUE # 1—LOCATION –. Seoul, South Korea
C2/8-7 NR & DEKO
Now it’s time for the answers to last week’s clues in the news.
Decko & 8-8
Picture –Korea_Law Find the location of our first clue and you get Seoul, South Korea
Last week South Korea’s president signed laws that were needed to create a free trade deal with the United States. The bills signed by South Korea include matters such as fair trade, monopoly regulations, and local taxes. The United States approved the deal last month after years of debate with South Korea.
OLD CLUE # 2— SCRAMBLED CLUE – American Airlines
Decko & 8-8
Picture- American Airlines
Unscramble the letters of our second clue and you get American Airlines.
The parent company of American Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection last week seeking relief from high debt and crushing fuel prices. The company has also recently replaced its CEO and will cut back on its flight schedule while it reorganizes.
OC #3 – FILL IN THE BLANKS- Vice President
Decko & 8-8
Picture –Biden Fill in the blanks of our third clue and you getVice President.
Vice President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Iraq last week to focus on a new relationship that will start between the two countries after the American forces have left. During his visit Biden also talked about the administration’s promise to end the war and thanked both the U.S. and Iraqi troops for their hard work and sacrifice.
THIS WEEK IN WORLD HISTORY
S 8-7
December 5th, 1933
The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment and bringing an end to prohibition in the United States. Prohibition or the “manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes," was written up in the 18th Amendment and was passed in Congress in 1919. By the start of the 1930’s Americans started to disapprove of prohibition because of the organized crime and costs that surrounded it.
Source: History.com
Check it Out Intro
C2/8-8 GREY
Some people have limitations that can affect the way they live their lives. This week we take a look what you can do if you have allergies or asthma that keep you from exercising. Check it out.
Check it Out
S 8-7
(Anna)
If you have a cold or the flu, you should probably stay inside and rest. But, what if you've got something that won't go away?
(Dr. Stephen Cook)
Allergies occur when your body starts attacking something that isn't actually dangerous, like plant pollen or cat hair, and they can trigger symptoms similar to when you have a cold. You might start sneezing, your nose might run, or you could have itchy, watery eyes. If you do have allergies, symptoms could continue for months, weeks, or even years, much longer than a cold. So if you want to stay healthy, you'll need to exercise even if you have allergies.
(Anna)
With a little help from your doctor, you can control many types of allergies, especially those from the air outside. Your doctor might give you medicines, or tell you to play outside only at certain times of the day, all of which can reduce allergy symptoms, so you can get back to actually enjoying exercise. But what about something like asthma? Should you still play outside or do sports?
(Dr. Stephen Cook)
Asthma is a serious and chronic disease that affects your lungs. It can cause things like sleeping problems, coughing fits, and even scary situations when it feels like you can't breathe. Because asthma is sometimes triggered by physical activity, many people think that kids with asthma can't exercise or participate in organized sports. But that's absolutely not true; anything other kids can do, kids with asthma can usually do too, as long as they take good care of themselves and are prepared for an asthma attack. And be sure to clear it with your doctor before starting any sports.
ISN’T IT COOL
S 8-7
AP- 4A
US military forces may be preparing to leave Iraq, but a diehard group of Iraqi sportsmen have ensured that one American national pastime will remain: baseball. The players' passion for the American game has kept them playing despite hardships - they have no money to spend on equipment, but American and Iraqi sponsors have donated baseball gear and funding over the years. The US State Department nourished the team's interest in the sport, sponsoring them on a ten day trip to the US in May of 2010 to watch professional teams play the game.
ISSUE ANSWERS DUE MONDAY, January 9th.
C1/8-8 BLUE & DEKO
With the holiday season upon us and the New Year approaching quickly, many media organizations are starting to look back on the news highlights of this year to decide, what was the most noteworthy of 2011?
The past year has been full of newsworthy moments – the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the Occupy Movements, the announcement of our troops coming home from Iraq, and the death of Osama bin Laden – just to name a few.
There have been so many significant news stories in 2011 that choosing only one can be very challenging. Here at Assignment: The World, we’d like to know what you think.
“What has been the most important newsmaker or issue of 2011?” Remember, your answer is not limited to people or events alone. It can be anything that has made it into the news this past year….a person, place, or thing.
Discuss this with your classmates after the show and write to us with your opinions.
Mail Bag
DEKO & C1/8-8 BB
We received over 350 responses to our issue question: “Do you think print reading materials will be replaced by e-readers?” The majority of you, 54 percent, say no while 42 percent say yes. 4 percent were undecided.
William from Waukesha, Wisconsin writes “I think that e-readers will replace printed books in a generation or so because of their spatial efficiency and financial benefit . . I do think it would be interesting to have my science, math, spelling, and social studies books all in one.”
Jade from Oelwein, Iowa writes“ . . I own two [e-readers] and I think they're much more fun for children. I personally think they're better. It doesn't take that much money to buy a book on the e-readers. They also save trees.”
Still most of you feel that electronic readers will not replace printed materials.
Jayce from Oneida, New Yorkwrites “I don't think that e-readers will replace any type of printed materials. I think that lots of people will use e-readers because they like it, but the people that have always read books, will most likely keep reading them.”
Brielle from Jamestown, North Dakotawrites “ . . .A lot of people like reading books, magazines, and newspapers. There will still be libraries. Most people want e-readers to takeover, but have they thought of how much money they cost? What about school books? It will cost the school all of its money, and more to get those e-readers for every student in school.”
Matt from Greece, New York writes “ . . some people can’t afford e-readers like schools and hospitals. Books don’t cost as much and they don’t run on batteries.”
Shayla from Jamestown, North Dakotaadds “ . . . print reading materials last longer if you take care of them properly. One e-reader's batteries might die out or you might damage them.”
We look forward to your responses to our latest questions:
“Do you think that standardized tests like the SATs should still be used to determine what schools students can attend?” and “What has been the most important newsmaker or issue of 2011?”
We’ll some of the more thought provoking letters and emails on air.
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 atwonline dot org.
We also read e-mail at atw@wxxi.org.
POP QUIZ #2
S 8-7
In our last story where did we say Vice President Biden was visiting . . was it?
1.) Germany
2.) Greece
3.) Italy
The correct answer is number two. Vice President Biden was in Greece for two days to discuss the financial crisis.
NEW CLUES
C2/8-8 NR & DEKO
Normally in this part of the show we give you the clues in the news for the upcoming week, but today we are doing something a little different. Next week Assignment: the World will have a special episode on high school dropout rates in America. We will be featuring students that have struggled with the choice of staying in school or dropping out and the consequences of their choices. ATW will see you back here at the start of the New Year with our regular news program. We hope that all of our viewers have a wonderful and safe holiday.
GOOD-BYE
C2>C1/STS & DEKO
S 8-7
And that’s it for this week’s show. From all of us here at Assignment: The World, I’m Elissa Orlando. Happy holidays!
