Anna's Current Events Blog

In summary of the article “Bill Introduced to Forgive Student Loans After Five Years in Maine” by Laura Rosbrow-Telem, a new bill that was introduced in Maine aimed at forgiving people’s student loans if they live and work in Maine for 5 years. The purpose of this bill, as stated by State Senate Majority Leader Nate Libby, is to create the first student debt program in America and to help attract and retain young workers. This bill has been introduced before, but it didn't make it through the Senate. Libby is planning on pushing a $250 million bond rather than a tax credit. He says $250 million is a limit, and that the state of Maine would probably not have to pay more than that. At the time the article was written, there had not been a hearing for the bill, but it was expected to take place sometime in February.    My opinion on this article is that if it’s not going to cause Maine a ton of debt, it’s a good idea. As you may know, the average age in Maine is rising, ...

In summary of the article “Glaciers Are Retreating. Millions Rely on Their Water.”, the glaciers in Central Asia are shrinking. This will mean less future water for people and crops. Maria Shahgedanova, a glaciologist at the University of Reading, went to check on the glacier Tuyuk Su. This glacier is one of the most studied glaciers throughout history. It really helps scientists gauge the effect climate change is having on the earth. At the end of last summer, some researchers drew lines on a stake so they could see how much it melts the next year. This year, parts of the glacier are already 3 feet thinner. Due to the rising temperature, the melting seed has surpassed the accumulation of snow, which has been resulting in a net loss of ice. The melting glaciers all over the world are causing floods, and rising sea levels, disrupting natural ecosystems. The people in central Asia could face a crop shortage if the glacier retreats too much or melts completely.    My opi...

In summary of the article “Remarkable tale of Hitler's young Jewish friend”, an old photograph of Adolf Hitler and a young Jewish girl by the name of Rosa Bernile Nienau went up for auction. This picture helps tell an amazing story about the past. This is not just any propaganda photo, you can see real joy in both Hitler’s, and the little girl’s eyes. The image up for auction is even signed and dated by Hitler, and the little girl seemed to have added flowers on top of the black and white image after it was sent to her. It is said that they met on Hitler’s Alpine trip, and He discovered they shared a birthday. People believe he then invited Rosa and her mother up to his cabin, where the pictures were taken. They were able to maintain contact for up to 5 years via letter before the Nazi forces told Rosa and her mother to stop. Hitler did not fancy this, and even said that there are people who always find a way to spoil all of his joy. That was a year before WWII broke out. Sadly, R...

In summary of the article “The True Story Behind Hip-Hop Musical Hamilton”, the Broadway musical Hamilton is going on a tour of Europe. The author was summarizing the famous musical for foreign fans. Hamilton was written by Lin Manuel Miranda, and the first production ever was February 17, 2015. The first time the production went to Europe was December 6, 2017, in London. That was the start of the European tour they are currently in. The author of the article revealed a full rundown of the show and explained some things people in other countries may not understand the musical. In my opinion, I do not think the author should have revealed so much of the plot, considering the article is geared to people who haven't seen Hamilton yet. They even revealed how it ends! I think that in terms of explaining, the author did very well and it was an overall good idea. I do have to wonder if it is the same cast as the original who are touring, but I'm not sure. I am very excited about th...

In summary of the article “Bush’s Letter to Clinton Cemented a Presidential Tradition, Historians Say” by Julia Jacobs, there is an old presidential tradition of leaving a letter of support for the incoming commander in chief on Inauguration Day. In 2016, an image of president bush’s letter to Bill Clinton was widely publicized. Many commented that it was a “refreshing reminder of the potential for bipartisanship during a bitterly divisive campaign.” In the letter were words of encouragement for Bill. Every single departing president since Reagan has delivered a note or letter of wisdom and support on Inauguration day. Former President Barack Obama left President Donald Trump a note for his first day as well, and Trump had said it was a “thoughtful” and “Beautiful” letter.    Personally, I think this is a wonderful tradition. It shows the kindness of the former presidents, and I’m sure it also helps the new presidents get started. I can’t even imagine how difficult an...

In summary of the article “French Police Crack Down on ‘Yellow Vests’ With Tear Gas and Over a Thousand Arrests” by  Adam Nossiter, Alissa J. Rubin and Aurelien Breeden, the fourth weekend of anti-government protests turned violent in Paris, France on Saturday, December 2, 2018. People were burning cars, ripping down barricades from storefronts, smashing traffic signs and street lights, and much much more. Trying to quell the violence, the police forces were firing tear gas and water cannons into the crowds. These protesters call themselves “Yellow-Vests”. According to France’s minister, 118 “demonstrators” and 17 police officers were injured on the 2nd. Our very own US president withdrew from the battle to “return” money back to American people in the form of lower taxes.    Personally, I think it is crazy that France is in revolt in the first place. People there have resorted to such violence just to be heard by their government. It makes me wonder who’s ri...

      In summary of the article “The U.S. wants the Yemen War to End. Will, it Stop Selling Arms to Saudi Arabia?”, the US has the advantage to stop selling weapons to Saudi Arabia. We would do this to try and help end the Yemen War. A war which has pushed around 14 million people to the ‘brink of starvation’. Washington D.C. supports Saudi Arabia and its allies through billions of dollars in arms sales. According to Kristine Beckerle, a Human Rights Watch’s Yemen researcher, the best way to force Saudi Arabia to ‘change their ways’ is to stop sending weapons. To stop the abuse of weapons on Saudis part, “lawmakers included a provision in a defense bill requiring the administration to certify Saudi Arabia and its allies were trying to reduce civilian casualties in Yemen” They did this because, in August, they bombed a school bus, killing dozens of children.      My opinion is that the US should definitely stop providing them with weapons. Especially if the...