Large maps lie strewn across an oval, wooden table big enough to seat the 16 eighth-graders clamoring around it. As they discuss global issues — conflict, hunger, economics — the students tape small paper squares to the maps. Each square is stamped with symbols representing region-specific resources, such as a building with a dollar sign to denote economic institutions. The students are in the preliminary stages of the World Affairs Challenge, a statewide, competition-based program geared toward instilling global awareness in youths and teaching them how to engage in social issues through action. This year’s World Affairs Challenge theme is Smart Planet, a topic open to interpretation by participants. Over the next several months, students across Colorado will focus on a specific region of the world and a problem faced by its people. They’ll work together to create a solution to that problem, and in March, the students will present their work to … [Read more...] about Evergreen students solve real-world problems through World Affairs Challenge
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World’s wealthiest gain $1 trillion in 2017
The 500 richest people in the world saw their lucre increase by 23 percent this year, thanks to stock holdings, a ranking finds By Tom Metcalf and Jack Witzig, Bloomberg news Updated 9:03 pm, Wednesday, December 27, 2017 window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-3', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 3', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); Photo: David Ryder, Stringer Image 1of/3 CaptionClose Image 1 of 3 Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos has never shied away from price wars. Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos has never shied away from price wars. Photo: David Ryder, Stringer Image 2 of 3 WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 14: Jeff Bezos arrives at "The Post" Washington, DC Premiere at The Newseum on … [Read more...] about World’s wealthiest gain $1 trillion in 2017
Children were used as weapons and human shields in conflicts around the world in 2017
Shocking numbers of children were used as human shields in Syria and were among the hundreds of thousands of people driven from their homes in Myanmar in 2017. The forced marriage and rape of children were also used as wartime tactics amid world conflicts this year, a Thursday report from UNICEF revealed. Related: Why Myanmar Hates The Rohingya The report said that parties in the warring zones of Syria, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Yemen, South Sudan and Nigeria were "blatantly disregarding" international laws. Recruiting child soldiers and using children under the age of 15 is a war crime, as defined by the International Criminal Court. Keep up with this story and more “Children are being targeted and exposed to attacks and brutal violence in their homes, schools and playgrounds,” UNICEF Director of Emergency Programs Manuel Fontaine said in a statement. “As these attacks continue year after year, we cannot … [Read more...] about Children were used as weapons and human shields in conflicts around the world in 2017
Feeding the hungry was life’s work for ‘citizen of the world’ Mickey Leland
Tragic airplane crash in Ethiopia ended Houston lawmaker's promising career By Andrea Zelinski Published 8:09 pm, Monday, September 12, 2016 window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-5', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 5', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-10', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 10', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-15', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 15', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: … [Read more...] about Feeding the hungry was life’s work for ‘citizen of the world’ Mickey Leland
Brené Brown: A Houston social researcher gets the whole world talking about shame and vulnerability
'We have to allow ourselves to be seen, really seen,' UH social work professor says By Alyson Ward Updated 10:30 am, Thursday, October 20, 2016 window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-5', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 5', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-9', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 9', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); Photo: James Nielsen, Staff Image 1of/9 CaptionClose Image 1 of 9 Brene Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, writes and lectures on vulnerability, shame and courage. Brene Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston … [Read more...] about Brené Brown: A Houston social researcher gets the whole world talking about shame and vulnerability
Trump set for Hall of Presidents debut at Disney World
ORLANDO, Fla. — He nods. He speaks. He talks with his hands. He doesn’t tweet. He looks downright presidential. He’s animatronic Donald Trump, and he has made his debut in the Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom. Walt Disney World visitors got a sneak peek of the refurbished attraction with the Trump figure front and slightly off-center Monday afternoon. The attraction officially opens Tuesday, Disney said. Visitors in the park Monday afternoon were able to see the new figure and film. President Trump’s figure moved his head back and forth during the traditional roll call of leaders, motioned with his arms and gave a brief speech. The first part of his speech was a re-recording of the presidential oath of office. Then, with no small amount of his trademark talking with his hands, Trump — who recorded his words earlier this year — spoke about the spirit of the American people and the U.S. Constitution. “Above all, to be American is to be an … [Read more...] about Trump set for Hall of Presidents debut at Disney World
GM Jeff Bridich says 2018 Rockies capable of winning World Series
The question was bold and straight forward. The answer was equally bold. During Friday’s press conference at Coors Field to unveil relievers Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee as high-profile members of the Rockies’ rebuilt bullpen, general manager Jeff Bridich was asked the following: “As constructed right now, can this team win a World Series?” Bridich, without hesitation, replied: “Yes.” There was silence for a moment, before the follow-up question was asked. “What makes you so confident?” Laughter ensued before Bridich asked: “You want a little bit more than that answer?” Then Bridich spelled out his belief: “I think that there is an earned sense of belief, in the group. I think a lot of it comes from shared experiences, especially the last 24 months of our major-league team. “And I think the guys look around the clubhouse and know that it’s a good team. And it’s a good clubhouse. And it’s something … [Read more...] about GM Jeff Bridich says 2018 Rockies capable of winning World Series
U.S. dominates Denmark to open world junior championship
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Casey Mittelstadt got the United States off to a quick start in its title defense at the world junior hockey championship. Mittelstadt scored twice in the first period, Kieffer Bellows also had two goals and Joseph Woll made 17 saves to earn the shutout as the U.S. opened the tournament with a 9-0 victory over Denmark on Tuesday night. In other preliminary-round games, the Czech Republic upset Russia 5-4, Sweden beat Belarus 6-1 and Canada held on for a 4-2 win over Finland. Max Jones, Kailer Yamamoto, Patrick Harper, Andrew Peeke and Dylan Samberg also scored for the U.S., which had three goals in the first nine minutes. “We came out ready to go,” said Mittelstadt, the most recent first-round draft choice for the Buffalo Sabres. “We wanted to come out and score some goals and get our team going right away.” Mittelstadt’s second goal gave the U.S. a 5-0 lead late in the first period. “Every time Casey steps on the ice, we know … [Read more...] about U.S. dominates Denmark to open world junior championship
McCain is a tireless voice for democracy the world over
Many otherwise hard-boiled political reporters still fondly recall their moments with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., on the Straight Talk Express, the low-spin, laughs-filled campaign bus of his losing 2000 presidential try. My travel memories with the senator are no less evocative, if perhaps not quite as rollicking: slogging through a muddy refugee camp in Serbia, say, or listening to the anguished testimony of exiled Belarusian dissidents in a government building in Vilnius. Year after year, to no particular political advantage, McCain has traveled to distant, lightly touristed corners of the world, dragging along whatever senators or members of Congress he could, no matter their party or ideological persuasion. Meanwhile, the McCain Institute for International Leadership gives temporary shelter in Washington, D.C., and Arizona to democratic activists from those same distant corners. At a time when U.S. global leadership is in doubt as never before in the modern era, we have something … [Read more...] about McCain is a tireless voice for democracy the world over
These YouTubers turned their online fame into real world merchandise
From Rachael Ray to Ellen DeGeneres, celebrities have been frequent guests on home shopping television channels like QVC and HSN. Whether it's cookware or blankets, a celebrity's name on a product can translate into big bucks for retailers looking to profit in a changing economy. Now, the next generation of stars is taking a page from the same marketing playbook. Celebrities who made it big on YouTube are leveraging their online fame by branding their own merchandise to sell in the real world to their millions of followers. More than 1 billion hours of video are viewed on YouTube each day and, according to Forbes, the Top 10 YouTube stars earned a combined $127 million this year alone. "The smartest influencers know that their fame has a expiration date, and if they want to have a career out of this, they can't just be an influencer - they have to be bigger than that. They have to be a brand," … [Read more...] about These YouTubers turned their online fame into real world merchandise