Ryan Evans

National:
Michelle Johnson, who was the mother to a young girl known for years as "Precious Doe" has pleaded guilty to second degree murder. This was a plea agreement in which Michelle would testify against husband Harrell Johnson, who is charged with first degree murder and could be facing the death penalty. It was suspected that H. Johnson was high when he kicked his stepdaughter, Erica Green AKA Precious Doe, and left her to die. Michelle J. did nothing to help and tampored with evidence. After Erica died, Harrell decapitated her and threw her in a forest adjacent to Kansas City, where she was later found. The mother Johnson is expected to receive twenty-five years in prison instead of life.

Opinion:
Wow, this is quite disturbing. How could someone decapitate and kill someone, let alone their own daughter, or stepdaughter. Once again, the drug epidemic is showing itself. This so called "father" deserves death. He is absolute scum. Also, the mother is not much better, leaving her daughter to die. Great parenting. This just makes me sad, but it makes me all the more angry. Honestly, justice will not bring her back to life.

National:
As if New Orleans has not been through enough in the past few years, traces of Afrikanized killer bees have been found near the city. A swarm was captured about five miles from where another colony had been found in January. State agriculture commissioner Bob Odom said they might have flown in via passing ship or barge. The source cannot be identified, but Odom told the people to exercise caution while walking outside. These bees have the reputation for being bigger than average bees, but in fact they are smaller. However, they are much, much fiercer, which is expected.

Opinion:
This is a bit auspicious. Insects terrify me to no end, so this comes as a bit of a shock. I hate all flying pests, but these bees are a bit scary. They always move in packs, and have indeed been to known to kill, hence the name 'killer bees.' I truly feel for the locals which have to deal with this, and who have to constantly watch their back. My only advice would be to "bee aware." Haha, no pun intended.

International:
Apparently, there was a four-hundred and ninety karet diamond found in a mine in the south-African country of Lesotho today. It was said that it is the eighteenth largest diamond in the world. It was found in the Lets'eng Diamond Mind, which is situated high in the mountains. Over the past two or so years, there have been diamonds discoverd which sold for about eight to twelve million dollars. This country seems to be a diamond in the rough. This particular mine is owned seventy percent by the government. I am sure that this country has all of its priorities in line, while holding such ventures.

Opinion:
What an amazing discovery! Diamonds are very interesting, but also quite lucrative. Such governments, almost exclusively in Africa, place much importance on these diamond mines. Diamonds are in fact worthless in a sense, because there are diamond vaults in Europe which hold millions of diamonds. If they were all released, diamonds would then in fact become worthless. Honestly, diamond mines promote exploitation and unsanitary work conditions for its workers, and tear countries apart. Anyway, Lesotho is a country which has been devastated by AIDS, poverty, and high-unemployment. It is a good thing the government has its priorities in order.

International:
Indonesia was shaken by a series of monumental earthquakes on Thursday. The quakes lasted a little less than twenty-four hours. The ocean hit the Indonesian shoreline with about ten foot waves. Hundreds of homes were destroyed and at least ten people were found dead. The residents were sent running for the hills. The most powerful quake registered at 7.8 on the richter scale, and it was off the coast of Sumatra. Indonesia issued several earthquake warnings throughout the day after a 6.2 magnitude quake occured along the ocean floor. These quakes have been the strongest to hit SouthEast Asia all year.

Opinion:
These earthquakes are unfortunately a quirk of nature. They are obviously much more freqent around the Pacific, and Southeastern part of Asia. These countries abide near the pipelines. As we all remember the horrible tsunami which hit a few years ago, we should be thankful( weird to say) that this series of quakes was not nearly as devastating. These unfortunate countries can only brace for what may come in the future.