How can a U.S. Senator convince the public he’s the man for the job? That question is answered again and again in David E. Owen‘s comprehensive article on Cleve Tidwell, who’s running for Colorado Senator. In a public meeting, Tidwell discusses his ideas on reshaping America, where he sees the economy going and his view on immigration policy. David was there to capture all the quotables, and even snapped a few pics of Tidwell hobnobbing with Colorado folk. Great job, David!
Salim Jiwa once again accumulates info straight from the police in an article about an Alberta man killed in a horrendous avalanche. We learn what caused the accident, what motivated the man to hike in the area and the nearby road closures. When Digital Journalists fill a crime report with quotes from a police source, we believe everyone wins.
By now, you might have heard about South African president Jacob Zuma’s marriage to a fifth woman. Helping us dissect this odd story is Christopher Szabo, who interviewed an ethnologist about this tradition. The article goes in depth to probe Zuma’s reasoning behind marrying a fifth woman, so check out the interview to get educated on something we don’t normally get taught in school.
The stormy weather continues to be a pressing concern for people all over the world, and in quaint London, Ontario, Ken Wightman tells us how those citizen are coping. He adds some great photos to go along with his editorial, and even details road closures (important info to drivers who might’ve stumbled upon the article). Somehow, reading Ken’s article makes you feel colder, even if more informed.
See below for several other stories making headlines:
• U.S. General wants Muslim men to be strip-searched at airports by Andrew Moran: Now that’s a headline to catch your attention! Andrew reports on a former U.S. general and a member of the Iran Policy Committee saying Muslim men should be strip-searched at airports in light of Christmas Day almost-bombing. John Rickman was having none of it, commenting, “What a wonderful way to alienate even more of the world and make the US look like a bumbling, helpless giant, bigot and bully.”
• Pet Dog Saves BC Child From Attacking Cougar by Derek Leschasin: When cougars attack, it’s serious business. But a retriever came to the rescue of a boy attacked by the feral animal, and the pet dog wounded himself in the line of duty. The cougar was eventually shot. Officials believe the boy’s life would have definitely been threatened if the dog hadn’t stepped into the fray.
• US study says smacking kids helps them by Paul Wallis: “…research states that children smacked up to the age of six were likely to do better, in fact, at school, and more likely to do volunteer work, want go to university, and other signs of higher participatory involvements.” Hmm, not the kind of study you’d expect, but Paul breaks down the no-smack theory and this new finding, explaining the reasoning behind both. He concludes: “Child psychology might want to look at providing clearer arguments for its cases.”
• Study: Mars once had lakes made of melted ice by Bob Ewing: Was Mars warm enough to sustain lakes three billion years ago? What does that mean for future Mars exploration? Read Bob’s well-written article to find the answers to these questions, and feel free to comment.
• Japanese whale boat rams protest vessel, crew evacuate by Roderick Eime: Video of the week honours goes to this harrowing YouTube clip of a Japanese whaler ramming into a small boat protesting the whaling expedition. Watch as the front hull of the small ship gets destroyed and begins to sink. Word is the ship is unsalvageable.
• B.C., Saskatchewan Ban Cellphone Use While Driving by Derek Leschasin: Canadian roads just got a lot safer: two more provinces are banning talking-and-driving, joining provinces such as Ontario who outlawed cellphone use in cars several months ago. “Drivers in B.C. face a $167 fine if police catch them talking on the phone while driving,” Derek tells us. It’s not worth it, roadsters, just get a Bluetooth device.
• China to launch its own Hulu by Wang Fangqing: The U.S. has its own online video portal (free for Americans, mind you) and now China is planning its own version of Hulu. Wang reports the “project has so far received about $60 million USD in private funding and another $10 million USD will come from search engine Baidu.” That’s some big money, but it undoubtedly is serving a market hungry for free online TV and movie clips
• ‘Avatar’ surpasses $1 billion in worldwide revenue by Leo Reyes: James Cameron’s Avatar continues to break records, and Leo tells us it surpasses the $1 billion box-office mark. Doesn’t hurt when the 3D version of the film costs a bit more than the regular 2D version, right?
The Top Blog Post of the Week goes to Dark Horse for a set of photos that may truly make you gasp. His portraits of Guanajuato, Mexico offer a picturesque perspective into an unheralded area, and his writing wonderfully complements the visuals. We look forward to more stunning photography, Dark Horse!
