New Safeguards Agreed for World's Most Trafficked Mammal

Pangolins which are rarely known by people all over the world but in the way of extinction. Source: http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/D6CE/production/_91409945_4.jpg

Based on an article posted by BBC with the same title on September 28, 2016
Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37494823

Pangolins are scaly mammals which are active at night. There are eight species in total throughout Asia and Africa. They are a bit unpopular species, but they have become one of the most endangered animals in the world since the number of pangolins trafficking has reached 20 % of the total amount of species trafficking all over the world. People usually exploit their scales in conventional Chinese medication and eat their meat. 

Attempting to save Pangolins, some countries where pangolins inhabit held a CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) conference in South Africa. They have decided to forbid any illegal trade of pangolins in the world even if that agreement will be possibly rejected by some parties especially in Asia. That is because Asia has used pangolins as prominent products for years. 

Some myths in traditional medications have jeopardized a lot of animals in the world. In Indonesia, people still believe that rhinoceros’ horns bring good for humans’ health although it is not proved scientifically. As a result, people still hunt rhinoceros and make the number of them in the wilderness decrease. I suppose that even though some animals’ parts are indeed advantageous for human, people still cannot recklessly poach those species down for their own good.

Brexit: Italian PM Matteo Renzi Warns UK over EU Rights

 

Chancellor Merkel, President Hollande and Prime Minister Renzi are at the forefront of the EU's post-Brexit discussion. Source: http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/18294/production/_91046989_gettyimages-543301734.jpg

Based on an article posted by BBC with the same title on September 29, 2016

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-37502578

British people have decided to leave the EU. That final decision was taken based on a referendum held by David Cameron, the former prime minister of the UK. Matteo Renzi, the prime minister of Italy, considered Brexit to be a wrong decision that the UK has ever made. Despite the disappointment, he stated that he had to respect the British people’s decision just like what Theresa May, the UK prime minister, has said that the government have to appreciate democracy. 

Matteo Renzi promised to help the UK in the process of its departure from the EU. He is willing to help since the UK has to deal with a complicated and rigid process to walk out of the EU. Nevertheless, Matteo Renzi reminded British people that they will not get any privilege after leaving the EU. When the UK officially leaves the EU, they will discuss about Brexit negotiations relating to the single market as one of the EU regulations.

Politics issues happen in developed countries while there are war and violence occurring in some parts of the world. I am personally not sure the reason why the UK has chosen to get out of the EU, but I read that it was caused by some political agenda. I believe that the UK will find some difficulties after departing from the EU since most of European countries are members of the EU, and they are united in the single market. The UK will no longer have access in that single market which will bring harm for the UK.

Ugandan Police Block Gay Pride Parade

LGBTI people conducting gay pride parade in a resort out of the capital city. Source: http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/10D0C/production/_91367886_mediaitem84766979.jpg

Based on an article posted by BBC with the same title on September 24, 2016

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-37462627

LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or intersex) people had arranged a gay pride parade, and more than 100 people from the same community wanted to join it in Entebbe near Lake Victoria. However, in the middle of the celebration, police compel them to stop and go back to Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. They attempted to move into another place, but they were refused to do such an event.

Responding to that, the minister for ethics and integrity even menaced them by ordering some squads to attack them. That was not the first time for the LGBTI community to face similar problems and threats from the government. Homosexuality is indeed illegal in Uganda, but the same celebrations have been held for over four years without any intervention from the police. Consequently, this issue has attracted people’s questions and suspicions. 

Gay pride parade has been so popular recently. LGBTI people do this to urge the government for equality. I believe that all people can convey their thoughts and opinions without being ceased or even threatened. They have rights to do that as long as they do not harm others. I think there might be a hidden agenda of the Ugandan government.

Chibok Girls: Nigeria's Buhari Calls for UN Mediation

Schoolgirls who have been abducted by Boko Haram. Source: http://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/12FD1/production/91337818boko-blur-afp.jpg

Based on an article posted by BBC with the same title on September 22, 2016

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-37441722?intlinkfromulr=&linklocation=live-reporting-story

Muhammadu Buhari, the president of Nigeria, asked the UN to save 200 schoolgirls by negotiating with Islamist group Boko Haram as a mediator. He intended to exchange militants who are imprisoned for the girls kidnapped by Boko Haram. The president was desperate for UN’s help, albeit without any response from the UN yet. He stated that the Nigerian government always finds it difficult to conduct a negotiation as they cannot identify who the leader of Boko Haram is.

Not only the president of Nigeria who is fighting for the Nigerian girls, Michelle Obama who is the first lady in the United States and Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl who got Nobel prize for peace, are also attempting to save those girls through #BringBackOurGirls campaign. Those girls have been abducted since 2014 from a school in Chibok. It is known that some of those girls have been forced to marry some Boko Haram’s members, and the other girls even have been enslaved.

I think that it will be better for UN to fulfill the Nigerian president’s request. It is no longer about politics, but now it is all about what we call humanity. There are a lot of innocent girls that can be killed any time. Despite multi-national force against Boko Haram, it can still put those schoolgirls at risk. Therefore, I suppose that negotiation is the best way the UN can do for now to save the civilians.

Global Climate Deal Could Enter into Force in 2016

 

Ban Ki Moon as the UN Secretary-General in a meeting discussing about the global climate change agreement.                   Source: http://d2ouvy59p0dg6k.cloudfront.net/img/unphoto1566909.jpg

Based on an article posted by WWF with the same title on September 21, 2016

Source: http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?278810/Paris-climate-agreement-ratification-2016

According to Ban Ki Moon, the UN Secretary-General, Paris agreement about global climate change will be applied in 2016. The deal has received approval from 60 countries representing approximately 48 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. In spite of the satisfying progress that gives high hope for the implementation of the Paris agreement, some countries are still expected to ratify this convention and fulfill the rest of the percentage which has been targeted. 

Regine Guenther as WWF Interim Leader for Climate and Energy stated that as the agreement has got plenty of support from 60 countries by giving it approval, the convention has to be turned into real actions immediately. He added that we have to avoid procrastination since we are running out of time. Therefore, the funds, the capacity, and the programs are required to make the convention real. Besides the Paris agreement, those countries are expected to join the International Civil Aviation Organization for further action on capping and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

To make a better world, we all need to collaborate with each other. It is good to know that a lot of countries have taken part in the Paris agreement. Due to those countries awareness, the agreement is predicted to be implied this year. I hope that this convention to fight against global climate change will not stop only here, but that it is really conducted through real programs.