Belgium Deploys troops to Guard Against Attacks

On Saturday, Belgium stationed hundreds of troops to stand guard at possible terrorism targets. Belgium's defense minister said it was due to deadly raids on an Islamist cell. He also said that up to 300 soldiers will be stationed outside locations such as the Israeli and U.S embassies, and outside NATO and UN institutions. This level of security will continue until Thursday, when the Nations threat level will be reviewed. The threat level was raised to 3 out of 4 after two police were shot dead by armed Islamist Gunmen. Belgium's defense minister explained that they are guarding a Jewish museum due to an attack it faced last year which resulted in 4 dead. The minister also said that there would be soldiers in Antwerp as it is the second largest city in Belgium and has a large Jewish population.

I am glad that county's are on high security because there has been many tragedy's lately, in which for the most part country's were not prepared. I think that having this level of security will make any planned attack be reconsidered as they will be prepared this time. I hope that there is no attack as any attack would probably have casualties in the outcome for both sides. Lastly I think other countries should be mimicking this level of security, just to be safe

Terrorist Attack on Paris 12 Dead

This Tuesday in Paris a group of masked gunmen stormed a newspaper office yelling "allahu akbar." Before escaping they managed to kill 12 people. This marks the most deadly attack on France in the last two decades. French President Francois Hollande says that the attack on the Charlie Hebdo weekly "a terrorist attack without a doubt", that Muslims frequently condemn the newspaper, and that recently there have been several other attacks on France. There has been no immediate claim on the attack. Since the attack France has raised its security level to the highest level and has reinforced security for other media sources, stores and other important buildings. World leaders such as President Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemn the attack, but supporters of the Islamic State celebrated the killings as well-deserved revenge against France.

Anytime I  hear something like this I get really upset. I cannot believe that something like this can happen not even a month after the hostage taking in Sydney. I am knowledgeable of the fact that Charlie Hebdo was writing satirical articles that were questionable but that does not justify killing them, as they had freedom of speech. As the famous saying goes two wrongs don't make a right. I am glad that Paris and many other countries in Europe who have faced terrorist attacks before, are raising their level of security.

Enormous Car Crash in Michigan

On Friday a huge car crash in Michigan has resulted in at least one dead, and six cars and commercial trucks were set afire in a pileup of 50 to 70 vehicles. This accident occurred 10 miles east of Kalamazoo  Michigan on interstate 94 at about 10:00 am. To make things worse a Semi Truck carrying fireworks was spotted near one of the trucks that was on fire, so emergency crews are trying to extract the truck before things get even worse. This has marked the worst accident of the three day storm.

Issues like these really make you think twice about not getting snow-tires put on your car. I can almost guarantee that one of the first cars to collide didn't have snow tires. I think that after this people in Michigan, knowledgeable of the fact that they are having a three day snow storm, will definitely purchase snow-tires for they're car or even semi-truck. Although snow-tires are not enough, you really have to go slower in the winter when there's snow on the ground because it is really hard for your car to get traction. I hope that no one else is found dead from the collision and I hope that the emergency crews are able to extract the truck with fireworks before things get even worse. 

Sydney Hostage Taker Identified

Today in Sydney, the hostage taker has been identified as an Iranian refugee named Man Haron Monis. Prior to this occurence, reports say he has been charged of sexual assault, and was known for sending hate letters to Australian soldier's families who had died overseas. Man Haron Monis was hiding in the cafe up to 15 hours after the initial raid. On the upside of things 5 hostages have escaped from the cafe, but unfortunately as far as reports from earlier today in Sydney go there should be around 8-9 more hostages still being held hostage.

One really sad aspect of this unfortunate event, is that the perpetrator is a refugee, someone who was let into the country. Just hearing about what he's done in the past is sad in itself. I hope that he will soon be detained by police and that all hostages escape.

Social Media Goes Crazy After 12 Year-old Suicide

Ronin Shimizu, a Californian boy, with a great passion for cheerleading and fashion, committed suicide after being previously bullied for years. Since his death, Social Media has blown up with post-death sorrow, outrage, and numerous tributes, as the well as the creation of the memorial web-page Go Fund Me Page, that was able to  raise $10 000 dollars in just two days. Shortly after his death occurred a # was made called #RIPRonin. A similar case occurred in October in Texas when Peyton James, after being bullied since grade 2 committed suicide. 

In my opinion, things like these shouldn't happen. All humans should be treated equally and with the same respect, no matter who they are, how they dress, what they like, what they do etc. We hear so often about how children across the North America are being bullied to a point where they commit suicide, but there is not any drastic changes being made to bullying on social media. 

Canada Winter Forecast Update

Environment Canada is expecting from now until March warmer than usual, throughout the entire country thanks to El Nino, states senior Canadian climatologist. Dave Phillips from CBC says that the good news is that there is no area with a significant population that will suffer extreme weather. Dave Phillips also mentioned that a supercomputer in Montreal has confirmed that the weather will be more mild than last year. That is not saying much as last year was one of the longest and coldest winters on record. Phillips says that the main reason for the milder forecast this winter is El Nino, the warming of the pacific ocean that occurs every 4-12 years.

One good thing I'm sure many Canadian's are taking from all of this is that will for sure not be another ice storm this year. I for one am not too pleased about this winters forecast, at least thus far. Winter is 100% my second favorite season and the fact that there is no snow on the ground yet troubles me. I guess I'm happy that there is no chance of an Ice Storm this year, because losing power isn'
t fun, but I don't like lack of snow this year.

Canadian Teacher in Indonesia Accused of Child Abuse

Jackarta Indonesia, a Canadian teacher and his assistant are on trial after being accused of sexually abusing a kindergarten student at the international school. 60 teachers and parents of students at the school protested outside the South Jakarta District Court supporting the accused teachers. The names of the accused are Neil Bantleman,  and Ferdinant Tjiong. Five janitors at the school are being tried on the same allegations. The family of the victim is suing the school for $130 dollars. Supporters of Bantleman and Tjong say this is the sixth time these type of allegations at the school.

I think that the fact that 6 allegations of this type have been made at this school is both good for the accused and bad for them. It could be considered good because it makes it look like the accusations are false and and just trying to get money from suing teachers. It could also be considered bad because it makes it look like something like sexual assault isn't too rare at that school. I also find it very strange how many cases there are. I mean the school also has five other janitors at the school who are currently being tried at the same time as Bantleman and Tjong. In cases like these I really hope that the verdict given by the court is the right one.