Political News: Spending cuts: It's about to get weird

Who: Federal Agencies
What: Will be forced to make cuts to their budgets
When: Starting Friday
Where: All over the USA
Why: "Because Congress never passed a budget, just a stopgap funding measure that expires soon" and the agencies don't know how much money they have
How: President Obama said automatic tax cuts could be possible back in 2011 to reduce the deficit
Connection to Heritage: Parents of students who work for governement agencies will be taking a payroll cut




http://money.cnn.com/2013/02/27/news/economy/spending-cuts/index.html?hpt=po_c1

US News - Bionic Eye

The FDA has recently approved a new procedure that will allow some blind people, who suffer from retinitis pigmentosa to be able to see (sense?) dark and light. The device includes a pair of futuristic looking glasses with a camera and a surgically implanted human made retina in the eye.

CNN chose in their article to discuss the disease and the new device, Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System, in a more scientific way with commentary from scientists that helped to create it. Dr. Greenberg talked about how the device's technology will help future advances in brain electrodes in the cerebral cortex fixing sight from all causes - disease and old age.

Forbes chose to report on how the device is futuristic-looking and includes exact words from the FDA on their press release. The FDA's press release stated that 19 out of 30 patients had no extreme issues to the surgery or to the device. They also stated that the device is one of a kind and at the moment is safe enough to get. Forbes also embedded a video about how the device works.

Yahoo also took a futuristic approach at first to catch the attention of readers then switched to a scientific view of the device and its intended uses. Yahoo also reported on the use of electrical stimulation to one day restore vision; they chose to mention that the electrical impulses could damage brain tissue causing more problems too.

All in all, Forbes, Yahoo, and CNN reported on the FDA's approval of the Argus II system that will help correct blindness in patients who suffer from retinitis pigementosa.

Articles Used:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/19/health/fda-bionic-eye/index.html?hpt=us_t5

http://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2013/02/14/fda-approves-first-bionic-eye/

http://news.yahoo.com/bionic-eye-turns-off-dark-191529257.html

US News -- Christopher Dorner Manhunt Come to an End?

 The news story gripping the West Coast is the story of Christopher Dorner. Christopher Dorner was an LA police officer who started a personal vendetta against the uniform last week killing cops and family members of cops. Dorner started his killing spree early in February driven by his anger over his "unfair termination".
The manhunt for Dorner came to an end (?) on Tuesday when two wardens spotted his car and chased him in Big Bear Creek California. A gun fight ensued after the car chase and remains in the charred cabin are believed to be those of Dorner.

Who: Dorner
What: is believed to be dead after remains were found in the cabin where the gunfight was
When: Tuesday
Where: Big Bear Creek, California
Why: Dorner started a killing spree early in Febraury after being terminated from his post. A country wide manhunt ensued
Connection to Heritage: Similar events have happened in the US and students at Heritage have practiced performing drills







Article Used:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/13/us/lapd-manhunt/index.html?hpt=us_c1

World News - New Delhi Rape Case

The trial is beginning for a young woman gang raped in December in New delhi. This case is sparking calls for stricter laws on sexual assault and changes in attitudes towards women.

Because of a legal gag order the name of the girl and her family can not be released.

Many news stations have been covering this story since it happened over a month ago. Just this week with the start of the upcoming case, police and soldiers roam the streets and are posted in areas where the case may cause riots.

While many news groups are reporting the brutality of the case, ABC News chose to tell the life story of the girl and the conditions women face in India. The victim of the rape grew up in a struggling family with her father working as a washing machine mechanic and a security guard; he brought home $220 a month. She wanted to help her family get out of poverty; the 23 year old woman wanted to become a doctor. Despite money problems, the girls father worked hard to send his children to school. By ninth grade, his daughter was working to pay for her own schooling by tutoring students. The father of the victim described her as the head of the family. The father even stated, "now that she is gone I can't even see tomorrow clearly."

A News Group in the UAE chose a different approach to the story. They reported some of the witnesses testimonials from the case as well as dictated a very graphic reenactment of the gang rape incident. The story had to be translated online from Arabic to English and was at times hard to follow.

CNN is choosing a to talk about different aspects of the case in a non in-depth format. However, they did focus on the fact the soldiers have been posted in various locations throughout the city in order to prevent uprisings. The riots are coming from the laws quickly passed last week about sexual assault that thousands feel are not strong enough and need to be rewritten.

Overall, all three news organizations reported the same story on the same day, but all of them reported different views on it.





Stories Used:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/05/world/asia/india-gang-rape-trial/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/fatal-gang-rape-shatters-indian-familys-dreams-18390310

http://www.emirates247.com/news/delhi-gang-rape-victim-s-friend-testifies-girl-died-but-awakened-nation-says-father-2013-02-06-1.489766