Towards the end of Apartheid one of the major influences of the ending of it and the binding of both black and white people was the Springbok rugby team. I believe this was true both because the legacy of the team followed that of the trials Africa, especially South Africa had gone through. Also, something as simple as the symbol on their jerseys or hats also represented a common ground and understanding between both races. When Mandela wore the Springbok hat it was representative of the black acceptance of the whites and since Mandela represented most of the South American blacks he was able to exemplify that they were willing to accept and share their cultures. I think another main reason rugby helped was because it was the country's team not just a team therefore the entire country was bonded to it and was going to root for them. Having a black player on the team also helped because he helped represent the black community compared to just having all white members. The team was a microcosm of South Africa and the team's acceptance of the black teammate showed that South Africa and Africa as a whole could too.

North Korea warns it will meet war with 'all-out war'

After an anti submarine exercise by South Korea, North Korea responded that it would retaliate with all out war or more confrontation. There has been high tensions since North Korea shot a torpedo at a southern ship and killed over forty people. The KPA or Korean's People Army has been making changes to confront the "all out war."

North and South Korea's tension has been of global importance for many years and technically the Korean War has never ended so it would be a significant event if one side attacked the other which would then affect their reputation or further worsen them from the opposing view. Their are many alliances with both countries and if either fell into war many other countries would follow.

U.S. military: Air strike kills senior Taliban leader

After a precision air strike by the United States one of the two senior Taliban leaders was killed in Kandahar. The U.S. has been tracking Haji Amir until he stopped at a mud hut and the strike was ordered on him and his followers. He escaped from prison in June 2008 and has been organizing attacks since. He returned to Afghanistan to organization strikes amongst them. On a search, the Afghan security force found a surplus of weapons and opium.

This event is globally important because it is very similar to the beginning of World War I. Killing a leader of an opposing country can easily wage war since they have such a large influence amongst their community. By affecting the community they can then avenge their leaders death and strike us back.

Tropical storm leaves more than 115 dead in Central America

Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were hit by a tropical storm over the weekend resulting in at least 115 casualties. Guatemala took the brunt force of the storm resulting in the most deaths, missing, and injured. Many people are now looking for shelter and help especially after the aftermath of rising rivers, loss of bridges, and mudslides. In Guatemala city the amount of water was so torrential that it created a sink hole the size of an intersection that swallowed a building. 3,500 people have been evacuated and nearly the same amount have been taken into shelters.

Within recent years we have witnessed many natural disasters that have taken a toll on on many different lives and cultures. We cannot seize to notice the power of mother nature and allow us to recognize it as a insignificant part of the world. We spend more time reviewing our own personal powers while we do not pay attention to what the world is doing around us and the affect it could have on us. If we do not change this soon many more lives can be lost.

Berlin Conference Reflection

One paragraph reflection on your groups performance and historical grab of land of Africa.

I thought we did very well regardless of the differences between our map and the actual Berlin conference. We put a plot of land towards the southern tip of Africa so it was accessible from the eastern side but we would still tap the raw resources and not be landlocked. Our second location was a port on Madagascar facing Africa and two more on the coast of Africa, therefore controlling the water way inbetween which would most likely serve for greater importance to control what went through that area. I thought our decision was more efficient than the actual since it was closer and we also had some tie to Madagascar.


You will identify who won, who lost, who did better or worse than expected.

I think the most prominent groups were France because they were very similar to the actual event and although their land was not important for resources at the time they would now be controlling a large amount of undiscovered oil. They were also very close to their home country which would be more efficient for an empire compared to an interspersed land ownership. I think we could have won as well because we had a good compromise between having the most amount of ports and on the eastern side to the best of its ability which would be having ties to Madagascar and resources.

Translate your in class experience to real life, how did the Berlin Conference effect Africa? Is its impact still being felt today?

The Berlin Conference effected Africa because it basically tore it apart in the most materialistic fashion in history. European nations wanted it merely for its resources and the power it came with. They were not concerned with the citizens or the effect it would have on their future and culture. I think the Conference added to the creation of many of the problems we see today as well as a lot of the flourishing. Obviously many people were torn apart but also, the areas with the closest ties to their home country adapted to be more like them like Morocco and France. This is an example of it still being seen today.

"The Scramble for Africa"

What comes to mind when you see "The Scramble for Africa"?

The quote revolves around the Berlin Conference. Africa was being divided and split regardless of what the Africans wanted. The Conference was a meeting between European nations about Africa but Africa was not present. The quote represents both sides. The Europeans were "scrambling" to carve up and claim Africa. The Africans were also trying to contain their culture and land as it was being swiftly taken from them.