Eating Disorders in the Fashion Industry

Link to Article and Video

This article caught my eye.  It is not directly related to international news, I suppose, but is an international problem.  The report is about a book that was written by a vogue editor about the eating disorders in the modeling industry.  This is a topic I am a little passionate about because I have struggled with wanting to be anorexic and have many friends who have struggled as well.

I find it frustrating the unrealistic pressure we put on women (and men, I suppose) to be so skinny it is unhealthy.  Not only are the models unrealistically skinny, but after their photos are further photoshopped into "perfection."

I am grateful that my boyfriend is accepting of how I look and doesn't expect me to look like a model, however, it is interesting that it doesn't change how hard of a time I have maintaining a healthy and positive image of my body.  I get so angry when I look at the expectations of models and how those expectations dribble down into the general population.

Indian Peacekeepers Killed in Sudan

Link to Article

This article reported that 5 united nation peacekeepers were killed Tuesday in ambush in South Sudan.  The peacekeepers were originally from India and were there with 2,200 other Indian peacekeepers.  I was not aware the India was helping with the UN peacekeeping committee.  Apparently in the attack 5 Sudan civilians were killed, 4 others injured as well as several who are currently unaccounted for.

It is very unfortunate for the families of these peacekeepers to loose their family members when they were trying to help Sudan.  The fighting in Sudan is effecting so much.  Every time I read international news I just get overwhelmed for the United Nations and all they have to help with and keep track of.

Abortion Wo's in Ireland

Link to Article
Today the husband of a women who died because she was denied an abortion testified in Ireland.  Ireland currently does not allow an abortion unless the "life, but not just the health of the mother is at risk."  Apparently the women was informed the the fetus would not make it, but the fetus was not removed until it was dead.  The women died 4 days later from a blood infection.  The husband was the only one who testified today, later the doctors and other will also testify.

I am pretty conservative when it comes to abortion.  I view it very much like killing a baby.  However, it seems that any laws that do not take into account the life of the mother are too extreme.  It is very unwise to protect a new mothers health and is especially tragic in this case when the baby died any way.

Afgan Children Kill in US Airstrike

Link to Article

In accordance with the last several sad posts I've done, this article is about how an air strike on Saturday killed 10 children.  This airstrike was conducted by the American military and was suppose to be targeting a high-profile Taliban commander, Ali Kahn.  The strike was successful in killing their target as well as several other Taliban fighters, however 5 women were also injured and 10 children kill.  The news article claims the women and children were relatives of the Taliban commander. 

Being the ultra un-violent person that I am, I've never really understood killing in wars and such.  I always wish there was a better way to solve the problems.  It is especially hard, however when the killing involves children, who never hurt anyone.  

President Hamid Karzai had requested in February that their not be anymore airstrikes.  I'm unaware of how he feels about this, but it is probably a find line he walks on what he is willing to allow and what he is not.

Not Enough Relief for Refugees

Link to Article

This article reports on the Syrian refugees that have been seeking refuge in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.  This is caused from fighting in Syrian's capital Damascus that started back in March 2011.  Since this time the United Nations estimated that 3.6 millions have left the nation.

The United Nations has reported that the refugees could easily overwhelm the international humanitarian agencies.  They stated that if fighting intensifies in Damascus there could be a half million Palestinians who would join the already numerous refugees.  If this happens there is no way the refugee agency will be able to keep up.

Whenever I read stuff like this I remember why I didn't keep up on international news before this class. There are just so many things wrong with this world.  So many things that are not fixable, and on such a huge scale.  So much sadness and so much suffering that I can do basically nothing about.  I cannot imagine being in charge of the United Nations Humanitarian Agencies, what an overwhelming job.