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	• NEWS >> ATW Week of December 6, 2007 Yearly Script Program Index -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPEN/WELCOME Hi and welcome to Assignment: The World for the week of December 6th… I’m Teej Jenkins. Our top story this week a controversial election in Russia… TOP STORY- RUSSIA 55 degrees, 45 minutes north latitude 37 degrees, 35 minutes east longitude United Russia, Vladimir Putin’s political party, won a decisive victory in parliamentary elections. The results pave the way for Putin to maintain power even after leaving office next year. European election monitors, however, are saying the vote was unfair. They claim officials from United Russia brought “overwhelming influence of the president’s office and the president” on the outcome of the election. Opposition leaders accused the Kremlin of “rigging the vote”. The United States called for an investigation into voting irregularities. Reaction on the streets of Moscow has been positive. Supporters say that United Russia offered the best course of action for Russia. They say that the United States attempted to influence the elections… claims that show the increasing strain on relations between Russia and the U-S. President Putin has used Russia’s energy resources to restore Moscow’s political influence in the world. The election results will allow Putin to maintain leadership even after stepping down as President. influence (v) the action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions of another or others. ATW Fact The former Soviet Union dissolved in 1991 with Boris Yeltsin becoming the first President of the Russian Federation. Valdimir Putin succeeded Yeltsin as President in 1999. INTRO REST OF THE NEWS In the rest of the news this week… A climate conference opens in Bali Middle East peace delegates express optimism and Hugo Chavez loses an important vote. #2 - VENEZUELA 10 degrees, 30 minutes north latitude 66 degrees, 56 minutes west longitude It is being hailed as the first victory by opposition parties over Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in years. Voters in Venezuela voted down constitutional changes offered in a referendum that would have allowed Chavez to handpick local leaders in a redrawn political environment, suspend civil liberties in states of emergency and run for re-election indefinitely. Opposition leaders say the changes could have pushed their country toward a dictatorship. Calling the result a “photo finish” Chavez said that, unlike previous Venezuelan governments, he would respect the people’s will. Only about 56 percent of Venezuelans eligible participated in the election defeating the referendum by a 51 percent to 49 percent vote. Now, Chavez will not be allowed to run again when his term in office ends in 2012. Civil liberties (n) the freedom of a citizen to exercise customary rights, as of speech or assembly, without unwarranted or arbitrary interference by the government. #3 - ISRAEL 31 degrees, 46 minutes north latitude 35 degrees, 14 minutes east longitude Israeli and Palestinian delegates are expressing optimism following a formal agreement to resume peace talks in the Middle East. Both sides agreed to try to reach a peace deal in 2008. The agreement came from a three-day conference held in Annapolis, Maryland. Representatives from 44 nations took part, including Israel’s neighboring Arab states, whose participation is seen as key to any peace agreement. The agreement to restart peace negotiations ends a seven-year lull in talks. The United States promised to hold both sides accountable if they do not carry out agreed upon obligations. The 2003 “road map” for peace quickly stalled when the Palestinians failed to control militant groups and Israel did not freeze construction in West Bank settlements. agreement (n) An arrangement between parties regarding a course of action. #4 – INDONESIA 02 degrees, 20 minutes north latitude 99 degrees, 04 minutes east longitude Delegates from nearly 190 countries gathered in Bali, Indonesia to attend a U-N climate conference. Attendees say that with the world facing melting polar ice caps and increased droughts it is time for a new international agreement to battle rising world temperatures. The main goal of the two-week conference will be to convince the United State’s to cut emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The U-S opposes these steps, arguing that mandatory cuts would harm the economy. That position took a blow when Australia’s new Prime Minister Kevin Rudd signed papers to ratify the Kyoto Protocol climate pact. That leaves the U-S as the only industrial power not to have joined. emissions ~(n) A substance discharged into the air, especially by an internal combustion engine. POP QUIZ #1 In our story about parliamentary elections in Russia we told you that President Vladimir Putin’s political party is called…. 1. United Russia 2. Unbridled Russia 3. Universal Russia And the correct answer is number one, Valdimir Putin’s political party is called United Russia. OLD CLUE # 1—LOCATION – MOSCOW, RUSSIA Now its time for the answers to last week’s clues in the news. Find the location of our first clue and you discover Moscow, Russia. While his political party United Russia is enjoying its overwhelming victory there is international concern of where its victory is leading Russia. Putin says the results show a “sign of trust” in United Russia. But opponents say the vote was “neither free nor fair.” Russia’s constitution does not allow anyone to serve in office for more than two terms but Putin says he will continue to serve as either Prime Minister, as the head of United Russia or in an undefined role as “father of the nation.” OLD CLUE # 2— VENEZUELA REFORM Fill in the blanks of our next clue and you get Venezuela Reform. Prior to the vote, thousands of students took to the streets of Caracas last week to protest President Hugo Chavez’s plans to change Venezuela’s constitution. Opposition leaders feared that passage would lead Venezuela toward a dictatorship. After voters defeated the referendum Chavez encouraged his supporters, saying the difference between the yes and no options was small. Supporters had hoped Chavez would more equitably spread Venezuela’s oil wealth OC #3 – U.S. ECONOMY Unscramble our next clue and you get U.S. Economy. While one report showed the economy doing well over the summer economic growth is not expected to continue. With housing slumping, consumer confidence has weakened and financial markets are exhibiting some turmoil. The number of new people signing up for jobless benefits rose last week suggesting that conditions are weakening as economic activity slows down. Some experts expect Federal policymakers may lower interest rates at their next meeting. THIS WEEK IN WORLD HISTORY This week in world history… December 7th, 1941 Japanese planes attacked the U-S naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The surprise attack seriously damaged the U-S Pacific fleet and drew the United States into World War II. The next day, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed Congress and declared December 7th, 1941 as “a day that will live in infamy.” CHECK IT OUT INTRO Making sure you’re getting all the necessary nutrients in your diet doesn’t have to be that hard… the best place to start is your neighborhood grocery store…Check it out. CHECK IT OUT Trish Kazacos, RD, CPT-Wegmans Corporate Nutritionist (Narration) Often, eating healthy begins at the grocery store, and if you shop as a family, then everyone can help make sure that what you put in your cart is good to put in your body. Often shopping in the fresh food sections gives you some of the healthiest choices. (Trish) In the dairy section, milk is a great place to start. It provides your body with calcium, protein and seven other nutrients to keep you healthy and strong and have the energy you need for the activities you love. This is an example of fat free milk also known as skim milk. It’s great because you get the same amount of calcium as all the other milks, without the fat. We want to strive for three servings a day from the dairy group and yogurt is a great option. Not only does it come flavored with fruit or plain, it’s packed with bacteria. Good bacteria that helps your body stay healthy and your immune system strong. Growing bodies need protein and iron every day to stay healthy and strong. Red meat is a great option but you can still get those nutrients from other foods like chicken, fish and even canned beans. Everyday we want to get three whole grains into our diet. Whole grains come in a variety of options. For example, we have 100% whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat pitas and even whole wheat muffins. But don't be fooled by the front of the label, multigrain doesn't always equal 100% whole grain. So be sure you read the label. You may have heard of the concept of shopping the perimeter of the store is the only way to find healthy foods. But the good news is there are healthy options in every aisle. For example canned meats like tuna for protein, essential oils to help your brain and body function well and even popcorn is a great alternative for a whole grain snack. (Narration) Eating healthy means shopping healthy means eating healthy, so try to take part and ensure not just a healthy you but a healthy family. ISN’T IT COOL A Siberian zoo is celebrating the birth of two very special tiger cubs. The Siberian tiger cubs were born a month and half ago exciting news since Siberian Tigers are not known to breed in captivity. Russia plays an important role in the preservation of the world’s largest cat, which is still considered to be endangered. ISSUE More and more kids are getting cell phones at younger and younger ages. Now schools are concerned that cell phone use in schools is distracting kids from their schoolwork. They say that ringing cell phones and text messaging is interrupting classes. They are also concerned that cell phones may be used to cheat on tests. Some schools are banning cell phones in classrooms altogether. But some parents say they want their children to have their cell phones so that they may be reached any time and any place. They say cell phones help make children safer and more secure. Some feel that requiring kids to keep their cell phones in school lockers is a better alternative to banning them completely. Well, we would like to know what you think? “Should cell phones be banned in schools?” Discuss this issue with your classmates after the show and then write to us with your opinions MAILBAG We received over four hundred responses to our issue question, “Should schools require students to wear ID badges?” The majority of you, 61 percent say no, schools should not require students to wear ID badges. 34 percent think it would be a good idea. 5 percent are undecided. Many of you think ID badges are a bad idea. Kaleigh M. of Ticonderoga, New York writes, “I think it would be an invasion of privacy. People (could) also lose their badges and someone (might) pick it up and use it.” Katie S. of Rush, New York adds, “It will make us stressed… you feel you are being watched all the time.” Matthew of Jamestown, North Dakota writes, “If they don’t want others to know their names they shouldn’t have to wear I.D. badges.” The majority of you, however, feel I.D. badges will make your schools safer. Alissa K. of Rochester, New York writes, “An I.D. card will protect your school by keeping… people that don’t belong out!” Sarah B. of Webster, New York adds, “(I.D. badges) are also helpful in identifying students in an emergency or fight.” Brittany L. of Mount Solon, Virginia thinks I.D. badges will help in many ways. Brittany writes, “I.D. badges would help teachers remember your names and make it easier to help you.” Alex H. of Waverly, Iowa adds, “If you have a substitute they could just glance at your tag… know your name and move on with the lesson.” Finally, Jan K. of Mequon, Wisconsin says badges might have other benefits. Jan writes, “They (could help) to take out library books… buying lunch could be faster and easier.” We look forward to your responses to our two latest questions: “Should tourism in Antarctica be restricted?” and “Should cell phones be banned in schools?” If you would like to receive an Assignment: The World Press card, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. You may write to us here at Assignment: The World, Post Office Box three-zero-zero-twenty-one, Rochester, New York… one-4-6-zero-3… or you may contact us at the A-T-W website at http://atwonline.org. We also read e-mail at atw@wxxi.org POP QUIZ #2 In our story about the U-N Climate Conference we told you they are hoping to get the United States to cut what in regards to carbon dioxide… was it? 1. Submissions 2. Emissions 3. Omissions And the correct answer is number two, delegates are trying to get the United States to cut emissions of carbon dioxide. NEW CLUES And now it’s time for next week’s clues in the news… Our first clue a location… 09 degrees, 02 minutes north latitude 38 degrees, 42 minutes east longitude Our second clue is a fill in the blank…it is two words. First word A blank L blank N blank I blank Second word L blank U blank blank H And finally, our third clue is a scrambled letter clue… it is three words. First word N R H O T Second Word R L N I E A D Third word D P O A Y C M L I These are clues to stories we think will happen in the coming week. You can find the answers on radio and television newscasts and in newspapers and newsmagazines. We’ll reveal the answers on next week’s show. Good luck! GOOD-BYE And that’s it for this week’s show. For all of us here at Assignment: The World, I’m Teej Jenkins. We’ll see you again next week. © 2007 WXXI-TV/ Assignment: The World. All Rights Reserved.