Commonwealth ends male heir rule

Commonwealth rulers agreed to end the centuries old rule of favouring males over females in the line of succession to the British monarchy. In the future the first born (male or female) will be the heir to the throne, not the first born male. In addition it is now allowed for monarchs to be married to people from any religion, including Roman Catholocism.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15492607

Bangkok Residents Flee Flooding

Thousands of Bangkok residents are fleeing the Thai capital as rising flood water threaten to flood the entire city. So far over 360 people have died in Thailand's worst flooding for decades. Estimates suggest that flood water may remain in some districts for up to one month.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15471849

UN Sets out Population Challenges

As the world's population nears 7 billion the UN has pointed out the future challenges faced by the planet. Even though its highlights the successes of falling fertility rates and rising life expectancy it also states that the population could reach 10 billion by the end of the century causing massive problems. The UN explains that we should now be looking for solutions about how to feed, educate and keep healthy so many people. It also says we should be finding new ways for caring for the ageing population in many countries.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-15459643

China won't follow US on Carbon Emissions

A Chinese Minister has said that China will not allow per capita carbon dioxide emissions to reach the same level as the US. Chinese emissions have risen rapidly in recent years with heavy industrialisation, economic development on coal powered electricity generation. China plans to use more green technology in manufacturing process and increase the amount of renewable energy produced e.g. Three Gorges Dam.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15444858

Turkey Accepts Foreign Aid

Turkey will now accept foreign help after the devastating 7.2 earthquake that stroke on Sunday. Initially Turkey declined help, but with over 2000 buildings collapsed, over 460 dead and possibly thousands still trapped it will accept help from foreign governments and charities.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15457897

Javan Rhino Extinct in Vietnam

The Javan Rhino has just been declared extinct in Vietnam. Despite a national park being created for their protection (Cat Tien National Park), their small numbers and the constant threat of poaching has meant that they have disappeared from the wild in Vietnam. The last surviving rhino was believed to have been shot for their horn. It is now believed that there are fewer than 50 Javan rhinos remaining in the wild, all in Indonesia.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15430787

Search For Quake Survivors in Turkey

The region of Van in Eastern Turkey got hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake  on Sunday. The quake has caused widespread damage, with many buildings collapsing trapping their inhabitants. 265 people are known to have died but this figure is likely to increase rapidly with over 1,000 buildings having collapsed. Rescuers are desperately searching for people who may still be alive but trapped in buildings.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15425268

Unwanted Indian Girls Get Fresh Chance!

Over 200 girls in India who were named 'unwanted' (Nakusha) by their parents have been renamed in a ceremony aimed to give the girls a new start and highlight the problems of sex discrimination in India. Female infanticide still takes place in India where many parents favour having sons. The 2011 census showed that there were only 914 girls for every 1000 boys.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-15414796

Climate Change Migration Warning

A humanitarian report commisioned by the UK government states that governments and aid agencies should help relocate populations vulnerable to climate change. The report looked at the affects of rising sea levels and environmental degradation caused by climate change. It said that millions of people will be forced to move and become climate refugees. The report suggests that if we don't help soon and plan in advance then populations will be left in situations that they can not escape from.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15341651

UK's First Carbon Capture Scheme Scrapped

The UK's first carbon capture scheme has been scrapped because the Ministry of Energy and and power companies can not reach agreement. The idea was to capture carbon being released from power stations and pump it underground. However, technical difficulties and money meant all sides could not reach agreement.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-15371258

Malaria Deaths Fall 20% in Decade

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has just announced that malarial deaths have fallen by just over 20% in the last decade. This is important because it is saving many lives and helps meets Millennium Development Goal number 6. Improved education, prevention, testing and treatment have all been credited with helping to rediuce malarial deaths.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15346624

Central American Floods KIll 80

The floods hitting Central America have now cost the lives of 80, with figure expected to rise further as rain persists. El Salvador is now the worst affected country with 32 people dead and 20,000 displaced. The whole country is in a state of emergency so public and private schools remain closed. Weather reports the bad weather could persist for another 48 hours. Because the bad weather is hitting at the end of the rain season, the ground is already saturated meaning that the water can no longer infiltrate and their is huge stress on hillsides which can lead to landslides.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15331290

Central American Floods Leave 40 Dead

At least 40 people have been killed in the floods currently affecting Central America. El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala have all been badly hit. The situation is still ongoing and rain continues ans the risk of landslides increase. Many people have lost their homes with charities appealing for supplies of food and water to help victimns.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15283869

Bangkok Bolsters Flood Defences

The Thai military continues to try and prepare Bangkok for the arrival of flood water, high tides and stormy weather. Sand bags are being used to raise existing defences and canals drained so that they can be used as overflow channels and diversion channels. The Thai government and military are trying to protect high value locations in the centre of Bangkok and divert flood water around Bangkok.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15319921

Bangkok is Safe from Floods?

The Thai Prime Minister has assured residents of Thailand's capital Bangkok that the city's flood defences are strong enough to protect it from the worst floods in decades. The floods that have been ongoing since July have cost the lives of over 280 people and continue to cost the Thai economy millions of dollars because of closed factories, lost tourism, protection and repair.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15302598

Deadly Storm Hits Central America

Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua are currently being hit by a series of tropical depressions originating in the Pacific Ocean. The storms are causing widespread flooding and landslides. Already the storms have been responsible for 13 deaths in Guatemala, 4 in NIcaragua and one in El Salvador. Meteorologists believe that the storms could carry on for another 48 hours. Academia Britanica Cuscatleca has been impacted by the storms and is currently closed to pupils!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15283869

EU Plans Greener Farm Subsidies

The EU has announced plans to reform its Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The CAP which is designed to support European farming has often been criticised for its cost, for encouraging unsustainable farming, creating farming surpluses and unfairly subsidising European farmers at the expense of its LEDC rivals. Even though spending is going to stay at the same level (58 billion euros), there are now three more greener criteria in order to gain subsidies:

• arable farmers growing at least three different crops, with none exceeding 70% of the total farm area
• farmers leaving 7% of their land fallow
• ensuring permanent pasture is maintained

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15272815

Australian Parliament Passes Carbon Tax Law

The Australian lower house of parliament has just voted into a law a carbon tax scheme. Australia is currently the biggest exporter of coal and one of the biggest per capita polluters of greenhouse gases. The law will tax the 500 biggest polluters for every tonne of carbon dioxide they release into the atmosphere. Polluters will have to be $23 Australian dollars per tonne of pollution.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15269033

China aims to Reduce Resource Consumption

China is set to make a tax on oil and gas national. The tax set at between 5-10% is aimed to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. However, some have argued it is just a way for the Chinese government to divert profit from companies to the government.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15252134

Urban Attractions Threatened by Tourism

The WMF (World Monuments Fund) is becoming increasingly concerned about the damage that unsustainable tourism and urban growth are doing to many of the world's monuments. The Nazca lines are under threat because there is no policy on sustainable growth of tourism, while towns like Charleston in South Carolina are becoming overcrowded by cruise ships.

http://www.bbc.com/travel/blog/20111006-an-increase-of-urban-areas-on-watch

Illegal Immigrants Given College Aid

The Californian Governor has just signed into law legislation allowing illegal immigrants state aid to attend college. Supporters say that it should benefit the economy as immigrants become better educated and skilled, while critics argue it will encourage more people to cross illegally into California. It is estimated that 2,500 will be eligible for the aid.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15231104

Grounded Container Ship Threatens Tourism and Biodiversity

Containerisation and the growth in the size of container ships has both increased the speed and ease of global trade as well as reducing its cost. However, with a greater number of super-ships on our oceans accidents are bound to happen. The MV Rena grounded of New Zealand's Bay of Plenty has already leaked 20-30 tonnes of oil, but could leak up to 1700 tonnes if approaching gale force winds force the ship to break up. The leaking oil could damage one of New Zealand's most important tourist attractions as well harming wildlife.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15235243

Three Women Share Nobel Peace Prize

Three women; Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Lymah Gbowee from Liberia and Tawakul Karman from Yemen have shared this years Nobel Peace prize. All three have been awarded the award in recognition of there worki promoting and protecting women's rights. All three of them have pursued non-violent means to promote peace building and inclusion of women in conflict resolution.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15211861

Thailand's Monsoon Rains Kill Over 200

This year Thailand is receiving above average monsoon rains which have been responsible for over 200 deaths since July. The monsoon rains are vital for Thailand because they help recharge surface and ground water stores. These supplies of water are vital for sustaining Thailand's growing population and supporting one of Thailand's major exports, rice. However, the above average rainfall this year has caused widespread damage and affected tourism in towns like Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15178872

Women Rescued from Exploitation

Police in Peru have rescued 300 women from sexual exploitation in the Amazon region of Peru. Girls as young as 13 were rescued in the region which highlights the ongoing problem of slavery and exploitation around the world.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15165339

Help for Somalia Famine Victimns

Somalia in the horn of Africa is suffering from its worst drought in 60 years, which has led to widespread famine. It is believed that up to 12 million people in the east of Africa are impacted by the drought and famine and famine and of need of humanitarian assistance. Somalia itself up to 750,000 people face death from starvation. The work of aid charities has been made harder by fighting take place in Somalia, the militant group al-Shabab control large areas of the famine affected region.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15180670

Shark Sanctuary Protects Biodiversity and Promotes Tourism

The Marshall islands with a population of just 68,000 people has just created the world's largest shark sanctuary measuring nearly 2 million km2. The sanctuary should not only protect sharks which are endangered because of the demand for their fins, but should also promote tourism, particular diving. Fishermen breaking the new regulations can be fined up to $300,000.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15142472

Tuvalu Suffering From SEvere Water Shortages

The tiny Pacific nation of Tuvalu with a population of only 11,000 has declared a state of emergency because it has a severe shortage of freshwater. The island is currently experiencing below average precipitation which has been blamed on the La Nina weather phenomenon. The New Zealand air force has sent two desalination units ti help relieve the problem. However, the problem on Tuvalu is likely to worsen in the future with global warming causing rising sea levels and an increased risk of saltwater intrusion into its aquifers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15147043

Philippines Recovers From Second Typhoon In A Week

The Philippine island is recovering from its second typhoon in a week. Last week it was hit by Typhoon Nesat which is now blamed for 52 deaths and this weekend it was hit by Typhoon Nalgae which is blamed for at least three deaths. The two typhoons have dumped up to 50 centimetres of rain on parts of Luzon causing flooding and threats of landslides. Even though the Philippines has been hit by two typhoons in under a week, the region is not receiving above average typhoons for the year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15141169

Maastricht in the Netherlands Aims to Clean up Tourism

The city of Maastricht in the Netherlands is going to ban foreigners from buying cannabis in local coffee shops in an attempt to stop drug tourism. The sale of cannabis is legal in licensed shops but some locals feel that it is cause public order problems and congestion. It is is estimated that 6,000 people visit Maastricht's coffee shops every day and that to ban foreigners from buying cannabis would cause a huge loss of income for the city.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15134669