38 Cuban Immigrants Adrift at Sea Rescued

38 Cuban immigrants were found adrift at sea. A United States coastguard saw all of them floating in a small raft. The waters have a dangerous reputation and 38 people floating in a raft is very life threatening. Over 3,000 Cubans have attempted to escape the country since October. 

All of the 38 Cubans were fed and hydrated before they were returned back to Cuba. So many people attempt to travel from Cuba this way and it's extremely sad because most of them don't make it. They either starve, are killed by harsh weather, or drown. The people who do make it to America seek asylum and may become a resident after a year of staying. 

-Emily Taylor

Human Trafficking

In Lao Cai, Vietnam, a girl was preparing to go to college and earn her education when her life was changed. Lan was drugged up, knocked out and smuggled all the way to china to be sold into marriage. Chinese men will pay good money for a wife in China and it's very sickening and sad because the women have no say in the matter. Lan was meeting up with a group of friends for dinner that night when she was taken away. 

The strip of villages that Lan lives in are often searched for "eligible" brides. Sadly, a huge amount of human trafficking takes place in the Vietnamese villages. The vietnamese police are sometimes able to retrieve the captured girls once they are taken away from the country. Human trafficking is a huge issues in countries like this and it's sad women are forced into it everyday.

-Emily Taylor

Man Recieves Successful Face Transplant

The second person in the world to have a face transplant tells his story fifteen years later. Mitchell Hunter was in a car accident when he was 21 resulting in the loss of his leg and face. Five years after the accident he decided to get a face transplant and became the first person in the United States to get an entirely full, new face. He is very thankful that he no longer gets a ton of stares when he goes out in public. 

As far as everyone else is concerned he's now just another normal face in a crowd of people. He feels completely healthy, almost as healthy as he felt before the accident. He was shocked with 10,000 volts of electricity which took his face and leg. He's now thirty five and looks back on the situation as something that made him a stronger person. 

-Emily Taylor 

Democracy Spring Campaigning

The group from Democracy Spring are campaigning against the influence of big money in American politics and have vowed to stage protests like this every day for a week.
At the first of the planned protests on Monday, 400 of the group were arrested at what was a mostly calm and orderly demonstration. However, the US Capitol Police say the protest was "unlawful demonstration activity".
Footage from yesterday appears to show protesters calmly accepting colourful wristbands – signifying they've been arrested – before being led away by police, with many of the protesters holding up their wristbands to cheering crowds.
The protesters all rally at Columbus Circle in the morning, before marching on the US Capitol, where the sit-ins begin. On the third day, the tourist area of the US Capitol was cordoned off from the protesters.
On Democracy Spring's website, they explain they want to end the corruption of big money in politics and ensure free and fair elections. Actor Mark Ruffalo is listed as one of their endorsers – it follows on from his support of Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
Both Sanders and Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump have spoken out against the influence of campaign contributions on politicians.

Written by Justin Phillips

Major Earthquakes In Japan

Southwestern Japan has been hit by two major earthquakes, killing at least 9 people and injuring hundreds more.
The initial magnitude 6.0 tremor struck 7 miles east of the city of Kumamoto at around 9:30 p.m. Another 6.4 magnitude quake hit the same place slightly after midnight.
More than 44,000 people have been evacuated to schools and community centres. Many chose to spend the night outdoors despite the cold, waking up to cracked roads, crumbled houses and fallen roof tiles.
While the magnitude was much lower than that of the 2011 quake that triggered a tsunami and nuclear meltdowns at Fukushima, the intensity was similar because the quake struck on land and at a much shallower depth.
In this case, the absence of a tsunami and Japan's strict building codes helped keep the death toll down. Many iconic buildings like this one, Kumamoto castle, were badly damaged in the earthquake. Parts of the castle's signature stone walls collapsed in the aftermath.
More than 3,000 troops, police and firemen were dispatched to the area from around Japan. Experts have warned more aftershocks could occur over the next week.

Written by Justin Phillips

Adult Coloring Books

Remember when you were a kid and you’d get out your crayons and fill in your coloring book. Well apparently you don't have to grow up as quickly as you think.

They make the most beautiful coloring books now for adults. The one in the picture is the one I have. It has the most amazing oceanic scenes with all kinds of marine life.

They also make ones with flowers or animals or any other random designs. If you need something to keep your mind off things or just something fun to do I definitely recommend getting one of these coloring books.

Written by Jasmine Bonner

Top 10 Memories - Keria

1. Giving Ashworth a Pie in the face - If anyone went to the Fall Festival in October, they remember the few minutes that available to pie the principal in the face. It was satisfying and hilarious.
2. Volleyball Banquet - After every sport season, the team has a banquet for awards to be handed out. Since it was my last volleyball season, it was memorable and slightly tear-jerking. Also the food was fantastic because the team went to Dino’s Pizza.
3. My Birthday Party - My birthday is right on January 1st, so while only a few friends came to the party a week later, it was still fun. The triple dog dare to fit through my house’s doggy door was accomplished by both my 6’9” friend and another boy. I think the funniest part about it was watching them both try to fit their shoulders through the rectangle.
4. Making a small snowman - When it snowed during the weekend with Valentine’s Day, instead of eat chocolate and watch movies with Jasmine, we went outside. Since there was not even a full inch of snow, we made a small snowman and froze because of a snowball fight.
5. Swimming with Seniors - During my Senior Vacation, a lot of the seniors and I went to the resort pool. We hooked up some music on Jasmine’s speaker and had fun wrestling and talking, and a lot of dancing.
6. Relaxing in the Hot Tub - Also during senior vacation, there was a hot tub where we all relaxed in the bubbles and heat.
7. Catfish Marathon - During the senior vacation, there were times where several seniors and I had to wait for everyone to get ready before we went anywhere. The TV would go on and the show Catfish would be watched by half of the class. Gasps and side comments are now hilarious in retrospect.
8. Hayashi - One night, the seniors all went to Hayashi for dinner. We had a dinner made with the fire grill and a hilarious chef show us his tricks and laugh at amazement.
9. The True Test of Resolve - After Hayashi, all the seniors except Josh Lewis and Casey Vick stayed up until 6:30/7:00 AM. That night was a struggle to keep myself awake and other people awake too. Lesson learned: never do an all nighter if you have nothing to do but watch TV and talk.
10. Easter dinner - My family has major feasts for Thanksgiving and Easter. At each feast, friends are welcome as well as family. Good friends stay for games after the dinner, which in itself is a feat since I love to sleep after eating. Playing Egyptian Ratscrew (card game) and Spoons with 6 other people is hilarious and terrifying.