In the article, Hundreds arrested in Copenhagen protests found at http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/12/12/copenhagen.protests/index.html?eref=rss_world&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_world+%28RSS%3A+World%29&utm_content=Google+Reader, published by CNN, the article described the passion of many across the world to solve the problems associated with climate change. Thousands of protesters were in the Danish capital of Copenhagen demanding "climate justice" as world leaders met to work on an international agreement on a systematic solution to climate change. Several hundred protesters were arrested as the crowd chanted and waved banners showing that they care about the earth and want the world's governments to care too. The two-week summit is predicted to end by next Friday with an ambitious new climate deal. The European nations have already announced their plan to spend 7.2 billion euros or $10.6 billion over the next three years to aid developing nations and get them helping the global climate cause. As our great nations meet peacefully to solve a global climate problem the future looks a little brighter.

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In the article from CNN, Italy plans to deploy 1000 troops to Afghanistan, found at http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/12/03/italy/afhanistan.troops/index.html?eref=rss_world&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_world+%RSS%3A+World%29&utm_content=Google+Reader , it describes the Italian Defense Ministry's decision to send an additional 1,000 troops to Afghanistan to support the 2,800 Italian troops that are already there. This decision by the Italians was in response to President Barack Obama's call on Tuesday to send an additional 30,000 American troops to Afghanistan in an effort to silence the Taliban and close in on terrorists who use the country as a safe haven. The article also mentions the various troop levels from other NATO and non-NATO members. In the speech given by Obama on the war effort in Afghanistan, he laid out his strategy for success. This strategy includes an 18-month commitment focused on training Afghan forces to be able to take control of their own country and keep terrorists at bay. One of the biggest problems facing the Americans and the coalition partners is a corrupt Afghan government. It is hoped that this new strategy with increased troop levels will ensure that this war will not be drawn out indefinitely. But war is war nonetheless.

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In the article U.S Bound Oil Tanker Captured off the coast of Somilia, found at published by CNN, it decribed the increase of pirate activity over the last year in Simiolia after this recent oil tanker was captured. The Somilie Pirats have captured more than 50 ships off their coast alone but over this year there has been 306 pirat attacks compared to the year 2008 with 293 attacks this is a substancle increase. What does the future of shipping hold for the world with this old threat come back to haunt us.

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In the article, Astronaut on space shuttle Atlantis becomes a father, found at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8372997.stm, from the BBC, it described U.S. Astronaut Randolph Bresnik who recently became a father during his space voyage last Sunday. He is due to return in a few days to meet his newly born daughter Abigail, his three-year-old adopted son from Ukraine, and his wife, Rebecca. Readers might wonder what's it like to have a daughter while in space and how he felt when he heard the news. They might also wonder how his wife felt having a baby while her husband was so very far away. Everyone surely wishes Randolph Bresnik a safe journey and a very happy return home.

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In the article, $849 billion health bill sets up historic debate, found at http://article.wn.com/view/2009/11/19/849_billion_health_bill_sets_up_historic_debate_w/, by David Espo of The Guardian, he describes the new health care bill just unveiled in the U.S. Senate, its intricate workings and politics. Two of the key features of the bill is that it will extend coverage to 94% of eligible Americans and it would disallow insurance companies the ability to deny coverage to people with diagnosed medical problems. President Barack Obama has said that reforming the health care system is his number one domestic priority and this bill gets him one step closer in his journey of a thousand miles. The bill would require most Americans to have health insurance and it would help pay for this insurance for those who cannot afford it. However the bill will need 60 votes to even make it open for debate by the full Senate. This vote will be tight. Each of the 58 Democratic senators and the two Independent senators will need to stick together in order to get this bill passed. There is slim to no hope for Republican support. The proposed Senate bill and the House-passed bill share many key features but there are also many differences particularly in the financing. The fate of this bill is still cloudy but many Americans believe it must be passed.

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In the article Energy issues at EU-Russia summit, found at http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Energy+issues+at+EU-Russia+summit&NewsID=48075 , from the Himalayan Times, it describes the EU - Russian summit currently underway in Stockholm. The major issue to be discussed at the summit is energy. Europe would like to avoid what happened in 2008 when Russia cut off oil to multiple European nations for two weeks because of a price and pay dispute with Ukraine, the country through which the Russian oil transits. This caused major problems in the EU which receives about a quarter of its gas supply from Russia. A progressive leap forward on this issue happened Monday when Russia and the EU signed an energy early warning agreement that will help them avoid future abrupt disruptions of the gas supply. Russia and Ukraine however still must work out a peaceful agreement. Energy issues are not the only problems Russia and the EU are facing. Another sensitive topic at the summit is human rights because Sweden plans to press Russia over this issue. In summary, Europe is not the only region dependent on foreign energy supplies. The world needs to develop cheap, renewable energy sources to avoid future conflicts.