Stock Market Crash

The stock market hit a record low today, plummeting over 680 points in a single day. It has fallen by around 5,000 points over the course of the year. We are not currently showing signs of recovery, and the market could continue to plummet. Some experts are calling this a slow crash, and expect stocks to crash completely. Many are also looking at this as a great opportunity. There are large numbers of solid businesses with very cheap stock right now, and new investors could easily turn huge profits if the stock market goes back up. We will have to wait and see how things continue to develop. America could either make a solid comeback or sink into a full scale depression.

Chinese Milk Poisons Thousands of Children

Now for more disturbing news. Melamine, an industrial chemical, was found to be contaminating milk and baby formula in China. This chemical is toxic and can cause kidney stones when consumed. It has already killed 4 infants and made over 6,200 sick. The milk was recalled and removed from shelves. Now thousands of worried parents are swarming outside child clinics awaiting checkups.

China is already known for its poor quality manufacturing and lax product testing but this goes too far. What worries me even more about the whole thing is that China exports huge quantities of food and material products to other countries. If we don't get some quality control at work, no one is really safe.

Drought in Australia

Australia is suffering one of the worst droughts in its history, which happens to be mostly focused on one of their most important crop growing regions. This drought has lasted nearly a decade, and threatens their very way of life. Without the water that is necessary for life, the food supplies are greatly decreasing. Australia could be in a very bad situation if this continues.

Afghanistan Refugee Camps

Reports show the situation for Afghani refugees trying to return home from neighboring countries. Organizations have set up refugee camps to harbor the refugees and provide them a place to live. Apparently the wells have run dry, the water supplies are low, they can barely get enough food, and many are considering just returning to the cities that are already established, even though they can't afford to live there. It seems the efforts to aid these displaced people are failing miserably.