Current Event News Powerpoint
Transcript: Unusual or Severe Weather cont. Unusual or Severe Weather Current Event News By: Vivian Vu US warns Russia on war games as tensions mount in Ukraine's Crimea The United States warned Russia it would be a "grave mistake" to intervene militarily in Ukraine, as the Kremlin ordered 150,000 troops to test their combat readiness and armed men seized government buildings in Ukraine's Crimea region and raised a Russian flag over a barricade. Secretary of State John Kerry issued the stern warning on Wednesday after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the large-scale military exercises in what many see as a show of force or possible prelude to intervention in Ukraine. "Any kind of military intervention that would violate the sovereign territorial integrity of Ukraine would be a huge, a grave mistake," Kerry told reporters in Washington. "The territorial integrity of Ukraine needs to be respected." Date: February 27, 2014 Source: Foxnews Wars, Riots, Demonstrations Made in Britain: Top inventions of 2014 include a bed with built-in Wi-Fi, an artificial pancreas and a super-strong spade An artificial pancreas, a smart bed that massages you to sleep, and washing up gloves with a built-in soap dispenser are among the 20 shortlisted inventions of this year's British Inventor's Project. Other finalists include the Kikka Digga, a clip-on device that makes digging in the garden easier, and the Hydroguard, designed as a portable flood defence system. The project's finalists will be showcased at the Gadget Show Live in April and visitors will be able to use the products that have been specifically designed to help with everyday tasks. A total of 20 inventions have been shortlisted as part of the British Inventors Project, including the Wi-Fi enabled bed from Balluga, illustration pictured. It is a smart interactive bed with adjustable firmness, climate control and a built-in vibro massage system. Date: March 10, 2014 Source: Dailymail Invention Scientific Discovery Satellite looking into missing Malaysia flight detects 'suspected crash area' A Chinese satellite probing the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 "observed a suspected crash area at sea," a Chinese government agency said a potentially pivotal lead into what thus far has been a frustrating, fruitless search. China's State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense announced the discovery, including images of what it said were three suspected floating objects. The objects aren't small: 13 by 18 meters (43 by 59 feet), 14 by 19 meters (46 by 62 feet) and 24 by 22 meters (79 feet by 72 feet). For reference, the wingspan of an intact Boeing 777-200ER like the one that disappeared is about 61 meters (200 feet), and the plane's overall length is about 64 meters (210 feet). The images were captured around 11 a.m. on March 9, the day after the plane went missing, but weren't released until Wednesday. Date: March 12, 2014 Source: CNN Atlanta Frozen Again as Winter Woes Chill South Here, in a nod to the Civil War, people joke that Atlanta is the city that won’t get burned twice. Wednesday, as the second major ice storm in two weeks froze the city in place, it proved true. Unlike two weeks ago, when two inches of ice and snow left thousands stuck on the Interstate overnight and made the city the butt of national jokes, Atlanta was prepared for a wide-ranging storm that marched across the South and headed north toward Washington and New York. But not so other parts of the South. As a rare storm that mixed ice and snow swept through several Southern states, gridlock played out in Raleigh, N.C., as people who thought they could beat what turned into a vast regional ice storm were stuck on roads for hours, apparently ignoring advice from Gov. Pat McCrory, who had pleaded with residents to stay in their homes. Date: February 12, 2014 Source: Nytimes Wars, Riots, Demonstration Freezing January for Easterners Was Not Felt Round the World For people throughout the Eastern United States who spent January slipping, sliding and shivering, here is a counterintuitive fact: For the earth as a whole, it was the fourth-warmest January on record. It was, in fact, the 347th consecutive month with temperatures above the 20th-century average, the government reported Thursday. That may feel plausible to Californians, whose state experienced temperatures 10 or 15 degrees above normal in some places last month, and especially to Alaskans, where the average temperature was almost 15 degrees above normal. Date: February 20, 2014 Source: Nytimes Ukraine mobilizes troops after Russia's 'declaration of war' As Ukraine's new leaders accused Russia of declaring war, Russia's Prime Minister warned Sunday that blood could be spilled amid growing instability in the neighboring nation. Kiev mobilized troops and called up military reservists in a rapidly escalating crisis that has raised fears of a conflict. And world leaders pushed for a diplomatic