Iran

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/majid-rafizadeh/surge-in-executions-and-h_b_5088955.html


This article is about human rights in Iran and how they were promised to be changed by the new cleric Hassan Rouhani. Unfortunately, not only have human rights not had reform for the better, they have actually gotten worse. Capital punishment and executions are on the rise in Iran. Iran has now passed China as the leader of executions per capita in the world. over 500 people were executed last year and within the first three months of this year 176 people have already been put to death. Its pretty crazy to think how high that number is. I don't have the numbers but I would be willing to guess that the United States hasn't put that many people to death (At least through the court system) in the last 10 years. I could be wrong but it just seems like to high a number for us to be close to it.   

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/africa/rush-hour-bomb-kills-71-people-bus-station-abuja-nigeria-n79626


the bombings that took place in Nigeria are pretty crazy. recently, people in the United States have a better concept of what terrorist can do to affect peoples perception of life. but we really have no idea what it is like to live in a place where this happens much more often. most of us are very sheltered and do not truly understand the crazy people out there in the world and the crazy agenda that they have.

Brazil

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paulo-sotero/a-game-changer-in-brazils_b_4059902.html


this is an interesting article about a "game changer" in Brazilian politics. Marina Silva, a former senator has made a very unexpected move to join the Socialist Party in Brazil (PSB) which experts say is a huge leap being that the Worker's Party and the Social Democratic Party before that have dominated Brazilian politics for over the last 20 years. This is a big jump forward as it has given hope to the Socialist Party and to other parties in the future. Time will only tell if they use this new opportunity wisely or if the squander it.