China vows to continue with the torch relay after worldwide protest. Thousands of protesters are angry about China's hosting of the Games, its policies in Tibet and human rights record. The Organizers were forced to cancel the last third of the route in Paris after demonstrators hurled water at the flame and lunged at torchbearers. Meanwhile, officials of the International Olympic Committee suggested they might consider doing away with the international route in upcoming games. Instead, the torch would go from Olympia, Greece straight to the host country.
This is the most important story this week because of the historical impact the Olympics have. This story has timeliness because of the unknown outcome of the future torch relay. This story also has conflict because of the long-standing tradition of the torch in Olympic history and the torch being doused with water as it passes by international cities. (The Toronto Star, 4/9/08, World)
The story that caught my attention this week was pirates hijaking a French yacht off the coast of Somalia. The yacht was scheduled to travel from Alexandria, Egypt to Valletta, Malta when the 10 attackers seized the boat. The French government is in negotiations in order to keep the passengers safe. Pirates seized more than two dozen ships off Somalia's coast last year. This story has oddity because pirates aren't often heard about. This story has timeliness because it is a hostage situation. (The Toranto Star, 4/6/08, Front Section)
Controversy in Toronto sparked over testing 4th grade Catholic school students on religion. (The Toronto Star, 4/7/08, Front Section)... Ontario bill targets pet cruelty; will call for jail time and fines of up to $60,000 for abusers. (The Toronto Star, 4/4/08, Front Section)... Canada give Bill Clinton $475,000 in one day for speeches. (The Toronto Star, 4/8/08, World)... Pregnant transgender man set to appear on the Oprah show. (The Toronto Star, 4/4/08, Front Section)... A suicide bomber killed 14 people near Sri Lanka including a government minister. (The Toronto Star, 4/7/08, World)... Eight men are on trial for plotting to blow up transatlantic flights with liquid explosives in London. (The Toronto Star, 4/3/08, Front Section)...
