Mali

The UN has given Mali 45 days to come to a security solution.

What is the root of the problem in that West African country?  In what ways is that issue connected to other global issues?
How is related to France?
Who are the "rebels" in this case?



http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Security+Council+vote+backing+international+force+help+oust+rebels/7381100/story.html

A new apple for Canada

So Canada will a "new" apple on the market (Not of the iPad variety) .
How does selective breeding differ from genetic engineering?  Are the motives the same behind each process?  Do the ethics differ behind each process?



http://www.vancouversun.com/news/national/apple+government/7382472/story.html

Drone sent to Israel

Although this even happened while we were devouring turkey dinners, it has major ramifications.
Tell me about the drone shot down in Israel.   The conversation at my family dinner - since two relatives just returned from Lebanon - brought up this event and some agreed that this could be the final event to send the Middle East into full meltdown.
While this event is enough to warrant a month of discussion, some ideas to get your keyboards moving:

- What specifically took place?  What is a drone?  Who should be held responsible?  Who is responsible for the monitoring of drones and where? Should drones be legal? How have drones been used in the U.S. / Canada?  Should they be allowed in Can/U.S.? Be specific.

Details:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/08/us-iran-israel-idUSBRE8970IT20121008

The great debate

Last week the presidential debate took place, which even included a mention of Big Bird - parodied on SNL this past weekend.  Romney's attack against the bird has even been used as part of Obama's campaign - research and tell me if this is an effective tactic.
The debate and subsequent election is an ongoing story that will deepen as we approach U.S. election time.

What are the topics that are being mentioned?  How do the policies differ?

What are the backgrounds of these people running for office? 

Another idea:

How does coverage of this election vary in different countries? (i.e. compare two or three different media outlets in different world regions reporting on the same event on the same day)

Week 5

This is your open discussion thread for news this week (Oct. 8th to 14th - inclusive).
What's making the headlines in different regions around the world?