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Newsworthy News

October 24, 2012 By Teresa Martinez

Image: foreignpolicy

So many things are happening all over the world at the same time but not everything will make it to live or print news.  There are stories that make it as mere fillers or news placed just to fill in an expected empty space and there are the newsworthy news which are stories given priority because they are expected to sell and get the readers’ interest.  For budding writers and reporters who wish to be significant contributors to their reported materials, there are certain factors that have to be considered to ensure that a story will make it to the final cut.

The first factor to consider is the currency of the news.  This is about how new or how recent the story is.  People rarely refer to newspapers for history unless a certain section is dedicated to such a topic.  People are always looking for what’s new so this means a totally new story or the latest update to a story line being followed.

The coverage of effect is another.  In simple terms, stories are gauged for its significance and this would usually pertain to how many people are involved or are actual participants to the story.  It is a natural conclusion that the more people involved in a story, the more people there are interested to read about it.  A classic example of this is a death toll in a disaster.

The popularity of the subject of the story is very critical in determining the newsworthiness of a story.  A very minor mishap involving a celebrity will usually be found in the front pages while a death of an unknown person is lucky to find itself in the last pages unless a story has a unique point of human interest.  Since this type of stories appeal to human emotions, other factors may be set aside.  The proximity of the event also plays a big part in determining newsworthiness.

 

 

Filed Under: World Tagged With: news, newsworthy news, newsworthy story

Ridiculous Laws from Around the World

December 22, 2011 By Anna

I have always thought that politicians from where I come from are crazy. Until I found out that there are many ridiculous laws all over the world. Here are some of them:

The United States

In Oxford, Ohio, it is still forbidden for a woman to remove her clothes in front of a picture of a man.

Impotence is grounds for divorce in twenty-four states.

In Illinois, it is illegal to speak English. The official language is “American.”

In Vermont, a wife must get written consent from her husband to have dentures made.

In Ohio, women cannot wear patent shoes as it reflects their underwear.

Canada

It is illegal to climb trees.

The color of your house and garage doors are regulated by city laws.

People may not publicly remove bandages.

You cannot pay for a 50 cent item using pennies.

Switzerland

It is illegal to discharge water down the toilet loudly past 10 p.m.

France 

You can go to jail if you name a pig Napoleon

Only music by French composers must be played from 8 a.m. up to 8 p.m. and 70% of the music on the radio must be French.

It is illegal to sell dolls with a face that is not human.

Italy

A man may be arrested for wearing a skirt.

To strike someone with a fist is a felony.

The United Kingdom

It is illegal for a person to die in the Houses of Parliament because anyone who dies inside is automatically granted a Royal state funeral.

If a dead whale is found on the British coast, the head becomes the King’s property, while the tail goes to the queen so that the bones can be used for her corset.

In the city of York, if a Scotsman is carrying a bow and arrow within the ancient city walls, you may legally kill him.

Finland

In the past, Donald Duck was banned because he did not wear pants.

Taxis pay royalties for playing music in cabs for paying customers.

South Africa

A license is needed to purchase a television set.

Australia

According to the law, children cannot purchase alcohol, cigarettes or condoms but they can legally use all of them.

Roaming the streets wearing black clothing, felt shoes and black shoe polish or pain on the face is considered illegal because they are “tools of thieves”.

You can actually go to jail if you dress up as Batman.

Only licensed electricians may change a light bulb.

Singapore

It is illegal to carry a Bible or to talk to someone about Jesus.

Thailand

You are not permitted to leave your house without wearing underwear.

It is illegal to step on money because it is a sign of disrespect to the King.

 

What do you think is the zaniest law on the list?

 

Image from Loren Javier

Filed Under: Legal, World Tagged With: absurd laws, crazy laws, dumb laws, Ridiculous Laws from Around the World, silly laws

Waves Due To Chile Earthquake Reach Japan And Russia

February 28, 2010 By Ivo

Early Saturday morning was just a normal time for most people in the world, but for those in Chile, it could very well have been the worst day of their lives. Not many months have passed since the killer earthquake hit Haiti, and a lot of people the world over still live in anxiety. You can just imagine what our fellowmen from Chile were thinking when they awakened to a rocking world.

The quake that hit Chile was way stronger than the one that hit Haiti – it measured in at 8.8 on the Richter scale. Seismologists classify this as “great” earthquake, capable of incurring tremendous damages. To date, hundreds have been reported dead in Chile, with the numbers expected to rise.

The extent of the effects of this earthquake is supposed to reach far and wide, though. As a matter of fact, a tsunami was triggered by the tremor. AP reports that waves have already reached as far as Russia and Japan on Sunday – a day after the quake hit Chile. The good thing is that the waves were not as huge as was expected. People were already told to evacuate as early as Saturday, and evacuate they did. Perhaps due to the distance, the waves were a “mere” 4-feet high, which, while causing some flooding, did not really cause much damage. The Japanese government has already lifted the tsunami warning.

Most other countries who are in the path of the tsunami have also lifted their warnings.

Filed Under: Nature, World Tagged With: Chile, earthquake, Haiti, Japan, natural disasters, Russia, tsunami

China Proposes Jail Time For Dogeaters

January 31, 2010 By Ivo

a_Asien_dog-meat_21Eating the meat of dogs is a tradition in certain parts of the world. In China, dog meat is a tradition ingredient in hot pots. With the changes that have occurred over the decades, however, this tradition is in danger.

The government has proposed jail time for people who are caught eating dog meat. The bill has been proposed in alignment with animal rights. Included in the bill’s coverage is cat meat. People who are charged and found guilty can go to jail for up to 15 days. A fine of around $700 is also part of the penalty. Businesses that are found guilty of serving dishes with dog meat or cat meat in them can also be charged under the provisions of the bill. The fine for businesses ranges from 14,000 USD to 73,000 USD.

As expected, this move has stirred up controversy. Pet lovers have taken up for the cause, while others say that the ban is quite unrealistic. On the one hand, some people see the cruelty in certain practices. One such practice is beating the animal (dogs in particular) to death. This is done to force the blood into the meat, making it tastier and richer. On the other hand, some people value the tradition of consuming the meat of cats and dogs. They think that the move to ban such meat is akin to throwing away part of the people’s history and culture.

It’s definitely a delicate situation, and I am glad I do not have to make the decision about it.

Filed Under: Animals, World Tagged With: animal rights, cat meat, China, dog meat

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