By Nicole Winks
US Election 2016: How does it all work?
How does the US presidential election work? In January of 2017, the US will have a new leader, but how does the actual process work? It is an extensive and expensive process that has many rules and requirements. In the US, you are not only choosing a new head of state but also a head of government and a commander-in-chief of pretty much the largest military on the planet. In order to be president, one must be a natural born US citizen who has been a resident of the US for fourteen years and is at least thirty-five years old. However, since 1933, every president has been a governor, a senator, or a five star general. Both political parties are holding competitive primaries this year. Here are some key dates to remember, March 15 is the primary for Florida, Ohio, and North Carolina, by the end of April most states will have cast their votes, the official party conventions are in July, and votes are cast on Nov. 8.
Russia US: Former Putin aide Lesin died of ‘head injuries’
A former aide of Vladimir Putin, Mikhail Lesin, was found dead in a U.S. hotel four months ago. U.S. coroners now say that he died of head injuries. Lesin also had blunt force trauma to the neck, torso, neck and legs. Russian media originally reported that he had died of a suspected heart attack. The case is still currently under investigation being that his injuries indicate that he was in an altercation of some sort and it happened before Lesin returned to his hotel, according to a New York Times report of the incident. There have been various theories relating to his death.
Toshiba’s robot is designed to be more human-like
At a trade fair in Berlin, Toshiba unveiled the latest generation of its Chihira robot. This generation of the robot has German added to its repertoire and has become much more human-like in both appearance and now in its smoother movements. Experts have suggested that the more realistic robot will not appeal to Western audiences because they become continually more uncomfortable the more human-like a robot becomes. It creates the worry that one day the two will be indistinguishable. The Chihira robot is meant to be used for information purposes for travel and it can respond in English, German, Japanese and Chinese as well as in sign language. It is a human-like form of an information center.
Cuba and EU agree diplomatic ties after two years of talks
After two years of talks, Cuba and the European Union (EU) have signed an agreement to normalize the diplomatic relations between the two. This agreement means that the EU will now be allowed to establish full economic cooperation and aid with Cuba. This agreement comes only eight months after the US restored its diplomatic ties with Cuba. The deal itself must now be ratified by the 28 EU member-states.
Japan tsunami remembered five years after
At 14:46 Tokyo time, the exact moment that the original quake was detected, people across Japan bowed their heads in a moment of silence for the victims and for those who still remain missing. Bells rang out and in the capital the subway stopped. The original earthquake and resulting tsunami originally occurred on March 11 in 2011 and it left more than 18,000 dead or missing. It forced the evacuation of more than 160,000 local people due to the radiation that resulted from the nuclear meltdowns that occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Even after five years, most of the evacuated have not been able to return to their homes, even with all of the decontamination work that has been done since the incident.
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