Sybney

>the relationship between the U.S. and North Korea 

Kim asked Trump to suspend military exercises by U.S and South Korean forces on the Korean Peninsula, and Trump said yes. 

It's not enough for North Korea to give up its weapons program.

To fully denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, South Korea also have to leave the protection of the U.S. nuclear umbrella. 

Kim can exploit the rivalry between the U.S. and China.

I mean he hopes that North Korea will be "the Pakistan of East Asia", which improved relations with the U.S. by aiding the fight against Islamic terrorist groups.

>the increasing suicide rates in the U.S.

The suicide of Kate Spade shocked the country. 

Suicide rates have increased by 28 % over the past two decades.

Now it’s the 10th most common cause of death. 

The increase of suicide has historically coincided with economic turmoil, so the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath may have influenced it. 

But there is almost never a single cause of suicide.

Multiple factors are often involved. 

Social connectedness and support from friends, family, communities and institutions may also help people. 

>Trump’s immigration policy

A zero tolerance policy calls for prosecuting anyone who enters the U.S. illegally. 

More than 2,300 children were separated from their parents in one month. 

The Obama administration primarily kept families together, or released parents with ankle bracelets and GPS monitors. 

President Trump’s Executive Order will halt family separations, but not his zero tolerance policy 

> the educational problem in Africa 

The U.N. has launched a major support plan to promote sustainable peace and inclusive growth as well as empower women and youth in Sahel region 

The immense potential of the region from natural resources and renewable energy to culture and tourism 

Given that 65 percent of the region’s population is below 25 years of age, the plan urges specific investments in education and vocational training to achieve higher economic growth. 

>Syrian war 

All stakeholders must immediately stop attacks directed against medical and educational facilities. 

Dictator Assad has used chemical weapons dozens of times in Syrian war. 

ISIS used drones to drop bombs on U.S. and allied forces in Iraq and Syria, 

Now Trump has a chance to put pressure on  Syria, through diplomacy with Pyongyang. 

It might slow it stop the spread of noxious weapons. 

>The school deprivation in Afghanistan 

In Afghanistan, nearly half of children do not attend school because of war, widespread poverty and cultural factors.

Violence regularly disrupts schooling in many parts of the country, and this situation has escalated in recent years as the Taliban has reclaimed control in many areas. 

Conflict and threats from ISIS have closed dozens of schools in recent months.

The second reason is child marriage. 

Thus, many girls lose access to education. 

>Thailand 

Despite his promise to return to democracy, Prayuth is still behaving as a dictator. 

GDP growth has risen to 4%. 

Exports are at a seven-year high. 

Prayuth hosts a TV to show solutions to his country’s problems, but the remedies are baffling.

How to tackle poverty?➡︎Work harder, 

How to avoid debt? ➡︎Stop shopping. 

He also pens songs and poems to express himself. 

Those who are against him can suffer dire consequences. 

Military cooperation between Beijing and Bangkok has ramped up. 

Thailand purchased Chinese tanks, armored vehicles and submarines. 

>The Philippines

President Rodrigo Duterte launched a brutal war on drug that has killed thousands of suspected users while managing to subvert reality and discredit his critics. 

>Germany 

Merkel’s party took its lowest vote share partly because of an open-arms approach to Europe’s migrant crisis that cut into her popularity.