NewYork Times- 130329

Most Children’s Meals at Large Restaurant Chains Are Still Unhealthy, a Study Finds

By STEPHANIE STROM

Published: March 28, 2013

Read more from: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/29/business/most-childrens-meals-at-large-chains-are-unhealthy-study-finds.html?ref=business

Summary: A new study found out that the nutritional quality of meals for children on the menus of the 91 percent of nation's largest chain restaurants do not even meet the standards set by the National Restaurant Association's Kid LiveWell program. The center singled out Subway as the only restaurant that did not offer sugared drinks with its children's meal, instead suggesting water or low-fat milk. Also all eight of the sandwich meal combinations met nutritional criteria. Applebee is also the one of the best franchise restaurants that participate in the National Restaurant Association's Kid Live Well Program and requires at least one children's meal have two servings of fruits vegetables. With these some companies, a registered dietitian is working hard to improve the nutritional quality of the meals.

Opinion: Few weeks ago, there was uprising conflicts and concerns about the government interfering and regulating the size of sugary drinks. Many people criticized the decision saying that it is the government is regulating too meticulously. But for this case, we need a government action. I think government should have a certain regulation to make the company meet the standard or at least, adequate quality of healthy food. Even though it is hard, the government should at least try it first. This topic matches with a the government interference in micro-economics. 

CNN News-130321

No soda ban here: Mississippi passes 'Anti-Bloomberg' bill

By Holly Yan, CNN

March 21, 2013 -- Updated 0630 GMT (1430 HKT)

read more from: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/21/us/mississippi-anti-bloomberg-bill/index.html?hpt=us_c2

SUMMARY: You will never be denied a colossal soda or huge restaurant portion because of government decision or civil law in Mississippi. In fact, recently New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg had attempted to ban the sale of large, sugary drinks in the city for the sake of citizens' health. However, many people rebelled and claimed that is is not the role of government to micro-regulate citizens' dietary decisions. In addition, state legislature has the authority to regulate the sale and marketing of food on a statewide basis. In response, the Gov. Phil Bryant passed a law preventing countries, districts and towns from enacting rules that limit portion sizes. There is enough regulation in Mississipi, Senate Tony Smith added.

OPINION: I first heard some of the govern officials are attempting to regulate the large size of sugary drink few days before through the CNN Student News in economics class. I was really shocked with the law, because i think this kind of regulation violates one's freedom. Government has no authority to control our health, i believe. If so, then it is not a democratic country. Instead, it becomes a "communist" country. I think the government rather try to PROMOTE healthy food, not trying to CONTROL people's choice to eat or drink. My current event relates to microeconomics, the demand of consumers. Freedom to choose food is on consumers, not the government.

Korean Herald- 0314

One dead, 14 injured in forest fire in Pohang

read from: http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130310000175

A local resident runs away from a forest fire that engulfed one of the houses in Ulju County of Ulsan, Sunday. (Yonhap News) Summary: On March 10 in 2013, a very big forest fire occurred in southeastern coastal city of Pohang. It cause 1 victim and 14 injured. Also it destroyed 5 hectares of the mountain and 53 houses. Most of the injured and damaged people are poor and since it is not a retention area,  government has no way to pay for them. The only way for them to be paid is from the person who cause the mountain fire. Unfortunately, police however found out that a 12-year-old middle school student started a fire in the forest. Those who lost their homelands are currently staying in community center without any promise their houses be recovered. Opinion: Teenagers today in Korea do a lot of mischievous things frequently. We can hear a lot of news of teenagers killing their parents, stealing other's cars, heating their friends, and whatever. And for this time, a 12-year-old middle school student setting the forest fire. It could be treated as a little thing if they played with the fire only in their houses. However, they unexpectedly set a big fire and caused millions of dollars of damage. Since all of the problems first occur from the individual family. The parents should teach them which one is permitted and allowable, and which one is not. Also the law should punish him harshly so that no other teenagers would commit a same thing ever again. This is related to both macroeconomics and microeconomics, since the government and individuals should find the best solution for compensation for loss.

CNN- 130307

South Korea boycott of Japanese goods over island dispute

By Pamela Boykoff and Soo Bin Park, CNN

March 2, 2013 -- Updated 0010 GMT (0810 HKT)

Summary: South Korea and Japan are fighting each other over an island called 'Dokdo'. Dokdo lies between the two countries and currently is now possessed by Korea. However, Japan claims Dokdo to be their island based on some historical evidence. Their disputes are continuing as ownership can get exclusive rights to fishing, oil production and other commercial activities in surrounding waters. From the day of March 1, a public holiday in South Korea which celebrates the launch of the independence movement from Japan in 1919, Korea is launching a nationwide boycott of Japanese products. According to The President of the Save Local Stores Alliances, Oh Ho-suk, about 7.2 million members are participating the effort. They are pledging not to sell popular Japanese products like Mild Seven cigarettes, Asahi beer and Sony electronics. Some car mechanics are also saying they will refuse to repair cars from Japanese brands like Toyota, Honda and Nissan.

Opinion: Japanese is a very sensitive people to Koreans. Especially those strong feelings toward got worse as Japan claimed Dokdo as Japan's territory. Because historical evidence records Dokdo as Korean's territory, Japan is continuing arguing and insisting they are right. I hope our protest would continue and it might impact to Japan a lot. Japan really should apologize to Korea and stop claiming for Dokdo as their territory. This boycott represents our customer's freedom to choose their purchase and products.