# data[].attributes.body
sistigers/sy1011

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Being bullied as a child may have long-lasting repercussions that can follow into adulthood.

A new study published in Psychological Science on Aug. 19 shows that being bullied as a youth was linked to more struggles to hold a regular job, more health problems and poor social relationships when the victim became an adult.

"We cannot continue to dismiss bullying as a harmless, almost inevitable, part of growing up," Dieter Wolke, a professor in the department of psychology at the University of Warwick in the U.K., said in a press release. "We need to change this mindset and acknowledge this as a serious problem for both the individual and the country as a whole; the effects are long-lasting and significant."

About 20 percent of U.S. students in grades 9 through 12 were bullied at some point in 2011, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey.

For the new study, researchers looked at 1,420 children between the ages of nine to 16, and followed up with them when they were 24 through 26 years old. Each participant was surveyed four to six times during the study.

Researchers were particularly interested in the impact on victims, bullies and people who were in both categories, which they called "bully-victims."

All three groups were twice as likely to have problems with maintaining employment and actively saving money when they grew up compared to those who weren't involved in bullying. They were also all more likely to have financial problems as adults.

In addition, the subjects had problems forming adult social relationships, meaning it was hard for them to have long-term friendships or good relationships with their parents. This was the same whether or not the person was married.

But when all factors were considered, just being a bully was shown to have very little impact on adult problems. Kids who bullied were more likely to have childhood psychiatric problems and difficulties with their family, which may have accounted for their problems later in life.

The people who may have been worst off were the bully-victims. They had the greatest chance of developing health problems as an adult: They were more than six times more likely to have a serious illness, smoke regularly or develop a psychiatric disorder compared to those who did not bully anyone at all.

"In the case of bully-victims, it shows how bullying can spread when left untreated," Wolke added. "Some interventions are already available in schools but new tools are needed to help health professionals to identify, monitor, and deal with the ill-effects of bullying. The challenge we face now is committing the time and resources to these interventions to try and put an end to bullying."

Previous studies had linked being bullied to increased risk of adult psychiatric problems. Teens bullied by their peers are 2.5 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts than those who haven't been recently bullied, an October 2012 study in the Archives of Pediatric Medicine showed.

Emma-Jane Cross, founder of the anti-bullying charity BeatBullying, added that the study shows that bullying can affect society and the economy.

"The findings demonstrate for the first time just how far-reaching and damaging the consequences of bullying can be," she told the BBC.

It's more than just monetary and social consequences at risk. Psychologist Guy Winch told TIME that emotional trauma might be as harmful as physical injuries. One particular study using brain image scans showed that people who have been rejected have the same areas of the brain activated as those who are experiencing physical pain, he said.

"The intensity of the emotional pain bullying elicits, and the fact that other people underestimate how much hurt they feel makes being bullied an incredibly traumatic experience that can leave significant emotional scars," says Winch, who wrote "Emotional First Aid: Practical Strategies for Treating Failure, Rejection, Guilt, and Other Everyday Psychological Injuries," explained.

The bullies don't have to be the child's classmates. A June study in Pediatrics showed that people who were bullied by their siblings may have more adult metal health problems like depression and anxiety than those who had been bullied by their peers.

Winch said that targeting certain issues that affect bullied victims may be able to help prevent any further damage. Areas of focus should include building up their self-esteem, helping them heal from the emotional pain, helping them manage their anger and aggression and aiding them in understanding that they are wanted and belong.

"Some people are more resilient and tend to do some of these healing and curative things naturally. They might seek out their close friends and get emotional support from them, and by doing so remind themselves that they're accepted and appreciated," Winch said.

Trending News

Michelle Castillo

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Childhood bullying may lead to social, health issues in adulthood

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Being bullied as a child may have long-lasting repercussions that can follow into adulthood. A new study published in Psychological Science on Aug. 19 shows that being bullied as a youth was linked to more struggles to hold a regular job, more health problems and poor social relationships when the victim became an adult.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
There's been a civil war in Syria for the last eight years, with different groups trying to seize control of the country.

The fighting has been between:

Soldiers who support the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad

Fighters known as , who don't want Assad to be in power anymore

The group that calls itself Islamic State (IS)

In the chaos of fighting between the government and anti-government fighters, IS took over large parts of Iraq and then moved into eastern Syria, where they were able to gain land and power.

By March 2019, IS had lost control of all the land they once occupied. More than 12,000 suspected IS members are now being held by Kurdish forces.

The situation is very complicated because other countries have got involved in the conflict.

The Syrian government's key supporters are Russia and Iran, while the US, Turkey and Saudi Arabia backed the rebels. The UK, France and other western countries have also provided varying levels of support to what they consider to be "moderate" rebels.

Fighting continues. Recently, the US removed troops from north-east of the country, which gave way for Turkey to launch a military attack against Kurdish-forces in northern Syria.

According to the United Nations (UN) - a group of countries working together to try to bring peace - at least 6.2 million ordinary people have had to leave their homes inside Syria, while another 5.6 million have left to go abroad.

Why did the fighting in Syria first begin?

Even before the conflict began in Syria, many Syrians were complaining about high unemployment, officials not behaving as they should do, and a lack of political freedom under their President Bashar al-Assad.

However, the event which caused the situation to develop into a full-blown civil war dates back to 2011, to the Syrian city of Deraa.

Local people decided to protest after 15 school children were arrested - and reportedly tortured - for writing anti-government graffiti on a wall.

The protests were peaceful to begin with, calling for the release of the children, democracy and greater freedom for people in the country.

The government responded angrily and, on 18 March 2011, the army opened fire on protesters, killing four people. The following day, they shot at mourners at the victims' funerals, killing another person.

People were shocked and angry at what had happened and soon the unrest spread to other parts of the country.

At first, the protesters just wanted democracy and greater freedom.

But after government forces opened fire on peaceful demonstrations, people demanded that President Bashar al-Assad resign. However, he refused to do this which made the protesters extremely angry.

President Assad still had a lot of people in Syria that supported him and his government, so they began to fight against people who were against the government.

In July 2012, the International Red Cross said the violence in Syria had become so widespread that it was in a state of civil war.

Who are the rebel fighters?

There isn't one single group of people fighting against President Assad and the government's army.

The group who want the president to step down - called the opposition - is made up of several kinds of people. These include groups of rebel fighters, political parties who disagree with Assad, and those living in exile who cannot return to the country.

When the conflict began, it was thought that there could have been as many as 1,000 different groups opposing the government since the conflict began, with an estimated 100,000 fighters.

Right now there are a handful of groups remaining and the number of fighters has reduced as well.

How did Islamic State become involved?

It wasn't long before the crisis in Syria became more than just a war between people who are for or against President Assad.

In 2011, the group calling Islamic State (IS) joined the rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, where it found a safe haven and easy access to weapons.

IS is a militant group with extreme, violent views, which has used this violence against anyone who doesn't agree with what they think. They have also persecuted other groups, including Christians and Yazidis.

In 2014, the group began to take over large areas of a country called Iraq, next door to Syria. Then, they moved into eastern Syria and - in the chaos of the war - they were able to gain land and power there too.

Raqqa was the first big city captured by IS in Syria in early 2014. The group went on take over large parts of the country towards Aleppo in the north, and along the Turkish border.

Both Assad's forces and the rebels were fighting a separate battle against IS at the same time as fighting each other.

To try to stop IS, in September 2014 the US used planes to attack IS fighters in Iraq. These attacks are known as airstrikes.

Just over a year later, UK MPs voted in favour of military action against IS in Syria too. The first airstrikes were carried out by RAF Tornado jets within hours of the vote in the House of Commons.

Towards the end of 2017, Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters joined together - backed by America - to take back the city of Raqqa in the north-west. This ended three years of rule by IS which had made Raqqa its headquarters.

Following this, Syrian state TV - controlled by President Assad's government - said the Syrian army had retaken the city of Deir al-Zour, the largest city in eastern Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based activist group, said government forces had taken control of the city after weeks of fighting.

This was a big stronghold of IS in Syria, which showed how much IS had lost the control it once had. The city had been very important to IS because it is close to the border with Iraq.

But there was still some disagreement over whether IS had been cleared from the area completely. Syrian state TV reported that the city was completely free from terrorism, while other reports said the Syrian army and its allies were still clearing IS fighters from the area.

In March 2019, the US-backed Kurdish fighters in Syria declared military victory over IS. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) (a group largely made up of Kurdish fighters) gained control of the town Baghuz, which was the final stronghold of IS.

This was a major moment in the fight against IS. At the group's most powerful, they controlled 34,000 square miles of land - approximately the size of the UK - stretching across Syria and Iraq.

Now, IS occupy a few hundred square metres near Syria's border with Iraq.

There are still concerns about IS though, as it is thought that some of its fighters are still operating in hiding.

Also, some believe that Turkey's recent invasion of north-east Syria risks the revival of the Islamic State group.

What has been the impact of the war on people living in Syria?

Millions of ordinary people living in Syria have had to escape from their homes to find somewhere safer to live.

According to the United Nations (UN), a group that works to try to solve some of the world's problems, more than five million Syrians have had to leave the country. Many have gone to neighbouring countries, like Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey or Iraq.

More than six million more people have tried to find safety elsewhere in Syria.

Turkey is the largest host country of registered refugees with over 3.6 million Syrian refugees living in the country.

By December 2018 the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights recorded that 367,965 people had lost their lives, including more than 120,000 ordinary people who aren't even soldiers or meant to be involved in the fighting. This figure doesn't include people who are missing or who aren't recorded though, so the actual number is thought to be much higher.

By February 2019, some 13 million people were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance, including 5.2 million in desperate need.

Lots of children can no longer go to school because their schools have been destroyed or there are no teachers where they have moved to.

When people are forced to leave the country where they live like this, they become known as refugees. The conflict in Syria has caused one of the largest refugee movements in recent history.

Many refugees made the decision to try to reach Europe. This is because some countries in Europe said they would accept refugees who wanted to start a new life here.

Millions of people both inside and outside Syria are in desperate need of help, but aid agencies say that getting help to people inside the country is very difficult and dangerous.

What else do we need to know about this war?

One other topic that has been talked about a lot is the use of chemical weapons.

There is an international law which bans countries from using chemical weapons in wars, as they are deemed too cruel to use on other people.

However, in August 2013, it was reported that they were used in the war in Syria, which caused anger around the world. Both the rebels and the Syrian government denied that they were responsible.

MPs in Westminster voted against responding to this with military action in Syria. But the US and French governments discussed limited missile strikes against military targets.

In September 2013, Russia and the US reached an agreement which said the Syrian government should give up its chemical weapons and destroy them so they can never again be used. This was important as Russia and the US support different sides in the Syrian war.

The process of destroying the weapons began in October 2013 and the people working on this project were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize later that month.

In April 2017, there was reportedly another chemical weapons attack on a town in north-west Syria, which killed and injured many people.

At the time, many weapons experts, the UK and other countries, and US President Donald Trump said President Assad's government was to blame for the attack.

But the Syrian President said he didn't do it and Russia, which supports him, said it was the result of aircraft hitting chemical weapons on the ground, which belonged to the rebels.

The US responded with military action by carrying out missile attacks on Syria, which the UK said it supported.

Another suspected chemical weapons attack took place in Douma in April 2018. Again experts blamed the Syrian government for what happened but both they and Russia said they didn't do it.

That led to most recent air strikes by the UK, the USA and France against what they said are Syrian government chemical weapons factories.

So what next for Syria?

It doesn't look like the fighting is likely to end any time soon, as there is still a big power struggle going on in the region.

There is a stalemate between the two sides. This means that the government forces and the rebel groups are unable to defeat each other or agree on the future.

And now Turkey has begun military action in the north of the country, causing more people to flee their homes.

Turkey's president Tayyip Erdogan has said he will "never declare a ceasefire" which would end the military action against Kurdish forces in northern Syria.

Turkey wants to push these forces away from Syria's border area.

The country is being destroyed by the conflict, including a lot of its rich cultural heritage. All six of the country's six Unesco World Heritage sites have been significantly damaged.

Lots of countries are trying to continue to supply aid, such as food and emergency supplies. But it is difficult when almost 3 million Syrians live in areas which are very difficult for aid workers to get to.

The rest of the world will continue to try to work out if there is a way to help Syria achieve peace. But for the time being, the conflict continues.
If you're upset by this story, or anything in the news, click here for advice.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What's happening in Syria? - CBBC Newsround

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There's been a civil war in Syria for the last eight years, with different groups trying to seize control of the country.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Some Wisconsin basketball players are being lauded not for their ball handling, but bully handling skills. Last year, seventh graders from Lincoln Middle School in Kenosha, Wisconsin were in the midst of a basketball game when they overheard some bullies heckling Desiree Andrews, a cheerleader who has Down syndrome.

"D" as she is affectionately called, is a familiar sight at middle school sports events. However, the young girl who loves to cheer and dance does not always follow the routine of the cheerleading team. She tends to create her own choreography, which is why the bullies thought it was fair game to tease her. What they didn't expect, however, was that the basketball players were not about to tolerate the unsportsmanlike conduct.

According to Brandon Morris who coaches the boys seventh-grade team, one of the players walked up to the bullies during a timeout and warned them not to mess with Desiree. To ensure they knew he was serious, the rest of the team members stood together to show their support.

What is even more heartwarming is that the incident led to the start of a great friendship between Desiree and some members of the team. They now walk her to class everyday and also involve her in the introduction of the starting lineup for the boys basketball team. And while Desiree, who is now in eighth-grade, will soon move on, her tale will live on forever. That's because Lincoln Middle School has renamed their gym "D's House" in her honor!

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that is caused when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. With one in every 691 babies in the United States born with this condition, it is a very common chromosomal condition. People with this disorder have short attention spans and delayed language and speech development. They are also at risk for a range of health conditions that include hearing loss, vision problems and heart abnormalities.

Resources: huffingtonpost.com, jrn.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Video Of The Week - Lincoln Middle School Basketball Players Display Incredible "Bully Handling" Skills!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Some Wisconsin basketball players are being lauded not for their ball handling, but bully handling skills. Last year, seventh graders from Lincoln Middle School in Wisconsin were in the midst of a basketball game when they overheard some bullies heckling Desiree Andrews, a cheerleader who has Down syndrome.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Rats, birds, fish — even flies and worms — can stand in for people in laboratory testing. This allows scientists to safely evaluate harmful chemicals as well as to identify and test potential new drugs. But such tests will never be a foolproof gauge of effects in people.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Shelby, a rescue dog, stars as Bella in the movie A Dog's Way Home ( Credit: Sony Pictures)

Shelby, who plays Bella in the recent Sony Pictures release A Dog's Way Home, has all the traits of a celebrity pooch: bright, golden eyes, expressive eyebrows, and a big, brown nose. However, the pit bull mix did not always seem destined to be a movie star. About two years ago, Shelby was a stray puppy who lived on the streets and spent her days digging through trash for food scraps.

Shelby's trash-to-riches saga began in April 2017, when Megan Buhler, an animal control officer, noticed the then-puppy inside a trash dump in Cheatham County, Tennessee. Buhler gently coaxed the scared pooch out from the landfill and took her to the Cheatham County Animal Shelter.

To find the adorable puppy a permanent home the shelter staff, who nicknamed her Baby Girl, posted her picture on their website. As luck would have it, just 2000 miles away in Hollywood, the makers of A Dog's Way Home, were in search of a dog just like Baby Girl. The movie, adapted from the book by W. Bruce Cameron, aims to raise awareness of the plight of shelter dogs, specifically pit bulls. Hence, both Cameron and his wife Cathryn Michon, who co-wrote the movie script, were adamant about casting a rescue dog in the starring role.

W. Bruce Cameron, Cathryn Michon (seated), and Megan Buhler with Shelby (Credit: Sony Pictures)

To find the perfect Bella, Debbie Pearl, whose company Paws for Effect prepares shelter dogs for films, asked freelance dog trainer Teresa Ann Miller to conduct a nationwide search. When Miller saw Baby Girl's photo on the shelter's website, she was instantly interested. "It was a really good picture, and she was flat-out smiling," Miller told The Washington Post. "I mean, it was beautiful." To see if Baby Girl's personality matched her good looks, Miller, Cameron, and Michon made their way to the Cheatham County Animal Shelter. To the dog trainer's sheer delight, Baby Girl passed the personality, temperament, and command response tests with flying colors.

It took Miller just three short months to train Baby Girl, who she renamed Shelby, and transform her into a Hollywood actor. After the film production ended, Shelby found a permanent home with Pearl in Huntington Beach, California. The two-and-a-half-year-old pooch is now gainfully "employed" as a therapy dog for Pearl's non-profit Dream Fetchers and spends her days visiting hospitals, schools, and veteran facilities. According to Pearl, Shelby is just as gifted a therapy dog as she is an actress. The proud owner gushes, "She just has this insight of what she needs to do when she needs to do it. Not all dogs have that."

Hopefully, Shelby's story will inspire more people to adopt dogs and other pets from rescue shelters. As Bella says in the film, "We all face things that are hard. The only thing that gets us through it are the special people in our lives."

Resources: USAtoday.com, NDTV.com, cheathamcountyexchange.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
"A Dog's Way Home" Canine Star's Fascinating Journey From Landfill To Hollywood

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Shelby, who plays Bella in the recent Sony Pictures release A Dog's Way Home, has all the traits of a celebrity pooch: bright, golden eyes, expressive eyebrows, and a big, brown nose. However, the pit bull mix did not always seem destined to be a movie star.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Free At Last! Tuffy The Bear Rejoices After Being Rescued From Bile Farm

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Animal videos are always heartwarming. However, the one that captured Tuffy, a black bear splashing in a pool, is even more so. That’s because it shows the animal’s unbridled joy after being rescued from a bear bile farm, where he was locked in a tiny cage and tortured for years. In fact, Tuffy was…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The brain is a remarkable organ. It's responsible for thoughts and feelings. It tells your muscles to move. It even can grow or shrink depending on what's happening in your environment. Now a new study finds that going through tough times as a kid also can have an impact. That stress can change the size and shape of the brain.

The adult brains of people who lived through lots of stress before the age of six - and then became depressed or anxious as teenagers - were different than in adults who had an easier childhood. It seems that teens changed the shape of their brains by internalizing the stresses experienced years earlier - replaying those events in the mind and bottling up the emotions they triggered.

Researchers already knew that the shape and size of a child's brain can change in response to lots of stress. They also knew that adults were more likely to be depressed if, as kids, they'd been abused, lived in poverty or faced other hard times. Some studies showed that these depressed adults had unusual changes in their brain shape. But no one had tested if the early stress and later brain changes were linked.

Until now.

Scientists in England studied almost 500 boys from birth until the ages of 18 to 21. Throughout those years, the boys' moms answered questions about different types of stress their children had been experiencing. Had a parent died? Was the mother being abused? Was the family poor? Did the family pack up its belongings and move a lot? Once the boys reached adolescence, the list of questions began to also ask about whether the boys seemed sad, depressed or anxious.

Later, when the guys reached young adulthood, the research team created pictures of the structures in their brains using a technology known as MRI, for magnetic resonance imaging. The brain is mostly made up of white matter and gray matter. White matter acts like the brain's subway system; it connects different areas of gray matter to each other, helping messages travel quickly. Gray matter is what covers the brain's surface. It's gray in color and partly made of special cells called neurons. Gray matter helps process information in the brain, such as telling your muscles to pull your hand away if it touches a hot surface. The scientists focused on the amount of gray matter present.

Boys who'd had really tough lives before the age of six were more likely to be depressed or withdrawn as teenagers, the surveys showed. Those boys also were more likely to grow up with gray-matter changes, compared with others who had much less stressful childhoods. In some regions of the brain, the volume of gray matter appeared to have shrunk. Another brain area showed what seemed to be a bonus amount of that gray matter.

And these changes weren't random.

The superior frontal gyrus (JY-rus) is a part of the brain that some studies have linked with depression. In the new study, young men who had survived a stressful childhood and then later became very depressed or anxious as teenagers had less gray matter in this area. Or at least they had less compared with the men whose early years had been more peaceful. The fact that the teenagers had internalized their emotions had been key, the researchers concluded.

But a different part of the brain had more gray matter than usual in the men who experienced early stress. Called the precuneus (pre-KEW-nee-us), this area has been linked to processing abuse and other harsh experiences. The scientists now wonder whether excess gray matter in the precuneus might be evidence of the brain trying to cope with that stress and abuse.

Learning from the new data

Sarah Jensen, one of the new study's authors, works at King's College London in England. There, she is studying to be a psychologist. The precuneus is involved in the brain's "default mode," she notes. In healthy people, this default mode becomes active during daydreaming, mind wandering and self-reflection. But when the default mode isn't working right, she says, it can be linked to depression.

Almost all of the boys her team studied experienced some hard times as kids. And, she concludes, "This is not necessarily harmful." To some extent, that's just life. What can be dangerous, she says, is when children experience too many forms of adversity. Her team's new data suggest that the tougher the childhood, the stronger the impact on the brain might be.

Experiencing stress and internalizing problems have both been linked with having less gray matter, notes Ted Barker. He is a developmental psychologist at King's College London. He also worked on the new study. His team's analyses now point to how important it is for kids to talk to others if they're feeling blue.

"I would say that if you feel that you have problems, you're very anxious or have a lot of depressive-type thinking, that it's good to talk to people," Barker says. Indeed, he says, don't keep problems bottled up inside.

What's happening in the world around us relates to how we feel, he says. His team linked more childhood stress to more depression-like symptoms in young adulthood. Still, he notes, it's possible that if you find support for anxiety or depression, you might be able to prevent the gray-matter changes seen here.

"If you can change the environment, you can change the course of things," Barker says. So, he recommends, if teens develop anxiety or depression, "It's good to ask for help."

His team's study appeared August 17 in JAMA Pediatrics.

Power Words

anterior cingulate cortex A part deep inside the brain located right between the eyes. This strip of neurons (nerve cells) surrounds a large white ridge in the center of the brain. The anterior cingulate cortex is important in many functions, including helping to regulate your blood pressure. But it also plays cognitive roles too, helping us with decision-making, controlling impulses, regulating emotions and the intensity of our feelings for other people.

anxiety (adj. anxious) A nervous disorder causing excessive uneasiness and apprehension. People with anxiety may even develop panic attacks.

depression (adj. depressive) A mental illness characterized by persistent sadness and apathy. Although these feelings can be triggered by events, such as the death of a loved one or the move to a new city, that isn't typically considered an "illness" - unless the symptoms are prolonged and harm an individual's ability to perform normal daily tasks (such as working, sleeping or interacting with others). People suffering from depression often feel they lack the energy needed to get anything done. They may have difficulty concentrating on things or showing an interest in normal events. Many times, these feelings seem to be triggered by nothing; they can appear out of nowhere.

development (adj. developmental) The growth of an organism from conception through adulthood, often undergoing changes in chemistry, size and sometimes even shape.

gray matter One of two main types of tissue found in the brain and spinal cord. It consists mainly of nerve cell bodies.

internalize (in psychology) To hold thoughts or emotions inside and not talk about them. To ruminate over the bad things, such as the loneliness, the fears or the sad feelings one has.

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) An imaging technique to visualize soft, internal organs, like the brain, muscles, heart and cancerous tumors. MRI uses strong magnetic fields to record the activity of individual atoms.

neuron or nerve cell Any of the impulse-conducting cells that make up the brain, spinal column and nervous system. These specialized cells transmit information to other neurons in the form of electrical signals.

organ (in biology) Various parts of an organism that perform one or more particular functions. For instance, an ovary is an organ that makes eggs, the brain is an organ that interprets nerve signals and a plant's roots are organs that take in nutrients and moisture.

precuneus This is a part of the brain located towards the back and just to either side of the big central part that runs beneath the top of your scalp from front to back. It's between our major sensory cortex (which processes touch) and our main visual cortex (which processes sight). The precuneus is involved in many important things including consciousness, memory and even our sense of self.

psychology The study of the human mind, especially in relation to actions and behavior. Scientists and mental-health professionals who work in this field are known as psychologists.

stress (in biology) A factor, such as unusual temperatures, moisture or pollution, that affects the health of a species or ecosystem. (in psychology) A mental, physical, emotional, or behavioral reaction to an event or circumstance, or stressor, that disturbs a person or animal's usual state of being or places increased demands on a person or animal; psychological stress can be either positive or negative.

superior frontal gyrus This is a part of the brain located behind the forehead. It's involved in higher-level thinking, memory and laughter.

white matter One of the two main tissue types found in the brain and spinal cord. It consists mainly of bundles of nerve fibers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Childhood stress can leave changes in the adult brain

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The brain is a remarkable organ. It's responsible for thoughts and feelings. It tells your muscles to move. It even can grow or shrink depending on what's happening in your environment. Now a new study finds that going through tough times as a kid also can have an impact.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
London's Tate Modern art gallery reveals that 9,000 butterflies died during a 23-week run of a work by artist Damien Hirst.

Titled In and Out of Love, the work featured live butterflies, some of which inevitably died and were replaced over the artwork's run in batches of 400 a week.

The artist's previous work includes a dead sheep preserved in formaldehyde and a severed cow's head.

The RSPCA has condemned the deaths.

In a statement, it said: "The RSPCA believes that all animals should be treated with respect and in a manner that minimises the risk of harm.

"In this so-called 'art exhibition' butterflies are being forced to exist in the artificial environment of a closed room for their entire lives.

"There would be national outcry if such an exhibition involved any other animal - such as a dog. Just because it is butterflies we are talking about here, doesn't mean they don't deserve to be treated with kindness."

A spokesperson for the Tate Modern said: "Before the show opened in April this year, the artists studio spent over a year replicating the perfect environment for butterflies. Much in the same way that public zoos and butterfly houses do.

"A butterfly expert was employed at considerable cost before and for the whole duration of the Tate Modern show, looking after the butterflies on a daily basis.

"We ensured that perfect living conditions were replicated for the butterflies and this resulted in many of the butterflies enjoying longer lifespans than in the wild due to the high quality of the environment and food provided."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
London's Tate Modern art gallery reveals that 9,000 butterflies died during a 23-week run of a work by artist Damien Hirst. Titled In and Out of Love, the work featured live butterflies, some of which inevitably died and were replaced over the artwork's run in batches of 400 a week.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Since 1858, Central Park South has featured one of the city's most popular tourist attractions: a horse-drawn cab touring the busiest parts of New York. Many horses suffer in New York with people getting on what they think is a fun ride.

During the 2013 New York mayoral race, current Mayor Bill de Blasio advocated for a ban on horse-drawn carriages, stating, "They're not humane." Advocates of the ban argue horses are forced to work for unreasonably long periods, up to nine hours a day, seven days a week. On the streets, carriages have no turn signals, which confuses car drivers and leads to accidents. Moreover, horses have died of heat stroke because they receive little water and work in hot temperatures. In the stables, horses stand in their own waste and have no place to graze. Edita Birnkrant of the group Friends of Animals called the industry "animal abuse posing as tourism."

Horse-carriage supporters claim banning the rides will risk 300 jobs. Animal rights activists have recommended replacing them with vintage electric cars. But many unions, such as the Taxi Alliance are against that proposal because it would increase competition among cabbies.

Mayor Bill de Blasio anticipates resolving the issue in 2016 after years of protests and uncertainty. No matter the outcome, the controversy has sparked an important discussion on the role of government in animal welfare.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Fate of Horse-Drawn Carriages in Central Park

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Since 1858, Central Park South has featured one of the city's most popular tourist attractions: a horse-drawn cab touring the busiest parts of New York. Many horses suffer in New York with people getting on what they think is a fun ride.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Cruelty to animals is now a federal crime under a new law signed by President Trump on Monday.

The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (PACT) is a bipartisan initiative that bans the intentional crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impalement or other serious harm to "living non-human mammals, birds, reptiles, or amphibians."

The law also bans "animal crush videos," meaning any photograph, motion picture film, video or digital recording or electronic image that depicts animal cruelty.

The penalty for violating the law can include a fine, a prison term of up to seven years or both.

The measure was introduced in the House by Ted Deutch, D-Fla., and Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., and pushed through the Senate by Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Patrick J. Toomey, R-Pa.

Animal welfare activists said a federal law was necessary even though every state already has laws criminalizing animal cruelty. They argued that the lack of federal legislation made it difficult to prosecute animal cruelty cases that span different states or jurisdictions.

"PACT makes a statement about American values. Animals are deserving of protection at the highest level," Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, said in a statement.

"I'm grateful to see the PACT Act finally signed into law. The barbaric torture of animals has no place in a civilized society and should be a crime - and thanks to this new law, now it is," Blumenthal said. "Senator Toomey and I worked together for years to ensure that this kind of despicable torture of animals is forbidden for good."

The new law was endorsed by some law enforcement groups, such as the National Sheriffs' Association and the Fraternal Order of Police, who say there is a link between extreme animal cruelty and violence against people.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Trump Signs Law Making Cruelty To Animals A Federal Crime

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Congress, wrought by division on many fronts, united to pass a bill making animal cruelty a federal felony. President Trump signed it into law on Monday.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
No matter the location or scale of deployment, the ASPCA is prepared to take on animal cruelty cases when needed-from assisting initial investigations to securing final placement of rescued animals in homes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
No matter the location or scale of deployment, the ASPCA is prepared to take on animal cruelty cases when needed-from assisting initial investigations to securing final placement of rescued animals in homes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn circus animal abuse facts and statistics. Find out more about why animals in the circus experience severe trauma and explore campaigns to help prevent ani…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As a young woman living with Cerebral Palsy, a neurological condition affecting movement and muscle tone, it's hard not to notice that disabled people - the world's largest minority - could benefit from some more representation. Because there's such a lack of visibility in mainstream media, disabled people are still very much misunderstood. I recently shared my feelings about the disabled identity on the Body Pos Project, an online platform for sharing stories about overcoming issues regarding body positivity. People responded with so much love. Still, there are some things I wish they knew.
We can't be summed up with a wheelchair symbol.
Although a wheelchair is the universal symbol for accessible facilities, the actual community is so much broader than that! Disabled people make up the world's biggest minority - that includes sensory, physical, mental, or intellectual disabilities. Some are visible, some aren't. Their disability might be the result of an accident or illness, or they may have just been born this way. Having the wheelchair symbol represent the entire disabled community often means that individuals who have "invisible disabilities" face discrimination and microaggressions. To put it into context: Many of my disabled friends, when not using mobility aids, have received negative comments and stares when taking a priority seat on public transport. This is because we appear to be young able-bodied individuals, and our mobility and balance impairments aren't obvious.
We get around a lot of different ways.
How I get around differs based on fatigue, distance, pain, accessibility, and sometimes even the weather. I may walk, wheel, or use a cane depending on the circumstances, and it's like that for a large portion of the disabled community. The mobility aids we choose can differ from day to day, so you should never make assumptions about someone's mobility from a handful of experiences.
It's better to not make assumptions. Just ask!
As long as you are polite and respectful, I'm more than happy to answer your questions about my situation. I understand the natural curiosity, and the more you understand about my disability, the more I actually benefit. We can't underestimate the power of the mind-body connection! If people are willing to sit and listen to our stories and challenges, that goes a long way in making us feel valued and empowered.
We want to be seen.
It's validating to see someone who looks like you on screen, on a billboard, or in a magazine. Unfortunately, this rarely happens for disabled people. But if we have representation, disability will be normalized, and negative attitudes (like fear and bias) can be shifted. While the industry is slowly getting more representative - brands such as Target are including disabled models in advertising and shows like Speechless feature a character with cerebral palsy - there is more work to be done. Still, I'm optimistic.
Please, don't call us "brave."
Having a disability doesn't make us exceptional...or inspirational...or brave. In fact, those words actually comes across a little condescending. I shouldn't be seen as inspiring because I use a wheelchair, but rather because of my achievement in athletics or because I work to raise awareness for my community. But really, many of us don't want to be put on a pedestal. We just want the same things as everyone: employment, relationships, and the opportunity to go out and experience the world in the same way as our able-bodied peers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Disabled People Wish You Understood

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
People living with a disability make up the biggest minority, yet we don't discuss it enough. Here's what you should know.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Have you ever tried watching a foreign film but felt like you missed half of the movie because the subtitles were moving too fast? Or tried navigating through a mega-mall for the first time? Frustrating, huh? Well, that's pretty much the feeling students with learning disabilities (LD) have every day at school. LD is one of the most common issues high school students face today - according to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, almost two-thirds of people in the U.S. know someone with a learning disability, and over 84% of people see it as a growing issue in the country. Learning disabilities, like dyslexia, are more common than not, so why are teens plagued with these problems still hearing the same old nonsense about their difficulties?

"Learning disabilities are not something you can see, so many people struggle to understand why or how this student is struggling," says Jennifer Harkins who is a member of the board of directors at the Learning Disabilities Association of America. "Learning disabilities are a brain-based problem. While most teens with LD learn differently than their peers, they have average to above average IQs."

Here, Jennifer breaks down what teens with LD would like you to stop saying about them!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
6 Things Students With Learning Disabilities Are Tired of Hearing

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Have you ever tried watching a foreign film but felt like you missed half of the movie because the subtitles were moving too fast? Or tried navigating through a mega-mall for the first time? Frustrating, huh? Well, that's pretty much the feeling students with learning disabilities (LD) have every day at school.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Once untrafficked, the intersection between sports and America's growing autistic population has never been busier.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This is one of the most challenging and complex projects that we deliver, but it's so important to get these children to safety.

On average, more than 2,000 people return from Iran every single day. That's just over 1 every minute. The sheer volume of people returning makes the border a chaotic and frightening place, especially for children.

Many children returning from Iran have serious medical or psychological needs. PTSD, substance dependency and anti-social behaviour are common.

War Child staff deliver vital psychological first aid to the children at the border. The facilities are basic but the children are safe and secure from the threatening environment outside.

Unfortunately, despite all our efforts, too many children don't get the support they deserve. But with your help, we can do even more.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Borderlands: the journey no child should have to make

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This is one of the most challenging and complex projects that we deliver, but it's so important to get these children to safety. On average, more than 2,000 people return from Iran every single day. That's just over 1 every minute. The sheer volume of people returning makes the border a chaotic and frightening place, especially for children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
First-grader Anaya Ellick with her trophy ( Photo Credit: Greenbrier Christian Academy)

To win a national award for handwriting, especially in this digital age, is an achievement in itself. But what makes Anaya Ellick's accolade extra special is that the seven-year-old accomplished the feat despite having no hands. Even more amazing? The first-grader from Chesapeake, Virginia, who won the prestigious Nicholas Maxim Special Award for Excellence in Manuscript Penmanship, on April 11, does not use prosthetics. The young girl produces her perfect penmanship by standing close to her desk with her pencil firmly gripped between her forearms.

While the impeccable handwriting may surprise the world, Tracy Cox, principal of Greenbrier Christian Academy where Anaya goes to school, is not. In fact, it was Cox who entered the 1 st grader in the annual national handwriting competition organized by educational company Zaner-Bloser. The young girl who competed in the category for students with disabilities had to outshine 50 contestants to win the award. But there was little to worry about. Contest Director Kathleen Wright said the judges, many of who are occupational therapists, were "just stunned" by the quality of Anaya's printing. Wright says, "Her writing sample was comparable to someone who had hands."

Anaya's Winning Entry (Photo Credit: Greenbrier Christian Academy)

The award which comes with a Zaner-Bloser gift certificate for Greenbrier Christian Academy and $1,000 USD cash prize and a trophy for Anaya, is named after Nicholas Maxim, a fifth grader from Readfield, Maine. In 2011, the young boy who is born without his lower arms, submitted a cursive entry so impressive that Zaner-Bloser decided to create a new category to honor physically challenged kids.

Anaya's proud parents, Bianca Middleton and Gary Ellick say the young girl's determination and desire to be independent became apparent when she was just an infant. Unable to hold on to her pacifier with her hands, she figured out how to do it by cupping her arms. As a toddler, she learned to eat with a fork and build with blocks. At 5, she managed to perch a crayon or marker between her hands and draw. Though Anaya was fitted with prosthetic arms for a short time, the young girl decided she was better off with her natural ones and discarded them. As it turns out, she was right! Though winning the handwriting award was thrilling, Anaya has already moved on to her next goal - She now wants to master karate!

Resources: zaner-bloser.com,pilotonline.com,npr.org

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Seven-Year-Old Anaya Ellick Proves "Disability Is Not Inability"

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
To win a national award for handwriting, especially in this digital age, is an achievement in itself. But what makes Anaya Ellick's accolade extra special is that the seven-year-old accomplished the feat despite having no hands. Even more amazing?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Photo Credit: Worldbank.org

Leaving one's home country is never an easy decision. But it is especially hard when the journey is fraught with danger and uncertainty, and there is no guaranty of a successful outcome. Unfortunately, unbearable conflict or repression forces thousands of people to take the plunge each year. However, over the past two years, the number of refugees has escalated to alarming levels, and there appears to be no end in sight.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), by the end of 2014, there were 19.5 million people living as refugees, almost 3 million more than in 2013. The humanitarian agency stated that last year, conflict and persecution displaced over 42,000 people daily! Some moved to "safer" zones within the country in hopes of coming back when things improved. Others gave up on their homeland and left to seek refuge in neighboring nations.

Photo Credit: aa.com

While leaving the country may sound like a great way to start a new life, it is not. That's because refugees are not instantly allowed to become citizens of the country they are seeking asylum in. Instead, they have to register with the United Nations and apply for a new home, a process that could take up to 24 months and sometimes even longer. Meanwhile, they spend their days in tented camps that are often crowded and offer little in the form of amenities. There are also no schools for kids. It is only after they receive an invite from a third country, that they can settle down and start a new life.

But despite knowing the odds, millions of people are opting to become refugees. The numbers are so large that they are being compared to the situation at the end of World War II when between seven and nine million Germans fled or were expelled from Eastern Europe. So what is causing this latest displacement? Read on . . .

Image Credit: UNHCR

The biggest and most pressing refugee crisis involves the residents of Syria who are leaving the country in unprecedented numbers. The issue can be traced back to the series of revolutions that began in Tunisia and then spread to other nations in North Africa and the Middle East. While some of the leaders gave in to the demands for change and resigned, Syria's Bashar al-Assad's was not as accommodating. As a result, Syria has been embroiled in a bitter civil war since then. If that is not bad enough, the residents also have to suffer through the daily atrocities imposed by ISIS members.

It is no wonder that the fear and chaos has caused 12 million Syrians to leave their homes since 2011. Of these 7.6 million have been internally displaced and remain in the country, while 4 million, (one in every five Syrian) have fled to neighboring areas and are currently living as refugees.

Image Credit: UNHCR

Of these, about 2 million are living in camps outside Turkey. Another million have sought refuge in neighboring Lebanon, and about 629,000 are living in makeshift homes in Jordan. Though the three countries were initially sympathetic, their resources are now being stretched thin. As a result, they have tightened their borders, forcing fleeing Syrians to make the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean to Europe.

In 2014, about 219,000 people crossed over to seek asylum in Europe. In just eight months of 2015, the number has increased to over 300,000, and there is no end in sight. What's even more disheartening is that 51% of the refugees are under the age of 18, and 39% are under the age of 11.

Image Credit: UNHCR

To make matters worse, Syrians are not the only ones seeking refuge. Political and other conflicts are causing people to leave Iraq, Eritrea, Southern Sudan, and Afghanistan in record numbers.

Meanwhile, European countries are trying to come up with a solution to handle the increasingly worrisome refugee situation. On September 7th, Germany's Angela Merkel announced that the country would open its borders to all asylum seekers and urged other European nations to do the same. However, the Chancellor was forced to retract her promise and close its boundaries within a week. While the alleged reason is a shortage of beds in the refugee reception centers, many believe the Chancellor and her team were spooked by the large number of refugees that rushed in.

Aerial view of Za'atri camp for Syrian refugees in Jordon (Photo Credit: By U.S. Department of State [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

On September 14th, the 28 European Union officials held an emergency meeting to come up a feasible solution. However, it was not very productive. Though the members agreed to settle 160,000 refugees, they could not reach a decision on how many each country would be responsible for. Though it may sound callous not to help another human in need, the officials have to be careful. That's because they also have to consider the cost and impact a large inflow of new immigrants would have on the local communities.

But even the prospect of spending years in crowded tented camps with no stable home does not seem to be deterring the Syrians who continue to flee their country in droves. On Sunday, Sept 14, Hungarian police detained 5,809 refugees, the highest number to cross the Mediterranean since . . . The previous day when 4,330 were held back!

Resources:.com, aljazeera.com, vox.com, news.yahoo.com, the nation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Making Sense Of The Worst Refugee Crisis Since World War II

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Leaving one's home country is never an easy decision. But it is especially hard when the journey is fraught with danger and uncertainty and there is no guaranty of a successful outcome.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Tuskless elephants of Gorongosa National Park (Credit: Elephantvoices.org)

While elephants born without tusks are not unheard of, they normally comprise just 2 to 6 percent of the herd population. However, that is not the case at Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park, where an astounding 33 percent of female elephants born after the country's civil war ended in 1992, are tuskless. While that may appear to be just a coincidence, Joyce Poole, an elephant behavior expert and National Geographic Explorer, has another theory. The researcher thinks we may be witnessing an unnaturally induced evolution of the species due to the incessant poaching of the mammals for their valuable tusks.

Tusks are overgrown upper incisors which protrude from sockets in the elephant's skull. Unlike our permanent teeth, they continue to grow throughout the animal's life, becoming longer and thicker with age. While humans covet them for ornamental purposes, the teeth are an essential survival tool for elephants. The mammals use tusks for a variety of tasks including, extracting tree bark, digging for water or roots and, in the case of males, even fighting with one another. While poachers usually first target older males due to their impressive tusks, females are not spared either. As a result, in areas where poaching goes unchecked for extensive periods of time, the proportion of tuskless females increases. This allows them to gain a biological advantage, resulting in a larger than average population of female offspring with no tusks.

The proportion of tuskless females being born in Gorongosa is much higher than the average (Credit:hhmi.org)

Poole, who also serves as scientific director of nonprofit ElephantVoices, believes this phenomenon explains the unprecedented rise in the number of tuskless females at Gorongosa National Park. The researcher, who has been studying the wildlife sanctuary's elephant population for many years, says prior to the country's 15-year-long civil war, the 100,000 acre-park was home to over 4,000 pachyderms. However, by the time the conflict ended in 1992, about 90 percent of the mammals had been slaughtered for ivory to help finance weapons and meat to feed the soldiers. Of the less than 200 survivors, over 50 percent of the females - 25 years or older - had no tusks. Hence, it is not surprising that the park's tuskless elephant population has grown substantially.

This is not the first time researchers have observed a drastic change in the population of elephant herds who have suffered severe poaching losses. At the Ruaha National Park in Tanzania, an area which was heavily poached in the 1970s and 1980s, 35% of elephants 25 years or older and 13% of those younger than 25 are now without tusks. A 2008 study published in the African Journal of Ecology found that the number of tuskless females at Zambia's South Luangwa National Park and adjacent Lupande Game Management Area went from 10.5 percent in 1969 to almost 40 percent in 1989, largely due to illegal hunting for ivory.

Elephant tusks are highly coveted for ornamental use (Credit: James St. John/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2-0)

Thus far, the genetic consequence of poaching has largely impacted female elephants. Poole explains, "Because males require tusks for fighting, tusklessness has been selected against in males, and very few males are tuskless. For African elephants, tuskless males have a much harder time breeding and do not pass on their genes as often as tusked males."

However, if the slaughtering of males with the most impressive tusks continues at this pace, it could result in a generation of elephants with much smaller tusks. Poole says, "Assuming that poachers select according to tusk size, they will tend to kill older males with very large tusks, thereby taking out of the population of breeding-aged males who also happen to have very big tusks. Those males then no longer pass on their genes for large tusks. In this manner, heavy poaching will select out genes for large tusks."

Tuskless female at Gorongosa National Park (Credit: Elephantvoices.org)

The recent ban on ivory in both the US and China should help eliminate, or at least reduce, elephant poaching. However, scientists are not sure how long it will take for the herds with a higher rate of tuskless females, to reverse the trend.

The only silver lining is that the tuskless elephants look healthy, indicating they have learned to adapt without their all-important "tools." To investigate how the pachyderms are able to thrive without tusks, a team led by University of Idaho researcher Ryan Long recently fitted six adult females, three with tusks and three without, with GPS tracking devices. The researchers plan to monitor the animals for a few years to document the tuskless mammals' modified lifestyle and assess its impact on the surrounding environment.

Resources: Nationalgeographic.com, awf.org

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Excessive Poaching May Be Causing African Elephants To Evolve Without Tusks

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
While elephants born without tusks are not unheard of, they normally comprise just 2 to 6 percent of the herd population. However, that is not the case at Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park, where an astounding 33 percent of female elephants born after the country's civil war ended in 1992, are tuskless.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Though elephant poaching is banned throughout Africa, unscrupulous hunters continue to slaughter the mighty beasts in large numbers. While that is sad enough, what is even worse is what happens to orphaned baby elephants. Unable to feed themselves, they become weak and are often abandoned by their herds for fear that they will attract lions. Now thanks to one British girl, there is hope, at least for the orphaned calves in Zambia.

33-year-old Essex-born Rachael Murton is the project manager at the Lilayi Elephant Nursery where she spends her days nurturing the fragile babies back to health, fund-raising and educating the locals about the plight of the mighty mammals. Funded by Game Rangers International Elephant Orphanage Project (GRI) the nursery that opened its doors in October 2012, is the only orphanage for the defenseless baby elephants in Southern Africa.

Rachael who arrived in Zambia in 2007 after working with a wide variety of wildlife in the United Kingdom, Alaska and Asia, says that her quest to save the elephant calves began when she came across a two-year-old female they called Suni, who was attacked with an ax by the same poachers that killed her mother. Fortunately, Rachael and the experts at GRI were able to rescue the severely injured calf. While Suni is doing fine, she will never be able to return back to the wild thanks to her severe injuries which require her to wear a special metal boot and undergo regular acupuncture treatment.

The elephant orphans arrive at the center in numerous ways - Some are found wandering aimlessly in the jungle, while others get rescued thanks to the diligence of locals who have been made aware of this wonderful refuge thanks daily educational talks at the nursery and a weekly community radio show, spearheaded by Rachael.

One inhabitant that certainly benefited from the outreach is Zambezi, who was brought into the sanctuary after the then one-month old was found splashing wildly inside the pool of a nearby Safari Lodge. Turns out, the little calf had not dived in for an afternoon swim but had accidently slipped, whilst trying to get a sip of water.

According to Murton, when the nursery was first launched in 2012, they received one or two calls a year. Now it's not uncommon to get between six to seven. Though part of the increase can be attributed to the continuing surge in poaching, some are also due to public awareness.

The nursery which lies about an hour away from Zambia's capital Lusaka, has been strategically located close to a 'release' site in Kafue National Park. Called Camp Phoenix it is adjacent to the Ngoma Forest, home to the most intact wild elephant population in Zambia today. Though its 5,000 residents spend their days roaming around freely in the vast jungle, they often venture out to feed and drink water at a watering hole adjacent to Camp Phoenix. The officials hope that interacting with the wild elephants will encourage those raised in the orphanage to contemplate returning to the wilderness.

While Rachel is certainly making a difference, it is a small drop in what is an extremely leaky bucket - One that can only be sealed if humans stop paying top dollar for ivory, the main reason for the merciless slaughter of these mighty animals.

Resources: dailymail.co.uk, newswatch.nationalgeographic.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
British Girl Dedicates Her Life To Saving Orphan Elephants In Zambia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Though elephant poaching is banned throughout Africa, unscrupulous hunters continue to slaughter the mighty beasts in large numbers. While that is sad enough, what is even worse is what happens to orphaned baby elephants. Unable to feed themselves, they become weak and are often abandoned by their herds for fear that they will attract lions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Photo Credit: Elephant Without Borders

Mention the word refugees, and the image that comes to mind is that of humans that have been forced to leave their countries due to war, persecution or natural disaster. Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, is facing a different kind of refugee crisis - one caused by the hundreds of thousands of elephants that have fled their homelands to escape ruthless poachers.

This is not the first time the mammals have sought refuge at the Chobe National Park, an 11,700 sq. km (4,500 sq. miles) animal sanctuary located in northern Botswana. But Michel Chase, founder of Elephants Without Borders (EWB), who has been tracking the African elephants for the last twenty years, says this migration is different. In the past, the pachyderms used the sanctuary as a temporary home and always headed back to their respective countries after a few years.

Image Credit: Elephant Without Borders

However, since 2011, as poaching in Namibia, Zambia, and Angola, has escalated to new heights, the homeward migration has stopped. As of November 2016, over 130,000 elephants, roughly a third of the estimated 350,000 African elephant population, have made Botswana their permanent home. Chase says, "Elephants clearly have a cognitive ability to understand where they are threatened and where they are safe and in this case they are seeking refuge and sanctuary in Botswana where they are well protected."

Though EWB is thrilled at being able to provide a safe haven for the mighty animals, the country is struggling to keep up with the voracious eaters, who can plow through up to 600 pounds of vegetation a day. Botswana's most severe drought in 30 years has made things worse. As food sources dwindle, some desperate pachyderms have resorted to eating indigestible tree bark, leading to their untimely deaths. Also, as the watering holes dry out, the parched elephants are being forced to leave the safety of the sanctuary and head to the nearby rivers making them susceptible to unscrupulous poachers.

Image Credit: Elephant Without Borders

Though the situation is not ideal, the smart elephant refugees who can detect the boundary between safe and dangerous areas without physical markers, appear to be making the best of it. George Ittmeyer, who has been studying the African elephants for many years, says their highly evolved spatial memory enables the mammals to select the most efficient path to the river, minimizing the risk of encountering hunters. The elephants also adjust their circadian rhythm so that they rest during the day and search for water at night when there are fewer poachers. Also, since elephants can sense sound frequencies through their feet, they can "hear" warnings sent by other elephants and avoid dangerous areas.

Meanwhile, the Botswana government's plea to neighboring countries to impose measures to stop the carnage has met with some success. Uganda, Namibia, and Gabon have seen elephant populations stabilize or improve as officials realize the income obtained from ecotourism is far greater than from ivory. In July 2016, African Parks, in collaboration with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), moved 250 elephants and 1,500 other animals of various species to the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve in northern Malawi. If all goes according to plan, another 250 will be moved in July 2017, completing one of the most significant translocation initiatives in conservation history.

Photo Credit: Elephant Without Borders

While these efforts will certainly help, what conservationists are most thrilled about is the news that China, which accounts for 70% of the ivory trade, is banning all ivory sales by the end of 2017. With their biggest market gone, poachers will have little incentive to kill the majestic animals. This will hopefully help revive the African elephant population, which has plummeted drastically in the last ten years, and reduce the number of "refugees."

Resources: natgeo.com,usatoday.com,bbc,co.uk

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mention the word refugees, and the image that comes to mind is that of humans that have been forced to leave their countries due to war, persecution or natural disaster. Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, is facing a different kind of refugee crisis - one caused by the hundreds of thousands of elephants that have fled their homelands to escape ruthless poachers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Nyaru Mentang Center, located on the Indonesian side of Borneo, is home to more than 600 orphaned Orangutans. Here these infants, all victims of deforestation and illegal poaching, are taught to fend for themselves in the wild, a process that takes about eight years.

The rescued apes are first taken to a medical center for a thorough examination for diseases like Tuberculosis and Hepatitis B. Once they receive a clean bill of health, they are introduced to the other residents and also inductedinto the Forest School - a regimented program, where the infants are wheeled to a nearby forest every day from dawn to dusk and encouraged to explore the area, climb trees and just have fun! This is the first step towards teaching them how to survive in the wild.

Apes too big for this school, are placed in large cages, where they learn to climb and build nests, just like they would do in the wild.

Besides survival training, the infants are also nurturedwith a lot of love and good food, to help them grow healthy and strong. The center has its own plantation, which grows over 40 different varieties of fruits and vegetables. On any given month, these baby apes feast on 2,000 papayas, 2,000 kilos of cucumbers, 8,000 oranges, 44,000 satsumas, 8,000 kilos of bananas, 2,000 watermelons, 2,500 kilos of sweet corn, 2,000 pineapples and 2,000 coconuts. No wonder they look so happy!

Once the animals master the basic skills, they graduate to a Midway House, which comprises of three nearby islands, that have been bought by the Orangutan Foundation, for their rehabilitation. Though they are still under supervision, those that show independence and skills to build their beds on the trees, are allowed to have 'sleepovers' in the forests. The rest return to their cages at the end of the day.

Most apes spend about 18 months in the Midway House, before they are deemed ready to be completely independent. So far, the center has released about 150 apes into designated safe forests around the region.

Orangutans, which are native to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, are very different from the three other species of apes, which are all native to Africa. For one, they are our closest relatives, sharing 97% of the same DNA as humans. They are also the only arboreal apes, which means they spend all their time on trees. While other apes sleep on trees, they spend most of the day on the ground. Their reddish-brown color also sets them apart from the other ape species.

To learn more about this incredibly cute animals go to: http://www.born-to-be-wild.org/html/borneo_rehab.html

Sources:borntobewild.org, dailymail.co.uk

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Borneo Center Teaches Orphaned Orangutans to Survive In The Wild

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Nyaru Mentang Center, located on the Indonesian side of Borneo, is home to more than 600 orphaned Orangutans. Here these infants, all victims of deforestation and illegal poaching, are taught to fend for themselves in the wild, a process that takes about eight years.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Photo Credit: Sheldrick

Though the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi, Kenya generally caters to orphaned or abandoned elephants, they couldn't possibly say no to this two-day old rhino especially, once they saw how incredibly cute he is.

The black rhino was a mere two days old when he was found by ranger Maalim, during a routine patrol around Tsavo National Park. He was so tiny that Maalim first thought he was a baby Warthog. The ranger waited a day to see if the mother would come back, but by evening the baby looked so weak that Maalim picked him up and took him to the ranger base.

Photo Credit: Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Not sure how to save the rapidly weakening baby, the ranger station called the experts at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and asked them to adopt the rhino calf. They instantly agreed. The ranger station also asked the shelter to name the baby, Maalim - in honor of the ranger who saved the little rhino's life.

When the barely 8-inch, 55-lb calf reached the center, it was love at first sight for everybody who came in contact with him. Now about two months later, little Maalim is thriving at the center. Bottle-fed with specially formulated milk, he has two full-time keepers, who he dutifully follows around, almost afraid to be left alone.

However, he will not be introduced to any of the larger guests at the shelter. That is because in the wild, elephants and rhinos are not the best of friends and if Maalim gets too comfortable with their presence, he may not be able to survive in the wild.

Photo Credit: Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

In a few years, when this tiny calf becomes an 11-feet long, 5-foot tall adult weighing over 3,000 lbs, he will be released in the wild to the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, a fenced-in area for rhinos within the Tsavo National Park.

When Tsavo National Park was established in 1849, the population of black rhinos in Kenya, was as high as 20,000, with over 8,000 of them residing at the National Park. However, by the early 1990's, they had become almost extinct thanks to rampant poaching.

In 1980, the then warden of the park, Bill Woodley, closed off a 35-acre area, with an electrical fence to house and protect the few black rhinos that remained. Now, after all, these years, the rhino count has finally risen to over 70, but as can be seen from the disappearance of Maalim's mom they are still not entirely safe from poachers. To read more about Maalim and the other animals at the sanctuary go to sheldrickwildlifetrust.org.

Source: David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Dailymail.co.uk

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Though the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi, Kenya generally caters to orphaned or abandoned elephants, they couldn't possibly say no to this two-day old rhino especially, once they saw how incredibly cute he is. The black rhino was a mere two days old when he was found by ranger Maalim, during a routine patrol around Tsavo National Park.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This section pulls together fundamental information about bullying, including:

Definition of Bullying

In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Department of Education released the first federal definition of bullying. The definition includes three core elements:

unwanted aggressive behavior

observed or perceived power imbalance

repetition or high likelihood of repetition of bullying behaviors

This definition helps determine whether an incident is bullying or another type of aggressive behavior or both.

Research on Bullying

Bullying prevention is a growing research field that investigates the complexities and consequences of bullying. Important areas for more research include:

Prevalence of bullying in schools

Prevalence of cyberbullying in online spaces

How bullying affects people

Risk factors for people who are bullied, people who bully others, or both

How to prevent bullying

How media and media coverage affects bullying

What We've Learned about Bullying

Bullying affects all youth, including those who are bullied, those who bully others, and those who witness bullying. The effects of bullying may continue into adulthood.

There is not a single profile of a young person involved in bullying. Youth who bully can be either well connected socially or marginalized, and may be bullied by others as well. Similarly, those who are bullied sometimes bully others.

Solutions to bullying are not simple. Bullying prevention approaches that show the most promise confront the problem from many angles. They involve the entire school community-students, families, administrators, teachers, and staff such as bus drivers, nurses, cafeteria and front office staff-in creating a culture of respect. Zero tolerance and expulsion are not effective approaches.

Bystanders, or those who see bullying, can make a huge difference when they intervene on behalf of someone being bullied.

Studies also have shown that adults can help prevent bullying by talking to children about bullying, encouraging them to do what they love, modeling kindness and respect, and seeking help.

Bullying Statistics

Here are federal statistics about bullying in the United States. Data sources include the Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2019 (National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice) and the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

How Common Is Bullying

About 20% of students ages 12-18 experienced bullying nationwide.

Students ages 12-18 who reported being bullied said they thought those who bullied them:

Had the ability to influence other students' perception of them (56%).

Had more social influence (50%).

Were physically stronger or larger (40%).

Had more money (31%).

Bullying in Schools

Nationwide, 19% of students in grades 9-12 report being bullied on school property in the 12 months prior to the survey.

The following percentages of students ages 12-18 had experienced bullying in various places at school:

Hallway or stairwell (43.4%)

Classroom (42.1%)

Cafeteria (26.8%)

Outside on school grounds (21.9%)

Online or text (15.3%)

Bathroom or locker room (12.1%)

Somewhere else in the school building (2.1%)

Approximately 46% of students ages 12-18 who were bullied during the school year notified an adult at school about the bullying.

Cyberbullying

Among students ages 12-18 who reported being bullied at school during the school year, 15 % were bullied online or by text.

An estimated 14.9% of high school students were electronically bullied in the 12 months prior to the survey.

Types of Bullying

Students ages 12-18 experienced various types of bullying, including:

Being the subject of rumors or lies (13.4%)

Being made fun of, called names, or insulted (13.0%)

Pushed, shoved, tripped, or spit on (5.3%)

Leaving out/exclusion (5.2%)

Threatened with harm (3.9%)

Others tried to make them do things they did not want to do (1.9%)

Property was destroyed on purpose (1.4%)

State and Local Statistics

Follow these links for state and local figures on the following topics:

International Statistics

According to the UNESCO Institute of Statistics:

One third of the globe's youth is bullied; this ranges from as low as 7% in Tajikistan to 74% in Samoa.

Low socioeconomic status is a main factor in youth bullying within wealthy countries.

Immigrant-born youth in wealthy countries are more likely to be bullied than locally-born youth.

Bullying and Suicide

The relationship between bullying and suicide is complex. The media should avoid oversimplifying these issues and insinuating or directly stating that bullying can cause suicide. The facts tell a different story. It is not accurate and potentially dangerous to present bullying as the "cause" or "reason" for a suicide, or to suggest that suicide is a natural response to bullying.

Research indicates that persistent bullying can lead to or worsen feelings of isolation, rejection, exclusion, and despair, as well as depression and anxiety, which can contribute to suicidal behavior.

The vast majority of young people who are bullied do not become suicidal.

Most young people who die by suicide have multiple risk factors.

For more information on the relationship between bullying and suicide, read "The Relationship Between Bullying and Suicide: What We Know and What it Means for Schools" from the CDC.

Anti-Bullying Laws

All states have anti-bullying legislation. When bullying is also harassment and happens in the school context, schools have a legal obligation to respond to it according to federal laws.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This section pulls together fundamental information about bullying.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Emily's Story: Haringey foster care guide

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Foster Care - From A Child's Perspective

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
www.museumoftolerance.com > Education > Teacher Resources > Holocaust Resources > Children of the Holocaust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
On July 28th 1914 began the outbreak of the First World War, aka World War 1 or The Great War for Civilisation. Join us as we learn everything there is to know in our World War 1 facts ...

World War 1 facts: Why did it start?

A hundred years might seem like a very long time ago, but it isn't really. Your great-great grandparents were around then, and they would have lived through, and maybe even taken part in, this terrible conflict.

Lots of history books have been written on World War 1 facts and why it started. But it all boils down to the fact that Europe had split into two large families of countries. The Allies - the British Empire, France, Belgium, Russia and later, the USA - were in one family. And the Central Powers of Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey were in the other. On 4 August 1914, Germany invaded Belgium, and so, standing by its promise to stick up for Belgium, Britain declared war on Germany. The world was at war...

Check out our magazine!
National Geographic Kids is an exciting monthly read for planet-passionate boys and girls, aged 6-13! Packed full of fun features, jaw-dropping facts and awe-inspiring photos - it'll keep you entertained for hours! Find our magazine in all good newsagents, or become a subscriber and have it delivered to your door! Ask your parents to check out the 'Subscribe' tab on our website!
(AD)

How long did World War 1 last?

When the First World War began that summer, most people thought it would be over by Christmas. Many believed that Britain was so powerful it could win very quickly. In fact, the First World War lasted four terrible years, not four months.

Life in the trenches in World War 1

By the winter of 1915, the opposing sides had both dug long ditches called trenches which faced each other, in some places just 30m apart! These lines of narrow trenches stretched from the Belgian coast to Switzerland, and were known as the Western Front. Over five million British soldiers spent time living in these muddy, miserable ditches, taking it in turns to be on the Front Line - the trench closest to the enemy.

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable First World War primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

Day-to-day life there was smelly and grim. There were millions of giant rats, overflowing latrines (loos) and terrible lice infestations. Not to mention the dead bodies. Every so often, soldiers on the Front Line would be instructed to leave their trench and venture into dangerous No Man's Land (the area between the sides) to try to push back the enemy.

A new type of war

This war was very different from conflicts of the past. For the first time, powerful new weapons and vehicles were used - at sea, on land and in the air - resulting in many people being killed or wounded. In Britain, you could sometimes hear what sounded like thunder coming across the English Channel from Europe. In fact, it was the huge boom of big guns, called artillery, being fired on the Western Front. 75% of all men who died in World War 1 were killed by artillery.

The largest battle of the World War 1 - the Battle of the Somme - is known as one of the bloodiest battles in history. It was fought by the French and British against the Germans on both sides of the River Somme in France, and lasted for more than five months. Over a million men were killed or wounded, and it was the first time that a tank was used in combat.

Animals during World War 1

Both on the battlefield and back at home, some incredible creatures helped to transport soldiers and goods - and save lives.

Almost a million horses were involved in the war. Soldiers on horseback were known as the Cavalry and horses also pulled some of the gigantic guns, ambulances and supply wagons. Gas from horse droppings could even be used to power lamps!

British families gave their pet dogs to the army so they could carry messages in special tubes on their collars (see above). Dogs were fast, difficult to shoot at, and they also caught rats! Pet pigeons were drafted in to carry messages over long distances, often carrying news from the Front Line back to Britain - Germans trained hawks to kill any carrier pigeons they saw. Goldfish did their bit too - after gas attacks, the gas masks were washed and rinsed. And if the rinsing water killed a goldfish that was placed in it, that meant the masks still had poison on them!

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable War Horses: WWI primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

What was life like in Britain during World War 1?

Just because you weren't in the battle fields didn't mean you weren't in the danger zone. Back on the Home Front, Britain was under attack from all sides.

It was the first time in history that Britain had come under threat from the sky. Gigantic German airships, known as Zeppelins (below), carried out 52 bombing raids on Britain during the war - killing more than 500. People were terrified of them! To avoid Zeppelin attacks, no lights could be used after sunset and loud noises were banned, too. Large scale bombing raids on British cities were carried out during the day by German biplanes called Gothas.

There were threats from the sea, too. Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby were the first seaside towns to be shelled by the German navy. Battlecruisers, ships with huge guns, launched a surprise attack on 16 December 1914 - 137 people were killed and 592 injured that night alone.

But all these attacks on ordinary people only stirred up hatred against the enemy, encouraging more British men to volunteer and fight for their country against "The Beast". At the start of the war there were just 350,000 men in the British army. But by 1917, there were 3.5 million! Mind you, in 1916, conscription came in - a rule that said ALL healthy men aged 18 - 41 had to fight.

Women during World War 1

Women weren't allowed to join the army, but the war still completely changed their lives - in some ways, for the better!

Before the war, a woman's role was in the home. But with the men away at war, help was needed in the workplace - and so millions of women went to work in offices, factories, shops, transport and on farms. Many men were horrified by the idea of females working and, even worse, wearing trousers! But the women proved that they could do the work of men, and do it just as well. Without the women of Britain growing food and making weapons, the war could not have been won.

When the war was over and the soldiers came home, women were made to leave their new jobs and go back into the home. But not all of them wanted to do that anymore! Their experiences during the war eventually led to women getting more freedoms and rights - including the right to vote!

Children during World War 1

Did you know that Boy Scouts and Girl Guides had a vital role on the Home Front? Girl Guides would make basic medical equipment for wounded soldiers, like bandages, swabs and slings. They also worked growing vegetables and delivering milk. Boy Scouts collected eggs for injured troops, protected roads and railway lines, and delivered messages.

Children were even paid to collect conkers which could be turned into explosives! They also wrote letters to soldiers and helped to knit socks and scarves for the troops in the winter months. Some boys lied about their age and went off to fight. The youngest of these, Sidney Lewis, was just 12 years old when he joined the army. He was sent home at the age of 13 after fighting in the Battle of the Somme, one of the war's bloodiest battles.

Children were also used to carry messages for MI5, the British Secret Service. The Boy Scouts, who were MI5's first choice for this work, apparently found it hard to keep sensitive secrets, so Britain's agents turned to the Girl Guides, instead!

Believe it or not, Winnie The Pooh has his roots in World War 1 Britain. At the time, a young bear cub called Winnie was one of the most popular attractions at London Zoo. He was a mascot belonging to the Canadian Army, who had been left there for safekeeping. The bear was seen by author A. A. Milne's son Christopher Robin, who renamed his own toy bear Winnie - and it became the inspiration for his dad's book, Winnie The Pooh!

Armistice Day

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, World War 1 officially ended when an agreement (known as an armistice) was signed by Germany and the Allies. This date is known as Armistice Day, and is still commemorated each year when people wear paper poppies to remember those who fought and died in conflicts around the world - the pretty red flowers were the only things that grew on the bloody battlefields of Western Europe.

Sadly, by the time World War 1 was over, more than 18 million people had been killed worldwide. It was hoped it would be the war to end all wars. But this wasn't to be the case. Just 21 years later, World War 2 broke out.

Your connections to World War 1

What can you find out about your family's involvement in World War 1? Ask your grandparents whether their parents, aunties or uncles ever talked about life during this time. Do you have any postcards or photographs from the war? Perhaps there are campaign medals belonging to a relative at home? Write in and tell us about it, we'd love to hear your family stories!

What did you make of our World War 1 facts? Let us know by leaving us a comment, below!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
World War 1 facts for kids | National Geographic Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Explore this fascinating part of British history in our World War 1 facts. Why did World War 1 start? What was life like in the trenches? How did it end?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the conflict that rocked the world…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
How do people see disability today? Some time ago, people's idea of disability was very distressing, especially towards people with disability and their families. If a child was born with any kind of disability, they would attribute that to many strange taboos, spiritual and traditional beliefs. The person would be seen as an object of pity, tragedy, and misfortune. In some communities of the world, they would have charity events, fund-raising events, spiritual and deliverance services for people with disabilities. Sadly, some places in the world still see disability in that light.

Today, disability is seen very differently, even though many people have still not come to terms with it.

Education, information, support services, policy and accessibility efforts by many modern societies have empowered people with disabilities, together with their families, to rise to their fullest potential.

Children with disability are able to go to school and feel part of society. Many people with disability have grown to become great, successful people.

Ray Charles and Steve Wonder, both blind from childhood, are some of the greatest musicians the world has seen. Marlee Matlin, who lost her hearing from childhood, is a great Standup Comedian and Actress. Chris Burke, a favorite American TV character, and writer, is a person with Down Syndrome. Nick Vujicic is an Australian Christian Evangelist and Motivational Speaker. Born in 1982 with a rare disorder, characterized by no hands and legs, has lived to inspire millions and continue to empower people. He now lives in California USA with his wife.

Disability is part of life. People with disability have potential too, just like people without a disability. They have the same rights as everyone else and if people with disabilities, families, and society can work together on policy, we can make society all-inclusive and every person will have a fair chance to be the best they can be.

This lesson aims to provide some basic information on the issue and help young people with and without disabilities to welcome each other's strengths and appreciate their weaknesses. It aims to provide some basic information on what disability is, how to relate to people with disability and stop seeing disability as a devastating condition, but rather see the potential in the person and harness them for their good and the common good of society.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How do people see disability today? Some time ago, people's idea of disability was very distressing, especially towards people with disability and their families. If a child was born with any kind of disability, they would attribute that to many strange taboos, spiritual and traditional beliefs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Kids Who Might Need Extra Help

Isn't every kid special? We think so. But what do we mean when we say "kids with special needs"? This means any kid who might need extra help because of a medical, emotional, or learning problem. These kids have special needs because they might need medicine, therapy, or extra help in school - stuff other kids don't typically need or only need once in a while.

Maybe you know of kids in your school who need a wheelchair or use braces when they walk. Those kids have special needs. They not only need the equipment that helps them get around, but they might need to have ramps or elevators available. They also might need to get a special bus to school - one that lifts them up into the bus so they don't have to get up the steps.

Kids who have illnesses, such as epilepsy or diabetes, would have special needs, too. They might need medicine or other help as they go about their day. Kids with sight problems might use special apps, tablets, or computers to read. Those with hearing or speech problems would have special needs, too. A kid who has hearing trouble might need hearing aids to hear and speech therapy, too, since it can be hard to say words correctly when you can't hear very well.

Kids with learning problems often have special needs. Kids with Down syndrome might go to a regular school and might even be in your class. But they have special needs when it comes to learning, so an aide (someone to help) might come with them to class.

You might be able to spot a few kids with special needs, but you probably don't notice all of them. A kid could have a problem that isn't noticeable unless you know the person well. For example, someone could have trouble with anxiety (worry), but you wouldn't know it unless the kid told you about it. Privately, their parents, teachers, and counselors may be working to help them worry less.

Page 1

What's Life Like for a Kid With Special Needs?

Life can be extra-challenging for a kid with special needs. It might be harder to do everyday stuff - like learning to read or, if a person has physical handicaps, just getting around school or the mall. The good news is that parents, doctors, nurses, therapists, teachers, and others can help. The goal is to help kids be as independent as possible.

Other kids also can be a big help. How? By being a friend. Kids who need a wheelchair or have other health problems want friends just like you do. But meeting people and making friends can be tough. Some kids might tease them or make fun of them. Be sure to tell a teacher if you see someone being bullied or teased. That's a very lonely feeling.

Also try to be helpful if you know someone with special needs. Ask if they would like help with carrying their books or opening a door. Ask them to join you and your friends at lunch. It's important not to be "overly helpful" when no help is needed. Why? Because just like you, kids with special needs like to be as independent as they can be.

Being friendly to kids with special needs is one of the best ways to be helpful. As you get to know them, they may help you understand what it's like to be in their shoes. And you'll be helping fill a very special need, one that everybody has - the need for good friends.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Isn't every kid special? We think so. But what do we mean when we say "kids with special needs"? This means any kid who might need extra help because of a medical, emotional, or learning problem.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
TALK TO ME | Physical Disability Awareness

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Gina, the mother of a 12-year-old boy, got a disconcerting phone call from his school. A student had complained that her son was bullying him. After looking into the matter, the school staff concluded that her child had been tormenting a number of his classmates with name-calling, physical violence, and even sexual harassment. "Needless to say, we were mortified and ashamed," Gina remembers. "But not only that, we were heartbroken."

No parent wants to hear that her child is a bully. It's painful to think of your child inflicting harm on other kids. But bullying is also a serious issue for the aggressor. Kids' friendship skills are an important indicator of their overall mental health. If your child is said to be engaging in bullying behaviors-whether physical or verbal-it might be a sign of serious distress. They might be experiencing anxiety or depression, and have difficulty regulating their emotions and behavior.

It's important to keep in mind that kids don't bully because they are "bad kids." "Kids engage in all kinds of behavior that isn't a reflection of who they are as a person," says Jamie Howard, PhD, director of the Stress and Resilience Program at the Child Mind Institute. "They're still figuring things out. They can be nice kids who have made some mistakes." There are many reasons why an otherwise well-behaved child might be unkind to other kids. Here are a few:

The child wants to fit in with a group of friends who are picking on one classmate.

They are getting bullied at home or at school, and are trying to regain a sense of power by acting aggressively toward others.

They are looking for attention from teachers, parents, or classmates, and haven't been successful getting it other ways.

They are by nature more assertive and impulsive than their peers.

They have a tendency to perceive the behavior of other kids as hostile, even when it is not.

They do not fully grasp how their behavior is making the victim feel. This is particularly true of younger kids.

By talking with your child about it, understanding from their point of view what's going on, and guiding them through appropriate friendship behaviors, you can curb bullying and address the issues that might have caused it to happen in the first place. Here are some tips for ensuring that your child fosters respectful relationships with peers.

If you hear from a teacher or another parent that your child is being a bully, the first thing you should do is talk to your child about the situation. Be direct about the issue, but make it clear that you are open to hearing your child's side of the story. Say something along the lines of: "I got a call from the school today, and the teacher indicated that you were involved in some bullying. I'm really concerned about this, and we need to talk about it. Please tell me what happened."

Talking through the situation with your child can help you understand why the social aggression is happening, and what steps need to be taken in order to stop it. After Gina was told that her son was harassing other children, she and her husband had many long talks with him about why he was acting out in that way.

"We asked him lots of questions about why he did those things," Gina explains. "Our child had incredibly low self-esteem. Bullying gave him power and control over something. He told us that it was nice being known as 'the worst kid in school,' rather than not being noticed at all."

Other kids might not be able to articulate why they are acting out. This is especially true of younger children and kids who are struggling with anxiety, trauma, or another mental health issue. If you are having trouble getting to the bottom of why your child is acting out, consider consulting a child psychologist or psychiatrist who has a lot of experience evaluating kids' behaviors.

Once you have investigated the roots of the problem, you can tailor your response to the specific challenges that your child faces in social interactions. Discuss scenarios that might prove difficult for them to handle, and guide them through appropriate responses. If, for example, your child has been deliberately excluding one of their classmates from social activities, tell them: "When someone asks to play with you, you should say yes. I want to see you including kids, and I want to see you using only respectful language."

"Have lots of different solutions to various issues that are likely to come up, and give clear examples about how you expect your child to respond," says Dr. Howard. "I would try to frame it as friendship behavior, rather than, 'Don't be a bully.' Kids respond better to being told what to do than what not to do."

Encouraging your child to take the perspective of the person who is being bullied can be another helpful way to cope ahead. Ask your child: "Can you think of a time when you felt left out or sad because somebody wasn't being nice to you? That feeling you had is the same feeling your classmate is having because you aren't being nice to her."

Children who are exposed to aggressive or unkind interactions at home are likely to repeat those behaviors at school. "It's important for parents to think about how their behaviors might influence their kids-the way they speak to their children, the way they speak to their spouses, the way they handle anger-and to be realistic about whether or not this might be something that's been modeled for the child," says Kristin Carothers, PhD, a clinical psychologist.

It is possible that bullying takes place in your home, and that you are not even aware of it. Do members of your family engage in yelling, name-calling, or putdowns? Do your children pick on one another, or hit each other? If so, it is important to start fostering a positive home environment, where members of the family treat one another with kindness and respect.

After Gina learned about her son's bullying, she took great pains to ensure that her home life reflected the sort of behavior that she wanted her son to practice at school. "We didn't allow any 'bully type' talk or jokes, we practiced manners, and we encouraged helping and lifting each other up," she says. "Things weren't always perfect at home, but if we or the other kids didn't behave appropriately, we talked about it as a family."

Punishments for bullying behavior can be effective, but they should be meaningful and limited in scope. If, for example, you find out that your teenager is engaging in cyber bullying, their actions should be met with an immediate loss of Internet or phone privileges. In the case of particularly severe offenses, revoke the privileges for the foreseeable future, and seek the help of a therapist. But for less acute forms of bullying, the child should be able to earn privileges back over the course of a few days.

"If you remove a privilege for too long, it may actually lose validity," says Dr. Carothers. "The kid's like, 'OK, well, I can never get it back, so I'm just not going to try.' You want to make it so that the time within which punishment happens and the amount of time for which it happens are really balanced to have the biggest effect."

Once your child has regained their privileges and is calm, explain that they made a mistake that needs to be fixed. Your child might choose to apologize-in person, in a letter, via text message, and so on-but repairs can take many different forms. You can encourage your child to bake cookies for the whole class, for example, or to play a game with a peer whom they had previously been excluding.

Dr. Howard recalls a former patient who had been name-calling and very patently excluding other children from her social group. As a means of repair, the girl's mother had her daughter invite all the children whom she had bullied to a social event. "It was a correction," Dr. Howard explains. "And it was sort of Mom's way of re-establishing control.

If another parent approaches you about your child's bullying, notify teachers right away so they can be on the lookout for problematic behavior. Follow up with teachers on a regular basis and give plenty of labelled praise when your child is being a good friend.

Cyberbullying can be particularly difficult to monitor because it doesn't take place in plain sight. If your child has bullied other kids over the Internet, obtain passwords to their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts, and check them regularly to make sure that they are using social media in a kind manner. Be upfront about this: let your child know that you will be monitoring their social media activity until they prove that they can handle it responsibly. "If you're paying the phone bill, and you're paying for the Internet, you should be aware of what's going on with your child," Dr. Carothers says.

If you are continually working on building friendship skills with your child and the bullying does not stop, seek a mental health evaluation. Your child might need a therapist's help to work through underlying issues.

In some ways the most important action you can take is to build an open channel of communication with your child about their day-to-day life that will put you in a better position to recognize signs of bullying and trouble. Dr. Carothers recommends asking your child a few open-ended questions on a daily basis. "I believe in general check-ins with kids," she explains. "If you want your kid to talk to you, you have to go and talk to your kid."

In the morning, ask your child what they have planned for the day; after school, ask your child to tell you about one really great thing that happened that day, and one not-so-great thing. It can be tough to get started, but kids who are regularly expected to share details of their lives with parents are more comfortable continuing into adolescence to clue their parents in to what they are doing.

Gina found that staying connected to her son in a supportive, non-judgmental way was key to minimizing his aggressive behavior. "Talk to your kids and be very present in their lives," she suggests. "They need to feel like you care and that you hear what's going on with them. Fill their heads and hearts with love."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
My Child Is a Bully: What Should I Do? - Child Mind Institute

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Are you realizing 'My child is a bully'? Child Mind Institute explores why kids bully and what to do if you discover that your child is doing it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Why Do Kids Bully? Understanding why kids bully can help you better handle the situation. Often kids bully because they lack attention from a parent at home and lash out.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Bullying Hurts

Being a victim of any kind of bullying feels really bad and it's important for you to know two things:

You're NOT alone
It's NOT your fault

So now that you know that, here's how you can STOMP Out Bullying™:

How to Deal With Bullies: What to Do

If you're being bullied there's a lot you can do. While different tactics work for different people, the first thing you should do is try to work it out yourself.

Depending on how bad the bullying is (and as long as you don't feel at risk, scared or physically threatened) you might want to try and work it out yourself - as a first step.

The more empowered you are, and the more you can help yourself, the better chance you have to stop the bully.

If the bully doesn't change their behavior, that's when talking to someone else can be really helpful.

The bully wants you to react. Their goal is to take away your power, make you sad and scared. And if you show them you are not sad and scared, they will often lose interest and they cannot take away your power.

Remember they want to upset you constantly so you get angry. If you don't get angry, the bully will lose their own power.

Remember that bullies are human - they eat, sleep and live just like you do. The only difference is that you are NOT a bully! Bullies act the way they do because they lack the attention or parental love and nurturing that you have. They are insecure and bully only to feel powerful.

Bullies look for a reaction from you and often lose interest if they aren't given the satisfaction of getting one.

If You Feel Safe, Here Are Some Ways To Handle The Bully:

Walk away when the bully approaches you. Try and imagine you're walking away from a stranger. Both you and your body language will show you don't care.

Concentrate on thinking about something else (maybe a concert you want to go to, or a new outfit you want to buy.)

When the bully approaches you, count to 100 and keep walking. They'll never see how upset you are.

Yelling STOP and walk away. Keep walking and don't turn around no matter what they say.

When a bully calls you a name or tells you your sneakers are ugly -- look at them in the eyes and laugh hysterically and say, "I know my sneakers are ugly." Keep laughing hysterically and walk away without any additional conversation

When the bully harasses you and calls you names, look them in the eyes, LAUGH and walk away without any additional conversation.

Some great comeback lines to deal with bullies are:

Whatever!

Do you feel better now?

If you're talking about me behind my back, clearly my life is a lot more interesting than yours is!

Let's move on!

You finally found something funny to say?

I'm not sure why you keep saying these things about me, but I don't care.

Be really cool and stop this!

Enough!

Why are you talking to me?

Here we go again. This is boring. Let me know when you're done.

I've been called worse from better.

Wow, did you come up with that all by yourself?

Pardon me, but you seem to think that I care.

Just Walk Away from the Bully

Once you give your comeback line --- IT'S SO IMPORTANT to just walk away and keep walking! Do not react or respond. That's what the bully wants!

When you walk away you're taking away the bully's power!

Stay Positive

It can be hard to remember all your good points when someone is doing their best to be negative. However, try to think of all the things you do well and remember that you are a valuable person. Thinking of how bad the bully must be feeling may also help you to stay positive.

Picture Your Bully Like This...

Picture your bully standing on their head with their body stretching - almost as if they were standing in front of a distorted mirror like the kind you see at a carnival. Listen to their voice as it comes out all distorted and warbled. And they've turned yellow with pink stripes. Now who's laughing?

Build An Armored Shield Around You

Visualize a tall armored shield. Build that shield around you and when it's up, imagine all the things the bully is saying bouncing off that armored shield.

Be Confident

Bullies usually pick on people that they think are weaker than they are, so stand up to them. You might be scared but if you keep standing up to them they'll stop.

Other ways to conquer your bully and throw them off track:

By loudly saying "leave me alone"

Say something funny

Look them in the eye and be nice to them

Keep out of the bully's way

If you are afraid of your bully avoid places where your bully hangs out, or take a different route to school. If the bully doesn't see you, they can't bully you.

Use The Buddy System Against Bullies

Bullies feel empowered to bully one person, but rarely will they bully a group. Hang out with your friends. If the bully does feel like conquering the group, walk away.

If after using these tactics and the bullying doesn't stop, it may be time to ask for help. Don't be afraid to let someone know that you are being bullied. There are people who care about you and will help you.

Get Help - Tell An Adult About the Bully

It may seem scary to tell someone but, telling will not only get you help, it will make you feel less afraid. If you are being physically bullied and are in danger you must speak with a trusted adult immediately. And if you can't go to your parents, seek out a trusted teacher guidance counselor or school psychologist.

If you've told a grown-up before and they haven't done anything about it, tell someone else. Tell them exactly what happened, who did the bullying, where and when it happened, how long it's been happening to you, and how it's making you feel.When you tell your teacher, guidance counselor or school psychologist, ask them what they will do to help stop the bullying. It is their job to help keep you safe. Most adults really care about bullying and will do everything they can to help you. Keep telling until someone does help you!

If you are being bullied online ...

NEVER RESPOND

This could actually make the bullying worse. Immediately tell your parents or a trusted family member. Have your parents block all communications from this person. Be sure to save evidence of the cyberbullying. If you get a nasty e-mail, print it out or save it so that you can show it to an adult.

you should never respond to cyberbullying . including cyberbullying by text, email or instant messaging. Do, however, save the texts, emails or instant messages for proof in case you need it. It's great if you can be brave and courageous and show the bully you just don't care.

Cyberbullying and Zoom Bullying During COVID-19

COVID-19 has presented new opportunities for bullies to emerge on digital platforms.
To learn more about how to prevent 'zoom bullying' and cyberbullying with the increased use of digital devices, read our articles Beware of Zoom Bombing: Cyberbullying Through Video and Cyberbullying During COVID-19.

What NOT To Do If You Are Bullied

Think it's your fault. Nobody deserves to be bullied!

Fight back or bully a person back

Keep it to yourself and just hope the bullying will "go away." Make sure you report the bullying.

Skip school or avoid school or afterschool activities because you're afraid of the bully

Be afraid to tell. Telling is NOT tattling! It's the right thing to do!

Hurt yourself. Nothing is that hopeless that it can't be resolved. As painful as bullying is, NOTHING is ever that bad that you should hurt yourself in any way.

Your Rights Against Bullies

NO MATTER, you deserve to feel safe. Everyone has the right to live in a safe and violence free atmosphere both at home and at school.

Use Our HelpChat Line

If you are being bullied, and need help right now, visit our HelpChat Line. You are not alone! We are here to help.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Deal with Bullies | STOMP Out Bullying

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Being a victim of any kind of bullying feels really bad and it's important for you to know two things: So now that you know that, here's how you can STOMP Out Bullying™: If you're being bullied there's a lot you can do.

# data[].attributes.body
Junu uploaded this

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
CGI 3D Animated Short: "Barely There" - by Hannah Lee + Ringling | TheCGBros

# data[].attributes.body
[emotional]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
You will cry 100% if you love ANIMALS - Emotional video (Must Watch)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Rescue dog by Collect Abandoned Dog and Build Mud Dog House with Mini Water Fall Swimming Pool

# data[].attributes.headline
Dozens of foster care children abandoned in Maryland hospitals by caseworkers

# data[].attributes.subject
Dozens of foster care children abandoned in Maryland hospitals by caseworkers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Children, under the jurisdiction of the state's Department of Human Services, have been left in 'bureaucratic limbo,' living in hospitals and psych wards even though they are not sick or injured

Maryland Department of Human Services (photo: courtesy of Google Maps)

Even though they are not sick or injured, dozens of foster care children in Maryland have been essentially living in hospitals after caseworkers dropped them off for treatment and never came back.

One foster child remained in a hospital for 636 days, according to a report from the Maryland Department of Human Services, the state agency responsible for ensuring the well-being of the children, reported
READ MORE: Black Broward County Sheriff's deputy facing felony child abuse charge
Now state lawmakers, peeved that state officials in Republican Gov. Larry Hogan 's administration aren't doing enough to end the practice, are considering legislation that would limit nonmedical hospital stays for children in foster care.

"We are destroying these kids," Del. , a Montgomery County Democrat who is drafting the bill, told Kirill Reznik The Baltimore Sun. "We are taking kids who are otherwise mentally healthy and we're sticking them in psych wards. We are destroying them."

Sen. Clarence Lam , a Democrat whose district includes parts of Baltimore and Howard counties, said it's "shameful" that children are caught in "bureaucratic limbo."

"It is a shameful situation that some of our children who are in the most amount of need are in these situations with the least amount of help, and the state is turning its back for a long amount of time," Lam told The Baltimore Sun.

Maryland Department of Human Services officials submitted a letter to state legislators, explaining that some foster children were taken to area hospitals while they waited for spaces to open up in specialized settings, such as in therapeutic group homes. In the letter, state officials say these children may have been victims of sex trafficking or shown "aggressive and or assaultive behaviors."

In the report, the agency gave monthly numbers for the foster care children who have been held in hospitals and psychiatric units as "overstays." From January through November 2019, the state reported an average of 36 children per month were overstays in hospitals and psychiatric units when stays were not medically required. In July, the number skyrocketed to 53 children.

On average, the length of the stay was 23 days in hospitals and 13 days in psychiatric units.

"Finding appropriate placements for youth in DHS's care is very complex, as each placement needs to be evaluated based on an individual youth's specific needs and challenges, and every child is unique," , a spokeswoman for DHS, wrote to Katherine A. Morris The Sun. "The more complicated a child's behavioral health issues, the harder it is to secure individualized services."

Morris added that the state has established "multi-disciplinary work groups" to address the issue, including a post-discharge plan of action.

Foster children are often taken to these hospitals after they've acted out or gone through a crisis, child advocates say. But once a doctor determines the child is not a danger and not in need of further psychiatric care, he or she is supposed to be released from care. To keep them in the hospital or a psychiatric ward past the time when they should be released further traumatizes children who are already suffering.

Sometimes, children may need further psychiatric care, but then a doctor may release them after several days, explained , chief of the mental health unit of the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, to Carroll McCabe The Baltimore Sun.
READ MORE: Mom who received 30 year sentence in child abuse case released from jail
When this happens, caseworkers either leave the children at the hospital or pick them up and take them to another hospital, McCabe said.

"To be stuck on one of these units for a long period of time, I can't imagine it," McCabe told The Sun. "It's just really sad. And the kids get sad."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Foster care children abandoned in Maryland hospitals by caseworkers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Children, under the jurisdiction of the state's Department of Human Services, have been left in 'bureaucratic limbo,' living in hospitals and psych wards even though they are not sick or injured Maryland Department of Human Services (photo: courtesy of Google Maps) Even though they are not sick or injured, dozens of foster care children in Maryland have been essentially living in hospitals after caseworkers dropped them off for treatment and never came back.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A puppy survived after being stolen from his home, fed drugs, beaten and burned before being left for dead on a rubbish tip.

Chunky, the Chihuahua crossbreed puppy, was found in Margate by a passer-by the next evening.

Investigators said the dog had been kicked, punched and abused for several hours before being discovered.

The abuse was uncovered on 23 February, when Chunky was under one year old.

RSPCA inspector Caroline Doe said: "This was the most disturbing case I have dealt with - by an absolute mile.

"Chunky was found with a broken leg and neck, and with burns all over his face and eyes. He must have suffered horrendously for hours as the senseless torture took place for the amusement of these boys.

"These youths admitted feeding him drugs, and kicking and punching him, and wringing and breaking his neck before dumping him. They also said they set fire to his face and eyes after lighting a deodorant aerosol can.

"What was perhaps even worse was the fact Chunky suffered for days after he was dumped - literally left for dead on his own to wander next to a fast road.

"The whole thing sends shivers down my spine. The defendants may have been young and confessed to being under the influence of drugs but the cruelty they inflicted on this poor dog was extreme, barbaric and inexcusable."

Chunky was reunited with his owners and has since physically recovered from his ordeal.

However, the RSPCA say they think Chunky will now always be timid after the "barbaric" treatment he endured.

Ms Doe added: "It is a miracle he survived. I will never forget how terrified and depressed he was when I first saw him. The injuries were so severe that despite the fantastic veterinary care and medication he was on, the medication was unable to numb all of the pain, and he suffered for at least six days according to veterinary experts.

"Thankfully he has now been restored to health and returned to his loving owners, though I imagine the owners will never quite be able to come to terms with what was senseless and needlessly inflicted on their beautiful family pet."

Four youths, who cannot be named or legal reasons, admitted cruelly ill-treating the animal in a way which they knew would cause him to suffer unnecessarily at a hearing last month at Folkestone Youth Court.

Three of the teenagers, one age 16 and two 15, admitted to torturing the dog and were given 12-month referral orders.

One paid £1,000 in fines, while the other two paid £500 each.

The Telegraph reported that the fourth youth, also 16, pleaded guilty to the same charges and was given a referral order. His father had to pay £5,800.

All four have received a five-year ban from owning animals.

Stolen puppy fed drugs and burned before being left for dead on tip

Stolen puppy fed drugs and burned before being left for dead on tip

The culprits were under the infuence of drugs when they carried out the attack

Stolen puppy fed drugs and burned before being left for dead on tip

Chunky after the attack, however the RSPCA think he will always be a timid dog after the attack

RSPCA

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Teenagers steal puppy, feed it drugs, break its neck and set it on fire

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A puppy survived after being stolen from his home, fed drugs, beaten and burned before being left for dead on a rubbish tip. Chunky, the Chihuahua crossbreed puppy, was found in Margate by a passer-by the next evening. Investigators said the dog had been kicked, punched and abused for several hours before being discovered.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The latest breaking news, comment and features from The Independent.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Visiting Scholar at Carnegie Europe

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech at an event marking the 100th anniversary of the GRU in Moscow on November 2, 2018 [File: Reuters/Sputnik/Alexei Druzhinin]

When in March 2018 news broke that former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia may have been poisoned with a nerve agent called Novichok by spies working for Russia's GRU, Bulgarian arms dealer Emilian Gebrev became alarmed.

The Bulgarian law enforcement agencies and the government were slow to respondand so was the prosecution under the leadership of General Prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov, who was said to have close relations with his Russian counterpart, Yuri Chaika.

Unlike most other like Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro, Bulgaria refused to expel Russian diplomats over the Skripal case. "Usually these cases are not what they seem to be," European Union and NATO members and Western Balkan countries commented Prime Minister Boyko Borisov in Brussels at the time.

A report released in November by the investigative websites Bellingcat and The Insider that one of the GRU agents who was involved in Gebrev's poisoning was Sergey Fedotov (real name Denis Sergeev), who coordinated the Salisbury . He had booked a hotel room close to Gebrev's office and was caught on security cameras walking around in its car park.

The revelations surrounding the 2015 incident come on the heels of a string of spying scandals in the Balkans involving Russian citizens over the past five years. It is no secret that the region has long been a stomping ground for the Kremlin's security services.

Though Russia has no troops on the ground, it has waged a war against the West and its influence on the Balkans by other means - from propaganda and disinformation to assistance to nationalist and far-right groups, all the way to targeted assassinations.

In October 2016, the Montenegrin authorities uncovered a plot hatched by Serb ultranationalists and rogue security officers to overthrow the Montenegrin government. According to the prosecutors, they acted in league with two GRU agents, Eduard Shirokov and Vladimir Popov. Both were sentenced in absentia in May 2019.

Bellingcat and The Insider established that "Popov" (real name Vladimir Moiseev) frequently visited Bulgaria in 2014, possibly preparing for the attack against Emilian Gebrev.

Russian agents also sought to torpedo efforts by Greece and North Macedonia to settle their long-standing name dispute. In July 2018, weeks after the landmark Prespa Agreement was signed settling the issue, Athens two Russian diplomats for stoking opposition against the deal in the northern regions. The move came despite the fact that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had refused to do the same in reaction to the Skripal affair four months earlier.

The recurrent spy scandals, however, are unlikely to disrupt Russia's close ties to the region. On the whole, Balkan governments believe in engagement and in recent months they have all showed a willingness to maintain close relations with Russia, despite the spying incidents.

No leader seems interested in ramping up rhetoric against the Kremlin at this point. At a time when French President Emmanuel Macron is vociferously arguing for a diplomatic reset with Russia and German Chancellor Angela Merkel is defending the Nordstream 2 pipeline, the Balkans has no reason to strain its relations with the Kremlin.

Yet a pushback against Moscow by the security and the law enforcement agencies is a fact. Russia has gone too far in its disruptive tactics, with GRU's daredevil mindset doing the greatest harm. Western states are no doubt encouraging local efforts to resist infiltration.

GRU operatives will surely continue to roam the neighbourhood but they will be watched closely.
he views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial stance.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Visiting Scholar at Carnegie Europe When in March 2018 news broke that former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia may have been poisoned with a nerve agent called Novichok by spies working for Russia's GRU, Bulgarian arms dealer Emilian Gebrev became alarmed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
On September 15, 1950, during the Korean War (1950-53), U.S. Marines force made a surprise amphibious landing at the strategic port of Inchon, on the west coast of Korea, about 100 miles south of the 38th parallel and 25 miles from Seoul. The location had been criticized as too risky, but United Nations (U.N.) Supreme Commander Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) insisted on carrying out the bold landing. Afterward, the American-led U.N. force was able to break North Korean supply lines and push inland to recapture Seoul, the South Korean capital that had fallen to the Communists in June.The landing at Inchon changed the course of the war; however, the conflict later settled into a long, bloody stalemate that did not end until a July 1953 armistice.

Korean War: Background

After Japan was defeated by the Allies in World War II (1939-45), it lost control of Korea, which it had ruled as a colony since 1910. Korea was divided into two occupations zones, with the Soviet Union administering the area north of the 38th parallel and the United States administering the area south of the 38th parallel. The arrangement was intended as temporary; however, after plans to establish a national government failed, two separate nations formed in 1948: the Communist-backed Democratic People's Republic of Korea ( North Korea) and the Western-aligned Republic of Korea ( South Korea). Border clashes soon broke out between the two Koreas, each of which claimed sovereignty over the entire peninsula.

Did you know? After he was removed from command by Truman, General MacArthur gave a dramatic televised address before a joint session of Congress in April 1951 in which he criticized Truman's Korean policy. The general ended with a quote from an old Army song: "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away."

The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korean troops stormed across the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea. The North Korean soldiers caught South Korea's forces off guard and threw them into a hasty southern retreat. The United Nations quickly condemned the invasion and demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities and for North Korea to withdraw its armed forces to the 38th parallel. When the North Koreans failed to comply, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution on June 27 recommending that its members provide military assistance to South Korea.

U.S. President Harry Truman (1884-1972) soon agreed to send American forces into action, and on July 7 the Security Council recommended that all U.N. forces sent to South Korea be put under U.S. command. The next day, General Douglas MacArthur was named commander of all U.N. forces in Korea.

By early August, the Allies had been pushed back to the Pusan Perimeter, a defensive line around an area in the southeastern corner of the Korean peninsula. However, throughout August and into September, the Americans and their counterparts fought off attacks from the North Koreans and prevented them from advancing any further.

Inchon Landing: September 15, 1950

Meanwhile, MacArthur, who had commanded the Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific during World War II, had been advocating for a plan to land troops behind the enemy lines at Inchon (now known as Incheon) and attack the North Koreans from both directions. MacArthur's proposal met with resistance from other American military leaders, who pointed to a variety of challenges associated with landing at Inchon, including the narrow port channel and extreme tides. MacArthur argued that these factors would mean the North Koreans wouldn't expect the Allies to attempt an amphibious landing there. At an August 23, 1950, conference of top U.S. military leaders at his headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, MacArthur stated, "The only alternative to a stroke such as I propose will be the continuation of the savage sacrifice we are making at Pusan, with no hope of relief in sight. Are you content to let our troops stay in that bloody perimeter like beef cattle in the slaughterhouse? Who will take the responsibility for such a tragedy? Certainly, I will not."

MacArthur received the official go-ahead for the Inchon landing, codenamed Operation Chromite, and the port was captured by U.S. Marines on September 15, 1950. American-led U.N. troops then pushed inland to retake Seoul on September 26. Allied troops then converged on the North Korean army from the north and the south, killing or capturing thousands of enemy soldiers.

Korean War: The Fighting Continues

In October, American and South Korean troops advanced across the 38th parallel, and sent the North Koreans into retreat. Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, was captured on October 19. However, as the Americans moved north toward the Yalu River, the border between North Korea and Communist China, their advance was halted when China entered the fray that fall. In late November, a massive force of Chinese troops sent the Allies into retreat. In early January 1951, the Communists recaptured Seoul, only to have the Allies reoccupy it in March.

In April 1951, Truman removed MacArthur from his command after he publicly threatened to bomb China in defiance of Truman's stated war policy. Truman feared that an escalation of fighting with China would draw the Soviet Union into the Korean War. MacArthur's dismissal set off a brief uproar among the American public, but Truman remained committed to keeping the conflict in Korea a "limited war."

Korean War: 1953 Armistice

By May 1951, the communists were pushed back to the 38th parallel, and the battle line remained in that vicinity for the rest of the war. On July 27, 1953, after two years of negotiation, military leaders from China, North Korea and the United Nations signed an armistice that ended the fighting and created a new boundary near the 38th parallel that gave South Korea some additional territory and established a 2.5-mile-wide demilitarized zone to serve as a buffer between the two Koreas. Because North Korea and South Korea never signed a permanent peace treaty, they are technically still at war today.

More than 500,000 American, South Korean and other U.N. troops were killed, captured or reported missing in the Korean War, while North Korean and Chinese military casualties have been estimated at nearly 1.6 million. By some estimates, civilian deaths were at least equal to the combined number of military casualties.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
On September 15, 1950, during the Korean War (1950-53), U.S. Marines force made a surprise amphibious landing at the strategic port of Inchon, on the west coast of Korea, about 100 miles south of the 38th parallel and 25 miles from Seoul. The location had been criticized as too risky, but United Nations (U.N.)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
World War 3 concerns have spiked in the wake of devastating news from Afghanistan. In a matter of days, Taliban fighters took control of Afghanistan. Hundreds of thousands of Afghans are in hiding or attempting to flee to other countries in a bid to find safety from this group. Given the tense relations between countries around the world, Express.co.uk has compiled a guide for the flashpoints where World War 3 is most likely to erupt in 2021.

US-Iran

The UN's nuclear watchdog has said Iran continues to produce uranium metal.

In a report issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna to UN member states, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said that his inspectors had confirmed on Saturday that Iran had now produced 200 grams of uranium metal enriched up to 20 percent.

Mr Grossi previously said 3.6 grams of uranium metal had been produced at Iran's Isfahan plant.

The worsening relations between the US and Iran is thought likely to have serious economic, political and security ramifications for the USA and its allies.

If the two nations were to engage in military conflict, Iran could opt to block the Strait of Hormuz, through which 30 percent of the world's oil travels.

This would result in global oil prices rising and could risk the USA's relationship with its allies.

Any outbreak of war between the USA and Iran could also see an escalation of tensions in other countries including Syria and Yemen or a rise in Iranian missile strikes targeting US troops in the Middle East.
READ MORE: Afghan academic in brutal breakdown of Joe Biden speech
Iran-Israel

Tensions between Iran and Israel have been frustrated for a while with low-intensity warfare raging across the Middle East as a result.

The former nation supports anti-Israel groups in Gaza, Syria and Lebanon in particular, while Israel often strikes at Iranian forces across the region.

Overall, Israel has endeavoured to create an anti-Iran coalition at a diplomatic level, while Iran has invested in cultivating ties with militias and non-state actors.

While it may be difficult to claim these nations will launch into a wider war if Iran is determined to restart its nuclear program, Israel may choose to engage in wider strikes hitting the Iranian homeland directly.

This type of assault could have wider implications as it could prove to be a threat to global oil supplies which would inevitably cause more nations to intercede.

The two nations have been embroiled in a bitter exchange in recent months, particularly recently after the Islamic Republic was implicated in the drone strike on an oil tanker, operated by Israeli-linked billionaire Eyal Ofer, off the coast of Oman.

Two crew members, a Briton and a Romanian, recently died in the attack.

Israel's Defense Minister Benny Gantz warned of an armed response and the Israeli Prime Minister indicated his country must "act alone" against Tehran.

US-Turkey

Tensions between the US and Turkey has heightened in recent years, initially as a result of the US providing authorisation to Turkey to clear the Syrian border of US-supported Kurds.

However, immediately afterwards, the US threatened Ankara with sanctions, causing tensions to rise.

Additionally, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested he has aspirations for Turkey which could involve nuclear weapons.

As a result, the state of the US-Turkey relationship has worsened, causing fear about the subsequent impact on the NATO alliance.

President Erdogan is known for being passionate about his plan which could force Washington and Ankara to the very edge and have a result on Russia who is a neighbouring nation.

Turkish forces launched airstrikes and a ground offensive against PKK fighters in northern Iraq earlier this year.

In June, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the Makhmour refugee camp in northern Iraq must be cleared of people he called Kurdish militants.

He said Turkey will clear the militants alone if the Iraqi Government does not and Turkish airstrikes killed three people at the camp.
DON'T MISS
China threatens war on US troops in Taiwan after Senator leaks numbers [INSIGHT]
Europeans pin blame on UK for Afghanistan chaos [ANALYSIS]
Afghan refugees cramped inside US aircraft to escape Taliban [PICTURES]
In the past 10 years, the relationship between India and Pakistan has worsened, bringing the countries to the brink of war.

Since the partition of British India in 1947 and the subsequent creation of India and Pakistan, the two countries have been involved in a number of wars, conflicts and military stand-offs interspersed with periods of harmony and peace.

In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attempted to reduce the autonomy of Kashmir and to change citizenship policies within the rest of India.

These steps have caused some unrest within India and highlighted the long-standing tensions between Delhi and Islamabad.

Further domestic disturbances in India and Pakistan could lead to World War 3.

While this is unlikely, it could lead to terrorist attacks internationally or in Kashmir.

Prime Minister Modi might then feel forced to bring on a more serious conflict and given China's vicinity, and the growing relationship between Delhi and Washington could lead to more disastrous international implications.

Indian and Pakistani intelligence officials held secret talks in Dubai in January in an effort to deescalate tensions over the Kashmir region, sources claim.

The United Arab of Emirates is also reportedly helping to mediate.

Hundreds of people in Birmingham marched across the region over the Kashmiri independence pelea.

Demonstrators walked calling on India to work in accord with the United Nations over the issue and end human rights violations, demand the return of civil liberties and release political prisoners.

US-North Korea

Fundamental tensions at the heart of the US-North Korea relationship could result in combative action.

North Korea accused US leader Joe Biden of pursuing a hostile policy against it and warned a response could leave the USA in a "very grave situation".

The North Korean foreign ministry said diplomacy was a "spurious signboard" for the US to "cover up its hostile acts," according to state media agency KCNA.

These incendiary comments were made after President Joe Biden delivered a policy speech to Congress earlier this month during which he discussed nuclear programs in North Korea and Iran saying they posed threats which must be addressed through "diplomacy and stern deterrence".

This was just one of the explosive comments directed at the US.

Pyongyang also blasted Washington for criticizing its human rights record and Seoul for failing to stop anti-North Korea leaflets from being sent across the border.

Speaking on the topic of North Korea, first-term US leader Mr Biden said he is seeking middle ground between former president Donald Trump's emphasis on personal diplomacy and former president Barack Obama's approach of conditioning engagement on North Korean concessions.

As North Korea is a nuclear power with its own complex relationship with China, it is a critical nation for US national security concerns.

The nations undertake many weapons and missile tests, small-scale military and cyber attacks with each posing a significant risk for potential escalation.

Outright threats from North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un are also a cause for concern, as he claims that North Korean weapons can now reach USA territories and even the nation's mainland.

The sister of the North Korean leader called South Korean authorities "treacherous" over the South's joint military exercises with the US.

Kim Yo-jong's warning advised the actions would face greater security threats as a result.

The comments come despite a surprise thaw on the Korean peninsula, prompted by a series of personal letters between her brother and the South Korean president, Moon Jae-in.

Cross-border communications between North and South Korea were resurrected last month, but were paused as tensions escalated once again.

US-China

The US-China relationship has been particularly tense in recent years.

Trade is a less essential issue for both as they continue to fight coronavirus, the rising threat in Afghanistan and other more prevalent conflicts - but each nation is continuing to clash over security issues, the hi-tech sector and ideology.

The trade war originally began after former US leader Donald trump accused China of unethical conduct.

The US and China are likely to continue to amass disproportionate weight on an international scale going forwards, particularly given both economies are fuelled in large part by technology which is a growing sector.

Both nations are disproportionately impactedby a clustering effect around technology hubs and they are predicted to gain 70 percent of the estimated $15.6 trillion in profits forecast for the tech sector by 2030 according to PricewaterhouseCoopers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
World War 3 MAPPED: The SIX places where WW3 could break out in 2021

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
WORLD WAR 3 fears have been ignited across the globe after Taliban fighters took over the capital of Afghanistan. The whole world is already fighting a common enemy: coronavirus. But now with hundreds of thousands fleeing Kabul, many are concerned WW3 may be on the horizon.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Lacey Providence vividly remembers the day two years ago that a pair of detectives at a hospital in the Bronx told her that her 15-year-old nephew had "succumbed" to injuries after being stabbed in school by a teenage classmate.

She remembers her sister collapsing and her nephew, in shock, dropping a container of Tic Tacs. She said she could still hear the sobs and shouts from family members imploring God to bring back her nephew, Matthew McCree.

Also indelible, she said in State Supreme Court in the Bronx on Tuesday, is the memory of Matthew's body being rolled into a room on a gurney.

"Matthew's lifeless body was drenched in blood with a cut so deep I could see his ribs," Ms Providence told the court, her voice breaking.

Ms Providence spoke before Abel Cedeno, a then-18-year-old student at the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation in the Bronx, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for fatally stabbing Matthew and grievously injuring another student, Ariane Laboy, in September 2017.

The fatal attack was the first in a New York City school in more than 20 years. It drew heightened attention because of the circumstances surrounding it.

Cedeno said he had suffered years of physical and emotional abuse because he was gay and then lashed out in self-defence against students who had been afflicting him.

Justice Michael Gross of State Supreme Court in the Bronx rejected that defence in July after a bench trial and found Cedeno guilty of first-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

On Tuesday, Gross declined to grant a request by defence lawyers that their client be treated as a youthful offender, saying that a history of being bullied could not be seen as a "license for murderous rage."

Cedeno, wearing a pinkish shirt and with his hair dyed red, sat impassively through Ms Providence's statement and the sentencing.

In a statement Tuesday, Darcel Clark, the Bronx district attorney, said: "There was no evidence at trial that Matthew McCree or Ariane Laboy had ever bullied the defendant. His explosion of rage has left so many lives in ruins, including his own."

After the fatal stabbing, Cedeno's case became something of a cause célèbre. Some gay rights advocates rallied to his defence, seeing him as emblematic of young people who are abused because of their sexuality.

Members of the LGBTQ community argued that the school should have taken action against those who had bullied a gay student.

Cedeno was represented at no charge by two openly gay lawyers, Christopher Lynn and Robert Feldman, who said the proceedings were a "gay pride trial."

Cedeno also had the support of several elected officials, including City Councilman Rubén Díaz, who has been criticised for making homophobic remarks but helped Cedeno post bail soon after he was charged.

Mr Díaz also wrote a letter to the judge, urging leniency in the sentencing of Cedeno, who lives in his district in the Bronx.

It emerged during the trial that Cedeno had bought an illegal switchblade online for $44.89 (£36.41). He testified that he obtained it for protection after years of abuse.

On that day in 2017, after students threw crumpled pieces of paper and broken pencils that he thought were meant for him, he said, he flicked it open, then waited in a defensive posture, with the blade extended.

Other students who testified said that Cedeno started the fight and that he was the one who had used homophobic slurs. The lead prosecutor, Nancy Borko, told Gross that Cedeno had practised with the switchblade and was looking for a fight with "his trusty new knife."

Mr Laboy's mother, Felicia Laboy, also addressed the court Tuesday, telling Gross that although she was the "more fortunate of the two mothers," the attack by Cedeno had "devastated my son and deeply affected my family."

"He lost his best friend, his childhood, his joyful nature," she said, adding that Mr Laboy is now home-schooled because his hand was injured so badly that he cannot hold a pen.

Ms Borko told the court that Cedeno's conduct had been "intentional and violent" and that he had shown little remorse while trying to minimise his actions. She asked Gross to sentence Cedeno to 30 years in prison, partly as a way to bring justice to the families of his victims.

"There is no pain equal to that of a mother who has lost her child to unexpected violence," she told the judge. "The order of the universe is reversed."

Lynn countered that Cedeno had accepted responsibility for his actions and urged the judge to consider mitigating factors in his sentence.

Cedeno had no previous criminal history, Lynn said, was not a danger to anyone, was not likely to become a danger and had garnered letters of support from prominent people who believed that he could go on to lead a productive life.

Cedeno addressed the court in a halting voice, pausing frequently as he told Gross that he was not the same person he had been two years earlier and that he regretted the pain he had visited upon others.

"I know that I was the one who brought in a knife," he said, adding: "I wish I could take it all back."

Gross said he believed that Cedeno had been bullied but noted that he had testified that he had not really known his victims and that they had not tormented him. He added that on the day of the stabbings, he had issued an "obscenity-laced invitation" to fight.

Matthew "died within minutes on the floor of that classroom," Gross said. "With his passing died a future of boundless dreams."

A few moments later, Cedeno rose unsteadily to his feet and was handcuffed before being taken from the courtroom. From the left side of the gallery, faces stared at him. On the right side, some people raised a hand.

"We love you, baby," called one supporter, as Cedeno appeared to nod in acknowledgment before being escorted away by court officers.
The New York Times

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Boy who says he killed classmate over homophobic bullying gets 14 year prison term

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lacey Providence vividly remembers the day two years ago that a pair of detectives at a hospital in the Bronx told her that her 15-year-old nephew had "succumbed" to injuries after being stabbed in school by a teenage classmate. She remembers her sister collapsing and her nephew, in shock, dropping a container of Tic Tacs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A California woman is suing a Los Angeles school district alleging her son was left with permanent brain and spinal injuries after another student choked him during a bullying incident last year.

The mother said her son, who was 12 at the time and a sixth grader at Animo Westside Charter Middle School, was "brutally assaulted and strangled" in January 2018 by a 14-year-old who allegedly had been violent toward other students, according to the lawsuit filed Monday in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The mother, who does not want to be identified, claimed school officials were aware the 14-year-old had been involved in an incident prior to the one when her son was attacked and "failed to take adequate action in order to protect the other students at the school."

Surveillance video from the January 2018 incident shows the alleged bully punch the 12-year-old boy in the stomach and then push him up against an outside wall. He then appears to put his hand around the 12-year-old's neck as other students crowd around them.

A female staff member walks by and looks at the group before walking away. The 12-year-old boy then falls to one knee and appears to be struggling to breathe.

Another video from inside the school shows several people carrying the boy into the office and laying him on the floor before paramedics arrive.

According to the lawsuit, the boy had several seizures and 911 was not called until after his mother arrived at the school, which was about 30 minutes after the incident.

The mother alleged that staff members at the school did not immediately tell her what happened to her son, and she learned from other students that he had been choked.

Her lawyer, Ben Meiselas, said in a statement to NBC News that staff members did not handle the situation properly.

"The staff did everything wrong, every step of the way, and showed a callous disregard for my 12-year-old client's life and well being," he said. "This is unacceptable and every adult working for this school should be haunted by their conduct for the rest of their lives."

The mother told NBC Los Angeles that her son has been struggling since the incident, and doctors recently told them that he has permanent brain and spinal injuries stemming from being choked.

Meiselas told NBC News that the boy will have to be monitored for the rest of his life and now requires assistance to read and write.

"He is not the same anymore," the mother told NBC Los Angeles. "Every day, it has been a daily struggle."

The mother is suing the Green Dot Public Schools district for negligent supervision and infliction of emotional distress.

The district told NBC News in a statement that it has not been served with a lawsuit, but said it was concerned by the incident.

"We take seriously the safety of all our students and quickly address bullying of any kind on our campuses," a spokesperson said. "Green Dot is committed to working to ensure all our students receive a quality education in a safe environment where they can learn and grow."

The mother told NBC Los Angeles she did not want to press charges against the student but wants the district to expel him.

Green Dot Public Schools is a network of public charter schools serving Los Angeles and recently expanded to include schools in Tennessee and Washington state, according to the district's website. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda, through their foundation, have donated millions of dollars to the district.

A spokesperson for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said in a statement that it is not involved with the district's management.

"We believe all schools should provide a safe and welcoming environment for students and should have no tolerance for bullying or violence of any kind," the statement read.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Student has brain damage after bullying incident caught on video, lawsuit says

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A California woman is suing a Los Angeles school district alleging her son was left with permanent brain and spinal injuries after another student choked him during a bullying incident last year.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
BrainPOP - Animated Educational Site for Kids - Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts & Music, Health, and Technology

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
BrainPOP - Animated Educational Site for Kids - Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts & Music, Health, and Technology

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
2 US troops killed, 6 wounded in attack in Afghanistan

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
U.S. and Afghan forces were conducting a joint operation when a person wearing an Afghan uniform opened fire on them with a machine gun, an official said.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Nazi Party: Definition, Philosophies & Hitler - HISTORY

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Nazi Party was a political organization that ruled Germany through murderous, totalitarian means from 1933 to 1945 under the dictatorship of Adolf Hitler.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Eschooltoday | Learn something new today

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This lesson is a complex one because there is no easy way or standard definition of who is poor and who is not. We often look at the living conditions of people to get an idea of their situation. Typically, it is when someone experiences a fundamental deprivation of well-being.

According to UNICEF, 22,000 children die each day due to poverty. They die quietly in some of the poor villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death. - www.globalissues.org

Each time you see images on TV and the internet with hungry people with no food, running water, often in tattered clothing and no shoes, living in mud houses in run-down communities (slums), you begin to have a better picture of poverty. This lowest condition is called Absolute poverty.

Sometimes, a researcher can look at the living standards of an individual, family, or community and compare it to the living standards of the broader community and classify them as poor if the researcher finds that their needs are way below that of everyone else. In this case, the researcher does the classification, and it is very relative. Experts call this Relative Poverty.

People and families are allowed to make their judgments into their living conditions, about the general living standards of the communities in which they live. You can see a family who owns a bicycle considering themselves as being among the well-to-do in the community. In another scenario, they can consider themselves as being among the poorest in the community if they compare themselves to other members of the community. That is known as subjective poverty.

Here is what a great social scientist in this subject describes what poverty is:
Individuals, families, and groups in the population can be said to be in poverty when they lack resources to obtain the type of diet, participate in the activities, and have the living conditions and amenities which are customary, or at least widely encouraged and approved, in the societies in which they belong. - Peter Townsend
The above definition will help us look a bit more into details at the various ways in which poverty can be understood.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This lesson is a complex one because there is no easy way or standard definition of who is poor and who is not. We often look at the living conditions of people to get an idea of their situation. Typically, it is when someone experiences a fundamental deprivation of well-being.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The fourth episode of PRI's popular POP 101 series, this video takes a fresh, humorous approach to the demographic issues facing the world today. Be sure to watch the first video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZVOU5bfHrM, the second video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBS6f-JVvTY, and the third video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXrN9HhnCcM

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Hungry and malnourished children in the world

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We produce enough food to feed every person in the world, yet there is extreme hunger ad malnutrition in many places in the world. Why is that so?. Find out more

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Closing South Korea's dog meat farms

Humane Society International

In South Korea, dogs are intensively farmed for human consumption. They are given little food, usually no water, and live outdoors in small cages with no protection from the hot summers or brutally cold winters. Many suffer from disease and malnutrition and all are subjected to daily, extreme neglect. The methods used to kill the dogs are very cruel-electrocution is most common.

While the majority of South Koreans don't routinely eat dog meat, the "right" for others to do so is still strongly felt. Dog meat is mostly eaten by older, male citizens who have the misguided belief that it is beneficial for health when consumed either as a soup called "boshintang"-which is believed by some to invigorate the blood and reduce lethargy-or as a tonic (gaesoju), which is sold in traditional medicine shops. Dog meat is particularly popular during the summer months, especially during "bok nal"-the three hottest days between July and August when 70 to 80 percent of the dog meat is consumed.

Closing dog meat farms

Since 2015, HSI has worked on the ground in South Korea to shut down more than a dozen farms and rescued more than 2,000 dogs who have found loving homes in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and the Netherlands. However, these farm closures are only a small part of our strategic and ambitious program to phase out dog meat farming in South Korea.

What sets HSI's strategy apart

HSI works collaboratively with dog meat farmers who wish to leave the controversial industry but don't have the means to stop. We don't simply buy the dogs, leaving empty cages to be filled again. We sign a legally binding contract with each farmer to permanently shut down each farm and transition the dog meat farmer to a more profitable-and humane-business model, such as medicinal herb farming, water parsley farming, or blueberry farming. Our working model for change helps us demonstrate to the South Korean government that the dog meat industry can be phased out in cooperation, rather than conflict, with dog meat farmers.

Our broader campaign

Our goal is a ban on the consumption of dog meat and the cruel industry which supplies the dogs within the next 10 years. We work on the ground with local organizations and activists to create culturally sensitive solutions that will change public perceptions and influence policy makers in favor of reform. Dog meat farm closures are part of HSI's strategy to facilitate the political and societal circumstances to make this possible.

Many people in South Korea love and keep pet dogs. However, there is a misconception that "meat dogs" are different from "pet dogs." We campaign to show the public that all dogs suffer the same and are deserving of love. Another goal of our campaign is to encourage pet adoption. Currently, the few shelters in South Korea are overcrowded. Pet adoption is uncommon, particularly of large dogs, and older dogs are often discarded on farms since there are no shelters to take them.

Progress/An industry in decline

Our dog farm closures demonstrate that there is a willingness within the industry to phase out this trade. HSI works with two leading Korean groups, Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA) and Korean Animal Welfare Association (KAWA). Together, we have helped close some of the country's largest dog slaughterhouses and dog meat markets.

According to the Korea Times, "Fewer people in Seoul are eating dog, as nearly 40 percent of the restaurants selling dog meat have closed over the last 10 years." A 2020 opinion poll in South Korea commissioned by HSI and conducted by Nielsen, shows growing support for a ban on dog meat consumption, with 84 percent of those polled saying they don't or won't eat dog, and almost 60 percent supporting a legislative ban on the trade.

A growing number of South Korean animal rights activists are dedicated to ending the dog meat trade. Local authorities are cracking down on the industry, and new legislation applied stricter health and safety requirements on the dog farms. At a higher level, the Supreme Court concluded that killing dogs by the common method of electrocution breaches animal welfare law, and the President's Blue House pledged to consider removing dogs and cats from the legal definition of livestock. Change is taking place in South Korea like never before and HSI is proud to work alongside our Korean partners to support their work in developing practical, culturally sensitive solutions to animal welfare concerns.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Closing South Korea's dog meat farms - Humane Society International

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Humane Society International In South Korea, dogs are intensively farmed for human consumption. They are given little food, usually no water, and live outdoors in small cages with no protection from the hot summers or brutally cold winters. Many suffer from disease and malnutrition and all are subjected to daily, extreme neglect.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In fact, the phrase "pecking order" comes from the natural hierarchy that exists in chicken and other domestic poultry. Each bird pecks another lower down the order without fear of retaliation, but also succumbs to pecking from a bird of higher rank.

Primates bully each other - male chimpanzees have displays where they square up to each other; and baboons fight over food. A few mammals do too. The omega wolf is the lowest ranking member of the pack and finds itself the scapegoat for feuds that go on within the pack. But it also acts as a form of social glue, frustrations can be vented without battles breaking out that could threaten the pack structure.
For more videos subscribe to the If you would like to comment on this video or anything else you have seen on Future, head over to our or page, or message us on . Earth Unplugged channel on YouTube.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In fact, the phrase "pecking order" comes from the natural hierarchy that exists in chicken and other domestic poultry. Each bird pecks another lower down the order without fear of retaliation, but also succumbs to pecking from a bird of higher rank.

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.brainpop.com/search/?keyword=war

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Eschooltoday | Learn something new today

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Have you ever been called funny names that you did not like at school? Have you ever been repeatedly laughed at by someone or a group of kids, or a gang in your class in a way that makes you sad? What about repeated threats and even physical abuse by someone for some reason? Probably. It is estimated that about 20% of all kids are bullied in school at any time, and about half have experienced bullying at some point before.

What is that about?

Bullying is when someone keeps doing or saying things to have power over you. This includes this like:

Calling you stupid names

Saying or writing nasty things about you

Leaving you out of activities, not talking to you, or threatening you

Making you feel uncomfortable or scared

Taking or damaging your things, hitting or kicking you

Making you do things you don't want to do.

No doubt, this can make you feel unhappy, afraid, uncomfortable, depressed, hurt, and alone. It can negatively affect your performance in class.

Research shows that bullying has three main ingredients:
Aggressive behavior:
Physical or verbal attack intended to cause bodily harm or cause shame
Imbalance of Power:
The person bullying is stronger, more popular, and able to overpower the victim in many ways
Repetition:
The behavior re-occurs often, leaving the victim scared of another attack soon again.

Bullying could come in any of these four ways:

1. Physical: This includes threatening, or doing the action of hitting, kicking, pushing, and any other physical harm. Others include stealing, hiding, or destroying your belongings. Sometimes, you are forced to do things you don't want to do.

2. Verbal: This includes calling you names, poking fun at you, teasing, people giggling, insulting, and laughing at you each time they see you.

3. Relationship: This also includes people refusing to talk, share or allow you to join in games and play activities. Others include spreading lies (or even or truths about something bad you did)

4. Cyber, Internet, or Online: This includes people using the Internet to send you dirty, embarrassing, and dangerous messages, intended to cause problems for you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is bullying? What does it look like?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bullying in schools and at home comes in many forms. It is one of the oldest problems that school kids face. Find out what bullying is, the kinds of bullying in schools these days, and what you can do about it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
How do people see disability today? Some time ago, people's idea of disability was very distressing, especially towards people with disability and their families. If a child was born with any kind of disability, they would attribute that to many strange taboos, spiritual and traditional beliefs. The person would be seen as an object of pity, tragedy, and misfortune. In some communities of the world, they would have charity events, fund-raising events, spiritual and deliverance services for people with disabilities. Sadly, some places in the world still see disability in that light.

Today, disability is seen very differently, even though many people have still not come to terms with it.

Education, information, support services, policy and accessibility efforts by many modern societies have empowered people with disabilities, together with their families, to rise to their fullest potential.

Children with disability are able to go to school and feel part of society. Many people with disability have grown to become great, successful people.

Ray Charles and Steve Wonder, both blind from childhood, are some of the greatest musicians the world has seen. Marlee Matlin, who lost her hearing from childhood, is a great Standup Comedian and Actress. Chris Burke, a favorite American TV character, and writer, is a person with Down Syndrome. Nick Vujicic is an Australian Christian Evangelist and Motivational Speaker. Born in 1982 with a rare disorder, characterized by no hands and legs, has lived to inspire millions and continue to empower people. He now lives in California USA with his wife.

Disability is part of life. People with disability have potential too, just like people without a disability. They have the same rights as everyone else and if people with disabilities, families, and society can work together on policy, we can make society all-inclusive and every person will have a fair chance to be the best they can be.

This lesson aims to provide some basic information on the issue and help young people with and without disabilities to welcome each other's strengths and appreciate their weaknesses. It aims to provide some basic information on what disability is, how to relate to people with disability and stop seeing disability as a devastating condition, but rather see the potential in the person and harness them for their good and the common good of society.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How do people see disability today? Some time ago, people's idea of disability was very distressing, especially towards people with disability and their families. If a child was born with any kind of disability, they would attribute that to many strange taboos, spiritual and traditional beliefs.