September 2009 Archives

 

                 Analysis: Iran is Building an Uranium Plant

          

                    Writing a good story requires attributing facts, opinions, and quotes clearly from the sources. People should get credit for what they said. The common knowledge does not get attributed, but new information should be attributed.

                    The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune attributed different sources for their story. Mostly, information was from the people and the organization. 

                    The official and professional sources were used for their story. Both newspapers named the presidents of three countries, but others were referred as "officials."

                    The New York Times paraphrased President Obama's statement but the Chicago Tribunes used quotation. The quotation was more effective for bringing real feeling. Also, the direct quotation was good for President Obama's case, because he has the authority.

                     The attributions were scattered throughout the story. Reporters used direct quotation, paraphrasing, and summarizing in their story.

 

        

                     A leader of the St. Paul gang was sentenced nearly 14 years in prison on Friday for exchanging drive-shooting with rival gang.

                     DeAndre Neal-Hill, 22, leader of the Selby Side gang in St. Paul was convicted in August for discharge of a firearm, two counts of second-degree assault with a weapon and possession of a firearm, the Star Tribune reported.

                      The Pioneer Press reported Ramsey County District Court sentenced Neal-Hill five years for possession of a firearm, each three years for the assaults.

                      The testimony and court documents said shooting happened April 5 near Jackson street. Another shooter, 23-year-old Lavelle E. Anderson is waiting for trial, reported the Star Tribune.

 

                   A small black bear was killed by DNR officers after running around North St. Paul area on Friday morning.

                   The Star Tribune reported the bear was first spotted at the school ground before 9 a.m. from official at a local school. There were scools with children in the neighborhood.

                   A tranquilizer was not ready, so the officers shot down the bear.

                   Police Chief Tom Lauth said it was necessary for public safety because crowds of people were gathering to see the bear, reported the Pioneer Press. "With the public so curious, it became a public safety issue," Lauth said.

                   According to the Pioneer Press, people were taking pictures, and trying to feed the bear. An officer of DNR's Division of Fish and Wildlife said feeding wild animal is never a good idea.

                  

                   A Denver man was charged for buying bomb-making chemicals to create and detonate explosive on Thursday.

                   The Chicago Tribune reported a 24-year-old Najibullah Zazi, legal immigrant from Afghanistan and three other Denver residents bought chemicals, which can produce bomb.

                   According to government allegations, Zazi had instructions for making a bomb which proves he was preparing for terror attack, the New York Times reported.  

                   The detention motion stated Zazi was making homemade bombs for the last three weeks, seeking for help, reported the Chicago Tribunes.

                   Zazi denied that he was planning for terrorism, but the FBI is holding him for further question.

                  

                     Iran has building a uranium enrichment facility to produce nuclear plant, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported on Friday.

                     The New York Times reported Iran was accused by leaders of Britain, France, and U.S. for hiding the operation of building a secret plant before the statement was made on Friday.  

                     President Obama pressured the Iran to open its facility to international inspector. He added, "The plan it a direct challenge," reported the Chicago Tribunes.

                     Iran's ability to build a nuclear weapon is questioned by other countries.

                     American Officials said the facility is not operating yet, the New York Times reported.

              An experimental vaccine reduced some AIDS infections, Thai and U.S. researchers said on Thursday.
              The Los Angeles Times reported only 31% of reduction showed in blocking the virus. But, considering the failures of past vaccine studies, "This is a historic day," Dr. Alan Bernstein, executive director of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise said.
              There is no cure for the AIDS virus yet. The New York Times reported, "The result of the study is a very important step for developing an AIDS vaccine," Thai health minister said.
              According to the Los Angeles Times, the research was conducted in Thailand involving 16,000 volunteers by a team of Thai researchers and the U.S. Army.
              The wide use of vaccine will take more years to develop, including regulatory approval, reported The New York Times.

               A judge got suspended for six months without pay from the Minnesota Supreme Court for receiving discount on his bills after steering cases to his divorce attorney.

               The state's highest court censured First District Judge, Timothy Blakely Thursday, in an opinion. According to Star Tribune, Supreme court reproached Judge Blakely's official misconduct.

               The suspension will start at once and he will not be doing any of the legal work until it is over. The director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility said "he cannot practice law for six months," Pioneer Press reported.

                Both Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards and the Court did not found the evidence of "quid pro quo" arrangement. The Pioneer Press reports decision of Supreme Court was based on Blakely's lack of judgment.

                 Judge Blakely, 46, had many cases in Dakota County, but his chamber is in Goodhue County, reported the Star Tribune.

             A St. Paul man was charged with second-degree attempted murder Friday for trying to strangle his girlfriend.

             According to the complaint, Diallo Desean Coleman, 30, was bounding his girlfriend's wrists and ankles with the ducktape and pushing down her neck when the police came. The officers kicked Coleman off from the victim when he did not stopped his action, the Pioneer Press reported. 

             After breathing in the air, victim said "you saved my life," reported the Star Tribune. The victim has two childrens with Coleman.  

             The Ramsey County attorney's office said Coleman is facing charges of false imprisonment and domestic assault, reported the Star Tribune.

             

              Athletics South Africa's President Leonard Chuene appologized for him denying information of gender tests done on runner, Caster Semenya.

              The BBC reported Chuene's consistent denial was his intention to protect Semenya's privacy. "I have however realized that it was an error of judgment," said Cheune.

              Semenya, 18-year-old runner's gender has been the hot topic after winning world title at the 800-meter race last month.

              The International Association of Athletics Federations ordered more tests, and currently reviewing results, reported the Chicago Tribune. According to BBC Sport, there is a possibility that Semenya might have intersex status on her test result.

              Chuene blaimed IAAF for violating Semenya's rights and privacy, saying "The IAAF betrayed her."

 

            Arrest of Yale lab technician was made in death of Yale student Thursday, whose body was found behind of lab wall at her wedding day.

            The CNN reported DNA match linked Raymond J. Clark III, 24, who is facing murder charge of 24-year-old graduate student, Annie M. Le. Authorities said DNA was an evidence, but did not elaborate on that issue, reported The New York Times. Bail of $3 million is set for him. 

            The Connecticut medical examiner's office announced Le's cause of death was a strangulation.  

            Clark is under surveillance and did not plea. The possible motive of the murder has not been clarified yet. New Haven police chief mentioned "workplace violence," but he did not elaborate.

            

             Two people were killed at the scene of shooting at the Mexico City's 175 subway station on Friday evening.

             The gunman, Luis Felipe Hernandez Castillo, 38, fired the gun when police stopped him from writing graffitti on the subway wall, said Mexico City district attorney Miguel Angel Mancera. 

             The New York Times reports Hernandez Castillo killed the officer and a construction worker who tried to stop the firing. five others were wounded.

             The CNN reports the gunman is facing two charge of murder and each of attempted murder, resisting arrest and disturbing the peace.

             More than 1,600 police officers are patrolling the station checking guns from the passengers, The New York Times reported.

Analysis: South Africa Official Apologies on Runner's Gender Test

                The lead is important because it sets the image of the story for its reader. Both stories leads were writen in one sentence and it was easy to find the action.

                The story by Chicago Tribune was detailed in what happened. Moreover, it includes all of the five W's: which are who, what, when, where, and why. The lead sentence was written in active sentence which made the story more stronger.

                The story of BBC lacked some information in the lead, it was general but not specific enough to kee pthe reader interested. However, it was more concise and summarized the most important feature of the story.