IRAN

Iran has been a hectic place for a while now and it is about to get a little bit worse. This country has always had a government that focuses on gas because it is a main export and import to the country.

“Iran will start cutting petrol subsidies this week, an official said on Monday, a move that will test President Hassan Rouhani's public support as higher petrol prices add to inflation in a country already squeezed by economic sanctions”(Aljazeera). This is supposed to help the give a little extra money for the government and use it in the development of the country. “Reducing state borrowing from banks so they can lend more to the private sector and to encourage energy efficiency”. This emphasizes how much the government relies on petroleum.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/04/iran-start-cutting-petrol-subsidies-201442118503866597.html 

The Violence: Nigeria

“Crime is astronomical in Nigeria. Even university students go into crime” (Roskin). There are serious religion problems going on in Nigeria. There was an explosion in Abuja that killed 71 people and injured more than 100 more. It is being pinned on the “Boko Haram Islamist militant group, which has staged previous attacks in Abuja” (BBC).  

                This just intensifies tensions between religious groups and the people. The explosion happened to commuters getting on the bus for work.

                “The Nigerian government had said the violence was now contained in a small area of the north-east” (BBC). Is it really? Nigeria is a fragile state and has been for a long time. Although this explosion has been contained, is that going to stop the ongoing violence in Nigeria? Probably not. The government has to contain crime and stop corruption in all level in order to have a more peaceful society. Of course this will have to start with actual democracy and a stable government in Nigeria.http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27018751 

Czeck Republic SPI

The Czech Republic ranks 23^rd in the Social Progress Index. It ranks high in the water sanitation and shelter for improving people’s lives. It would be of great help for the country to invest in health and wellness. Since they rank 13^th in the SPI.

They rank low in Opportunity (29^th) especially in having access to higher education.  Their tolerance for immigrants according to the SPI illustrates that the Czech Republic is (93^rd).

Overall it looks like a decent place to live, if you’re a native, although it is very small.  They rank 31^st in personal rights and in basic human needs they are 25^th.

“Elements are highlighted where this country possesses a relative weakness or a relative strength compared to countries of similar GDP per capita: Trinidad and Tobago; Slovenia; New Zealand; Italy; Spain; Slovakia; Portugal; Greece; Israel; Saudi Arabia; Korea, Republic of; Estonia; Lithuania; Poland; France”(SPI).http://www.socialprogressimperative.org/data/spi/countries/CZE

BRAZIL

As the World Cup quickly approaches, there is little time to complete the necessary modifications.

One of the most important ones is controlling the favelas in Brazil which are run by the most notorious gangs in Brazil, like, Comando Vermelho. 

More than 6000 troops occupy these streets and things are only getting worse. “An escalation of murders, revenge killings and fire-bombings have prompted talk of a war between the police and gangsters. Favela residents and NGOs say the situation is now more tense than at any time since 2010, when the authorities began a "pacification" programme to regain control of communities from armed traffickers”. The stand-off between gang members and officers is going to erupt into a war if something is not negotiated with these gangs.

People will be flocking to Rio for the World Cup and they will be passing through these streets, on their way to and from the Brazilian International Airport. If they do not control these people soon it will need to disastrous results come June.

The Police have a role in the problems going on in Rio. Their rude treatment of the people has resulted in little faith of the peace procedures. Both parties need to get their priorities straight before something extreme happens during the World Cup.http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/24/brazil-army-rio-slums-violence-world-cup