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HOT TOPICS
CURRENT EVENTS
Find more information on these current topics in NewsBanks Special Reports
CIVICS, GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Bushs Iraq Plan
TOPIC: President Bush has a new plan for Iraq. Why is a new plan necessary? What is included in the plan? (See the Special Report on Iraq for further information.)
SEARCH TERMS: George Bush AND Iraq
CIVICS, GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Nancy Pelosi
TOPIC: Nancy Pelosi has been sworn into office as the first woman Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. What are some of Pelosis prime objectives in her new position? Speaker Pelosi comes from a political family what political office did her father hold? (See the Special Report on Womans History for more information.)
SEARCH TERMS: Nancy Pelosi
HEALTH Bird Flu
TOPIC: Cases of bird flu have been found in Vietnam and other Asian countries. Why are we seeing these cases now? What is being done to prevent a major outbreak? (See the Special Report on World Health for more information)
SEARCH TERMS: bird flu AND Vietnam
SOCIAL STUDIES RESEARCH TOPICS
CIVICS, GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Hugo Chavez and Venezuela
TOPIC: Hugo Chavez has been sworn in as President of Venezuela for his third term. What type of government does Venezuela have? What are the major issues he plans to work on first?
SEARCH TERMS: Hugo Chavez AND Venezuela
CIVICS, GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Daniel Ortega and Nicaragua
TOPIC: Daniel Ortega has been sworn in as President of Nicaragua. What type of government does Nicaragua have? What are the major issues he plans to work on first?
SEARCH TERMS: Daniel Ortega AND Nicaragua
CIVICS, GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS The Basque Quest for Independence
TOPIC: An airport car bombing by Spains Basque terrorists have brought an abrupt end to peace negotiations with ETA (Basque Homeland and Freedom) and ended hopes for a resolution of the nearly 40 year old conflict. What options does the government have now?
SEARCH TERMS: Spain AND Basques
CIVICS, GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS A Coup dEtat in Fiji
TOPIC: A military junta led by Frank Bainimarama has deposed Laisenia Qarase, the democratically elected president of Fiji. This is Fijis third coup in nine years. Where is Fiji? Who lives there? Why is there so much political turmoil?
SEARCH TERMS: Fiji AND coups detat
CIVICS, GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Zalmay M. Khalilzad
TOPIC: President Bush has nominated current ambassador to Iraq Zalmay M. Khalilzad to replace John Bolton as envoy to the United Nations. Where was Mr. Khalilzad born? Why was John Bolton replaced?
SEARCH TERMS: Zalmay M. Khalilzad
CRIME AND LAW Capital Punishment - Decline in Death Sentences
TOPIC: The U.S. death sentences in 2006 have dropped to the lowest number in the 30-years since capital punishment was reinstated. What are some of the reasons suggested by various experts and people in the criminal justice system for this drop?
SEARCH TERMS: capital punishment AND rates
CRIME AND LAW Britain stops weapons probe to save Saudi deal
TOPIC: British fraud investigators have stopped a probe into a multi-billion pound (Euro/dollar) arms deal with Saudi Arabia. Will this inhibit other investigations? How will public opinion be affected?
SEARCH TERMS: England AND Saudi Arabia AND military aircraft
ECONOMICS Wal-Mart Advertising
TOPIC: Wal-Mart is running an advertising campaign praising its employment policies and corporate citizenship. Why is Wal-Mart running this type of campaign? What do they hope to accomplish?
SEARCH TERMS: Wal-Mart Stores Inc. AND corporate image
ECONOMICS Apple Computer Inc.
TOPIC: At the Macworld Conference in San Francisco, Apple Computer made several announcements that defined the direction of the company. What were the announcements they made?
SEARCH TERMS: Apple Computer Inc.
ECONOMICS Alternate Fuel Source
TOPIC: Growth in the ethanol industry is forcing corn farmers to look for an alternative source for the alternative fuel. Why is there a growth in this industry? What areas will be impacted by this change?
SEARCH TERMS: ethanol AND corn
EDUCATION 2006 Word of the Year
TOPIC: Plutoed was chosen as the 2006 Word of the Year. Who determines the winner? What does this word mean? What other words were in the running?
SEARCH TERMS: dialect AND Pluto
EDUCATION No Child Left Behind
TOPIC: President Bush will be seeking congressional support to renew his No Child Left Behind Act. What have been some of the demands made on schools? Will there be changes to the existing Act?
SEARCH TERMS: No Child Left Behind Act
EDUCATION English Language Town
TOPIC: Taiwanese education officials want to build a facility like the town in South Korea where only English is spoken. Why would they want a town like this? How successful has the one in South Korea been?
SEARCH TERMS: language education
HISTORY The Great Ukrainian Famine
TOPIC: In the 1930s Josef Stalin engineered a famine in order to force Ukraines independent private farmers to join collective farms. What was the result then? What is the result today?
SEARCH TERMS: Ukraine AND genocide
HISTORY Gerald Ford Presidency
TOPIC: The United States mourns the passing of President Gerald Ford. What are some presidential actions for which Ford is most remembered? What Cold War international treaty did Ford support under criticism that was later applauded?
SEARCH TERMS: Gerald Ford
INTERNATIONAL Conflict in Somalia
TOPIC: With the backing of Ethiopian troops, the Somalia transitional government has regained control of the country. Who were they fighting? What is Ethiopias stake in Somalia? What is necessary for stability in Somalia?
SEARCH TERMS: Somalia AND Ethiopia
SOCIAL ISSUES Taxi Drivers
TOPIC: In Victoria, Australia Muslim taxi drivers are refusing to carry blind passengers with their guide dogs or anyone carrying alcohol. What are their reasons for this?
SEARCH TERMS: Muslims AND taxi drivers
SOCIAL ISSUES Intelligence Gathering and the U.S. Mail
TOPIC: A signing statement attached to legislation is seeking the right of the U.S. government to open personal mail without a warrant. What is the legal process and purpose of a signing statement? What is unique about President Bush and the use of this process?
SEARCH TERMS: postal delivery services AND George W. Bush
SCIENCE AND HEALTH RESEARCH TOPICS
ENVIRONMENT Scimitar-horned Oryxes
TOPIC: The Kansas City Zoo is joining other zoos to reintroduce the endangered scimitar-horned oryx to its native Tunisia as part of an effort to revive this breed to the wild. What were some of the factors that pushed this breed near extinction? How is the Tunisian government assisting in this effort?
SEARCH TERMS: antelopes AND wildlife reintroduction
ENVIRONMENT Australian Drought
TOPIC: According to an Australian scientist, Australias drought is more likely caused by natural climate cycles than by global warming. Is there enough research to back this theory? If it is natures effect, what can man do to ease the effects on the environment?
SEARCH TERMS: Australia AND drought
ENVIRONMENT Captive breeding
TOPIC: The rare oriental white-backed vulture breeds in captivity for the first time. The population of this bird declined precipitously in the 1990s, so this clutch of eggs is seen as key in restoring this bird to its place in the ecosystem. Why did the vultures die off? What other steps have been taken to help its population to return?
SEARCH TERMS: India AND vultures AND captive breeding
HEALTH California Insurance Plan
TOPIC: Californias Governor Schwarzenegger has issued a plan to have all Californians covered under a broad health insurance plan. How do businesses play into the plan? Are there some groups of people that will benefit the more than others?
SEARCH TERMS: California AND health care reform
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Stem Cell Discovery
TOPIC: Stem cells have been discovered in amniotic fluid. What are the implications of this discovery to the primary controversy surrounding stem cell research? What is amniotic fluid?
SEARCH TERMS: stem cells AND research
SPORTS RESEARCH TOPICS
SPORTS Gators Beat Buckeyes
TOPIC: Against most predictions, the University of Florida Gators have beaten the Ohio State Buckeyes for the NCAA football championship. Who is the Heisman Trophy winner and on which of these teams did he play? How is it determined who plays in NCAA championship football games?
SEARCH TERMS: college football AND championships and playoffs
SPORTS Breeders Cup
TOPIC: The esteemed horse racing event, the Breeders Cup, has expanded to a two day, 11 race event. How many races were originally in the event? What is the significance of this event to horse racing?
SEARCH TERMS: Breeders Cup
SPORTS Shane Warne retires
TOPIC: Australian cricketer Shane Warne is retiring. What position does he play? What affect will his leaving have on his team? What will he do after leaving the Australian team?
SEARCH TERMS: Shane Warne
SPORTS Baseball Hall of Fame
TOPIC: Each year some outstanding baseball players are voted into the Hall of Fame. Who does the voting? Which players were successful this year? Why were some other players not voted in?
SEARCH TERMS: Baseball Hall of Fame AND voting
ARTS AND LITERATURE RESEARCH TOPICS
FILM AND TELEVISION Joe Barbera
TOPIC: Television cartoonist Joe Barbera, of the team of Hanna-Barbera, has passed away. What cartoons are he primarily known for? What film company did Barbera work for?
SEARCH TERMS: Joe Barbera
FILM AND TELEVISION Director Michael Arias
TOPIC: Michael Arias becomes the first American to direct an anime film. How did he get this position? What is the name of the film? What did the critics say?
SEARCH TERMS: Michael Arias AND anime
FINE ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE Found Stolen Art
TOPIC: German museums, galleries and auction houses around the world frequently find themselves in possession of art works stolen from Jewish collectors by the Nazis. How did the Nazis acquire the art? How is it identified? What happens to it once it is identified?
SEARCH TERMS: Germany AND art theft
FINE ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE National Palace Museum
TOPIC: Taipeis recently renovated National Palace Museum is reopening with a 3 month exhibition of its rarest works. How is the collection of this museum distinguished in China? What has also changed in the tone and presentation of this museum for its recent re-opening?
SEARCH TERMS: National Palace Museum
LITERATURE President Carters New Book
TOPIC: Former President Jimmy Carter has written a new book, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid. Why is this book controversial?
SEARCH TERMS: Jimmy Carter AND Palestine
PERFORMING ARTS James Brown
TOPIC: The U.S. mourns the loss of the Godfather of Soul with the death of soul performer James Brown. What was another nickname for Brown that credited his work ethic? What is soul music?
SEARCH TERMS: James Brown AND music
PERFORMING ARTS Mozart Anniversary
TOPIC: As yet another anniversary celebration, a new web site now features over 600 works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart available online for free. This is an initiative by Salzburg's International Foundation Mozarteum in honor of the 250th anniversary of his birth.
SEARCH TERMS: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
PEOPLE RESEARCH TOPICS
PEOPLE Teddy Kollek
TOPIC: Former mayor of Jerusalem, Teddy Kollek has passed away. What was Kolleks primary legacy as mayor? What are some major events in Israels history during Kolleks mayoralty?
SEARCH TERMS: Teddy Kollek
PEOPLE Elvis Presley
TOPIC: In 1970, Elvis Presley visited President Richard Nixon at the White House. What was the purpose of this visit? What was so unusual about these two people meeting? What did Elvis request from the President?
SEARCH TERMS: Elvis Presley
PEOPLE Bobby Hamilton
TOPIC: Longtime NASCAR driver Bobby Hamilton has passed away. What were some of the races where Hamilton distinguished himself?
SEARCH TERMS: Bobby Hamilton
PEOPLE Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan
TOPIC: As the descendent of two previous prime ministers, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and newly elected Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe has alarmed his critics with his nationalism and interest in amending Japans constitution. Who is Shinzo Abe? What political change does he represent for Japan?
SEARCH TERMS: Shinzo Abe
PEOPLE Augusto Pinochet
TOPIC: In a letter to be published after his death, Augusto Pinochet, Chiles strongman, claims pride in his defeat of communism and the economic development during his reign. Did Chile benefit from his economic policies? Will Pinochet be remembered for anything other than his totalitarian regime?
SEARCH TERMS: Augusto Pinochet
