CURRENT EVENTS
CRIME AND LAW - Kennedy Airport Terror Plot
TOPIC: A plot to blow up Kennedy Airport by igniting a network of underground fuel tanks has been disrupted by federal authorities. What other surrounding areas may have been at risk by this plot? What safeguards are in place that may have prevented or limited the damage?
SEARCH TERMS: Kennedy International Airport
ECONOMICS - G-8 Meeting
TOPIC: The Group of 8 Summit - a global economic meeting between some of the strongest economic powers is taking place in Germany. What countries constitute the Group of 8? What two countries are under diplomatic strain and why? What are the primary topics to be discussed at the meeting?
SEARCH TERMS: group of 8 AND summit meetings
HEALTH - Tuberculosis Scare
TOPIC: A man traveling by plane with a strong drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis has caused a scare among officials who fear for the health of his fellow passengers. What is the kind of tuberculosis does the man have? How has the CDC responded? How prevalent is tuberculosis in the world today?
SEARCH TERMS: tuberculosis AND public health
SOCIAL STUDIES RESEARCH TOPICS
Civics, Government and Politics - New President for Russia
TOPIC: With presidential elections next year and Vladimir Putin constitutionally barred from serving a third term, there is speculation about succession in government. Will the constitution be amended to allow Putin a third term? Is Putin grooming a successor from the ranks of his One Russia Party? Are there opposition candidates ready to run?
SEARCH TERMS: Russia AND succession in government
Civics, Government and Politics - Venezuela and Freedom of Speech
TOPIC: President Hugo Chavez has taken Radio Caracas Television off the air because of its vocal opposition to his policies. A wave of demonstrations ensued. Other TV Stations joined the protest. Why the protests? What has been the reaction of Chavez?
SEARCH TERMS: Venezuela AND television stations
Civics, Government and Politics - Scooter Libby Sentenced
TOPIC: Scooter Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, has been sentenced for obstruction and perjury in an investigation involving a CIA leak of classified information. What was the sentence? What has been some of the reaction to his sentence?
SEARCH TERMS: Lewis I. Libby or Scooter Libby
CRIME AND LAW - Russian Assassination
TOPIC: The British request for the extradition of Andrei Lugovoy in the Litvinenko murder case was quickly denied by Russia. What will this do to relations between the two countries? Why is Lugovoy suspected in the polonium poisoning case?
SEARCH TERMS: Andrei Lugovoy AND extradition
CRIME AND LAW - Investigating Chirac
TOPIC: Now that he has lost his presidential immunity, Jacques Chirac can be investigated for alleged financial misdeeds while mayor of Paris. What are those misdeeds? Why are his trips to Japan over the years involved?
SEARCH TERMS: Jacques Chirac AND investigations
EDUCATION - College Graduates in China
TOPIC: College graduates in China are having difficulties finding employment and have taken to more menial jobs in order to make a living. The very economic conditions that have provided the funds for many to attend college have not matched up in the job creation arena. What can the schools do to prepare their students for the new economic realities?
SEARCH TERMS: China AND college graduates
EDUCATION - Scripps National Spelling Bee
TOPIC: Thirteen-year-old Evan O'Dorney is the winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. What word was the final challenge for O'Dorney? What is a way O'Dorney likes to prepare for the bee?
SEARCH TERMS: spelling bees
HISTORY - Chiang Kai-shek
TOPIC: Years after his death, things named for the late leader of Taiwan are being changed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. Most recently the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall had its name changed. What was the reaction to this? Why is the DPP determined to do this?
SEARCH TERMS: Chiang Kai-shek
INTERNATIONAL - The Six Day War
TOPIC: Forty years have passed since Israel launched a pre-emptive war against Egypt, Jordan and Syria who were allied against her. What were the causes that led to the conflict? Why was the war over so quickly? What was achieved? Are there effects still felt today?
SEARCH TERMS: Israel AND Six Day War
INTERNATIONAL - Lebanese Political Violence
TOPIC: The Lebanese army battle against militant rebels inside Palestinian refugee camps has deepened as other rebel attacks on the government have closed parts of Beirut. What are the primary political divisions inside Lebanon? What recent war has opened up these divisions?
SEARCH TERMS: Lebanon
SOCIAL ISSUES - Immigration Legislation
TOPIC: A recent compromise bill has been agreed upon between Congress and the Bush administration. What are some key features of the bill? What is the primary issue in the bill that has divided the Republican Party?
SEARCH TERMS: immigration AND legislation
SOCIAL ISSUES - Amnesty International Reports on Palestinian Poverty
TOPIC: Amnesty International reports that the Palestinians live in poverty due to the military occupation by Israel and the latter could have prevented a lot of the violence by respecting human rights in the territories. Will these reports help the Middle East peace process in a constructive way? Will they convince the Israelis to change their policies towards the Palestinians?
SEARCH TERMS: Amnesty International AND Palestinians
SCIENCE AND HEALTH RESEARCH TOPICS
ENVIRONMENT - California Whale Study Provides New Information
TOPIC: Two humpback whales that were lost in the Sacramento River have been successfully led back to the ocean. This event has given scientists an unusual opportunity to study whale behavior. What new information has been discovered?
SEARCH TERMS: humpback whales AND research
ENVIRONMENT - The Safety of Elephants
TOPIC: The African elephant is the largest land animal in the world. Why are their tusks in demand? The standing committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species will meet soon to consider proposals some countries are making on the sale of Ivory. What are the proposals? What will their enforcement mean for the elephant?
SEARCH TERMS: ivory AND trade
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - An Embassy in a Virtual World
TOPIC: Sweden has opened a virtual community embassy with millions of members worldwide. What is its purpose? What diplomatic functions will it not be able to do?
SEARCH TERMS: Sweden AND Second Life
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - Dog Cognition Research
TOPIC: New experiments in animal behavior show that dogs are much more capable of cognition than previously thought. What cognitive behavior is showing in dogs that were previously thought only to occur in humans? What experiment revealed this ability?
SEARCH TERMS: dogs AND animal cognition
SPORTS RESEARCH TOPICS
SPORTS - Stanley Cup
TOPIC: The Anaheim Ducks of California have won the hockey championship Stanley Cup. How is this win unique for California? What was the original reputation of the Ducks when they began as a team?
SEARCH TERMS: Stanley Cup
SPORTS - French Open
TOPIC: The French Open tennis tournament is taking place. Who are the leading contenders? What are the results so far?
SEARCH TERMS: French Open AND tennis
SPORTS - Ex- NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr. Dies
TOPIC: Ex-NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr. has died. What major changes did France bring to NASCAR? What other members of the France family were involved with auto racing?
SEARCH TERMS: Bill C. France, Jr.
SPORTS - Bicycle Racing and Performance Enhancing Drugs
TOPIC: Confessions on the use of performance enhancing drugs from members of the German racing team Telekom have surfaced. Who has been caught up in the investigation? What substance was used? How will these revelations change the international bicycle racing world?
SEARCH TERMS: bicyclists AND performance enhancing drugs
SPORTS - China and the Olympics
TOPIC: China has suffered a few public relations problems during the lead-up to its hosting of the Olympic Games next year. What has been the complaint of Amnesty International? What is the relationship between China and Darfur that has troubled some about its hosting of the Olympics?
SEARCH TERMS: China AND Olympic Games
SPORTS - Johns Hopkins Lacrosse Champions
TOPIC: John Hopkins has beaten Duke in the NCAA lacrosse championships. What record does this give to Johns Hopkins? What team did Hopkins previously tie for most championship wins?
SEARCH TERMS: John Hopkins AND lacrosse
ARTS AND LITERATURE RESEARCH TOPICS
FILM AND TELEVISION - Sopranos TV Show Ends
TOPIC: The Sopranos HBO series is ending. What awards has this series garnered? What has been the public response to this series?
SEARCH TERMS: The Sopranos AND TV
FILM AND TELEVISION - Cannes Film Festival
TOPIC: The Cannes International Film Festival is considered to be the premier film festival of the world. What kind of movie would you see there? Which films are the leading contenders for prizes and why are they considered worthy?
SEARCH TERMS: Cannes International Film Festival
FINE ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE - Treasure or Artifact?
TOPIC: An American based treasure hunting company has discovered a shipwreck in an undisclosed location with perhaps a half billion dollars worth of antique coins. Spain had authorized the search for an English vessel but claims that this haul could be from a Spanish shipwreck in their territorial waters and therefore part of their cultural history. Does the Spanish government have the right to demand that the treasure be returned to them?
SEARCH TERMS: treasure hunting AND Spain
FINE ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE - Morgan Library and Museum
TOPIC: The Morgan Library and Museum in New York City has chosen William M. Griswold as its new director. For what museum was Mr. Griswold briefly acting director? What Institute did Mr. Griswold act as director that underwent a large expansion?
SEARCH TERMS: William M. Griswold
LITERATURE - A Hundred Years of Herge
TOPIC: May 22, 2007 would have been the 100th birthday of cartoonist Georges Remi, who took his pen name from the pronunciation of his initials in their reverse order. Where was he born? Who was his main character? How popular was his work?
SEARCH TERMS: Herge OR Georges Remi
LITERATURE - Hillary Clinton Biographies
TOPIC: Two biographies of Hillary Clinton have recently been published, A Woman in Charge by Carl Bernstein and Her Way by Jeff Gerth and Don Van Natta, Jr. What have been the actions of the publishing houses to compete for sales of these two books? What has been the impact of these books on her presidential campaign?
SEARCH TERMS: Hillary Clinton AND biography
PERFORMING ARTS - Sgt. Pepper Anniversary
TOPIC: It has been 40 years since the Beatles released their highly acclaimed Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. What was the reaction of the critics to this album? What established rock lists has this album topped? What has been the unlikely reaction from the Beatles themselves to such acclaim?
SEARCH TERMS: Beatles AND Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
PEOPLE RESEARCH TOPICS
PEOPLE - Rep. William Jefferson
TOPIC: Representative William Jefferson of Louisiana has been indicted on 16 corruption counts. What were the primary charges? What has been the reaction of the Democratic Party to Jefferson during the investigation?
SEARCH TERMS: William Jefferson
PEOPLE - Miss Universe
TOPIC: Riyo Mori of Japan has won the Miss Universe pageant for 2007. What was her profession before becoming a candidate in the pageant? When was the last time that Japan won the Miss Universe pageant?
SEARCH TERMS: Riyo Mori
PEOPLE - Yolanda King
TOPIC: The oldest daughter of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. has passed away. Other than carrying on the legacy of her father in civil rights, what careers have King pursued? What were some of her contributions she has made to civil rights?
SEARCH TERMS: Yolanda King
PEOPLE - Jerry Falwell
TOPIC: Founder of the Moral Majority, Reverend Jerry Falwell has passed away. How did Falwell change politics from his religious position? What famous Supreme Court case was Falwell involved in regarding freedom of speech?
SEARCH TERMS: Jerry Falwell
PEOPLE - Who Is Gordon Brown?
TOPIC: The British Labour Party has elected a new leader who will succeed Prime Minster Tony Blair in office this summer. Who is this man and what has been his role in the Blair government? What changes in government policy might be expected?
SEARCH TERMS: England AND Gordon Brown
PEOPLE - Fidel Castro
TOPIC: After a year of uncertainty for Cubans, Fidel Castro has seemingly recovered enough to entertain foreign dignitaries and to appear on state-run television. Will his improved health allow him to reassume the presidency of his country? How will this affect the Cuban exiles?
SEARCH TERMS: Fidel Castro and presidents
