CURRENT EVENTS
Find more information about these current topics in NewsBank Special Reports
ECONOMICS - Stock Market Surge
TOPIC: Alan Greenspan's warning in the 90's about "irrational exuberance" in the stock market has surfaced again as the Dow Jones industrial average and several other less-famous indexes have recouped their losses from the 2000 market collapse. Investors have become more aggressive pushing the value of stocks to a record. What are the reasons given for this? Does it appear that this trend will continue?
SEARCH TERMS: stock market
ENVIRONMENT - Western Heat Wave
TOPIC: A heat wave has gripped several western states, putting many states over 100 degrees. What warnings have been issued by the government in response to this weather? What are some of the dangers of heat waves?
SEARCH TERMS: heat waves AND West AND United States
ECONOMICS - New Boeing 787
TOPIC: Boeing Co. has unveiled its new 787airplane. What is different about airplane? How have the new features affected sales?
SEARCH TERMS: Boeing AND airplane
SOCIAL STUDIES RESEARCH TOPICS
Civics, Government and Politics - Executive Privilege
TOPIC: President Bush has invoked his executive privilege in refusing to comply with a subpoena that demanded documents and testimony regarding the firing of U.S. attorneys. What is executive privilege? How can it be used? Does this case meet the requirements of executive privilege?
SEARCH TERMS: executive privilege
Civics, Government and Politics - The Health of Kim Jong-il
TOPIC: Recent photos of North Korea' s reclusive leader have increased talk of his eventual successor. Kim appears gaunt, balding and according to some medical experts these are the signs of recent coronary bypass surgery. Which one of his sons is the closest to succession? Will the military assume power if there is no heir apparent?
SEARCH TERMS: Kim Jong-il AND health
Civics, Government and Politics - Pakistan and Islamic Law
TOPIC: The famous Red Mosque in Islamabad is the epicenter of Islamic fundamentalism in Pakistan . Its clerics and students have attempted to force Islamic law on the larger community and the result has been conflict. What form of law does the government support? What is it doing to control the violence? As an officially Islamic country can Pakistan contain the Islamic extremists?
SEARCH TERMS: Pakistan AND mosques
Civics, Government and Politics - CIA Cold War Records Released
TOPIC: CIA Cold War-era classified documents recently released have exposed old Agency practices such as domestic spying and attempts at foreign assassination. What foreign leader, still in power, is an example of a CIA target for assassination? What are some examples of domestic wiretapping?
SEARCH TERMS: CIA AND classified information
CRIME AND LAW - Scooter Libby Sentence Commuted
TOPIC: President Bush has spared a former aide to Vice President Cheney, Scooter Libby, from a 30 month prison sentence for perjury and obstruction of justice. What is the authority of the president that allows him to commute a sentence? What was the reason given for his decision?
SEARCH TERMS: Lewis I. Libby (Scooter)
ECONOMICS - Hedge Funds
TOPIC: A powerful investment practice that has been growing among the very wealthy is the hedge fund. What is a hedge fund? What are some of its advantages and risks?
SEARCH TERMS: hedge funds
ECONOMICS - Petroleum Industry in Venezuela
TOPIC: Major foreign oil companies have rejected Venezuela' s nationalization plans of the petroleum industry and have simply walked away from their investments. The country produces a high sulphur content oil which is harder to refine than cleaner oils from other countries. Will the Venezuelan government be able to maintain the infrastructure without foreign expertise? Will this latest development affect the price of oil worldwide?
SEARCH TERMS: Venezuela AND petroleum industry AND nationalization
EDUCATION - College Tests in China
TOPIC: Nearly 10 million students in China are taking the annual college entrance exams. Why are so many students taking this exam? How difficult is it to gain admission to college for these students?
SEARCH TERMS: China AND college entrance exams
EDUCATION - First Male Head of PTA
TOPIC: Charles Chuck Saylors will be the first man to head the PTA. What does PTA stand for? What are the duties of the PTA?
SEARCH TERMS: Charles Saylors
HISTORY - Seven New Wonders of the World
TOPIC: Swiss-Canadian filmmaker, Bernard Weber, conducted a popular vote on the Internet to get a true global view on what should be the new Seven Wonders of the World . Why was a vote taken? How many votes were cast worldwide? What are the new seven wonders as a result of the vote?
SEARCH TERMS: Bernard Weber AND contests
HISTORY - Independence Day
TOPIC: The Fourth of July is when the United States celebrates the anniversary of the day our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. Some historians believe the actual signing took place on anther day. What other day is claimed by some to be the real day of signing? How many signers of the Declaration of Independence can you name?
SEARCH TERMS: Fourth of July
INTERNATIONAL - Civil War in Gaza
TOPIC: HAMAS and Fatah, partners in a coalition government, have split after weeks of disagreement over goals and political infighting. After a relatively brief, but intense period of fighting, HAMAS ended up with Gaza and Fatah was relegated to the West Bank . What future does the Middle East peace process have now? What are the chances that HAMAS and Fatah enter into peace negotiations? Which party are Israel and the Western nations supporting?
SEARCH TERMS: Gaza AND Fatah AND HAMAS and political violence
INTERNATIONAL - Soviet War Memorial in Estonia
TOPIC: A massive cyber attack was launched from Russia on the Estonian government Web sites following the relocation of a World War II monument to Russian soldiers. Why the violent reaction? How do Estonians view these events? What are the consequences for Estonian-Russian relations? On which side does the European Union stand?
SEARCH TERMS: Estonia AND Russia
INTERNATIONAL - Iraq and Australia
TOPIC: Australia's defense minister, Brendan Nelson claims that his country was in Iraq because of oil and that is why they are staying on. Prime Minister John Howard stated that while oil was certainly an important factor in the Middle East that was not the primary motivation for joining the military operations. Is the oil supply a major factor for the war in Iraq ?
SEARCH TERMS: Brendan Nelson AND Operation Iraqi Freedom
INTERNATIONAL - Darfur and the Web
TOPIC: Amnesty International has joined the American Association for the Advancement of Science in displaying the carnage in Darfur with satellite tracking imagery on their newly created web site. Will this effort work to hasten the arrival of peacekeeping forces in the area? Will this web site help to slow the genocide in that country?
SEARCH TERMS: Darfur AND Internet
INTERNATIONAL - Civilians in Afghanistan
TOPIC: As Afghan, American and NATO forces pursue the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban militias there has been an increase in civilian injuries and fatalities. Why is this happening? Can anything be done to stop it? Does the Taliban bear any responsibility for civilian welfare?
SEARCH TERMS: Afghanistan AND civilian populations
INTERNATIONAL - British Bomb Plot
TOPIC: A terrorist plot to set off car bombs in London , England and Glasgow , Scotland never came to pass. How was the plot foiled? How did the terrorists manage to get as far as they did? What is a unique feature of these terrorists that distinguishes them from other terrorist cells?
SEARCH TERMS: Great Britain AND terrorism AND bombs
SOCIAL ISSUES - Immigration Legislation
TOPIC: The Senate has rejected a bill to reform U.S. immigration policies. What are the reasons the bill was not passed? What was President Bush's response to the Senate's action?
SEARCH TERMS: immigration AND reform AND laws
SCIENCE AND HEALTH RESEARCH TOPICS
ENVIRONMENT - Live Earth
TOPIC: Over a hundred rock groups participated in the Live Earth concerts in seven cities throughout the world. What was the purpose of the concerts? Did they succeed?
SEARCH TERMS: global warming AND concerts
ENVIRONMENT - National Hurricane Center
TOPIC: The director of the National Hurricane Center has gone on leave after his comments about an aging weather satellite were not received well by fellow employees. What was said about the satellite? Why is everyone not in agreement with his comments?
SEARCH TERMS: Bill Proenza AND Hurricane Center
HEALTH - Smoking Policies
TOPIC: The World Health Organization predicts tobacco-related deaths will reach over eight million annually by 2030. Several European countries have joined the movement to ban smoking in public places. How does the policy of smoking in public places differ around the world?
SEARCH TERMS: health AND tobacco AND smoking
HEALTH - Food Contamination and Product Safety
TOPIC: Recently there have been several products imported from China that have been found to be contaminated. What are they? How will these findings affect products being imported from China to other countries? What steps has China taken to avoid this happening again?
SEARCH TERMS: China AND food contamination and poisoning
HEALTH - Cardiac Care Study
TOPIC: A new government website offers new information that tracks hospital performance in cardiac care. What is the overall conclusion of how hospitals are performing? What criteria are used in the ratings?
SEARCH TERMS: cardiology AND Web sites
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - Endangered Monkeys
TOPIC: The largest known population of rare, gray-shanked doucs has been found in Vietnam . What do we know about these monkeys? What does this discovery mean for their future?
SEARCH TERMS: monkeys AND Vietnam
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - Mummy Discovery
TOPIC: A mummy found a century ago has been identified as the remains of pharaoh Queen Hatshepsut. Who was this Queen? How was her identity verified?
SEARCH TERMS: Hatshepsut AND Egypt
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - Mars Rover
TOPIC: A strong dust storm on Mars is impacting the performance of two exploration rovers. What area of Mars is being explored? What is the overall purpose of the rovers?
SEARCH TERMS: Mars Exploration Rovers
SPORTS RESEARCH TOPICS
SPORTS - Lewis Hamilton
TOPIC: Lewis Hamilton in his rookie season has won two Formula One races in a row, and placed highly in others. Why is this unique for a rookie? Where is he from? How did he become a Formula One driver?
SEARCH TERMS: Lewis Hamilton AND Formula One
SPORTS - Tennis at Wimbledon
TOPIC: For the first time in Wimbledon history a new technology was used at Center Court to avoid the bad line calls that were so prevalent in the past. What is the new technology? How did it work during the tournament? Who where the winners?
SEARCH TERMS: Wimbledon AND tennis
SPORTS - Barry Bonds Home Run Chase
TOPIC: Barry Bonds is closing in quickly on Hank Aaron's home run record of 755. What is the controversy surrounding Bonds that has tempered the enthusiasm for his home runs? How long has Aaron's record held?
SEARCH TERMS: Barry Bonds
SPORTS - NBA Draft
TOPIC: The National Basketball Association has just held its annual player draft. Who were the top draft picks? By what teams were they drafted? What were the major trades of the draft?
SEARCH TERMS: National Basketball Association AND draft
SPORTS - Russia Awarded Winter Olympic Games
TOPIC: Russia has won the contest to be host city for the 2014 Olympic Games. What are some things done by Vladimir Putin in the effort to win the host city status? What can you find out about the Russian town that will play host city?
SEARCH TERMS: Russia AND Olympic Games
SPORTS - Clemens 350th Win
TOPIC: Yankee pitcher Roger Clemens has won his 350th game. Who was the last pitcher to win this many games? When was the last time this many games have been won by a single pitcher?
SEARCH TERMS: Roger Clemens AND records
ARTS AND LITERATURE RESEARCH TOPICS
FILM AND TELEVISION - Simpsons Video Competition
TOPIC: The characters in the animated television hit The Simpsons live in a town called Springfield . What kind of contest has this spurred? What kind of entry did each town submit in this contest? Who won the competition?
SEARCH TERMS: The Simpsons AND TV program
FILM AND TELEVISION - The Media in Kenya
TOPIC: The complete guide to the media in Kenya details every aspect of presenting the news and opinion and lists every type of outlet. Is there freedom of the press in Kenya ? Do a full-fledged and varied media contribute to this freedom?
SEARCH TERMS: Kenya AND media
FINE ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE - Archaeological Find
TOPIC: Archaeologists in Germany reveal an ivory carving of a Mammoth that was found at a productive Neolithic site. Unlike most of the other carvings found, this one was intact. How old was it? What seems to have been its use?
SEARCH TERMS: Stone Age AND Prehistoric Art
FINE ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE - Roland Freeman
TOPIC: The National Endowment of the Arts has named photographer Roland Freeman a National Heritage Fellow. What kind of photography is Freeman known for? What other award is Freeman going to be awarded?
SEARCH TERMS: Roland Freeman
LITERATURE - Salman Rushdie Knighted
TOPIC: Great Britain's Queen has knighted writer Salman Rushdie. Why has awarding this honor to Rushdie spurred protests by Muslims around the world? What Islamic sentence was passed on Rushdie and why?
SEARCH TERMS: Salman Rushdie
LITERATURE - A New Harry Potter
TOPIC: The newest title in the Harry Potter series is about to be released. What is it called? What do we know about this new book so far that is different from the others in the series?
SEARCH TERMS: Harry Potter
PERFORMING ARTS - Bob Dylan
TOPIC: Spain's Prince of Asturias Prize has been awarded to singer/songwriter Bob Dylan. What is the basis for this award? Why is this artist of the sixties still popular today?
SEARCH TERMS: Bob Dylan
PERFORMING ARTS - Beverly Sills
TOPIC: Opera singer Beverly Sills has passed away. What positions in the world of opera did Sills hold beyond that of singer? What year did Sills retire from the stage?
SEARCH TERMS: Beverly Sills
PEOPLE RESEARCH TOPICS
PEOPLE - Freed BBC Reporter
TOPIC: BBC reporter Alan Johnston has been freed from captivity in the Gaza Strip. What was the name of the terror group holding Johnston , and what did they want? What group negotiated Johnston' s freedom?
SEARCH TERMS: Alan Johnston
PEOPLE - Vladimir Putin
TOPIC: Vladimir Putin has recently met with President Bush to discuss relations between the two countries among other matters. What has been the source of conflict between the two leaders? What domestic changes has Putin brought on his country?
SEARCH TERMS: Vladimir Putin AND George W. Bush
PEOPLE - Garry Kasparov
TOPIC: One of the world's leading chess players has now become a leader in the world of political dissent in his battle to fight what he perceives as the anti-democratic behavior of Vladimir Putin. What is his issue with Putin? Will the movement he leads have any success in Russian politics?
SEARCH TERMS: Garry Kasparov
PEOPLE- David Beckham
TOPIC: David Beckham is bringing his soccer talents and celebrity status to the Los Angeles Galaxy. His Spanish team Real Madrid just won their national tournament, and he has returned to the English national team. What can Mr. Beckham do for the image of U.S. soccer? What economic benefits will he bring the U.S.' s professional league?
SEARCH TERMS: David Beckham
PEOPLE - Liz Claiborne
TOPIC: Fashion designer Liz Claiborne has died. What are some aspects of fashion that Claiborne is most known for? What other industry was greatly advanced by her clothing line?
SEARCH TERMS: Liz Claiborne
PEOPLE - Gordon Brown
TOPIC: Gordon Brown has taken over from Tony Blair as Prime Minister of Great Britain. What are some recent events that have challenged Mr. Brown? What are some differences between Brown and Blair?
SEARCH TERMS: Gordon Brown
