Current Events 12-17-07

Britain has handed over security responsibilites back to the Iraqi people in Basra. Basra is a provence in Southern Iraq. This is seen as a major step toward relieving foreign military presence in Iraq. England currently has about 5,000 soldiers in Iraq. They hope to decrease to 4500 by the end of December and as few as 2500 by spring. England will maintain its police force of some 30000 in Baghdad.

Following an 18 month investigation by former senator George Mitchell, the 350 page report was releases this week. The report names 83 present and former major league baseball players. Included in the report are all star New York Yankee pitchers Andy Pettite and Roger Clemens. Pettite said he took HGH for two days in 2004 to recover from a elbow injury. Also named were Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca and former Dodgers pitcher Kevin Brown. Mitchell says the commissioner should not punnish anyone unless it challanges the integrity of the game.

Two men who are suspected of setting the wild fires in Malibu, California turned themselves in to Los Angeles police. Eric Matthew Ullman, 18, and Dean Allen Lavorante, 19, both of Culver City, California, posted bail of $240,000 and were released to their parents. The two were partying in a nearby cave, a popular party spot. The police traced the fire back to the cave, then used video servalance to identify the boys. Each face 2-4 years in prison for their role in the fire that destroyed dozens of homes.

Students often rely on "all nighters" to pass tests and do well in school. A recent study done by a professer at St. Lawrence University suggests that all nighters actually are harmful to a students mind. She found students who have never pulled an all nighter had an average gpa of 3.2, whereas students who regularly pull all nighters had an average gpa of 2.95. It is much healthier to study for small amounts of time, often.

Solar energy is becoming a popular alternative power source. The San Francisco bay area does not seem like a likely place to use solar energy panals. Scientists have determined that San Francisco is actually perfectly situated for solar energy absorbtion. Even thought the area is notoriously foggy and merky, the solar rays are as, if not more powerful than other areas in California. City officials plan to offer tax rebates for those who install solar panals.

Senator Joe Leiberman will endorse John McCain in the upcoming election. Leiberman considers McCain the most prepared candidate to win the war against Islamic Extremists. Leiberman is a former Democrat turned Independant. He was also the Democratic Vice-Presidential hopeful in 2000. No world on whether or not he will run for the Vice-President agian or not.

A man suspected of trying to blow up transatlantic airliners escaped from Pakistani police custody.Rashid Rauf, 25, who has joint British and Pakistani nationality, fled after appearing in court in Islamabad for an extradition hearing Saturday.The man is also suspected of killing his uncle, and heading a British group which planned to blow up airliners in 2004.

The MLB owners and commishoner were weary of letting Mark Cuban purchase the Chicago Cubs. Recently, Cuban, who owns the Dallas Maveraks, has toned down his vocal ways and decreased his public speaking. MLB owners were wurried he might tarnish the historic game of baseball. But with the recent steriod scandals....isnt it tarnished enough? Let him buy the Cubs. It will be good for the city and the championship starved fans. He has proved he knows how to win...let us win.

The Highland Scots wrestling program has experienced success over the last several years. Especially under sophmore coach Carry House. The Scots rapped up their second county title in a row on Saturday. The Scots sent 10 wrestlers to the title round and scored an undisputed 258.5 team points for the win at Pendleton Heights High School. The major upsets of the day include Mason Berryman losing in the first round and Matt Sieg defeating the number 2 seed.

Indiana State Representative Julia Carson died of lung cancer on Saturday. She had served in the House of Representatives for over 20 years. A special election to replace Carson could be at least 2 months away. In cases like this, the governer must call for a special election. Her absence gives the democrats a 232-201 majority

Current Events12-3-07

World
Where: Venezuela
When: December 2, 2007
Who: Hugo Chavez
What: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is holding a vote in order to enable himself to run for re-election. Recent violent clashes between Chavez followers and opponents have sparked Chavez to outlaw violent outbursts.
Why: Chavez and Venezuela, the largest oil exporter in South America, have recently lashed out against Washington. Chavez has stated that the constitution overhaul is vital to turning Venezuela into a Socialist State.
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/12/02/venezuela.constitution.ap/index.html

Sports
Where: Miami Florida
When: December 2, 2007
Who: Sean Taylor
What: A forth man has been charged with the murder of former Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor. Several NFL teams honored Taylor on Sunday by wearing his number, 21, on their helmets and jerseys. They men were charged with unpremeditated murder.
Why: Police say the 4 men broke into the house attempting to rob it. When Taylor attempted to foil the robbery, the men shot and killed him.
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/12/02/sean.taylor/index.html

State
Where: Indianapolis, Indiana
When: November 30, 2007
Who: Julia Carson
What: About 200 people attended a candle-light prayer session for terminally ill congress woman Julia Carson. Carson has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
Why: Carson has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. She stated last week she will not run for another term in Washington.
Source: http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/statenews/local_story_334205914.html

National
Where: Midwestern United States
When: December 2, 2007
Who: Residents of Midwest
What: A winter storm left conditions in the Midwest United States horrible over the weekend. Roads were icy and some were even blocked with snow. Seven total people were killed including a Purdue University Hockey player when their van overturned. Several presidential campaigns were halted.
Why: The storm was not that severe when over Colorado. But then picked up steam as it approached the Midwest and the Eastern Coast.
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/12/02/winter.weather.ap/index.html

Local
Where: Madison County
When: Recent years
Who: MC teens
What: the rate of Madison County teens dying from drug overdose has rose to over twice the state and national average. The rate has doubled in less than five years in Madison County. The rate is just over 34 people per year.
Why: Teens think that pills are not as harmful as other drugs. Most tests do not test for some prescription pills. Teens think the only thing tested for is Marijuana.
Source: http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/local/local_story_335224201.html

Health
Where: USA
When: December 2, 2007
Who: Flu sufferers
What: A new report on the “do’s and don’ts” of flu season has been issued. Do: Keep your hands clean, take it easy on the treadmill, eat what feels good…hot or cold. Don’t: overload on vitamins and remedies, or smoke.
Why: Debra Alban reports that some of the old traditions of dressing warm and chicken noodle soup do not work. Some of the traditional remedies might actually make a person worse.
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/10/31/flu.dos.donts/

Science/Technology
Where: USA
When: December 2, 2007
Who: Scientists
What: Scientists have discovered that baking soda could save the world from global warming. Researchers have developed a way to turn harmful carbon monoxide from smokestacks into baking soda.
Why: Some people criticize leaders for not caring about the environment and causing global warming….this should finally shut them up
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/11/29/climate.change.soda/index.html

Business
Where: New York
When: December 1, 2007
Who: Congress
What: Congress has decided to increase the minimum fuel efficiency to 35 miles per gallon of gasoline in new cars by 2020. This is a result of higher fuel prices, hybrid cars, and smaller more advanced technology
Why: This is a result of higher fuel prices, hybrid cars, and smaller more advanced technology. The cost of the new technologies is high, in the thousands of dollars, but the savings on oil is much more.
Source: http://money.cnn.com/2007/12/01/news/economy/fuel_efficiencysat/index.htm?postversion=2007120113

Iraq/Afghanistan
Where: Baghdad, Iraq
When: December 2, 2007
Who: Civilians in Iraq
What: According to Iraq’s Interior Ministry, civilian deaths related to the war have dropped for the third straight month. 538 people were killed last month. This is the fewest since the U.S bombed a mosque in Samarra in February of 2006.
Why: 30,000 troops were deployed this year to combat what Washington is calling the “surge.” Extra security measures have been taken to combat Shiite and Sunni Insurgents.
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/12/02/iraq.death.toll/index.html

Election
Where: New Hampshire
When: December 2, 2007
Who: Republican presidential hopeful John McCain
What: John McCain has received the support of the New Hampshire Union Leader, the largest and most influential newspaper in the state. They say he is the best-qualified person to lead the country in Iraq. The paper also cited McCain’s time as a POW in Vietnam as an admirable quality. The paper also says it strongly disagrees with his economic reform policy.
Why: The traditionally conservative newspaper calls McCain the most trustworthy, competent, and conservative candidate.
Source: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

Iraq

Ty Zeigal was a marine fighting in Iraq. His unit was attacked by a suicide bomber 3 days before Christmas in 2004. Ty lost half of his left arm, several fingers on the other hand, part of his skull, full brain function, and the normality of his life. As he returns home, he is not being provided with adequate medical care. The VA system is not ready to support all the soldiers being injured. Unable to hold a job because 0f his injuries, he anticipated receiving a disability check from the government. No such check has come.

State

A southern Indiana man died when his motorcycle collided with a deer. The man, Charles T. Spaulding, was thrown from his bike. after leaving the motorcycle, Spaulding hit an oncoming car going the opposite direction. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No word on if he was wearing a helmet.

Local

Bounce City, a children's play place devoted to bouncing, declares the recent allegations of being unclean are a result of mixed political beliefs around the community. Health organizations reportidly found cat urine, feces, and other health code violations at Bounce City. Personally, i have been to Bounce City. It was the dirtiest place i have EVER been. Think a bathroom floor, but bouncy.

Technology

Americans throw away thousands of tons of electrical equipment each year. Most of this trash ends up being shipped overseas into impoverished countries such as India and Nigeria. Upon arrival, the poor and ill-equipped workers use their hands and crude tools to extract the usable materials from the scraps, thus exposing themselves to harmful fumes and dangerous metals.

Health

A new killer cold virus has killed at least 10 people over the last year and a half. The virus that normally causes minor chest congestion, has caused a new disease in over 140 people across the country. The virus struck earlier this year when it attacked Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas. There are no good treatments for the new adenovirus. The best remedies are aspirin, fluids, and bed rest.