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/