Current Events Dec. 17th

Iraq

Iraqi troops found a mass grave north outside of Baghdad on Thursday. There were at least 16 bodies in the grave, all of them men. The discovery on Thursday goes along with a car bomb that killed several and wounded more that exploded on the streets on the same day. Eleven people have been detained in Iraq due to coalition raids with al-Qaeda associations. This mass grave is not the only one found in the area.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/12/13/iraq.main/index.html

World

Rashid Rauf, a man suspected of planning to bomb trans-Atlantic airliners, escaped Pakistani custody and is on the loose. Raur, 25, was being accompanied by two guards when he escaped and both are being interrogated. Rauf was on his way to an extradition hearing for the murder of his uncle. He is one of 20 people who are being held for suspiscion of the jet-bomb plan.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/12/16/pakistan.escape/index.html

U.S.

Three LSU students from India were murdered on the campus last week. The college, however, decided to remain open for the remainder of finals week. The murders were believed by the college to be an individual attack in the home of the students. The pregnant wife of one of the victims discovered the bodies when she arrived home. The police is looking for 3 suspects who were seen leaving the scene.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/12/15/lsu.killings.ap/index.html

Election

Another Democratic debate took place on Thursday, sponsored by the Des Moines register, and Iowa Public Television. Sen. Hillary Clinton portrayed herself as the best candidate to be an agent of change in the party. Barack Obama, however, is still gaining on Clinton's lead. Obama and Clinton are now tied in New Hampshire say the results of a new poll. at the debate, candidates discussed the issues of economy, global warming, and education.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/13/dem.debate.preview/index.html

Health

A new study shows that college students who rely on all nighters for tests have a slightly lower GPA than students who don't. A survey of 120 students showed that all nighter students have a 2.95 GPA compared to a 3.2 of non all nighters. Most college students don't get enough sleep. Many experts say that these problems could be solved if students would intake less caffeine and manage their time better.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/wayoflife/12/14/all.nighters.ap/index.html

Technology

NASA scientists believe that they have disovered the energy source behind the Northern Lights. They say that the beam of light in the Alaskan and Canadian sky comes from charged particles from the sun. These particles are sent through winding and twisting magnetic fields which give the streaming shape. NASA satellites have the research for particles from space and the magnetic field research. Scientists are confident they have found the solution.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/12/13/northern.lights.ap/index.html

Business

Dallas Mavericks' owner, Mark Cuban, is one step closer to his goal of owning the Chicago Cubs. There are only a handful of bidders allowed to compete for the team and Cuban is one of them. Estimates for the amount of money that the Cubs could bring in are from $750 million to $1 billion. Cuban could bring some character to Major League Baseball if he is selected since he has a reputaion in the NBA of being crazy and has received a list of fines from the league.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/12/13/commentary/sportsbiz/index.htm?postversion=2007121313

Local

The snow storm that hit the Anderson area this past weekend has caused a few minor problems in the city. The grand opening of the New Lapel High School's grand opening has been postponed. Along with some difficulty for citizens to get around town. The storm however, is a disappointment to school children as they don't get a single day off, but several school systems in the area are on a 2 hour delay while heading back to school.

http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/local/local_story_350200510.html

State

None of the tickets sold for the latest Hoosier Lotto game matched all six numbers drawn, so the jackpot grows to an estimated $3.5 million for Wednesday’s drawing. The winning Hoosier Lotto numbers Saturday were 2, 7, 17, 27, 28 and 46.Fourteen tickets matched five of the six numbers and are worth $1,023 each. Meanwhile, none of the tickets sold for the Powerball Game Saturday night matched all six numbers drawn, which were: 22, 37, 47, 48, 50 and Powerball 17. The Power Play was 3.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071216/LOCAL/71216005

Sports

The Miami Dolphins dodged being the first team in NFL history without winning a single game in the regular season on Sunday. The Dolphins, who started 0-13, beat the Baltimore Ravens in overtime to avoid the embarrassment. The final play of the game was a 64 yard touchdown pass to receiver Greg Camarillo. The day of joy for the Dolphins is a day of sorrow for the Ravens. The Ravens started the season 4-2, but have now lost 8 straight games.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=271216015

Current Events December 3rd

Iraq

Turkish military says it attacked 50 to 60 Kurdish rebels inside Iraqi territory. It says the attack inflicted "significant losses." The military would not say whether promised U.S. intelligence aided the attack. The attack occurred in Hakkari province, according to the military.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/12/01/turkey.kurds.ap/index.html

World

Anson Chan, a pro-democracy official, won a seat in the Chinese legislature this election. Chan won the vote of the people of Hong Kong. She won with a 54.6 vote behind her. The election has been closely watched as it has become a sort of gauge for the people of Hong Kong's desire to be democratic. Chan hopes that Hong Kong will be able to elect all of it's lawmakers and its leader by 2012.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/12/02/hk.elections.ap/index.html

U.S.

The identity of "Baby Grace," the toddler who was found the West Bay earlier this month has been identified as Riley Anne Sawyer. DNA tests prove that the baby was the daughter of Robert Thomas Sawyers and Kimberly Dawn Trenor. Trenor and her husband Royce Clyde Zeigler II were arrested with charges of injuring a child and tampering with physical evidence.

htp://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/30/child.remains/index.html

Election

Barack Obama made his first visit back to Harlem last week since the beginning of his campaign. His main point of the visit was to convince his audience that he could be counted on to enforce civil rights laws. He explained that it hurt him to see young black men on street corners, and that he couldn't bare to live through another administration that didn't seem to care about them. One thing the senator did not mention was his opponent Hillary Clinton. The only reference to Clinton was made by comedian Chris Rock.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/30/obama.harlem.ap/index.html

Health

Patty Hill weighed 280 pounds and was only 5ft. 5in. tall. She had planned on having a gastric bypass surgery at the hospital until her friend who had the surgery had died from it the week prior to her own surgery. She thought that she was going to be obese forever until her doctor suggested Lap-Banding. With more and more people becoming obese, weight loss surgeries are more common. Side effects can be serious, however, and patients have to weigh the consequences. Lap-Banding seemed to be the right fit for Hill. She lost 140 pounds. She still has to cut food into small pieces and has digestive problems but she is entirely happy with the results.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/diet.fitness/11/28/weightloss.hill/index.html

Technology

RedOctane's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is the new talk of the town. The game is the third in the series that is sweeping across the nation. Guitar Hero is one of the biggest crazes to sweep across the nation in decades. The game hasn't changed much from the original formula which had worked so well for the company. People who were expecting lots of new, fun things to play with might be upset. However, if the buyer can look past that, the game is better than ever.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/11/30/guitar.hero.3/index.html

Business

Vivendi SA said Sunday that it plans to acquire a controlling stake in Activision Inc. and combine the company with Vivendi Games in a deal that would create a rival to Electronic Arts Inc. as the world's largest video game publisher. The combination of Santa Monica-based Activision, and Vivendi Games, would create the world's largest pure-play online and console game publisher, the companies said.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/12/02/news/companies/vivendi.ap/index.htm

Local

The stage in the main auditorium at Madison Park Church of God is very large, made to fit choirs, musicians and pastors. So when 16 tiny 1- and 2-year-olds wearing red and green reindeer antlers get up on the stage to sing “When Santa Comes,” it can be quite a striking, and cute, scene. The church celebrated a little bit of Christmas Sunday night at its newly-built 67th Street church with the North Kids Christmas Program, a showcase of holiday music by North Kids. Madison Park’s pastor, the Rev. Jim Lyon, said that the annual holiday revue gives North Star kids a chance to perform.

http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/local/local_story_336195701.html

State

Franklin's Hometown Holiday, a two-day festival and lighting ceremony, continued Saturday with a parade on Jefferson Street. Santa Claus arrived at 3 p.m., the Indiana Masonic Home lights were lit at 6 p.m., and the courthouse lights were turned on at 7 p.m. The holiday activities included a cookie contest, kiddie games, choral performances and costumed historical characters roaming the streets, telling stories of Franklin's history. Area churches hosted holiday concerts, and free trolley rides were offered throughout the downtown area.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071202/LOCAL/712020390

Sports

The Highland Scots were of to a relatively slow start after their first game was a loss, but in the second game of the season, the Scots got back on track. Led by SUPERSTAR, RIDICULOUSLY TALENTED, GOING PRO center Grant Fulton, the Scots mustered up a 71-64 win over Westfield. Unbelivable Fulton scored a team high 26 points, as well as leading the team in rebounds. The Scots are hopeful for a magical season this year, and with a player like Grant Fulton, who can play post or shoot the 3 ball on your team, who wouldn't be optimistic?

http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/archivesearch/local_story_329001820.html

Current Events Nov. 19th

World

Students who participated in a march in Caracas, Venezuela denouncing president Hugo Chavez were fired upon by some of the president's supporters. Authorities say at least eight people were injured, including at least one by gun shot. Reporters with cameras were able to capture at least four gunmen in photographs, but their faces were covered with ski masks or t shirts to hide their identities. The students were protesting to the supreme courts proposed ammendments that would abolish presidential term limits, give the president control over the Central Bank and let him create new provinces governed by handpicked officials.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/11/07/venezuela.protest.violence.ap/index.html

Afghanistan

An Afghani district center was overrun by sixty Taliban militia men. The militants came into the town on motorbikes and pick up trucks. There have been three districts in that province that have been overrun by the Taliban in the last week. In Kajran, the attacked district, one militant was killed and a policewoman was injured during the scuffle. Fighting has been going on there for about five days, and authorities say that the Taliban has been firing artillery shells into the city from a mountain outlook since then. Kajran authorities have requested support, but none has been there to help yet.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/11/06/taliban.motorcycle.ap/index.html

U.S.

The Chinese made toy Aqua Dots are being recalled all over the world due to the hazardous symptoms if swallowed. Over 4.2 million beads have been recalled in the U.S. alone. The coating on the beads, once metabolized, can be converted into the drug GHB, or the "date rape" drug. The drug is known as the date rape drug due to the fact that if swallowed in low doses, one gets a sense of euphoria, or in larger quantities goes comatose. These Aqua Dots are being swallowed by the young children who play with them and they are being hospitalized. The toy was recently on Wal-Marts top Christmas gifts, and named toy of the year in Australia.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/08/toy.recall/index.html

Current Events Nov. 5th

World

The German airline company Lufthansa has been banned from flying their cargo planes over Russian air space. The Germans now have to fly an extra three hours through Kazakstan in order to get to their destination. The Germans say they were not given a reason for the ban. Ambassadors from both countries are hopeful that the issue will be resolved soon.



http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/11/02/lufthansa.russia/index.html

U.S.

Police are searching for a 25 year old Nebraska teacher who is believed to be on the run with a 13 year old student. The two disappeared after Kelsey Peterson, a sixth grade teacher at Lexington Middle School was put on administrative leave for allegedly having an intimate relationship with 13 year old Fernando Rodriguez. Police have been notified nation wide and a warrant is out for Peterson's arrest. Police won't comment on where they are focusing their search, but Rodriguez's aunt claimed that she spoke with her nephew on the phone and he asked if a passport or visa was needed to go to Mexico.

Http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/01/teachers.student.search.ap/index.html

Iraq

The suspect in the attack on the Camp Victory U.S. army base has been captured in Iraq. The man fired a rocket attack on the base killing two soldiers and wounding 38 others including 2 ambassadors from third-country nations. U.S. forces also have captured 3 known associates of the man. The four were hiding in the Iraq Ministry of Agriculture building, encouraging U.S. troops to enter the building. No nationality was made clear.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/10/15/iraq.main/index.html

Election

Hilary Clinton picked up one of the most sought after endorsements by Democratic hopefuls last week. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees endorsed Clinton for president.
The union has about 1.4 million members. Clinton accepted the endorsement wearing a pair of boxing gloves claiming that she would "fight" for American families. This endorsement goes along with several other endorsements for Clinton including the American Federation of Teachers.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/31/labor.endorsements/index.html

Health

General Mills has recalled millions of pizza this week as there is suspiscion that the pepperonis on its pizzas with the Totino's or Jeno's labels may contain the E. Coli virus. Since July, there has been a federal investigation about 21 cases of E. Coli. The recall by General Mills was voluntary but 9 of the 21 E. Coli cases reportedly ate the pizzas before coming down with the illness. Sources say that General Mills is cooperating with the investigation. The company says that the pepperonis did not come from General Mills, but another company that General Mills will not name. http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/01/pizza.recall.ap/index.html

Technology

A professor at Washington-Brothel University teacher has given an original assignment to her students. Martha Groom has, instead of assigning long-winded papers, given the assignment that students should either make accurate Wikipedia articles, or edit inaccurate ones. Wikipedia has received alot of criticism for being inaccurate, and tampering with the accuracy of school projects. The professor has gone with the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" approach to the situation. Some Wikipedia authors are upset with the critiques of these college students, and Groom explained that she needed to teach her students the difference between a good critique the average college paper. Groom, however, still believes strongly in her project.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/11/01/wikipedia.assignment.ap/index.html

Business

Ford and United Auto Workers reached a deal early Saturday morning. The company was the first American company to reach a deal before a brief strike. Both sides believe that the deal is fair. The terms of the agreement have not yet been released, but there are and estimated 55,000 workers who will be covered and thousands more retired union members and spouses who will receive health care from Ford. Those retired members could cost the company up to $20 billion more than the money set aside for the current workers.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/02/news/companies/ford_deal/index.htm?postversion=2007110310

Local

Anderson University will be the host site for the National Christian Multicultural Student Leaders Conference (NCMSLC) Nov. 8-11. The NCMSLC conference, under the theme “Only Agape Can Lead to Shalom,” is an annual student development conference that aims to provide participants with knowledge and skills that enhance their understanding of multicultural ideals, challenges, and realities, and the role of Christian students and Christian institutions in the journey toward cultural competency.

http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/local/local_story_308175726.html

State

Beech Grove -- Police in Beech Grove will be part of a pilot project using new technology for "touch'' DNA collection, officials said.The Marion County city announced a partnership with Indianapolis-based Forensic ID in using a new device to gather DNA from skin cells or oils left after someone touches an object or surface."With this new device, it is possible that a crime that could not have been solved before may be able to be resolved now,'' said Beech Grove Police Chief Rich Witmer.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071104/LOCAL/711040412/1006/LOCAL

Sports

Bengals receiver Chad Johnson flew home with his teammates Sunday after medical tests showed he sustained no damage to his neck after being hurt late in Cincinnati's game against Buffalo.Team spokesman Jack Brennan said Johnson joined the team for its scheduled flight to Cincinnati after having a CT scan of his neck at a Buffalo-area hospital. Brennan said test results were normal. Johnson was hurt when he was sandwiched by Bills defenders Donte Whitner and Coy Wire while attempting to make a diving catch. Before being carted off, members of both teams gathered around Johnson, who had his neck immobilized.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3094570