The USC Libraries subscribe to the NewsBank e-resource, which offers vital background on news, current events, and cultural issues. Keep reading forNewsBank's tips for learning more about Dubai's role in world markets, White House security, how global warming relates to the spread of infectious diseases, Taiwan's efforts to recruit university students from mainland China, and other newsworthy topics from recent months.
To access NewsBank, visit the USC Libraries' e-resources page and search for "newsbank".
CURRENT EVENTS RESEARCH TOPICS
Civics, Government and Politics: Afghanistan Policy
TOPIC: President Obama's plan to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan war zones has received a mix of reactions. What are the arguments for and against President Obama's plan? Generally, how are the Democrats and Republicans each responding to this plan?
SEARCH TERMS: Obama AND Afghanistan AND policy
ECONOMICS: Dubai's Influence on World Markets
TOPIC: World markets trembled at the news that Dubai's sovereign wealth fund was seeking to restructure its debt payment schedule. Why did this news cause such concern? What are sovereign wealth funds?
SEARCH TERMS: Dubai AND world markets
ECONOMICS: Unemployment Rates
TOPIC: As some signs of recovery show on Wall Street, unemployment still remains high. What are some areas in which employment has grown? What are the various impacts that high unemployment has had on the nation?
SEARCH TERMS: unemployment
ENVIRONMENT: Global Warming and Disease
TOPIC: New research is attributing a rise in diseases to global warming. What is the basis for this conclusion? What countries are showing the most rises in disease, and how are they studying this against global warming?
SEARCH TERMS: global warming AND disease
SOCIAL STUDIES RESEARCH TOPICS
Civics, Government and Politics: White House Security Breach
TOPIC: The ease in which Michaele and Tareq Salahi crashed a White House dinner has raised the issue of security. What are other examples of security breaches that have caused alarm in the federal government? Why did these people crash this White House function?
SEARCH TERMS: Michaele OR Tareq Salahi AND security
Civics, Government and Politics: 2009 Elections
TOPIC: Republicans Chris Christie and Bob McDonnell have won the gubernatorial races respectively in New Jersey and Virginia. What were issues in those two states that helped drive their win? What are the implications for President Obama in these wins?
SEARCH TERMS: election AND governor AND New Jersey AND Virginia
Civics, Government and Politics: Panel Investigating Iraq Invasion
TOPIC: Britain convened a panel to investigate the decision to invade Iraq. The inquiry is expected to last a year, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown and former Prime Minister Tony Blair are both expected to be witnesses. What are the controversies around the decision to invade? Is such an investigation likely to happen in the U.S.?
SEARCH TERMS: Britain AND Iraq AND investigations
CRIME AND LAW: Russian Train Derailment
TOPIC: A train between Moscow and St. Petersburg has derailed. Authorities claim a bomb was the cause, but no group has claimed responsibility for this. What was special about this train? Who have been blamed for earlier terrorist acts in Russia?
SEARCH TERMS: Russia AND trains AND bombs
CRIME AND LAW: Fort Hood Shootings
TOPIC: At the Fort Hood, Texas military base, the most populous U.S. military base in the world, Nidal Malik Hasan went on a shooting rampage that killed 13 and wounded 30 people. Were there any factors in his background that suggested he would commit a crime like this, and if so, what were they? What security measures are in place to prevent crimes like this at military bases?
SEARCH TERMS: Fort Hood AND shooting
CRIME AND LAW: New York Terrorist Trial
TOPIC: New York City will be the site of the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and others who are accused of involvement in the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. What have been some controversial issues surrounding the decision to have the trial in New York? What other options have been discussed?
SEARCH TERMS: New York AND trial AND Khalid Mohammed
ECONOMICS: Senate Plan to Regulate Banks
TOPIC: The Senate Banking Committee has proposed a set of changes to regulate banks that would strip the Federal Reserve of this responsibility and consolidate it under a regulator with the ability to break up big banks. What have been the main arguments for and against this proposal among economists? What Senator is spearheading this legislation and why?
SEARCH TERMS: senate AND Wall Street
ECONOMICS: Mortgage Rates
TOPIC: National mortgage rates are close to historic lows. What is driving these rates down? What have been some overall economic impacts of these low rates?
SEARCH TERMS: mortgage rates
EDUCATION: Student Recruitment in Taiwan
TOPIC: Taiwan moved to allow students from mainland China to attend its colleges and universities. Why was this an important act? What are the arguments against this happening?
SEARCH TERMS: Taiwan AND Chinese students
EDUCATION: President Obama's Plan for Math and Science Education
TOPIC: Backing education in what is largely called STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math), President Obama is focusing mostly on science and math in his new education initiative. What are the specifics of President Obama's plan? Why is there such a focus on these areas?
SEARCH TERMS: Obama AND math AND science
HISTORY: University of Virginia to Record Bush Presidency
TOPIC: The Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia is going to record an oral history of the presidency of George W. Bush. How are oral histories gathered? For what other presidents has UVA collected oral histories?
SEARCH TERMS: George W. Bush AND Miller Center of Public Affairs
HISTORY: Exhibit of Artifacts from Southeastern Europe
TOPIC: An exhibit in New York highlights artifacts from an early civilization centered in Southeastern Europe that was pre-literate. What type of society did they have? What impact did the Cold War have on our knowledge of their existence?
SEARCH TERMS: Old Europe AND exhibitions
SOCIAL ISSUES: Banning of Minarets
TOPIC: Switzerland has voted to ban the construction of minarets, the towers that accompany mosques. Why have the minarets been banned? How have European Muslims reacted to this?
SEARCH TERMS: Switzerland AND minarets
SOCIAL ISSUES: What does it mean to be French?
TOPIC: The government of Nicolas Sarkozy has decided to open a national dialogue on the meaning of Frenchness. What form will this dialogue take? Why is it happening now?
SEARCH TERMS: France AND Frenchness
SCIENCE AND HEALTH RESEARCH TOPICS
ENVIRONMENT: United Kingdom Flooding
TOPIC: The United Kingdom and Ireland were hit with high winds and floods. What was the extent of the damage? How successful were the emergency services in dealing with this disaster?
SEARCH TERMS: Ireland OR United Kingdom AND floods
HEALTH: Rom Houben and Coma Conditions
TOPIC: A Belgian man thought to be in a coma for 23 years was actually awake, but unable to communicate. How did the medics determine that he was awake and alert? How can he communicate today? Could others thought to be in coma be in the same condition?
SEARCH TERMS: Rom Houben
HEALTH: Decline in HIV Infections
TOPIC: A United Nations report claims a decline in HIV infections, with 1996 being the peak of the epidemic. Drug treatments have also brought about a decline in deaths from AIDS. Will these facts alter world efforts to find a way to prevent the disease? Is AIDS the deadliest disease in the world? If not, what disease is?
SEARCH TERMS: HIV OR AIDS AND infections
HEALTH: Health Care Reform
TOPIC: Health care reform legislation is still being debated. What are the key sticking points in the debate? What are some of the political tactics of each side to advance their goals?
SEARCH TERMS: health care AND reform
HEALTH: Mammogram Guidelines
TOPIC: The United States Preventative Task Force has issued new guidelines advising that mammogram screening start at age 50 instead of 40. What is the basis for their change? What has been reaction from the medical community and from the public?
SEARCH TERMS: mammogram AND guidelines
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: CERN'S Hadron Collider
TOPIC: CERN's Large Hadron Collider has produced its first particles, shortly after being brought back online following 14 months of repairs. Why was the Collider out of commission? What is the ultimate goal of the research being done by this massive piece of equipment?
SEARCH TERMS: CERN OR Large Hadron Collider
SPORTS RESEARCH TOPICS
SPORTS: Yankees Win World Series
TOPIC: The New York Yankees have beaten the Philadelphia Phillies to win the 2009 World Series. What were the most impressive plays of this year's series? How many World Series championships have the New York Yankees won, and what are some of the standout moments of those games?
SEARCH TERMS: Yankees AND World Series
SPORTS: 2010 World Cup Soccer Teams
TOPIC: The final teams for the 2010 Soccer World Cup were recently determined. What controversy marred France's defeat of Ireland? What, if anything, has FIFA decided to do about this?
SEARCH TERMS: FIFA OR World Cup AND Ireland
SPORTS: New York City Marathon
TOPIC: American Meb Keflezighi has won the New York City Marathon. Who was the last American to win the New York City Marathon and in what year? In what other major races has Mr. Keflezighi distinguished himself?
SEARCH TERMS: New York Marathon AND Meb Keflezighi
SPORTS: Jimmie Johnson
TOPIC: This year, NASCAR auto racer Jimmie Johnson has distinguished himself as the only driver to win 4 consecutive Sprint Cup series. What driver comes the closest to his record in the Sprint Cup? What have been his other career landmarks?
SEARCH TERMS: Jimmie Johnson AND Sprint Cup
ARTS AND LITERATURE RESEARCH TOPICS
FILM AND TELEVISION: The Oprah Winfrey Show
TOPIC: Oprah Winfrey has announced that her show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, will air its last episode in September 2011. How has this show offered a lucrative market for book publishers? What are some of the other interesting impacts that her program has had on contemporary culture over the years?
SEARCH TERMS: Oprah Winfrey Show
FILM AND TELEVISION: Golden Horse Awards
TOPIC: The Golden Horse Awards honor Asian Chinese language films annually. Where are the awards given? Who won this year?
SEARCH TERMS: Golden Horse Awards
FINE ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE: Warhol at Sotheby's
TOPIC: In a sign that the recession may be ending, Sotheby's has auctioned off $134.4 million worth of post war and contemporary art at its November auction including a $43.7 million Andy Warhol painting. What is the significance of the art market to the overall economy? What Andy Warhol works have sold for the most money?
SEARCH TERMS: Warhol AND Sotheby's
LITERATURE: Sarah Palin
TOPIC: Sarah Palin's memoir Going Rogue is the current best-selling political memoir. What revelations in the book have made the most news? What have reviewers thought about this book?
SEARCH TERMS: Sarah Palin AND Going Rogue
LITERATURE: Francisco Ayala
TOPIC: Francisco Ayala was a Spanish author. What works was he best known for? Why did he live so many years abroad?
SEARCH TERMS: Francisco Ayala
PERFORMING ARTS: Elisabeth Soderstrom
TOPIC: Elisabeth Soderstrom was an opera star. At which opera houses did she perform? What notable roles did she play?
SEARCH TERMS: Elisabeth Soderstrom
PEOPLE RESEARCH TOPICS
PEOPLE: Senator Byrd
TOPIC: Serving West Virginia in the U.S. Congress for 50 years Senator Robert Byrd is the longest serving member of Congress in history. What are some landmark bills that Senator Byrd has worked on? What are some other factors that have made Senator Byrd's legacy in Congress?
SEARCH TERMS: Byrd AND Congress
PEOPLE: Lou Dobbs
TOPIC: Lou Dobbs, the host of political talk show Lou Dobbs Tonight, has resigned from CNN. What is the reason for his resignation? What future aspirations might he be pursuing?
SEARCH TERMS: Lou Dobbs AND CNN
PEOPLE: Claude Levi-Strauss
TOPIC: Claude Levi-Strauss was a French anthropologist. His work was on indigenous tribes in the Amazon and on Native American artwork, among other things. What French intellectual school did he found? What did he teach us about indigenous cultures?
SEARCH TERMS: Claude Levi-Strauss