The Supreme Court ruled June 17 that Arizona may not require documentary proof of citizenship from people seeking to vote in federal elections. Justice Antonin Scalia, writing the majority opinion, said a federal law requiring states to “accept and use” a federal form that confirms citizenship displaces an Arizona law requiring various kinds of proof.
See "Voter Rights," CQ Researcher, May 18, 2012.
An emergency manager appointed by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder to oversee Detroit’s finances said June 14 that the city is defaulting on $2.5 billion of debt. Kevyn Orr said Detroit is asking its creditors to take 10 cents on the dollar of what they’re owed.
See "Blighted Cities," CQ Researcher, Nov. 12, 2010.
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on June 13 that isolated human genes may not be patented. The case concerned patents held by Utah-based Myriad Genetics on genes that correlate with increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. The high court said synthetically modified genes are still eligible for patents.
See "Patenting Human Genes," CQ Researcher, May 31, 2013.
National Security Agency Chief General Keith Alexander told Congress in a prepared statement June 12 that U.S. critical infrastructure, which ranges from telecommunications to energy supplies, is not well prepared to handle a destructive cyberattack. He said the Defense Department needs to play a greater role in cyberspace amid what he called real and growing threats.
See "Improving Cybersecurity," CQ Researcher, Feb. 15, 2013.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced on June 11 a $20 billion plan to prepare for rising sea levels and hotter summers expected as a result of climate change. The plan includes about 250 recommendations ranging from new floodwalls and storm barriers to upgrades of power and telecommunications infrastructure. The money would come from city infrastructure funds and federal disaster relief aid.
See "Coastal Development," CQ Researcher, Feb. 22, 2013.
Drug maker Aveo Pharmaceuticals said June 10 that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) refused to approve its cancer drug tivozanib. The drug is designed to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma, the most common type of kidney cancer, but the company said the FDA determined that its clinical trial data was inconclusive.
See "Preventing Cancer," CQ Researcher, Jan. 16, 2009.
Power company Southern California Edison announced June 7 it would shut down its nuclear plant at San Onofre State Beach near San Diego. The move comes 17 months after the plant was closed because of problems in its steam generator systems.
See "Nuclear Power," CQ Researcher, June 10, 2011.
Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., proposed on June 6 federal regulations that would legalize online gambling in the United States. He says the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act would create an office of gambling oversight in the Treasury Department and impose safeguards against underage and compulsive gambling.
See "Gambling in America," CQ Researcher, June 15, 2012.
President Obama on June 5 appointed U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice as National Security Adviser. Rice, whom Republicans have accused of covering up details of an attack on the American diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012, was previously a contender for secretary of state. She will replace Tom Donilon, who said he will step down in July.
See "Homeland Security," CQ Researcher, Feb. 13, 2009.
President Obama said June 3 that the United States needs to become more open about mental health issues so people struggling with problems are not ashamed of seeking help. He said he will work with his administration to start a “national conversation” on the issue.
See "Mental Health Policy," CQ Researcher, May 10, 2013.
The Iranian government on May 31 rejected a U.S. State Department report accusing it of boosting support for terrorism overseas by supporting recent attacks in Europe and Asia by the Lebanon-based terrorist group Hezbollah. A spokesman for Iran’s U.N. mission denied the charges and said the country is actively engaged in counterterrorism activities.
See "U.S. Policy on Iran," CQ Researcher, Nov. 16, 2007.
The Chicago Sun-Times said May 30 that it is laying off its photography staff. The newspaper said it plans to rely on freelance photographers and on reporters to take photographs with smartphones.
See "Future of Journalism," CQ Researcher, March 27, 2009, updated Sept. 3, 2010.
Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., said May 29 that she will not seek re-election in 2014 after serving four terms in Congress. Bachmann, a leading figure in the tea party movement, did not give details of her departure but said it is unrelated to an ethics inquiry stemming from a failed 2012 presidential run.
See "Tea Party Movement," CQ Researcher, March 19, 2010, updated May 23, 2011.
In a speech at the National Defense University President Obama on May 23 defended his administration’s controversial use of drones against al Qaeda and its allies. He said that any future strikes will only be used when a threat is “continuing and imminent.”
See "Drone Warfare," CQ Researcher, Aug. 6, 2010, updated April 27, 2012.
University of Michigan researchers said May 22 that they have successfully used a 3D printer to create a life-saving implant for a baby boy. The baby suffered from a rare disorder in which one of the airways in his lungs collapsed when he exhaled. The implant, a C-shaped splint, is flexible enough to move when he breathes, the researchers said.
See "3D Printing," CQ Researcher, Dec. 7, 2012.
Oklahoma’s state medical examiner said May 21 that at least 24 people died from a two-mile-wide tornado that touched down near Oklahoma City a day earlier. President Obama declared the state a major disaster area and directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to make available as much assistance as possible.
See "Extreme Weather," CQ Researcher, Sept. 9, 2011.
Democratic Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin signed a bill May 20 that allows physicians to prescribe lethal doses of medication to terminally ill patients who request it and can administer it themselves.
See "Assisted Suicide," CQ Researcher, May 17, 2013.
The Illinois Senate approved a proposal May 17 that would allow the use of medical marijuana. The bill authorizes physicians to prescribe marijuana to patients who have at least one of 30 listed medical conditions. Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn has yet to say whether he will sign the bill.
See "Legalizing Marijuana," CQ Researcher, June 12, 2009, updated July 21, 2010.
The Obama administration asked Congress on May 15 to reintroduce the Free Flow of Information Act, which would protect journalists from testifying about confidential sources unless all other avenues are exhausted and exposure is in the public interest.
See "Press Freedom," CQ Researcher, Feb. 5, 2010.
Actress Angelina Jolie said May 14 that she underwent a double mastectomy in April after learning she carries a mutation of a gene that greatly increases her risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. She wanted to be proactive and minimize the risk as much as possible after doctors told her she had an 87 percent chance of developing breast cancer, she said in a
New York Times op-ed.
See "Breast Cancer," CQ Researcher, April 2, 2010.
A Philadelphia doctor known for performing late-term abortions was found guilty on May 13 on three of four counts of first-degree murder. Dr. Kermit Gosnell was charged with killing fetuses that were alive when they were removed from their mothers. Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty during the sentencing phase that begins May 21.
See "Abortion Debates," CQ Researcher, Sept. 10, 2010.
The United States on May 10 imposed sanctions on a Taiwanese company suspected of shipping equipment to North Korea that could be used for the country’s nuclear weapons program. The Treasury Department said it found links between Trans Multi Mechanics and a top North Korean arms dealer.
See "Nuclear Disarmament," CQ Researcher, Oct. 2, 2009, updated Dec. 10, 2010.
The Minnesota House of Representatives approved May 9 a bill that would allow gay marriages in the state. The state Senate will consider the bill next week. Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton has pledged to sign the bill into law if it reaches his desk.
See "Gay Marriage," CQ Researcher, March 15, 2013.
The Census Bureau said May 8 that African-Americans voted at a higher rate than whites in 2012. The higher rate was especially pronounced among young voters. The number of white voters declined for the first time since 1996 despite an overall increase in the white population, the bureau said.
See "Changing Demographics," CQ Researcher, Nov. 16, 2012.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on May 7 ordered the armed services to take immediate steps to curb sexual assault in the military. He said commanders should be held more accountable for assaults by service members and asked for better prevention training and education programs.
See "Sexual Harassment," CQ Researcher, April 27, 2012.
The CEO of media company GlobalPost said May 3 that an investigation has determined that freelance journalist James Foley was likely abducted by a pro-Syrian government military group. Foley was last seen in November 2012 in northwest Syria. His family has appealed to the Syrian government for his release.
See "Combat Journalism," CQ Researcher, April 12, 2013.
President Obama arrived in Mexico City on May 2 to discuss with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto how both countries can better address Mexico’s drug war. Obama said he hopes the visit will also lead to better economic cooperation between the neighbors.
See "Mexico's Future," CQ Researcher, Oct. 26, 2012.
Bolivian President Evo Morales said May 1 that he will expel the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) from his country, alleging that it has sought to undermine his leftist government. The U.S. State Department called the decision “baseless and unfounded.”
See "Foreign Aid and National Security," CQ Researcher, June 17, 2011.
President Obama said April 30 that he will follow through with a 2008 campaign pledge to close the U.S. military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He said the facility does not keep America safe and hurts its international standing. The announcement comes amid a hunger strike among terror suspects at the prison to protest their detainment and living conditions.
See "Closing Guantanamo," CQ Researcher, Feb. 27, 2009, updated March 15, 2011.
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo spacecraft completed its first powered flight on April 29, breaking the sound barrier in a test over the Mojave Desert. The company hopes to fly paying passengers on brief tours into space after getting U.S. government approval.
See "Human Spaceflight," CQ Researcher, Oct. 16, 2009.
The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum was dedicated April 25 on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Bush was accompanied by President Obama and former Presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush, as well as several current and former foreign leaders.
See "Presidential Libraries," CQ Researcher, March 16, 2007.
The Obama administration urged the Supreme Court April 25 to rule that presidents have authority to make certain appointments without Senate approval, whether or not the Senate is in session. Three Obama appointments to the National Labor Relations Board were ruled invalid by a federal appeals court because they did not have Senate approval while the Senate was in session. The Constitution allows the president to make some appointments when the Senate is in recess.
See "Re-examining the Constitution," CQ Researcher, Sept. 7, 2012.
The European Union relaxed an oil embargo on Syria on April 22, providing a way to purchase crude oil from rebel-controlled areas and thereby give financial assistance to rebels fighting the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The EU ban on importing Syrian petroleum products began in September 2011 because of the Syrian government’s violent repression of civilian uprisings.
See "Unrest in the Arab World," CQ Researcher, Feb. 1, 2013.
The Federal Aviation Administration on April 1 approved aircraft manufacturer Boeing’s plans to fix the batteries of its 787 Dreamliner passenger jets. The 50 jets Boeing already sold to airlines worldwide were grounded in January after two incidents in which the batteries caught fire.
See "Future of the Airlines," CQ Researcher, March 7, 2008.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said April 18 that his country will not rule out providing arms to Syrian rebel groups. Several Israeli allies, including the United States, have begun giving medical supplies and food to secular and moderate factions seeking to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
See "Unrest in the Arab World," CQ Researcher, Feb. 1, 2013.
The U.S. Senate rejected a proposal April 17 to expand background checks on firearm sales to include private transactions at gun shows and over the Internet. The proposal received 54 votes – six shy of the 60 required for passage – with only two Republicans voting in favor.
See "Gun Control," CQ Researcher, March 8, 2013.
The Obama administration declined April 12 to label China a currency manipulator, although it says the yuan remains significantly undervalued. The decision was announced in a biannual Treasury Department report on whether nations are manipulating their currencies to gain advantages in trade.
See "U.S.-China Relations," CQ Researcher, May 7, 2010, updated May 24, 2011.
Educational organizations and state officials unveiled April 11 a proposed compact that would create a common market for online education nationwide and make it easier for institutions to enroll students anywhere in the country. The proposal would also set some standard consumer protections.
See "Future of Public Universities," CQ Researcher, Jan. 18, 2013.
At least 14 people were injured April 9 at Lone Star Community College near Houston by an unidentified suspect who ran from building to building cutting people with a knife. He was arrested after being tackled by a student. Police are searching for a motive.
See "Crime on Campus," CQ Researcher, Feb. 4, 2011.
A federal judge ruled April 5 that the Food and Drug Administration must make the so-called morning-after birth control pill known as “Plan B” available over the counter to girls of any age, regardless of whether they have a prescription. The ruling reversed a 2011 U.S. Health and Human Services decision requiring girls under 17 to have a prescription.
See “Teen Pregnancy,” CQ Researcher, March 26, 2010.
Federal investigators said April 3 that as much as $700 million in federal aid intended to help Louisiana families elevate their homes after Hurricane Katrina may have been misspent. Some homeowners who received grants of up to $30,000 used the money for other purposes, said U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) officials.
See "Gulf Coast Restoration," CQ Researcher, Aug. 26, 2011.
President Obama proposed a $100 million federal project April 2 to map the inner workings of the brain in search of answers to such diseases as autism, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s. Funding for the Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies Initiative – or BRAIN – must be approved by Congress.
See "Treating Alzheimer's," CQ Researcher, March 4, 2011.
Researchers from the United States and United Kingdom said in a study published March 31 that up to half the Arctic landscape could change from ice to shrubbery over the next 50 years because of global climate change. They said the increase in greenery would cause the region to absorb more heat from the sun, accelerating the warming process.
See "Climate Change," CQ Researcher, Feb. 2010.
President Obama asked Congress March 29 to take up his proposals to improve the nation’s infrastructure. He said restoring neglected bridges, roads and other deteriorating infrastructure would spur economic growth.
See "Aging Infrastructure," CQ Researcher, Sept. 28, 2007, updated June 18, 2012.
Republican Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey said March 25 that the state will take over the Camden school district as soon as legally possible because of academic underperformance. Nine out of 10 schools in the district rank in the bottom 5 percent in academic performance in the state. The district has 20 days to respond.
See "Fixing Urban Schools," CQ Researcher, April 27, 2007, updated June 5, 2012.
A New York man convicted in the killing of a rabbi during a botched diamond heist in 1991 was freed March 21 after serving 22 years in prison following a reinvestigation of the case. Prosecutions recommended tossing out David Ranta’s murder conviction after a witness admitted he had been coached by a detective into identifying Ranta in a police lineup.
See "Eyewitness Testimony," CQ Researcher, Oct. 14, 2011.
A coalition of energy companies, environmental groups and philanthropies agreed March 20 on the creation of a center that will develop environmental standards for the process known as fracking – a method of exploiting natural gas - along the Marcellus Shale formation, which extends from New York to Kentucky.
See "Fracking Controversy," CQ Researcher, Dec. 16, 2011.
The Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15 charged two affiliates of hedge fund SAC Capital with insider trading. CR Intrinsic Investors and Sigma Capital Management each agreed to pay $614 million, the largest insider-trading penalties ever, to settle charges of engaging in several illegal transactions.
See "Financial Misconduct," CQ Researcher, Jan. 20, 2012.
California water officials on March 14 released the first part of a $23 billion plan to restore and protect the Bay Delta series of waterways in the northern part of the state. The Bay Delta Conservation Plan proposes twin tunnels to carry water to farmland and millions of residents.
See "Water Shortages," CQ Researcher, June 18, 2010.
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires was named successor to Pope Benedict XVI March 13 after five votes in the papal conclave. Bergoglio, now known as Pope Francis I, became the first-ever pontiff from South America and the first non-European leader of the Roman Catholic Church in more than 1,200 years.
See "Future of the Catholic Church," CQ Researcher, Jan. 19, 2007.
A New York state judge invalidated New York City’s ban on large sugary drinks March 11, one day before it was to go into effect. Judge Milton Tingling said the ban has loopholes, such as the allowance of refills, that defeat its stated purpose. The administration of Mayor Michael Bloomberg said it will appeal.
See "Sugar Controversies," CQ Researcher, Nov. 30, 2012.
The Labor Department said March 8 that the economy gained 236,000 jobs in February, more than the expected 198,000. The unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent, the lowest since December 2008.
See "Jobs Outlook," CQ Researcher, June 4, 2010.
Bumble Bee Foods recalled some of its tuna products March 7 because cans may not have been sealed properly. The company said loose seals or seams could lead to contamination, but no illnesses have been reported.
See "Food Safety," CQ Researcher, Dec. 17, 2010.
Twelve former Florida A&M University band members were charged March 4 with second-degree manslaughter in the 2011 hazing death of drum major Robert Champion. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
See "Preventing Hazing," CQ Researcher, Feb. 8, 2013.
Republican Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan said March 1 that the state will appoint an emergency fiscal manager for Detroit to help the city with its financial crisis. To be appointed later this month, the manager will be authorized to cut spending, renegotiate contracts with labor unions, merge or eliminate city departments and recommend bankruptcy if necessary.
See "State Budget Crisis," CQ Researcher, Sept. 11, 2009.
David Hughart, the former president of Massey Energy subsidiary White Buck Coal, pleaded guilty Feb. 28 to two federal conspiracy charges for helping miners at the company and other Massey-owned operations know about surprise federal inspections in advance. Investigators say the advanced warnings helped miners conceal deadly conditions that led to the 2010 Upper Big Branch Mine explosion in West Virginia. Hughart faces up to six years in prison.
See "Mine Safety," CQ Researcher, June 24, 2011.
A Brandeis University study released Feb. 27 shows that the wealth gap between white and African-American families has nearly tripled over the past 25 years. Differences in homeownership rates are the biggest reason wealth among white families has outpaced that of black families, says the study.
See "Income Inequality," CQ Researcher, Dec. 3, 2010.
Ford Motor Co. said Feb. 21 it will add 450 jobs and expand an engine plant in Cleveland to feed a growing demand for fuel-efficient vehicles in the United States. Experts say the expansion is a sign of a steady recovery in the U.S. auto market.
See "Auto Industry's Future," CQ Researcher, Feb. 6, 2009, updated Oct. 3, 2011.
The Supreme Court said Feb. 19 that it will hear a case challenging how much individuals can contribute to political campaigns within a two-year period. A district court in Washington, D.C., earlier ruled in
McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission that capping donations does not violate the First Amendment.
See "Campaign Finance Debates," CQ Researcher, May 28, 2010.
The Illinois Senate passed a measure Feb. 14 to legalize same-sex marriage. Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn said he would sign the bill if it passes in the House. Nine states and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex marriage.
See "Gay Marriage Showdowns," CQ Researcher, Sept. 26, 2008, updated May 29, 2012.
An Obama administration official said Feb. 12 that 34,000 of the 66,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan will be home by February 2014. Troop withdrawals will continue until the end of 2014 as the United States hands over security responsibilities to the Afghan government, the official said.
See "Afghanistan Dilemma," CQ Researcher, Aug. 7, 2009, updated May 25, 2011.
A former Texas district attorney denied Feb. 8 engaging in misconduct after his prosecution led to an innocent man spending 25 years in prison for the death of his wife. A district judge will decide if Ken Anderson, now a judge himself, will face criminal charges over allegations that he hid evidence from Michael Morton’s attorneys. Morton was freed in 2011 after DNA tests tied someone else to the crime.
See "Wrongful Convictions," CQ Researcher, April 17, 2009, updated June 14, 2012.
The NFL reinstated former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams Feb. 7 after a 10-month suspension for offering bounties to players who injured opponents. The Tennessee Titans hired him directly after his reinstatement as a defensive assistant.
See "Professional Football," CQ Researcher, Jan. 29, 2010, updated Oct. 11, 2011.
Republican Gov. John Kasich of Ohio said Feb. 4 he would support extending Medicaid to 600,000 low-income state residents under President Obama’s health care reform law. Kasich said the move would save Ohio more than $2 billion over the next two years.
See "Assessing the New Health Care Law," CQ Researcher, Sept. 21, 2012.
Internet giant Google said Feb. 1 that it had established an $82 million fund to help French news organizations finance digital publishing innovations. The move settled a dispute over whether Google should have to pay to display news content from French websites in its search results.
See "Google's Dominance," CQ Researcher, Nov. 11, 2011.
Snowmobiler Caleb Moore died Jan. 31, a week after suffering a heart contusion in a crash at ESPN’s X Games in Colorado. His death is the first in the 18-year history of the X Games, an annual competition focused on action sports and extreme sports.
See "Extreme Sports," CQ Researcher, April 3, 2009.
The Commerce Department reported Jan. 30 that the U.S. economy contracted by 0.1 percent in the final quarter of 2012, its worst performance since 2009. The drop in GDP was caused by fewer exports and a decrease in military spending, the report said.
See "Attracting Jobs," CQ Researcher, March 2, 2012.
A Texas state judge on Jan. 29 delayed the execution of Kimberly McCarthy until April 3. She was convicted of killing a neighbor in 1997. The stay gives her attorneys time to determine whether the predominantly white jury for McCarthy, who is black, was improperly selected on the basis of race. She would be the first female executed in the United States since 2010.
See "Death Penalty Debates," CQ Researcher, Nov. 19, 2010.
A bipartisan group of eight senators reached an agreement Jan. 28 on a framework to overhaul the nation’s immigration system. The plan addresses border security and the rights of businesses to check the immigration status of applicants and proposes a streamlined process for future immigrants to enter the United States.
See "Immigration Conflict," CQ Researcher, March 9, 2012.
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus was re-elected Jan. 25 to a second two-year term. He urged the GOP to pursue all states in the next presidential election and not overdo its focus on traditional battleground states.
See "Future of the GOP," CQ Researcher, March 20, 2009.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced a bill Jan. 24 that would ban the sale, transfer, manufacture and importation of 158 models of semi-automatic weapons that have at least one military feature.
See "Gun Rights Debates," CQ Researcher, Oct. 31, 2008, updated July 22, 2010.
Defense officials said June 23 that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is lifting the military’s ban on women serving in combat. The move, recommended by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, overturns a 1994 rule restricting women from many positions in the infantry and artillery.
See "Women in the Military," CQ Researcher, Nov. 13, 2009.
A federal appeals court in Chicago on Jan. 18 upheld a Wisconsin law that strips most public workers of nearly all their collective bargaining rights. The ruling reverses a district judge’s finding last year that portions of the law were unconstitutional.
See "Public-Employee Unions," CQ Researcher, April 8, 2011.
The International Olympic Committee on Jan. 17 stripped former American cyclist Lance Armstrong of a bronze medal awarded at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney. The move came five months after a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency investigation concluded that Armstrong had been using performance enhancing drugs throughout his career.
See "Sports and Drugs," CQ Researcher, July 23, 2004, updated July 17, 2012.
President Obama warned congressional Republicans Jan. 14 that refusing to raise the nation’s debt ceiling would set off an economic crisis. Republicans have threatened to block any attempt to raise the ceiling without significant spending cuts in the federal budget.
See "National Debt," CQ Researcher, March 18, 2011.
Ten major banks agreed Jan. 7 to pay a total of $8.5 billion to settle federal complaints that they wrongfully foreclosed on homeowners who should have been allowed to stay in their homes. The agreement covers 3.8 million people who were in foreclosure in 2009 and 2010.
See "Mortgage Crisis," CQ Researcher, Nov. 2, 2007, updated Aug. 9, 2010.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said Dec. 20 that the door is open for talks to end his refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. He has been staying at the embassy since June to avoid extradition to Sweden for alleged sex crimes. Assange has said extradition would cause him to be sent to the United States, where government officials have condemned his publication of sensitive American diplomatic cables.
See "Government Secrecy," CQ Researcher, Feb. 11, 2011.
A study released Dec. 19 found that nearly 80 percent of high school seniors don’t consider occasional marijuana use harmful, the highest rate since 1983. Researchers for the Monitoring the Future study say state laws legalizing medical marijuana have contributed to the perception that the drug is safe.
See "Teen Drug Use," CQ Researcher, June 3, 2011.
Average life expectancy has risen worldwide by 11 years for men, to 68, and 12 years for women, to 73, over the past 40 years, according to an international study published Dec. 13. Researchers credit improvements in food access, medical services and sanitation for the rise.
See "Aging Population," CQ Researcher, July 15, 2011.
The Treasury Department said Dec. 11 that it has sold all of its remaining shares of American International Group. Officials said the government made a $23 billion profit on its $182 billion bailout of the insurance giant in 2008.
See "Financial Bailout," CQ Researcher, Oct. 24, 2008, updated July 30, 2010.
Online shopping giant Amazon announced plans Dec. 5 to launch a subscription service for children’s books, videos and games on its Kindle Fire tablet. The Kindle FreeTime service will give subscribers unlimited access to “thousands” of pieces of content for $4.99 per month.
See "Future of Books," CQ Researcher, May 29, 2009, updated Sept. 14, 2010.
The European Commission approved a payment of $48 billion from the eurozone bailout fund to four collapsed Spanish banks on Nov. 28. The banks have agreed to lay off thousands of employees and close some of their offices as part of their restructuring.
See "Euro Crisis," CQ Researcher, Oct. 5, 2012.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Nov. 20 to push for a diplomatic solution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza.
See "Middle East Tensions," CQ Researcher, Oct. 27, 2006, updated July 24, 2010.
British oil company BP said Nov. 15 it will pay $4.5 billion in fines and other payments to the U.S. government and plead guilty to 14 criminal charges in connection with the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, the Justice Department charged three BP employees with manslaughter in connection with 11 deaths that occurred in the explosion.
See "Offshore Drilling," CQ Researcher, June 25, 2010.
The International Energy Agency said Nov. 12 that the United States will overtake Saudi Arabia as the world’s leading oil producer by 2017 and will become energy independent by 2030. Increased production and policies promoting energy efficiency have contributed to the positive trend.
See "Oil Jitters," CQ Researcher, Jan. 4, 2008, updated April 22, 2011.
Army Private Bradley Manning, accused of leaking diplomatic cables to anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks, notified a court-martial judge on Nov. 8 that he may plead guilty to some charges. Manning would accept responsibility for offenses that are a subset of larger offenses, his attorney says, but would still face more serious charges such as unlawfully transmitting classified information and aiding the enemy.
See "Government Secrecy," CQ Researcher, Feb. 11, 2011.
Election Night on Nov. 6 produced the following results:
- Republicans maintain control of the House of Representatives.
See "Future of the GOP," March 20, 2009.
- Democrats maintain control of the Senate.
See "Democrats' Future," Oct. 29, 2010.
- Voters approve gay marriage in Maine and Maryland; a similar measure is pending in Washington.
See "Gay Marriage Showdowns," Sept. 26, 2008, updated May 29, 2012.
- Colorado and Washington approve recreational use of marijuana; Oregon rejects.
See "Legalizing Marijuana," June 12, 2009, updated July 21, 2010.
- California rejects measure to label genetically modified food.
See "Genetically Modified Food," Aug. 31, 2012.
A pretrial hearing in a case involving Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, an Army officer accused of murdering 16 Afghan civilians in March, began on Nov. 6. Bales could face the death penalty if convicted. Some experts speculate that his actions may have resulted from a brain injury he suffered while on duty in 2010.
See "Traumatic Brain Injury," CQ Researcher, June 1, 2012.
Former Penn State President Graham Spanier and two other former administrators were charged Nov. 1 with perjury, obstruction of justice and endangering children in an alleged cover-up of sexual abuse by assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. Prosecutors said all three officials knew of complaints involving Sandusky showering with boys in 1998 and 2001 and failed to take appropriate action.
See "College Football," CQ Researcher, Nov. 18, 2011.
President Obama and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie pledged Oct. 31 to work together to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy along the state’s shore. New Jersey, one of the hardest-hit states, is facing widespread power outages and billions of dollars in losses along its coastline. At least six people have been confirmed dead in the state.
See "Disaster Preparedness," CQ Researcher, Nov. 18, 2005, updated Aug. 6, 2010.
A Mormon website editor said Oct. 25 that he was resigning from the church rather than face an excommunication hearing. David Twede, editor of MormonThink, had been called to trial by a bishop after he criticized Mormon beliefs and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, a Mormon, on his site.
See "Understanding Mormonism," CQ Researcher, Oct. 19, 2012.
The College Board reported Oct. 24 that total college costs reached record highs this year, averaging $12,110 for in-state students at four-year public institutions and $23,840 for students at private nonprofit schools. Rising tuition and smaller financial aid awards are driving the increases, the report says.
See "Student Debt," CQ Researcher, Oct. 21, 2011.
An Italian court convicted seven scientists and other experts of manslaughter on Oct. 22 for failing to adequately warn citizens before an earthquake struck central Italy in 2009, killing more than 300. The defendants, sentenced to six years in prison, were accused of giving “inexact, incomplete and contradictory information” about whether small tremors in L’Aquila should have constituted grounds for a quake warning. Critics have called the trial ridiculous, saying there is no reliable way to predict an earthquake.
See "Earthquake Threat," CQ Researcher, April 9, 2010.
The European Union was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 12 for its six decades of work in the “advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.” Critics of the decision say the EU is undeserving because of its handling of the sovereign debt crisis.
See "Euro Crisis," CQ Researcher, Oct. 5, 2012; and
"Future of the EU," CQ Global Researcher, April 17, 2012.
Prosecutors added 14 counts of attempted murder on Oct. 11 to the charges against Aurora, Colo., theater shooting suspect James Holmes. Previously, he had been accused of killing 12 and injuring 58 during the premiere of
The Dark Knight Rises in July. Holmes allegedly suffered from depression and was being treated by a psychiatrist prior to the shooting.
See "Treating Depression," CQ Researcher, June 26, 2009.
For the first time in history, the United States does not have a Protestant majority, though Protestants still comprise 48 percent of the population, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reported Oct. 9. The study cites growth in the number of Americans with no religious affiliation as the primary reason for the decline in Protestantism. Twenty percent of Americans say they have no religious affiliation, up from 15 percent in 2007.
See "Protestants Today," CQ Researcher, Dec. 7, 2007.
The Mexican navy said Sept. 27 that it believes it has captured a leader of the Zetas drug cartel, regarded as one of the most powerful in the country. A man suspected to be Ivan Velazquez was captured in the state of San Luis Potosi in central Mexico. Officials said the cartel is on the verge of collapse largely because of internal feuds.
See "Mexico's Drug War," CQ Researcher, Dec. 12, 2008.
A British court on Sept. 26 blocked the extradition of a radical Islamic cleric to the United States, granting a hearing for an appeal. Mustafa Kamal Mustafa challenged his extradition on charges that include helping set up a terrorist training camp in Oregon.
See "Prosecuting Terrorists," CQ Researcher, March 12, 2010, updated May 26, 2011.
Amtrak was scheduled to begin testing a new fleet of trains on Sept. 24 covering four stretches between Maryland and Massachusetts. The tests of the high-speed Acela Express trains, which are capable of traveling up to 165 mph, will measure safety, rider comfort and interactions between the trains and the track.
See "High-Speed Trains," CQ Researcher, May 1, 2009, updated Jan. 5, 2012.
Space Shuttle Endeavour landed at Los Angeles International Airport on Sept. 21 after being carried above several California landmarks by a Boeing 747. The shuttle, originally assembled in the state, will be housed at the California Science Center.
Endeavour was retired in 2011 as part of NASA’s plan to phase out the shuttle program and put human spaceflight in the hands of private contractors.
See "Space Program," CQ Researcher, Feb. 24, 2012.
The State Department announced Sept. 18 that it will cut off all $50 million in annual support it provides to pro-democracy groups and human rights organizations working in Russia. The decision comes at the request of the Kremlin, which said the financing interferes in the country’s internal affairs and often is used to back opponents of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
See "Dealing With the 'New' Russia," CQ Researcher, June 6, 2008.
The Republican-controlled House of Representative passed a bill Sept. 14 that would phase out an Energy Department loan guarantee program after a series of failed investments. The “No More Solyndras” bill, named after a bankrupt California-based renewable-energy company that cost taxpayers more than $500 million, is not expected to pass in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Opponents of the bill say it focuses solely on the program’s failures and not its accomplishments.
See "Energy Policy," CQ Researcher, May 20, 2011.
New York City’s Board of Health approved on Sept. 13 Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposed ban on super-sized sugary beverages. The measure, which takes effect next March, places a 16-ounce limit on bottled drinks and fountain beverages sold at restaurants, movie theaters, sports venues and street carts. New Yorkers for Beverage Choices, a coalition opposing the ban, says it will explore legal options to overturn the decision.
See "Preventing Obesity," CQ Researcher, Oct. 1, 2010.
The percentage of Americans in poverty in 2011 remained unchanged for the first time in four years at 15 percent, the Census Bureau reported on Sept. 12. Economists say the finding suggests that poverty may have hit its low point during the recession. The report shows, however, a decline in the incomes of middle-class Americans, suggesting that many families have yet to experience gains from the weak economic recovery.
See "Domestic Poverty," CQ Researcher, Sept. 7, 2007, updated April 27, 2011.
Crowds gathered Sept. 11 at the World Trade Center site in New York, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pa., to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. The crowds were smaller than at the 10th anniversary, leading experts to suggest that the nation has reached an emotional turning point in the aftermath of the attacks. President Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney both agreed to pull negative ads and avoid campaign rallies in honor of the anniversary.
See "Remembering 9/11," CQ Researcher, Sept. 2, 2011.
Chicago public school teachers went on strike Sept. 10 after negotiations for a new contract collapsed. The teachers’ union remains at odds with the city over compensation, training, health benefits and a teacher evaluation system, which the union says focuses too heavily on test scores. City officials say both sides are far from an agreement.
See "School Reform," CQ Researcher, April 29, 2011.
One-third of Americans have high blood pressure, and only half of them have it under control, according to a report released on Sept. 4 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The condition contributes to 1,000 daily deaths and is responsible for $131 billion in annual health care costs, the report says.
See "Heart Health," CQ Researcher, Sept. 12, 2008.
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Aug. 31 that the Fed’s policies over the last several years have provided significant benefits, but that additional moves are necessary to promote a stronger economic recovery. He did not announce any specific new steps, but experts expect the Fed to expand its holdings of Treasury and mortgage-backed securities next month to reduce borrowing costs and spur investment.
See "Vanishing Jobs," CQ Researcher, March 13, 2009.
A federal court ruled Aug. 28 that the Texas Legislature’s redistricting maps discriminate against minority voters. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who argues that the maps were drawn up to consolidate Republican power and not to discriminate against minority voters, says he will appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.
See "Redistricting Debates," CQ Researcher, Feb. 25, 2011.
The amount of Arctic ice has shrunk to 1.58 million sq. miles, its lowest level on record, the National Snow and Ice Data Center announced on Aug. 27. The old record was 1.61 million sq. miles, set in 2007. Center scientists say the decline is indicative of long-term climate change.
See "Energy and Climate," CQ Researcher, July 24, 2009.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced Aug. 22 that he will attend next week's Non Aligned Movement summit in Tehran. The United States, which previously asked Ban not to attend, says Iran is using the series of meetings to deflect attention from its refusal to prove it is not developing nuclear weapons.
See "Rising Tension Over Iran," CQ Global Researcher, Feb, 7, 2012; and
"U.S. Policy on Iran," CQ Researcher, Nov. 16, 2007.
New York City voters are divided along racial lines over the New York Police Department’s “stop-and-frisk” strategy, according to the results of a Quinnipiac University survey released Aug. 16. Fifty-seven percent of white voters approve of the strategy compared to 25 percent of black voters. Supporters say the strategy helps the fight against illegal guns, while opponents say it targets minorities.
See "Police Misconduct," CQ Researcher, April 6, 2012.
An Army veteran opened fire at a Sikh temple in a Milwaukee suburb on Aug. 5, killing six and injuring four in what officials suspect is a hate crime. Neighbors and the Southern Poverty Law Center – a civil rights organization that tracks hate groups – say Wade Michael Page, 40, was a member of a far-right white supremacist punk band. He was shot to death by police responding to the attack.
See "Hate Groups," CQ Researcher, May 8, 2009.
A Republican filibuster in the Senate on Aug. 2 blocked a cybersecurity bill that would have established standards for computer systems that help run the nation’s critical infrastructure, such as power grids, dams and transportation networks. Opponents said the measure would have been too burdensome for corporations.
See "Cybersecurity," CQ Researcher, Feb. 26, 2010.
Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. temporarily upheld a Maryland court decision to allow law enforcement officials in the state to collect DNA samples from people charged with violent felonies. The high court will later consider the constitutionality of the practice, which critics say violates the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures.
See "DNA Databases," CQ Researcher, May 28, 1999.
A report by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions questioned whether students at for-profit colleges should receive federal aid. The report found that large numbers of students drop out while the colleges devote “tremendous amounts of resources” to non-educational spending such as marketing and profit-sharing.
See "Career Colleges," CQ Researcher, Jan. 7, 2011.
The Obama administration announced July 23 that the United States will donate $150 million to poor nations to help them combat AIDS. Recipient countries have been urged to focus treatment and prevention strategies on demographic groups with the highest incidence of the disease.
See "Battling HIV/AIDS," CQ Researcher, Oct. 26, 2007.
The Food and Drug Administration announced July 17 that baby bottles and children’s drinking cups can no longer contain bisphenol A, an estrogen-mimicking industrial chemical used in a wide variety of plastic bottles and food packaging. The chemical, known as BPA, has been shown to leach into food and cause behavioral defects in infants and children.
See "Regulating Toxic Chemicals," CQ Researcher, Jan. 23, 2009.
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 June 28 to uphold the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act, but voted 7-2 to strike down the provision regarding Medicaid expansion. Obama released a statement praising the decision, while Romney promised to repeal the law if he were elected president in November.
See “Health-Care Reform,” CQ Researcher, June 11, 2010, updated May 11, 2011.
The Colorado River is drying up due to restrictions caused by dams. Many in the West who rely on the river for fishing, farming, cattle ranching and tourism fear economic disaster if it continues down its current path.
See "Water Crisis in the West," CQ Researcher, Dec. 9, 2011.
The Federal Election Commission said June 20 that Restore Our Future, a so-called super PAC aiding Republican Mitt Romney’s presidential bid, raised about $5 million in May. The largest contributor was Arkansas billionaire investment banker Warren Stephens, who donated $500,000.
See "Presidential Election," CQ Researcher, Feb. 3, 2012.
Experts are analyzing a potent and highly complex new computer virus that is suspected as being used for espionage. The virus -- called Flame, Skywiper or Flamer -- is much larger than Stuxnet, which targeted Iran’s nuclear centrifuges in 2010.
See "Computer Hacking," CQ Researcher, Sept. 16, 2011.
Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) found radioactive traces of highly enriched uranium at an Iranian underground bunker on May 25. The discovery could mean Iran has the uranium it needs to make nuclear weapons, experts say. The IAEA is awaiting the Iranian government’s explanation.
See "Rising Tension Over Iran," CQ Global Researcher, Feb. 7, 2012.
Former Rutgers University student Dharun Ravi was sentenced to 30 days in prison on May 21 for using a webcam to spy on his gay roommate kissing another man. Three days after learning of the spying in September 2010, the roommate, Tyler Clementi, jumped to his death from a bridge. Ravi faced up to 10 years in prison. Prosecutors said they would appeal the sentence.
See "Preventing Bullying," CQ Researcher, Dec. 10, 2010.
The House of Representatives on May 18 refused to repeal the president’s authority to allow the military to indefinitely detain suspects accused of terrorism on U.S. soil. Supporters of the amendment to the 2013 defense authorization bill cited concerns about civil liberties. Opponents said the president needed the authority in order to deter future attacks.
See "Homegrown Jihadists," CQ Researcher, Sept. 3, 2010.
The trial of former Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladic began May 16 before the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague. He faces 11 charges of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity stemming from the Bosnian war in the 1990s.
See "Truth Commissions," CQ Global Researcher, Jan. 2010.
A 16-year-old Connecticut driver was arrested May 15 after police found evidence that she was using the keypad of a hand-held cellphone when she fatally hit a jogger in March. She faces negligent homicide and two other charges. Connecticut is among 10 states, along with the District of Columbia, that bans hand-held cellphone use while driving.
See "Distracted Driving," CQ Researcher, May 4, 2012.
Researchers at England’s Newcastle University reported May 10 that 25,000 international adoptions were carried out in 2011, the lowest number in 15 years. The decline was attributed to crackdowns against baby-selling, a sputtering world economy and efforts by countries to keep adoptions within their borders.
See "International Adoption," CQ Global Researcher, Dec. 6, 2011.
Francois Hollande defeated French incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy to become the nation’s first socialist president since Francois Mitterrand left office in 1995. Experts say his victory will pose a challenge to the German-dominated vision of economic austerity as a way to remedy the euro crisis.
See "Future of the EU," CQ Global Researcher, April 17, 2012.
Hours after blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng left the U.S. embassy in Beijing on May 2, 2012, he said he wanted to leave China because authorities had threatened his wife’s life. Chen – who was arrested for speaking out against forced abortions and sterilizations in China – had sought refuge in the fortified American compound after escaping house arrest April 22. See
U.S.-China Relations, CQ Researcher, May 7, 2010, updated May 24, 2011; and
Gendercide Crisis, CQ Global Researcher, Oct. 4, 2011.
Criminal charges were expected to be filed May 2, 2012, against Florida A&M University marching band members allegedly involved in the hazing death last November of drum major Robert Champion, police said. Champion, 26, died after being severely beaten following a football game. See
“Crime on Campus,” CQ Researcher, Feb. 4, 2011;
“Bullying,” CQ Researcher, Feb. 4, 2005; and
“Hazing,” CQ Researcher, Jan. 9, 2004.
Chinese President Hu Jintao agreed on April 24 to provide bank loans and humanitarian aid to South Sudan as it recovers from war with its former parent country to the north, Sudan. Hu, however, did not promise to construct an oil pipeline as South Sudan had hoped. Experts say Hu refused because China is in a delicate position by being the largest energy investor in both Sudan and South Sudan.
See "China in Africa," CQ Global Researcher, Jan. 2008.
Russian Prime Minister and President-elect Vladimir Putin said on April 24 that he will step down as chairman of United Russia, the political party he has led since 2008, and hand over the reins to current President Dmitri Medvedev. The move is aimed at strengthening United Russia’s popularity, which has been dropping since allegations of vote-rigging during December’s parliamentary elections.
See "Russia in Turmoil," CQ Global Researcher, Feb. 21, 2012.
A Seattle-area fertility clinic began advertising in a Canadian newspaper April 18 that sex-selective in vitro fertilization is now available. The ads were targeting Indo-Canadians, who have a cultural preference for boys. In a procedure critics say could encourage female infanticide, the Washington Center for Reproductive Medicine offers readers a chance to “create the family you want - boy or girl.”
See "Gendercide Crisis," CQ Global Researcher, Oct. 4, 2011.
European Union officials said on April 19 the bloc will suspend for a year most sanctions against Myanmar – also known as Burma – while it assesses the country’s progress toward democracy. The sanctions restrict trade and access to development aid for about 800 Burmese companies.
See "Democracy in Southeast Asia," CQ Global Researcher, June 2010.
Egypt’s election commission rejected the appeals of three presidential contenders on April 17, ending their chances to become the country’s first elected leader since Hosni Mubarak. The Islamist candidates were disqualified for not meeting candidacy requirements.
See "Turmoil in the Arab World," CQ Global Researcher, May 3, 2011.
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner proposed a bill April 16 to nationalize the YPF oil company, which is currently controlled by Spain’s Repsol. She said the move is aimed at recovering the nation’s sovereignty over its hydrocarbon resources.
See "Energy Nationalism," CQ Global Researcher, July 2007.
Social networking site Facebook agreed to buy mobile-centric photo-sharing service Instagram on April 9 for $1 billion in cash and stock. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said he hopes the acquisition will help Facebook users share photos with people who have common interests.
See "Social Networking," CQ Researcher, Sept. 17, 2010.
The chancellor of the California community college system, amid recent protests that resulted in police pepper spraying students, asked Santa Monica College on April 5 to delay its plan to charge higher tuition for popular courses. He questions the legality of the program, and critics say it will make college unaffordable for some students.
See "The Value of a College Education," CQ Researcher, Nov. 20, 2009.
A Johns Hopkins study published April 2 concludes that sequencing a person’s DNA will provide little information about what illnesses he or she may develop. Scientists say behavior, environment and random events also play important roles in determining one’s medical future.
See "Genes and Health," CQ Researcher, Jan. 21, 2011.
Tunisia’s ruling Islamic party announced March 26 that Sharia law will not be enshrined in the country’s new constitution. Ennahda party leader Ziad Doulatli said the move is aimed at “strengthening the national consensus.”
See "Sharia Controversy," CQ Global Researcher, Jan. 3, 2012.
The Chinese government said March 23 that it plans to stop transplanting organs from executed prisoners within three to five years. Chinese officials said infection rates are high among organs taken from executed inmates. The transplants have been under constant criticism from human rights groups.
See "Organ Trafficking," CQ Global Researcher, July 19, 2011; and
"Organ Donations," CQ Researcher, April 15, 2011.
The Supreme Court on March 21 extended the constitutional right to legal assistance in cases of plea-bargain deals that have been rejected or have lapsed due to bad lawyer advice. The ruling could allow a pair of convicted criminals in Michigan and Missouri to have their cases reopened.
See "Plea Bargaining," CQ Researcher, Feb. 12, 1999.
A gunman opened fire outside a Jewish school March 19 in the southwestern French city of Toulouse, killing four. It was the third shooting against unarmed citizens in the region in about a week. Government officials have called the latest incident an act of anti-Semitism.
See "Anti-Semitism in Europe," CQ Global Researcher, June 2008.
A jury convicted former Rutgers University student Dharun Ravi on March 16 of hate crimes for using a webcam to spy on his roommate kissing another man. Ravi was not, however, charged in the death of Tyler Clementi, who jumped off a bridge three days after the incident.
See "Cyberbullying," CQ Researcher, May 2, 2008.
The Federal Reserve issued the results of financial stress tests on the balance sheets of 19 large financial institutions March 13, saying 15 could weather a sharp economic downturn but that four could need more capital.
See "Financial Industry Overhaul," CQ Researcher, July 30, 2010.
North Korea has agreed to suspend nuclear activities and adopt a moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests, indicating it has met key U.S. preconditions for restarting multination disarmament-for-aid talks.
For background, see "North Korean Menace," CQ Global Researcher, July 5, 2011.
British authorities evicted dozens of "Occupy London" protesters from the courtyard of St. Paul's Cathedral, the site of one of the longest-running “Occupy” demonstrations.
See “ ‘Occupy Movement,’ ” CQ Researcher, Jan. 13, 2012.
More than 100,000 Darfuris living in one of Sudan’s sprawling camps for displaced persons have begun returning to their devastated villages, burned over the last decade by marauding militia horsemen known as the janjaweed.
For background, see “Crisis in Darfur,” CQ Global Researcher, Sept. 1, 2008.
Serbia and its breakaway province Kosovo reached an agreement Feb. 24 that will enhance Serbia’s chances of becoming a European Union candidate. Serbia will allow Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008, to represent itself at international conferences. The two also spelled out how they will manage their joint borders.
See "Separatist Movements," CQ Global Researcher, April 2008.
The Supreme Court agreed Feb. 21 to hear a major case on affirmative action in higher education. The case,
Fisher v. Texas, was brought by a white student who says she was denied admission to the University of Texas at Austin because of her race.
See "Affirmative Action," CQ Researcher, Oct, 17, 2008, updated Aug. 5, 2010.
President Obama on Feb. 9 exempted 10 states from crucial provisions of the No Child Left Behind law. In return, the states have agreed to embrace the administration’s educational agenda that focuses on accountability and teacher effectiveness.
See "Revising No Child Left Behind," CQ Researcher, April 16, 2010.
A federal judge on Jan. 31 said the U.S. government must notify Occupy DC protesters if it intends to evict them from a public park. The decision gives protesters the opportunity to challenge any eviction.
See "'Occupy' Movement," CQ Researcher, Jan. 13, 2012.
The African Union’s election for its next chairman ended inconclusively on Jan. 30, after neither incumbent Jean Ping of Gabon nor South African Home Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma secured enough votes. A new election will be held in June, in which neither will be permitted to run again.
See "Sub-Saharan Democracy," CQ Global Researcher, Feb. 15, 2011.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani fired Defense Secretary Naeem Khalid Lodhi, accusing the former general of “gross misconduct and illegal action.” Lodhi was replaced by a civilian aide, Nargis Sethi.
See "U.S.-Pakistan Relations," CQ Researcher, Aug. 5, 2011.
The Labor Department is expected to report a rise in manufacturing jobs in 2011, marking two years of gains. Until 2010, manufacturing employment hadn’t risen since 1997.
See "Reviving Manufacturing," CQ Researcher, July 22, 2011.
