What's in the Headlines This Month?
Photo copyright: iStockphoto.com
US Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Law
On June 28, 2012, in a narrow 5-4 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a highly controversial health care law--a law that was a major initiative of President Obama's administration and one that could be touted as the most significant accomplishment of this president's term. This ruling will likely heat up the rhetoric on both sides of the political debate during the election run-up, but there is some question as to which side will see a boost from this ruling. Will this ruling be a good thing for the American public, or will it be a disastrous extension of government power, as some opponents fear?
Read More: High Court Upholds Health Care Reform Law
Bullying in Schools
Bullying persists in schools and in the social lives of students around the world, and many recent incidents have caught the attention of the media and even the governemnt. The Obama Administration launched an anti-bullying campaign and established the web site stopbullying.gov. A documentary entitled Bully has also served to open the eyes of many to the harmful consequences of cruelty among peers.Read More: Bullying in Schools
Turbulent Weather
The United States is experiencing record-breaking weather events, and the deadly tornado outbreaks and storms tearing across the nation have caused a tragic loss of life as well as severe property damage. Any severe weather event today prompts debates about climate change - and that is a hot topic in current events.Read More: The Difference Between Weather and Climate
100th Anniversary of the RMS Titanic Sinking
The sinking of the titanic shook the world 100 years ago, and the impact of this event is still acknowledged today. The anniversary has prompted movies, investigations, museum exhibits and more. The tragic event had a global effect on safety concerns adn corporate regulations, as well as consumer trust.
Read More:The Sinking of the Titanic
Political Primaries and Conventions
In the United States, the political parties officially nominate presidential candidates at gatherings called conventions. These conventions mark the end of the season of primaries and caucuses, where people have gathered over previous months to vote for their candidates of choice. In 2012 the Republican Convention will be held in Tampa Bay, FL from August 27-30 and the Democratic Convention will take place the week of Sept. 3, 2012 in Charlotte, NC.Read More: The Primary – Caucus – Convention System
Environmental Issues
We all want a healthy planet. There are continuing debates about the effects that individuals and industries have on the earth and the air that we breathe. At the root of many debates is how heavily our economy and our personal comfort should weigh against the environmental impact.Read More:How Does Pollution Affect Health? [video]
Gas Prices
Few subjects affect citizens as much as the price of fuel. The impact is felt at the gas pump on a daily basis, as Americans fill their tanks to travel to school and work, but it’s also a factor in less obvious areas of our lives. Americans feel the less direct impact of high fuel as it has a bearing on everything from the price of groceries to the cost of monthly utility bills.Read More: Why Are Gas Prices High?
North Korea Missile Launch
North Korea is described around the world as a totalitarian dictatorship with a highly militarized, secretive government organization. Because outsiders know so little about the workings inside this guarded nation, there is great concern about the show of power that was demonstrated in a recent missile launch. Although North Korean officials claimed the missile was designed to carry a satellite into space, many world leaders felt the launch was actually a ballistic missile test. The launch was unsuccessful, but it prompted urgent conversations around the world.Read More: Can a North Korean Missile Hit the U.S.?
