[OPLINLIST] Fwd: Wildfires, Tennis, Video Games and more - NewsBank Hot Topics July 2011

[Stephen Hedges]

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Barbara Calo" <bcalo at newsbank.com>
Subject: Wildfires, Tennis, Video Games and more - NewsBank Hot Topics July 2011

NewsBank Hot Topics is provided as part of your NewsBank subscription to help librarians, patrons, teachers and students easily uncover a wealth of information about prominent issues and events. Hot Topics addresses a wide variety of contemporary subjects from around the world related to social studies, science, health, sports, the arts, people and more. These topics are also posted on your NewsBank menu page and search screens, and on the Other NewsBank Products link within NewsBank full-text newspaper products. 

CURRENT EVENTS RESEARCH TOPICS 


ENVIRONMENT: Arizona and New Mexico Wildfires 

TOPIC: Arizona and New Mexico are suffering record wildfires this summer. What are the causes of these extreme fires? What are some of the largest wildfires in our history and what were their causes? What is being done to help save valuable Native American pueblo land? 


SPORTS: Wimbledon 

TOPIC: The winners of the Wimbledon tennis championship are Novak Djokovic who beat champion Rafael Nadal and Petra Kvitova who upset Maria Sharapova. What other major wins have these two champions had in their careers? What were the best plays and most exiting moments of the tournament? 


HEALTH: Graphic Cigarette Warning Labels 

TOPIC: The U.S. FDA has issued graphic warning labels for cigarette packages showing disturbing images of the gruesome effects cigarette smoke can have on people. Why did FDA decide to replace the existing warning labels? What are some of the ways the government has regulated the way cigarettes are sold over the years? 


Civics, Government and Politics: Afghanistan War Policy 

TOPIC: President Obama has outlined the details of his strategy for the US combat mission in Afghanistan which includes significantly reducing the number of U.S. troops. What are the troop numbers and timeline of this strategy and what was the reasoning behind those decisions? What have been the arguments for and against his strategy and who have been the most distinguished voices on each side? 


Civics, Government and Politics: New Constitution for Iceland 

TOPIC: Iceland has chosen to write a new constitution and is reaching out to its citizens through social media and other online means. Why does Iceland want to rewrite its constitution? How is it using technology to find out what its citizens want? What are the most contentious issues being considered for inclusion in it? 


CRIME AND LAW: Violent Video Games 

TOPIC: The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the restriction California has placed on the sales and rentals of violent video games is unconstitutional. What is their reasoning for this decision? What were the specifics of the restriction that California was imposing? 

--
Stephen Hedges, Director
Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN)
2323 W. Fifth Ave., Suite 130
Columbus, OH 43204
614-728-5250  ::  AIM: hedgesst