NewsBank: Special Report Winter Olympics and More Hot Topics

NewsBank Special Reports

The 2006 Winter Olympics is scheduled to open Feb. 10 in Torino (Turin), Italy. Follow the events leading up to the opening ceremony, in NewsBank’s new Special Report Site devoted to these Olympic Games.

This Special Report contains information on

• Daily events leading up to the opening ceremony
• Trials and qualifying events
• Site and security issues
• The Olympic committee
• Top athletes
• Past games

After the Olympic torch is lit, visit NewsBank’s Special Report on the Olympics each day to keep up with the latest news from Torino, covering competitions, athletes, awards and other news from and about the Olympics. Coverage will include images, links to related web sites, and additional search terms.

NewsBank Special Reports are updated daily and are available as part of your NewsBank subscription, at http://infoweb.newsbank.com.

NewsBank Hot Topics

NewsBank Hot Topics suggest search terms for today's hot issues and events. Current Hot Topics are available at http://infoweb.newsbank.com.

Topics include:

CURRENT EVENTS

ENVIRONMENT – Wildfires

TOPIC: Wildfires have caused extensive damage across Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and now Colorado and Arkansas. What caused these wildfires? What can be done to fight them? How can they be prevented?

SEARCH TERMS: wildfires

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – Comet Dust

TOPIC: The first-ever space mission to capture the dust of a comet and return it to earth for study is being conducted by NASA. How will this dust gathering be done? What will be done with the dust?

SEARCH TERMS: comet AND dust

SOCIAL STUDIES RESEARCH TOPICS:

CRIME AND LAW – Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings

TOPIC: The Senate judiciary committee has begun it's questioning of Judge Samuel Alito, President Bush's nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court. What questions are being asked? What does the committee hope to learn? What will happen after all questions have been asked?

SEARCH TERMS: Samuel Alito

EDUCATION – Vouchers

TOPIC: The Florida Supreme Court has declared the state's voucher system - the first state wide voucher program that allowed students to attend private school subsidized by tax monies - to be illegal. Why did they decide this way? Do other states have a voucher system? What are the advantages or disadvantages of this kind of system?

SEARCH TERMS: vouchers AND Florida

INTERNATIONAL – Mexico and Immigration

TOPIC: Mexico has demanded that the U.S. allow more immigrants to cross the border. What are their reasons for making these demands? What is the U.S. policy on immigration?

SEARCH TERMS: Mexico AND immigrants

INTERNATIONAL – Iran and Nuclear Facilities

TOPIC: Iran, led by its controversial president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has rebuffed the international community's attempt to stop its work on nuclear facilities. What are their reasons for doing this? What will happen next?

SEARCH TERMS: Iran AND nuclear power

SOCIAL ISSUES – Baby Boomers

TOPIC: The baby boom generation, technically defined as those born between the years 1946 and 1964 sees its oldest members turn 60 this year. What is significant about this group of people? What does this mean for society?

SEARCH TERMS: baby boomers

SCIENCE AND HEALTH RESEARCH TOPICS

HEALTH – Medicare Prescription Drug

TOPIC: The first week of Medicare's new prescription drug program has left many pharmacies and customers confused by the complex rules of eligibility and documentation. Why is this program so complex? What is being done to help people until this situation is resolved?

SEARCH TERMS: Medicare

SPORTS –Halls of Fame

TOPIC: Many outstanding athletes are voted into their sports Hall of Fame. Which sports have a Hall of Fame? Who has recently been voted into one of them?

SEARCH TERMS: Hall of Fame

ARTS AND LITERATURE RESEARCH TOPICS

FILM AND TELEVISION – King Kong

TOPIC: The major blockbuster film this holiday season has been Peter Jackson's sensational remake of King Kong with many computerized special effects. How was this film produced? How is it different from the original movie?

SEARCH TERMS: King Kong

LITERATURE – Jimmy Carter’s Top Seller

TOPIC: The top selling non-fiction book this week is former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's Our Endangered Values. The book examines our nation's historic and defining values against present circumstances. What is significant about this book? Do you plan on reading it? Why or why not?

SEARCH TERMS: Our Endangered Values AND Carter

PEOPLE – Ariel Sharon

TOPIC: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has suffered a stroke for which he was induced into a coma for surgery. What is notable about Mr. Sharon’s military and political life? How are people around the world responding to this situation? How may this affect peace in the Middle East?

SEARCH TERMS: Ariel Sharon

PERFORMING ARTS – The Phantom of the Opera

TOPIC: Andrew Lloyd Webber's famous musical The Phantom of the Opera has surpassed Cats as Broadway's longest-running show. What is the play about? Why is it so popular?

SEARCH TERMS: The Phantom of the Opera

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