Stuff YOU Should Know
International Response to Syria The conflict in Syria has been going on for more than two-and-a-half years. The United States has tried to avoid military intervention. However, the president made a statement last year that use of chemical weapons would change the nation’s position. Even though Syrian President Bashar al-Assad denies having used sarin nerve […]
Is Another Government Shutdown Possible?
Congress is about to return from its month-long summer recess. They will be faced with the major task of passing a continuing resolution to fund the government for the next fiscal year, which begins October 1. Failure to reach an agreement could result in a government shutdown, which is what happens when a legislative body […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
U.S. Embassies Closed On August 4, nineteen U.S. embassies and consulates (sometimes called diplomatic missions) were closed in response to feared attacks by al Qaeda. Most of these government operations were located in the Middle East. U.S. Intelligence agencies such as the CIA intercepted conversations between two high-level al-Qaeda operatives plotting an attack. All but […]
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Tornadoes in Oklahoma On May 20, deadly twisters touched down in the town of Moore, Oklahoma, a suburb located near Oklahoma City. Twenty-four people were killed and more than 120 were injured. The tornados were approximately a half-mile in width and caused major damage to homes and local businesses. President Obama officially declared the area […]
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Accidental Blast Rocks Benghazi With tensions in the Middle East high, it’s only natural that any kind of explosion would raise suspicions of continued terrorism. However, a May 13 explosion near the coast line of the Mediterranean Sea appears to have been accidental. At least 13 people are dead and more than 40 injured following […]
Stuff You Should Know
Ongoing Debate on Gun Control In the wake of last December’s shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, President Obama moved gun control to the top of his agenda. He proposed a number of new gun laws, including a renewed ban of assault rifles as well as stricter background checks. Lawmakers in Washington are deeply divided on both […]
The Government Swerves to Avoid the Fiscal Cliff
Like viewers of an action movie, some Americans have been at the edge of their seat, anxiously wondering if the nation’s economy would plunge over the metaphorical “fiscal cliff.” After many weeks of intense negotiation in Washington, D.C., an agreement was finally reached in the final hours of the deadline. On January 2nd, President Obama […]