12-17 IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN

SUNNI CIVIL WAR

So far in Iraq, the biggest civil problem has been reconcilation of the Sunni and Shiites. However, all of this is beginning to change as bitterness begins to separte the Sunni from each other. There are now deep divisions within the Sunni community. Mostly, these divisions take place between the old guard, or those who joined the cause to fight Al Qaeda early, and the newly transformed insurgents. One sign of hope however, is that tribal leaders are now quarreling over politics and rights in the new government, rather than fighting with dangerous weapons the streets.

Newsweek. 10 December 2007. 36.

12-17 ELECTION

OBAMA AND OPRAH TEAMING UP

Although presidential hopeful Barack Obama's numbers have improved and even skyrocketed to the lead in Iowa polls, he is still trailing rival candidate Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire and South Carolina. Talk show host Oprah Winfrey has something to say about that. Oprah and Obama first met on a plane ride down to New Orleans to comfort Katrina victims in 2005. Now, Oprah is offering the candidate support like she has never done before. She is preparing to travel through southern states to campaign for Obama. Insiders believe that she can shift the view of many voters, especial African-American women. The truth is, southern African-Americans are surprisingly leaning toward Clinton. They believe Obama will never get elected because of his race. Oprah will spend her campaign time attempting to convince voters that Obama is the relief necessary after Bush's rocky eight years of service.

Newsweek. 10 December 2007. 12.

12-17 HEALTH

FERTILITY, DIET, AND EXERCISE

Diet and exercise relate to fertility and pregnancy conditions more than most people think. Research from the Nurses' Health Study shows that carbohydrate choices play a huge role in fertility. Eating easily digested carbs, like white bread, potatoes, and sugared sodas, increases the odds of difficult fertility. On the other hand, choosing slowly digested carbs rich in fiber improves fertility. Balancing fats is also key to good fertility. Generally, the more trans fat in a woman's diet, the greater the chances of developing ovulatory infertility. Too much protein in a diet can also cause infertility. Women who eat more beans, peas, tofu, soybeans, or nuts tend to be more fertile than those who dine on chicken, red meats, and turkey. Women who consume more full-fat dairy products have trouble getting pregnant as well. Body weight is another serious factor. A woman should maintain an average body weight, not too thin or too fat. Exercise helps with this and also increases fertility rate. Types of exercises suggested include aerobic, strength training, stretching, and activities of daily living.

Newsweek. 10 December 2007. 53-62.

12-17 LOCAL

HIGHLAND BEATS ANDERSON FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR!!

Highland outscored Anderson 15-4 in the third quarter of the Highland-Anderson game last Wednesday. This was the turning point which led to a 47-45 win by the Scots. This is the Scots' second straight win over the Indians. They played a good game, coming out ahead after being down by nine at half time. Highland's Tealgil Stonewall did an excelllent job of holding off one of Anderson's star players, Troy Taylor, to one point during the entire second half. Other impressive statistics include McKinney's 18 point team high, on 6-of-14 from the field, including 2-for-4 from behind the arc; Jay Mohr's 11 rebound game high to go with 12 points for the double-double; and Tealgil Stonewall's nine points, on 4-for-6 shooting. Even Anderson coach Ron Hecklinski admitted that Highland in every way "deserved to win the game."

http://www.heraldbulletin.com/sports/local_story_346233120.html

12-17 STATE

DEEP FREEZE TO FOLLOW SNOW

After the accumulation of about 5 inches of snow in most of central Indiana, the worst is yet to come. A deep freeze is expected to come over the area tomorrow. Wind chill temperatures are expected to stay around 11 degrees for the rest of the daylight hours, with wind gusts nearing 30 mph expected. Meterologists say that temperatures could even dip into the single digits. But after a freezing Monday, temperatures are expected to climb to 38 degrees Tuesday and 42 degrees Wednesday, bringing snow-melting relief and a break to Hoosiers.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071216/LOCAL/712160447/1006

12-17 SPORTS

COLTS WIN IMPORTANT VICTORY

The Indianapolis Colts took home a 21-14 victory against Oakland on Sunday night. This puts the Colts' season at 12-2. By winning, the Colts guarenteed the AFC South title for the fifth consecutive season. They also became the first team in NFL history to win 12 or more games five consecutive seasons. Pittsburgh's 29-22 home loss to Jacksonville earlier in the afternoon means that the Colts claimed the AFC's No. 2 playoff seed Thus, they obtaine first-round bye and divisional-round home game.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071216/SPORTS03/712160458/1058/SPORTS03

12-17 SCIENCE

THE GREAT EMBRYO RESEARCH DEBATE

Scientists in Kyoto announced the other weak that they had found a working alternative to using human embryos to produce steam cells. The Kyoto University team first tested their theories on adult mice. The extracted skin cells from the mice and "reprogrammed" them to have the ability to transform into any other type of cell in the body. The team then went further in their experimentation and tested it on human genes. It worked! However, all this news is not for the best because now scientists are debating whether the transplant of stem cells into diseased patients will even lead to a cure. It will be years before scientists fully understand how to use stem cells to the degree of providing a cure. Most scientists admit that the great myth of stem cell cures is more fiction than it is sound scientific fact.

Newsweek. 3 December 2007. 52.

12-17 WORLD

FRENCH "REVOLUTION"

Newly elected president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, is starting to turn the wheels of revolution and attempting to create a new French economy. The French economy's downfall is a set a laws that make hiring and firing difficult and pensions and benefits very expensive. This has led to chronic unemployment in France, currently 8.7 percent, which is 50 percent higher than the average for the industrilized nations. One mission Sarkozy will undertake for reform of the economy will be tackling labor unions, the first being that of France's railway system. This union enjoys benefits that other French citizens can only dream of, such as a retirement age of fifty and high pensions. Most citizens have faith that, if Sarkozy can break this union, further reforms will follow.

Newsweek. 3 December 2007. 48.