Elizabeth Warren And Sherrod Brown Fight Fed Audit, Foreclosure Transparency

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/17/elizabeth-warren-rand-paul-federal-reserve_n_6699820.html DUE 23 FEB 2015. What is the purpose of the bill proposed by Rand Paul? Why are Democrats opposed to it? What do economists like Paul Krugman think about the bill?? What do you think: should the FED be audited or should the FED be independent of Congressional meddling? Why or why not?

Yemen crisis: US, UK and France close Sanaa embassies

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31411284 DUE 17 FEB 2015. Why are the United States, the United Kingdom, and France withdrawing from their Yemen embassies? The Houthis are accused of initiating a "coup"--what is a coup? What are the Houthis' plans with regards to the current structure of Yemini Parliament? Who is the new rebel leader??

Democrats might skip Benjamin Netanyahu speech

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/democrats-might-skip-benjamin-netanyahu-speech-114891.html DUE 9 FEB 2015. Who is Benjamin Netanyahu?? Who asked him to speak before Congress?? What did President Obama think about this invitation?? What implications will a Democratic boycott create for international relations with Israel??

Northeast Corridor braces for 'potentially historic' snowstorm

http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2015/01/26/northeast-braces-for-another-major-snowstorm/ DUE 2 FEB 2015. Why is this snowstorm a major problem for government officials?? Why is this a problem for Florida?? Why is this a problem for power companies (in NE and in Florida)??

Obama Pushes 'The Right Thing' For Workers: Paid Leave, Minimum Wage, Pay Equity

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/20/obama-paid-leave-sotu_n_6489552.html DUE 26 JAN 2015. Discuss President Obama's rationale for pushing paid leave, raising the minimum wage, and pay equity during the State of the Union address. How will this help the economy? Why are Republicans opposed to these measures?? If President Obama wants these things done, how will he do it? Why??

No Child Left Behind Rewrite Should Limit Standardized Testing, Duncan Says

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/12/no-child-left-behind-2015_n_6453092.html. DUE 20 Jan 2015. What is/are the major focus of NCLB?? Why does the Obama Administration want to rewrite the legislation? What major changes would be implemented? WHY is this legislation a problem to teachers and students? What future economic issues are likely to result from the quality of education in the United States (ie. NCLB)???

Russia Entering 'Full-Fledged Economic Crisis'

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/22/russia-crisis-idUSL6N0U61L320141222. DUE 12 January 2015. What are the predominant reasons for Russia's economic woes? What does the term "junk" refer to in this article? What will be the impact of inflation for the Russian economy?