NewsBank is one of many databases we provide to help patrons find reliable information on different topics.
NewsBank, as the name suggests, gets its information from newspapers. Our library subscription includes three portals to information:
--Using
America's News, you can search more than 2,000 U.S. newspapers,
including the Mesabi Daily News and other small Minnesota papers.
Search headlines, sports, obituaries, politics, and more!
--Are you working on your family tree? Explore
America's Genealogy Bank, where you can quickly find your ancestors in
over 300 years of historical newspapers.
--Search the largest and most comprehensive collection of newspaper obituaries with
America's Obituaries & Death Notices.
Below you can find a sampling of the type of information to be found. Explore. Have fun. Contact us if you want to learn more.
March 2016
CURRENT EVENTS RESEARCH TOPICS
Civics, Government and Politics: U.S. Presidential Primaries and Caucuses
TOPIC: Each party requires a specific delegate
count for a candidate to become the party’s nominee for president. What
is the required delegate count for each party? How are the candidate’s
delegates from each state decided? What is the difference between a
primary and a caucus? What are some examples of how states differ on
these? What are superdelegates and how do they differ from regular
delegates? Who has won the primaries and caucuses already held?
SEARCH TERMS: (Republican OR Republicans OR Democrat
OR Democratic OR GOP) AND (primary OR caucus OR primaries OR caucuses)
AND (candidate OR candidates)
CIVICS, GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS: Trial Ceasefire in Syria
TOPIC: With a promise from President Assad to
Vladimir Putin to respect the terms established, Syria’s opposition has
agreed to enter into a temporary ceasefire from a war that has killed
over 260,000 people. While Saudi Arabia has supported the opposition,
Russia has supported Assad. How are ceasefires established in war torn
countries? What are the goals of a ‘temporary’ ceasefire in Syria? How
are the surrounding countries responding to the terms of the ceasefire?
SEARCH TERMS: Syria AND ceasefire
HEALTH: Zika Virus
TOPIC: The Zika Virus has been declared an
international public health emergency by the World Health Organization.
Women who are pregnant or of child-bearing age are being warned not to
travel to several countries in both Latin America and the Caribbean
where outbreaks have been reported. By the end of 2016, as many as 4
million people could be infected by the virus which is known to cause
birth defects. How is the Zika virus transmitted? What attempts are
being made to stop its spread? What is the relationship between
microcephaly and the Zika virus?
SEARCH TERMS: Zika virus
SOCIAL STUDIES RESEARCH TOPICS
BUSINESS: Apple and the FBI
TOPIC: The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) is seeking legal measures to compel Apple Inc. to unlock an iPhone
belonging to one of the San Bernardino terrorists and is evidence in
the investigation. What arguments has Apple made to protect the privacy
concerns for their customers? What are the arguments used by the FBI?
What are the most influential individuals and groups on each side of
this debate, and what are their most persuasive arguments?
SEARCH TERMS: Apple AND San Bernardino AND terror* AND investigat*
BUSINESS: Cleber LLC
TOPIC: The Alabama-based company Cleber LLC will be
the first manufacturer to open a plant in Cuba since the 1959 revolution
when it starts building tractors there. What is the reason that they
are opening up a plant there? How do regulations and conditions for
manufacturing in Cuba differ from those in the United States?
SEARCH TERMS: Cleber AND Cuba AND tractor*
BUSINESS: Beijing is New ‘Billionaire’ Capital
TOPIC: Beijing has surpassed New York in the amount
of billionaires within its city, according to Hurun, a Chinese private
research firm. What economic factors attributed to the climb of
billionaires in China? How does the presence of billionaires affect a
culture as a whole? Why does news about the amount of billionaires
living in a city/country matter?
SEARCH TERMS: Beijing AND billion*
CIVICS, GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS: Chaos in Uganda after Presidential Election
TOPIC: In Uganda Dr.Kizza Besigye, former bush war
hero and main opposition contender for the past four presidential
elections, has been arrested and detained several times since the
election has taken place. President Yoweri Museveni has held office
since 1986, and is said to have won this election with 60.8% of the
vote. Why is Besigye under arrest? Why are protests erupting in response
to the election? What has been the international response to the way
the election and aftermath has been handled by the authorities in
Kampala? How has President Museveni responded to international input
about the fairness of the election?
SEARCH TERMS: Uganda AND election AND Besigye
CRIME AND LAW: Kalamazoo Shootings
TOPIC: Jason Brian Dalton, a driver for the online
taxi dispatch service Uber has been charged with a series of deadly
shootings at different locations in Kalamazoo, Michigan. What evidence
have investigators discovered in this case and what are some of the
unsettling aspects of Dalton’s role as a driver at the time of these
shootings? What has been questioned about Uber’s vetting procedures
during this case?
SEARCH TERMS: Uber AND Dalton AND Kalamazoo
CRIME AND LAW: Amnesty International Annual Report
TOPIC: In its annual report, Amnesty International
scorned most European countries for their lack of sensitive response to
thousands of refugees who were fleeing war-torn nations and seeking
refuge in 2015. Thirty or more countries worldwide, including France and
the US, illegally forced refugees to return to their countries where
they faced inhumane and dangerous conditions. The one country that was
an exception to the report was Germany. What is surprising about this
report? What type of role has Amnesty International played in the
refugee crisis? What types of strategies has Germany used to manage the
refugee crisis that other countries have failed to do?
SEARCH TERMS: Amnesty International AND annual report
ECONOMICS: Lagarde to Continue as IMF’s Managing Director
TOPIC: Christine Lagarde will continue her role as
the International Monetary Fund’s Managing Director. Why did the IMF’s
executive board re-appoint her to the post? What leadership qualities
does she have that make her well-suited for this position? What is the
primary roles of the IMF within the global economy?
SEARCH TERMS: Lagarde AND IMF
ECONOMICS: Tough Year Ahead for South Africa
TOPIC: The World Bank has warned South Africa that
they may be in for a tough economic year ahead. What are some of the
factors that have led the World Bank to make such a warning? Aside from
economic stability issues, what are some of the other aspects of South
Africa’s culture that have an impact on the economy?
SEARCH TERMS: South African AND World Bank
ECONOMICS: U.S. Economic Report
TOPIC: President Obama has sent the U.S. Congress
his annual economic report. What is the history and purpose of this
report? What is its relationship to the president’s annual budget
proposal? What are the key points in this year’s economic report?
SEARCH TERMS: Obama AND annual economic report
EDUCATION: The Language of Computers
TOPIC: The Florida state senate has endorsed
requiring computer coding as a language requirement in the state
education system. What are the differences and similarities between
Florida’s legislation and the specifics of Chicago’s recent decision to
make computer science mandatory in its public schools? What is different
between computer coding and language as we traditionally think of it
and what are the similarities? What are some of the ways a knowledge of
computer coding can help adults other than just working in the field?
SEARCH TERMS: language AND computer AND Florida AND (code OR coding)
EDUCATION: Nearly 50% of Children in Pakistan Do Not Attend School
TOPIC: In a bleak report, the Pakistani government
reported that 24 million children living in Pakistan from the ages of 5
to 16 years old do not go to school. The number of unschooled children
is just about even between boys and girls. Most the children surveyed
who were not in school dropped out of school by the fifth year. Why are
so many children in Pakistan not being schooled? What factors affected
children not receiving a primary education? What has been the response
to such alarming statistics?
SEARCH TERMS: Pakistan AND school
HISTORY: Battle of Verdun Anniversary
TOPIC: The Battle of Verdun was one of the largest
and longest battles of World War I. When did it take place? Where was
the battle located? Who were the opponents? What was the desired
outcome? What were some of its more pivotal events? What are the
notorious aspects of this battle?
SEARCH TERMS: Verdun AND anniversary
HISTORY: Black History
TOPIC: Black History Month celebrates the dignity
and contributions of African Americans throughout history as well as
reflects on the hardships and injustices endured. In what years of U.S.
history was slavery a legal institution and what states had adopted
it? When was the abolitionist movement and what are some of its early
successes? What are some events in the 1950s that started the mid-20th century civil rights movement?
SEARCH TERMS: (black OR African American) AND history
SOCIAL ISSUES: Push to Eliminate Child Marriage
TOPIC: Leaders of faith, social workers, child
rights activists and public representatives met in Bangladesh to discuss
strategies to ending the social ‘curse’ and family practice of forcing
child marriage. Priests play a large role in intervention within
families where parents have decided to have their children wed. What are
some of the tactics used to stop this custom? How do forced, young
marriages affect the children who marry? Why are girls, particularly, at
risk for lifetime of turmoil in a forced marriage?
SEARCH TERMS: child marriage
SOCIAL ISSUES: Westminster Dog Show
TOPIC: A German Shorthaired Pointer is the winner of
this year’s Westminster Dog Show. What are the qualities of this breed
that can be displayed in dog shows? What are the seven new breeds that
were added to the show this year?
SEARCH TERMS: Westminster Dog Show AND Shorthaired Pointer
SCIENCE AND HEALTH RESEARCH TOPICS
ENVIRONMENT: Carbon Emissions Rule
TOPIC: President Obama’s carbon emissions rule has
been halted by the United States Supreme Court while lower courts hear
state challenges to the rule which had been enforced by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). What are the general carbon
emission rules and what specifics are different states challenging?
What are best legal and scientific arguments supporting each side of
this case?
SEARCH TERMS: emissions AND Supreme Court
ENVIRONMENT: Cyclone Disaster
TOPIC: In Fiji, Cyclone Winston has been recorded as
the worst storm ever recorded in the southern hemisphere. Thousands are
homeless, a number of villages have been completely wiped out, and many
deaths have occurred as a result of the storm. What category was the
storm? How are categories of storms determined? What aid organizations
have responded, and what are the fears about health issues that can
develop after a storm such as this?
SEARCH TERMS: Fiji AND cyclone
ENVIRONMENT: South African Drought
TOPIC: South Africa is currently suffering a severe
drought. How is this impacting their economy? How is the country
handling the water shortages and the impact on their food supply? What
has been the effect on power utilities? What has caused the drought?
What are some solutions being investigated or implemented?
SEARCH TERMS: South Africa AND drought
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Wendelstein 7X Fusion Reactor
TOPIC: The Wendelstein 7X fusion reactor in Germany
has produced its first evidence of hydrogen plasma. What is the
Wendelstein 7X fusion stellarator, what are its capabilities and what is
its purpose? What scientific function did it perform last December and
what is the significance of that to its recent discovery of hydrogen
plasma? What is the overall significance of both experiments to
science?
SEARCH TERMS: Wendelstein 7X fusion AND hydrogen plasma
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: Gravitational Waves
TOPIC: Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave
Observatory detectors (LIGO) have observed gravitational waves, thus
confirming Einstein’s theory of relativity. What are gravitational
waves and how do they confirm this theory? How were they recently
viewed and what do they tell us about the universe? What potential
discoveries do these hold for the future?
SEARCH TERMS: gravitational waves AND Einstein
SPORTS RESEARCH TOPICS
SPORTS: Super Bowl
TOPIC: The Denver Broncos have beaten the Carolina
Panthers to win the Super Bowl. What were the key plays of the game and
who were the key players? Why did this Super Bowl drop the tradition
of using Roman numerals in the Super Bowl title?
SEARCH TERMS: Broncos AND Panthers AND Super Bowl
SPORTS: Daytona 500
TOPIC: Denny Hamlin has won the Daytona 500, a key
race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. What have been some of the other
peaks in his racing career? What are the key aspects of the Daytona
International Speedway and how do drivers handle this track?
SEARCH TERMS: Daytona 500 and Denny Hamlin
SPORTS: Four Continent Figure Skating Championships
TOPIC: Canadian Patrick Chan and Japan’s Satoko
Miyahara are the men’s and women’s singles winners in the Four Continent
Figure Skating championships which includes the Americas, Asia, Africa
and Oceania. What were the most impressive aspects of their skating?
Who were the winners of the pair skating and ice dancing competitions
and what were the most impressive aspects of their performances? What
is the history of this event?
SEARCH TERMS: Four Continent Figure Skating Championships
SPORTS: Tokyo Marathon
TOPIC: Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia and Heleh Kiprop
of Kenya are the winners. What are key highlights of their running
careers? What is the history of this marathon, and what have been some
of its most exciting races?
SEARCH TERMS: Tokyo Marathon
ARTS AND LITERATURE RESEARCH TOPICS
FILM AND TELEVISION: Academy Awards
TOPIC: In the Awards this year, Spotlight won for
best picture, Mad Max: Fury Road won the most awards, The Revenant won
three Oscars including best actor for Leonardo DiCaprio and Bree Larson
won best actress for her lead role in The Room. Who were the other big
winners, and what were the qualities of the work that impressed the
critics? What was the focus of host Chris Rock’s humor? Why was there
such a focus on diversity? What were some of the responses to his
statements? What are some other examples of social issues being
expressed within artistic expression?
SEARCH TERMS: Academy Awards OR Oscars
FILM AND TELEVISION: British Academy Film Awards
TOPIC: The American film The Revenant was the
biggest winner at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA). What were
some of the other big winners and what were the qualities of this film
and the other winners that most impressed the critics? What is the
history of BAFTA and what is its purpose and criteria in judging films?
SEARCH TERMS: British Academy Awards OR BAFTA
FINE ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE: Colin Davis Paints the Bereaved
TOPIC: British portrait artist Colin Davis has an
exhibition called Silent Testimony which are portraits of family members
of those killed in the Northern Ireland Troubles as well as those
injured in the conflict. Where is the exhibition currently taking
place? What city will the exhibition be shown next and why is it
significant that it be shown there?
SEARCH TERMS: Colin Davis
FINE ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE: International Pop in Philadelphia
TOPIC: The Philadelphia Museum of Art is having an
exhibit called International Pop that shows how pop art has spread
around the world. Who are some of the major artists from different
countries being represented and what are the most impressive qualities
of their work? What defines pop art and what is its appeal to the
public?
SEARCH TERMS: Philadelphia Museum of Art AND pop art
LITERATURE: Harper Lee
TOPIC: Harper Lee was the author of the classic
American novel To Kill a Mockingbird and its follow-up 55 years later,
Go Set a Watchman. What were the qualities of To Kill A Mockingbird
that made it such a popular and acclaimed novel and what qualities in Go
Set a Watchman surprised a lot of critics? What have been some of the
legal issues surrounding Lee’s estate? What is the town where she spent
most of her life and how has it influenced her novels?
SEARCH TERMS: Harper Lee AND To Kill A Mockingbird
LITERATURE: Umberto Eco
TOPIC: Italian novelist Umberto Eco is best
remembered for his novel The Name of the Rose, a popular best seller and
also a very popular movie. What is the book about and what are the
qualities of the writing that impressed the critics? What are some of
his other esteemed novels and what are the qualities of those books that
most impressed the critics?
SEARCH TERMS: Umberto Eco
PERFORMING ARTS: DJ Katapila
TOPIC: Ishmael Abbey, nicknamed DJ Katapila, is one
of the hottest DJs in the clubs and parties of Accra, Ghana and
recently a reissue of his first album Trotro has been gaining a
following outside of Ghana. What is involved in his performance? What
are the qualities in his work that impress his fans? Why are funeral
parties a venue that he often plays in Accra?
SEARCH TERMS: DJ Katapila
PERFORMING ARTS: Grammy Awards
TOPIC: Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar and the Mark
Ronson and Bruno Mars’ song Uptown Funk were the big winners at the
Grammy Awards. What were the qualities of these and the work of other
winners that most impressed the critics? What are the qualifications to
vote in the Grammy Awards and how is the voting done?
SEARCH TERMS: Grammy Awards
PEOPLE RESEARCH TOPICS
PEOPLE: Maurice White
TOPIC: Maurice White was the founder and leader of
the popular band Earth, Wind and Fire. What were some of their major
hits? What genres of popular music were blended to create their unique
but very successful sound? What was their impact on music?
SEARCH TERMS: Maurice White AND Earth Wind and Fire
PEOPLE: Boutros Boutros-Ghali
TOPIC: Boutros Boutros-Ghali was an Egyptian
politician who eventually became the sixth Secretary-General of the
United Nations. During his time as the leader of the UN, he oversaw the
breakup of Yugoslavia and responded to the genocide in Rwanda. What is
the role of the UN Secretary-General? What other notable world events
happened during Boutros-Ghali’s time in office, and how did he respond?
What notable leadership traits did Boutros Boutros-Ghali have in his
career?
SEARCH TERMS: Boutros Boutros-Ghali
PEOPLE: Julian Assange
TOPIC: The United National Working Group on
Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) has called for the release of Julian
Assange from detention. What is the reasoning behind this
recommendation given in the report? What governments have been named in
the report and what is their reaction?
SEARCH TERMS: Assange AND United Nations
PEOPLE: Sarah Parcak
TOPIC: Sarah Parcak is an American archeologist who
has used satellite imaging to identify former sites of the Roman Empire
that could hold archeological treasures. What television documentaries
and news broadcasts have featured her, and what did they say about her
work? What university does she teach at and what course?
SEARCH TERMS: Sarah Parcak
PEOPLE: Robert Califf
TOPIC: President Obama’s nominee, Robert Califf has
been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to become the new head of the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). What was his prior career and what
role did it play in clinical trials for pharmaceutical companies? What
are the duties of the head of the FDA?
SEARCH TERMS: Robert Califf AND FDA
PEOPLE: Sibghatullah Mojaddedi
TOPIC: Sibghatullah Mojaddedi was an Afghani
politician and briefly the president of Afghanistan in 1992. What was
he jailed for in 1959? Why was he forced to resign from the presidency?
SEARCH TERMS: president AND Mojaddedi
PEOPLE: Sushil Koirala
TOPIC: Sushil Koirala was the Prime Minister of
Nepal for most of 2014 and 2015. What were his main achievements during
this time? What position did he hold in the Nepal Congress and what
were his main accomplishments there?
SEARCH TERMS: Sushil Koirala
