[fblike]
Here is our weekly survey of news stories to round out the week of September 8th-14th, 2014.
Good luck to all of the extempers competing at the Wake Forest this weekend!
RT @weulich: How the world responded to #Obama‘s #Islamic #State speech @csheasley http://t.co/0nzDj58hR4
— CS Monitor (@csmonitor) September 11, 2014
Unlocking the Potential of Women Entrepreneurs http://t.co/dVUebd6tSd by @Isobel_Coleman
— CFR (@CFR_org) September 11, 2014
Obama’s approval slips among women, youth and Latino voters most responsible for putting him into office http://t.co/3AfxBO95Xo
— Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 11, 2014
Today’s R&D covers the International Criminal Court (ICC). Founded in 2002, the ICC puts individuals on trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Over 120 nations belong to the ICC, but the United States is not a member, having never ratified the Rome Statute. The ICC has been criticized in recent years by African leaders as unfairly targeting their continent, and it recently drew the ire of the international press for shelving the trial of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta due to a lack of evidence.
Today’s R&D covers the conviction of former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell on eleven counts of public corruption. McDonnell, who was touted a few years ago as a possible running mate for Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, is the first former governor in Virginia history to be convicted of a crime. He will be sentenced in January and faces decades in prison.
Here is today’s premium R&D to accompany 
Today’s R&D focuses on the possibility of another government shutdown before the 2014 midterm elections. When Congress reconvenes next week, it will have ten days to reach an agreement to keep the government funded through the end of September. If an agreement is not reached, another government shutdown could occur and that could have a disastrous effect on the Republican Party’s chances of winning the Senate this fall. Republican leaders deny that they have any plans for a new shutdown.
Today’s R&D covers the Ukrainian crisis. Last week, the Ukrainian government released videos of captured Russian troops in Eastern Ukraine, which contradicts the Russian government’s official stance that it does not have a present in the eastern half of the country. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alleges that Russia has more than 1,000 troops in Ukraine, and Russian actions in the area have resulted in Western sanctions.
Here is today’s premium R&D to accompany 
Here is our weekly survey of news stories to round out the week of August 25th-31st.
Today’s R&D covers Zimbabwean politics. Since President Robert Mugabe is ninety years old, there is a great deal of uncertainty about what the country’s political future will look like. The country has only had two presidents since it gained official independence in 1980 and Mugabe has ruled since 1987. Recently, Mugabe’s wife, Grace, entered national politics after winning an endorsement to become the next head of Zanu-PF’s women’s league.
Today’s R&D provides resources on the controversial police shooting in Ferguson, Missouri. The shooting, which took place on August 9, took the life of eighteen-year-old black teenager Michael Brown. The incident triggered protests and looting in the area and was met by a heavy police response. The officer involved in the shooting is currently under investigation and the Department of Justice is looking into potential civil rights violations.
Here is today’s premium R&D to accompany 
Here is our weekly survey of news stories to round out the week of August 18th-24th.
Today’s R&D covers the Wisconsin gubernatorial election. Republican Governor Scott Walker is fending off a challenge former Trek Bicycle Corporation executive Mary Burke, who is the Democratic nominee. Burke is the first female gubernatorial candidate to be nominated by a major party in state history. Walker is deemed as a potential 2016 presidential candidate, so winning re-election is crucial. This is the third gubernatorial campaign for Walker, who survived a recall vote in 2012. Major issues in the race include Common Core standards, Walker’s championing of a controversial 2011 bill that stripped collective bargaining rights from public employees, Wisconsin’s economy, and an investigation into whether Walker illegally coordinated his campaign activities with outside groups. Polls show the race as dead even.
Today’s R&D covers Iran’s nuclear program. Iran has been under a cloud of suspicion since 2002 and the United States, France, Germany, Great Britain, China, and Russia – referred to as the P5+ 1 – have been negotiating with the Islamic Republic in an attempt to make its nuclear program more transparent. Last month, the talks between Iran and the P5+1 nations were extended through November 24. The United Nations is also seeking more proof from Iran that its nuclear program has a non-military purpose.