Here is a special CFL R&D that provides articles for three of the nine CFL extemp topic areas.  The second CFL R&D will come out tomorrow evening.

U.S. Politics

Daniels Decides Against Presidential Run from the Wall Street Journal

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has decided against running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.  Daniels becomes the latest GOP contender to drop out of the race.

Republican worry grows over upstate New York race from Politico

A race in New York’s 26th Congressional district Tuesday could spell bad news for Republicans, as their chosen candidate is set to lose after facing a strong Democratic challenger who is running against the Republicans House budget plan and a strong independent candidate.

The Heartland Hustle from Time
This article presents an analysis of the importance of the Iowa caucus, but argues that its system is a scam that suckers in candidates and forces them to spend a lot of money for nothing.

GOP Push for Presidential Pick Divisive from the Detroit Free Press

Some GOP tea party candidates for president, such as Ron Paul and (potentially) Michelle Bachmann, argue that they are being snubbed by traditional GOP donors.  This could lead to inter-party squabbling that may undermine the GOP’s attempt to regain the White House in 2012.

Huntsman Takes His Potential Campaign for Test Drive in New Hampshire from the New York Times

Former Utah Governor Jon Hunstman is pegged as a potential GOP challenger for president next year, but he could be weighed down by his support for free trade with China.

World Environmental Issues

Sea levels could rise a metre by 2100 from the Sydney Morning Herald

Australia’s government has warned that global warming could cause a rise in global sea levels by one metre by the end of the century.

WikiLeaks: A battle to ‘carve up’ the Arctic from Al Jazeera

As global warming melts the Arctic, new areas of oil exploration could be opened, which is prompting a scramble to the area by governments around the world.

Europe may ban plastic bags from the UK Independent

The European Commission is looking into banning plastic bags from stores across the European continent in an attempt to save the environment.

Bangladeshi companies launch Africa farm lease plan from the BBC

In an attempt to alleviate future food shortages, companies in Bangladesh are leasing thousands of hectares of African farmland.  The move is part of a trend to hedge threats to national food supplies around the world.

World Food Program running out of food from United Press International

The World Food Program is running out of food and shortages have forced the organization to cut rations in Somalia.

International Areas in Conflict

Deadly attack on police compound adds to ‘drumbeat’ of violence in Afghanistan from the Christian Science Monitor

Despite the death of Osama bin Laden, terror attacks against the Afghan government continue.  Insurgents have focused on government, military, and police targets.

Obama says he’d raid Pakistan again from USA Today

Although Pakistan was angry at the Osama bin Laden raid, President Obama has said tht he would go into Pakistan again if he needed to do so in order to protect American security.

US, UK and European envoys trapped in Yemen siege from CNN

Ambassadors from the United States, Great Britain, and the European Union cannot leave their embassy’s due to gunmen who are not happy that Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh is delaying the signing of a deal that would lead to his departure.

Syrians Are Fatally Shot at Funeral for Protesters from the New York Times

The death toll for the unrest in Syria topped 900 after Syrian security forces fired on mourners during a funeral procession on Saturday.

UK forces’ final farewell to Iraq from the BBC

Eight years after aiding the American invasion in Iraq, British forces are leaving the country.  In total, 179 British armed servicemen lost their lives in Iraq.