A1. U.S.

Nuclear Industry Faces New Uncertainty

1. What is the main idea of the article?

-- The recent Japanese nuclear disaster is creating a huge shift in our view towards
nuclear power. Right until the incident, there seemed to be bipartisan agreement to
increase the role of nuclear power as a US energy source. However, many lawmakers
now believe we need to reexamine nuclear power plants, and address any safety changes
that need to be made.

2. Supporting details

-- Obama has promised more nuclear power, and he is still sticking to that promise, but
he is now airing on the side of caution.
-- Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) believes we should not let an incident in
Japan affect our domestic energy policy.
-- There have been major accidents in all three major energy sources – coal, oil and
nuclear – in the past year.

A2. Japan Digs for Thousands of Dead Amid Nuclear Crisis

1. What is the main idea of the article?

-- It is estimated that over 10,000 people have died from the massive earthquake and
subsequent tsunami in Japan. Current conditions are so bad that towns are running out of
body bags, and the government is even looking to foreign funeral homes for help. This
disaster has left 430,000 in emergency shelters or with relatives, and another 24,000
stranded. A nuclear power plant has lost ability to cool down three reactors, causing local
authorities to evacuate anyone in a 12-mile radius. It is estimated that the total repair
costs for damages caused by the earthquake and tsunami will be in the tens of billions of
dollars.

2. Supporting details

-- Because Japan is the most developed Asian nation, with a high level of infrastructure,
it has been able to mitigate human losses in comparison with the 2004 Asian tsunami,
which killed 230,000.
-- To lessen the damage, Japan’s central bank injected $184 billion into money markets.

A3. Obama calls for agreement on gun reforms

1. What is the main idea of the article?

-- Obama is hoping to push forward an agreement on gun reform. While the President
believes the second amendment guarantees a US citizen’s right to own a gun, he also
believes that certain people should not be able to purchase a gun. Such is the case with
Jared Loughner, the man behind the Tucson attacks, who despite multiple warning signs,
was able to walk right into a store and purchase a gun.
2. Supporting details

-- Gun-control has historically been a political wedge issue, and it is sure to be an

important part of Obama’s 2012 Presidential campaign.
-- Obama is hoping that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle will be able to use
commonsense and agree to reform certain parts of gun reform.

A4. Ominous déjà vu as Saddam's victims watch Libya

1. What is the main idea of the article?

-- A survivor of the failed 1991 uprising against Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, Ahmed al-Saidi
believes history is repeating itself in Libya. In 1991, a large group of protestors stormed
into Baghdad’s government buildings, and took over the city. However, the next day
Saddam ordered troops into the city and to fire at random. This caused all of the
protestors to evacuate. As with Saddam, Gadhafi has taken a violent stance against the
protestors, and Saidi believes that an international no-fly zone is too little, too late. The
only thing difference between Libya and Iraq is that the Libyan people now have access
to media, whereas the Iraqi people did not.

2. Supporting details

-- In 1991, the international community imposed a no-fly zone in Iraq, but this proved to
be too late in the struggle for power.
-- In 2003, President Bush’s forces removed Saddam from power in Iraq.

A5. NFL locks out players, who file suit

1. What is the main idea of the article?

-- Over the past few months, NFL players and owners have been negotiating over how to
split up the $9 billion a year generated by the NFL, as the old agreement recently expired.
However, the players and owners were not able to reach an agreement before the
deadline, which has caused both sides to take immediate action. On the owner side, the
owners have decided to “lock-out” the players, creating the NFL’s first work-stoppage
since 1987 and putting the 2011 season in jeopardy. On the player side, the players union
has decided to decertify, as this will now allow individual players to sue the NFL. Some
major players, such as Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, have filed a suit against the
NFL, and a ruling is expected in the upcoming month.

2. Supporting details

-- If there was no 2011 season, the result would be a devastating impact on local
economies.
-- The NFL commissioner and the NFL general counsel are receiving $1 salaries during
the lockout.
-- Props to whichever CI teacher submitted this article, it’s wonderful.