Spotlight Feature Archive
2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver a Success despite Setbacks
The 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Canada’s beautiful West Coast city overcome challenges to showcase amazing athletic feats. March 2010
Earthquake Devastates Haiti; Humanitarian Crisis Continues
A major earthquake toppled homes and buildings, killing an estimated 200,000 on the Caribbean island nation. February 2010
Attempted Terrorist Bombing of Detroit-Bound Airliner Fails
A Nigerian man’s attempt to bomb an international airline flight over Detroit is foiled on Christmas Day. January 2010
Filipino Democracy Shaken by Violent Attack
The Philippine government declared a state of emergency in reaction to election-related violence in southern Maguindanao Province. December 2009
The Fall of the Berlin Wall—Twenty Years Later
Twenty years have passed since Eastern Europe’s revolution brought down the Berlin Wall. November 2009
President Obama Takes the World Stage
The 64th session of the United Nations and a Group of 20 Summit give the president an opportunity to address his foreign policy goals. October 2009
Afghanistan Holds Historic Elections
Amidst war and in the face of Taliban threats to disrupt voting, Afghanistan holds historic democratic elections. September 2009
The Nation’s First Hispanic Supreme Court Justice
President Obama’s nominee to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court will be the nation’s first Hispanic justice. August 2009
Pirates Terrorize the Indian Ocean
Pirates operating off the coast of Somalia have captured ships from around the world in recent months. May 2009
Transparency in U.S. Government
Two events highlight the public’s right to know the government’s actions. April 2009
Unemployment Takes Worldwide Toll
By year’s end, 50 million jobs will have been lost worldwide since the recession began. March 2009
Destruction in Gaza
Israel and Hamas declare a ceasefire after three weeks of air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip. February 2009
The Presidential Inauguration
On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th U.S. president. January 2009
U.S. Auto Industry Nears Disaster
The big three U.S. automakers have been driven to the brink of collapse by failed strategies and the global economic crisis. December 2008
Obama Wins
On Tuesday, November 4, 2008, Democratic Senator Barack Obama from Illinois defeated Republican Senator John McCain from Arizona to become the first African American to be elected president of the United States. November 2008
The 2008 U.S. Presidential Election
John McCain and Barack Obama will face off in a historic election. Read more about their journey and find up-to-the-minute coverage in our Election Coverage. November 2008
Financial Crisis
September 2008 saw the biggest shake-up in the U.S. financial industry since the Great Depression. What has caused this major economic crisis? October 2008
Crisis in Georgia
Tensions often run high in the Caucasus region of Europe. Those tensions turned to war in Georgia and Russia jumped into the fray. September 2008
Soaring Gas Prices
Gasoline is at record prices, but what’s driving the cost so high? The answer is complicated, but we examine some of the factors in this month's Spotlight Feature article. August 2008
The Beijing Olympics
Protests and pollution worry organizers as China prepares to host the Summer Games. May 2008
Big Business Goes Green
Two conferences held in March discuss how big businesses can be environmentally conscious and still make money. April 2008
The Plight of Refugees Around the World
Over 30 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes and live the difficult life of a refugee. March 2008
Is the U.S. Headed for a Recession?
With a poor housing market, high energy prices, tight credit, and rising unemployment, many experts believe that the United States is headed for an economic recession. February 2008
The Annapolis Conference
Can there be peace between Israelis and Palestinians? The Annapolis peace conference was the latest effort to find a lasting peace in the Middle East. January 2008
State of Emergency in Pakistan
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency on November 3, suspending the constitution, crushing protests, and jailing thousands of activists. December 2007
Protests in Myanmar
Throughout August and September, protests broke out against the military junta that runs the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar. November 2007
2007 Red List of Threatened Species
The release of the World Conservation Union’s annual list of threatened species reveals that over 13,000 species of animals and plants face extinction. October 2007
UPDATE: The Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
On August 1, a highway bridge in Minneapolis collapsed and plunged 60 feet into the Mississippi River. On August 20, the remains of the last missing person were recovered. September 2007
The Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
On August 1, a highway bridge in Minneapolis collapsed and plunged 60 feet into the Mississippi River. Five were confirmed dead, about 100 injured, and at least 8 missing. August 2007
Memorial Day
What’s the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day? And what is Memorial Day really all about? July 2007
