Weekend talking points: 5 top stories
What happened this week? Protests raged in the Middle East and... Wisconsin. Obama came under fire from deficit hawks and birthers. And the abortion debate reclaimed centerstage
1. What's next for the Middle East?
After Hosni Mubarak handed power over to Egypt's military, the focus turned to neighboring nations. Leaders in Iran, Bahrain, and Libya are at risk of being toppled by protesters. And the world was shocked by the sexual assault in Egypt of CBS reporter Lara Logan. Here's our complete coverage of the revolts.
2. Wisconsin provokes its own raging protesters
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Republican Gov. Scott Walker is in hot water after he announced plans to gut collective-bargaining rights for the state's public sector employees. Thousands of angry teachers flocked to the state capitol building, as Democratic elected officials fled Wisconsin entirely to stall a vote on the plan. Some are beginning to worry if the anger could spread to other states. View our coverage of the protests.
3. Battle of the budgets
The week began with the president unveiling his spending plan for 2012. Some — including our Bullpen columnist Edward Morrissey — were critical of the budget, believing Obama could do more to cut into the national debt. Obama's plan might wind up being "irrelevant," anyway, with Republicans demanding more immediate cuts. See our breakdown of the different proposals, and the rest of our coverage.
4. Abortion debate heats up
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
A Mother Jones report revealed that some South Dakota leaders were pushing a bill that seemed to legalize the murder of abortion providers (they later backed down). Meanwhile, a Chicago hospital became the first Catholic medical center in the country to make a formal practice of offering "unbortions," which reverse second-trimester abortions mid-procedure. There are plenty more fierce abortion debates taking place on both the state and federal level. Check out more on this polarizing topic here.
5. The birthers are back
First, House Speaker John Boehner stopped short of denouncing "birthers" for their out-there claims that President Obama isn't a U.S. citizen. But the movement's momentum is growing, with lawmakers in at least 10 states pushing to make all future presidential candidates prove they're citizens in order to run. Then, Karl Rove, of all people, said that enough is enough, and the GOP should stamp out Obama's birther critics once and for all. See more here.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Today's political cartoons - October 23, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - loving thy neighbour, an HR matter, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Giuliani must hand assets to women he defamed
Speed Read The former New York City mayor must turn over his apartment and other possessions
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Abercrombie ex-CEO charged with sex crimes
Speed Read Mike Jeffries ran the brand during its heyday from 1992 to 2014
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published