2014 is being ranked at the hottest year on record by NASA and NOAA. Skeptics and critics are trying to make hay out it saying that maybe the data shows it's only the second hottest year on record. Take that, NASA! Meanwhile Pope Francis is preparing a papal encyclical stating that, as far as the Church is concerned, global warming is real and is man-made thus giving conservatives reason to dislike this insane maverick pope even more than they did when he dared to discuss poverty.
Also in the news, the Supreme Court of the United States has agreed to take up a case concerning same-sex marriage, potentially paving the way for national recognition. This would probably be a relief to a lot of election-minded conservatives who would just like the issue to go away and would rather not continue to preach to the social conservative wing on a losing issue. Of course there's no sure bet which way the Court will rule but common assumption seems to be an upcoming win for SSM.
Edited, Jan 19th 2015 12:08pm by Jophiel