The Pendulum provides a weekly survey of America’s top trending topics. This week, we’ve got Trump’s politics, Adele’s soul, iPhone’s controversy, and much more.

1 U.S. POLITICS Donald Trump; smart man, dumb politician

While the American people might be intrigued by Trump’s “honest and no nonsense” approach to politics, some of his statements on foreign affairs are questionable. How can any serious presidential candidate consider threatening the nation that holds 26% of total foreign holdings? He frequently states that he is smart but it appears as though he lacks the ability to understand cause and effect. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

2 WORLD Veteran photojournalists killed in Libya

Photojournalist/film director Tim Hetherington and Getty photographer Chris Hondros were killed last week by mortar shell during a battle between rebel and government forces in Libya. Hetherington’s last tweet — “In besieged Libyan city of Misrata. Indiscriminate shelling by Qaddafi forces. No sign of NATO” — was ironically prophetic. Hetherington, 40, was nominated for an Oscar for his documentary Restrepo. Hondros, 41, was a recipient of the Robert Capa Gold Medal, one of the highest prizes in war photography.

3 MIRACLE Tourist catches 2-year-old falling from 4th-floor balcony

Around 9 p.m. last Wednesday night at an Econo Lodge hotel in Orlando, Helen Beard was by the pool when she saw a little girl hanging helplessly from the 4th-floor balcony railing before falling. Thankfully, Ms. Beard had the presence of mind to catch the young child. As the child fell, she hit the third-floor balcony railing, but miraculously suffered no injuries. Beard was a tourist from England. Sometimes we are truly in the right place at the right time. To God be the glory!

4 MUSIC Why I HEART Adele

If you still don’t know who Adele is, don’t even finish reading this paragraph; STOP now and listen to the clip below! I’ll wait. Okay, now that you’ve met, we can rant on about how amazing she is. Some people call this new crop of British singers “blue-eyed soul,” but I just call it incredible. In the past, some have been critical of Adele’s style — in particular, fellow British singer Estelle was offended that Adele is referred to as a “soul” singer. Are you kidding me? Estelle sit down!

5 EDUCATION Rahm Emanuel starts his term as promised

Chicago Public Schools are in for major changes in the school year to come. Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel just named his pick for the new CEO of the city’s schools, and he promises to shake up the status quo. What’s more, the Illinois State Senate approved a bill that will extend the school day, limit the teachers’ right to strike, and it will base tenure more on teacher performance rather than seniority. Emanuel also plans to replace the entire CPS board. Reckless or radical?

6 MONEY The traditional workplace is dead

All over the country, companies are starting to incorporate flexible schedules. The latest case study, Solix, has seen tripled revenue in less than a decade since creating a more worker friendly environment. With gas prices predicted to reach $5 this year, working from home is going to become a valued perk.

7 TECHNOLOGY Staying off Facebook won’t keep you off the grid. You’re already being tracked!

Some people have fully embraced the new age of privacy-less technology, while others are dedicated to staying off the grid. If you fall into the latter category, you may want to avoid the iPhone. Turns out it’s been recording all of your whereabouts since last June, even when the GPS system is turned off. Don’t believe us? Download the app that maps it all out. As of today, Apple’s Steve Jobs denies the claims.

8 TV Tracee Ellis Ross to star in new BET sit-com Reed Between the Lines

After recent success with The Game, BET plans to increase its original programming with Reed Between the Lines. Malcolm-Jamal Warner costars as Ross’ husband. Fans of Ross’ earlier hit, Girlfriends, will likely be thrilled to see “Joan” return to the small screen. I just hope it won’t be another BET hot mess. PLEASE give it some depth! No, seriously.

9 MOVIES Kathryn Stockett’s novel, The Help, hits the big screen in August!

DreamWorks’ adaptation of Stockett’s bestselling novel features a star-studded cast: Viola Davis, Emma Stone, and Sissy Spaceck to name a few. The film follows the lives of black maids in the 1960s South, and their complicated relationships with the white families that employ them and the white children that they, more or less, raise. Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think.

10 CELEB Bill Cosby responds to Donald Trump’s potential political career; “Oh please!”

I love Bill Cosby; he’s like a grumpy grandfather with a teddy bear heart. He’s always helping the community, but he’s reached an age where he no longer just visits his soapbox; it’s now his permanent address! Still, I have to agree with Cosby this time. I’m so over the Trump story. Let’s just cut his publicity stunt short and move on.


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