"Most newspaper article events happen anywhere from days, to months, to years before they reach publication. Consequently, most newspaper articles on this timeline are preceded by the date of the newspaper in which they appear." [E.M.] *Color Code
March 2008
2008 - Astronomic Configuration - March 1st, 2008: "Sun [11 Pisces], Moon [23 Sagittarius], Mercury [13 Aquarius R.], Venus [15 Aquarius], Mars [29 Gemini], Jupiter [15 Capricorn], Saturn [4 Virgo R.], Uranus [18 Pisces], Neptune [22 Aquarius], Pluto [0 Capricorn], Chiron [17 Aquarius]."
[Based on: http://www2.bitstream.net/~bunlion/bpi/ephm/E200803.html]
2008 - Chemo a Fraud? - March 1st, 2008: "[....] Chemotherapy...the massive, evil poisoning of the already immuno-suppressed human body...remains one of the most barbaric, criminal undertakings of modern 'medicine' against the human species. The cost of the average chemotherapy regimen: $300,000 to $1,000,000. It's ALL about MONEY and PROFITS. YOU are worthless to the AMA-Pharma death machine. The FAKE war on cancer has raised over a trillion dollars to date and now one out of every TWO Americans will be confronted with cancer at some point. Most of all, the criminal 'war on cancer' has made a lot of people wealthy. It is, without question, one of the biggest hoaxes in human history. [NP] There are MANY cures for cancer, from Rife to Essiac to Ozone to Hoxey to Glyconutrients to the simple cessation of poisoning one's body with meat, dairy and processed foods loaded with MSG and countless other carcinogens. This particular article is but one of many showing that chemo (and radiation) do NOT extend the life of one cancer patient over another with the same cancer who does NOTHING. To devastate a body trying to cope with a disease by poisoning the hell out of it is beyond something from the Dark Ages. [....] Do a search for Rife and Ozone and Essiac. Read NotMilk.com and NoMilk.com. Read MadCowboy.com and MeatStinks.com. And others. Educate yourself if you want to live. By all means, see the new Rife Documentary (http://www.zerozerotwo.org) and prepare to be outraged beyond your worst imaginings. -JR [....]"
[Based on: rense.com article (Chemo A FRAUD - More Evidence It's WORTHLESS), 03/01/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - March 1st, 2008: "Stocks tumbled Friday [02/29/08], capping the market's fourth-straight monthly drop, after a report showed business activity fell to the lowest level since 2001 and UBS AG said losses in credit markets may top $600 billion. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Stocks slip-slide to their fourth straight monthly decline), p. A39, S.L.P.D., 03/01/08]
2008 - Israel Warns Gaza Strip - March 1st, 2008: "Israel's deputy defense minister warned of disaster in the Gaza Strip after Palestinian rocket fire grew more ominous Friday [02/29/08], Gaza's unbowed Hamas rulers promised to fight on. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Israel issues warning to militants in Gaza), p A26, S.L.P.D., 03/01/08]
2008 - Resignation / Bush Aide - March 1st, 2008: "Bush aide [Tim Goeglein] admits plagiarism, quits post [02/29/08]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A24, S.L.P.D., 03/01/08]
2008 - Ricin Confirmed / U.S. Hotel - March 1st, 2008: "LAS VEGAS / Authorities confirm [02/29/08] finding toxin [ricin - 'several vials of powder'] in hotel [02/28/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A24, S.L.P.D., 03/01/08]
*Trivia: "Man with ricin [Roger Bergendorff] meant no harm, brother says [March 2008]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/18/08]
2008 - Outstanding Public Debt / U.S.A. - March 1st 2008: "The Outstanding Public Debt [U.S.A.] as of 02 Mar 2008 at 02:52:13 AM GMT is: $9,346,805,285,760.91. The estimated population of the United States is 304,505,481 so each citizen's share of this debt is $30,695.03. The National Debt has continued to increase an average of $1.62 billion per day since September 29, 2006! Concerned? Then tell Congress and the White House!
[Based on: http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/] - [T.D. - 03/01/08]
2008 - Taliban Drug Operations? / Afghanistan - March 1st, 2008: "WASHINGTON / State Dept. outlines [''it said Afghanistan now produces 93 percent of the world's opium poppy'] Taliban drug operations [02/29/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A26, S.L.P.D., 03/01/08]
2008 - Suicide Bomber / Swat Valley, Pakistan - March 1st, 2008: "Suicide bomber kills dozens ['at least 35 people'] at police funeral [02/29/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A26, S.L.P.D., 03/01/08]
2008 - Defends Blocking Emissions Crackdown / EPA, U.S.A. - March 1st, 2008: "The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday [02/29/08] justified blocking California from cracking down on auto emissions by saying the problems of global warming aren't unique to one state. The EPA denial also blocked more than a dozen other states from implementing the taiilpipe emissions reductions sought by California. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (EPA defends blocking emissions crackdown), p A24, S.L.P.D., 03/01/08]
*Trivia: "Unionized EPA workers are withdrawing from a cooperation agreement with the political appointees who supervise them over controversies that include the agency's refusal to let California regulate greenhouse gas emmissions from cars and trucks. [NP] Nineteen union local presidents representing more than 10,000 Environmental Protection Agency employees signed a letter to Administrator Stephen L. Johnson on Friday saying that under Johnson's leadership, the agency has ignored jointly developed principles of scientific integrity. [NP] Asked for comment, EPA spokesman Jonathan Shradar said Johnson 'values the expertise and advice of his staff.' [NP] William Evans, president of the EPA headquarters chapter of the National Treasury Employees Union, said that the purpose of the Clinton-era National Labor-Management Partnership Council was for senior agency officials and workers to deal with workplace and other issues before the decision stage. Instead, 'what we found is decisions are being made and they're being presented to us,' Evans said." [Based on: News Services article (EPA workers assail agency administrator), p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/04/08]
2008 - Visit to Iraq / Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - March 2nd, 2008: "Iranian president is visiting Baghdad [the first ever visit by an Iranian leader to Iraq] / Ahmadinejad is meeting with Iraqi President Talabani Sunday." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A11, S.L.P.D., 03/02/08]
*Trivia: "Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on a historic trip to Baghdad on Sunday that America fueled the violence in Iraq, portraying his nation as a close friend of the neighbor it once fought in a bitter eight-year war. [....]" [Based on: Title for News Services article (Ahmadinejad visits Iraq, blames violence on U.S.), p A7, S.L.P.D., 03/03/08]
*Trivia: "[....] In addition to the $1 billion donation, the two countries also negotiated seven deals pertaining to economic and cultural cooperation. [....]" [Based on: Chicago Tribune article (Ahmadinejad, in Iraq, tells U.S. to go home / Iranian president gives Iraq $1 billion; two nations negotiate deals on economic and cultural cooperation.), p A5, S.L.P.D., 03/04/08]
2008 - Deadliest Day of Fighting [Since 2000] / Gaza Strip - March 2nd, 2008: "DEADLIEST DAY SINCE FIGHTING BEGAN IN 2000 / Heavy fire from Israel kills 54 in Gaza [03/01/08] / Military targets rocket squads. Palestinians call attacks 'genocide.' ['Two Israeli soldiers were killed and seven were wounded']" [Based on: Title & Subtitles for A.P. article, p A12, S.L.P.D., 03/02/08]
2008 - Charged in Bhutto Assassination / Taliban Leader - March 2nd, 2008: "Taliban leader [Baitullah Mehsud] is charged [03/01/08] in Bhutto's assassination" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A12, S.L.P.D., 03/02/08]
2008 - Oil Cleanup Trivia / San Francisco - March 3rd, 2008: "Agents for the owner for a cargo ship [Cosco Busan] that dumped oil [54,000 gallons] into the San Francisco Bay have agreed to pay $2 million to the city of San Francisco. [....] The agreement was reached with Hudson Marine Management Services of Pennsauken, N.J., acting on behalf of the ship's Hong Kong-based owner, Regal Stone Ltd." [Based on: News Services article (City to get $2 million for oil spill cleanup), p A2, S.L.P.D., 03/03/08]
2008 - President Dmitry Medvedev / Russia - March 3rd, 2008: "MOSCOW / Medvedev [Dmitry Medvedev] gets big win in presidential election [03/02/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A7, S.L.P.D., 03/03/08]
2008 - Threat to Wildlife / West Bank Barrier - March 3rd, 2008: "[....] From biblical times, monks, prophets and Jewish rebels fleeing the Romans sought refuge in Wadi Qelt's caves and drank from its natural springs. They shared the desert with leopards, wolves and eagles. John the Baptist reputedly lived and preached here. [NP] Now the area is one of the few open spaces left in the region where wild animals still roam freely. But their freedom and survival are in jeopardy, environmental activists say. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (West Bank barrier is threat to wildlife area) by Laurie Copans, p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/03/08]
2008 - Suspended / Israel & Palestinian Peace Talks - March 3rd, 2008: "The Palestinian president suspended peace talks Sunday [03/02/08] as Israel brushed of international criticism and vowed to press ahead with its Gaza offensive until militants halt rocket attacks. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Palestinians suspend talks amid fighting / Israel considers expanding operation as militants continue to launch rockets.), p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/03/08]
2008 - Suicide Bomber / Darra Adam Khel, Pakistan - March 3rd, 2008: "PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN / Suicide bomber [03/02/08] strikes at anti-terrorist meeting [killing 40 people & injuring more than 100]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A7, S.L.P.D., 03/03/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Kepulauan Mentawai Region - March 3rd, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 02:37:27 (UTC) on Monday, March 3rd, 2008. The magnitude 6.1 event [Location: 2.160°S, 99.845°E; Depth 25 km (15.5 miles) set by location program] was located @ Region KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI REGION, INDONESIA."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008pdaj.php] - [T.D. - 03/09/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Kuril Islands - March 3rd, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 09:31:02 (UTC) on Monday, March 3rd, 2008. The magnitude 6.5 event [Location: 46.432°N, 153.133°E; Depth 10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program] was located @ Region KURIL ISLANDS."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008pda8.php] - [T.D. - 03/09/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / Venezuela, Columbia & Ecuador - March 3rd, 2008: "President Hugo Chavez ordered tanks and thousands of troops to the Columbian border on Sunday [03/02/08], accusing the neighboring country of pushing South America to the brink of war by killing a top rebel leader on Ecuadorean soil. [NP] Ecuador's President Rafael Correa also ordered troops to the Columbian border, saying 'Ecuadorean territory has been outraged and bombed by an air attack and the later incursioin of (Columbian) troops.' [NP] On Saturday [03/01/08], Columbian security forces killed senior rebel leader Raul Reyes and 16 other Columbian guerrillas at a camp across the border in Ecuador. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Chavez sends forces to Columbian border), p A7, S.L.P.D., 03/03/08]
*Trivia: "[....] Among the documents found on the seized laptop computer are ones that suggest Venezuela recently paid $300 million to FARC and that the rebels had appeared interested in buying uranium, Gen. Oscar Naranjo said. Another document suggests that rebels had financial ties with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez since 1992 when he was jailed for leading a coup attempt." [Based on: A.P. article (Venezuela, Ecuador condemn actions by Columbian forces / Columbians say the two countries aid guerrillas.), p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/04/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Babuyan Islands Region, Philippines - March 3rd, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 13:49:40 (UTC) on Monday, March 3rd, 2008. The magnitude 6.0 event [Location: 19.908°N, 121.379°E; Depth 10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program] was located @ Region BABUYAN ISLANDS REGION, PHILIPPINES."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008pdbm.php] - [T.D. - 03/09/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Philippine Islands Region - March 3rd, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 14:11:14 (UTC) on Monday, March 3rd, 2008. The magnitude 6.9 event [Location: 13.357°N, 125.665°E; Depth 24 km (14.9 miles) set by location program] was located @ Region PHILIPPINE ISLANDS REGION."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008pdbs.php] - [T.D. - 03/09/08]
2008 - Protestors / Pakistan - March 4th, 2008: "Police fired tear gas Monday [03/03/08] to disperse scores of attorneys demanding that President Pervez Musharraf reinstate the chief justice, who has been under house arrest since a sweeping crackdown last year. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Lawyers want nation's chief justice reinstated), p A5, S.L.P.D., 03/04/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - March 4th, 2008: "Most stocks gained Monday [03/03/08] as record oil and gold prices spurred a rally in commodity producers, outweighing declines in technology and financial shares. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Oil, gold prices help commodities stem tech, financial losses), p. C3, S.L.P.D., 03/04/08]
2008 - Dropping Out / Mike Huckabee - March 4th, 2008: "At a rally Tuesday night [03/04/08] in Irving, Texas, Mike Huckabee announces that he is dropping out of the race." [Based on: A.P. picture article caption, p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/05/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / U.S. & Somalia - March 4th, 2008: "MOGADISHU, SOMALIA / U.S. fires on town [03/03/08], targeting terrorist [southern Somalia]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A5, S.L.P.D., 03/04/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / U.S. & Middle East - March 4th, 2008: "Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged Palestinians Monday [03/03/08] to quickly resume peace talks with Israel, suspended in protest over an Israeli military offensive that killed more than 100 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. [NP] Despite the violence, she said a deal to end the six-decade conflict is still possible before President George W. Bush leaves office. [....] Israeli ground troops pulled out of northern Gaza before daybreak Monday, following the offensive that left 117 Palestinians dead. Roughly half those killed were civilians. One Israeli civilian was killed by a rocket, and two Israeli soldiers were killed. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Rice pushes for resumed talks / While threatening broader attack, Israel pulls out of Gaza.), p A5, S.L.P.D., 03/04/08]
2008 - Ecoterrorism / Woodinville, Washington - March 4th, 2008: "Ecoterrorists [ELF, Earth Liberation Front] suspected in house fires [Seattle - 03/03/08]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/04/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / Kosovo & Serbia - March 4th, 2008: "Serbia said Monday [03/03/08] it was reclaiming control of a 30-mile stretch of rail line in northern Kosovo in defiance of ethnic Albanian authorities in Kosovo's capital, Pristina. [....]" [Based on: Title for News Services article (Serbia claims part of rail line in Kosovo), p A5, S.L.P.D., 03/04/08]
2008 - Smuggling Plot / Venezuelan Businessman - March 4th, 2008: "Venezuelan [Carlos Kauffmann] pleads guilty [03/03/08] in smuggling plot" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A5, S.L.P.D., 03/04/08]
2008 - Essentially in a Recession? / U.S. Economy - March 4th, 2008: "Billionaire Warren Buffett said Monday [03/03/08] that the U.S. economy is essentially in a recession even if it hasn't met the technical definition of one yet. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (More bad news: Buffett uses the 'R' word), p C2, S.L.P.D., 03/04/08]
2008 - Medal of Honor / Woodrow Wilson Keeble - March 4th, 2008: "Belated honor / Korean War hero [Woodrow Wilson Keeble] receives Medical of Honor [03/03/08] for valor ['the first full-blooded Sioux Indian to receive the medal'], more than 26 years after his death.)" [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Cox News Service article, p A2, S.L.P.D., 03/04/08]
2008 - Supreme Court Deadlock / Pharmaceutical Case - March 4th, 2008: "Chief Justice John Roberts sat out a case involving a drug company in which he owns stock, resulting in a 4-4 tie vote Monday [03/03/08] that leaves the issue undecided nationally. [NP] While justices don't give reasons for deciding not to take part in cases, it appears to be the third time Roberts' financial holdings have played a role in his participation or absence from cases. [NP] The court left intact a lower court ruling favorable to people who sued pharmaceutical company Warner-Lambert alleging harm from the diabetes drug Rezulin. The company is owned by Pfizer Inc., in which Roberts owns $15,000 to $50,000 worth of stock." [Based on: News Services article (Supreme Court deadlocks on pharmaceutical case), p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/04/08]
2008 - Porn Ring Sting - March 5th, 2008: "[....] The sting, which started in Australia, also netted pornography suspects in England, Canada and Germany. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Structured porn ring preyed on 5-year-olds), p A2, S.L.P.D., 03/05/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - March 5th, 2008: "Stocks fell Tuesday [03/03/08], led by financial and commodity shares, after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke urged banks to forgive more late loans and oil, gold and copper prices dropped from records. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Commodities and financials drag down others with them), p. C5, S.L.P.D., 03/05/08]
2008 - Helicopter Crash / Iraq - March 5th, 2008: "Iraqi army helicopter crashes [03/03/08], killing 8 ['The helicopter disappeared south of Mosul'] / Among those killed is an American serviceman." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/05/08]
2008 - Military Spending / China - March 5th, 2008: "[....] Disclosure of plans for a $59 billion outlay in 2008 followed a U.S. report Monday [03/03/08] that raised questions about China's rapidly increasing military budget. [....] A $59 billion budget is still a fraction of what the United States spends each year on its armed forces. President George W. Bush last month requested $515 billion to fund the Pentagon, an amount that does not include spending for the Iraq and Afghan wars. [....]" [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Washington Post article (China to increase military spending), p A12, S.L.P.D., 03/05/08]
2008 - Flat Growths / Colon Cancer - March 5th, 2008: "[....] Doctors have known about flat growths but haven't recognized their danger, experts said. [....] The study appears in today's Journal of the American Medical Association. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Colonoscopies may miss cancers / Flat growths are said to be more common than was thought.), p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/05/08]
2008 - Banckruptcy Trivia / U.S.A. - March 5th, 2008: "[....] Small [consumer banckruptcy attorney, Brian J. Small] said house forclosures have been 'the leading impetus' for the increase in personal bankruptcy filings. That's because by the time homeowners face foreclosure 'they've already borrowed every penny that they could; they already spent everything in their savings.' [....] Small also said that his clients today have much greater debt than in the past. [NP] 'The proliferation of available credit, combined with the increase in mortgage interest rates, has stretched everyone to their maximum, and they're going to break,' Small said. [NP] As consumers tighten their pocketbooks, businesses - especially those that depend on consumer spending - will feel more pain, analysts said." [Based on: Dow Jones Newswires article (Bankruptcies expected to hit 1 million in 2008) by Jacqueline Palank, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/05/08]
2008 - Peace Talks Trivia / Mahmoud Abbas - March 5th, 2008: "Abbas rejects [03/04/08] U.S. entreaty to return to Mideast peace talks" [Based on: Title for New York Times article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/05/08]
*Trivia: "[....] Neither Rice nor Abbas said [03/05/08] when the talks would restart. [....]" [Based on: The Los Angeles Times article (Abbas says he'll resume peace talks with Israel), p A10, S.L.P.D., 03/06/08]
2008 - Vote for Bush & Cheney Indictments / Two Vermont Towns - March 5th, 2008: "Towns [Brattleboro & Marlboro Vermont] vote [03/04/08] for Bush, Cheney indictments" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/05/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - March 6th, 2008: "Stocks gained the most in a week on Wednesday [03/05/08] as a rally in commodity producers overshadowed speculation that Ambac Financial Group Inc.'s plan to raise $1.5 billion will fail to salvage the bond insurer. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Commodities rally leads to biggest gains in a week), p. C5, S.L.P.D., 03/06/08]
2008 - Trivia / Vaccines & Autism - March 6th, 2008: "Vaccine may have led to autism-like symptoms [in Georgia girl]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article by Marilynn Marchione, p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/06/08]
2008 - Contaminated Heparin / U.S.A. - March 6th, 2008: "Some of Baxter International's recalled blood thinner heparin contained large amounts of a contaminant that might explain hundreds of serious side effects. And the government said Wednesday [03/05/08] it's investigating whether what appears to be a fake ingredient got there by accident or by fraud. [....] Baxter said the contaminant further points suspicion at ingredient suppliers in China, which are under scrutiny after a wave of recalls involving food, drug and toy imports." [Based on: News Services article (Recalled blood thinner carried contaminant), p A6, S.L.P.D., 03/06/08]
2008 - Record Prices / Crude Oil, U.S.A. - March 6th, 2008: "Oil prices moved to a new record on Wednesday [03/05/08] after the OPEC cartel decided to keep its production unchanged, ignoring calls from President George W. Bush to pump more oil into an ailing economy. [NP] Crude oil for April delivery reached a record on Wednesday, settling at $104.52 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, up $5, or 5 percent. [....]" [Based on: New York Times article (OPEC ignores Bush; oil hits record / U.S. PRESIEDENT SAYS: It would be a 'mistake' to not increase supplies in effort to aid economy. / OPEC PRESIDENT SAYS: There's 'mismanagement' in U.S. economy; blames speculators for oil prices.) by Jad Mouawad, p D1, S.L.P.D., 03/06/08]
2008 - Man-Made Flood / Crand Canyon - March 6th, 2008: "Man-made flood flows through the Grand Canyon [03/05/08] / Water released from Lake Powell is meant to restore natural sandbars, ecosystem." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/06/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / Turkey & Iraq - March 6th, 2008: "Turkey bombs and shells Kurds in northern Iraq [03/05/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A10, S.L.P.D., 03/06/08]
2008 - Resumed / Natural Gas Supplies, Ukraine - March 6th, 2008: "Natural gas supplies to Ukraine to be resumed [Gazprom said Wednesday - 03/05/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A10, S.L.P.D., 03/06/08]
2008 - Reusing Needles & Syringes / Nevada Clinic, U.S.A. - March 6th, 2008: "[....] In Las Vegas, clinic staff told inspectors they had been ordered by management to reuse the vials and syringes. Brian Labus, senior epidemiologist at the Southern Nevada Health District, described the practice as an unwritten but long-practiced policy. [NP] Investigators were told the practice was an attempt to cut costs, according to a letter of complaint from the city." [Based on: A.P. article (40,000 affected by scandal over needles / Clinic in Las Vegas was reusing needles and syringes.), p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/06/08]
2008 - Back On-line / "Earth Observatory" Website Data - March 6th, 2008: Website observed back on-line 03/06/08. However [for part of the day], all four Natural Hazards "map icons" linked to events dated either February 6th [Plume from Anatahan, Severe Tornadoes in the Southern United States], or February 7th [Floods in Bolivia, Cyclone Hondo]. Below the map, these events were listed under the heading: "This Week's Events" Updated information was observed the following day. Example: Tropical Cyclone Jowke & Fires in Kenya were dated March 7th events. - D.R.D.
*Link: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/ - T.D. 03/06/08 - approximately 8:15 p.m. C.S.T.
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - March 7th, 2008: "Stocks fell to an 18-month low on Thursday [03/06/08], led by banks, after house foreclosures climbed to a record and loan defaults by Thornburg Mortgage Inc. and a Carlyle Group bond fund spurred concern that credit losses are deepening. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (House foreclosures, defaults drag shares to an 18-month low), p. B9, S.L.P.D., 03/07/08]
2008 - Baghdad Blasts / Iraq - March 7th, 2008: "Two bombs blew up in quick succession along a commercial street in central Baghdad on Thursday [03/06/08], killing at least 53 people in the deadliest attack in the capital in more than a month. [....] Some Iraqi officials described the devices as roadside bombs while others said they were car bombs. The U.S. military said one of the explosions may have been a suicide attack. [....] Iraqi Interior Ministry officials and hospital officials said 53 people were killed and 130 wounded, but the U.S. military said 39 people died, including one Iraqi police officer, while 58 people were wounded. [....] The location and method of the explosions suggest they could be the work of the Sunni insurgent group al-Qaida in Iraq. [NP] 'They are targeting us because they believe we are infidels - that we are going to hell and they are going to heaven when they kill us,' said Walaa Ahmed Ali, 27, who owns a barbershop. 'They are brainwashed.' " [Based on: Washington Post article, p A5, S.L.P.D., 03/07/08]
*Trivia: "[....] Authorities said the death count had increased to 68 people and that 120 others were injured in the Thursday evening attack, which targeted the Karada shopping and residential district. Fatalities rose steadily overnight as patients suffering severe burns and shrapnel wounds died. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Residents mourn after 68 die in suicide attack), p A23, S.L.P.D., 03/08/08]
2008 - Lobbying for Coal / U.S.A. - March 7th, 2008: "Coal sees red over green / As environmental politics take hold in Washington, Peabody lines up lobbyists for counterattack." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for St. Louis Post-Dispatch Washington Bureau article, p A1, S.L.P.D., 03/07/08]
2008 - Homeowner Equity / U.S.A. - March 7th, 2008: "Americans' percentage of equity in their houses fell below 50 percent for the first time on record since 1945, the Federal Reserve said Thursday [03/06/08]. Homeowners' portion of equity slipped to downwardly revised 49.6 percent in the second quarter of 2007, the central bank reported in its quarterly U.S. Flow of Funds Accounts, and declined further to 47.9 percent in the fourth quarter - the third straight quarter it was under 50 percent. [NP] That marks the first time homeowners' debt on their houses exceeds their equity since the Fed started tracking the data in 1945. [NP] The total value of equity also fell for the third straight quarter to $9.65 trillion from a downwardly revised $9.93 trillion in the third quarter. [NP] Home equity, which is equal to the percentage of a house's market value minus mortgage-related debt, has steadily decreased even as house prices jumped earlier this decade due to a surge in cash-out refinances, home equity loans and lines of credit and an increase in 100 percent or more house financing. [NP] Economists expect this figure to drop even further as declining house prices eat into the value of most Americans' single largest asset. [NP] Moody's Economy.com estimates that 8.8 million homeowners, or about 10.3 percent of houses, will have zero or negative equity by the end of the month. Even more disturbing, about 13.8 million households, or 15.9 percent, will be 'upside down' if prices fall 20 percent from their peak. [NP] The latest Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller index showed U.S. house prices plunging 8.9 percent in the final quarter of 2007 compared with the previous year, the steepest decline in the 20-year history of the index." [Based on: A.P. article (Homeowner equity dips below 50 percent) by J.W. Elphinstone, p B3, S.L.P.D., 03/07/08] - [My brackets. NP = New paragraph. - D.R.D.]
2008 - Gunman / Jerusalem Yeshiva - March 7th, 2008: "[....] The gunman, armed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle, a pistol and an ammunition belt, walked through the main gate of the Merkaz Harav Yeshiva, entered the library and opened fire during an evening study session, police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld said. [NP] Eight students, all thought to be of high school aged [< typo?], were killed. At least 10 more were wounded, at least three seriously, according to Israeli emergency workers. [NP] Israeli media reports said the attacker came from east Jerusalem, the predominantly Palestinian section of the city whose residents carry identification cards that allow them relatively easy passage throughout Israel. [....] Israel's Ynet news site, affiliated with the country's largest paper, Yedioth Ahronoth, reported that a previously unknown militant group in northern Israel was behind the attack. The group, identified as the Free Galilee Brigades, said the attack was a response to the assassination of Hezbollah leader Imad Mughniyah last month. [NP] The claim could not be independently confirmed." [Based on: Cox News Service article, p A9, S.L.P.D., 03/07/08]
2008 - Trivia / U.S. Pending House Sales - March 7th, 2008: "Industry data released Thursday [03/06/08] show January pending U.S. house sales were below analysts' expectations and remained at the second-lowest reading on record. [....]" [Based on: Title for article (HOUSE SALES / Figures dissapoint), p B2, S.L.P.D., 03/07/08]
2008 - Explosion / NYC Recruiting Office - March 7th, 2008: "Bomb hits recruiting office in NYC [03/06/08] / Letters claiming 'We did it' arrive on Capitol Hill. Blast may be linked to earlier attacks." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A2, S.L.P.D., 03/07/08]
2008 - Geology Trivia / The Grand Canyon - March 7th, 2008: "[....] The Grand Canyon often is referred to as about 6 million years old - but its western half actually began to open at least 17 million years ago, a University of New Mexico team reports today in the journal Science. [....] Dating the canyon's carving has been difficult because it has largely depended on evidence from exposed rock and mineral deposits that themselves erode over time. [NP] The University of New Mexico team tried a new technique: Testing formations inside the numerous caves that line the Grand Canyon - protected formations less susceptible to erosion that form at the water table. Cave specialist Carol Hill said they should provide a record of how the water table dropped over time as the canyon was cut deeper and deeper. [....] The findings: The western side of what is now the Grand Canyon started forming about 17 million years ago, and initial erosion was fairly slow and steady - a couple of inches every thousand years. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Grand Canyon may be older than generally thought / It may also have started out as two canyons.) by Lauran Neergaard, p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/07/08]
2008 - Charged / "Merchant of Death" - March 7th, 2008: "[....] Viktor Bout and an associate were apprehended [03/06/08] while in the final stages of a deal to sell millions of dollars of missles and rocket launchers. The buyers were U.S. undercover agents who Bout believed were with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia, or FARC, a Marxist guerrilla group that has fought Columbian authorities for 40 years, prosecutors said. [....] Bout and his associate, Andrew Smulian, are chared with conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Garcia [U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia] declined to say where Bout, a former Soviet air force officer, was living before his arrest. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article ('Merchant of death' caught in sting / The arms dealer thought he was negotiating to sell weapons to revolutionaries, authorities say.), p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/07/08]
2008 - $10.2 Million Fine? / Southwest Airlines - March 7th, 2008: "Federal regulators said Thursday [03/06/08] that they will seek a civil penalty of $10.2 million - the largest ever - against Southwest Airlines Co. for failing to inspect older planes for cracks and then flying them before inspections were done. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Southwest Airlines hit with $10.2 million fine), p B2, S.L.P.D., 03/07/08]
2008 - Tropical Cyclone Jokwe / Madagascar - March 7th, 2008: "The compact Tropical Cyclone Jokwe had just skimmed past northern Madagascar and was moving south into the Mozambique Channel when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured this photo-like image on March 7, 2008. [....] At the time MODIS acquired this image on the afternoon of March 7, Jokwe had winds estimated at 160 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour or 85 knots) with gusts to 190 km/hr (120 mph or 105 knots), said the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. [....]"
[Based on: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14731&src=map]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - March 8th, 2008: "Stocks fell for a second day on Friday [03/07/08] after the biggest drop in jobs since 2003 sent energy and mining stocks lower, overshadowing an advance in banks spurred by a Federal Reserve plan to make more cash available to lenders. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (S&P dips to lowest since August '06; Dow falls below 12,000), p. A35, S.L.P.D., 03/08/08]
2008 - Alert / Near Earth Object - March 8th, 2008: "A small asteroid discovered just yesterday and provisionally named '8E4BDB1' will fly past Earth tonight at a distance of only 100,000 miles. Using an ephemeris from the Minor Planet Center, advanced amateur astronomers may be able to find and photograph the space rock racing among the stars. [....]" [Based on: http://spaceweather.com/] - [T.D. - 03/08/08]
2008 - Translation / Darwin Gross - March 8th, 2008: "[....] On Saturday, March 8th 2008, at 10:35 a.m. PST, Darwin Gross died at the age of 80 years old, leaving behind a legacy of spiritual knowledge. According to the ATOM website, 'Darwin’s Living Trust provides that his writings, music and unpublished works shall be held in trust to carry on his memory and life’s work as well as his predecessor’s, Sri Paul Twitchell. The Teachings will continue to be made available to those who are interested in this most direct path to God.' [....]"
[Based on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin_Gross] - [T.D. - 11/15/08]
*Links: http://www.atom.org/
2008 - Record Oil Prices / U.S.A. - March 8th, 2008: "Oil hits $106 a barrel before settling [03/07/08]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A34, S.L.P.D., 03/08/08]
2008 - Hearing Problems / U.S. Soldiers - March 8th, 2008: "Soldiers and Marines caught in roadside bombings and firefights in Iraq and Afghanistan are coming home in epidemic numbers with permanent hearing loss and ringing in their ears, prompting the military to redouble its efforts to protect the troops from noise. [NP] Hearing damage is the No. 1 disability in the war on terrorism, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and some experts say the true toll could take decades to become clear. Nearly 70,000 of the more than 1.3 million troops who have served in the two war zones are collecting disability for tinnitus, a potentially debilitating ringing in the ears, and more than 58,000 are on disability for hearing loss, the VA said. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Sounds of war can leave soldiers in silence), p A18, S.L.P.D., 03/08/08]
2008 - Murdered / Basque Politician, Spain - March 8th, 2008: "Basque politician [former city councilman Isaias Carrasco] killed in attack in Spain [03/07/08]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A23, S.L.P.D., 03/08/08]
2008 - Invaded & Damaged / Monsanto seed Facility, Brazil - March 8th, 2008: "Monsanto seed facility in Brazil invaded, damaged [03/07/08]" [Based on: Title for Bloomberg News article, p A34, S.L.P.D., 03/08/08]
2008 - Sounds Alarm on Global Warming / European Union - March 8th, 2008: "BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / European Union sounds alarm on global warming" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A23, S.L.P.D., 03/08/08]
2008 - Solar Wind Stream - March 9th, 2008: "Sky watchers around the Arctic Circle should be alert for auroras tonight. Earth is entering a solar wind stream and this could cause high-latitude geomagnetic storms: [....]" [Based on: http://spaceweather.com/] - [T.D. - 03/09/08]
2008 - Electoral Upset / Malaysia - March 9th, 2008: "Ruling coalition suffers biggest electoral upset [03/08/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A12, S.L.P.D., 03/09/08]
2008 - Falling Apart / Serbian Government - March 9th, 2008: "Serbian government falls apart / Prime minister plans to dissolve government, and president calls for new elections in flap over Kosovo's independence." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for New York Times article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/09/08]
2008 - Vetoed / Bill Outlawing Torture, U.S.A. - March 9th, 2008: "President vetoes bill outlawing torture [03/08/08] / Tough interrogation methods are 'valuable tools in the war on terror,' Bush says." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Los Angeles Times article by Richard A. Serrano, p A7, S.L.P.D., 03/09/08]
*Trivia: "[....] The 225-188 House roll [03/11/08] call was 51 votes short of the two-thirds majority required to overturn a veto." [Based on: News Services article (House fails to override veto of torture bill), p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/12/08]
2008 - Seeks Independence / Georgian Region - March 9th, 2008: "Georgian region seeks independence [03/07/08], cites Kosovo" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/09/08]
2008 - Terrorist Plot / China - March 10th, 2008: "Olympic plot foiled, China says [03/09/08] / Separately, a flight crew stopped an alleged attempt last week to crash a jetliner heading to Beijing." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/10/08]
2008 - New Law / Zimbabwe - March 10th, 2008: "Whites can't control business under new law" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/10/08]
2008 - Trivia / Pakistani Government - March 10th, 2008: "Pakistani courts could be restored / Election winners vow [03/09/08] to reverse Musharraf's firings, agree to form coalition government" [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A1, S.L.P.D., 03/10/08]
2008 - New Housing OK'd / West Bank - March 10th, 2008: "[....] The United States has called settlement expansion an impediment to peace. [....]" [Based on: Los Angeles Times article (New Housing OK'd for West Bank settlement), p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/10/08]
2008 - Federal Mortgage Inquiry / U.S.A. - March 10th, 2008: "Countrywide [Countrywide Financial Corp.] among firms [as many as 15 companies] in federal mortgage inquiry" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A6, S.L.P.D., 03/10/08]
2008 - Given Obama his Edge? / Black Voters - March 10th, 2008: "Black voters have given Obama his edge / They're going to polls in greater numbers than in the past, and 80 percent or more are backing the Illinois senator." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/10/08]
2008 - Backed Ecuador's President / FARC - March 10th, 2008: "FARC backed Ecuador's president, files [published Sunday - 03/09/08] suggest" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/10/08]
2008 - Road to Riches / Real Estate, Cambodia - March 10th, 2008: "Real estate is road to riches in Cambodia / Slum-dwellers are forced off land suddenly worth developing." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A9, S.L.P.D., 03/10/08]
2008 - Laced with Drug Residue / U.S. Drinking Water - March 10th, 2008: "[....] In the course of a five-month inquiry, the AP discovered that drugs have been detected in the drinking water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas - from Southern California to Northern New Jersey, from Detroit to Louisville, Ky. [NP] St. Louis was not included in AP's report. St. Louis-area water quality officials were not available for comment Sunday [03/09/08]. [....] The situation is undoubtedly worse than suggested by the positive test results in the major population centers documented by the AP. [....] The AP's investigation also indicates that watersheds, the natural sources of most of the nation's water supply, also are contaminated. Tests were conducted in the watersheds of 35 of the 62 major providers surveyed by the AP, and pharmaceuticals were detected in 28. [....] Pharmaceuticals in waterways are damaging wildlife across the nation and around the globe, research shows. Notably, male fish are being feminized, creating egg yolk proteins, a process usually restricted to females. Pharmaceuticals also are affecting sentinel species at the foundation of the pyramid of life - such as earth worms in the wild and zooplankton in the laboratory, studies show. [NP] Some scientists stress that the research is extremely limited, and there are too many unknowns. They say, though, that the documented health problems in wildlife are disconcerting." [Based on: A.P. article (U.S. drinking water is laced with drug residue / Impact on people of trace amounts of pharmaceuticals is unclear.) by Martha Mendoza & Justin Pritchard, p A2, S.L.P.D., 03/10/08]
2008 - Linked to Bad Water / Ex-Haliburton Contractor - March 10th, 2008: "[....] The Defense Department's inspector general's report, which could be released as early as today, found water quality problems [in Iraq] from March 2004 to February 2006 at three sites run by contractor KBR Inc., and from January 2004 to December 2006 at two military-operated locations. Halliburton was then KBR's parent company." [Based on: News Services article (Ex-Haliburton contractor is linked to bad water), p A6, S.L.P.D., 03/10/08]
2008 - Re-Elected / Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapoatero, Spain - March 10th, 2008: "Socialist prime minister [Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapoatero] wins re-election [03/09/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/10/08]
2008 - Deadly Attacks / Iraq - March 11th, 2008: "Attacks [in Iraq] kill 8 U.S. soldiers [03/10/08] / Bombings may indicate activity by Sunni insurgents." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS article, p A7, S.L.P.D., 03/11/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - March 11th, 2008: "Stocks fell for a third day Monday [03/10/08] to the lowest level since 2006, led by a plunge in financial shares. [....] The Dow Jones industrial average lost 153.54, or 1.3 percent, to 11,740.15. The Nasdaq composite index decreased 43.15, or 2 percent, to 2,169.34. [....] Bear Stearns, the second-biggest underwriter of mortgage-backed bonds, tumbled $7.78, or 11 percent, to $62.30, its steepest drop since October 1987. [....] Financial companies in the S&P 500 have dropped 20 percent this year, dragged down by the subprime-mortgage market. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Financial shares slide to lowest since 2006), p. C3, S.L.P.D., 03/11/08]
2008 - Call Girl Case / Eliot Spitzer - March 11th, 2008: "Gov. Eliot Spitzer's political career teetered on the brink of collapse Monday [03/10/08] after the corruption-fighting politician once known as 'Mr. Clean' was accused of paying for a romp with a high-priced call girl. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (New York governor tarnishes 'Mr. Clean' image in call girl case), p A1, S.L.P.D., 03/11/08]
*Trivia: "Sources say Spitzer was a serial tryster / Embattled New York governor spent perhaps up to $80,000 on prostitutes, investigators say." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article by Michael Gormley], p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/12/08]
*Trivia: "Call girl scandal forces Spitzer out / New York governor says he'll resign office effective next week." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Cox News Service article, p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/13/08]
2008 - Sued / Executive Branch, U.S.A. - March 11th, 2008: "[....] The committee's action [03/10/08] marked the first time in U.S. history that either chamber of Congress has sued the Executive Branch to enforce a subpoena. [....] The House passed the contempt citation by a vote of 223-32 after most Republicans boycotted the proceeding. [....] The lawsuit says the year-long investigation 'has uncovered substantial evidence' that the Bush administration and Justice Department 'incited partisan considerations into the forced resignations or retention of U.S. attorneys.' " [Based on: Washington Post article (House committee sues to force Bush aides to testify), p A2, S.L.P.D., 03/11/08]
2008 - Launch / Space Shuttle Endeavour - March 11th, 2008: "Early this morning at 02:28 EDT, space shuttle Endeavour roared into the starry sky over Kennedy Space Center; it was a rare and breathtaking nighttime launch. [....]" [Based on: http://spaceweather.com/] - [T.D. - 03/11/08]
2008 - Supporting Terrorism? / Venezuela - March 11th, 2008: "Venezuela could be listed as supporting terrorism" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/11/08]
2008 - No Al-Qaida Link? / Saddam Hussein - March 11th, 2008: "An exhaustive review of more than 600,000 Iraqi documents that were captured after the 2003 U.S. invasion has found no evidence that Saddam Hussein's regime had any operational links with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terrorist network. [NP] The Pentagon-sponsored study, scheduled for release later this week, did confirm that Saddam's regime provided some support to other terrorist groups, particularly in the Middle East, U.S. officials told McClatchy Newspapers. [NP] President George W. Bush and his aides used Saddam's alleged relationship with al-Qaida, along with Iraq's supposed weapons of mass destruction, as arguments for invading Iraq after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks." [Based on: News Services article (Saddam had no link to al-Qaida, study says), p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/11/08]
2008 - Israeli Airstrikes & Raids Halted / Gaza Strip - March 11th, 2008: "Israel halts airstrikes and raids in Gaza ['after a decrease of rocket attacks ... in recent days.']" [Based on: Title for Los Angeles Times article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/11/08]
2008 - Deadly Sins List Updated / Catholic Church - March 11th, 2008: "In olden days, the deadly sins included lust, gluttony and greed. Now, the Catholic Church says pollution, mind-damaging drugs and genetic experiments are on its updated thou-shalt-not list. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Sins include social ills now, Vatican official says), p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/11/08]
2008 - Acquitted in Money Transfers / Imelda Marcos - March 11th, 2008: "Imelda Marcos acquitted in money transfers [32 counts of illegal money transfers to bank accounts in Switzerland between 1968 and 1976]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/11/08]
2008 - Captured in Venezuela / Drug Suspect Wanted by U.S. - March 11th, 2008: "Drug suspect [Armando Gonzalez Apushana] wanted by U.S. is captured [03/08/08] in Venezuela" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/11/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - March 12th, 2008: "Stocks rallied the most in five years Tuesday [03/11/08] after the Federal Reserve said it will pump $200 billion into the financial system to shore up banks. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Fed primes pump, market rallies the most in 5 years), p. B5, S.L.P.D., 03/12/08]
2008 - Trade Deficit Grows / U.S.A. - March 12th, 2008: "THE ECONOMY / U.S. trade deficit grows [58.2 billion in January]" [Based on: Title for article, p B2, 03/12/08]
2008 - Deadly Roadside Bomb / Iraq - March 12th, 2008: "A roadside bomb ripped into a bus carrying mourners home to the southern city of basra after they attended a funeral in Najaf on Tuesday [03/11/08], killing 16 of them and injuring between 13 and 22, police said. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Deadly bomb strikes mourners on bus), p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/12/08]
2008 - Protest March / Tibetan Exiles - March 12th, 2008: "About a hundred Tibetan exiles on a six-month protest march to their homeland defied the Indian government's orders to halt Tuesday [03/11/08], and could be headed for a conflict with the local police. [NP] The protestors, most of them monks and nuns, began their march on Monday [03/10/08], the anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet in 1959, and planned to walk 13 miles today despite a restraining order the Indian government issued Monday evening, organizers of the march said." [Based on: News Services article (Tibetan protestors defy ban, continue march), p A12, S.L.P.D., 03/12/08]
2008 - Fined / 3 A.G. Edwards Brokers - March 12th, 2008: "An administration law judge with the Securities and Exchange Commission ordered three brokers with the former A.G. Edwards brokerage firm to pay fines and give up money netted in a market timing scheme based in Massachusetts and Florida. [NP] In May, A.G. Edwards agreed to pay $3.86 million in fines to settle federal charges that it failed to supervise brokers in the scheme, which involved frequent trades in clients' mutual fund accounts. Trades occurred from September 2001 until September 2003. [....]" [Based on: Title for article (SEC punishes 3 A.G. Edwards brokers over market timing scheme), p B2, S.L.P.D., 03/12/08]
2008 - Lucrative Contract / John Ashcroft - March 12th, 2008: "Ashcroft denies conflict at hearing on contract [03/11/08] / $27 million - The least his firm will be paid by a company [Zimmer Holdings Inc.] a U.S. attorney assigned him to monitor." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for S.L.P.D. Washington Bureau article, p A1, 03/12/08]
2008 - Suicide Bombings / Lahore, Pakistan - March 12th, 2008: "2 suicide bombings [03/11/08] kill dozens [at least 31 people - and injured 200] in Pakistan [Lahore] / Opposition leaders say they want to negotiate with militants." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Chicago Tribune article, p A11, S.L.P.D., 03/12/08]
2008 - Google Acquisition / Doubleclick Inc. - March 12th, 2008: "DOUBLECLICK / Google completes buy [03/11/08]" [Based on: Title for article, p B2, S.L.P.D., 03/12/08]
2008 - Asbestos Cleanup / W.R. Grace & Co. - March 12th, 2008: "W.R. Grace / A $250 million cleanup [cleanup of abestos]" [Based on: Title for article, p B2, S.L.P.D., 03/12/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Vanuatu Region - March 12th, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 11:23:34 (UTC) on Wednesday, March 12th, 2008. The magnitude 6.4 event [Location: 16.627°S, 167.275°E; Depth 10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program] was located @ Region VANUATU."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008pdbs.php] - [T.D. - 03/16/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Vanuatu Region - March 12th, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 11::36:55 (UTC) on Wednesday, March 12th, 2008. The magnitude 6.3 event [Location: 16.480°S, 167.176°E; Depth 10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program] was located @ Region VANUATU."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008pmbl.php] - [T.D. - 03/16/08]
2008 - May Affect Transportation / Climate Change - March 12th, 2008: "[....] Climate change will affect every type of transportation through rising sea levels, increased rainfall and surges from more intense storms, the National Research Council said in a report released Tuesday [03/11/08]. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Warming may affect transportation / Forecast is for rising seas, frequent storms and stress on roads even as people crowd coastlines.) by Randolph E. Schmid, p A6, S.L.P.D., 03/12/08]
2008 - Russian Contribution / EU Military Mission - March 12th, 2008: "Russia will send copters to aid EU force in Chad ['The deployment would be the first direct Russian contribution to an EU military mission, an EU official said']" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A12, S.L.P.D., 03/12/08]
2008 - Early Retirement / U.S. Middle East Commander - March 12th, 2008: "U.S. commander in Mideast takes early retirement / Adm. Fallon [Adm. William Fallon] had seemed to disagree with White House politics in several areas, including Iran." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for New York Times article, p A2, S.L.P.D., 03/12/08]
2008 - Linked to Religion? / Wars in Iraq & Afghanistan - March 12th, 2008: "[....] Bush sprinkled religious messages throughout speech, tailored for his audience. By the end, he directly linked the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to religion. [NP] 'We undertake this work because we believe that every human being bears the image of our maker,' Bush said. 'That's why we're doing this. No one is fit to be a master, and no one deserves to be a slave.' [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Bush spotlights Iraq war, his role / As fifth anniversary nears, he emphasizes conviction that decision was right.), p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/12/08]
2008 - Will be Allowed to Phone Home / Guantanamo Bay Detainees - March 12th, 2008: "Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba / Detainees will be allowed to call their families" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A12, S.L.P.D., 03/12/08]
2008 - Truce in Gaza? - March 13th, 2008: "Israel sees a broad Iranian-driven effort to besiege it from the north through Hezbollah in Lebanon and from the south through Hamas, and fears a truce simply will give Hamas time to regroup and strengthen its fighting forces. [....] Palestinian militants have adopted the term tahida (pronounced TAH-dee-ah) ['which in Arabic meas a loosley defined period of calm that falls short of a formal cease-fire.'] as an alternative to 'hudna' - a legal concept dating to the birth of Islam. It refers to a truce of a fixed duration, usually between Muslims and non-Muslims. [....] Some Hamas officials proposed a hudna with Israel after their group won Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006. But Israel demanded full recognition as a condition for doing business. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article, p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/13/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - March 13th, 2008: "Stocks fell Wednesday [03/12/08] for the fourth time in five days on concern the Federal Reserve will fail to prevent a recession as oil climbed above $110 a barrel, pushing down refiners, retailers and banks. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Roiling oil and financials send stocks south again), p. C3, S.L.P.D., 03/13/08]
2008 - Makeover / Wrigley's Gum - March 13th, 2008: "WM. WRIGLEY / Packaging, flavor are getting a makeover" [Based on: Article title, p C2, S.L.P.D., 03/13/08]
2008 - Rocket Attack / Southern Iraq - March 13th, 2008: "Rocket attack kills 3 U.S. soldiers in southern Iraq [03/12/08] / A total of 12 American troops have died in attacks since Monday [03/10/08]" [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/13/08]
2008 - Key Admission / U.S. Beef Recall - March 13th, 2008: "Source of beef recall [president of Chino, Calif., meatpacking plant, Steve Mendell] makes key admission [03/12/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/13/08]
2008 - Flu Outbreak / Hong Kong, China - March 13th, 2008: "Hong Kong's government ordered Wednesday [03/12/08] that all kindergartens and primary schools be closed for two weeks amid a flu outbreak, shutting down classes for more than a half million students. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Flu outbreak leads to closing of schools), p A6, S.L.P.D., 03/13/08]
2008 - Trivia / French Trading Scandal - March 13th, 2008: "Second man [Manuel Zabraniecki] under suspicion in French trading scandal / Police take broker into custody in the wake of the stunning $7.6 billion loss." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Bloomberg News article, p C2, S.L.P.D., 03/13/08]
2008 - Planned Concert / Israeli & Arab Musicians - March 13th, 2008: "An orchestra of Israeli and Arab musicians will perform an opera by Wagner [August 23rd] in a Nazi-era theater to raise money for building a concert hall for Palestinians in the West Bank, the event's organizer said Wednesday [03/12/08]" [Based on: A.P. article (Benefit concert to unite Israeli, Arab musicians), p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/13/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Prince Edward Islands Region - March 13th, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 13:28:44 (UTC) on Thursday, March 13th, 2008. The magnitude 6.0 event [Location: 45.481°S, 35.052°E; Depth 10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program] was located @ PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDS REGION."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008pnc5.php] - [T.D. - 03/16/08]
2008 - Trivia / Indians' DNA - March 14th, 2008: "Nearly all of today's American Indians in North, Central and South America can trace part of their ancestry to six women whose descendants immigrated about 20,000 years ago, a DNA study suggests. [....] The six 'founding mothers' apparently did not live in Asia because the DNA signatures they left behind aren't found there, Perego [Ugo Perego] said. They probably lived in Beringia, the now-submerged land bridge that stretched to North America, he said. [....] The work was published this week by the journal PloS One. Perego is from the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation in Salt Lake City and the University of Pavia in Italy." [Based on: A.P. article (Indians' DNA reveals six 'mothers'), p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/14/08]
2008 - Peace Pact / Sudan & Chad - March 14th, 2008: "Leaders of Sudan, Chad sign peace pact [03/13/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A12, S.L.P.D., 03/14/08]
2008 - Roman Catholic Church / Qatar - March 14th, 2008: "[....] The consecration of the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, planned for Saturday, appears to be a sign of Qatar's efforts to open up to the West as it seeks a bid for the Olympic Games in 2016. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Roman Catholic church is allowed to open), p A12, S.L.P.D., 03/14/08]
2008 - Closed-Door Session / U.S. House - March 14th, 2008: "[....] The House was expected to openly debate and vote on the bill [surveillance bill] today. [....] Only five closed sessions have taken place in the House since 1825." [Based on: News Services article (House holds closed-door session [03/13/08] on eavesdropping), p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/14/08]
2008 - Trivia / Israeli-Palestinian Relations - March 14th, 2008: "Militants fire [more than a dozen rockets] on Israel [03/13/08] after Jihad leader [Mohammed Shehadeh] is slain [03/12/08] / No one was injured in the attack, but it underscores truce effort's fragility." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/14/08]
2008 - Civilian Deaths / U.S.-Led Attack, Pakistan - March 14th, 2008: "U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan fired across the border into Pakistan in a strike targeting Taliban militants, and the Pakistani army said Thursday [03/13/08] that civilians were killed. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (U.S.-led attack killed civilians, Pakistan says), p A6, S.L.P.D., 03/14/08]
2008 - Found Dead / Catholic Archbishop, Mosul, Iraq - March 14th, 2008: "Kidnapped archbishop [Chaldean Catholic archbishop, Paulos Faraj Rahho] is found dead [03/13/08] near Mosul, Iraq ['two weeks after he was kidnapped']" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A11, S.L.P.D., 03/14/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Bonin Islands, Japan Region - March 14th, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 22:32:14 (UTC) on Friday, March 14th, 2008. The magnitude 6.2 event [Location: 26.921°N, 142.628°E; Depth 42.1 km (26.2 miles)] was located @ BONIN ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008ppcy.php] - [T.D. - 03/16/08]
2008 - Accused of Embezzlement / Christopher J. Ward - March 14th, 2008: "The former treasurer of the National Republican Congressional Committee [Christopher J. Ward] diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars - and possibly as much as $1 million - of the organization's funds into his personal accounts, GOP officials said Thursday [03/13/08], alleging a scheme that could be one of the largest political frauds in recent history. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (GOP accuses ex-party official of embesslement), p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/14/08]
2008 - Resignation Announcement / U.S. Immigration Chief - March 14th, 2008: "Immigration chief [Emilio Gonzalez] to resign [April 18th]; calls move unrelated to fees" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A2, S.L.P.D., 03/14/08]
2008 - Solar Wind Stream - March 15th, 2008: " For the eighth day in a row, a solar wind stream is buffeting Earth's magnetic field and causing high-latitude geomagnetic storms. Sky watchers from Scandinavia to Alaska should remain alert for bright auroras [....]"
[Based on: http://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=15&month=03&year=2008]
2008 - Flooding / Namibia - March 15th, 2008: "[....] The rain brought a burst of green to northern Namibia as plants responded to the new abundance of water. The landscape went from tan-pink, the color of bare or sparsely vegetation ground, to bright green. For all that, the rain hurt Namibian agriculture more than it helped, said the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The 2007/08 crop was planted late because of a lack of rain only to get waterlogged in the later persistent heavy rains. The stunted crop was further decimated by a rain-induced outbreak of army worms, a fast-breeding pest that consumes all plants in its path, said the United Nations."
[Based on: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14750&src=map]
2008 - Boeing going foreign - March 15th, 2008: "[....] Boeing Co. said Friday [03/14/08] it is starting talks with the governments of both Brazil and Denmark about buying dozens of the St. Louis-built fighter jets. [....]" [Based on: S.L.P.D. article (Boeing going foreign / Having lost a U.S. Air Force contract to an overseas rival, Boeing goes overseas to pitch deals.), p A41, 03/15/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - March 15th, 2008: "Stocks plunged Friday [03/14/08] for the third day this week after Bear Stearns Cos. required a bailout from the Federal Reserve and JPMorgan Chase & Co. to avoid collapse. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Stocks fall, led by banks; Bear Stearns drops most ever), p. A43, S.L.P.D., 03/15/08]
2008 - Civil Unrest / Lhasa, Tibet - March 15th, 2008: "Tibet's capital [03/14/08] rocked by unrest ['highest level in two decades.']" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A28, S.L.P.D., 03/15/08]
*Trivia: "Tibet strife puts India in a difficult position" [Based on: Title for Los Angeles Times article, p A10, S.L.P.D., 03/15/08]
2008 - Guilty Plea / Richard Scruggs - March 15th, 2008: "Scruggs [Richard 'Dickie' Scruggs] pleads [03/14/08] guilty [''to conspiring to bribe a judge']" [Based on: Article title, p A40, S.L.P.D., 03/15/08]
2008 - Pollution Trivia / U.S. & China - March 15th, 2008: "EU warns U.S. and China [03/14/08] of sanctions over pollution" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A29, S.L.P.D., 03/15/08]
2008 - Repudiated / Anti-Aging Research - March 15th, 2008: "Anti-aging research [by Kim Tae-kook - South Korea] repudiated [officials said Friday - 03/14/08]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A30, S.L.P.D., 03/15/08]
2008 - Verge of Failing? / Bear Stearns Cos. - March 15th, 2008: "BEAR STEARNS IS ON VERGE OF FAILING / A rescue [03/14/08] raises fear about others / JPMorgan and the Federal Reserve save the company, but it raises questions about rival financial companies." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, S.L.P.D., p A41, 03/15/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / U.S. & Venezuela - March 15th, 2008: "Chavez dares U.S. [03/14/08] to put Venezuela on terror list" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A29, S.L.P.D., 03/15/08]
2008 - More than Tripled / Price of Wheat, U.S.A. - March 15th, 2008: "[....] The price of wheat has more than tripled over the past 10 months, making Americans' daily bread - and bagels and pizza and pasta - feel a little like luxury items. And baked goods aren't the only ones getting more expensive: experts expect some 80 percent of grocery prices will spike, too, and could remain steep for years because wheat and other grains are used for feed. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Wheat cost soars, groceries to follow), p A25, S.L.P.D., 03/15/08]
2008 - Credit Rating Cut / Washington Mutual Inc. - March 15th, 2008: "Moody's Investors Service cut Washington Mutual Inc.'s credit rating Friday [03/14/08] and said the country's largest savings and loan will need at least $4 billion more than expected to cover bad mortgages. [NP] Moody's said its action reflects a 'rapid deterioration' of the housing market." [Based on: Article (Moody's cuts rating), p A40, S.L.P.D., 03/15/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Off West Coast of Northern Sumatra - March 15th, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 14:43:29 (UTC) on Saturday, March 15th, 2008. The magnitude 6.2 event [Location: 2.829°N, 94.590°E; Depth 35 km (21.7 miles) set by location program] was located @ OFF THE WEST COAST OF NORTHERN SUMATRA."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008pqa7.php] - [T.D. - 03/16/08]
2008 - Flooding / Bolivia - March 16th, 2008: "The floods that swept across Bolivia starting in December 2007 persisted into March 2008. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured the top image of the floods in northern Bolivia on March 16, 2008. In some places, the floods had started to subside slowly, but others, such as low-lying areas along the northern border, were bracing for more severe flooding, reported the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on March 14. [....]"
[Based on: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14748&src=map]
2008 - Foreign Relations / China & Tibet - March 16th, 2008: "China moves to quell Tibet uprisings [03/15/08] / At least 10 civilians have died and 30 have been injured, reports say." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A6, S.L.P.D., 03/16/08]
*Trivia: "Dalai Lama urges peaceful protests [03/16/08]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/17/08]
*Trivia: "China sends more troops [03/20/08] to assert control in Tibet" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A10, S.L.P.D., 03/15/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / U.S. & Pakistan - March 16th, 2008: "U.S. is backing away from Musharraf / Eager to keep Pakistan friendly, Washington talks to opposition." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A6, S.L.P.D., 03/16/08]
2008 - John McCain / Iraq - March 17th, 2008: "Sen. John McCain arrived in Iraq on Sunday morning on a trip that was described as a visit by an official congressional delegation but that also served to showcase his foreign policy credentials as he campaigns for the White House. [....]" [Based on: New York Times article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/17/08]
2008 - Leadership Role? / U.S.A. - March 17th, 2008: "Regaining leadership role is U.S. challenge / Next president should change approach to world, experts say" [Based on: Title & Subtitle for McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/17/08]
2008 - Socialist Gains / France - March 17th, 2008: "PARIS / Gains by Socialists shake ruling party" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/17/08]
2008 - Mercury Opposite Saturn - March 17th, 2008: "Date in history when Planet Mercury [3 Pisces] opposed Planet Saturn [3 Virgo]." *Link: http://www2.bitstream.net/~bunlion/bpi/ephm/E200803.html
2008 - Honor March / Riga, Latavia - March 17th, 2008: "Thousands marched ['procession of some 3,000 people'] through the capital Sunday [03/16/08] under heavy police protection to honor countrymen who fought in a German combat unit in World War II. [....] Soviet forces occupied the Baltic states of Latavia, Lithuania and Estonia in June 1940 but were driven out by the Germans a year later." [Based on: News Services article (RIGA, Latavia / March honors group who fought on Nazi side), p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/17/08]
2008 - Drone Missles? / Pakistan - March 17th, 2008: "Missles that witnesses say came from a drone flattened a suspected militant safehouse Sunday [03/16/08] in Pakistan's tribal area along the Afghan border. State television said the strike had killed about 20 people. [NP] Witnesses said the drone dropped seven missles on the compound about three miles outside Wana, the main town in South Waziristan. Only U.S.-led coalition forces in Afghanistan are known to operate drones in the region, and they have launched attacks over the pakistani border before. [NP] Meanwhile, FBI agents were among 12 people wounded in a weekend bomb blast at a popular Italian restaurant in Pakistan's capital, U.S. law enforcement officials said Sunday. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Drone destroys hideout of suspected militant), p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/17/08]
2008 - Mideast Trip / Dick Cheney - March 17th, 2008: "High gasoline prices and prospects for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal headline Vice President Dick Cheney's trip to the Mideast, but fears about Iran's rising influence will be a key topic of his private talks at each stop. [NP] Cheney left Sunday [03/16/08] on a 10-day trip that includes visits to Oman, Saudia Arabia, Israel, the Palestinian territories and Turkey. His trip coincides with the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, which has tainted the U.S. image in the Mideast and changed the balance of power in the region." [Based on: News Services article (Cheney will talk gasoline, peace in mideast visit), p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/17/08]
2008 - Many Iraqis Lack Basic Needs - March 17th, 2008: "Five years after the U.S.-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein, many Iraqis still lack access to basic health care, sanitation and clean water, the International Committee of the red Cross said today. [NP] The humanitarian situation in Iraq is among the most critical in the world, the Red Cross said. The conflict has worsened the impact of previous wars and years of international sanctions that caused severe hardship in the country. [NP] The red Cross said Iraqi officials estimated that more than 2,200 doctors and nurses had been killed and more than 250 kidnapped since 2003. Of the 34,000 doctors registered in 1990, at least 20,000 have left the country." [Based on: News Services article (Red Cross finds Iraqis lack basic needs), p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/17/08]
2008 - JPMorgan Buyout / Bear Stearns - March 17th, 2008: "JPMorgan Chase said Sunday [03/17/08] it will acquire rival Bear Stearns for a bargain-basement $236.2 million - or $2 a share - a stunning collapse for one of the world's largest and most storied investment banks. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Collapse of Wall St. bank leads to buyout / Bear Stearns to be sold at $2 a share; Fed makes rare weekend moves.), p A1, S.L.P.D., 03/17/08]
*Trivia: "JPMorgan Chase & Co. is making it pretty tough for anyone else to launch a bid for Bear Stearns Cos., according to a regulatory filing Thursday [03/20/08]. [....]" [Based on: Article (BEAR STEARNS BUYOUT / JPMorgan blocks others), p B2, S.L.P.D., 03/21/08]
*Trivia: "[....] In exchange for the higher-priced offer [about $10 a share], Bear Stearns agreed to sell 95 million newly issued shares to JPMorgan. That gave JPMorgan a 39.5 percent stake, providing an almost certain majority in any shareholder vote. [NP] JPMorgan, the nation's third-largest commercial bank, also renegotiated the Federal Reserve's role in the offer. The central bank originally agreed to guarantee $30 billion of Bear Stearns assets, including risky mortgage-backed securities. JPMorgan said it will now take on the first $1 billion of losses, while the Fed backs the rest. [NP] JPMorgan Chief Executive Jamie Dimon, who needs only another 10.5 percent of shareholders to approve the takeover, appears to have outflanked any other deals. The agreement, filed with regulators last week, prohibits Bear Stearns employees or directors from soliciting any alternative transactions. [NP] Investors agreed with his tactics, sending JPMorgan shares up 58 cents to $45.55. [NP] Bear Stearns shareholders, meanwhile, are expected to vote on the deal within the next few months." [Based on: A.P. article (JPMorgan ups its Bear Stearns bid / Offer gives investment bank 40 percent of Bear Stearns, blunting threat of another deal.) by Joe Bel Bruno, pp. C1 & C2, S.L.P.D., 03/25/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / Columbia & Venezuela - March 17th, 2008: "Tens of thousands of Columbians and Venezuelans flocked to a border bridge [Simon Bolivar bridge] on Sunday [03/16/08] for a free concert that Grammy-winning rocker Juanes organized to help heal the worst rift in Andean relations in decades. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Concert on bridge seeks to ease nations' quarrel), p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/17/08]
2008 - Civil Unrest / Kosovo - March 18th, 2008: "Kosovo Serbs clash with peacekeepers [03/17/08] / Dozens of police officers and NATO troops are reported to be wounded." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for New York Times article, p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/18/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - March 18th, 2008: "Most stocks fell Monday [03/17/08] after careening between gains and losses, as investors rewarded JPMorgan Chase & Co. for its $2-a-share buyout of Bear Stearns Cos. and punished other banks on concern they are overvalued. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (JPMorgan Chase is rewarded; other banks are punished), p. C3, S.L.P.D., 03/18/08]
2008 - New Governor / New York - March 18th, 2008: "Thunderous applause [03/17/08] greets new governor [David Paterson - New York])" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/18/08]
2008 - New Parliament / Pakistan - March 18th, 2008: "New Pakistani parliament ['dominated by foes of President Pervez Musharraf'] is seated [inaugurated 03/17/08] / Foes of Musharraf are buoyant but have not agreed on a leader." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Los Angeles Times article, p A9, S.L.P.D., 03/18/08]
2008 - Acquisition / International Paper - March 18th, 2008: "International Paper will buy containerboard unit from Weyerhaeuser / The $6 billion deal, to be paid for through debt, leads to lowered outlook on buyer." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p C2, S.L.P.D., 03/18/08]
2008 - Suicide Bombing Suits? / Israel - March 18th, 2008: "Israel has cleared the way for its citizens to sue the Palestinian Authority over suicide bomb attacks, ruling that the Palestinian government does not represent a state that could avoid such suits. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Israelis allowed to sue over suicide bombings), p A9, S.L.P.D., 03/18/08]
2008 - Suicide Bomber / Karbala, Iraq - March 18th, 2008: "IRAQ WAR: 5 YEARS LATER / Suicide bomber [Karbala, Iraq] kills 40 [65 wounded] as Cheney, McCain visit" [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Chicago Tribune article, p A9, S.L.P.D., 03/18/08]
2008 - Board Expansion / New York Times - March 18th, 2008: "The New York Times Co. defused a standoff Monday [03/17/08] with its largest outside shareholder, Harbinger Capital, by agreeing to support two people nominated by the hedge fund as directors at its annual meeting next month. [NP] Harbinger had accumulated a 19 percent stake, rivaling that held by the Sulzberger family. The Sulzburgers still control the company through a class of shares that allow them to name 70 percent of the board." [Based on: Article (NEW YORK TIMES / Board to expand by two), p C2, S.L.P.D., 03/18/08]
2008 - Plan Dropped / 2nd Election, Florida - March 18th, 2008: "[....] Members of Florida's congressional delegation unanimously opposed the plan, and Barack Obama expressed concern about the security of a mail-in vote organized so quickly." [Based on: News Services article (Florida drops plan for another election), p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/18/08]
2008 - Resignation / Defense Minister, Albania - March 18th, 2008: "Defense minister [Fatmir Mediu, Albania] steps down [03/17/08] after explosions [03/15/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A9, S.L.P.D., 03/18/08]
2008 - CME Acquisition / Nymex Holdings Inc. - March 18th, 2008: "CME Group Inc., the world's largest futures market, agreed to acquire Nymex Holdings Inc. for $8.9 billion to add benchmark oil and natural gas futures to the contracts it offers. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (CME adds natural gas, oil futures from Nymex / $8.9 billion purchase also includes over-the-counter business.), p C1, S.L.P.D., 03/18/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Kermadec Islands Region - March 18th, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 08:22:48 (UTC) on Tuesday, March 18th, 2008. The magnitude 6.2 event [Location: 28.918°S, 177.474°W; Depth 25 km (15.5 miles) set by location program] was located @ KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008ptak.php] - [T.D. - 03/22/08]
2008 - Fined / Reebok - March 19th, 2008: "REEBOK / Fine for toxic lead levels in bracelets is $1 million" [Based on: Article Title, p B2, S.L.P.D., 03/19/08]
2008 - Gamma Ray Burst - March 19th, 2008: "On March 19th, astronomers witnessed a cosmic explosion so bright it was visible to the naked eye from a distance of 7.5 billion light years. [....]"
[Based on: http://spaceweather.com/] - [T.D. - 03/22/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - March 19th, 2008: "Stocks rallied the most in five years on Tuesday [03/18/08] as earnings from Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. allayed concern investment banks are collapsing and the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark rate [0.75 points]. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Lehman, Goldman earnings help ease fears, boost shares), p. B5, S.L.P.D., 03/19/08]
2008 - Airwaves Sale / U.S.A. - March 19th, 2008: - "The most lucrative airwaves sale in U.S. history ended Tuesday [03/18/08] with bids totaling $19.6 billion, underscoring demand from AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless for spectrum that will bolster Internet services on mobile phones. [NP] Revenue came in near the top of analysts' projections for as much as $20 billion. The Federal Communications Commission didn't disclose the winners of the 1,099 licenses on its website when it announced the close of bidding. [NP] AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Google Inc. and 211 others battled for airwaves that will speed up Internet access on phones, easing music and video downloads. The auction started Jan. 24, and the airwaves will become available when television broadcasters switch to digital signals next February." [Based on: Article (TELECOMMUNICATIONS / Airwaves sale is most lucrative in U.S. history), p B2, S.L.P.D., 03/19/08]
*Trivia: "[....] AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless combined to account for $16 billion of the $19.6 billion bid in the auction, an Associated Press analysis of the Federal Communications Commission data shows. Verizon Wireless bid $9.4 billion and AT&T $6.6 billion. [....]" [Based on: Article (AIRWAVES AUCTION / AT&T, Verizon buy big), p B2, S.L.P.D., 03/21/08]
2008 - Trivia / Misquote McCain - March 19th, 2008: "[....] After Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut who was traveling with McCain, whispered in the candidate's ear, McCain said: 'I'm sorry; the Iranians are training the extremists, not al-Qaida. Not al-Qaida. I'm sorry.' " [Based on: News Services article (McCain mistakenly refers to Iran as al-Qaida trainer), p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/19/08]
*Trivia: Al-Qaida in Iraq has been described as a Sunni insurgent group [See: Baghdad Blasts / Iraq - March 7th, 2008 - this timeline]. Iran is largely Shiite. - D.R.D.
2008 - Trivia / Post-Traumatic Stress - March 19th, 2008: "[....] The study appears in today's [03/19/08] Journal of the American Medical Association. Several study authors, including Ressler [Dr. Kerry Ressler], reported having financial ties to makers of psychiatric drugs. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Genes may play role in post-traumatic stress) by Lindsey Tanner, p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/19/08]
2008 - Eruption / Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii - March 19th, 2008: "Around 3:00 a.m. on March 19, 2008, Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupted explosively for the first time since 1924. [....]"
http://spaceweather.com/archive.php?PHPSESSID=3qqnou2h9ufkfpgisg0edrj682&month=03&day=24&year=2008&view=view
*Link:
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14754&src=map
2008 - Trivia / Mummified Dinosaur, Dakota - March 19th, 2008: "Team is uncovering rare mummified dinosaur [Dakota, a duckbilled dinosaur discovered in 1999 on a ranch in southwestern North Dakota & unearthed in 2004] / Fossilization preserved many of the soft-tissue structures, researcher says. / Researchers are slowly freeing a mummified dinosaur from a 65-million-year-old rock, using brushes and chisels" [Based on: Title, Subtitle & Illustrated Picture Caption for A.P. article, p A2, S.L.P.D., 03/19/08]
2008 - Five or More Medications / One-Third of U.S. Adults? - March 19th, 2008: "[....] Nearly one-third of adults take five or more medications. Many of them are getting those drugs from different physicians and pharmacies, making it difficult for any one medical professional to keep track of possible conflicts. Free-samples from physicians, over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements and vitamins make it easier for interactions to slip through the cracks. [....]" [Based on: Article (ONE THIRD of Americans take five or more medications. / ST.MARY'S HEALTH CENTER started a program to AVOID BAD INTERACTIONS) by Mary Jo Feldstein, pp. B1 & B6, S.L.P.D., 03/19/08]
2008 - No Civilian Deaths? / NATO Air Attack, Afghanistan - March 19th, 2008: "NATO denies [03/18/08] civilians died in air attack [03/17/08] on militants [southern Hemland province]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. A11, S.L.P.D., 03/19/08]
2008 - National Archives Release / Hillary Clinton Schedules [as first lady] - March 19th, 2008: "National Archives releases Hillary Clinton schedules [as first lady]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A4, S.L.P.D., 03/19/08]
2008 - John McCain / Israel - March 20th, 2008: "[....] The only thing not on McCain's agenda was a meeting with the Palestinian leaders who are central to the peace process. The most McCain was willing to offer was a courtesy phone call to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. [NP] 'I would have loved that he showed up,' Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said. 'He called the president last night. Maybe one day Palestinians will have money for your campaigns in the United States.' [....]" [Based on: McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS article (McCain meets with leaders in Israel), p A12, S.L.P.D., 03/20/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - March 20th, 2008: "Stocks retreated Wednesday [03/19/08], erasing half of Tuesday's rally, after plunging commodity prices sent oil and mining companies lower and an insurer tried to cancel $3.1 billion in protection on Merrill Lynch & Co. mortgage bonds. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Commodities drop, taking along half of Tuesday's gain), p. C3, S.L.P.D., 03/20/08]
2008 - Sun in Aries - March 20th, 2008: "Reported date when the Sun entered the constellation Aries" [Based on: http://www2.bitstream.net/~bunlion/bpi/ephm/E200803.html]
2008 - MON810 Ban / France - March 20th, 2008: "[....] The Conseil d'Etat in Paris Wednesday [03/19/08] ruled that France's Agriculture Ministry had the right to suspend cultivation of an insect-resistent corn seed known in Europe as MON810. [....] The modified corn plant that was banned produces Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, a naturally occurring substance that kills insects when they eat it. [NP] The seed, sold in the U.S. since 1997 under the brand name YieldGard Corn Borer, was planted globally on 50.5 million acres last year, including 42.4 million acres in the United States, according to Monsanto." [Based on: Article (Monsanto loses bid to overturn French ban) by Heather Smith, p C2, S.L.P.D., 03/20/08]
2008 - Oil Prices Decline / U.S.A. - March 20th, 2008: "Oil prices pulled back sharply Wednesday [03/19/08] after the government released data suggesting that the high price of oil and gasoline are depressing demand for petroleum products. [....]" [Based on: Article (OIL / Prices decline on report), p C2, S.L.P.D., 03/20/08]
*Trivia: "[....] For a second day [03/20/08], the oil market appeared focused on the economy and oil's underlying supply and demand fundamentals - factors it ignored in recent weeks while rocketing to a series of new records. [....]" [Based on: Article (OIL / Futures extend declines), p B2, S.L.P.D., 03/21/08]
2008 - Salt Deposits / Planet Mars - March 20th, 2008: "PASADENA, Calif. — A Mars probe has spied what appears to be ancient salt deposits in the southern highlands of the planet, giving scientists another place to study whether the environment could have supported primitive life. [NP] The evidence of salt remnants is important because they pinpoint regions where water once flowed. Scientists said the deposits likely formed 3.5 billion to 3.9 billion years ago, possibly from groundwater that reached the surface and evaporated, leaving behind the mineral deposits. [NP] Since the deposits were scattered around 200 sites in the southern region, it’s unlikely that they are the remains of an ocean, scientists reported in Friday’s issue of the journal Science. [NP] The salt deposits were found by NASA’s orbiting Mars Odyssey, which used its thermal imaging camera to scan the Martian surface. [NP] 'Many of the deposits lie in basins with channels leading into them,' mission scientist Philip Christensen of Arizona State University said in a statement. 'This is the kind of feature, like salt-pan deposits on Earth, that’s consistent with water flowing in over a long time.' The Mars Odyssey is managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena."
[Based on: A.P. article (Spacecraft finds possible salt on Mars)
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2008/03/20/2008-03-20_spacecraft_finds_possible_salt_on_mars.html
*Subject-Related Link: http://www.marsanomalyresearch.com/evidence-reports/2003/057/water-ice-masses.htm
2008 - Flooding / Southern Missouri & Illinois - March 20th, 2008: "Flooding [03/19/08] displaces hundreds, kills at least 5 / Govs. Blunt, Blagojevich pledge to mobilize rescues, open shelters." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A11, S.L.P.D., 03/20/08]
*Trivia: "[....] On Wednesday [03/19/08], forecasters predicted the river [Meremac] would crest Friday or early Saturday at 40 feet in Valley Park [Mo.] - just a few inches above the record of 39.7 feet set Dec. 6, 1982. [....]" [Based on: Article (FLOOD OF 1982 'WAS DEVESTATING' / Residents of Meramec River Valley communities recall scenes from then - and worry about the days ahead.), p A10, S.L.P.D., 03/20/08]
*Trivia: "Widespread flooding swept across much of the central United States in the wake of an intense spring storm starting on March 18, 2008. As water flowed through the vast network of rivers and streams that make up the Mississippi River basin, the flooding spread. When the clouds cleared on March 20, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this view of swollen rivers across the Mississippi basin. The lower image, captured on February 19, 2008, is provided for context. [....]"
[Based on: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14753&src=map]
2008 - Audiotape Message / Osama Bin-Laden? - March 20th, 2008: "Osama bin Laden, in an audio message posted Wednesday [03/19/08], condemned the publication of drawings that he said insulted the Prophet Muhammad and warned Europeans of a 'severe' reaction to come. [....] 'The response will be what you see and not what you hear and let our mothers bereave us if we do not make victorious our messenger of God,' said a voice believed to be bin Laden's, without specifying what action would be taken. [....] On Feb. 13, Danish newspapers republished a cartoon showing Muhammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban to show their commitment to freedom of speech after police said they had uncovered a plot to kill the artist. [....] Adam Raisman, senior analyst at the SITE Institute noted that bin Laden's message did not give any other time landmarks to prove it had been recorded since the first publishing of the cartoons. [NP] 'The tape doesn't give any specific evidence that would allow us to determine when it was recorded,' Raisman said." [Based on: A.P. article (Bin Laden condemns drawings) by Paul Schemm, p A5, S.L.P.D., 03/20/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Mindanao, Philippines - March 20th, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 14:10:39 (UTC) on Thursday, March 20th, 2008. The magnitude 6.0 event [Location: 6.203°N, 126.870°E; Depth 33.6 km (20.9 miles)] was located @ Region MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008pva1.php] - [T.D. - 03/22/08]
2008 - Major Earthquake / Xinjiang-Xizang Border Region - March 20th, 2008: "A major earthquake occurred at 22:33:00 (UTC) on Thursday, March 20th, 2008. The magnitude 7.2 event [Location: 35.445°N, 81.392°E; Depth 22.9 km (14.2 miles) (poorly constrained)] was located @ XINJIANG-XIZANG BORDER REGION."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008pvcl.php] - [T.D. - 03/22/08]
2008 - Relaxed Capital Requirements / Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - March 20th, 2008: "The government on Wednesday [03/19/08] relaxed capital requirements at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as part of a plan to quickly inject an additional $200 billion of financing for housing loans. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (FANNIE MAE, FREDDIE MAC / U.S. eases lenders' capital cushion / Relaxing capital requirements allows for more loans.), p C1, S.L.P.D., 03/20/08]
2008 - War Games / India - March 21st, 2008: "India stages war games [03/19/08] near Pakistani border [Thar desert]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A6, S.L.P.D., 03/21/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - March 21st, 2008: "Stocks rallied Thursday [03/20/08], capping the first weekly advance in a month, after an analyst said more mortgage purchases by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will help stabilize the house-loan market and Merrill Lynch & Co advised clients to buy General Electric Co. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Market rallies for first weekly advance in a month), p. C3, S.L.P.D., 03/21/08]
2008 - The Economy / U.S.A. - March 21st, 2008: "THE ECONOMY / Guage relects plenty of slip-sliding in U.S. / Reading of future activity dropped for a fifth consecutive month in February." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article by Eileen Alt Powell, p B2, S.L.P.D., 03/21/08]
2008 - Bad Marriage Unhealthy - March 21st, 2008: "Bad marriage isn't healthy [and, for your blood pressure], new study ['reported online Thursday by the Annals of Behavioral Medicine'] says" [Based on: Title for A.P. article by Malcolm Ritter, p A2, S.L.P.D., 03/21/08]
2008 - Disbarred / I. Lewis Libby - March 21st, 2008: "Scooter Libby is disbarred [03/20/08] in D.C." [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/21/08]
2008 - New Government / Belgium - March 21st, 2008: "New government [Prime Minister Yves Leterme sworn in] takes over in Belgium [03/20/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A6, S.L.P.D., 03/21/08]
2008: - Trivia / Near Earth Asteroids - March 21st, 2008: On March 21, 2008 there were 943 potentially hazardous asteroids. [three in March less than one lunar distance] [....]" [Notes: LD means "Lunar Distance." 1 LD = 384,401 km, the distance between Earth and the Moon. 1 LD also equals 0.00256 AU. MAG is the visual magnitude of the asteroid on the date of closest approach.]
[Based on: http://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=21&month=03&year=2008]
2008 - Foreign Relations / U.S. & Iraq - March 21st, 2008: "McCain warns British [03/20/08] Iraq if far from over" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/21/08]
2008 - Passport Files Breached / U.S.A. - March 21st, 2008: "2 fired [a third disciplined] after looking into Obama's passport file [Jan. 9, Feb 21 & March 14, 2008]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A3, S.L.P.D., 03/21/08]
2008 - Threatens Israel? / Osama Bin Laden - March 21st, 2008: "Bin Laden threatens Israel [03/20/08], too ['Osama bin Laden lashed out Thursday at Palestinian peace negotiations with Israel and called for a holy war to liberate the Palestinian lands.']" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/21/08]
2008 - Overseas Contracting Loophole / U.S.A. - March 21st, 2008: "House committe takes aim [03/20/08] at loophole [a proposed rule that, by November, specifically exempted 'contracts to be performed outside the United States'] / Lawmakers want to learn how it got into anti-fraud legislation" [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A7, S.L.P.D., 03/21/08]
*Trivia: "WASHINGTON / Administration closes contract-fraud loophole" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A2, S.L.P.D., 04/15/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / U.S. & Afghanistan - March 21st, 2008: "Cheney calls for help in Afghanistan [03/20/08]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 03/21/08]
2008 - Solar Activity - March 22nd, 2008: " 'There is a huge prominence on the sun today and it looks like it could erupt at any minute,' reports Paul Haese of Blackwood, South Australia. [....]" [Based on: http://spaceweather.com/] - [T.D. - 03/22/08] - See Link:
http://spaceweather.com/submissions/large_image_popup.php?image_name=P-M-HedAcn-Great-prom_1206176716.jpg
2008 - Shiite Militia / Iraq - March 22nd, 2008: "Shiite militia battle Iraqi security forces [south of baghdad, Iraq - 03/21/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A24, S.L.P.D., 03/22/08]
2008 - Commodity Prices Decline / U.S.A. - March 22nd, 2008: "The biggest drop in commodity prices in at least five decades may signal Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has revived confidence in U.S. financial firms. [....] Investors who had poured money into gold, oil and corn, seeking a hedge against inflation and a weak dollar, sold commodities to raise cash or buy stocks. The Reuters/Jefferies CRB Index of 19 commodities tumbled 8.3 percent this week, the most since at least 1956, after touching a record on Feb. 29. [....] Because commodities such as oil and gold are priced in dollars, they have risen as the U.S. currency has weakened in response to the Fed's previous rate cuts. [....] 'The markets have been buying euros against the dollar, buying oil and buying gold as hedges,' said Andrew Busch, a global currency strategist at BMO Capital Markets in Chicago, a unit of Bank of Montreal. 'The Fed calmed the markets.' [....] The world's biggest banks and security firms have reported $195 billion in asset writedowns and credit losses since 2007 stemming from the collapse of the U.S. subprime mortgage market. [NP] Fed officials on March 11 announced a program to swap $200 billion in Treasuries for debt including mortgage-backed securities. Thursday, the Fed expanded collateral eligible for its auction of treasuries to include bundled mortgage debt and securities linked to commercial-property loans. [NP] Earlier this month, the Fed increased the size of separate funding auctions to $100 billion in March from a previously announced $60 billion. [NP] The Fed Thursday said it had lent $28.8 billion to large U.S. securities firms under the program announced on Sunday, its first extension of credit to non-banks since the 1930s. The Fed also put taxpayer money at risk by making available up to $30 billion to JPMorgan Chase & Co. for the purchase of Bear Stearns. [NP] Not everyone is convinced that Bernanke has managed to turn the tide for financial firms. [NP] 'He has taken extraordinary measures, things that we haven't seen since the Great Depression,' said former Fed Vice Chairman Alan Blinder, a Princeton University professor. 'He's working overtime, literally and figuratively, to get this panic under control. But so far, it's not under control.' [NP] U.S. Treasury three-month bill rates dropped to the lowest since at least 1954 Thursday as investors sought the safety of government debt. Rates declined as low as 0.387 percent as finance company CIT Group Inc. drew on $7.3 billion in credit lines after being shut out of short-term debt markets. [NP] 'This is all about money,' said Leonard Kaplan, president of Prospector Asset Management in Evanston, Ill. 'The Fed can control the price of money, but the banks still don't want to lend.' " [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Commodity prices / Decline may signal a revival) by Pham-Duy Nguyen, p A36, S.L.P.D., 03/22/08]
2008 - Trivia / Good Friday Market Close - March 22nd, 2008: "The New York Stock Exchange was closed Friday [03/21/08], as it has been every Good Friday for almost 150 years, except 1898, 1906 and 1907. [NP] The last one was the same year as the infamous Panic of 1907, when the aggregate value of all U.S. stocks plunged by more than a third. Hence, a legend that persists 101 years later: Traders get to stay home the Friday before Easter not just because it's a Christian holy day but because of its association with one of history's great bear markets. [....] 'The panic itself occurred in October 1907, although in March of 1907 there was a significant break in the market.' [NP] Jeffrey A. Hirsch, editor of 'Stock Trader's Almanac,' said that downturn started March 13, when the Dow Jones industrial average tumbled 3.9 percent, and continued the next day, when it lost 8.3 percent. Good Friday in 1907 fell on March 29, when, he said, the Dow climbed 2.5 percent. [NP] The bear market began after the market peaked in September 1906. By November 1907, the total value of all listed U.S. shares had plunged 37 percent, according to Bruner, and at least 25 banks and 17 trust companies had collapsed. [NP] Among them were New York's Knickerbocker Trust, where rumors of financial problems triggered a run on banks in the city and contributed to the crash, according to the NYSE's website. The crisis ultimately prompted the creation of the Federal Reserve system. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Goof Friday market close: More of panic or prayer?) by Chris Dolmetsch, p A36, S.L.P.D., 03/22/08]
2008 - Plans to Trim Nuclear Weapons / France - March 22nd, 2008: "[....] ... Sarkozy also urged the United States and China to commit fully to a treaty banning tests of nuclear weapons. [....] The Federation of American Scientists, which tracks nuclear arsenals around the globe, said in a status report for 2008 that France had 348 strategic nuclear weapons. It lists 193 for China and 160 for Britain, all far less than the United States, with 3,575, and Russia, with 3,239. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (French president plans to trim nuclear weapons / Arsenal will drop below 300 warheads, which he calls 'life insurance.'), p A24, S.L.P.D., 03/22/08]
2008 - Passport Files Breached / U.S. Presidential Candidates - March 22nd, 2008: "Passport files of all 3 candidates [Barack Obama (this year), Hillary Clinton (last summer) & John McCain] breached" [Based on: Title for McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS article, p A20, S.L.P.D., 03/22/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Andraenof Islands, Aleutian Is., Alaska - March 22nd, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 21:24:12 (UTC) on Saturday, March 22nd, 2008. The magnitude 6.0 event [Location: 52.128°N, 178.587°W; Depth 132.4 km (82.3 miles)] was located @ Region ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008pxby.php] - [T.D. - 03/22/08]
2008 - Sunspots 987 & 988 - March 23rd, 2008: "A new sunspot is emerging near the east limb of the Sun. In a matter of hours it has grown from near invisibility to a dark core the size of Earth. On the scale of the Sun, this is still small, but readers with solar telescopes may wish to monitor its rapid development." [Based on: http://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=23&month=03&year=2008]
*Trivia: "The sun may be at a low point of its 11-year cycle, but there was plenty of solar activity this weekend. On March 22nd, Texas astronomer Larry Alvarez looked through his his Coronado SolarMax90 and watched a "monster prominence" spew over the sun's southeastern limb: [....] A day later on March 23rd, Easter Sunday, two new sunspots broke through the sun's surface and a dark magnetic filament appeared. Lesson: A 1027-ton nuclear explosion (a star) is never truly quiet. Readers with solar telescopes, prepare for action. [....]"
http://spaceweather.com/archive.php?PHPSESSID=3qqnou2h9ufkfpgisg0edrj682&month=03&day=24&year=2008&view=view
*Trivia: "Three new sunspots have appeared and they are growing rapidly. Although Solar Cycle 24 has begun, these are not Cycle 24 spots. Their magnetic polarity associates them with old Cycle 23. Credit: SOHO/MDI" [Based on: http://spaceweather.com/] - [T.D. - 03/26/08]
2008 - Death Toll Trivia / Iraq - March 23rd, 2008: "A roadside bomb killed three American soldiers north of Baghdad on Saturday [03/22/08], pushing the U.S. death toll in the five-year conflict to nearly 4,000. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Bomb kills three U.S. soldiers; toll nears 4,000 / American airstrike north of baghdad kills 6 members of U.S.-backed Sunni group.) p. A8, S.L.P.D., 03/23/08]
2008 - Tough Shopping Climate / U.S.A. - March 23rd, 2008: "[....] Examples of the tough shopping climate are nearly everywhere, with retailers of all types and sizes cutting back operations, laying off staff and slashing prices. On Thursday [03/20/08], Borders Group Inc., the nation's second-largest bookseller, said it might put itself up for sale. The chain has lined up $42.5 million in fresh financing to help it continue operations. [NP] Also recently, Sharper Image Corp. and Lillian Vernon Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection, and AnnTaylor Stores Corp. started closing 117 stores. Closer to home, the area took a blow when Macy's Inc. announced it would close its Midwest headquarters in downtown St. Louis and eliminate 850 jobs as part of a nationwide consolidation effort. [....]" [Based on: St. Louis Post-Dispatch article (THE ECONOMY / Retailers use new tactics to woo shoppers / CUTTING STAFF, PRICES / New strategies aim to get people in the door - and spending.) by Gail Appleson, pp. A1 & A7, S.L.P.D., 03/23/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / U.S. & Israel - March 23rd, 2008: "[....] 'America's committment to Israel's security is enduring and unshakable, as is our committment to Israel's right to defend itself - always - against terrorism, rocket attacks and other threats from forces dedicated to Israel's destruction,' Cheney said, standing next to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert [03/22/08]. 'The United States will never pressure Israel to take steps that threaten its security.' [....] Cheney also said that as the United States and Israel worked on a Mideast peace deal, they must not take their eyes off Iran and other adversaries in the region. Israel considers Iran the greatest threat to its survival; it rejects Tehran's claims that its nuclear program is not designed to produce arms. [NP] At the Israeli prime minister's residence, his first stop after landing in Israel, Cheney said, 'We must not, and will not, ignore the darkening shadows of the situations in Gaza, in Lebanon, in Syria and in Iran and the forces there that are working to derail the hopes of the world.' [NP] Olmert also mentioned Iran when he listed the agenda for his talks with Cheney. In fact, Olmert mentioned Iran ahead of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. [NP] 'We are both very concerned about Iran,' Olmert said. 'We are anxious to carry on the peace negotiations with the Palestinians. We are watching very carefully the northern front - the behavior of Syria and the Hezbollah.' [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Cheney reaffirms U.S. commitment to Israel) p. A8, S.L.P.D., 03/23/08]
*Trivia: "Palestinians push Cheney on issue of settlements [03/23/08]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A9, S.L.P.D., 03/24/08]
2008 - President Ma Ying-jeou / Taiwan - March 23rd, 2008: "TAIPEI, TAIWAN / Opposition candidate [Ma Ying-jeou] wins presidency" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p. A12, S.L.P.D., 03/23/08]
2008 - Converts to Catholicism / Prominent Muslim, Italy - March 23rd, 2008: "Prominent Muslim [Magdi Allam] converts to Catholicism [03/22/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p. A12, S.L.P.D., 03/23/08]
2008 - Eve of National Elections / Bhutan - March 23rd, 2008: "[....] The most glaring problem is in nearby Nepal, where an estimated 100,000 ethnic Nepalis live in refugee camps. A Hindu minority that lived in Bhutan for centuries, they were driven out in the 1990s as Bhutan promoted the dominant Buddhist culture. [NP] 'We are not paradise,' said Nim Dem, a former education official running for parliament from the small town of Has. 'We have problems.' " [Based on: A.P. article (Bhutanese would rather keep royalty / Wangchuck dynasty ends Monday with democratic elections.), p. A14, S.L.P.D., 03/23/08]
*Trivia: "[....] By Monday evening [03/24/08], early tallies indicated that the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa party had won in a landslide, capturing 44 of the 47 seats in the national assembly [....] The People's Democratic Party won only three seats. [....]" [Based on: Washington Post article (Kingdom of kindness converts to democracy / Gross National Happiness plan led to parliamentary vote.), p. A8, S.L.P.D., 03/25/08]
2008 - Death Toll Trivia / Iraq - March 24th, 2008: "A roadside bomb killed four U.S. soldiers in Baghdad on Sunday [03/23/08], the military said, pushing the overall American death toll in the five-year war to at least 4,000. [....] Military deaths rose above 100 for three consecutive months for the first time during the war: April 2007, 104; May 126 and June at 101. [NP] The death toll has seesawed since, with 2007 ending as the deadliest year for American troops at 901 deaths. That was 51 more deaths than 2004, the second deadliest year for U.S. soldiers. [....] The deaths taken by U.S. soldiers in Iraq, however, are far less than in other modern American wars. In Vietnam, the U.S. lost on average about 4,850 soldiers a year from 1963-75. In the Korean war, from 1950-53, the U.S. lost about 12,300 soldiers a year. [....] About 15 soldiers are wounded for every fatality in Iraq, compared with 2.6 per death in Vietnam and 2.8 in Korea. [NP] The deadliest month for American troops was November 2004, with 137 deaths. April 2004 was the next with 135 U.S. military deaths. May 2007 saw the third-highest toll. [NP] Last December was the lowest monthly death toll, when 23 soldiers were killed - one less than February 2004. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (U.S. death toll in Iraq war reaches 4,000 / Roadside bombing in southern Baghdad kills 4 U.S. soldiers.) by Robert H. Reid, p. A10, S.L.P.D., 03/24/08]
2008 - Stolen Laptop / NIH Study - March 24th,