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   "Most newspaper article events happen anywhere from days, to months, to years before they reach publication. Consequently, most newspaper articles on this timeline are preceeded by the date of the newspaper in which they appear." [E.M.]      *Color Code

May 2006

2006 - Astronomic Configuration - May 1st, 2006: "Sun [10 Taurus], Moon [24 Gemini], Mercury [22 Aries R], Venus [27 Pisces], Mars [10 Cancer], Jupiter [14 Scorpio R.], Saturn [4 Leo], Uranus [13 Pisces], Neptune [19 Aquarius], Pluto [26 Sagittarius R.], Chiron [9 Aquarius]."

[Based on: http://www2.bitstream.net/~bunlion/bpi/ephm/E200605.html]

2006 - Trivia / Isabelle Dinoire - May 1st, 2006: "Woman [Isabelle Dinoire] has feeling in her new face, she reports / After five months, she is still getting used to how she now looks." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p. A6, S.L.P.D., 05/01/06]

2006 - "Great American Boycott" - May 1st, 2006: " 'Nothing gringo,' warns the rallying cry of Mexican activists calling for a boycott of all U.S. businesses south of the border on May 1. The campaign, aimed at pressuring Congress to legalize undocumented migrants, was timed to coincide with 'The Great American Boycott,' in which activists are urging migrants in the United States to skip work and avoid spending money to demonstrate their importance to the U.S. economy. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Mexican activists call for boycott of U.S. firms), p. A27, S.L.P.D., 04/15/06]

*Trivia: "More than a million immigrants and their supporters skipped work and took to the streets Monday [05/01/06]. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Across country, 1 million turn out / Workers' absence disrupts factories, farms, restaurants.), p. A1, S.L.P.D., 05/02/06]

*Trivia: "A daylong protest dubbed 'A Day Without Gringo's' drew thousands of Mexicans into the streets on Monday [05/01/06]. Many stayed away from U.S.-owned supermarkets and fast-food restaurants to support rallies in the United States demanding immigration changes. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Protest extends south of border), p. A9, S.L.P.D., 05/02/06]

*Trivia: "Some figures on illegal immigrants, from the Pew Hispanic Center: *Illegal immigrants make up about 5 percent of the U.S. labor force. More than nine in 10 illegal immigrant men are part of the labor force, compared with 83 percent of men born in the U.S. *Nearly two-thirds of the children in illegal immigrants' homes were born in the United States, making them citizens. *Three in four illegal immigrants come from Latin America, a little more than half from Mexico. About a quarter enter the United States legally and overstay their visas. Some figures on all immigrants, from the private Center for Immigration Studies: *The nation's foreign-born population, both legal and illegal, hit 35.2 million last year. *About 12.1 percent of the U.S. population was born in another country, the highest percentage since 1920." [Based on: A.P. article (Illegals make up 5 percent of U.S. labor force), p. A8, S.L.P.D., 05/02/06]

2006 - Iraq War Criticism / Colin Powell - May 1st, 2006: "[....] Powell said he advised Bush before the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003 to send more troops to Iraq, but that the administration did not follow his recommendations. [....] 'I don't remember specifically what Secretary Powell may be referring to, but I'm quite certain that there were lots of discussions about how best to fulfill the mission that we went into Iraq,' Rice said. 'And I have no doubt that all of this was taken into consideration. But that when it came down to it, the president listens to his military advisers who were to execute the plan,' she told CNN's 'Late Edition.' " [Based on: A.P. article (Powell's war criticism puts Rice on defense), p. A2, S.L.P.D., 05/01/06]

2006 - Trivia / Sunni-Shiite Violence, Iraq - May 1st, 2006: "Many Iraqis in religiously mixed areas face a choice: displacement or death / Sunni-Shiite violence has forced families to flee their towns." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p. A7, S.L.P.D., 05/01/06]

2006 - Trivia / Mt. Merapi Volcano, Indonesia - May 1st, 2006: "Frequent earthquakes and plumes of sulfur-laden gas indicated that Mt. Merapi was gearing up for an eruption in late April 2006. The volcano is one of Indonesia’s most active, and one of its most dangerous volcanoes. The slopes of the volcano are densely populated with four districts clustered on its flanks. As many as 80,000 people may be displaced if the volcano erupts, depending on which way the lava flows down the summit, reported the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Thousands of people who live near the volcano had been evacuated by April 27, and more were preparing to leave as the volcano continued to rumble. An eruption in 1994 claimed at least 66 lives, and a 1930 eruption killed 1,370. [....]"

[Based on: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=13538]

2006 - D.C. Demonstrations / Genocide in Darfur - May 1st, 2006: "Demonstrators gather Sunday [04/30/06] on the National Mall in Washington to protest the genocide in Darfur, in western Sudan. At least 180,000 people have been killed in years of fighting between ethnic groups and Arab militias." [Based on: A.P. (picture) article, p. A7, S.L.P.D., 05/01/06]

2006 - Exxon Mobil Boycott / Bee County, Texas - May 1st, 2006: "Texas county [Bee] vows to boycott oil giant [Exxon Mobil Corp." [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. A3, S.L.P.D., 05/01/06]

2006 - Lower Domestic Gas Prices / Saudia Arabia - May 1st, 2006: "Saudi King Abdullah issued a decree Sunday [04/30/06] lowering domestic gasoline prices by about 25 percent. The decrease will reach 30 percent by year's end, according to a government statement. The drop in prices means Saudis now will pay 60 halalahs per liter (a little more than a quart) of regular gasoline. There are 100 halalahs in the Saudi riyal, which is worth about 26 U.S. cents. The statement said the king had issued the decree to ease the 'cost of living burden on Saudi citizens.' "

[Based on: News Services article (King lowers price of gasoline for Saudis), p. A8, S.L.P.D., 05/01/06]

2006 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 2nd, 2006: "Stocks ended lower Monday [05/01/06] as prospects of a pause in interest-rate hikes dimmed after cable channel CNBC reported that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke felt the media had misunderstood recent remarks alluding to that possibility. [....]" [Based on: MARKETWATCH article, p. C4, S.L.P.D., 05/02/06]

2006 - Booming Economy? / Cuba - May 2nd, 2006: "President Fidel Castro said Monday [05/01/06] that Cuba's economy grew at a rate of more than 12.5 percent in the past month, crediting the country's resilience in the face of the U.S. government's longstanding trade embargo. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Island's economy is booming, Castro says), p. A10, S.L.P.D., 05/02/06]

2006 - Trivia / Nasal Flu Vaccine - May 2nd, 2006: "Nasal spray vaccines are more effective than shots for preventing flu in young children, a new study shows. [....]" [Based on: Article (Nasal vaccine tops flu shot in study of kids) by Tina Hesman Saey, p. A1, S.L.P.D., 05/02/06]

2006 - Taken Off Market / Tequin - May 2nd, 2006: "An antibiotic that has been linked to serious blood-sugar complications will be taken off the market. Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. on Monday [05/01/06] confirmed that it plans to stop making and selling Tequin. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Bristol-Myers Squibb pulls troubled antibiotic Tequin), p. C2, S.L.P.D., 05/02/06]

2006 - Trivia / Crude Oil Prices, U.S.A. - May 2nd, 2006: "Iran concerns continue to fuel oil prices / Refinery shutdowns, unrest in Nigeria also help push price of crude back above $73 a barrel." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p. C3, S.L.P.D., 05/02/06]

2006 - Financial Problems / Puerto Rico - May 2nd, 2006: "The financial problems of Puerto Rico's government forced almost 100,000 people out of work Monday [05/01/06] as political leaders failed to agree on how to keep things running. [....]" [Based on: Knight Ridder Newspapers article (Shutdown in Puerto Rico / Failure to solve budget woes puts people out of work, closes schools, halts some services.), p. A10, S.L.P.D., 05/02/06]

2006 - Trivia / Taum Sauk Reservior, Mo. - May 2nd, 2006: "Instruments meant to keep the AmerenUE's Taum Sauk reservoir from overflowing hadn't worked properly for months leading up to the Dec. 14 rupture that flooded Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, according to a report released Monday [05/01/06] by federal investigators. [....]" [Based on: Article (Taum Sauk sensors weren't working), p. C1, S.L.P.D., 05/02/06]

2006 - Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni / Israel - May 2nd, 2006: "Israel names foreign minister [Tzipi Livni] / She is champion of plan to withdraw from part of the West Bank." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p. A10, S.L.P.D., 05/02/06]

2006 - Trivia / Union Contracts, Delphi Corp. - May 2nd, 2006: "Delphi grants judge ability to throw out union contracts [05/01/06]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. C2, S.L.P.D., 05/02/06]

2006 - Corruption Trial Begins / Don Siegelman - May 2nd, 2006: "Corruption trial begins [05/01/06] for ex-Alabama governor [Don Siegelman]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. A2, S.L.P.D., 05/02/06]

2006 - Natural Gas Industry Nationalized / Bolivia - May 2nd, 2006: "President Evo Morales issued a decree nationalizing Bolivia's natural gas industry Monday [05/01/06]. He sent soldiers to occupy gas fields and threatened to evict foreign companies unless they give his nation control over the chain of production. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Natural gas industry is nationalized in Bolivia), p. A10, S.L.P.D., 05/02/06]

2006 - Trivia / Social Security & Medicare Trust Funds, U.S.A. - May 2nd, 2006: "The trustees for the government's two biggest benefit programs said Monday [05/01/06] that the trust fund for Social Security would be depleted in 2040 - a year earlier than expected - and that Medicare would exhaust its trust fund just 12 years from now. [....] The trust funds contain the equivalent of government IOUs. To raise the actual cash to meet obligations, the government must either borrow more money from the public by issuing marketable Treasury securities, raise taxes or cut spending in other programs. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Solvency shortened for Social Security, Medicare), p. A3, S.L.P.D., 05/02/06]

2006 - Denounced for Contemplating Use of Nuclear Weapons / U.S.A. - May 2nd, 2006: "Iran denounced the United States on Monday [05/01/06], saying it was contemplating possible nuclear strikes against Iranian targets. It urged the United Nations to take urgent action against what it called a dangerous violation of international law. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Iran appeals to U.N. for action against U.S.), p. A10, S.L.P.D., 05/02/06]

2006 - Tax Cuts / Canada - May 3rd, 2006: "Canada's new government released its first federal budget Tuesday [05/02/06], offering broad tax cuts and pledging to shore up the country's security with spending increases for the military, border security and policing. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (New Government will cut taxes), p. A9, S.L.P.D., 05/03/06]

2006 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 3rd, 2006: "Stocks ended higher Tuesday [05/02/06] as a number of solid earnings reports and a rally in oil, mining and metals shares fueled by higher commodity prices, lifted the Dow Jones industrial average to a six-year high and the S&P 500 index to its best level in more than five years. [....]" [Based on: MARKETWATCH article (Stocks hit multiyear highs amid solid earnings), p. C6, S.L.P.D., 05/03/06]

2006 - Fears Iran? / Iraq Insurgents - May 3rd, 2006: "Iraq's president says insurgents now fear Iran more" [Based on: Title for Washington Post article, p. A13, S.L.P.D., 05/03/06]

2006 - Tax Cut Extensions / U.S.A. - May 3rd, 2006: "President George W. Bush and congressional Republicans agreed Tuesday [05/02/06] on a $70 billion package of tax cut extensions that they hope will help halt the deterioration of their political fortunes. [....]" [Based on: Washington Post article (Bush, GOP agree on tax cut extensions), p. A7, S.L.P.D., 05/03/06]

2006 - Industry Control? / Bolivia - May 3rd, 2006: "Bolivia's leftist government said Tuesday [05/02/06] it would extend control over mining, forestry and other sectors of the economy after President Evo Morales nationalized the country's natural gas industry. Soldiers were posted at 56 gas installations around the country a day after Morales issued a decree that analysts say could drive petroleum companies from South America's poorest nation." [Based on: News Services article (Leftist government takes over industries), p. A9, S.L.P.D., 05/03/06]

2006 - Settlement / Microsoft Corp. - May 3rd, 2006: "Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday [05/02/06] settled an antitrust suit filed by several California city and county governments, including the cities and counties of San Francisco and Los Angeles. [....] Under the settlement, Microsoft - which denies the claims - will pay $70 million in benefits, for the State of California and local governments to buy any brand of qualifying computer hardware and software." [Based on: Article (Microsoft will pay to settle antitrust suit), p. C2, S.L.P.D., 05/03/06]

2006 - Major Earthquake / Tonga - May 3rd, 2006: "A major earthquake occurred at 15:26:39 (UTC) on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2006. The magnitude 7.9 event has been located in the TONGA REGION."

[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usmgas.php] - [05/04/06]

*Trivia: "An earthquake that struck early today [05/04/06] near the South Pacific nation of Tonga prompted tsunami warnings for as far away as Fiji and New Zealand. But the warning never reached Tonga - and was lifted after a tsunami of less than 2 feet. [....] The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu said its first alert had gone out 16 minutes after the earthquake but hadn't been received in Tonga because of a power failure there. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Tsunami alert - later lifted - didn't reach Tonga after earthquake), p. A11, S.L.P.D., 05/04/06]

2006 - Captured in Pakistan / Mustafa Setmarian Nasar - May 3rd, 2006: "A senior al-Qaida strategist [Mustafa Setmarian Nasar] with a $5 million bounty on his head has been captured in Pakistan, a U.S. law enforcement official confirmed Tuesday [05/02/06]. [....]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article (Senior al-Qaida official caught), p. A13, S.L.P.D., 05/03/06]

2006 - Resignation / Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Italy - May 3rd, 2006: "Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi resigned Tuesday [05/02/06], begrudgingly accepting defeat in last month's national elections. [....]" [Based on: Los Angeles Times article (Berlusconi concedes - relectantly), p. A14, S.L.P.D., 05/03/06]

2006 - Doubts Moussaoui Testimony / Judge Leonie Brinkema - May 3rd, 2006: "[....] 'I still think that Moussaoui was not accurate in a lot of what he said about how much he knew about what was going to happen with which particular buildings and when,' she [Leonie Brinkema] told lawyers in the case at a closed hearing outside the jury's presence on April 21. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Judge doubts accuracy of Moussaoui's testimony), p. A5, S.L.P.D., 05/03/06]

2006 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 4th, 2006: "Stocks fell Wednesday [05/03/06] as signs of sustained economic growth reinforced concern the Federal Reserve may keep raising interest rates." [Based on: Bloomberg News article, p. B6, S.L.P.D., 05/04/06]

2006 - Status / Sunspot 875 - May 4th, 2006: "Sunspot 875 is approaching the sun's western limb where it will soon disappear over the edge--perhaps forever. [....] The sunspot should remain visible for another day or so. Ironically, the view could improve as it approaches the edge. Magnetic force fields jutting above the 'spot into the black space beyond could produce some lovely prominences. [....]" [Based on: http://spaceweather.com/] - [05/04/06]

2006 - Bishop Liu Xinhong / China - May 4th, 2006: "2nd bishop [Liu Xinhong - China] consecrated [05/03/06] without pope's approval)" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p. A12, S.L.P.D., 05/04/06]

2006 - Sanctions Torture? / U.S.A. - May 4th, 2006: "Torture and other mistreatment of detainees by U.S. forces are widespread and are often sanctioned by senior government officials, Amnesty International charged Wednesday [05/03/06]. The allegations are contained in a 32,000-word report released in New York and London and posted on the human rights organization's Web site. [....] The United States is one of seven nations the committee is reviewing. The others are Georgia, Guatemala, Peru, Qatar, South Korea and Togo. [....]" [Based on: Knight Ridder Newspapers article (U.S. sanctions torture, rights group accuses), p. A11, S.L.P.D., 05/04/06]

2006 - Strong Earthquake / Tonga - May 4th, 2006: "A strong earthquake occurred at 11:25:30 (UTC) on Thursday, May 4th, 2006. The magnitude 6.0 event has been located in the TONGA REGION."

[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usmhaz.php] - [05/04/06]

2006 - Trivia / Hybrid Sales, U.S.A. - May 4th, 2006: "U.S. hybrid vehicle sales more than doubled last year, according to new data, although they still comprise only about 1 percent of U.S. vehicle sales. Registrations for new hybrids rose to 199,148 in 2005, a 139 percent increase from the year before, as more models came on the market, according to R.I. Polk & Co. of Southfield, Mich., which collects and interprets automotive data." [Based on: Article (Hybrid sales double), p. B2, S.L.P.D., 05/04/06]

2006 - Call for More Troops / U.S.A. - May 4th, 2006: "The Pentagon would be permitted to add thousands of troops under a House bill, reflecting lawmakers' concerns that U.S. forces must be increased, particularly during wartime. The provision is part of a massive measure the House Armed Services Committee approved Wednesday [05/03/06]. The bill sets Defense Department policy and spending levels of roughly $510 billion for the military for next year, including $50 billion to cover the first portion of next year's costs for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (House panel calls for more troops), p. A3, S.L.P.D., 05/04/06]

2006 - Uninsured Middle-Class / U.S.A. - May 4th, 2006: "Once upon a time, (not so very long ago), not having health insurance was a problem for the working poor. Increasingly, it's a problem for workers on the next rung up the economic ladder, those who earn $20,000 to $40,000 a year. [....] The numbers are telling. In 2002, about 28 percent of the uninsured were people making $20,000 to $40,000 a year. Last year, they comprised 41 percent of the uninsured; that's a 46 percent increase in just four years. During that time, the number of uninsured Americans rose from 41 million to nearly 46 million. And, as insurance premiums continue to rise, there's no end to this trend in sight. [....]" [Based on: Opinion Page article (The new uninsured: The middle-class), p. D12, S.L.P.D., 05/04/06]

2006 - E.U. Membership Talks Halted / Serbia - May 4th, 2006: "E.U. halts membership  talks with Serbia / Nation misses deadline for the capture of war crimes suspect [Ratko Mladic]." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Washington Post article, p. A13, S.L.P.D., 05/04/06]

2006 - Life in Prison / Zacarias Moussaoui - May 4th, 2006: "A federal jury rejected the death penalty for Zacarias Moussaoui on Wednesday [05/03/06], apparently concluding that he had played only a minor role in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. [....]" [Based on: New York Times article (Moussaoui is spared), p. A1, S.L.P.D., 05/04/06]

2006 - Limited Federal Role / U.S. Bird Flu Plan - May 4th, 2006: "White House bird flu plan warns that federal role will be limited" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. A10, S.L.P.D., 05/04/06]

2006 - More Pay Cuts / Northwest Airlines Pilots - May 4th, 2006: "Northwest Airlines Corp. pilots Wednesday [05/03/06] approved a package of deep pay cuts and other concessions that the carrier said it needs to reorganize and emerge from bankruptcy protection. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Northwest pilots approve more pay cuts), p. B2, S.L.P.D., 05/04/06]

2006 - Cinco de Mayo - May 5th, 2006: "[....] Cinco de Mayo, or May 5, may be a minor holiday in Mexico, where it commemorates a battle against French invaders in 1862, but it has become a big thing in the United States. [....]" [Based on: Article (Saluting Mexico with food and fun), p. A5, S.L.P.D., 05/06/06]

2006 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 5th, 2006: "Stocks rose Thursday [05/04/06] and the Dow Jones industrial average set a six-year high after oil prices dropped, retailers posted the biggest monthly sales increase since 2004 and Tyco International Ltd.'s earnings exceeded estimates." [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Stocks rise as oil prices drop, retail sales jump), p. B8, S.L.P.D., 05/05/06]

2006 - Children With Autism / U.S.A. - May 5th, 2006: "300,000 American children are diagnosed with autism / Major national study says boys are nearly four times more likely than girls to have the condition." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p. A2, S.L.P.D., 05/05/06]

2006 - Economic Disposition / NASA - May 5th, 2006: "NASA's purse is too shallow for array of demands, science panel says" [Based on: Title for Washington Post article, p. A7, S.L.P.D., 05/05/06]

2006 - Emergency Spending Bill / U.S.A. - May 5th, 2006: "The Senate defied a rare presidential veto threat Thursday [05/04/06] by passing a $109 billion emergency spending bill for Iraq and hurricane-ravaged states. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Senate's spending bill loaded with special-interest funds), p. A5, S.L.P.D., 05/05/06]

2006 - Car Crash / Rep. Patrick Kennedy - May 5th, 2006: "Rep. Patrick Kennedy crashed his car near the Capitol early Thursday [05/04/06], and a police official said he appeared intoxicated. Kennedy said he had taken sleep medication and a prescription anti-nausea drug that can cause drowsiness. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Kennedy says he was on medication), p. A2, S.L.P.D., 05/05/06]

2006 - Criticism of Russia / Dick Cheney - May 5th, 2006: "Vice President Dick Cheney accused Russia on Thursday [05/04/06] of cracking down on religious and political rights and using its energy reserves as 'tools of intimidation or blackmail.' [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Cheney offers scorching criticism of Russia / The vice president accused the country of backsliding on rights.), p. A12, S.L.P.D., 05/05/06]

2006 - Guilty Plea / Leandro Aragoncillo - May 5th, 2006: "A former FBI intelligence analyst [Leandro Aragoncillo] pleaded guilty Thursday [05/04/06] to passing classified information to plotters allegedly trying to overthrow Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Former FBI analyst says he passed secrets), p. A7, S.L.P.D., 05/05/06]

2006 - Excommunication / Chinese Bishops - May 5th, 2006: "The Vatican lashed out Thursday [05/04/06] at Beijing, announcing the excommunication of two bishops who were ordained by China's state-controlled church without Pope Benedict XVI's consent. [....] The Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, China's state-approved Catholic church, does not recognize papal authority. [....] On Wednesday, China's official church ordained Liu Xinhong as bishop at the city of Wuhu's St. Joseph's Church in the eastern province of Anhui. On Sunday, the official church ordained Ma Yinglin as a bishop in the southwestern province of Yunnan." [Based on: A.P. article (China's move on bishops draws severe response from Vatican), p. A11, S.L.P.D., 05/05/06]

2006 - "Planning Memo" / Al-Qaida in Iraq - May 5th, 2006: "The U.S. Central Command has disclosed parts of a planning memo - attributed to al-Qaida in Iraq - that outlines plans to ignite sectarian war by targeting Shiite Muslims and to shift the battle toward the capital and religiously mixed parts of the country. CentCom said the memo had been seized in a raid last month. The document orders followers to 'make the struggle entirely between Shiites' and the mujahedeen, or holy warriors, and lambastes moderate Sunni groups. [....] Military officials also provided unflattering outtakes from a recently released propoganda video. The clips show a flustered Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the group's self-proclaimed leader, struggling to get his machine gun to fire automatically. [....]" [Based on: Los Angeles Times article (U.S. raid in Iraq yields memo on war strategy), p. A13, S.L.P.D., 05/05/06]

2006 - First-Quarter Loss / Eastman Kodak Co. - May 5th, 2006: "Kodak posts $298 million loss, considers selling health-imaging unit" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. B3, S.L.P.D., 05/05/06]

2006 - Trivia / NATO Forces, Afghanistan - May 5th, 2006: "As Britain took control of NATO forces in Afghanistan on Thursday [05/04/06], a key alliance official called the forthcoming deployment in the south its 'most challenging' ground mission ever. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (NATO expects challenge in Afghanistan), p. A13, S.L.P.D., 05/05/06]

2006 - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert / Israel - May 5th, 2006: "Ehud Olmert was formally sworn in Thursday [05/04/06] as Israel's prime minister, as was his new coalition government. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Olmert says Israel must leave some West Bank settlements / Prime minister addresses Knesset after Cabinet is confirmed.), p. A14, S.L.P.D., 05/05/06]

2006 - Foreign Relations / U.S.A. & Hamas - May 5th, 2006: "President George W. Bush pledged Thursday [05/04/06] that the U.S. will not deal with the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority as long as Hamas refuses to disavow terrorism and to acknowledge Israel's right to exist. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Bush disavows Hamas at gala), p. A5, S.L.P.D., 05/05/06]

2006 - Public Criticism / Donald Rumsfeld - May 5th, 2006: "Protestors repeatedly interrupted Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld as he gave a speech Thursday [05/04/06]. And in a question-and-answer session, a former CIA analyst [Ray McGovern] accused Rumsfeld of lying about Iraq prewar intelligence. [....] Three protestors were escorted away by security guards as each interrupted Rumsfeld's speech by jumping up and shouting anti-war messages. Throughout the speech, a fourth protestor stood in the middle of the room with his back to Rumsfeld in silent protest. Officials reported no arrests. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Rumsfeld spars with opponents of Iraq war at speech), p. A12, S.L.P.D., 05/05/06]

2006 - New Cold War? - May 6th, 2006: "Russia's press is calling Vice President Dick Cheney's harsh criticism of Russia and President Vladimir Putin the start of a new Cold War. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article, p. A28, S.L.P.D., 05/06/06]

2006 - Rain & Wind / Texas - May 6th, 2006: "Storms tear apart parts of Texas [05/5-6/06]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p. A5, S.L.P.D., 05/06/06]

2006 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 6th, 2006: "Stocks ended sharply higher Friday [05/05/06] after a weaker-than-expected jobs report raised the odds the Fed may stop raising interest rates sooner rather than later, catapulting the Dow Jones industrial average and the S&P 500 index to multiyear highs. [....]" [Based on: MARKETWATCH article, p. A34, S.L.P.D., 05/06/06]

2006 - Peace Accord? / Sudan - May 6th, 2006: "Rebels in Darfur accept peace accord with Sudan / U.S. diplomat who brokered talks and others are cautious about deal's success." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Knight Ridder Newspapers article, p. A28, S.L.P.D., 05/06/06]

2006 - Resignation / Porter Goss - May 6th, 2006: "CIA Director Porter Goss resigned Friday [05/05/06] after a turmoil-filled 19 months at the spy agency." [Based on: A.P. article (CIA director resigns; why is unclear), p. A24, S.L.P.D., 05/06/06]

2006 - Meteor Shower / Planet Earth - May 6th, 2006: "Earth is about to pass through a stream of dust from Halley's Comet, and this will produce the annual eta Aquarid meteor shower. It peaks on Saturday morning, May 6th: [....]" [Based on: http://spaceweather.com/] - [05/06/06]

2006 - Israeli Air Strike / Gaza Strip - May 6th, 2006: "An Israeli aircraft struck a training camp used by Palestinian militants Friday [05/05/06], killing five members of a group that has close ties to the ruling Hamas movement. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Israeli strike on camp kills five militants), p. A27, S.L.P.D., 05/06/06]

2006 - Denied Access to Data / Lewis Libby - May 6th, 2006: "A federal judge refused on Friday [05/05/06] to give I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby access to a wide range of information from several government agencies, saying he would not allow the former White House aide's trial in the CIA leak case to become a debate over the war in Iraq. 'You want to try the legitimacy of us going to war,' U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton told lawyers for Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff. 'I don't see how that will help us determine whether Mr. Libby lied when he talked to the FBI and went before the grand jury.' " [Based on: News Services article (Ex-Cheney aide is denied access to data), p. A26, S.L.P.D., 05/06/06]

2006 - Bid-Rigging Probe / Liberty Mutual - May 6th, 2006: "Liberty mutual is sued [05/05/06] in bid-rigging probe" [Based on: Article Title, p. A30, S.L.P.D., 05/06/06]

2006 - Strong Earthquake / Mid-Indian Ridge - May 6th, 2006: "A strong earthquake occurred at 18:26:52 (UTC) on Saturday, May 6th, 2006. The magnitude 6.0 event has been located at: MID-INDIAN RIDGE."

[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usmjbv.php] - [05/08/06]

2006 - Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett / Britain - May 6th, 2006: "Stung by an election defeat, Tony Blair shuffled his Cabinet on Friday [05/05/06] and replaced Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to try to save his own political future and shore up support to tackle crises in Iran and Iraq. [....] Margaret Beckett, a Blair loyalist who has been serving as environment secretary, takes over the Foreign Office, becoming Britain's first female foreign secretary. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Foreign secretary is replaced by Blair), p. A27, S.L.P.D., 05/06/06]

2006 - Stops Paying Pensions / U.S. Dept. of Energy - May 6th, 2006: "The Department of Energy has told contractors it will no longer pay for pensions for newly hired workers, following the lead of a of [< typo?] many private employers. [....] The Department's decision is intended to cut costs and ensure the predictability of future retirement obligations, said spokeswoman Megan Barnett." [Based on: Article Title, p. A30, S.L.P.D., 05/06/06]

2006 - Bird Flu Scare / U.S.A. - May 7th, 2006: "A deadly virus is killing birds and people around the globe. Scientists fear it could mutate, quickly killing millions. If it does, the government says, You are on your own." [Based on: Title for NewsWatch article by Tina Hesman Saey, p. B1, S.L.P.D., 05/07/06]

*Trivia: "The foregoing article spanned half a page. The words: deadly virus, could mutate and killing millions were illustrated with red text and, except for the words: You are on your own [illustrated with giant bold black type], the remaining text appeared white [superimposed - along with the red - over a large picture of a baby chicken's head and neck]. The first paragraph for this article read: Make no mistake: A pandemic is coming. Sooner or later, a new influenza virus will sweep the globe, public health experts say." [D.R.D.]

2006 - Civil Unrest / Middle East - May 7th, 2006: "Salary protests in Gaza [05/06/06] may pressure Hamas / In the West Bank, Israeli police clash [05/07/06] with settlers." [Based on: Title  & Subtitle for A.P. article, p. A13, S.L.P.D., 05/07/06]

2006 - Shot Down / British Helicopter, Iraq - May 7th, 2006: "Four soldiers die as British helicopter is brought down [05/06/06]" [Based on: Title for Los Angeles Times article, p. A8, S.L.P.D., 05/07/06]

2006 - Strong Earthquake / Mid-Indian Ridge - May 7th, 2006: "A strong earthquake occurred at 14:17:39 (UTC) on Sunday, May 7th, 2006. The magnitude 6.1 event has been located at: MID-INDIAN RIDGE."

[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usmkas.php] - [05/07/06]

2006 - Strong Earthquake / Tonga - May 7th, 2006: "A strong earthquake occurred at 15:21:45 (UTC) on Sunday, May 7th, 2006. The magnitude 6.1 event has been located in TONGA."

[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usmkat.php] - [05/10/06]

2006 - Crashed? / U.S. Helicopter, Afghanistan - May 7th, 2006: "Copter [CH-47 Chinook] crash [05/06/06] kills 10 U.S. soldiers" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. A9, S.L.P.D., 05/07/06]

*Trivia: "[....] Officials said Friday's crash into a ravine - the deadliest for U.S. forces here in a year - had not been caused by hostile fire. [....] The 10 deaths brought to at least 25 the number of U.S. military personnel killed in Afghanistan this year, according to the Web site icasualties.org, which relies on Defense Department information. [....]." [Based on: A.P. article (Soldiers' bodies are removed after crash), p. A5, S.L.P.D., 05/08/06]

2006 - Endangered Coral / Florida & Caribbean - May 7th, 2006: "Two coral species in Florida and the Caribbean now have a spot on the federal threatened list because of danger posed by human activity, hurricanes and higher water temperatures. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article, p. A3, S.L.P.D., 05/07/06]

2006 - Trivia / Iran - May 8th, 2006: "Iran's hardline Parliament threatened Sunday [05/07/06] to force the government to withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Lawmakers in Tehran threaten to abandon nuclear pact), p. A5, S.L.P.D., 05/08/06]

2006 - Car Bombs / Iraq - May 8th, 2006: "Car bombings kill 16 [05/07/06], wound dozens in two Iraqi cities" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. A5, S.L.P.D., 05/08/06]

2006 - Trivia / Sunspot 882 - May 8th, 2006: "Sunspot 882 is growing rapidly. Just two days ago it was invisible, now it is several times wider than Earth. [....]" [Based on: http://spaceweather.com/] - [05/08/06]

2006 - Departure Date? / Tony Blair - May 8th, 2006: "Lawmakers in Tony Blair's Labor Party are circulating a draft of a letter calling on the prime minister to set a date for his departure, a legislator told The Associated Press on Sunday [05/07/06]. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Letter reportedly asks Blair for departure date), p. A9, S.L.P.D., 05/08/06]

2006 - Revivied? / Use of "Heil", Austria - May 8th, 2006: "Austrian delegate [Walter Sucher] revives use of 'heil')" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. A9, S.L.P.D., 05/08/06] - [Brackets text inserted for clarity - D.R.D.]

2006 - Trivia / Prostate Cancer Gene? - May 8th, 2006: "Scientists have identified a common genetic marker that signals a 60 percent heightened risk of prostate cancer in men who carry it, a new study says. [....] The study was published online Sunday [05/07/06] by Nature Genetics and will appear in the journal's June issue. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Study links gene to prostate cancer risk), p. A3, S.L.P.D., 05/08/06]

2006 - Jewish Squatters Evicted / West Bank - May 8th, 2006: "Israeli police officers dragged Jewish squatters out of a three-story, Palestinian-owned home Sunday [05/05/06], demonstrating the new government's resolve to confront extremist settlers." [Based on: A.P. article (Israel evicts Jewish squatters from house in West Bank), p. A5, S.L.P.D., 05/08/06]

2006 - Ash Plume / Ubinas Volcano, Peru - May 8th, 2006: "A faint white plume rose from the summit of the Ubinas volcano on May 8, 2006, when the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this image [see link]. Peru’s most active volcano, Ubinas forced evacuations on April 21, after a series of explosions sent ash, gas, and lava fragments more than three kilometers into the air, said the U.S. Geological Survey in its weekly Volcanic Activity Report. The fumes caused respiratory problems, and livestock fell ill or died after eating ash-coated grass. [....]"

[Based on: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=13560]

2006 - Dying Comet / 73P/Schwassmann Wachmann - May 8th, 2006: "Last night, fragment C of dying comet 73P/Schwassmann Wachmann 3 glided past the Ring Nebula (M57). It was a beautiful sight, easily seen through backyard telescopes. [....]" - [05/08/06]

*Trivia: "Dying comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann is falling apart. Astronomers are now [April 2006] tracking twenty fragments approaching Earth for a close encounter in May: [....]" [Based on: http://spaceweather.com/] - [04/04/06]

*Link: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/24mar_73p.htm

2006 - Guilty Plea / Neil Volz - May 9th, 2006: "A former aide to Rep. Bob Ney, R.-Ohio, pleaded guilty Monday [05/08/06] in the Jack Abramoff influence peddling scandal. The ex-aide, Neil Volz, admitted that he had conspired to corrupt Ney, his staff and other members of Congress with trips, free tickets, meals, jobs for relatives and fundraising events. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Former aide to Ohio's Ney pleads guilty in Abramoff scandal), p. A2, S.L.P.D., 05/09/06]

2006 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 9th, 2006: "The Dow Jones industrial average rose to its second-highest close Monday [05/08/06] after Intel Corp. signaled it may dispose of its memory-chip unit and more than $50 billion of proposed takeovers were announced. [....] The Dow average gained 6.80, or 0.1 percent, to 11,584.54, within 140 points of its record set in January 2000. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Dow average charges to its second-highest close), p. C4, S.L.P.D., 05/09/06]

2006 - Trivia / H&R Block Suit - May 9th, 2006: "New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer on Monday [05/08/06] said he has evidence that H&R Block executives not only knew they were pushing customers to buy money-losing retirement account plans, but penalized employees who refused to recommend them. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (H&R Block knew IRAs were losers, Spitzer says), p. C3, S.L.P.D., 05/09/06]

2006 - Trivia / "Lesbians' Brains" - May 9th, 2006: "Lesbians' brains react differently to sex hormones than do those of hetrosexual women, new research indicates. [....] [Based on: A.P. article (Lesbian brains react differently, study says), p. A8, S.L.P.D., 05/09/06]

2006 - Trivia / U.N. Human Rights Council - May 9th, 2006: "[....] The new council will be elected by the General Assembly on May 9 and hold its first meeting on June 19 in Geneva." [Based on: News Services article (21 countries in running for rights commission), p. A10, S.L.P.D., 04/04/06]

2006 - Trivia / Safeguards Against Torture, U.S.A. - May 9th, 2006: "The United States told a U.N. watchdog panel Monday [05/08/06] that it had barred employees from torturing detainees and had improved measures to block mistreatment. [....] The United States has carried out about 800 investigations into allegations of mistreatment in Afghanistan and Iraq, Stimson [deputy assistant secretary of defense, Charles Stimson] said. The Defense Department took action against more than 250 service personnel; there have been 103 courts-martial and 89 service members were convicted, of whom 19 received sentences of one year or more." [Based on: A.P. article (Safeguards against torture are stronger, U.S. tells U.N.), p. A10, S.L.P.D., 05/09/06]

2006 - Eruption / Bezymianny Volcano, Russia - May 9th, 2006: "The Bezymianny Volcano experienced an explosive eruption on May 9, 2006. The volcano emitted an ash column as high as 15 kilometers (9.3 miles). According to news reports, the Aleutian Islands in western Alaska saw an ashfall advisory as a result of this eruption. [....] Situated on the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia, the Bezymianny Volcano was once considered extinct, until an eruption in the mid-1950s proved it was still active. That eruption produced a horseshoe-shaped crater following the collapse of the summit. The crater was later filled by growth of the lava dome and intermittent explosive eruptions."

[Based on: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=13564]

2006 - FBI Investigation / Kyle "Dusty" Foggo - May 9th, 2006: "The FBI is investigating whether the No. 3 official at the CIA improperly intervened in the award of contracts to a businessman implicated in a congressional bribery scandal, a law enforcement official said Monday [05/08/06]. The official is CIA Executive Director Kyle 'Dusty' Foggo. He was already under investigation by the agency's inspector general in connection with his relationship to San Diego businessman Brent Wilkes. The FBI recently began investigating Foggo, a longtime and close friend of Wilkes, the official said on condition of anonymity. Foggo has decided to retire from the CIA after the resignation last Friday of CIA Director Porter Goss, an intelligence official said Monday, also on condition of anonymity. The official noted that the new CIA directors had traditionally chosen their own executive directors, who run the agency's daily operations. Last week, the CIA released a statement on Foggo's behalf in which he denied any proprieties. Wilkes has been described in court papers as an unindicted co-conspirator in a plot to bribe then-Rep. Randy 'Duke' Cunningham, R-Calif. Cunningham now is serving a federal prison term for taking $2.4 million from government contractors. FBI agents also have been looking into whether Wilkes supplied Cunningham with prostitutes, limousines and hotel suites. Foggo sometimes attended poker parties at the hotel rooms, but he said there was nothing untoward about his presence." [Based on: A.P. article (FBI explores CIA official's role in awarding contracts), p. A3, S.L.P.D., 05/09/06]

2006 - Recommended / Routine HIV Testing, U.S.A. - May 9th, 2006: "Testing for the AIDS virus could become part of routine physical exams for adults and teens if doctors follow new U.S. guidelines expected to be issued by this summer. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Routine HIV testing recommended by federal health officials), p. A8, S.L.P.D., 05/09/06]

2006 - Wachovia Corp. Purchase / Golden West Financial Corp. - May 9th, 2006: "Wachovia shells out $24 billion for a mom-and-pop operation [Golden West Financial Corp.]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. C2, S.L.P.D., 05/09/06]

2006 - Movie Debut / Fatal Contact: Bird Flu In America - May 9th, 2006: "Fatal Contact: Bird Flu In America ('06) (Joely Richardson) An outbreak of avian flu becomes transmittable among humans." [Based on: TV Guide section, p. E8, S.L.P.D., 05/09/06]

2006 - Letter to American President / From President of Iran - May 9th, 2006: "Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice shrugged off on Monday [05/08/06] a letter from Iran's president to President George W. Bush - the first direct communication from an Iranian leader in 27 years. Rice said the letter did nothing to help resolve the standoff over Iran's disputed nuclear program. [....] 'This letter is not the place that one would find an opening to engage on the nuclear issue,' she said in an interview. 'It isn't addressing the issues that we're dealing with in a concrete way.' Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's letter was 17 or 18 pages long. Rice said it covered history, philosophy and religion. Rice's comments were the most detailed response from the United States to the letter. She declined to discuss the contents in detail but said, 'There's nothing in here that would suggest that we're on any different course than we were before we got the letter.' The United States has had no diplomatic ties and almost no economic relations with Iran since November 1979, when protestors stormed the U.S. Embassy and held Americans hostage. [....] The letter from Iran 'does not appear to do anything to address the nuclear concerns' of the world, White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters flying with Bush to Florida on Air Force One. Iranian government spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham said the letter proposed 'new solutions for getting out of international problems and the current fragile situation of the world.' " [Based on: A.P. article (Rice is cool to letter from Iran's president), p. A6, S.L.P.D., 05/09/06]

*Trivia: "[....] In the letter, Amadinejad questions whether Christ and other religious prophets would have approved of U.S. policies and actions in the Middle East. [....] 'If prophet Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ishmael, Joseph, or Jesus Christ (Peace Be Upon Him) were with us today, how would they have judged such behavior?' the Iranian writes. [....] Yet, its only proposal is an invitation to join with those who adhere to the teachings of prophets, to monotheism and to human dignity. The letter portrays the world as filled with people who are tired of corruption and poverty and who have joined an 'ever-increasing global hatred of the American government.' Woven throughout are apocalyptic warnings a major upheaval that will see the world's people rebel against 'cruel governments' and more closer to God. Democracy and liberalism have failed, he says. [....] The letter covers grievances that have made Bush deeply unpopular among Muslims: the Iraq war, U.S. support of Israel, and the mistreatment of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay. [....] In places, the letter strikes a soft, almost fatherly stance. On its first page, Ahmadinejad takes a tone of a man who is troubled by a friend's actions and decides to sit down and give him a little advice. He later casts himself as a humble teacher. The issue of Iran's nuclear program gets only brief mention. Ahmadinejad accuses Bush of portraying Iran's nuclear program as a threat to Israel and declares Iran's right to scientific research and development. 'Aside from the Middle Ages, in what other point in history has scientific and technical progress been a crime?' the letter asks." [Based on: A.P. article (Letter reveals much about Iranian president), p. A15, S.L.P.D., 05/10/06]

*Links: http://www.americanfreepress.net/html/press_censors_iran_letter.html
              http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,418660,00.html

2006 - Heat Wave / India - May 10th, 2006: "Young Indians carry water in plastic cans over a dry riverbead in Ahmadabad, India, Tuesday [05/09/06]. The death toll from a blistering heat wave in northern India was at least 34. Officials issued an advisory to all schools to advance summer vacations by about a week due to heat-wave conditions." [Based on: A.P. picture article (Heat wave in India), p. A10, S.L.P.D., 05/10/06]

2006 - Gold Futures / U.S.A. - May 10th, 2006: "Gold glitters after metal surges atop $700 an ounce / As dollar weakens, futures hit level not reached since 1980." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p. C3, S.L.P.D., 05/10/06]

2006 - Trivia / DuPont Suit - May 10th, 2006: "A lawsuit representing millions of owners of teflon-coated cookware has been filed in U.S. District Court, seeking to combine complaints from 16 states into one master lawsuit. The suit, filed Monday [05/08/06] in Iowa because of its central location, alleges that Teflon manufacturer DuPont Co. failed to disclose possible health risks from using the nonstick cookware. The lawsuit alleges also that DuPont continued to tell the government and consumers for years that Teflon was safe even though its own studies showed the material could become toxic when heated at temperatures easily reached when a typical stove top is set on high. [....] A lawyer for DuPont, Adam Hoeflich of Chicago, said at a hearing on April 20 that Teflon has a 40-year history of safe use, and no studies exist that show the material can become toxic. [....]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article (Lawsuit seeks to turn up the heat on DuPont over its Teflon cookware), p. C2, S.L.P.D., 05/10/06]

2006 - Suicide Bomber / Iraq - May 10th, 2006: "A suicide truck bomber attacked a crowded market in Tal Afar late Tuesday [05/09/06], killing at least 17 people and wounding 35. Tal Afar is the city cited in March by President George W. Bush as a success story in battling insurgents. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Suicide bomber kills 17 at Iraqi market), p. A16, S.L.P.D., 05/10/06]

2006 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 10th, 2006: "The Dow Jones industrial average climbed to within 100 points of a record Tuesday [05/09/06] after General Motors Corp. showed its first profit since 2004. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article, p. C4, S.L.P.D., 05/10/06]

2006 - Trivia / New "Cold War?" - May 10th, 2006: "Putin omits Western allies in speech [05/09/06] about WWII" [Based on: Title for news Services article, p. A10, S.L.P.D., 05/10/06]

2006 - Palestinian Aid / U.S.A. - May 10th, 2006: "The United States bowed to pressure from its allies on Tuesday [05/09/06] and agreed to support a new temporary program to funnel more humanitarian aid directly to the Palestinian people. [....] The statement said the assistance would begin as soon as possible, with a decision on its continuation coming in three months. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (U.S. OKs aid for Palestinians), p. A13, S.L.P.D., 05/10/06]

2006 - Cocaine Seizure / China - May 10th, 2006: "Chinese and U.S. agents seized more than 300 pounds of cocaine smuggled from Columbia, authorities said Tuesday [05/09/06]. The drug seizure was a record for China - and a sign of how South American narcotics gangs are moving aggressively into Asia. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Cocaine trafficking uncovered in Asia), p. A8, S.L.P.D., 05/10/06]

2006 - More Schools Failing / U.S.A. - May 10th, 2006: "About 1,750 U.S. schools that fall short of requirements under President George W. Bush's education have been ordered into radical 'restructuring.' The schools are now subject to mass firings, clousures, state takeovers or other moves aimed at wiping their slates clean. [....] Schools make the list by falling short in math or reading for at least five consecutive years. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Under law, more schools are failing), p. A2, S.L.P.D., 05/10/06]

2006 - Firts-Quarter Profit / U.S. Airways - May 10th, 2006: "US Airways posts profit in first quarter / Sales slow for Sara Lee, which reports 78 percent drop in income." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for News Services article, p. C3, S.L.P.D., 05/10/06]

2006 - Trivia / Infant Survival Rate, U.S.A. - May 10th, 2006: "America's survival rate for newborn babies ranks near the bottom among modern nations, better onlty than Latavia's. Among 33 industrialized nations, the United States is tied with Hungary, Malta, Poland and Slovakia, with a death rate of almost five for each 1,000 babies, according to a new report. Latavia's rate is six for each 1,000. [....] The U.S. ranking is driven partly by racial and income disparities. U.S. blacks have nine deaths for each 1,000 births - closer to rates in poor nations than to those in the industrialized world. [....] The researchers also say lack of national health insurance and short maternity leaves probably contributes to the poor U.S. rankings. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (U.S. infant survival rate ranks among lowest, group reports), p. A11, S.L.P.D., 05/10/06]

2006 - Toyota Motor North America Exec. / Jim Press - May 10th, 2006: "American [Jim Press] will replace accused Toyota exec [Hideaki Otaka]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. C2, S.L.P.D., 05/10/06]

2006 - Wants to Cancel Labor Contracts / Delphi Corp. - May 10th, 2006: "Auto-parts supplier Delphi Corp. argued Tuesday [05/09/06] that it must be given the right to cancel its labor contracts, telling a judge that is [< typo - it's?] critical to the cost cutting required for its survival. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Delphi asks judge for the right to void its labor contracts), p. C2, S.L.P.D., 05/10/06]

2006 - Linked to Eye Infection? / Bausch & Lomb Product - May 10th, 2006: "Nearly two-thirds of contact lens wearers who got a potentially blinding fungal eye infection say they used Bausch & Lomb Inc.'s newest lense cleaner, health authorities said Tuesday [05/09/06]. The eye-care products maker halted U.S. sales of its ReNu with MoistureLoc solution on April 10. The company acted after the federal Centers for Disease Control and prevention said it was investigating an outbreak of Fusarium keratis infections in Americans using the product. The CDC has verified that 93 out of 98 confirmed cases for which it has complete data involved contact lens users. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Bausch & Lomb product is linked to eye infection), p. A11, S.L.P.D., 05/10/06]

*Trivia: "Suspect contact-lens cleaner [ReNu with MoistureLoc] is off market" [Based on: A.P. article, p. A5, S.L.P.D., 05/16/06]

2006 - Strong Earthquake / Fox Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska - May 10th, 2006: "A strong earthquake occurred at 02:42:50 (UTC) on Wednesday, May 10th, 2006. The magnitude 6.4 event has been located in FOX ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA."

[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usmnag.php] - [05/10/06]

2006 - Religious Rights Suit / Ex-Detainees, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba - May 10th, 2006: "A judge is allowing four former detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to pursue a suit alleging their U.S. captors violated their religious rights. U.S. District Judge Ricardo Urbina rejected the Justice Department's argument that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act was meant to apply only to government action in the continental United States. The 1933 law restricts government officers from taking action that interferes with individual religious liberty. [....] The Religious Freedom Restoration Act applies to territories and possessions of the United States, and in the case of Guantanamo Bay, "the United States exercises perhaps as much control as it possibly could short of 'ultimate sovereignty,' " Urbina ruled." [Based on: News Services article (Ex-detainees can sue over religious rights), p. A4, S.L.P.D., 05/10/06]

2006 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 11th, 2006: "Stocks were mixed Wednesday [05/10/06] as the Federal Reserve damped speculation about a pause in its almost two-year series of interest-rate increases. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article, p. B4, S.L.P.D., 05/11/06]

2006 - "Politics Perverts Words ..." - May 11th, 2006:

   It has long been recognized that political language forms a linguistic category of its own, one in which words serve not as exact descriptive symbols but as empty formulas designed to push specific emotional buttons in the guileless listener. * The best description of this process is still George Orwell's essay "Politics and the English Language," written 60 years ago, in which he argued that any number of words used with easy profligacy by politicians had become essentially meaningless. [....] The list could be supplemented almost indefinately, but two words in particular have become so adulterated, so completely dissociated from their original meanings, that they should really be outlawed from all serious discourse: conservative and liberal. [....] As Orwell pointed out, language corrupts thought. The "invasion of one's mind by ready-made phrases ... can only be prevented if one is constantly on guard against them, and every such phrase anesthetizes a portion of one's brain." [....] Today [2006], as in Orwell's day, the political chaos "is connected with the decay of language," and we can "probably bring about some improvement by starting at the verbal end." Let us start, then by rejecting the treacherous, deceptive, worn-out terms "liberal" and "conservative," words that are useless to everyone except the cynical politicians who exploit them in order to manipulate our worst instincts and prejudices. * If we are unable to omit these words from our vocabularies, at least we should use them only after careful reflection, so that they might once again begin to accrue some real significance." [Based on: Other Views page article (Politics perverts words, and vice-versa) by Brooke Allen, p. D13, S.L.P.D., 05/11/06] - [Note: Article paragraph indents untrasnscribed (* = paragraph indent) to save space. - D.R.D.]

*Related Link: [Based on: http://www.netcharles.com/orwell/essays/politics-english-language1.htm]

2006 - Tornadoes / North Texas - May 11th, 2006: "One survivor said it was like a thunderstorm that 'went crazy' as overnight twisters in rural North Texas reduced homes to concrete slabs and killed three people, including a teen cowering in the stairwell of his home. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Tornadoes kill 3 in overnight rampage), p. A2, S.L.P.D., 05/11/06]

2006 - SEC Probe / Diebold Inc. - May 11th, 2006: "SEC probes Diebold's revenue reporting" [Based on: Article Title, p. B2, S.L.P.D., 05/11/06]

2006 - Trivia / 2005 London Bombings - May 11th, 2006: "British government reports into the July bombings on London's transit network conclude the four attackers acted without the assistance of foreign terrorists, officials and lawmakers said Wednesday [05/10/06]. [....] Authorities have long held that the four men, who killed 52 subway and bus passengers, were homegrown terrorists who acted independently and not at the direction of an al-Qaida operative or other foreign group." [Based on: News Services article (Reports find terrorists did not aid 4 attackers), p. A12, S.L.P.D., 05/11/06]

2006 - Status / Puerto Rican Government - May 11th, 2006: "Officials agree to end government shutdown" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p. A13, S.L.P.D., 05/11/06]

2006 - First-Quarter Profit Drop / AIG Inc. - May 11th, 2006: "Insurance company AIG's profit drops 16 pct." [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. B3, S.L.P.D., 05/11/06]

2006 - Typhoon Chanchu / Philippines - May 11th, 2006: "Tropical Storm Chanchu formed in the western Pacific on May 8, 2006, roughly 500 miles east of the Philippines. The storm had been gradually building strength and size since it formed, building to typhoon strength by May 11. It lost some strength as it crossed the Philippines, but once clear of the islands, it regained power and became a typhoon once again with powerful winds and a large cyclonic structure as it continued on a projected westbound track across the South China Sea towards Hainan and Indochina. [....] Sustained winds in the storm system [05/16/06] were estimated to be around 200 kilometers per hour (125 miles per hour) ... [....]"

[Based on: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=13576]

2006 - Will Strengthen Military / Russia - May 11th, 2006: "President Vladimir Putin declared Wednesday [05/10/06] that Russia would boost its military strength to ensure its ability to resist foreign pressure. His words amount to a blunt response to U.S. criticism of his domestic and foreign policies. In an annual address to parliament, Putin said new nuclear and high-precision weapons would enable his country to maintain a strategic balance with the United States. He likened the United States to a wolf - the archvillain of Russian fairy tales - doing as it pleases in the world. [....]" [Based on: Los Angeles Times article (In response to critics, Putin says Russia will strengthen its military), p. A11, S.L.P.D., 05/11/06]

2006 - Settlement / Morgan Stanley & Co. - May 11th, 2006: "Wall Street powerhouse Morgan Stanley & Co. agreed to pay a $15 million civil fine to settle federal regulators' charges that it repeatedly failed to provide tens of thousands of e-mails that they sought in major investigations over several years, federal regulators said Wednesday [05/10/06] [....] The Securities and Exchange Commission announced the settlement with Morgan Stanley, which neither admitted nor denied the allegations but did consent to a permanent injunction against future violations of the securities laws." [Based on: Article (Morgan Stanley will pay $15 million SEC fine), p. B2, S.L.P.D., 05/11/06]

2006 - House Approval / U.S. Tax Relief Bill - May 11th, 2006: "House approves $70 billion tax relief bill / Investors and 15 million taxpayers facing the alternative minimum tax would benefit most." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p. A7, S.L.P.D., 05/11/06]

2006 - Cuts Off Fuel to Palestinians / Israel - May 11th, 2006: "Palestinian gas stations started shutting down Wednesday [05/10/06] after an Israeli fuel company cut off deliveries. [....] The fuel cutoff was imposed by Israel's Dor Energy, the sole fuel provider to the Palestinians since the mid-1990s. The company cited growing unpaid accounts, Palestinian officials said. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Israeli firm cuts off fuel to Palestinians, cites unpaid bills), p. A12, S.L.P.D., 05/11/06]

2006 - Protest / Tax Hike Proposal, Lebanon - May 11th, 2006: "A quarter-million workers, students and activists marched through Lebanon's capital Wednesday [05/10/06], protesting a proposal for a tax increase and calling for the anti-Syrian prime minister to resign. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Lebanese protest tax hike, call for premier's ouster), p. A12, S.L.P.D., 05/11/06]

2006 - Dollar Damage / Taum Sauk Reservoir, Mo. - May 11th, 2006: "Taum Sauk cost could hit $73 million / AmerenUE says that figure doesn't even include possibly rebuilding the man-made lake, which would be covered by an insurance policy with a $15 million deductible." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for article, p. B1, S.L.P.D., 05/11/06]

2006 - Increase / Federal Funds Interest Rate, U.S.A. - May 11th, 2006: "The Federal Reserve boosted Americans' borrowing costs for the 16th time in a row on Wednesday [05/10/06] - this time to the highest level [federal funds rate by one-quarter percentage point to 5 percent] in five years - but suggested that what happens next will be much less predictable. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Fed bumps up rates and leaves options open), p. B2, S.L.P.D., 05/11/06]

2006 - Declines to Accuse China of Manipulating Currency / U.S.A. - May 11th, 2006: "The United States said Wednesday [05/10/06] that it would refrain from branding China as a country that was manipulating its currency to gain unfair trade advantages. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (U.S. declines to accuse China of manipulating currency), p. A2, S.L.P.D., 05/11/06]

2006 - May Back Changes to Surveillance Law? / Michael Hayden - May 11th, 2006: "CIA nominee Michael Hayden may be open to changes in an eavesdropping law to allow the Bush administration's warrantless surveillance, according to Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Durbin says CIA pick may back changes to surveillance law), p. A2, S.L.P.D., 05/11/06]

2006 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 12th, 2006: "Stocks fell Thursday [05/11/06] the most since January as surging gold and oil prices increased concern the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates to contain inflation. The Dow Jones industrial average ended a five-day rally that sent the benchmark about 80 points from a record, closing the session down 141.92, or 1.2 percent, to 11,500.73. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Stocks tumble in face of racing commodities), p. B8, S.L.P.D., 05/12/06]

2006 - Indicted / Hwang Woo-suk - May 12th, 2006: "Disgraced cloning scientist Hwang Woo-suk was indicted on fraud and bio-ethics law violations linked to faked stem-cell research, prosecutors said today. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Disgraced scientist indicted in fraud case), p. A14, S.L.P.D., 05/12/06]

2006 - Data Mining Trivia / U.S.A. - May 12th, 2006: "National Security Agency program creates Furor over phone logs / The report: At least three companies - AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth - turned over call records for tens of millions of customers, says USA Today. Bush stance: The president says that all of the government's intelligence activity is legal and that Americans' privacy is being 'fiercely protected.' " [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Knight Ridder Newspapers article, p. A1, S.L.P.D., 05/12/06]

*Trivia: "If the National Security Agency is indeed amassing a colossal database of Americans' phone records, one way to use all that infoirmation is in 'social network analysis,' a data-mining method that aims to expose previously invisible connections among people. [....] 'Who you're talking to often maters much more than what your're saying,' said Bruce Schneier, a computer security expert and author of 'Beyond Fear: Thinking Sensibly About Security in an Uncertain World.' [....] [Based on: A.P. article (Analyzing calls could expose hidden social connections), p. A9, S.L.P.D., 05/12/06]

*Trivia:

We really do hate to keep having to repeat ourselves and with the NSA story it's a total bore. This time I am going to put it in large capital letters to try and get the point across.

THE NSA HAS BEEN RECORDING PHONE CONVERSATIONS FOR OVER A DECADE. THE PROGRAM IS CALLED ECHELON. THE USA TODAY STORY ABOUT THE NSA STORING PHONE NUMBERS IS NOT NEWS. [....]

[Based on: Infowars.com article (Big Brother Was Listening In A Long Time Ago. Does anyone remember Echelon?) [see link] by Joseph Watson/Prison Planet.com., 05/12/06]

*Links: http://www.infowars.com/articles/bb/bb_listening_a_long_time_ago.htm

2006 - WTO Ruling / GM Foods - May 12th, 2006: "In a decision that could benefit Creve Coeur-based Monsanto Co., the World Trade Organization has upheld a ruling that European countries broke international trade rules by stopping imports of genetically modified foods, officials said Thursday [05/11/06]. [....] The WTO's verdict, handed out confidentially late Wednesday [05/10/06] found that the European Union had an effective ban on biotech foods for six years from 1998. The WTO sided with the United States and two other countries who said the moratorium was illegal under the commerce body's rules, according to officials who have reviewed the report. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Monsanto could benefit from WTO ruling), p. B2, S.L.P.D., 05/12/06]

2006 - Emergency Loan / Puerto Rico - May 12th, 2006: "More than 100,000 Puerto Ricans will head back to their government jobs and public schools will reopen next week after politicians announced an end to a budget crisis that partially shut down the government. The agreement announced late Wednesday [05/10/06] called for an emergency loan - backed by the island's first sales tax - to cover a $740 million budget deficit." [Based on: News Services article (Emergency loan restarts government services), p. A14, S.L.P.D., 05/12/06]

2006 - Continued Violence / Nigeria - May 12th, 2006: "Crude oil futures jumped above $73 a barrel Thursday [05/11/06] on intensified supply worries, after police said gunmen in Nigeria kidnapped at least two foreign oil workers from a bus in a second day of attacks targeting such workers. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Nigerian violence continues to inflate oil futures), p. B2, S.L.P.D., 05/12/06]

2006 - Trivia / Pentagon Budget, U.S.A. - May 12th, 2006: "The House approved on Thursday [05/11/06] a $512.9 billion military bill to address issues arising from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The measure was approved on a 396-31 vote. It includes a plan to spend $50 billion for the first part of next year's war costs. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (House OKs $513 billion Pentagon budget), p. A1, S.L.P.D., 05/12/06]

2006 - First Quarter Profit / Delta Air Lines Inc. - May 12th, 2006: "Delta Air Lines Inc. said its first-quarter loss widened to $2.1 billion on costs from its reorganization. [....]" [Based on: Article (Delta forecasts loss of $2.1 million in quarter), p. B2, S.L.P.D., 05/12/06]

2006 - Pro-Democracy Demonstration / Egypt - May 12th, 2006: "Thousands of Egyptian riot police beat pro-democracy activists Thursday [05/11/06] to break up a demonstration in support of judges who made allegations of election fraud. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Riot police in Egypt clash with pro-democracy activists), p. A13, S.L.P.D., 05/12/06]

2006 - Trivia / Mount Merapi Volcano, Indonesia - May 12th, 2006: "The crater of the Mount Merapi volcano glows with lava, as seen early Thursday [05/11/06] from Bebeng village in Central Java, Indonesia. The volcano has been spewing huge clouds of gases and ash." [Based on: A.P. picture article (Indonesian volcano threatens), p. A14, S.L.P.D., 05/12/06]

2006 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 13th, 2006: "Stocks tumbled for a second day Friday [05/12/06] as higher prices for imported goods and a falling dollar showed inflation may be accelerating. The Standard & Poor's 500 index had its biggest weekly loss since October [2005]. [....] The Dow Jones industrial average had back-to-back declines of more than 100 points for the first time since June 2005. The guage slid 119.74, or 1 percent, to 11,380.99. The S&P 500 lost 14.68, or 1.1 percent, to 1,291.24, while the Nasdaq fell 28.92, or 1.3 percent, to 2,243.78. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Inflation signals deflate markets for a second day), p. A34, S.L.P.D., 05/13/06]

2006 - Gasoline Explosion / Nigeria - May 13th, 2006: "Gasoline explosion [05/12/06] kills up to 200 in Nigeria / Villagers were scavenging for fuel at ruptured pipeline when blast occured." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p. A27, S.L.P.D., 05/13/06]

2006 - Highly Enriched Uranium? / Iran - May 13th, 2006: "U.N. inspectors have found traces of highly enriched uranium on equipment from an Iranian research center linked to the military, diplomats said Friday [05/12/06]. The diplomats cautioned that confirmation still had to come through other laboratory tests. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Uranium tied to Iranian military site, diplomats say), p. A29, S.L.P.D., 05/13/06]

2006 - Agents Search CIA Agent's Home & Office - May 13th, 2006: "Federal agents searched the home and office of the CIA's departing No. 3 official Friday [05/12/06] as part of a corruption investigation that has sent a former congressman to prison and now involves CIA contracts. Investigators from five federal agencies acted under search warrants at the home of Kyle 'Dusty' Foggo in Vienna, Va., and his office at the CIA's Langley, Va., campus, FBI spokeswoman Debra Weierman said. Both locations are in the Washington suburbs. The warrants themselves were sealed, and officials would not discuss what agents were seeking. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Agents search outgoing CIA official's home, office), p. A24, S.L.P.D., 05/13/06]

2006 - Eruption? / Mount Merapi Volcano, Java, Indonesia - May 13th, 2006: "Thousands of people fled the fertile slopes of Indonesia's most dangerous volcano Saturday [05/13/06] as glowing lava ozzed down the side and ash and rock spewed from the mountaintop, leading authorities to warn that an erruption could come soon.." [Based on: A.P. article (Fearing major eruption, villagers flee volcano / Tremors shake the ground and fiery magma lights up the night sky around Mount Merapi, on the island of Java in Indonesia), p. A6, S.L.P.D., 05/14/06]

*Trivia: "Mount Merapi is a conical volcano in Central Java, Indonesia. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted 68 times since 1548. Its name means Mountain of Fire. It is very close to the city of Yogyakarta, and thousands of people live on the flanks of the volcano, with villages as high as 1700 m above sea level. In light of the hazards it poses to populated areas, it has been designated a Decade Volcano. [....] The volcano's most recent eruption began on May 13, 2006. Reports state that officials in Indonesia have raised the alert status of Mount Merapi to the highest level, which has prompted a compulsory evacuation of thousands of residents living on the slopes. [....]"

[Based on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Merapi%2C_Central_Java]

2006 - Observed / "Mother's Day" - May 14th, 2006: Trivia: "(1) One day each spring in ancient Greece, people held celebrations in honor of Rhea, whom they called Mother of the Gods. (2) During the 1600s, people in England celebrated a day called "Mothering Sunday." On that day servants were released from work to spend the day with their mothers. (3) In the U.S., the idea of Mother's Day was first suggested by Julia Ward Howe in 1872 as a day dedicated to peace. (4) In 1907, Ana Jarvis passed out carnations at her mother's church in Grafton, West Virginia - one for each mother in the congregation. She did this in memory of her own mother. (5) In 1908, St. Andrew's Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia held a Sunday service honoring mothers. (6) In 1909, Mother's Day services were held in all 46 states [U.S.A.] plus Canada and Mexico. (7) In 1912, West Virginia became the first state to adopt an official Mother's Day. (8) In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution establishing Mother's Day." [Based on: Everyday section, p. E6, S.L.P.D., 05/09/06]

2006 - Cheney Notes / CIA Leak Case - May 14th, 2006: "In a new court filing, the prosecutor in the CIA leak case revealed that Vice President Dick Cheney made handwritten references to CIA officer Valerie Plame - albeit not by name - eight days before her identity was publicly exposed. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Cheney notes enter CIA leak case), p. A3, S.L.P.D., 05/14/06]

2006 - Economic Collapse? / Zimbabwe - May 14th, 2006: "Zimbabwe's annual inflation rate topped 1,000 percent for the first time, underlining the economic collapse of the country. Moffat Nyoni, director of the Government's Central Statistical Office, said the inflation for the 12 months to April 2006 was 1,042.9 percent, according to a state radio report Saturday [05/13/06]. A package of the cheapest candy costs 57,000 Zimbabwe dollars and a loaf of bread 100,000 Zimbabwe dollars. But the maximum denomination note is 50,000 Zimbabwe dollars, forcing shoppers to carry bags full of money for basic daily purchases." [Based on: News Services article (Annual inflation rate tops 1,000 pct.), p. A10, S.L.P.D., 05/14/06]

2006 - Genesis in Public Schools? / U.S.A. - May 14th, 2006:

   It wasn't particularly unusual that a group of bored-looking high school students [Potosi, Illinois] were rolling their eyes Monday morning [05/08/06] at a geeky science dude making lame jokes like "It's amino acids,' not 'mean-old-acids.' " It was, however, unusual that the teenagers were sitting in their public school's library and that the geeky dude giving them a different perspective on science was not a scientist at all, but an evangelical Christian representing an organization [Answers in Genesis] promoting a literal interpretation of the Genesis story. [....] Answers in Genesis said since its founding 12 years ago, it had been invited into a public school only five times. [....]" [Based on: Newswatch section article (Creationists have found a new strategy to teach their beliefs. / Genesis in public schools) by Tim Townsend, p. B1 & B5, S.L.P.D., 05/14/06]

2006 - Siphoning Gas from Pipelines / Nigerian Villagers - May 14th, 2006: "Nigerians siphon from pipelines despite danger" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. A12, S.L.P.D., 05/14/06]

2006 - Flooding / New England - May 15th, 2006: "Torrential rain forced hundreds of people from their homes in parts of New England on Sunday [05/14/06], as water flowed over dams and washed out roads. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Deluge forces evacuations in New England; dams are watched), p. A3, S.L.P.D., 05/15/06]

*Trivia: "[....] The flooding could prove to be the region's worst since the 1930s. The national Weather Service reported more than a foot of rain had fallen in some places by Monday [05/15/06] night. [....] In the spring of 1936, torrential rain over 13 days caused flooding in New England that was blamed for 150 to 200 deaths." [Based on: A.P. article (New England flooding could be the worst since 1930s), p. A2, S.L.P.D., 05/16/06]

2006 - Insurgent Attacks / Iraq - May 15th, 2006: "26 Iraqis, 2 American soldiers are killed in attacks in Baghdad" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. A8, S.L.P.D., 05/15/06]

2006 - President Rene Preval / Haiti - May 15th, 2006: "Haiti's Preval [Rene Preval] takes oath of office [05/14/06], pledges to unite troubled nation" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. A6, S.L.P.D., 05/15/06]

2006 - Killed by Alligators / Florida Women - May 15th, 2006: "The bodies of two women, both apparently killed by alligators, were found Sunday [05/14/06]. [....] On Wednesday [05/10/06], construction workers found the dismembered body of a Florida Atlantic University student in a canal near Fort Lauderdale. Authorities captured a nine-foot alligator Saturday [05/13/06] and found two human arms inside its stomach." [Based on: News Services article (Alligators are suspected in deaths of 2 women), p. A4, S.L.P.D., 05/15/06]

*Trivia: "The woman who died after an alligator mauled her May 10 had toxic levels of alcohol and Xanax in her system, the Broward County medical examiner's office said Monday [07/03/06]. Still, Yovahana 'Yovy' Suarez-Jimenez, 28, was killed by the gator, said Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Joshua Perper. Perper said her blood-alcohol level was 0.24 percent, three times the legal limit. She also had twice the amount of the highest prescribed dosage of Xanax in her blood, said Harold Schueler, chief toxicologist."

2006 - Linked to Stress / Virtually Every Major Disease? - May 15th, 2006: "[....] ... Virtually every major disease, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, obesity and even cancer, has been linked to stress through mainstream medical research, says Dr. Vern Cherewatenko, author of 'The Stress Cure' (HarperResource, $13.95). Cherewatenko offers seven steps to de-stress, including eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep, building strong relationships and practicing mindful living. [....]" [Based on: Chicago Tribune article (5 ways to improve your health) by Julie Deardorff, p. H8, S.L.P.D., 05/15/06]

2006 - Price of Oil / U.S.A. - May 16th, 2006: "The price of oil fell more than 3 percent Monday [05/15/06], dipping below $70 a barrel amid concerns about weakening demand and rising inflation. Light, sweet crude for June delivery fell $2.63 to settle at $69.41 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. [....]" [Based on: Article (Oil Price dips to $69.41), p. C2, S.L.P.D., 05/16/06]

2006 - Price of Gold / U.S.A. - May 16th, 2006: "[....] June gold fell $27.10 to settle at $691.90 an ounce on the New York Mercantile Exchange after sinking as low as $685 an ounce earlier in the day, its lowest level since it surged above $700 on May 9. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (4 percent plunge tarnishes the price of gold), p. C3, S.L.P.D., 05/16/06]

2006 - AIDS Fear / Russia - May 16th, 2006: "Critics of Russia's response to AIDS fear major crisis" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. A4, S.L.P.D., 05/16/06]

2006 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 16th, 2006: "Stocks advanced Monday [05/15/06] as a plunge in oil and metals prices eased concern that accelerating inflation will drive the Federal Reserve to keep raising interest rates. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Oil, metals declines ease inflation fears, propel stocks), p. C4, S.L.P.D., 05/16/06]

2006 - Lesbian's Parental Rights / U.S.A. - May 16th, 2006: "The Supreme Court said Monday [05/15/06] that it would not block a lesbian from seeking parental rights to a child she helped raise with her longtime partner. [....]" [Based on: New Services article (Ruling on lesbian's parental rights stands), p. A3, S.L.P.D., 05/16/06]

2006 - U.S. Troops? / Mexican Border - May 16th, 2006: "President George W. Bush called Monday [05/15/06] night for sending as many as 6,000 National Guard soldiers to help protect the U.S.-Mexican border. [....]" [Based on: Knight Ridder Newspapers article (6,000 troops to border / Guardsmen will have support role in security operations), p. A1, S.L.P.D., 05/16/06]

2006 - Trivia / Wal-Mart & Home Depot - May 16th, 2006: "Retailers' efforts to enter banking creates strong opposition / Wal-Mart, Home Depot want to enter financial services business." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p. C2, S.L.P.D., 05/16/06]

2006 - Trivia / Air Pollution Rules, U.S.A. - May 16th, 2006: "The Supreme Court agreed Monday [05/15/06] to decide how tough the government can be on 17,000 industrial plants and when it can force improvements in bad air breathed by 160 million Americans [....] The case involves the Bush administration's attempts in 2002 and 2003 to rewrite the Environmental Protection Agency's 'new source review' regulations under 1977 amendments to the Clean Air Act. [....]" [Based on: New Services article (Justices accept case on air pollution rules), p. A3, S.L.P.D., 05/16/06]

2006 - Welcomes China's Currency / U.S.A. - May 16th, 2006: "The United States, which has been coping with a record-high trade deficit with China, welcomed the rise in that country's currency." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article (U.S. welcomes rise in China's currency / Yuan breaks through 8-per-dollar barrier, its highest level in 10 years.) by Jeannine Aversa, p. C3, S.L.P.D., 05/16/06]

2006 - New 911 Images / U.S. Pentagon - May 16th, 2006: "Following Freedom of Information Act lawsuits dating back to 2004, the Pentagon Tuesday [05/16/06] released images recorded on the morning of 9/11 by two security cameras in the Pentagon parking lot. Five frames from one camera had previously been leaked in early 2002. No Boeing 757 airliner is apparent in any of the images. [....]" [Based on: Total 911 Info article, 05/17/06 - see link]

*Link: http://www.total911.info/2006/05/new-pentagon-video-shows-no-boeing.html

*Trivia: "FBI Withholding 84 More Tapes of Pentagon on 9/11 / Magically Only 1 shows impact so why not release the rest?" [Based on infowars.net article by Steve Watson, 05/17/06]

*Link: http://www.infowars.net/articles/may2006/170506Pentagon_videos.htm

2006 - Shot Down / U.S. Helicopter, Iraq - May 16th, 2006: "Insurgents shot down a U.S. helicopter that was raiding al-Qaida militants south of Baghdad, killing two soldiers, the U.S. armed forces said Monday [05/15/06]. [....] The five U.S. raids south of Baghdad resulted in the killing of an al-Qaida militant blamed for an attack that downed a U.S. Apache helicopter and killed two soldiers in the same area April 1. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Helicopter is shot down during raid, killing two U.S. soldiers), p. A7, S.L.P.D., 05/16/06]

2006 - Wave of Violence / Brazilian Gangs - May 16th, 2006: "Masked men with automatic weapons attacked bars, banks and police stations. Gangs set buses on fire. And inmates at dozens of prisons took guards hostage in a fourth-day wave of violence that had killed more than 80 by Monday [05/15/06]. [....] The violence was triggered by an attempt to isolate gang leaders, who control many of Sao Paulo's teeming, corrupt prisons. Authorities transferred eight of them Thursday to a high-security facility hundreds of miles away from this city of 18 million people. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Brazilian gangs rampage for fourth day / Fearful bus drivers stay home, leaving many without transportation.), p. A10, S.L.P.D., 05/16/06]

2006 - Kevin Mowbray / St. Louis Post Dispatch - May 16th, 2006: "A rising star in the Lee Enterprises Inc. newspaper chain [Kevin Mowbray] has been named publisher of the Post-Dispatch. [....]" [Based on: Article (Executive at Lee is named Post publisher), p. A1, S.L.P.D., 05/16/06]

2006 - Not Guilty Pleas / Saddam Hussein & Co. - May 16th, 2006: "Saddam, co-defendants enter not guilty pleas" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. A7, S.L.P.D., 05/16/06]

2006 - Major Earthquake / Kermadec Islands Region - May 16th, 2006: "A major earthquake occurred at 10:39:23 (UTC) on Tuesday, May 16th, 2006. The magnitude 7.4 event has been located in the KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION."

[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usmuah.php] - [05/16/06]

2006 - Strong Earthquake / Nias Region, Indonesia - May 16th, 2006: "A strong earthquake occurred at 15:28:26 (UTC) on Tuesday, May 16th, 2006. The magnitude 6.8 event has been located in the NIAS REGION, INDONESIA."

[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usmuaw.php] - [05/16/06]

2006 - Released / List of Prisoners, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba - May 16th, 2006: "The Pentagon has given The Associated Press the first list of everyone who has been held at Guantanamo Bay. The list was handed over Monday [05/15/06], more than four years after the Pentagon opened the detention center in Cuba. But none of the most notorious terrorist suspects was included on the list. That raises questions about where America's most dangerous prisoners are being held. In all, 210 names of prisoners had never before been disclosed by the Defense Department. Officials say 759 people have been held at Guantanamo. The handover marks the first time that everyone who has been held by the Defense Department at Guantanamo Bay in the war on terror has been identified, said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Chito Peppler. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Pentagon releases list of everyone who has been held at Guantanamo / Most infamous terror suspects aren't included.), p. A10, S.L.P.D., 05/16/06]

2006 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 17th, 2006: "Stocks fell Tuesday [05/16/06] after the government reported the largest slump in housing starts in 17 months and Home Depot Inc.s latest sales fanned concern that consumer spending, the biggest part of the economy, is slowing. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Stock sales slump as worries over consumer spending intensify), p. C4, S.L.P.D., 05/17/06]

2006 - Radiation Leak / Japan - May 17th, 2006: "About 105 gallons of coolant water containing radioactive material leaked from an inactive nuclear power reactor [Reactor No. 3, Mihama Nuclear Power Plant] in western Japan. There was no danger of radiation escaping from the plant, its operator said Tuesday [05/16/06]. [....] No radiation leaked outside the compound, and no one was harmed by radiation, the spokesman said." [Based on: News Services article (Water leaks from nuclear power reactor), p. A8, S.L.P.D., 05/17/06]

2006 - Insurgent Attacks / Iraq - May 17th, 2006: "Gunmen attacked a parking lot in a Shiite neighborhood of Baghdad on Tuesday [05/16/06], shooting guards and detonating a car bomb near an oil tanker. The violence killed at least 19 people and wounded dozens. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (New violence flares in Iraq as sects clash / Families testify in behalf of two at Saddam's trial), p. A10, S.L.P.D., 05/17/06]

2006 - Trivia / Injected Stem Cells - May 17th, 2006: "Stereotaxis Inc. said Tuesday [05/16/06] its advanced surgical system was used to inject therapeutic adult stem cells into a patient's heart, marking a breakthrough in treatment and a potentially significant market opportunity. [....]" [Based on: Article (Stereotaxis system puts stem cells into heart), p. C2, S.L.P.D., 05/17/06]

2006 - Strong Earthquake / Tonga - May 17th, 2006: "A strong earthquake occurred at 03:06:15 (UTC) on Wednesday, May 17th, 2006. The magnitude 6.0 event has been located in TONGA."

[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usmvac.php] - [05/18/06]

2006 - Linked to Cancer / Arthritis Drugs - May 17th, 2006: "Rheumatoid arthritis patients who take Humira or Remicade face triple the risk of developing several kinds of cancer and double the risk of getting serious infections, a study led by the Mayo Clinic says. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Arthritis drugs are linked to cancer), p. A6, S.L.P.D., 05/17/06]

2006 - Solar Wind Stream? / Planet Earth - May 17th, 2006: "A solar wind stream flowing from a coronal hole on the sun is expected to hit Earth today. This could cause a geomagnetic storm and auroras over Alaska and Canada." [Based on: http://spaceweather.com/] - [05/17/06]

*Trivia: "A solar wind stream is blowing past Earth [05/19/06] but, except for a brief burst of geomagnetic activity early on May 18th, it is having little effect on our planet. Strong, bright auroras are unlikely tonight."

[Based on: http://spaceweather.com/] - [05/19/06]

2006 - Current Offer / Northwest Airlines Corp. - May 17th, 2006: "Northwest tells flight attendants current offer is as good as it gets / Tentative pact would cut their pay 21 percent and require longer hours." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p. C2, S.L.P.D., 05/17/06]

2006 - Lead-Based Ink? / Mexican Soda Labels- May 17th, 2006: "California and Los Angeles officials sued Coca-Cola Co. and its Mexican affiliates to eliminate bottles from Mexico that have lead-based ink labels. [....] The suit contends ink on Mexican bottles of Coke, Diet Coke and other soft drinks can rub off and be ingested." [Based on: Article (Coca-Cola is sued over lead-based ink on labels), p. C2, S.L.P.D., 05/17/06]

2006 - Second-Quarter Profit / Hewlett-Packard Co. - May 17th, 2006: "Hewlett-Packard profit soars 51% as market share grows" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. C3, S.L.P.D., 05/17/06]

2006 - Convicted / Two Fleishman-Hillard Execs - May 17th, 2006: "Two Fleishman-Hillard execs [Douglas Dowie & John Stodder Jr.] convicted [05/16/06] of fraud" [Based on: Title for Article, p. C2, S.L.P.D., 05/17/06]

2006 - Deny Providing Data? /  Verizon & BellSouth - May 17th, 2006: "Verizon Communications Inc. has joined fellow phone company BellSouth in denying key points of a USA Today report that the companies had provided records of millions of phone calls to the government. [....] The denials leave open the possibility that the NSA directed its requests  to long-distance companies, which collect billing data on long-distance calls placed by local-service customers of BellSouth and Verizon. When President George W. Bush was asked Tuesday about the issue, he said, 'We do not listen to domestic phone calls without court approval.' [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (2 phone companies deny providing data), p. A2, S.L.P.D., 05/17/06]

2006 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 18th, 2006: "Stocks tumbled the most since January on Wednesday [05/17/06] after the latest government report on inflation shocked investors and increased speculation that the Federal Reserve may have to keep raising interest rates and restrain the economy. [....] The tech-heavy index increased 33.33, or 1.5 percent, to 2,195.80 and is now down 0.4 percent for 2006. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Inflation soars, stocks plunge most since January), p. B6, S.L.P.D., 05/18/06]

2006 - Three Gorges Dam / China - May 18th, 2006: "With a $24 billion budget, 25,000 workers and 13 years of breakneck construction that displaced more than a million villagers, China has completed a giant and controversial dam across the mighty Yangtze River. The project seeks to tame the flood-prone waterway, which has both nurtured and tormented the Chinese people for 5,000 years. [....]" [Based on: Washington Post article, p. A11, S.L.P.D., 05/18/06]

2006 - Settlement / BellSouth Corp. - May 18th, 2006: "BellSouth Corp. agreed to settle with employees who alleged that the phone company improperly required them to hold a significant portion of their savings and retirement plans in BellSouth stock. [....] The proposal also provides that AT&T must fulfill the terms of the settlement if it aquires BellSouth." [Based on: Article, p. B2, S.L.P.D., 05/18/06]

2006 - Foreign Hostages Trivia / Iraq - May 18th, 2006: "At least 439 foreigners have been kidnapped in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion three years ago, most recently a diplomat from the United Arab Emirates, according to figures provided Wednesday [05/17/06] by a special U.S. anti-kidnapping task force. Statistics from the U.S. Embassy report the victims include 165 private contractors or their employees, 63 drivers, 39 journalists, 23 non-governmental organization workers and 15 diplomats or government employees. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (U.S. tallies foreigners kidnapped in Iraq), p. A13, S.L.P.D., 05/18/06]

2006 - Trivia / Human-Chimp Hybrids? - May 18th, 2006: "Humans and chimps diverged from a single ancestral population through a complex process that took 4 million years, says a new study that compared DNA from the two species. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Study finds we're human-chimp hybrid / Conclusions: Humans and chimps diverged from a single ancestral population through a process that included mating to form a third population. / Process: After analyzing about 800 times more DNA than previous studies, researchers think the two species arose sometime after 6.3 million years ago.), p. A1, S.L.P.D., 05/18/06]

2006 - Little Benefit? / Multivitamins - May 18th, 2006: "Although more than half of U.S. adults use multivitamins, there's little evidence that most of the pills do any good, advisers [National Institutes of Health] to the government said Wednesday [05/17/06]. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Government advisers see little evidence of benefit from multivitamins), p. A10, S.L.P.D., 05/18/06]

2006 - Typhoon Chanchu / Southern China - May 18th, 2006: "Powerful Typhoon Chanchu pummeled southern China on Thursday [05/18/06], killing at least 21 people. Also, 27 Vietnamese fishermen were missing after their boats sank in Chinese waters. [....] It has killed more than 60 people in Asia, including 37 last weekend in the Philippines, where it destroyed thousands of homes. [....] By early today [05/19/06] the dramatically weakened storm has moved into the East China sea. [....] China said it had moved more than 1 million people to safety in Guangdong and Fujian provinces. The storm bypassed the financial center of Hong Kong on the Guangdong coast." [Based on: News Services article (Storm smashes coast of southern China), p. A14, S.L.P.D., 05/19/06]

*Trivia: "At least 150 Vietnamese fishermen were missing at sea and another 28 were found dead after their boats presumably sank during Typhoon Chanchu, a border official said Friday. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Typhoon kills 28; at least 150 missing, p. A29, S.L.P.D., 05/20/06]

2006 - Resignations Trivia / General Motors Corp. - May 18th, 2006: "GM loses two top financial officers / Chief accountant [Peter Bible] and controller [ Paul W. Schmidt] resign." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Bloomberg News article, p. B2, S.L.P.D., 05/18/06]

2006 - Border Fences? / U.S.-Mexican Border - May 18th, 2006: "Senate backs border fences / proposals Passed ... * Call for 350 miles of new fencing along porous sections / * Grant legal status to millions of illegal immigrants" [Based on: Title & Subtitles for Knight Ridder Newspapers article, p. A1, S.L.P.D., 05/18/06]

*Trivia: "Guard troops could be on Mexican border by next month, Pentagon says [05/18/06]" [Based on: Title for Post-Dispatch Washington Bureau article, p. A10, S.L.P.D., 05/19/06]

2006 - Ethics Inquiries? / Two U.S. Congressmen - May 18th, 2006: "Two congressmen [Reps. Robert Ney, R-Ohio  & William Jefferson, D-La.] face ethics inquiries" [Based on: Title for Washington Post article, p. A5, S.L.P.D., 05/18/06]

2006 - Shutdown for Repairs / Callaway Nuclear Plant, Fulton, Mo. - May 18th, 2006: "For the second time in less than a week, Ameren Corp. has shut down its callaway nuclear plant for repairs. The company said in a news release the 1,190-megawatt plant near Fulton, Mo., was shut down Wednesday [05/17/06] to fix a steam valve in a part of the plant separate from the nuclear reactor. The repair is not an emergency and poses no threat to the public, Ameren said. Ameren shut the plant Friday [05/12/06] after detecting high vibrations in a power turbine. The plant reopened without incident. Ameren says it hasn't found a connection between the two shutdowns." [Based on: Article, p. B2, S.L.P.D., 05/18/06]

2006 - Insurgent Attacks / Iraq - May 19th, 2006: "Four U.S. soldiers and their Iraqi interpreter were killed by a roadside bomb Thursday [05/18/06], and at least two dozen other Iraqis died in violence across the country, as politicians worked on a government they hope will restore security. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Blast kills 4 U.S. soldiers, Iraqi as presentation of Cabinet nears), p. A13, S.L.P.D., 05/19/06]

2006 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 19th, 2006: "Stocks ended lower Thursday [05/18/06] as the latest economic data and hawkish remarks from a Fed official did little to change investor expectations that interest rates have further to rise. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 77.32 to 11,128. Over the last two sessions, the benchmark index has fallen nearly 300 points. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 and Nasdaq indexes fell, as well [....]." [Based on: MARKETWATCH article (Stocks fall as interest rate worries keep growing), p. B8, S.L.P.D., 05/19/06]

2006 - Natural Gas Prices / U.S.A. - May 19th, 2006: "Record natural gas supply's effect on prices [U.S.A.] may not last / Prices have fallen 60 percent from their mid-december high." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p. B3, S.L.P.D., 05/19/06]

2006 - Cervical Cancer Trivia / U.S.A. - May 19th, 2006: "Cancer fight aimed at girls / Cause of cancer in women: Most of the 15,000 cervical cancers diagnosed in the U.S. each year are thought to be caused by one of four strains of HPV, a sexually transmitted virus. / Who would take vaccine? It is most effective when given to girls before they become sexually active. Administration of the drug is recommended for girls between ages 9 and 13." [Based on: Title & Subtitles for Los Angeles Times article, p. A1, S.L.P.D., 05/19/06]

2006 - Fraud Charges / Kenneth Lay  - May 19th, 2006: "As jurors deliberate in a fraud and conspiracy case against him, Enron founder Kenneth Lay ... was in court Thursday [05/18/06] in Houston being tried in a separate case on fraud charges in his personal banking" [Based on: A.P. article (Arms expert calls U.S. proposal a 'nonstarter' / U.S. says treaty would help solve problems dealing with nuclear proliferation.), p. A5, S.L.P.D., 05/19/06]

2006 - Insurgent Attacks / Afghanistan - May 19th, 2006: "Islamic militants battled Afghan, U.S. and Canadian forces and detonated two suicide car bombs Thursday [05/18/06]. More than 100 people were killed in the string of attacks, which started late Wednesday [05/17/06]. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Bombs, battle in Afghanistan kill more than 100 people / American civilian, Canadian soldier, insurgents are among the dead.), p. A11, S.L.P.D., 05/19/06]

2006 - Strong Earthquake / Molucca Sea - May 19th, 2006: "A strong earthquake occurred at 14:44:27 (UTC) on Friday, May 19th, 2006. The magnitude 6.2 event has been located at: MOLUCCA SEA."

[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usmxap.php] - [05/20/06]

2006 - Push for Ethanol / U.S. Automakers - May 19th, 2006: "Big Three automakers [U.S.A.] push lawmakers on ethanol fuels / They see it as a way to reduce oil dependence." [Based on: Title & Subtitle forA.P. article, p. B3, S.L.P.D., 05/19/06]

2006 - First-Quarter Profit / Sears Holding Corp. - May 19th, 2006: "Cost-cutting moves helped Sears Holding Corp. post a profit in the first quarter versus a loss a year ago, sending its shares up 13 percent. But same-store sales - a key measure of a retailer's health - declined 4.8 percent domestically. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Cost-cutting helps Sears beat estimates), p. B3, S.L.P.D., 05/19/06]

2006 - Vows to Help Palestinian Hospitals / Israel - May 19th, 2006: "Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Thursday [05/18/06] that Israel would buy drugs and medical equipment urgently needed by Palestinian hospitals in Gaza out of funds it is witholding from tax and customs receipts collected for the Palestinian Authority, now run by Hamas. [....]" [Based on: New York Times article (Israel vows to help ailing Palestinian hospitals), p. A13, S.L.P.D., 05/19/06]

*Trivia: "Israel said Sunday [05/21/06] that it would release about $11 million in Palestinian tax money it has been holding and allow the funds to be used for medicine and equipment for Palestinian hospitals while bypassing the Hamas-led government. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Israel approves release of some tax money), p. A6, S.L.P.D., 05/22/06]

2006 - Publisher Resignation / St. Louis Post-Dispatch - May 19th, 2006: "[....] Egger's resignation, effective May 19, marks the second major change in leadership at the newspaper [St. Louis Post-Dispatch] in the last six months. Ellen Soeteber jolted the newsroom in November when she announced her resignation as the newspaper's editor. [....]" [Based on: Article (Post-Dispatch publisher plans to step down / Terrance C.Z. Egger says his move is a difficult personal and professional decision), p. A1, S.L.P.D., 04/26/06]

2006 - U.S. Proposal / Nuclear Non-Proliferation? - May 19th, 2006: "The United States proposed Thursday [05/18/06] a treaty it said would curb proliferation of nuclear weapons and improve the world's leverage against 'hard cases' such as Iran and North Korea by banning production of weapons-grade uranium and plutonium. [....] In Washington, Wade Boese, research director at the private Arms Control Association, said that the United States, Russia, France and Britain had already officially declared that they had stopped production for nuclear weapons, and that China was understood to have done so as well. [....] In addition to containing no verification measures, stockpiles of fissile material would not be effected, which would allow current nuclear powers to build weapons with their reserves. [....] The U.S. proposal would go into force with the approval of the five permanent members of the Security Council - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States." [Based on: A.P. picture article (Lay is tried on separate charges), p. A5, S.L.P.D., 05/19/06]

2006 - Charged / Milberg Weiss, Bershad & Schulman - May 19th, 2006: "One of the nation's highest profile class-action law firms [New York-based Milberg Weiss, Bershad & Schulman] was charged Thursday [05/18/06] with a scheme that paid more than $11 million in kickbacks to get people to take part in shareholder lawsuits. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Class-action law firm accused of giving kickbacks / Prosecutors file charges against Milberg Weiss, Bershad & Schulman.), p. B2, S.L.P.D., 05/19/06]

2006 - Sent Home / Saudi Arabian Guantanamo Bay Prisoners - May 19th, 2006: "Fifteen Saudis were released Thursday [04/18/06] from the detention center at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and transferred to their home country, the Pentagon said. [....] According to Pentagon spokesman Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jeffrey Gordon, there are 120 detainees remaining at Guantanamo who are considered eligible for transfer or release. [....] They were among an estimated 100 Saudis held at the U.S. military prison in in Cuba, some of them for more than four years." [Based on: News Services article (15 Saudis at Guantanamo are sent to home country), p. A7, S.L.P.D., 05/19/06]

2006 - Signs Off? / Ted Turner - May 20th, 2006: "Understated Ted Turner signs off [05/19/06] at Time Warner" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. A33, S.L.P.D., 05/20/06]

2006 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 20th, 2006: "Wall Street stabilized at the end of a difficult week Friday [05/19/06], closing moderately higher as investors shook off some of their stress about interest rates. [....]" [Based on: Wire Reports article, p. A33, S.L.P.D., 05/20/06]

2006 - Bankrupt / Calpine Corp. - May 20th, 2006: "Bankrupt Calpine reports $9.9 billion loss for 2005" [Based on: Title for Article, p. A32, S.L.P.D., 05/20/06]

2006 - Discovered / "Dino-Bird" Fossil, Brazil - May 20th, 2006: "A dinosaur claw fossil found in Brazil reinforces the theory of an evolutionary link between dinosaurs and birds, a new study says. Brazilian scientists dubbed the dinosaur the dino-bird, which they said was found in Minas Gerais state, about 370 miles northwest of Rio. Ismar de Souza Carvalho, who co-authored the study, said Thursday [05/18/06] that it probably belonged to an unknown group of dinosaurs that walked the earth some 70 million years ago. 'The anatomic structure of this claw shows, quite possibly, the link between carnivore dinosaurs and birds that exist today,' said Carvalho, a member of the Paleontological Investigation Center at Minas Gerais state university." [Based on: News Services article ('Dini-bird' fossil backs theory, study says), p. A29, S.L.P.D., 05/20/06]

2006 - Volcanic Eruption / Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat - May 20th, 2006: "On Saturday, May 20, 2006, Montserrat’s residents were warned to stay inside as the Soufriere Hills Volcano covered much of the small Caribbean island in 5 to 7 centimeters (2 to 3 inches) of volcanic ash and pebbles. Likewise, air traffic was stopped in the area after the eruption spewed volcanic ash 16 kilometers (10 miles) skyward. Volcanic ash is not really ash at all, but tiny, jagged particles of glass that damage respiratory tracts. Thick clouds of volcanic ash also pose hazards for aviation, both in terms of visibility and in potential aircraft engine damage. [....]"

[Based on: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=13589]

2006 - Sun in Gemini - May 21st, 2006: "Reported date when the Sun entered the constellation Gemini."

[Based on: http://www2.bitstream.net/~bunlion/bpi/ephm/E200604.html]

*Trivia: "On this day (05/21/06) the planet Pluto, moving towards opposition with the Sun (June 17th) was retrograde at about 26 degrees Sagittarius. Uranus (05/21/06) was at about 14 degrees Pisces (as it wiil also be on June 17th, at which time it will be close to square with the Sun). Exact opposition of Uranus to the Sun will occur on June 5th. See previous link (and for June 2006)."

2006 - Militant Attacks / Afghanistan - May 21st, 2006: "Militants hiding in a vineyard and armed with machine guns ambushed an Afghan army convoy Saturday [05/20/06], fatally shooting four soldiers but losing 15 of their own. Violence elsewhere killed another 15 people - including two French soldiers and a U.S. soldier. [....]" [Based on: Article (Fighting in Afghanistan kills 34 / One U.S. soldier dies, six are wounded.), p. A11, S.L.P.D., 05/21/06]

2006 - Mayor Ray Nagin / New Orleans - May 21st, 2006: "New Orleans Mayor Nagin [Ray Nagin] wins re-election [05/20/06]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. A1, S.L.P.D., 05/21/06]

2006 - Office Searched / Rep. William Jefferson's - May 21st, 2006: "FBI agents search congressman's [Rep. William Jefferson's] office [05/20/06]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p. A3, S.L.P.D., 05/21/06]

2006 - Strong Earthquake / Off the Coast of Ecuador - May 21st, 2006: "A strong earthquake occurred at 02:07:36 (UTC) on Sunday, May 21st, 2006. The magnitude 6.0 event has been located: OFF THE COAST OF ECUADOR."

[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usmzab.php] - [05/22/06]

2006 - Palestinian Intelligence Chief Injured / Gaza Strip - May 21st, 2006: "The chief of the Palestinian intelligence service [Maj. Gen. Tariq Abu Rajab] was severly wounded Saturday [05/20/06] by a bomb blast that tore through his headquarter