"Most newspaper article events happen anywhere from days, to months, to years before they reach publication. Consequently, most newspaper articles on this timeline are preceded by the date of the newspaper in which they appear." [E.M.] *Color Code
May 2008
2008 - Astronomic Configuration - May1st, 2008: "Sun [11 Taurus], Moon [13 Pisces], Mercury [27 Taurus], Venus [0 Taurus], Mars [25 Cancer], Jupiter [22 Capricorn], Saturn [1 Virgo], Uranus [21 Pisces], Neptune [24 Aquarius], Pluto [0 Capricorn R.], Chiron [20 Aquarius]."
[Based on: http://www2.bitstream.net/~bunlion/bpi/ephm/E200805.html]
2008 - New Mexico Messiah - May 1st, 2008: "State police have removed three children from an apocalyptic church in northeastern New Mexico whose leader claims to be the Messiah and acknowledges having sex with some of his followers." [Based on: News Services article (Messiah), p A3, S.L.P.D., 05/01/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 1st, 2008: "Stocks fell Wednesday [04/30/08], paring the best monthly advance for the Standard & Poor's 500 index since 2003, after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the seventh time and said the economy remains weak. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Fed's rate cut, economic outlook send shares down), p. C3, S.L.P.D., 05/01/08]
2008 - Interest Rate Cut / U.S.A. - May 1st, 2008: "Rate cut [U.S. federal funds rate to 2 percent - 04/30/08] likely the last for a while / Inflation fears - Further fed action could cause prise rise; spending already is sluggish." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Los Angeles Times article, p A1, S.L.P.D., 05/01/08]
2008 - April U.S. Death Toll / Iraq - May 1st, 2008: "U.S. death toll in Iraq hits 50 for April / Total is the most since 65 U.S. soldiers were killed in September [2007]" [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Washington Post article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 05/01/08]
2008 - Top Islamist Killed / Somalia - May 1st, 2008: "MOGADISHU, SOMALIA / Top Islamist [Aden Hashi Ayro] killed in airstrike [overnight], group says" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A10, S.L.P.D., 05/01/08]
2008 - Profit Loss / Starbucks Corp. - May 1st, 2008: "STARBUCKS / Profit falls [second-quarter] 28 percent" [Based on: Article title, p C2, S.L.P.D., 05/01/08]
2008 - Terror Attacks Rise / Pakistan - May 1st, 2008: "Terror attacks spiked ['more than doubled'] in Pakistan last year [2006-2007] / Al-Qaida an ongoing threat, U.S. says - Report casts doubt on Islamabad's counterterror efforts." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for New York Times article, p A1, S.L.P.D., 05/01/08]
2008 - Breast-Feeding Trivia / U.S.A. - May 1st, 2008: "More than 3 out of 4 new mothers now breast-feed their infants, the highest rate in the United States in at least 20 years, according to a government report." [Based on: News Services article (Breast-feeding), p A3, S.L.P.D., 05/01/08]
2008 - Outstanding Public Debt / U.S.A. - May 1st, 2008: "The Outstanding Public Debt [U.S.A.] as of 01 May 2008 at 11:38:25 PM GMT is: $9,379,163,578,539.61. The estimated population of the United States is 303,911,612 so each citizen's share of this debt is $30,861.48. The National Debt has continued to increase an average of $1.50 billion per day since September 29, 2006! Concerned? Then tell Congress and the White House!
[Based on: http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/] - [T.D. - 05/01/08]
2008 - Settlement / Equifaxt Division [Talx] - May 1st, 2008: "Equifax division Talx settles charges it stifled competition" [Based on: Article title, p C2, S.L.P.D., 05/01/08]
2008 - Leasing Deals Charge / Wachovia Corp. - May 1st, 2008: "Wachovia takes a big hit ['$800 million to $1 billion'] over leasing deals" [Based on: Title for Bloomberg News article, p C2, S.L.P.D., 05/01/08]
2008 - Advocates Sovereignty / Native Haiiwan Group - May 1st, 2008: "A Native Hawaiian group that advocates sovereignty locked the gates of historic Iolani Palace, saying it would carry out the business of what it considered the legitimate government of the islands." [Based on: News Services article (Hawaii issue), p A3, S.L.P.D., 05/01/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 2nd, 2008: "Stocks rose to the highest level since January on Thursday [05/01/08] as a rally in the dollar and better-than-estimated technology earnings prompted investors to shun commodities and shift into shares of banks, retailers and computer companies. [....]. [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Dollar's rebound, tech's good news help reverse slump), p. B9, S.L.P.D., 05/01/08]
2008 - Clintion Comments / Iran - May 2nd, 2008: "Iran has lodged a formal protest at the United Nations about comments by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton that the United States would 'totally obliterate' Iran if it attacked Israel with nuclear weapons, the state-run IRNA news agency reported Thursday [05/01/08]. [NP] Iran called the comments 'a flagrant violation' of the U.N. Charter. [NP] Clinton made the comments before the Pennsylvania primary. She then won the Jewish vote 55-45 percent." [Based on: News Services article (Iran lodges protest over Clinton's comments), p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/02/08]
2008 - Suicide? / "D.C. Madam" - May 2nd, 2008: "A woman convicted just weeks ago [04/15/08] of being the 'D.C. madam' [Deborah Jeane Palfrey] hanged herself, apparently making good on her vow never to go to prison for running a high-end Washington prostitution ring. [....]" [Based on: News Services article ('D.C. madam' commits suicide), p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/02/08]
2008 - Acquitted / U.S. Army Sergeant - May 2nd, 2008: "A military jury Thursday [05/01/08] acquitted an Army sergeant of premeditated murder in the death of an unarmed Iraqi insurgent who was killed in a village overrun by al-Qaida operatives. [AP] Sgt. Leonardo Trevino also was cleared on charges of attempted murder, solicitation to commit murder and three counts of obstruction of justice." [Based on: News Services article (Sergeant acquitted of murdering Iraqi), p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/02/08]
2008 - Trivia / Lead Emissions, U.S.A. - May 2nd, 2008: "[....] Since 1980, emissions of lead in the air have dropped nearly 98 percent nationwide, largely as the result of the phase out of leaded gasoline. [....] According to the EPA date, there is still one county in the nation that fails to meet the existing standard for lead: Jefferson County, Mo. [....]" [Based on: St. Louis Post-Dispatch article (EPA gets tough on lead emissions / TIGHTER AIR POLLUTION STANDARDS - Agency recommends reducing range of limits for lead emissions by 80 to 93 percent. / JEFFERSON COUNTY FAILS EXISTING STANDARDS - Doe Run Co. operates the nation's last primary lead smelter here.), p A1, 05/02/08]
2008 - Eruption / Chaiten Volcano, Chile - May 2nd, 2008: "[....] The Chaiten volcano belched fire and ash on Thursday night, followed by more than 60 small tremors in Los Lagos, a region about 750 miles south of the capital, Santiago. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (SANTIAGO, CHILE / Hundreds of villagers flee from erupting volcano), p A26, S.L.P.D., 05/03/08]
*Trivia: "The Chaiten volcano spewed light ash on a nearly deserted village Saturday [05/03/08], two days after its first eruption in thousands [more than 9,000] of years. [NP] No more than 45 of Chaiten's 4,500 residents remained in what looked like a ghost town, its streets, houses, cars and trees draped with a thick layer of light-colored ash, Interior Minister Edmundo Perez said. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Few remain in village after volcano eruption), p A15, S.L.P.D., 05/04/08]
*Links: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14875&src=map
2008 - First-Quarter Profit / Exxon Mobil Corp. - May 2nd, 2008: "Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest publicly traded oil company, on Thursday [05/01/08] said it earned $10.9 billon to start 2008, the second-biggest U.S. quarterly profit ever. [NP] In defending the huge profits, industry advocates note that oil companies invest large portions of their profits back into their businesses. [....] In March, Exxon Mobil said it expects to invest between $25 billon and $30 billon on capital and exploration projects this year, up from about $21 billon in 2007. The company said it expects to maintain that level of spending through at least 2012, as it tries to tap new reserves in all corners of the globe. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Exxon posts $10.9 billion profit / Shares fall as quarterly results trail Wall Street's expectations.) by John Porretto, p B2, S.L.P.D., 05/02/08]
2008 - First-Quarter Profit / CVS Caremark Corp. - May 2nd, 2008: "CVS Caremark Corp., the nation's biggest pharmacy chain, said Thursday [05/01/08] that first-quarter profit jumped 84 percent, helped by surging sales in the wake of last year's purchase of caremark. [....]" [Based on: Article (CVS CAREMARK / Profit jumps 84 percent), p B2, S.L.P.D., 05/02/08]
2008 - Cameraman Released / Guantanamo Bay, Cuba - May 2nd, 2008: "KHARTOUM, SUDAN / Cameraman [Sami al-Haj] is released [05/01/08] from Guantanamo Bay ['after six years of imprisonment']" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A10, S.L.P.D., 05/02/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Is., Alaska - May 2nd, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 01:33:36 (UTC) on Friday, May 2nd, 2008. The magnitude 6.6 event [Location: 51.935°N, 177.595°W; Depth 14 km (8.7 miles) set by location program] was located @ ANDREANOF ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN IS., ALASKA."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008rnab.php] - [T.D. - 05/06/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 3rd, 2008: "Stocks gained Friday [05/02/08], bringing the market to its first three-week advance since October, as a better-than-forecast jobs report and oil's biggest rally in a month overshadowed slumping technology and consumer shares. [....]. [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Market scores its first three-week advance since October), p. B9, S.L.P.D., 05/01/08]
2008 - More Sanctions / Iran - May 3rd, 2008: "[....] The U.N. Security Council has imposed three sets of mild financial and other sanctions on Iran as a cost of spurning the offer [of revised incentives]. [....] The catch for Iran remains: It would have to shelve its program to enrich uranium before talks over possible rewards begin. Enriched uranium can be used for either nuclear power or arms." [Based on: A.P. article (Iran gets revised incentives to discuss nuclear program), p A25, S.L.P.D., 05/03/08]
2008 - Blackmail Scheme / Britain - May 3rd, 2008: "[....] Ian Strachan, 31, and Sean McGuigan, 41, were found guilty [convicted Friday - 05/02/08] in a complicated blackmail scheme against the royal family member that featured allegations involving sex and drugs. The judge ordered that the royal family member's name be kept secret. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Two get 5 years for trying to blackmail royal family), p A26, S.L.P.D., 05/03/08]
2008 - 100-Year U.S. Presence? / Iraq - May 3rd, 2008: "[....] The ads tie McCain to President George W. Bush and cite McCain's comments that there could be an American military presence in Iraq for 100 years. [....]" [Based on: Title for News Services article (McCain denounces ads about a 100-year war), p A20, S.L.P.D., 05/03/08]
2008 - Violent Storms / Midwest U.S.A. - May 3rd, 2008: "Violent storms kill 7 in Arkansas [05/02/08] / Kansas City reports 100 homes damaged as tornadoes hit 4 states." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A24, S.L.P.D., 05/03/08]
2008 - War Spending Trivia / U.S.A. - May 3rd, 2008: "[....] Congressional analysts say Bush's request [05/02/08] would bring the total spending since Sept 11, 2001, to fight terrorism and conduct the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to $875 billion. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Bush requests $70 billion for Iraq, Afghanistan wars), p A22, S.L.P.D., 05/03/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / China & Tibet - May 3rd, 2008: "China will talk about Tibet with envoys from Dalai Lama [today]" [Based on: Title for Los Angeles Times article, p A27, S.L.P.D., 05/03/08]
2008 - Bomb Explosion / Yemen Mosque - May 3rd, 2008: "A bomb rigged to a motorcycle blew up amid a crowd of worshippers leaving Friday prayers at a mosque in a rebel stronghold of northern Yemen [05/02/08], killing at least 18 people and wounding about four dozen, officials said. [....] Both sides blamed each other for the attack in Saada, where officials said most of the 18 dead and approximately 45 injured were worshippers filing out of the Bin Salam mosque." [Based on: News Services article (Bomb explosion kills many outside mosque), p A26, S.L.P.D., 05/03/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / U.S. & Somalia - May 3rd, 2008: "A U.S. airstrike that killed the suspected al-Qaida leader in Somalia brought warnings of vengeance from Islamic insurgents Friday [05/02/08] and the threat of a boycott that could jeopardize peace talks with the U.N.-supported government. [....] In a pre-dawn attack Thursday [01/30/08], U.S. missles destroyed the house of reputed al-Qaida leader Aden Hashi Ayro in the central town of Dusamareeb. The attack killed 24 other people, five in the targeted house and the others in nearby homes, said a town elder, Ilmi Hassan Arab." [Based on: News Services article (U.S. airstrike may jeopardize peace talks), p A26, S.L.P.D., 05/03/08]
2008 - Tropical Cyclone Nargis / Myanmar - May 3rd, 2008: "A powerful cyclone killed more than 350 people and destroyed thousands of homes [05/03/08], state-run media said Sunday [05/04/08]. [....] Myanmar, also known as Burma, has been under military rule since 1962. Its government has been widely criticized for human rights abuses and suppression of pro-democracy parties such as the one led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for almost 12 of the past 18 years. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Cyclone kills at least 350 people in Myanmar), p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/05/08]
*Trivia: "Storm killed 10,000 in one town / MYANMAR REELING - Appeal for foreign aid goes out. / ANGRY AFTERMATH - Government inaction alleged." [Based on: Title & Subtitles for A.P. article, p A1, S.L.P.D., 05/06/08]
*Trivia: "International aid began to trickle into Myanmar on Tuesday [05/06/08] ... where 22,000 people perished and twice as many are missing .... [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Aid starts to reach stricken Myanmar / 44,000 MISSING / Areas hardest hit by cyclone are cut off by flooding, road damage), p A1, S.L.P.D., 05/07/08]
*Trivia: "[....] The government has raised the official death toll from the cyclone to 28,458" [Based on: Picture Caption for A.P. article, p A7, S.L.P.D., 05/12/08]
*Trivia: "Junta warns against hoarding goods / Death toll in Myanmar from cyclone rises to 43,318, an increase of 5,000 from day before." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A9, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
*Trivia: "Cyclone deaths nearly double / Official count now is 78,000; rain in Myanmar is slowing relief effort." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A24, S.L.P.D., 05/17/08]
*Trivia: "Myanmar said tuesday [06/24/08] that 84,500 people perished in last month's cyclone, up from the last official announcement that 77,700 had died in the devestating storm. [....]" [Based on: news services article (YANGON, Myanmar / Death total from cyclone is raised to 84,500), p. A8 S.L.P.D., 06/25/08]
*Links: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14814&src=map
2008 - Bankruptcy Filing / Linens 'N Things Inc. - May 3rd, 2008: "LINENS 'N THINGS / BANKRUPTCY is filed" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A38, S.L.P.D., 05/03/08]
2008 - Compensation / Minneapolis Bridge Collapse - May 3rd, 2008: "[....] The deal struck in a joint committee of the House and Senate [05/02/08] will offer everyone who was on the bridge up to $400,000, with an additional $12.6 million pool for the people who suffered the most severe injuries and losses. Thirteen people died in the Aug. 1 collapse, and 145 were hurt. [....]" [Based on: Minneapolis Star Tribune article (Fund set for bridge collapse survivors / Minnesota legislators allot $38 million for compensation.), p A24, S.L.P.D., 05/03/08]
2008 - Sunspot 993 - May 4th, 2008: "[....] A double sunspot emerging today in the sun's southern hemisphere has the high latitude and magnetic polarity characteristic of a new-cycle spot. [....]"
[Based on: http://spaceweather.com/archive.php?month=05&day=04&year=2008&view=view]
2008 - "Junk Food" Imports? / U.S.A. - May 4th, 2008: " 'The world is sending us their junk' / INPUT OVERLOAD - With seafood imports soaring, only a small number of shipments are inspected. / WHAT WE'RE EATING - Check of shipment from China finds salmonella, banned veterinary drugs." [Based on: Title & Subtitles for Front Page article, p A1, S.L.P.D., 05/04/08]
*Trivia: "Area grocers [St. Louis, Mo] respond to consumers' concern / Some stores limit seafood imports from China; others use different sources." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for St. Louis Post-Dispatch article, p A12, S.L.P.D., 05/04/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / U.S. & Israel - May 4th, 2008: "WEST BANK / Rice calls for Israel to remove barriers [West Bank] / Secretary of state wants Israel to reach lasting accord with Palestinians." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A15, S.L.P.D., 05/04/08]
2008 - Rising Health Care Costs / U.S.A. - May 4th, 2008: "Health care costs are rising as economy slides, so it's not just the uncovered who are suffering." [Based on: Title for New York Times article, p A9, S.L.P.D., 05/04/08]
2008 - Trivia / Food Safety System, U.S.A. - May 4th, 2008: "[....] Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, ticked off an FDA advisory panel's recent findings that food inspections in America had declined by 78 percent since the 1970s - even as imports surged. [....]" [Based on: Post-Dispatch Washington Bureau article (Congress takes aim at the FDA / Lawmakers want to overhaul nation's food-safety system.), p A12, S.L.P.D., 05/04/08]
2008 - Militant Attack / Oil Installation, Southern Nigeria - May 4th, 2008: "PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA / Militants attack, disrupt Nigerian oil installation [05/02/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A15, S.L.P.D., 05/04/08]
2008 - Elections Trivia / Bolivia - May 5th, 2008: "Bolivia's largest province votes for greater autonomy [05/04/08] / Officials in Santa Cruz declare victory, as rift with president's vision for Bolivia deepens." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for New York Times article, p A6, S.L.P.D., 05/05/08]
2008 - Investigation / Ehud Olmert - May 5th, 2008: "[....] 'The issue under investigation is serious, of that there can be no doubt,' wrote Nahum Barnea, a columnist for the newspaper Yediot Aharonot. 'If it turns out that the allegations against Olmert are well-founded, he will have to resign his post if not more than that.' [NP] Barnea hinted that the core of the issue was bribery." [Based on: News Services article (JERUSALEM / Investigation of Olmert has journalists buzzing), p A6, S.L.P.D., 05/05/08]
2008 - Poverty Level Trivia / U.S.A. - May 5th, 2008: "[....] According to census caculations, in 1968, a family of four was considered at poverty level at approximately $3.553. In 2008, the level was $21,200 for a family of four. [....]" [Based on: McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS article (It's time to redefine poverty, research group contends), p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/05/08]
2008 - Bomb Attack / Motorcade, Iraq - May 5th, 2008: "BAGHDAD / President's [Jalal Talabani] wife [Hiro Ibrahim Ahmed] unhurt in attack on motorcade [05/04/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article (It's time to redefine poverty, research group contends), p A6, S.L.P.D., 05/05/08]
2008 - Hezbollah Training? / Iraqi Militants - May 5th, 2008: "Hezbollah linked to training in Iran of Iraqi militants ['according to a U.S. official']" [Based on: Title for New York Times article, p A1, S.L.P.D., 05/05/08]
2008 - Meat & Poultry Recall / N.Y. Company - May 5th, 2008: "NY company [Gourmet Boutique] recalls meat and poultry products ['more than 286,000 pounds ... because they might be contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes.']" [Based on: Title for Newsday article, p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/05/08]
2008 - Pot Bill / U.S.A. - May 6th, 2008: "Rep. William Lacy Clay Jr., D-St. Louis, has signed on to controversial legislation that would legalize the possession and non-profit transfer of small amounts of marijuana. [NP] Clay has joined Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, in co-sponsoring the bill, introduced last month by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Rep. Clay now backs controversial pot bill), p A4, S.L.P.D., 05/06/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 6th, 2008: "Stocks retreated Monday [05/05/08] as retailers fell on record oil prices and Yahoo! Inc. tumbled the most in almost two years after Microsoft Corp. abandoned its $50 billion bid for the company. [....]. [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Yahoo tumbles, retailers fall, oil rises, market slides), p. C3, S.L.P.D., 05/01/08]
2008 - Civil Unrest / Somalia - May 6th, 2008: "5 protestors killed in Somalia rioting / Rising food prices and collapse of the currency send thousands of Somalis into the street, prompting clashes with troops, shopkeepers." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Los Angeles Times article, p A6, S.L.P.D., 05/06/08]
2008 - Trivia / Breast Feeding & IQ - May 6th, 2008: "Breast-feeding may increase child's verbal IQ / Children in the study [Archives of General Psychiatry] also scored higher, on average, on tests measuring vocabulary." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Los Angeles Times article, p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/06/08]
2008 - U.S. Spy Plane / Afghanistan - May 6th, 2008: "U.S. spy plane ['specially fitted King Air 350 twin-engine turboprop'] sets sights ['took off Friday' - 05/02/08] on drug trade in Afghanistan" [Based on: Title for Post-Dispatch Washington Bureau article, p A4, S.L.P.D., 05/06/08]
2008 - Status / Chaiten Volcano, Chile - May 6th, 2008: "The long-dormant Chaiten volcano blasted ash some 20 miles into the Andean sky on Tuesday [05/06/08], forcing the last of thousands to flee and fouling a huge stretch of the South American continent. [....] The five-day-old eruption is the first in 9,370 years [7,362 B.C.?], said Charles Stern, a volcanologist at the University of Colorado-Boulder who has studied Chaiten. He said the nearby town could end up buried, much like the Roman city of Pompeii following Mount Vesuvius' eruption in 79 A.D. Volcanic material from Chaiten's last eruption measured up to five feet in places. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Long-dormant volcano erupts in Chile), p A14, S.L.P.D., 05/07/08]
*Links: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14818&src=map
2008 - Wars Taxing Special Ops / U.S.A. - May 6th, 2008: "The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are making such heavy use of the nation's Green Berets and other elite warriors that they cannot fulfill their roles in other parts of the world, the military's top command told The Associated Press Monday [05/05/08]. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Afghan, Iraq wars taxing Special Ops, chief says), p A4, S.L.P.D., 05/06/08]
2008 - Trivia / Pollution & Bee Pollination - May 6th, 2008: "Air pollution impedes pollination, study finds / Research may help unravel the mystery of bee colony collapse disorder." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Washington Post article, p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/06/08]
2008 - Will Subsidize Gas for Buyers / Chrysler LLC - May 6th, 2008: "Chrysler LLC, coming off a 24 percent slide in U.S. sales in April, will subsidize gasoline for new-car buyers so they pay only $2.99 a gallon for three years. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Chrysler will subsidize gas at $2.99 for buyers), p C1, S.L.P.D., 05/06/08]
2008 - Army Deal / Navistar International Corp. - May 6th, 2008: "[....] Navistar will build 7,072 vehicles and supply parts under the multiyear contract, according to a statement Monday [05/05/08] from the Warrenville, Ill.-based company on Business Wire." [Based on: Wire reports article (NAVISTAR / $1.28 billion in Army deal), p C2, S.L.P.D., 05/06/08]
2008 - Threat to Tropical Species / Global Warming - May 6th, 2008: "WASHINGTON / Global warming called threat to tropical species ['according to an analysis in Tuesday's edition of Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences']" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A4, S.L.P.D., 05/06/08]
2008 - Joins Labor Law Firm / Ex-Labor Board Chief, U.S.A. - May 6th, 2008: "[....] Battista [Robert J. Battista] on Monday [05/05/08] announced he had joined Littler Mendelson, which calls itself the nation's largest employment and labor law firm representing management. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Ex-labor board chief joins labor law firm), p A4, S.L.P.D., 05/06/08]
2008 - Groundbreaking / Granite City Works Coke Plant, U.S.A. - May 6th, 2008: "Coke plant will strengthen Granite City steel / Groundbreaking [05/05/08] is held for cost-saving addition." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Article, p C2, S.L.P.D., 05/06/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 7th, 2008: "Stocks rose Tuesday [05/06/08], sending the Standard & Poor's 500 index to a four-month high [added 10.77 points, to 1,418.26], as loosened government restrictions on Fannie Mae sparked a rebound in financial shares and oil companies advanced on record crude prices [DJIA: increased 51.29, to 13,020.83; Nasdaq: jumped 19.19, to 2,483.31]. [....]. [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Market moves upward; S&P 500 hits 4-month high), p. B4, S.L.P.D., 05/07/08]
2008 - Trivia / OPEC Revenue - May 7th, 2008: "The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' net oil-export revenue will be just over $1 trillion this year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said. [NP] The estimate is $80 billion, or 8.2 percent, more than the agency forecast in a report published last month." [Based on: Article (OPEC / 2008 revenue: $1 trillion), p B2, S.L.P.D., 05/07/08]
2008 - Trash Crisis / Naples, Italy - May 7th, 2008: "The European Union's executive commission began legal action against Italy on Tuesday [05/06/08] over the festering garbage collection crisis in Naples, where more than 250,000 tons of backlogged trash has been piling up on the streets because dumps have no room." [Based on: News Services article (Trash crisis), p A13, S.L.P.D., 05/07/08]
2008 - FBI Raids / Scott J. Bloch - May 7th, 2008: "Agents from the FBI and the Office of Personnel Management on Tuesday [05/06/08] raided the headquarters of Special Counsel [U.S.A.] Scott J. Bloch as part of an inquiry into whether he obstructed justice by having his computer files erased. [....]" [Based on: Washington Post article (Erasing of computer files leads to FBI raids), p A3, S.L.P.D., 05/07/08]
2008 - First-Quarter Loss / Wachovia Corp. - May 7th, 2008: "Wachovia Corp., the fourth-largest U.S. bank, said it lost $708 million in the first quarter, 80 percent more than it reported last month, reflecting writedowns on life insurance policies for employees. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Wachovia loss is 80 percent greater than expected), p B2, S.L.P.D., 05/07/08]
2008 - Ban on plastic bags catches on globally - May 7th, 2008: "Ban on plastic bags catches on globally / Town in England [Modbury] pioneered idea after mass death of birds." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Washington Post article by Kevin Sullivan, p A4, S.L.P.D., 05/07/08]
2008 - First-Quarter Loss / Tenet Healthcare - May 7th, 2008: "TENET HEALTHCARE / Company swings to loss" [Based on: Article title, p B2, S.L.P.D., 05/07/08]
2008 - Drug Bust / San Diego State University - May 7th, 2008: "Dozens of students are held in drug case [San Diego State University]" [Based on: Title for Los Angeles Times article, p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/07/08]
2008 - Second-Quarter Profit / Walt Disney Co. - May 7th, 2008: "WALT DISNEY CO. / Profit grows 22 percent" [Based on: Article title, p B2, S.L.P.D., 05/07/08]
2008 - Trivia / Attempted Suicide, U.S. Military - May 7th, 2008: "[....] The e-mail claims 12,000 veterans a year attempt suicide while under department treatment. 'Is this something we should (carefully) address ourselves in some sort of release before someone stumbles on it?' the e-mail asks. [....] He [VA Secretary James Peake] said of the nearly 500,000 veterans who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq and then left the military from 2002-2005, 144 had taken their own lives." [Based on: A.P. article (Congressman accuses VA of criminal negligence), p A3, S.L.P.D., 05/07/08]
2008 - Eritrean Troop Buildup / Djibouti Border - May 7th, 2008: "UNITED NATIONS / Djibouti seeks help [05/06/08], cites Eritrean troop buildup ['... on their border overlooking critical Red Sea shipping lanes.']" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A13, S.L.P.D., 05/07/08]
2008 - WWII Forgeries? / British National Archives - May 7th, 2008: "Report on WWII-era forgeries is urged / Fakes in British archives allege Churchill-Himmler ties." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article by Gregory Katz, p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/07/08]
2008 - Civilian Nuclear Power Pact / U.S. & Russia - May 7th, 2008: "MOSCOW / U.S. Russia sign pact [05/06/08] on civilian nuclear power" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A13, S.L.P.D., 05/07/08]
2008 - Perchlorate Contamination / U.S. Drinking Water - May 7th, 2008: "An EPA official said Tuesday [05/06/08] there's a 'distinct possibility' the agency won't take action to rid drinking water of a toxic rocket fuel ingredient [perchlorate] that has contaminated public water supplies around the country. [NP] The toxin interferes with thyroid function and poses develomental health risks, particularly to fetuses. [NP] Benjamin Grumbles, assistant administrator for water at EPA, said the agency has yet to determine whether regulating perchlorate in drinking water would do much good." [Based on: News Services article (EPA probably won't regulate toxin in water), p A3, S.L.P.D., 05/07/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan - May 7th, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 16:02:02 (UTC) on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008. The magnitude 6.2 event [Location: 36.191°N, 141.540°E; Depth 19.6 km (12.2 miles) (poorly constrained)] was located @ NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008rtbl.php] - [T.D. - 05/08/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan - May 7th, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 16:16:38 (UTC) on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008. The magnitude 6.1 event [Location: 36.261°N, 141.700°E; Depth 35 km (21.7 miles) set by location program] was located @ NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008rtbp.php] - [T.D. - 05/08/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan - May 7th, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 16:45:19 (UTC) on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008. The magnitude 6.8 event [Location: 36.141°N, 141.540°E; Depth 36.6 km (22.7 miles)] was located @ NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008rtbu.php] - [T.D. - 05/08/08]
2008 - "Greendex" Trivia - May 8th, 2008: "Brazillians and Indian consumers ranked the most environmentally friendly in a new study that puts Americans in last place. [NP] Indians and Brazillians each scored 60.0 points on the new "Greendex," announced Wednesday [05/07/08] by the National Geographic Society. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article ('Greendex' ranks U.S. consumers worst of 14 / India, Brazil tie for top environmentally friendly households.), p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/08/08]
2008 - Died / Eddy Arnold - May 8th, 2008: "EDDY ARNOLD 1918-2008 / Hall of Fame country singer is dead [05/08/08] at 89" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/09/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 8th, 2008: "Stocks on Wednesday [05/07/08] declined the most in a month [S&P 500: 25.69 points, to 1,392.57; DJIA: 206.48, to 12,814.35; Nasdaq: 44.82, to 2,438.49] on concern new disclosure requirements for investment banks will limit their profits. [....]." [Based on: Bloomberg News article (New SEC rules for bankers send stocks skidding), p. C3, S.L.P.D., 05/08/08]
2008 - In the Red / U.S. Postal Service - May 8th, 2008: "POSTAL SERVICE / USPS $707 million in red" [Based on: Title for Article, p C2, S.L.P.D., 05/08/08]
2008 - Olympic Torch / Mount Everest - May 8th, 2008: "The Olympic flame reached 29,035 feet, the peak of Mount Everest early today [05/08/08]." [Based on: News Services article (Torch run), p A12, S.L.P.D., 05/08/08]
2008 - President Dmitry Medvedev / Russia - May 8th, 2008: "Putin's protege [Dmitry Medvedev] is sworn in [05/07/08] as Russia's new president" [Based on: Title for Los Angeles Times article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 05/08/08]
2008 - Prime Minister Brian Cowen / Ireland - May 8th, 2008: "New prime minister [Brian Cowen] takes office in Ireland [05/07/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A12, S.L.P.D., 05/08/08]
2008 - Independence Day Celebration / Israel - May 8th, 2008: "Israel plans a festive 60th anniversary [05/08/08] / Modern Jewish state celebrates amid concerns about future." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A11, S.L.P.D., 05/08/08]
*Trivia: "[....] Israeli Arabs, who make up a fifth of the population of 7.25 million, weren't celebrating the founding of the Jewish state. [NP] They mix their Arabic with Hebrew and participate in Israel's democracy. But for the most part, they define themselves as Palestinians who live in Israel, and remain a distinct and largely disadvantaged minority. [....] Tibi [Ahmed Tibi, an Arab member of Israels parliament] said Israeli Arabs faced unequal treatment in all walks of life, from land allocation to education. He noted that only 4 percent of Israel's development budget is spent in Arab neighborhoods. [NP] Over the past 60 years, Israel's Arab and Jewish people have largely remained separate. Intermarriage is taboo, and only a few towns, such as Haifa, Jaffa and Ramle, have mixed populations." [Based on: A.P. article (Israeli Independence day sidelines Arab minority / They remain a distinct, disadvantaged group.), p A11, S.L.P.D., 05/08/08]
*Trivia: "[....] About 700.000 Palestinians became refugees after the 1948 war. Those who are still living, and their descendants, now number 4.5 million. [....]" [Based on: Cox News Service article (Israelis mark birth of a nation) by Robert W. Gee, p A12, S.L.P.D., 05/09/08]
2008 - Hezbollah Demonstrations / Beirut, Lebanon - May 8th, 2008: "BEIRUT, LEBANON / Hezbollah clashes with with government supporters [05/07/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A12, S.L.P.D., 05/08/08]
2008 - Trivia / Talx Corp. - May 9th, 2008: "The board of Talx Corp. has authorized [May 2005] the company to buy back up to 2 million shares - about 10 percent of its outstanding stock - in the three-year period ending on May 9, 2008. The shares fell 67 cents, or 2.6 percent, Tuesday [05/10/05] to close at $25.36." [Based on: S.L.P.D., p. C2, 05/11/05]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 9th, 2008: "Stocks advanced Thursday [05/08/08], rebounding from their biggest drop in a month, after Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and News Corp. posted sales that topped analysts' estimates and commodity producers rallied on higher gold and oil prices. [....]." [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Sales figures and commodities help reverse drop), p. B9, S.L.P.D., 05/09/08]
2008 - Sinkhole / Daisetta, Texas - May 9th, 2008: "Humongous sinkhole [260-foot-deep]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/09/08]
2008 - New Civil War? / Lebanon - May 9th, 2008: "Lebanon teeters on brink of new civil war [05/08/08]" [Based on: Title for Los Angeles Times article, p A9, S.L.P.D., 05/09/08]
2008 - First-Quarter Loss / AIG Inc. - May 9th, 2008: "American International Group Inc., the world's largest insurer by assets, said it will raise $12.5 billion after posting back-to-back quarterly losses for the first time as a publicly traded company. [NP] AIG had a record first-quarter net loss of $7.81 billion, or $3.09 a share, as it wrote down the value of contracts designed to protect fixed-income investors. The credit-default swaps led to a pretax charge of $9.11 billion. [NP] 'The severity of the unrealized valuation losses and decline in value of our investments were beyond our expectations,' Chief Executive Martin Sullivan said." [Based on: Article (AIG / $12.5 billion to be raised), p B2, S.L.P.D., 05/09/08]
2008 - Trivia / April 12 Bombing, Iran - May 9th, 2008: "TEHRAN, IRAN / U.S., Britain accused in April 12 bombing ['... at a religious center in the city of Shiraz that killed 12 people and wounded 202.']" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A9, S.L.P.D., 05/09/08]
*Trivia: "Shiite Muslim center in Iran is ravaged by blast [04/12/08] / Bomb rips through crowd ['killing at least nine people and injuring more than 100 others'] gathered for speech about dangers of Sunni extremism." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Los Angeles Times article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 04/13/08]
2008 - Premier Silvio Berlusconi / Italy - May 9th, 2008: "Silvio Berlusconi was sworn in as premier, heading up an Italian government for the third time." [Based on: News Services article (Swearing in), p A9, S.L.P.D., 05/09/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Guam Region - May 9th, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 21:51:31 (UTC) on Friday, May 9th, 2008. The magnitude 6.7 event [Location: 12.509°N, 143.157°E; Depth 87.6 km (54.4 miles)] was located @ GUAM REGION."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008rvcj.php] - [T.D. - 05/10/08]
2008 - Plutonium Documents / North Korea - May 9th, 2008: "WASHINGTON / North Korea turns over [officials said 05/08/08] plutonium documents ['18,000 pages ... dating from 1990']" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A9, S.L.P.D., 05/09/08]
2008 - Leader Captured? / Al-Qaida in Iraq - May 9th, 2008: "Al-Qaida in Iraq leader [Abu Ayyub al-Masri, a.k.a. Abu Hamza al-Muhajir] captured [05/08/08], Iraqi police say" [Based on: Title for Washington Post article, p A1, S.L.P.D., 05/09/08]
*Trivia: "Insurgent leader [Abu Ayyub al-Masri] still on the loose, U.S. says" [Based on: Title for Washington Post article, p A22, S.L.P.D., 05/10/08]
2008 - Prime Minister Vladimir Putin / Russia - May 9th, 2008: "Putin in place [as Russian Prime Minister]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A9, S.L.P.D., 05/09/08]
2008 - Assassinated / Mexican Anti-Drug Official - May 9th, 2008: "Mexican anti-drug official [Edgar Millan Gomez] is assassinated [05/08/08] in his home" [Based on: Title for Los Angeles Times article, p A10, S.L.P.D., 05/09/08]
2008 - Solar Prominence - May 10th, 2008: " 'Today, there is a huge prominence at the sun's northeastern limb,' reports Cai-Uso Wohler, who sends this picture from Bispingen, Germany. Meanwhile in England, Les Cowley heard about the prominence, set up his SolarMax60 and was able to sketch the rapidly-changing structure right through a hazy layer of morning clouds. [....]"
http://spaceweather.com/archive.php?PHPSESSID=km7a58i43otq4rp8obd3hrlov1&month=05&day=10&year=2008&view=view
http://spaceweather.com/submissions/large_image_popup.php?image_name=Cai-Uso-Wohler-Ha2008-05-10--06h30UT-2_1210411659.jpg
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 10th, 2008: "Stocks fell Friday [05/09/08], sending the market to its first weekly drop in a month, after American International Group Inc. said it needs to raise $12.5 billion to cover writedowns and concern grew that the rally in commodities will end. [....]." [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Stocks sink amid AIG writedowns, commodity concerns), p. A35, S.L.P.D., 05/10/08]
2008 - Super Typhoon Rammasun - May 10th, 2008: "Typhoon Rammasun became a named storm on May 7, 2008. The storm system formed well away from the coastal areas of the Philippines, and reached Category 4 strength by May 10, making it a Super Typhoon. The typhoon weakened and fell apart over the next few days without ever making landfall. [....]"
[Based on: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/natural_hazards_v2.php3?img_id=14835&src=map]
2008 - First-Quarter Loss / Citigroup Inc. - May 10th, 2008: "Citigroup Inc. Chief Executive Vikram Pandit plans to get rid of about $400 billion in assets over the next three years as he starts to whittle away at the company. [NP] The company, which lost $5.1 billion in the first quarter, has booked more than $40 billion of credit losses and writedowns since the subprime mortgage market collapsed last year." [Based on: Article (CITIGROUP / Assets will be whittled), p A34, S.L.P.D., 05/10/08]
2008 - Hezbollah Forces / West Beirut - May 10th, 2008: "Hezbollah forces seize much of west Beirut [05/09/08]" [Based on: New York Times article, p A23, S.L.P.D., 05/10/08]
*Trivia: "[....] The fighting saw the collapse of pro-government forces in the Aley region, a stronghold of anti-Syrian Druse leader Wallid Jumblatt. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (BEIRUT, LEBANON / Pro-government forces are defeated in battle), p A8, S.L.P.D., 05/12/08]
2008 - Mideast Violence / Israel & Gaza - May 10th, 2008: "Gaza attackers sent mortar shells crashing into a border community late Friday [05/09/08], killing an Israeli in his garden and wounding three others, officials said. Israel retaliated with missle strikes in which five Hamas militants died." [Based on: News Services article (Mideast violence), p A23, S.L.P.D., 05/10/08]
2008 - Pot Can Deepen Depression / White House Says - May 10th, 2008: "[....] Some addiction experts said the report stretches evidence. Asked at a news conference about the claim that 'using marijuana can cause depression and other mental illnesses,' Walters [John P. Walters] acknowledged there is no proof one leads to the other." [Based on: Los Angeles Times article (White House says pot can deepen depression), p A19, S.L.P.D., 05/10/08]
2008 - Widening Conflict / Sudan - May 11th, 2008: "Sudanese security forces defend capital against Darfur rebels [05/10/08]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A10, S.L.P.D., 05/11/08]
*Trivia: "Sudan severed relations with Chad on Sunday [05/11/08], accusing it of supporting fighters who assaulted the capital the night before, and warned that a top Darfur rebel leader was hiding somewhere in the city. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Chad is accused of aiding rebels in surprise attack), p A8, S.L.P.D., 05/12/08]
2008 - Cost of Mailing a Letter / U.S.A. - May 11th, 2008: "The cost of mailing a letter goes up a penny to 42 cents on Monday [05/12/08], the latest in what are expected to be annual price adjustments by the Postal Service (U.S.A.)." [Based on: News Services article (Stamp price), p A3, S.L.P.D., 05/11/08]
2008 - Deadly Tornado / Midwest United States - May 11th, 2008: "Deadly tornado [05/10/08] strikes along border between Missouri, Oklahoma ['killed at least 18 people']" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A3, S.L.P.D., 05/11/08]
*Trivia: "Tornadoes kill at least 22 in three states" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A1, S.L.P.D., 05/12/08]
2008 - Solar Prominence - May 12th, 2008: "Today, astronomers are monitoring an unusually active prominence on the sun's eastern limb. 'The eruptions at times are almost volcanic in appearance,' says Les Cowley in England. 'It's off again!' reports Pete Lawrence of Selsey, UK, who sends this photo of the latest eruption: [....] Stephen Ames of Hodgenville, Kentucky, has been watching the action through his Coronado PST and he has witnessed eruptions twice today already. 'I was totally amazed!' [NP] This high level of activity may herald an approaching sunspot. Readers, if you have a solar telescope, train it on the limb of the sun." [Based on: http://spaceweather.com/] - [T.D. - 05/12/08]
http://spaceweather.com/swpod2008/12may08/Pete-Lawrence1.jpg?PHPSESSID=ojo8aslq7b586p7eh8td1e1bk6
2008 - Rebate Trivia / U.S.A. - May 12th, 2008: "Many won't get rebates [U.S.A.] because spouse has no Social Security number" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/12/08]
2008 - Elections Trivia / Serbia - May 12th, 2008: "Serbia's president [Boris Tadic] declares victory in divided voting" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A7, S.L.P.D., 05/12/08]
2008 - Disabled Veterans / U.S.A. - May 12th, 2008: "[....] Despite the decline in total vets - as soldiers from World War II and Korea die - the government expects to be spending $59 billion a year to compensate injured warriors in 25 years, up from today's $29 billion, according to internal documents obtained by The Associated Press. And the Veterans Affairs Department concedes the bill could be much higher, because of worse wounds, more disabilities and increased awareness of benefits to veterans. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Number of disabled vets booming, documents say), p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/12/08]
2008 - Elections Trivia / Sri Lanka - May 12th, 2008: "Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday [05/11/08] hailed his party's election victory in the country's tense eastern province as a mandate to push ahead with his war against Tamil Tiger rebels in the north." [Based on: News Services article (Sri Lanka vote), p A8, S.L.P.D., 05/12/08]
2008 - Commuting Trivia / Missouri - May 12th, 2008: ".... Missouri lags behind the rest of the nation when it comes to cycling and walking as a means of commuting. [NP] The Missouri Bicycle Federation has released its first annual 'Bicycling and Walking in Missouri - A Report Card' just in time for National Bike to Work Week. It gave Missouri a 'D'. [....] It also looked at how many Missouri cities have been recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as bicycle-friendly communities. That would be none. [....]" [Based on: Article (Missouri gets 'D' in cycling), pp. A1 & A6, S.L.P.D., 05/12/08]
2008 - Detained / Female Tibetan Protestors, Nepal - May 12th, 2008: "Police detained more than 600 female Tibetan protestors, including many Buddhist nuns, on Sunday [05/11/08] after breaking up several demonstrations against China's recent crackdown in Tibet. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (KATMANDU, NEPAL / Hundreds of protestors detained after rallies), p A8, S.L.P.D., 05/12/08]
2008 - Silver Nanoparticles / Toxic to Good Bacteria? - May 12th, 2008: "[....] 'Because of the increasing use of silver nanoparticles in consumer products ['... being used to kill odor-causing bacteria in socks and in disinfecting washing machines.'], the risk that the material will be released into sewage lines, wastewater treatment facilities and eventually into rivers, streams and lakes is of concern,' said Hu [University of Missouri Assistant Professor Zhiqiang Hu], an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering. 'We found that silver nanoparticles are extremely toxic. The nanoparticles destroy the benign species of bacteria that are used for wastewater treatment. It basically halts the reproduction activity of the good bacteria.' [NP] Hu warned that silver nanoparticles in wastewater sludge - which is often used as fertilizer - could kill bacteria in the soil and harm food crops. [....]" [Based on: Title for Metro section article (UNDER THE MICROSCOPE / Tiny particles seen as big threat / Extremely small bits of silver used in some products may kill bacteria that help clean wastewater.), p C2, S.L.P.D., 05/12/08]
2008 - Major Earthquake / Eastern Sichuan, China - May 12th, 2008: "A major earthquake occurred at 06:28:00 (UTC) on Monday, May 12th, 2008. The magnitude 7.9 event [Location: 31.099°N, 103.279°E; Depth 10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program] was located @ EASTERN SICHUAN, CHINA."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008ryan.php] - [T.D. - 05/12/08]
*Trivia: "A powerful earthquake rocked a region of southwestern China Monday, killing nearly 10,000 people, burying schoolchildren in collapsed classrooms and rattling high-rise buildings across much of East Asia. [....] Office workers wobbled out of swaying high-rises in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, dizzy from the motion that lasted for nearly three agonizing minutes. [....] A rupture at a chemical plant in Shifang City, northeast of the epicenter, spilled 70 tons of toxic liquid ammonia, Xinhua said, and the city reported 600 deaths, including 81 students, and 2,300 people remained missing. [....] In addition to the vast catastrophe, the earthquake hit one of the last homes to the giant panda at the Wolong Nature Reserve and panda breeding center, in Webchuan county, which remained out of contact, Xinhua said. [NP] China's deadliest earthquake in the past century hit the eastern city of Tangshan in 1976, killing 242,000 people. That quake, also magnitude 7.8, knocked down 90 percent of the city's buildings, devestating a local population of 1 million people. [Based on: McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS article (Terror and devestation), pp. A1 & A6, S.L.P.D., 05/13/08]
*Trivia: "128,000 may be dead, Red Cross says" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p. A9, S.L.P.D., 05/15/08]
*Trivia: "Quake death toll surpasses 40,000" [Based on: Title for Los Angeles Times article by Ching-Ching Ni, p. A12, S.L.P.D., 05/21/08]
*Trivia: "[....] The number of deaths from the quake climbed toward an expected final toll of 80,000 or more. The Cabinet said 65,080 people were confirmed killed, and 23,150 people remained missing. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (China plans to blast debris blocking river), p A6, S.L.P.D., 05/27/08]\
*Trivia: ""[....] The death toll from the quake climbed Sunday [06/08/08] to 69,136, with 17,686 people still missing. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Aftershock [5.0] rocks China lake [06/08/08], creates landslides), p. A9, S.L.P.D., 06/09/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Eastern Sichuan, China - May 12th, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 06:43:14 (UTC) on Monday, May 12th, 2008. The magnitude 6.0 event [Location: 31.225°N, 103.761°E; Depth: 10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program] was located @ EASTERN SICHUAN, CHINA."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008ryap.php] - [T.D. - 05/12/08]
2008 - Students Refuse to Stand for Pledge of Allegience / Minnesota - May 12th, 2008: "Minneapolis / 3 pupils are suspended [Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Junior High], wouldn't stand for pledge [05/08/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A3, S.L.P.D., 05/12/08]
2008 - Hunger Strike / Taliban Prisoners, Kandahar, Afghanistan - May 12th, 2008: "More than 200 Taliban suspects have gone on a hunger strike in the Kandahar prison to demand fair trials, officials said Sunday [05/11/08]. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Prisoners have been on hunger strike for 6 days), p A8, S.L.P.D., 05/12/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 13th, 2008: "Stocks rose the most in a week on Monday [05/12/08] as retailers rallied in anticipation of better-than-estimated earnings and financial shares climbed after the world's largest bond insurer said it has enough cash to cover claims. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Outlook at Wal-Mart and top bond insurer pushes stocks higher), p. B3, S.L.P.D., 05/13/08]
2008 - Run for President / Bob Barr - May 13th, 2008: "WASHINGTON / Barr [former Georgia congressman, Bob Barr], now Libertarian, runs for president [announced Monday]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/13/08]
2008 - Subpoenaed / Wachovia Corp. - May 13th, 2008: "Wachovia is subpoenaed over sales of securities / State and federal regulators look into transactions." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p B1, S.L.P.D., 05/13/08]
2008 - Gas Pumps Obsolete ? / U.S.A. - May 13th, 2008: "Gas prices stump old pumps / Some 8,500 stations [U.S.A.] have old meters that can't register prices higher than $3.99 a gallon. Upgrades are expensive and can be hard to get." [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/13/08]
2008 - Inflation Remains High / China - May 13th, 2008: "China's inflation climbed to nearly a 12-year high in April, swamping official efforts to cool surging living costs that could provoke unrest ahead of the beijing Olympics. [....]" [Based on: Article (CHINA / Inflation remains high), p. B2, S.L.P.D., 05/13/08]
2008 - Sinkholes / Cape Girardeau, Mo. - May 13th, 2008: "Sudden spate of sinkholes poses pesky problem for cape Girardeau [Mo.]" [Based on: Title for article, p A1, S.L.P.D., 05/13/08]
2008 - Cablevision Purchase / Newsday - May 13th, 2008: "Cablevision Systems Corp. is buying the Long Island-based newspaper Newsday from Tribune Co. in a deal valued at $650 million, the companies announced Monday [05/12/08]" [Based on: Article (CABLEVISION / Newsday is purchased ) p. B2, S.L.P.D., 05/13/08]
2008 - Climate Change Debate / John McCain - May 13th, 2008: "Wooing independent voters, Arizona Sen. John McCain called Monday [05/12/08] for reductions in carbon emissions and criticized the administration of President George W. Bush for failing to lead the fight against climate change. [....]" [Based on: McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS article (McCain tackles carbon emissions, blasts Bush administration), p A4, S.L.P.D., 05/13/08]
2008 - Fatal Militant Rocket / Yesa, Israel - May 13th, 2008: "A rocket fired by Palestinian militants killed a 75-year-old Israeli woman Monday [05/12/08], just as an Egyptian mediator was winding up truce talks in Israel. [NP] The rocket hit a house in the village of Yesha, about four miles from the Gaza Strip. As recently as Friday, a fatal rocket attack drew reprisal Israeli airstrikes that killed five Palestinians in Gaza." [Based on: News Services article (JERUSALEM / Militants fire rocket, killing Israeli woman, 75), p A7, S.L.P.D., 05/13/08]
2008 - Disasters & Tarnished Image? / China - May 13th, 2008: "China hoped 2008 would be a yearlong celebration, a time to bask in the spotlight of the coming Beijing Olympics. Instead, the Year of the Rat has also brought a wave of troubles - both natural and man-made - that are putting a heavy strain on the communist leadership. [....] Among China's other problems this year: [NP] The worst snowstorms in five decades hit the densely populated southern and central regions. The storms left scores dead, knocked out power and stranded hundreds of thousands just before February's Lunar New Year, the country's single busiest travel period. [NP] Chines leaders battled decade-high levels of inflation and struggled to improve the nation's image as a global manufacturer after last year's scandals over tainted drugs and food and defective toy exports. [NP] In March, huge anti-government riots erupted in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, sparking sympathy protests in Tibetan areas across western China. The subsequent government crackdown brought sharp international criticism of Beijing's human rights record. [NP] China's worst train accident in a decade occurred last month, leaving 72 dead and more than 400 injured. [NP] This month also brought a sharp rise in the number of reported cases of hand, foot and mouth disease, a normally non-deadly viral infection that has killed 39 children this year and infected nearly 30,000 others." [Based on: A.P. article (Long-awaited year brings China disasters, tarnished image) by Tini Tran, p A6, S.L.P.D., 05/13/08]
2008 - Refuse to Consider Case / U.S. Justices - May 13th, 2008: "[....] It appeared to be the first time in at least a quarter-century that the justices' financial holdings prevented them from taking a case ['... getting involved in a dispute pitting some of the nation's largest companies against victims of South Africa's former apartheid government.']. [....] Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Samuel Alito, Stephen Breyer and Anthony Kennedy provided no explanation for their decision not to take part in the case. [NP] But those justices have ties to Bank of America Corp., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Colgate-Palmolive Co., Credit Suisse, Exxon Mobil Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., IBM and Nestle SA, among nearly three dozen companies that asked the high court to step in. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Stock holdings keep justices from considering suit), p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/13/08]
2008 - $600 Million in Loans / Southwest Airlines - May 13th, 2008: "SOUTHWEST AIRLINES / $600 million in loans ['from Citibank and seven European banks']" [Based on: Article Title, p. B2, S.L.P.D., 05/13/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 14th, 2008: "Most stocks rose Tuesday [05/13/08] as record oil prices boosted energy shares and speculation grew that Yahoo! Inc. and Clear Channel Communications Inc. will be aquired. [....]." [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Yahoo's rally, energy stocks push most of market upward), p. C4, S.L.P.D., 05/14/08]
2008 - Bombings / Jaipur, India - May 14th, 2008: "Bombings [0513/08] kill 80 [wounding about 200] in western India [Jaipur]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A6, S.L.P.D., 05/14/08]
2008 - Public Apology / John Hagee - May 14th, 2008: "John Hagee, an influential Texas TV evangelist who endorsed John McCain, apologized to Catholics on Tuesday [05/13/08] for his stinging criticism of the Roman Catholic Church and for having 'emphasized the darkest chapters in the history of Catholic and Protestant relations with the Jews.' [....] Hagee has cited the Inquisition and the Crusades as evidence of anti-Semitism within the Catholic church and has suggested that Catholic anti-Semitism shaped Adolf Hitler's views of Jews. [NP] He also has often made references to 'the apostate church' and the 'great whore,' terms that Catholics say are slurs aimed at the Roman Catholic Church." [Based on: News Services article (Evangelist apologizes for Catholic comments), p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/14/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / Saudi Arabia & Iran - May 14th, 2008: "Saudi Arabia sent Iran a sharp warning over Lebanon on Tuesday [05/13/08], saying Tehran's support for Hezbollah will damage its relations with other Muslim and Arab nations. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (BEIRUT, LEBANON / Saudis warn Iran on sectarian clashes), p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/14/08]
2008 - Record Precipitation / St. Louis, Missouri - May 14th, 2008: "All those booming waves of rain have made this the wettest start of any year on record in St. Louis [Mo.]. [NP] The National Weather Service says we had 22.3 inches of precipitation from Jan.1 through Sunday [05/11/08] - and that was before another half-inch fell Tuesday [05/13/08]. [....]" [Based on: Title for St. Louis Post-Dispatch article (Precipitation this year has set a soggy record), p A1, S.L.P.D., 05/14/08]
2008 - Aliens & Faith in God / Not Contradictory? - May 14th, 2008: "Believing that the universe may contain alien life does not contradict a faith in God, the Vatican's chief astronomer said in an interview published Tuesday [05/13/08]. [NP] The Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, the Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory, was quoted as saying the vastness of the universe means it is possible there could be other forms of life outside Earth, even intelligent ones." [Based on: News Services article (VATICAN CITY / Alien life, faith in God compatible, Jesuit says), p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/14/08]
2008 - Finmeccanica Purchase? / DRS Technologies - May 14th, 2008: "The purchase on Tuesday [05/13/08] of DRS Technologies by the Italian firm Finmeccanica SpA highlights a growing truth about the defense industry: It's getting more global all the time. [...] DRS Technologies, based in Parsippany, N.J., is a fast-growing defense company, specializing in electronics and support systems. In January 2006, it bought Engineered Support Systems Inc. of Cool Valley [Mo.] for $1.9 billion, and now headquarters its sustainment systems division there. It has about 700 employees in St. Louis. / Finmeccanica SpA, which is 34 percent owned by the Italian government, is Europe's fourth-biggest aerospace and defense firm. It has been seeking to increase its work in the U.S. market. / The companies agreed Tuesday [05/13/08] to a deal in which Finmeccanica will pay $4 billion and assume $1.2 billion in debt, to buy DRS. It will require approval by the U.S. government. The deal is expected to close by year's end." [Based on: Article (Italian defense firm will buy DRS) by Tim Logan, p C1, S.L.P.D., 05/14/08]
2008 - Quits Under Pressure / Rain Forest Overseer - May 14th, 2008: "[....] Silva [Environment Minister Marina Silva] did not say why she was stepping down, but Sergio Leitao, director of public policy for Greenpeace in Brazil, said the minister 'is leaving because the pressure on her for taking the measures she took against deforestation has become unbearable.' " [Based on: News Services article (RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL / Rain forests' overseer quits under pressure), p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/14/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 15th, 2008: "Stocks advanced for a third day Wednesday [05/14/08] after consumer prices climbed less than forecast and Freddie Mac's results bolstered speculation the worst credit-market losses are over. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Stocks advance on consumer prices, Freddie Mac gains), p. C3, S.L.P.D., 05/15/08]
2008 - Forclosure Trivia / U.S.A. - May 15th, 2008: "FORECLOSURES / Filings [U.S.A.] surge [243,353, up from 147,708 in the same month last year] 65 percent [April 2008]" [Based on: Article Title, p C2, S.L.P.D., 05/15/08]
2008 - Cellulosic Ethanol Facility? - May 15th, 2008: "[....] Wilmington, Del.-based DuPont has partnered with Genencor, a division of Danisco, to develop and commertialize cellulosic ethanol, which unlike traditional ethanol is not derived from food sources. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (DuPont plans cellulosic ethanol facility / Joint venture would make alternative fuel that is less costly to produce and doesn't hike food prices.), p C2, S.L.P.D., 05/15/08]
2008 - Passes Farm Bill / U.S. House - May 15th, 2008: "Defiant House passes [318-106] farm bill [05/14/08] / Enough Republicans back bill to override a threatened veto." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for New York Times article , p A1, S.L.P.D., 05/15/08]
*Trivia: "[....] Despite Bush's strong opposition, 35 of Senate's 49 Republicans voted Thursday [05/15/08] with Democrats to pass and send to the White House a $290 billion farm bill that will increase food aid for the needy as well as subsidies for farmers enjoying record high incomes. A hundred Republicans in the House had voted the same way Wednesday. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Senate also bucks Bush on farm bill / President says he'll veto measure on food stamps, farm subsidies and energy issues.), p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
2008 - Overturned Verdict / Vioxx Case - May 15th, 2008: "A Texas appeals court on Wednesday [05/14/08] overturned a multimillion-dollar verdict against Merck & Co in one of the few trials it lost over its withdrawn painkiller Vioxx. [....] On Wednesday, a three-judge panel of the Texas 4th Court of Appeals overturned the verdict." [Based on: Article (VIOXX / Court overturns verdict), p C2, S.L.P.D., 05/15/08]
2008 - Endorses Obama / John Edwards - May 15th, 2008: "John Edwards endorses Obama [05/14/08]" [Based on: Title for Chicago Tribune article, p A4, S.L.P.D., 05/15/08]
2008 - Endangered Species / Polar Bear - May 15th, 2008: "It's official [05/14/08]: The polar bear is on thin ice / Loss of habitat from warming merits protection, U.S. decides." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Los Angeles Times article , p A1, S.L.P.D., 05/15/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / U.S. & Israel - May 15th, 2008: "[....] In 1948, the United States was the first country to recognize Israel, 11 minutes after its statehood declaration. In that momentous decision, President Harry Truman broke with his secretary of state, George Marshall, and most of the foreign policy experts. [NP] 'Because Harry Truman did what was right instead of following the convential wisdom, we can say today that America is Israel's oldest and best friend in the world,' Bush [U.S. President George W. Bush] said to cheers from conference guests [Jerusalem - 05/14/08]." [Based on: Title for A.P. article (President is upbeat in visit to Jerusalem), p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/15/08]
2008 - Military Camapign / Mosul, Iraq - May 15th, 2008: "Al-Malaki takes charge of attack on al-Qaida [05/14/08] / Campaign targets al-Qaida's last major stronghold [Mosul] in Iraq." [Based on: A.P. article, p A8, S.L.P.D., 05/15/08]
2008 - Solar Cell Technology / IBM Corp. - May 15th, 2008: "IBM finds cool way to boost soalr cells / Its 'concentrator' photovoltaic cells won't be fried by magnified sunlight." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for Cox News Service article by Bob Keefe, p C2, S.L.P.D., 05/15/08]
2008 - Guilty Plea / Temeka Rachelle Lewis - May 15th, 2008: "NEW YORK / Woman [Temeka Rachelle Lewis] pleads guilty [05/15/08] in inquiry that sank Spitzer" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/15/08]
2008 - Measures Reversed / Lebanese Cabinet - May 15th, 2008: "[....] Hezbollah has demanded the government reverse the decision last week to sack an airport security chief for alleged ties to the Shiite group and to declare the militants' private telephone network illegal. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Cabinet reverses steps that agitated Hezbollah), p A8, S.L.P.D., 05/15/08]
2008 - Missle Strike / Pakistan Border Village - May 15th, 2008: "A suspected missle strike late Wednesday [05/14/08] in a Pakistan border village destroyed a house and killed about a dozen people, residents and a militant spokesman said. [NP] At least two explosions hit Damadola village, in the Bajur tribal region near Afghanistan, late Wednesday, said residents, who reported seeing drones flying in the area beforehand. [NP] Pakistan says it does not allow U.S. forces to operate on its territory. But villagers have reported seeing unmanned American Predator aircraft firing missles at suspected militant targets several times in recent years." [Based on: News Services article (Missle strike cited in deaths of a dozen), p A8, S.L.P.D., 05/15/08]
2008 - Urges More Alzheimer's Research / Sandra Day O'Connor - May 15th, 2008: "O'Connor [Sandra Day O'Connor] urges more research on Alzheimer's [05/14/08] / At Senate hearing, retired justice discusses her afflicted husband." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article by Lauran Neergaard, p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/15/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 16th, 2008: "Stocks climbed Thursday [05/15/08], sending the Standard & Poor's 500 index to a four-month high [1,423.57], as analysts said chipmakers will benefit from rising global demand and energy shares are cheap relative to crude oil prices. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Stock market rises as S&P 500 index hits a 4-month high), p. B9, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
2008 - Iranian Casualties / Iraq - May 16th, 2008: "Junta warns against hoarding goods / Death toll in Myanmar from cyclone rises to 43,318, an increase of 5,000 from day before." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A9, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
2008 - Iranian Casualties / Iraq - May 16th, 2008: "Three employees of the Iranian embassy and their Iraqi driver were shot and wounded as they traveled Thursday [05/15/08] to a Shiite shrine in northern Baghdad. [....]" [Based on: McCLATCHY NESWPAPERS article (3 Iranians, Iraqi driver are wounded in attack), p A9, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
2008 - Rising Shares / U.S. Coal - May 16th, 2008: "Coal is burning up stock market / Peabody shares rise 24%, Arch is up 41%, and shares of Patriot double." [Based on: Title for article by Jeffrey Tomich, p B1, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
2008 - Secret Raids? / Afghanistan - May 16th, 2008: "Foreign intelligence agents are leading secret, deadly raids on suspected insurgents in Afghanistan and shirking responsibility when innocent civilians are killed, a U.N. official [Philip Alston] alleged Thursday. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (U.N. is critical of raids in Afghanistan), p A8, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
2008 - Pipeline Accident / Nigeria - May 16th, 2008: "A road-grader accidentally torn open a fuel pipeline Thursday [05/15/08] in Ijegun, Nigeria, and sent an inferno raging over houses and a school, killing about 100 people and injuring 20, a Red Cross official said." [Based on: News Services article (Pipeline fire), p A10, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
2008 - Status / U.S. War-Funding Bill - May 16th, 2008: "[....] The Iraq funding measure collapsed in the House [05/15/08] as anti-war Democrats and Republicans unhappy about added domestic funding combined to kill $163 billion to support U.S. troops overseas. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Add-ons in the House sink war funding bill - for now), p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
2008 - 30-Year Mortgage Rate / U.S.A. - May 16th, 2008: "MORTGAGES / 30-year loan rate falls ['averaged 6.01 percent for the week ending May 15. .... the lowest since mid-April's 5.88 percent.']" [Based on: Title for Wire Reports article, p B2, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
2008 - CBS Purchase / CNet Networks Inc. - May 16th, 2008: "CBS Corp.'s purchase of CNet networks Inc. drew criticism Thursday [05/15/08] from investors over its hefty $1.8 billion price tag. [NP] The $11.50-per-share price CBS is paying represents a 45 percent premium over CNet's stock price the day before. [....] Speaking on a conference call with reporters, CBS's chief executive, Leslie Moonves, said CNet's 54 million unique users per month would leapfrog CBS into the top 10 online audience companies in the United States, giving CBS new ways to distribute its news, entertainment and other programming. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Did CBS pay too much for CNet Networks?), p B2, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
2008 - Compromise President / Lebanon - May 16th, 2008: "BEIRUT, LEBANON / Agreement is reached [05/15/08] on compromise president [Lebanon's army chief, Gen. Michel Suleiman]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A10, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
2008 - Industrial Production Drop / U.S.A. - May 16th, 2008: "Industrial production drop ['0.7 percent last month'] is steeper than expected" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p B2, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
2008 - CBS Purchase / CNet Networks Inc. - May 16th, 2008: "[....] The company's revised report, filed Wednesday [05/14/08] with the Securities and Exchange Commission, indicated a loss of $716.4 million, or $15.90 per share, in the quarter ended March 30. [....] Other publishing companies have taken similar charges in response to falling stock values for media companies. [NP] Sacramento, Calif.-based McClatchy Co., for example, wrote down $3 billion in the value of assets during its 2007 fiscal year." [Based on: A.P. article (Post-Dispatch owner revises, lowers 2nd-quarter earnings / Other publishing companies have taken similar charges in response to falling stock values for media companies.), p B2, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
*Trivia: To the best of my knowledge, the price for a St. Louis Post-Dispatch weekly newspaper is now 75 cents. Most venders charge about 80 cents per newspaper [05/16/08]." - D.R.D.
2008 - Same-Sex Marriage Ruling / California - May 16th, 2008: "[....] The 4-3 ruling [05/15/08] opened the way for the nation's most populous state to join Massachusetts in allowing same-sex couples to marry. The court's order becomes final in 30 days, and it told county clerks and registrars to prepare. [....]" [Based on: Washington Post article (California court backs same-sex marriages), p A1, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
2008 - Urged to Seek Peace / Israelis & Palestinians - May 16th, 2008: "[....] Five months after Bush launched the first serious Mid-east peace talks in seven years, the effort seems to have run out of steam. Olmert, facing his fifth criminal investigation in two years, is weak and unpopular. The Palestinians are weak and divided, as well, and decades-old disputes remain unsettled. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (President urges the Israelis to seek peace / Prime Minister Olmert says nation is ready for deal with Palestinians.) by Terence Hunt, p A11, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
2008 - 'Appeasement' Comment / George W. Bush - May 16th, 2008: "Marking Israel's 60th anniversary, President George W. Bush on Thursday -05/15/08] compared people seeking talks with Iran and radical Islamic groups to those who sought to appease Nazi Germany in the 1930s. [....] Democrats angrily called the comment a veiled shot at Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., who has advocated dialogue with Iran and Syria. [....]" [Based on: Washington Post article ('Appeasement' comment by Bush angers Democrats), p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
2008 - Wins GPS Contract / Lockheed Martin Corp. - May 16th, 2008: "Boeing loses another contract / Lockheed wins GPS deal worth $3.57 billion." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p B2, S.L.P.D., 05/16/08]
2008 - Emerging Sunspots - May 17th, 2008: "Three new sunspots [994, 995, 996] have emerged. These are small, old-Cycle 23 spots that pose no threat." [Based on: http://spaceweather.com/] - [T.D. - 05/17/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 17th, 2008: "Most stocks declined Friday [05/16/08], led by retailers and financial companies, after consumer confidence slumped to the lowest in 28 years and Merrill Lynch & Co. advised selling two regional banks. [....] " [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Most stocks fall as retailers, banks lead the way down), p. A39, S.L.P.D., 05/17/08]
2008 - Aftershock / Sichuan, China - May 17th, 2008: "Aftershock [5.5] triggers landslides in quake-stricken area [Sichuan] of China [05/16/08]" [Based on: Title for Los Angeles Times article, p A26, S.L.P.D., 05/17/08]
2008 - Oil Production / Saudi Arabia - May 17th, 2008: "Regular gasoline goes for less than 50 cents a gallon in Riyadh, the capital of the world's largest producer of oil, which pumps out 9 million barrels a day. [....]" [Based on: Chicago Tribune article (Saudis rebuff Bush's plea for more oil production / Kingdom says it sees no great world demand to justify big boost.), p A24, S.L.P.D., 05/17/08]
*Trivia: "President George W. Bush said Saudi Arabia's small increase in oil production will not solve soaring U.S. fuel prices, but he defended the wealthy kingdom Saturday [05/17/08] against American lawmakers 'screaming the loudest' for Riyadh to open its spigots. [....]" [Based on: Title for A.P. article (Bush rejects pressure on Saudis), p A6, S.L.P.D., 05/18/08]
2008 - Audiotape / Osama Bin Laden? - May 17th, 2008: "[....] The terrorist leader's third statement this year was released to coincide with Israel's 60th anniversary .... [....] 'We will continue our struggle against the Israelis and their allies,' bin Laden said in a 10-minute audio posted on an Internet site used frequently by al-Qaida. 'We are not going to give up an inch of the land of Palestine.' [....] 'The Palestinian cause is the major issue for my (Islamic) nation. It was an important element in fueling me from the beginning and the 19 others with a great motive to fight for those subjected to injustice and the oppressed,' he said. [NP] The authenticity of the message could not be verified, but the voice resembled the one in past bin Laden audios. While there was no indication of when the message was recorded, it referred to Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations, which began May 8." [Based on: A.P. article (Bin Laden speaks out for Palestinian cause / Al-Qaida leader calls situation the No. 1 reason for holy war.), p A27, S.L.P.D., 05/17/08]
2008 - Trivia / Oil Reserve Shipments, U.S.A. - May 17th, 2008: "President George W. Bush's administration, bowing to intense political pressure, said Friday [0516/08] that it would cancel oil shipments into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve starting in July. [....]" [Based on: McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS article (Bush administration suspends oil shipments to strategic reserve), p A24, S.L.P.D., 05/17/08]
2008 - Offered Amnesty / Sunni Militants, Mosul, Iraq - May 17th, 2008: "Iraqi leader [Nouri al-Maliki] offers amnesty [05/16/08] to Sunni militants in Mosul ['... who turn in their weapons in exchange for unspecified financial compensation.]" [Based on: Title for Los Angeles Times article, p A27, S.L.P.D., 05/17/08]
2008 - Web Tracking Program / Charter Communications Inc. - May 17th, 2008: "[....] The pilot tracking program is scheduled to begin in June .... [....] Charter is the nation's fourth-largest cable operator and is controlled by Microsoft Corp. cofounder Paul G. Allen. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Charter aims to track Web surfers / Lawmakers question project to be tested in four markets.), p A36, S.L.P.D., 05/17/08]
2008 - Elections Trivia / Kuwait - May 18th, 2008: "Kuwaitis voted Saturday [05/17/08] for a parliament that could include women for the first time and which many hope will end two years of political wrangling that has created widespread disgust with politics. Results were expected Sunday." [Based on: News Services article (Kuwait election), p A14, S.L.P.D., 05/18/08]
2008 - Auctioned / Einstein Letter - May 18th, 2008: "A letter in which Albert Einstein dismissed the idea of God as the product of human weakness and the Bible as 'pretty childish' has sold at auction [05/15/08] for more than $400,000. [....] The letter was written to philosopher Eric Gutkind in January 1954, a year before Einstein's death. In it, Einstein said that 'the word of God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish.' [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Einstein letter dismissing idea of God is auctioned), p A8, S.L.P.D., 05/18/08]
2008 - 1,000 Detained / Mosul, Iraq - May 18th, 2008: "1,000 arrested as Iraq cracks down on al-Qaida in Mosul" [Based on: Title for A.P. article, p A12, S.L.P.D., 05/18/08]
2008 - Children Lacking Food / U.S.A. - May 18th, 2008: "In America, children are lacking for food / Food cost hikes eat up families' resources sooner than ever" [Based on: Title for A.P. article by Don Babwin, p A3, S.L.P.D., 05/18/08]
2008 - Returns Home / Tariq Azizuddin - May 18th, 2008: "Ambassador [Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan, Tariq Azizuddin] returns home [05/17/08] after kidnapping ['three months after he was kidnapped']" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A14, S.L.P.D., 05/18/08]
2008 - Public Apology / Mike Huckabee - May 18th, 2008: "[....] Hearing a loud noise, Huckabee said [05/16/08]: 'That was Barack Obama. He just tripped off a chair. He's getting ready to speak and somebody aimed a gun at him and he - he dove for the floor.' [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Huckabee apologizes after gun remark about Obama, p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/18/08]
2008 - Train Accident / Lafayette, Louisiana - May 18th, 2008: "Acid [hydrochloric acid] leaks from wrecked freight train [Lafayette, Louisiana - 05/17/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A3, S.L.P.D., 05/18/08]
2008 - Suffers Seizure / U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy - May 18th, 2008: "Sen. Kennedy [Edward M. Kennedy] in hospital after seizure [05/17/08]" [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/18/08]
2008 - President Leonel Fernandez / Dominican Republic - May 18th, 2008: "Dominican President Leonel Fernandez coasted to a third term in office, vowing Saturday [05/17/08] to push ahead with policies he says have lifted the Caribbean nation's economy from crisis." [Based on: News Services article (Dominican Republic), p A14, S.L.P.D., 05/18/08]
2008 - Gas Prices / U.S.A. - May 19th, 2008: "A national survey says the average price for regular gasoline [U.S.A.] rose about 17 cents in the last two weeks. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Average regular gas price climbs to $3.79 a gallon), p A3, S.L.P.D., 05/19/08]
2008 - Suicide Bomber / Pakistan - May 19th, 2008: "A suicide bomber killed 11 people and wounded 22 close to an army base in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province on Sunday [05/18/08], local officials said, just days before the government was expected to complete a peace deal with Taliban militants." [Based on: News Services article (Market attack), p A10, S.L.P.D., 05/19/08]
2008 - Global Warming Trivia / U.S.A. - May 19th, 2008: "Warming won't create more hurricanes, expert [meteorologist Tom Knutson] now [05/18/08] says" [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article by Seth Borenstein, p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/19/08]
2008 - Audiotape / Osama Bin-Laden? - May 19th, 2008: "[....] In his second audio message in three days focusing on the Palestinians, the al-Qaida leader said the only way to liberate Palestine is to fight the Arab regimes that are protecting Israel. And he called on Muslim militants in Egypt to help break the blockade of Gaza. [NP] His 22-minute audiotape was posted on an Islamic militant website where al-Qaida leaders have issued past statements. The voice sounded like bin Laden's, although the authenticity of the tape could not be independently verified." [Based on: Title for News Services article (Reported bin Laden tape criticizes Arab leaders), p A10, S.L.P.D., 05/19/08]
2008 - Unexploded WWII Bomb? / Japan - May 19th, 2008: "About 16,000 residents were evacuated from their homes in Chofu, western Tokyo, on Sunday [05/18/08], while crews removed an unexploded bomb believed dropped during World War II." [Based on: News Services article (Japan evacuation), p A10, S.L.P.D., 05/19/08]
2008 - Attacks on Immigrants / South Africa - May 19th, 2008: "JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA / At least 12 killed in attacks on immigrants [this weekend])" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A10, S.L.P.D., 05/19/08]
2008 - U.S. Funding? / Political Dissidents, Cuba - May 19th, 2008: "HAVANA / Cuba claims [05/18.08] it has proof of U.S. aid to dissidents" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A6, S.L.P.D., 05/19/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / Venezuela & Columbia - May 19th, 2008: "[....] Venezuela's foreign minister, Nicolas Maduro, said Saturday night [05/17/08] that Columbian troops had been detected Friday [05/16/08] in Apure state in western Venezuela, about 875 yards from the Columbian border. In a rare written protest, Maduro asked Columbia 'to immediately cease these violations of international law.' [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Columbia denies that troops were in Venezuela), p A10, S.L.P.D., 05/19/08]
2008 - World Economic Forum / George W. Bush - May 19th, 2008: "Bush addresses Mideast leaders on steps needed for democracy / Women must have equal opportunity, he says [05/18/08]." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for New York Times article, p A7, S.L.P.D., 05/19/08]
2008 - Revelation / 1950 Massacre, South Korea - May 19th, 2008: "Grave by mass grave, South Korea is unearthing the skeletons and buried truths of a cold-blooded slaughter from early in the Korean War [July], when this nation's U.S.-backed regime killed untold thousands of leftists and hapless peasants in a summer of terror [Daejeon] in 1950. [....] The roots of the summer 1950 bloodbath lie in the U.S-Soviet division of Japan's former Korea colony in 1945, which precipitated north-south turmoil and eventual war. [NP] In the late 1940s, President Syngman Rhee's U.S.-installed rightist regime crushed leftist political activity in South Korea. By 1950, southern jails were packed with as many as 30,000 political prisoners. [....] North Korean invaders seized Seoul, the southern capital, in late June 1950. Southern authorities, in full retreat with their U.S. military advisers, ordered National Guidance League members in areas they controlled to report to the police, who detained them. Soon after, commission researchers say, the organized mass executions of people regarded as potential collaborators began. [NP] A State Department cable that fall said overall commander Gen. Douglas MacArthur viewed the executions as a Korean 'international matter,' even though he controlled South Korea's military." [Based on: A.P. article (Massacre by U.S.-backed regime in South Korea comes to light / As many as 100,000 leftists, peasants were imprisoned, executed.) by Charles J. Hanley & Jae-soon Chang, p A8, S.L.P.D., 05/19/08]
2008 - Trivia / Quran Target Practice Incident, Iraq - May 19th, 2008: "U.S. sniper who fired at Quran is out of Iraq / Military announces expulsion after apologizing to Sunnis over target practice incident." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A1, S.L.P.D., 05/19/08]
2008 - Another Aid Quits / John McCain Campaign - May 19th, 2008: "[....] Loeffler [former Texas Rep. Thomas G. Loeffler] lobbies for the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., which with Northrop Grumman Corp. won a lucrative contract to provide air refueling tankers for the Air Force. McCain helped scuttle an earlier contract that would have gone to a competitor, Boeing Co. [NP] Newsweek reported over the weekend that Loeffler's 'lobbying firm has collected nearly $15 million from Saudi Arabia since 2002 and millions more from other foreign and corporate interests, including a French aerospace firm seeking Pentagon contracts.' [NP] Lobbying disclosure records also showed that on May 17, 2006, Loeffler listed meeting McCain along with the Saudi ambassador to 'discuss U.S.-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia relations,' even though Loeffler said last month that he had not discussed his clients with McCain, Newsweek said." [Based on: News Services article (McCain aide quits after lobbying is disclosed), p A6, S.L.P.D., 05/19/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Northern Sumatra, Indonesia - May 19th, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 14:26:45 (UTC) on Monday, May 19th, 2008. The magnitude 6.0 event [Location: 1.638°N, 99.141°E; Depth: 10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program] was located @ NORTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008sfa9.php] - [T.D. - 05/19/08]
2008 - 2nd-Last in Women's Heart Health / St. Louis, Missouri - May 19th, 2008: "[....] St. Louis ranks 37th among 38 large cities in deaths caused by heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, poor diet, lack of exercise and smoking, according to the association's report released today. [....] THE RANKINGS .... THE BEST:1. Minneapolis 2. Washington 3. San Francisco 4. Denver 5. Boston 6. Seattle 7. Portland, Oregon 8. San Diego 9. Los Angeles 10. Phoenix / THE WORST: Nashville 2. St. Louis 3. Detroit 4. Pittsburgh 5. Dallas 6. Columbus 7. Cincinnati 8. Las Vegas 9. Cleveland 10. Indianapolis [....]" [Based on: St. Louis Post-Dispatch article (Area 2nd last in women's heart health / The St. Louis region gets a wake-up call in an American Heart Association report.) by Blythe Bernhard & American Heart Association statistics, p A1, 05/19/08]
2008: - Solar Wind Stream - May 20th, 2008: "A solar wind stream hit Earth on May 20th sparking auroras so bright, they were briefly visible in the twilight blue sky above Nunavik, Quebec. [....]." [Based on: http://spaceweather.com/] - [T.D. - 05/24/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 20th, 2008: "Most stocks fell Monday [05/19/08] after SanDisk Corp. said record energy prices hurt sales, spoiling a rally in tech shares. The Standard & Poor's 500 index advanced to the highest level since January, boosted by oil. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (SanDisk says fuel prices hurt sales; oil boosts S&P 500), p. C3, S.L.P.D., 05/20/08]
2008 - Child Porn Ruling / U.S.A. - May 20th, 2008: "U.S. SUPREME COURT / Offering, asking for child porn is ruled [7-2] illegal [05/19/08]" [Based on: Title for Los Angeles Times article, p A1, S.L.P.D., 05/20/08]
2008 - Attack on Police Recruits / Iraq - May 20th, 2008: "Attack kills 11 police recruits [near the Syrian border - 05/19/08] / Sunni insurgents are suspected in ambush of the Iraqis returning from recruiting camp." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for A.P. article, p A4, S.L.P.D., 05/20/08]
2008 - Fights Among Poor / South Africa - May 20th, 2008: "REIGER PARK, SOUTH AFRICA / Fights among poor leave 22 people dead" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/20/08]
2008 - Videotaped Beating Trivia / U.S.A. - May 20th, 2008: "The Philadelphia police commissioner has decided to fire four officers and discipline four others over the videotaped beating of three shooting suspects." [Based on: News Services article (Videotaped beating), p A3, S.L.P.D., 05/20/08]
2008 - Animal-Human Embryos / Britain - May 20th, 2008: "British lawmakers voted Monday [05/19/08] to approve plans to allow the use of animal-human embryos for research. [....] The process involves injecting an empty cow or rabbit egg with human DNA. A burst of electricity is then used to trick the egg into dividing regularly, so that it becomes a very early embryo, from which stem cells can be extracted. [NP] Scientists say the embryos would not be allowed to develop for more than 14 days, and are intended to address the shortage of human embryos available for stem cell research." [Based on: News Services article (Animal-human embryos get OK for research), p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/20/08]
2008 - Mars Landing Trivia / Phoenix Lander - May 20th, 2008: "[....] Phoenix lacks the tools to detect signs of alien life - either now or in the past. However, it will study whether the ice ever melted and look for traces of organic compounds in the permafrost to determine if life could have emerged at the site. [....] The last time NASA did tests for organics it was on a hunt for extraterrestrial life in 1976 with the twin Viking spacecraft. No conclusive signs of life were found [....]." [Based on: A.P. article (Mars landing: 'Seven minutes of terror') by Alicia Chang, p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/20/08]
2008 - Contacts with Leaders of Hamas / France - May 20th, 2008: "France has had contacts with the leaders of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas 'for several months,' French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Monday [05/19/08]. [....]" [Based on: Washington Post article (French emissary has met with leaders of Hamas about Palestine), p A4, S.L.P.D., 05/20/08]
2008 - Some Palestinians Distanced / Bin Laden Message - May 20th, 2008: "Both moderate and militant Palestinians distanced themselves Monday [05/19/08] from Osama bin Laden, who portrayed himself in his latest message as the only true defender of Palestinians. [....]" [Based on: News Services article (Palestinians question Bin Laden's methods), p A5, S.L.P.D., 05/20/08]
2008 - Strong Earthquake / Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska - May 20th, 2008: "A strong earthquake occurred at 13:53:38 (UTC) on Tuesday, May 20th, 2008. The magnitude 6.3 event [Location: 51.270°N, 178.723°E; Depth 47.1 km (29.3 miles)] was located @ RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA."
[Based on: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008sga6.php] - [T.D. - 05/21/08]
2008 - Sun in Gemini - May 21st, 2008: "Reported date when the Sun entered the constellation Gemini [squared Saturn in Virgo]" [Based on: http://www2.bitstream.net/~bunlion/bpi/ephm/E200805.html]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 21st, 2008: "Stocks fell Tuesday [05/20/08], dragging down the Standard & Poor's 500 index from a four-month high, as analysts forecast more credit losses and faster inflation and record oil prices threatened to reduce profitability." [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Stocks tumble, dragging S&P 500 from 4-month high), p. C4, S.L.P.D., 05/21/08]
2008 - Torture Trivia / U.S.A. - May 21st, 2008: "Complaints by FBI agents about abusive interrogation tactics at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and other U.S. military sites reached the National Security Council but prompted no effort to curb questioning that the agents considered ineffective and perhaps illegal, according to an internal audit released Tuesday [05/20/08]. [NP] Reports that Guantanamo detainees were being subjected to simulated drowning, abuse of the Quran and nude interrogation were conveyed at White House meetings of senior officials in 2003, yet these questionable tactics remained in use, a lengthy report by the Justice Department's inspector general concluded. [....] Nearly half of the 450 FBI agents who worked at Guantanamo reported that they had observed or heard about military interrogators' using a variety of harsh interrogation techniques on detainees, with the most common being sleep deprivation and short-shackling - or locking a detainee's hands and feet together to prevent comfortable sitting or standing - for long periods of time. [NP] Military officials at Guantanamo Bay used some aggresive techniques before they were approved, perhaps in violation of Defense Department policy and U.S. law, the report said. They also continued to use 'stress positions' and other such techniques well after they were prohibited by Defense Department policy in January 2003, the report said. [NP] The 370-page report draws heavily on e-mail messages and contemporaneous memos to provide the clearest and most definitive account to date of the key tactics employed by the government against suspected terorists after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks." [Based on: Washington Post article (FBI agents protested torture, audit reports) by Carrie Johnson & Josh White, p A11, S.L.P.D., 05/21/08]
2008 - Creation / Revelations 16 - May 21st, 2006: "Creation date for Revelations 16, an etymology research journal page by D.R.D., alias Etznab Mathers."
2008 - Cancer Risk? / "Nanotubes" - May 21st, 2008: "Microscopic high-tech 'nanotubes' that are being made for use in a wide variety of consumer products cause the same kind of damage in the body as asbestos does, according to a study in mice that is raising alarm among workplace safety experts and others. [NP] Within days of being injected into mice, the nanotubes - which are increasingly used in electronic components, sporting goods and dozens of other products - triggered a kind of cellular reaction that over a period of years typically leads to mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer, researchers said. [NP] Only longer versions of the vanishingly small fibers have that toxic effect, the study found. And further studies must be done on whether the engineered motes can cause problems when inhaled, the way most people might be exposed to them when incinerating or otherwise destroying nano products." [Based on: Washington Post article ('Nanotubes' may be cancer risk), p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/21/08]
2008 - Trivia / Kyber Pass Attacks - May 21st, 2008: "[....] Abductions and arson attacks on the hundreds of cargo trucks plying the switchback road through the Khyber Pass have become commonplace this year. Many of the trucks carry fuel and other material for foreign troops based in Afghanistan. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Khyber Pass attacks could threaten U.S. supply line), p A11, S.L.P.D., 05/21/08]
2008 - Campaign Funds Trivia / U.S.A. - May 21st, 2008: "Democrat Barack Obama is reporting more than $37 million in the bank for his presidential run at the start of May compared with nearly $22 million for Republican John McCain. [NP] Obama raised more than $31 million in April, a substantial sum but smaller than previous monthly totals. McCain raised nearly $18 million in April, his best fundraising month yet. [NP] Hillary Rodham Clinton raised about $22 million, aided by a stunning $10 million haul raised in the two days after her April 22 primary victory in Pennsylvania. It was her second-best fundraising month of the campaign." [Based on: News Services article (Obama's funds top McCain's by $15 million), p A3, S.L.P.D., 05/21/08]
2008 - Vioxx Settlement / Merck & Co. - May 21st, 2008: "Merck & Co. has agreed to pay $58 million as part of a multistate settlement of allegations that its ads for the once-popular painkiller Vioxx deceptively played down the health risks. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Merck will pay $58 million in Vioxx settlement), p C2, S.L.P.D., 05/21/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / I.A.E.A. & Iran - May 21st, 2008: "Iran has stymied the latest U.N. attempt to probe allegations that it tried to make nuclear weapons, diplomats said Tuesday [05/20/08]. [NP] The International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, will acknowledge it was unable to follow up on the allegations in a report to be presented as early as Friday to its 35-nation board, two diplomats told The Associated Press." [Based on: News Services article (Iran accused of leashing U.N. nuclear watchdog), p A12, S.L.P.D., 05/21/08]
2008 - Government Control / Sadr City, Iraq - May 21st, 2008: "[....] No U.S. troops accompanied the Iraqi forces. The agreement specifically barred Americans from entering the Shiite Muslim enclave. [....] 'Iraqi soldiers are smiling and saying hi to everybody,' said Hamza Sadri, 23. 'Our children love the Iraqi soldiers because the children know these soldiers belong to Iraq, not to America.' [NP] Sadr City is home to more than 2 million residents, and until Tuesday had not been under government control since Saddam Hussein was overthrown in 2003. [....]" [Based on: McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS article (Iraqi troops enter Sadr City peacefully), p A11, S.L.P.D., 05/21/08]
2008 - Market Report / U.S.A. - May 22nd, 2008: "Stocks tumbled Wednesday [05/21/08], sending the S&P 500 index to its biggest two-day drop [22.69 points, to 1,390.71] since March, as the Federal Reserve signaled it is done cutting interest rates and record oil prices threatened profits at consumer companies. [....]" [Based on: Bloomberg News article (Financials lead retreat as oil puts market on the skids), p. C3, S.L.P.D., 05/22/08]
2008 - Split-Off / Time Warner Inc. - May 22nd, 2008: "Time Warner Inc. said Wednesday [05/21/08] it would formally split off its cable TV business, giving the media conglomerate a $9.25 billion windfall and allowing it to focus on cable network, entertainment and publishing. [NP] The separation of Time Warner Cable Inc. gets Time Warner out of the media distribution business altogether." [Based on: Article (TIME WARNER / Split-off brings windfall), p C2, S.L.P.D., 05/22/08]
2008 - Peace Deal / Swat, Pakistan - May 22nd, 2008: "[....] Militants agreed to recognize the government's authority, halt suicide and bomb attacks and hand over foreign militants in the area [Swat], minister Bashir Bilour told reporters after the talks. [NP] In return, the government will release prisoners and make limited concessions on the demands of the cleric, Maulana Fazlullah, for the imposition of Islamic law in the region, he said. [NP] Bilour also said that the army 'gradually' would withdraw from the area - a key demand of the militants. [....]" [Based on: A.P. article (Pakistan, militants agree to peace deal), p A12, S.L.P.D., 05/22/08]
2008 - Missle Contract / LaBarge Inc. - May 22nd, 2008: "Labarge Inc. has rceived a $4.5 million contract from Raytheon Missle Systems for work on a naval missle system. [NP] The Clayton [Mo.]-based electronics manufacturer will perform complex cable assemblies on the Rolling Airframe Missle Guided Missle Weapon System at its facility in Berryville, Ark." [Based on: Article (LABARGE / Firm wins missle deal), p C2, S.L.P.D., 05/22/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / Israel & Syria - May 22nd, 2008: "Israel and Syria are conducting indirect peace talks in Turkey [announced Wednesday - 05/21/08] / Damascus demands return of Golan Heights in exchange for any comprehensive agreement." [Based on: Title & Subtitle for McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS article, p A12, S.L.P.D., 05/22/08]
2008 - Overstaed Profit / First banks Inc. - May 22nd, 2008: "[....] The Creve Coeur [Mo.]-based bank holding company said its profit was overstated by $6.2 million last year, by $3.5 million in 2006 and by $1.4 million in 2005. [....]" [Based on: Article (First Banks uncovers problem / Mortgage-banking division overstated its profit by $12 million over 3 years.) by Jerri Stroud, p C1, S.L.P.D., 05/22/08]
2008 - Rising Prices / Oil & Gas, U.S.A. - May 22nd, 2008: "(Runaway oil roars past $133 [05/21/08] / INVENTORIES FALL, contributing to the skyrocketing price of crude, up $4.19 for the day. / GASOLINE FOLLOWS SUIT, rising above $3.80 a gallon in the inevitable march toward $4.)" [Based on: Title & Subtitles for A.P. article, p C1, S.L.P.D., 05/22/08]
2008 - Beached Whales / Dakar, Senegal - May 22nd, 2008: "DAKAR, SENEGAL / Dead whales ['at least 38'] litter swath of beach [Dakar, Senegal]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A13, S.L.P.D., 05/22/08]
2008 - Trash Removal Trivia / Naples, Italy - May 22nd, 2008: "[....] Previous attempts to open dumps [before 05/21/08] have been hampered by the protests of residents worried by health risks." [Based on: News Services article (NAPLES, ITALY / Army will join push to remove trash), p A13, S.L.P.D., 05/22/08]
2008 - Fees & Cutbacks / American Airlines - May 22nd, 2008: "A worker transports luggage on the American Airlines tarmac Wednesday [05/21/08] at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. American is increasing baggage and other fees, including those for reservations handling, transporting pets and supervising unaccompanied children." [Based on: Picture Caption for A.P. article, p A1, S.L.P.D., 05/22/08]
2008 - Solar Conjunction / Venus & Pleiades - May 22-23, 2008: "There's a nice sky show underway [05/17/08] that would surely make news except for one thing: looking at it hurts! Venus and the Pleiades star cluster are converging on the Sun. [....] On May 22-23 the Sun-Pleiades-Venus triangle will shrink in width to only 5 degrees. [....]" [Based on: http://spaceweather.com/] - [T.D. - 05/17/08]
2008 - Trivia / Supernova Explosion, SN2008D - May 22nd, 2008: "For the first time, astronomers have witnessed the death throes of a massive star as it was blowing up in a violent explosion called a supernova.[....] The starburst lasted only five minutes, but it shone brighter than a billion normal stars combined, according to a paper to be published in today's edition [05/22/08] of the journal Nature. [....] The cataclysm flings out elements like oxygen, iron and calcium that are necessary to make planets like Earth. [NP] This event began at 8:33 a.m. on Jan 9. [....] The new supernova has been named SN2008D. It's 90 million light years away in the constellation Lynx. A light year is about 5.9 trillion miles. [NP] After the star exploded, its outer layers were ejected at velocities up to 70 percent of the speed of light, said Peter Meszaros, an astrophysicist at Penn State University Park, Pa., and a member of the Swift [NASA's Swift X-ray satellite] team. [NP] 'The death of a massive star marks the birth of its explosion, along with the creation and ejection of heavy elements like oxygen and calcium necessary for life as we know it,' said Alex Filippenko, a Berkeley astronomy professor who discovered one of the first supernovae of this type in 1985." [Based on: McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS article (Star flashes astronomers in debut of supernova) by Robert S. Boyd, p A10, S.L.P.D., 05/22/08]
2008 - Foreign Relations / Lebanon & Hezbollah - May 22nd, 2008: "[....] The agreement appeared to solidify Hezbollah's status as an armed force that overshadows the power of the state. It did so by giving the movement and its allies enough Cabinet positions to veto any attempt to take away their formidable arsenal, intelligence assets and communications network. [NP] The accord also granted the U.S.-backed leader Saad Hariri the electoral law he sought, securing a majority of Beirut seats for his loyalists in parliamentary elections next year and a promise that Hezbollah will not use its weapons against fellow Lebanese, as it did during the May 8 offensive in which at least 60 people died. [....]" [Based on: Los Angeles Times article (Lebanese government reaches acccord with Hezbollah / The Shiite militant group gets to retain its armed forces but agrees to end violence against Lebanese.), p A12, S.L.P.D., 05/22/08]
2008 - Study Ends / Cholesterol Drug, Merck & Co. - May 22nd, 2008: "MERCK / Study [ACHIEVE] ends on a new cholesterol drug [MK-0524A]" [Based on: Article Title, p C2, S.L.P.D., 05/22/08]
2008 - Trivia / 2007 Minneapolis Bridge Collapse - May 22nd, 2008: "The Minnesota Department of transportation repeatedly failed to follow its own policies and didn't take the advice of experts regarding the poor condition of the Interstate 35W bridge that collapsed last summer [08/01/07], killing 13 people, a special investigative team told legislators Wednesday [05/21/08]. [NP] The panel from the Minneapolis law firm of Gray Plant and Mooty, hired by the state Legislature to do an independent study of the factors that led to the collapse, reported Wednesday to a joint legislative committee that the department failed in a number of ways to ensure the safety of the bridge. [NP] Last month, Robert Stein of Gray Plant and Moody said the findings would prove useful but were not meant to identify what caused the collapse or duplicate the official investigation being led by the National Transportation Safety Board. [NP] The investigators said they found that financial considerations influenced decisions that were made about the bridge and that decisionmakers didn't always get complete and thorough information about the bridge's condition. [NP] 'They were also not unaware of the political heat they would get (if they closed) a bridge like that,' said Bruce Mooty, one of the lawyers making the presentation Wednesday. [NP] Department officials did not follow their own policies on reporting the bridge's deteriorating condition, the panel reported. They also failed to act to improve the 'poor' rating of the bridge's superstructure, and they didn't take into account the impact on the bridge of construction work last summer. [NP] The panel issued a series of recommendations to reform transportation department procedures." [Based on: Minneapolis Star Tribune article (Advice on Minnesota bridge not followed, panel finds / MANY FACTORS - Finances, lack of data, 'political heat' also influenced decisions.), p A2, S.L.P.D., 05/22/08]
2008 - Sabotage Plot? / Nuclear Power Plant, Sweden - May 22nd, 2008: "STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN / Sabotage plot suspected at nuclear power plant [05/21/08]" [Based on: Title for News Services article, p A13, S.L.P.D., 05/22/08]
2008 - Ratings Reviewed / Moody's Investors