Home // Monthly Archive for March, 2008
$9B for Absolut March 31, 2008
By Karl Ritter
USA Today
French liquor group Pernod Ricard outbid three other companies to buy Sweden's state-owned Vin & Sprit, the maker of Absolut vodka, for $8.89 billion, the company said Monday.
The deal ends months of speculation over who would take over one of the world's biggest vodka brands, which was put on the auction bloc as part of ...
Zimbabwe Vote Split March 31, 2008
Zimbabwe's government began slowly announcing results of the weekend's elections on Monday but the delays raised fears of vote-rigging as security forces patrolled the streets.
Al-Sadr Offers to End Fighting March 30, 2008
Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr offered Sunday to pull his fighters off the streets of Basra and other cities if the government halts raids against his followers and releases prisoners held without charge.
The offer was contained in a nine-point statement issued by his headquarters in Najaf.
An Iraqi government spokesman welcomed al-Sadr's order, saying it was "positive and responsive."
Al-Sadr demanded that ...
Zimbabwe Opposition Cries Foul March 30, 2008
The main opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change, alleged widespread irregularities and promised to release its own election results, defying a government order.
Earth Hour Darkens World March 29, 2008
The iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge went dark Saturday night as Sydney became the world's first major city to turn off its lights for this year's Earth Hour, a global campaign to raise awareness of climate change.
Cuba Allowing Cellphones March 28, 2008
President Raul Castro's government said Friday it is allowing cellphones for ordinary Cubans, a luxury previously reserved for those who worked for foreign firms or held key posts with the communist-run state.
Baggage Halted at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 March 27, 2008
Flights from Heathrow's new £4.3bn Terminal 5 are departing with hand baggage only after luggage check-in was suspended due to technical problems.
Iraqi Prime Minister Gettings Tough on Militias March 26, 2008
A day after launching a huge operation that ignited heavy fighting in two of Iraq’s largest cities, Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki gave the Shiite militias controlling the southern oil city of Basra an ultimatum on Wednesday: lay down their weapons within 72 hours or face more severe consequences.
Beckham Wins 100th England Cap March 26, 2008
David Beckham was named in England's starting line-up for their friendly against France on Wednesday night to guarantee that he will win his 100th international cap.
Smashing Pumpkins Suing Record Label March 25, 2008
The Smashing Pumpkins are suing Virgin Records, saying the record label has illegally used their name and music in promotional deals that hurt the band's credibility with fans.
US Mistakenly Sends Missile Parts to Taiwan March 25, 2008
The U.S. Defense Department accidentally shipped non-nuclear ballistic missile components to Taiwan, the Pentagon said Tuesday.
Mass Pile-Up in Austria March 25, 2008
A big motorway pile-up in western Austria has left one person dead and 30 injured, police say.
Google Wants Media Muscle March 24, 2008
Less than a week after losing in the latest U.S. spectrum auction, Google Inc. has started pitching its plan to use TV "white space" — unlicensed and unused airwaves — to provide wireless Internet.
China Accuses Dalai Lama of Terrorism March 23, 2008
Far from heeding international calls for dialogue with the Dalai Lama, China has accused Tibet’s exiled god-king of colluding with Muslim terrorists to destabilise the country before the Olympic Games.
Bank of America Faces $6.5Bn Loss March 23, 2008
Bank of America Corp, the largest U.S. retail bank, may set aside a record $6.5 billion in the first quarter to cover possible future loan losses, including in its mortgage and home equity portfolios, according to a banking analyst.
Apple Musing Free Access to iTunes March 21, 2008
Apple Inc. is mulling a plan to upend its iTunes business by giving people unlimited free access to the music library if they're willing to pay more for the iPod and iPhone devices they use for playing and storing the digital media, according to a report published Wednesday.
Greenspan the Cause of Credit Woes? March 21, 2008
The record of longtime Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan -- worshipped by business leaders and dubbed "Maestro" in a 2000 biography by The Post's Bob Woodward -- is getting a critical look as his successor Ben S. Bernanke wrestles with problems that began on the Maestro's watch.
Australian Man Killed by Suicide Robot March 21, 2008
An Australian man built an elaborate suicide robot using plans he found on the internet and fell victim to the killer bot Wednesday morning. The robot packed the heat of a .22 semi-automatic pistol loaded with four bullets that, when set in motion, fatally shot the Gold Coast man in the head. The 81-year-old victim left notes detailing the conflicted ...
McCanns Win $1Million Libel Award March 19, 2008
The parents of missing Madeleine McCann have accepted £550,000 ($1.1 million) libel damages and an apology over stories published in two British newspapers that alleged they were involved in the disappearance or death of the girl.
McCartney’s Ex Awarded $48M March 17, 2008
By César G. Soriano, Special for USA TODAY
Former Beatle Paul McCartney was ordered Monday to pay $48.6 million to his estranged wife, Heather Mills, bringing an end to one of the longest and most acrimonious celebrity divorce proceedings in recent years.
"I'm so glad it's over," Mills, 40 said during ...
Bear Sterns’ Woes Triggers Market Slump March 17, 2008
Markets from New York to Tokyo have recorded heavy losses in reaction to the emergency bailout of US investment bank Bear Stearns over the weekend.
Bear Sterns on Knife Edge March 14, 2008
Bear Stearns, one of the nation's biggest and most prominent investment banks, stunned Wall Street Friday by announcing it had turned to a rival bank and the federal government for an emergency bailout.
Michael Jackson Re-finances Neverland March 13, 2008
Pop star Michael Jackson has refinanced his Neverland ranch to save it from being auctioned off, his lawyer says.
Carlyle Hedge Fund on Edge of Collapse March 13, 2008
The US mortgage-backed bond fund will collapse if, as expected, its lenders seize its remaining assets.
Southwest Grounds 44 Planes March 12, 2008
Southwest Airlines has grounded dozens of planes following allegations that the airline broke federal safety rules, the airline said.
Google Buys Doubleclick March 11, 2008
With the EU's blessing, Google has finally acquired DoubleClick after nearly a year in trying.
Rate-my-cop Website has Police Hopping Mad March 11, 2008
Police agencies from coast to coast are furious with a new website on the internet. RateMyCop.com has the names of thousands of officers, and many believe it is putting them in danger.
Manchester Chief Constable Found Dead March 11, 2008
Michael Todd, the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, has been found dead today after apparently committing suicide.
Bush Vetoes Torture-Banning Bill March 8, 2008
President Bush said Saturday he vetoed legislation that would ban the CIA from using harsh interrogation methods such as waterboarding to break suspected terrorists because it would end practices that have prevented attacks.
Italy’s Women: Entitled to Lie for Honour March 8, 2008
Italy's highest appeal court has ruled that married Italian women who commit adultery are entitled to lie about it to protect their honour.
World’s Smallest Gun March 7, 2008
The SwissMiniGun is the size of a key fob but fires tiny 270mph bullets powerful enough to kill at close range.
Diana’s Butler Refuses to Testify Again March 6, 2008
Former royal butler Paul Burrell has refused to return to the inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Patrick Swayze Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer March 6, 2008
American actor Patrick Swayze has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, his agent has confirmed.
Greece Nixes Macedonia Bid for NATO March 6, 2008
Greece has said it cannot support Macedonia's bid to join Nato, because of an unresolved dispute over its Balkan neighbour's name.
Nicaragua Breaks Diplomatic Relations with Colombia March 6, 2008
Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega said Thursday that the nation is breaking relations with Colombia "in solidarity with the Ecuadoran people."
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