This page features brief excerpts of stories published by the mainstream
media and, less frequently, blogs, alternative media, and even obviously
biased sources. The excerpts are taken directly from the websites cited in
each source note. Quotation marks are not used.
Source: http://www.presstv.ir
March 8, 2009
Archeological studies have indicated that traces of ancient population in Iran's northern province of Mazandaran goes back 5,600 years.
“Archeological excavations and precise date recognition at the historical site of Gohar Tappeh revealed urbanism had entered the region about 4,500 years ago,” says Ali Mahforouzi, head of the excavation team of Gohar Tappeh of Mazandaran.
The discovery has also led archeologists to believe that powerful political and economic systems
Source: http://qconline.com
March 11, 2009
Whether for his association with the Civil War or civil rights, another United States President from Illinois is currently getting more attention as the nation draws closer to the 150th anniversary of the War Between the States in 2011.
Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States, was elected in 1868 while a resident of Galena, Illinois and visitors to that town may still tour his fully restored home. His two terms in office, spanning the years 1869 – 1877, saw some of
Source: AP
March 16, 2009
Officials are investigating vandalism at Appomattox Courthouse National Historic Park, where the curtain was lowered on the Civil War.
The vandalism occurred at the Peers House, an 1850s structure now used primarily by park workers as housing.
Park Superintendent Reed Johnson said intruders entered the structure and cut water lines, which flooded the house. He said the vandals did not take anything.
Source: Politico (Mike Allen)
March 17, 2009
The National Constitution Center, the site of the speech, announced it will mark the anniversary 'by launching a virtual exhibit online. The interactive website and supplemental educational materials will provide users with a deeper understanding of this important speech. The interactive webpage [launches tomorrow] will ... contain full video of President Obama's speech, A More Perfect Union, with a chapter index and a scrolling tra
Source: Andean Air Mail & Peruvian Times (South America)
March 16, 2009
More than 10,000 cave paintings — dating back to more than 6,000 years — were discovered by Peruvian archaeologist Quirino Olivera in the Andean country’s jungle department of Amazonas, daily El Comercio reported.
Hidden by the region’s lush vegetation for centuries, the paintings were discovered in caves located near the village of Tambolic, in the district of Jamalca, province of Utcubamba.
“Over the past two years,” said Olivera, “we have found 6,000-year old cave pa
Source: Slate
March 16, 2009
In an effort to educate the public on the state of the economy and his plans for improving it, President Obama is considering a series of short televised addresses similar to Franklin Roosevelt's fireside chats. Press secretary Robert Gibbs has told the television networks that the administration may request more time than usual for a president. Gibbs did not provide a schedule but described the addresses as lasting about 10 minutes each.
You may think you've heard all this before.
Source: AP
March 17, 2009
Executed in a coup 30 years ago, buried hastily in a mass grave along with a small golden Quran, the man who turned Afghanistan from a monarchy into a republic returned on Tuesday in a flag-draped coffin to the same palace where he met his death.
The body of President Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan was unearthed after a former Afghan general involved in the secret burial pointed the way last year to two mass graves. In July 2008, graves were opened that held the bodies of the former lead
Source: 3-17-09
December 31, 2069
The number of Americans who think another Great Depression will occur within the next year is on the rise, a poll released Tuesday shows.
Forty-five percent of people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey said another depression is likely.
"Will the Great Recession turn into another Great Depression? A growing number of Americans think it might," said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. "Last December, 38% said a depression like the on
Source: Independent (UK)
March 17, 2009
Britain is locked in a court battle with an American treasure-hunting company over ownership of the wreck of a cruise liner with its valuable cargo of bullion, torpedoed in the First World War by a German U-boat in the Atlantic. The 18,000-tonne Royal Mail Ship Laconia, which had been commandeered by the British government, was attacked with the loss of 13 passengers, including three Americans, en route from New York to Liverpool on 25 February 1917.
That changed the course of the
Source: IHT
March 15, 2009
The protracted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are forcing the administration of President Barack Obama to rethink what for more than two decades has been a central premise of American strategy: that the nation need only prepare to fight two major wars at a time.
For more than six years now, the United States has in fact been fighting two wars, with more than 170,000 troops now deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan combined. The military has openly acknowledged that the wars have left troop
Source: IHT
March 16, 2009
Sir Nicholas Henderson, a former British ambassador to the U.S. who helped build support for Britain's war effort in the Falkland Islands, died in his sleep Monday morning in London, his family said. He was 89.
Henderson also served as ambassador to Poland, Spain, Germany and France, and as private secretary to Britain's foreign minister.
Alexandra Drogheda, his daughter, said Henderson played an instrumental role in building support in the U.S. for Britain's decision t
Source: Tehran Times
March 17, 2009
Dating back to the Saffarid Dynasty, one of Iran’s oldest mosques, located in the city, is currently being excavated during this season, team director Hamideh Chubak told the Persian service of CHN on Monday.
Saffarids were an Iranian dynasty of lower class origins that ruled a large area of eastern Iran during the 9th century CE.
The team also has been scheduled to demarcate the city of Decius and to study industrial workshops located in the site, she added.
Source: History Today
March 16, 2009
The Austrian Science Fund (FWF) announced, today, its latest project to research and make public information about the management of the Imperial Court in Vienna. The project, entitled ‘At Your Majesty’s Service!’, is based on the study of the ‘instruction manuals’ of the Viennese court by Institute for Austrian Historical Research at the University of Vienna. The manuals notably provided the court staff with details about the manner in which specific tasks were to be carried out and by whom. Th
Source: BBC
March 17, 2009
Flags flew at half mast as the political elite joined family members and supporters to pay their respects at a ceremony at the presidential palace.
Mr Khan was killed in a communist-inspired coup in 1978. His remains were found in a mass grave last year.
He ousted his cousin, King Zahir Shah, in a coup in 1973 to become president.
Source: Telegraph (UK)
March 16, 2009
Britain is showing signs of sliding towards a 1930s-style depression, the Bank of England says today for the first time.
The country is displaying early symptoms of being trapped in a so-called “debt deflation trap” where families find themselves pushed further and further into the red every month, according to a Bank report published today.
The stark warning will cause serious concerns, since it was this combination of falling prices and soaring debt burdens that pla
Source: Telegraph (UK)
March 16, 2009
Josef Stalin and Leonardo da Vinci are deep in conversation, Vladimir Putin rests his legs next to a sprawled Mike Tyson, while Margaret Thatcher – clutching her handbag – looks on with disdain.
This extraordinary painting depicting 103 figures from world history in striking detail has become the latest internet hit.
Message boards have erupted with contests to identify all those featured, who range from instantly recognisable figures like Gandhi to some more obscure
Source: Telegraph (UK)
March 16, 2009
Henry Allingham, Britain's oldest man and one of only two surviving Great War veterans, has been awarded a French Legion of Honour medal.
Mr Allingham, 112, the oldest Royal Navy veteran, was moved to tears as he received France's highest military honour in a ceremony at the official London residence of the French ambassador in recognition of his role in the First World War.
The veteran, who lives at St Dunstan's care home for blind ex-service personnel in Ovingdean,
Source: BBC
March 16, 2009
The smallest meat-eating dinosaur yet to be found in North America has been identified from six tiny pelvic bones.
Hesperonychus was the size of a small-chicken, and used its rows of serrated teeth to feed on insects, experts say.
The bird-like creature is closely related to Microraptor - a tiny feathered dinosaur discovered in China.
The specimen helps to confirm that reptiles, and not mammals, filled the role of small predators during the age of the di
Source: http://www.thespectrum.com (Utah)
March 14, 2009
Dixie State College Board of Trustees members retired the school's former Rebel nickname and mascot Friday morning after a 5-4 vote.
Following an update on the college by president Stephen D. Nadauld and the introduction of student body present-elect, Dewey Denning, board members delved into their first action item on the agenda, the Dixie Rebel nickname and mascot.
"There have been some matters of advice that probably suggest that it would be wise that we just go
Source: NYT blog
March 16, 2009
As General Motors and Chrysler struggle to remain solvent, the railroad bailout of a generation ago could offer a template to the Obama administration — one in which the federal government would run the auto companies until they are back on their feet, The New York Times’s Louis Uchitelle reported.
That was a different age, of course. Congress was very much on board, supervising the reorganization of the bankrupt Northeastern railroads and then forming Conrail, in 1976, to run them.
