by Caitlin Mulvihill

Dismal Numbers
A joint team of American and Iraqi Epidemiologists released a controversial report that estimated over 650,000 deaths in Iraq since March 2003. Yet these numbers are 10 times higher than the reports from the Associated Press and the BBC. The UN estimates the death toll at 60,000.

North Korea Conducts Nuclear Test
On October 9, North Korea carried out a nuclear test, confirming their claims to possess weapons of mass destruction. This test was condemned worldwide, and the United States is currently working on negotiations, but does not plan any immediate military action.

U.S. Population Reaches 300 Million
October 17: United States population reaches the milestone of 300 million people. The United States Census Bureau calculates that one American is born every seven seconds, one dies every 13 seconds, and an immigrant arrives (net) every 31 seconds. Add those together and you get a net population gain of one person every 11 seconds.

A State of Denial?
Renowned journalist Bob Woodward released his book, State of Denial, which describes the interior inconsistencies in the Bush Administration with regards to the Iraq War.

Congressman Resigns Following Scandal
On September 21, Republican Congressman Mark Foley resigned from his seat in the House of Representatives after being confronted by ABC News with reports of sexually explicit messages between himself and underage pages.

Amish Girls Shot in Schoolhouse
A man entered a schoolhouse in Pennsyvania’s Amish Community and shot 10 young girls, killing five of them, and then committing suicide. Members of the Amish community astonished the world by attending their assailant’s funeral and setting up a fund to provide for his widow and children.

France Bans Smoking
France has decided to ban smoking in public places including bars, restaurants, and cafés beginning in 2008.

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