1. Asian Economic Crisis

• WHAT: The economic crisis in Asia
• WHERE: East and Southeast Asia
• WHEN: beginning Fall 1997 and ongoing
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Topic-related stories include: IMF bail-out and U.S. involvement, ripple effect in U.S. and other stock markets, impact on international businesses, impact on citizens of Asian countries.

2. Monica Lewinsky Case

• WHAT: Allegations about a sexual relationship between Monica Lewinsky and President Clinton
• WHERE: USA
• WHEN: Begins making news January 1998

 
•  TOPIC EXPLICATION: This topic includes the allegations about a sexual relationship between Monica Lewinsky and President Clinton and the alleged cover-up surrounding it. Stories on topic also include any that discuss evidence indicating that there WAS a relationship, Clinton and Lewinsky's depositions, Lewinsky's legal battles, the allegations (which come in June) that Kenneth Starr is leaking information about this "relationship" to the media. Also on topic: Linda Tripp's tape recordings of Lewinsky conversations, allegations that Vernon Jordon and President Clinton provided special job opportunities for Lewinsky, Betty Curry's deposition for Kenneth Starr (this allegedly included information about gifts from Lewinsky and for her, visits by her, etc.).

3. Peruvian Anti-torture Laws

• WHAT: Peru's Congress passes new anti-torture legislation.
• WHERE: Lima, Peru
• WHEN: January 1998
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Related articles might include those that discuss the process of passing this legislation, the extent to which it is successful in stemming torture, the fact that under the new legislation there will be longer jail terms and civilian rather than military trials. Humanitarians see this is a large step towards minimizing torture tactics in Peru.

Seed Article: N/A

4. McVeigh's Navy Dismissal & Fight

• WHAT: Timothy McVeigh is discharged by the Navy for being gay; McVeigh fights the dismissal
• WHERE: USA
• WHEN: January 1998 (McVeigh is discharged) - June 1998 (McVeigh permitted to retire from USN)
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: McVeigh (no relation to the OK City bomber) decided he would fight his discharge. The fight, more than the dismissal, is the target topic. Related stories may be about his lawsuit, the process by which the Navy discovered that he is gay, the outcome of the lawsuit (McVeigh is permitted to retire from the Navy with full benefits; Navy pays his legal fees).

5. Upcoming Philippine Elections

• WHAT: National elections in the Philippines.
• WHERE: Manilla, Philippines
• WHEN: January 1998 (cabinet resignations) through May 1998 (new president elected)
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Related stories may include stories about the replacement of 6 members of the Philippine Cabinet, most of whom resigned because they want to run in the upcoming elections.

6. Israeli Palestinian Raids

• WHAT: Israeli and Palestinian militaries raid what are believed to be Hamas hideouts.
• WHERE: Israeli-Palestinian border
• WHEN: These raids occurred around Jan. 13, 1998.
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Related stories may include information about why these raids were planned (it is believed that terrorists attacks were being planned at these particular sites) or information about what weapons or information may have been confiscated. The topic is limited to these specific raids, during the weeks around 1/13, and NOT all raids in the region. This particular set of raids generated a small media flurry because of the suspicion that they were "preventative" in nature.

7. Fossett's Balloon Ride

• WHAT: Steve Fossett attempts to circumnavigate the globe in his hot air balloon.
• WHERE: n/a
• WHEN: Predominantly in January of 1998.
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Stories on topic include Fossett's negotiations with Beruit and other governments about use of air space, his difficulty with his heater and other technical problems, and the ultimate failure of his flight.  Stories about other balloon trips during this time period (Rutan & Melton's trip) are not on-topic unless they also refer to Fossett's trip.

8. Casey Martin Sues PGA

• WHAT: Disabled pro golfer Casey Martin sues the PGA to get permission to use a motorized cart during tournament competitions.
• WHERE: USA
• WHEN: January of 1998 through spring 1998 (trial during February 1998)
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: This topic includes all stories about the legal case and its outcomes, information about how the Americans with Disabilities Act relates to Casey and his case, and the PGA's position on the suit. There was extensive debate about this, including discussion of the competitive nature of walking the course. Articles that discuss this debate are also on topic.

9. Karla Faye Tucker

• WHAT: Activity surrounding Karla Faye Tucker's scheduled execution and her bid for clemency.
• WHERE: Texas
• WHEN: January - February 1998 (execution occurs 2/3/98)
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Her whole case is on topic. Also topic-related are stories about how she was only the second women ever to be executed in the state of Texas, stories about her conversion to Christianity, her recovery from drug addiction, and allegations that her case stirs up controversy because she is a woman.

10. Mountain Hikers Lost

• WHAT: A large group of student hikers are lost in an avalanche in the French Alps.
• WHERE: Les Orres, France
• WHEN: January 23, 1998
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Topic-related stories include those about the fact that the hikers were snow-shoeing above Les Orres ski station when they were hit by an avalanche. Also on topic are stories about the fallout of this accident, the search for the victims, any survivors, the parents' reactions, etc.

11. State of the Union Address

• WHAT: President Clinton's State of the Union Address.
• WHERE: Washington D.C.
• WHEN: 1/27/98
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: These stories may include information about the content of the speech, i.e. the idea of raising minimum wage, the salvation of social security, plans for cutting taxes and providing money for initiatives in education and child care.  Stories may also include the Republican response to the speech, delivered by Trent Lott.

12. Pope visits Cuba

• WHAT: The Pope's historic visit to Cuba in Winter 1998.
• WHERE: Havana, Cuba
• WHEN: late January 1998
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Topic related articles may include: Fidel Castro gave all state workers the day off to attend the mass, controversy over the visit in general, stories about the Pope's meetings with heads of state, the masses he delivered, his travels while there. Also on topic are stories about the reactions of Cuban citizens to his visit.

14. African Leaders and World Bank Pres.

• WHAT: African Leaders meet with the World Bank President
• WHERE: Kampala, Uganda
• WHEN: January 23-24, 1998
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Stories on topic include any about the reasons for the meeting (to discuss economic development in Africa), the plans for the meeting, results of the meeting, IMF involvement.

15. Current Conflict with Iraq

• WHAT: Saddam Hussein demands a freeze on weapons inspections by the US and UN, while the US and UN demand free access for inspections. Current means the conflict specific to Winter 1998 and its fallout.
• WHERE: Iraq
• WHEN: Winter 1998
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Related stories may be about the negotiations around the signing of an agreement, the US sending troops overseas, the preparations for an air strike, or the U.N. weapons inspection teams being denied access to particular sites. Also on topic are negotiations between Hussein and other world leaders around levels of access, world reactions to Hussein's refusal to allow the inspections, support or protest for the U.S. in its threat of action against Iraq.

16. $1 million Stolen at WTC

• WHAT: Two men are arrested for stealing $1.1 million at the World Trade Center.
• WHERE: New York City
• WHEN: January 13-16, 1998 (holdup & arrests); February 1998 (arraignment)
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: The two men stole the money from a guard, and were caught and arrested. The topic includes any stories about the crime, the search for the suspects (even the process of identifying the suspects), their arrest, indictment, trials and punishment.

17. Babbitt Casino Case

• THING: Reno requests Independent Counsel to investigate Babbitt's rejection of proposed Indian Casino
• PLACE: N/A
• WHEN: Reno's request was made on 2/11/98
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Bruce Babbitt will be investigated for alleged misconduct in rejecting a proposal for an Indian Casino. Stories on topic include those about allegations that it appears that members of the group who opposed the casino were also contributors to the Democratic National Fund. There were also allegations that Babbitt may have been misleading in his sworn testimony to the Senate Committee.

18. Bombing AL Clinic

• THING: A bomb explodes in a Birmingham, AL abortion clinic
• PLACE: Birmingham, Alabama
• WHEN: January 29, 1998 (bombing) through Spring 1998 (investigation)
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: The topic includes all aspects of the crime, the bombing, the motivation for it, suspects, arrests, trials, etc. As such, stories on this topic include those about a police officer who was killed and a nurse critically wounded from the blast. Also, any stories about the police's search for Eric Rudolph, whose truck was parked nearby at the time of the blast, are included. The police also received a letter from a group called the Army of God who claimed responsibility for the act.  The same group is being linked to the Olympic Park bombing and other bombings in the South.

19. Cable Car Crash

• THING: Marine fighter pilot's plane cuts cable car line, sending gondola crashing to ground
• PLACE: Cavalese, Italy in the Italian Alps
• WHEN: February 3, 1998
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: A U.S. Marine Fighter Pilot on a training mission crashed into an Italian Cable Car operation at a ski resort, killing 20 people. Stories on topic include those about a history of complaints from Italian officials prior to the accident about pilots flying too close to the cables. Also topic-related are stories about the victim's families who are threatening legal action (as are Italian Officials), stories about the pilot, and any repercussions against the pilot from this incident.

20. China Airlines Crash

• THING: China Airlines Flight 676 from Bali to Taipei crashes
• PLACE: Taipei, Taiwan
• WHEN: February 16, 1998
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: The flight was from Bali to Taipei.  It crashed several yards short of the runway and all 196 on board were believed dead. China Airlines had an already sketchy safety record. This crash also killed many people who lived in the residential neighborhood where the plane hit ground. Stories on topic include any investigation into the accident, stories about the victims/their families/the survivors. Also on topic are stories about the ramifications for the Airline.

21. Tornado in Florida

• THING: Several strong and fatal tornadoes
• PLACE: Around Kissimee, Florida (mid-section of the state)
• WHEN: During the week of February 23
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: The tornadoes were both unexpected and very strong, causing several deaths and incredible destruction. They are being blamed on El Nino. Stories about the victims and damage are on topic, as are stories about the warning (or, in this case, a lack of warning) that residents received.

22. Diane Zamora

• THING: Diane Zamora is convicted of helping to murder her lover's girlfriend
• PLACE: Texas
• WHEN: January 1998 (trial) through February 1998 (conviction)
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Zamora, a naval midshipman, was involved in the murder plot, as was her lover David Graham. After her conviction she attempted suicide and was put under 24 hour prison watch. Her entire case is on topic: the crime, the arrest, the trial and conviction and her response (the suicide attempt).

23. Violence in Algeria

• THING: A new wave of bombings and terrorism
• PLACE: Algeria
• WHEN: Since January
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Since early this year there has been a new wave of terrorism because of both the visit of the delegation from the European Parliament and because the Algerian Prime Minister (Ahmed Ouyahia) proclaimed in a speech that his forces were close to shutting down the insurgency and therefore stopping the terrorism. As with other topics about ongoing violence, stories about the occurences, the victims, and the groups involved are all on topic.

24. Shevardnadze Assassination Attempt

• THING: An assassination attempt on President Shevardnadze
• PLACE: Tbilisi, Georgia
• WHEN: February 9, 1998
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Instead of killing the president, bodyguards protecting him were killed. This is the second attempt on Shevardnadze's life. Stories on topic include the search for the assassins, his recovery, the burials for the bodyguards.

25. Shoplifter's Hand Amputated

• THING: A shoplifter's hand was publicly amputated
• PLACE: Kabul, Afghanistan
• WHEN: February 19, 1998
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: As punishment for his crime the teenager's hand was cut off at a high school football field, with a crowd of 10,000 gathered to watch. Authorities wouldn't say what was stolen or its value. Stories on topic include those about his crime, his arrest, and his reaction to his punishment.

26. Oprah Lawsuit

• THING: The Cattle Industry in Texas sues Oprah Winfrey for defaming beef
• PLACE: Amarillo, Texas
• WHEN: January - February 1998
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: On a show about Mad-Cow disease, Oprah vowed never to eat beef again, and the industry sued her. She won the case. Stories on topic include all those about the case (because she's Oprah, the case got extensive coverage), those about the allegations from the cattle industry, the Texas law that made the lawsuit possible, and the outcome.

27. Pharoah's Tomb

• THING: Archaeologists unearthed a Pharoah's body from a sealed tomb
• PLACE: Cairo, Egypt
• WHEN: Late February 1998 (tomb opened)
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: There were other artifacts in the tomb which gave anthropologists clues about the Pharoah and his village. This is one of only three Pharoah's tombs ever discovered. It was first uncovered in 1996 but deemed structurally unsound. Topic-related stories include any about the artifacts found at this particular sight, the archeologists involved and their findings, the technology used to make the tomb safe for further investigation.

28. Mary Kay LeTourneau

• THING: Mary Kay LeTourneau is arrested a second time after her release from prison for having relations with her young student.
• PLACE: Seattle, Washington
• WHEN: February - March 1998 (second arrest and trial)
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Mary Kay LeTourneau, a teacher, was convicted of having a sexual relationship with her young student.  She was originally given a lenient sentence and was ordered to receive treatment for sex offenders. She was released from prison in January, but arrested again on February 3 when she was found with her young lover. In mid-March prison officials verified that she is pregnant again, and she claims it is his child. All stories about this case, from the discovery of the relationship, the criminal charges brought against her, her first trial, her release, her second arrest and imprisonment and the reasons for it are on topic.

29. Buffett buys Silver

• THING: Millionaire investor Warren Buffett's company Berkshire Hathaway discloses to the press that they've been buying up silver.
• PLACE: n/a
• WHEN: February 4, 1998
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: When Buffett disclosed to the media that he was buying more silver (his Berkshire Hathaway Company now owns about 20% of world's silver production), it sparked others to follow suit, driving the prices way up in a very short period of time. He also purchased the actual metal, not paper representation, which made the story spark more interest than usual. Any stories about Buffett's purchases or his influence on the silver market are topic relevant.

30. Pension for Mrs. Schindler

• THING: Argentine officials grant a pension to Oskar Schindler's widow, Emilie
• PLACE: Buenos Aires, Argentina
• WHEN: February 9, 1998 (pension granted)
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: The pension was granted after an emergency bill was passed which called Emilie Schindler a heroine of the 20th century. Stories on topic are limited to those about the process by which Argentina granted and allowed for her to receive a pension.

31. John Glenn

• THING: Senator John Glenn will travel to outer space with the Space Shuttle Discovery
• PLACE: n/a
• WHEN: January 15, 1998 (announcement) through Spring 1998 (training)
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: NASA is hoping to collect valuable data about the effects of weightlessness on aging. This will be Glenn's second space mission, since he became the first American to orbit the earth in 1962. Glenn was a likely choice because his medical records are already complete and available to NASA. Topic relevant stories include those about the process by which Glenn was chosen, his plans/ training to return to space, NASA's preparations for his flight.

32. Sgt. Gene McKinney

• THING: Sgt. Gene McKinney is on trial for alleged sexual misconduct
• PLACE: Ft. Belvoir, Virginia
• WHEN: January - March 1998 (trial and sentencing)
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: His trial and sentencing were highly publicized. His military record, other than these alleged breaches, was clean. He was convicted of attempted cover-up, but not of sexual misconduct.  Any coverage of the allegations, the trial and the sentencing are on topic.

33. Superbowl '98

• THING: Superbowl XXXII
• PLACE: San Diego, CA
• WHEN: January 25, 1998
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: The Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers played; Denver won 31-24.

34. David Satcher confirmed

• THING: Dr. David Satcher is confirmed by the Senate as Surgeon General
• PLACE: Washington, DC
• WHEN: February 10, 1998
• TOPIC EXPLICATION:  Satcher was approved 63-35, becoming the first Surgeon General since Jocelyn Elders resigned in 1995.  This was the first confirmation of a Surgeon General that passed the senate on first go-round in a long time.

35. Holocaust Museum Resignation

• THING: The Director of the Holocaust Museum is forced to resign.
• PLACE: Washington D.C.
• WHEN: February 18, 1998
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Dr. Walther Reich resigned due largely to the public relations difficulties over the on-again, off-again invitation the Museum had extended to Palestinian leader Yassar Arafat.

36. Rev. Lyons Arrested

• THING: National Baptist Convention leader Rev. Henry Lyons is arrested for theft and racketeering charges
• PLACE: St. Petersburg, FL
• WHEN: February 25, 1998
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Lyons had allegedly been using church funds for personal use. He was named head of the National Baptist Convention USA Inc in 1994 (?). His second-in-command was also arrested.

37. Quality of Life, NYC

• THING: NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani launches a new phase of his "Quality of Life" campaign
• PLACE: New York City, NY
• WHEN: week of February 26, 1998
• TOPIC EXPLICATION: Giuliani's goal is to civilize NYC. His hope is to achieve the passage of bills that will fine jaywalkers, regulate taxi drivers, cap street noise and stop littering. He wants New Yorkers to be more polite, but insists he doesn't want to alter the nature of the city. Stories on topic include only those specific to this particular campaign and the legislation Guiliani backs in order to support his idea of New York as it should/could be.