Week of July 1, 2004

Baghdad - Saddam Hussein defiantly faces down an Iraqi judge when he was

arraigned on seven charges related to the killing of thousands of people during

his decades as the ruler of Iraq.

The new interim Iraqi government - only in its second week - plans to offer

amnesty to insurgents - something that is striking controversy in the U.S.

The Pentagon and commanders in the Middle East are being criticized more and

more - some of it by Bush administration officials and military officers, who

believe the military is failing to develop a coherent, winning strategy against the

insurgency in Iraq.

China and Thailand reports new outbreaks of bird flu, a highly contagious

disease that health experts fear could sicken humans.

Sen. John F. Kerry chooses North

Carolina senator John Edwards as his

vice presidential running mate.

Dick Cheney repeats his assertation that

“long established ties” existed between

Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda.

The Fed raises its short-term interest rate

to 1.25%.

A man described as a discontented employee, kills four and wounds three at the

ConAgra Foods meat packing plant in Kansas City, Kansas.

Unemployment stays at 5.6% in June.

DVD movie renter Netflix reports an 82% rise in subscribers in its second quarter.

Technology -

Upgraded - Microsoft launches a new Internet search website which employs

Yahoo’s search technology

Sports -

Stephen Ames earns his PGA Tour victory - the first of his career in the Western

Open at Lemont, ILL. He shot a one-under par 70 to finish at 10 under 274,

beating Steve Lowery by two strokes.

Week of July 1, 2004

Maria Sharapova wins the women’s singles final at Wimbledon - the first Russian

to win that title.

NASCAR fines Tony Stewart $50,000 and docks him championship points for his

altercation with Brain Vicekers.

Al Unser Jr . (42) - two-time Indy winner,

retires.

Music news -

Gloria Estefan say her next tour will be her

last, although she will continue to write and

record. Look for her “Live and Re-Wrapped”

tour beginning later this month.

Britney Spears tells People Magazine that

this time, she’s marrying for love - this on her

recent engagement to dancer Kevin

Federline. Spears and Federline, who is four

years older than her at 26, began dating a

few months ago. Federline performed as a

backup dancer for Justin Timberlake,

Spears’ former boyfriend. He was previously

involved with “Moesha” star Shar Jackson.

With her, he has a 2-year-old and is

expecting another baby.

Willie Nelson won’t be able to play at his

annual Fourth of July picnic. He just had an

operation for carpal tunnel and is in pain.

Television news -

New on CNBC - “McEnroe” with John

McEnroe. Look for him to interview figures

from entertainment to sports.

Saturday night television -

CBS - Movie (The Patriot)

NBC - Movie (The General’s Daughter), Saturday Night Live

ABC - Movie - The Legend of Baggar Vance)

Fox - Cops

Comedy Central - Last Comic Standing, Reno 911, Chappelle’s Show, The

Graham Norton Effect