Sunday, Aug. 27, 2006

What's Next

o A Year After Katrina Recovery continues, storms brew As President Bush prepared to mark this week's first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with a visit to the still scarred Gulf Coast, menacing storms named Debby and Ernesto whirled out at sea.

o Violence in Congo Election tallies bring bloodshed Results of Congo's presidential vote on July 30 were announced: no winner. The two months until the Oct. 29 runoff will be tense--23 have already died in fighting among the two finalists' backers.

o California's Wage Governator to raise minimum pay No girlie-man rates in the Golden State. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, left, struck a deal last week to pump up California's minimum wage to $8 an hour--highest in the nation--by 2008.

o Marley Goes Gold Reggae great honored a little late Nothing says "Happy belated birthday" like ... coins? The Bank of Jamaica is minting a gold-and-silver piece to honor Bob Marley's 60th--six months after what would have been his 61st.

o Pluto Is No Planet Astronomers say eight is enough A celestial outlier and easy target, Pluto was demoted to dwarf- planet status last week by the International Astronomical Union. Pluto backers are already petitioning for its reinstatement.