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STOCKS TAKE A DIVE
Stocks took their deepest plunge in more than a year Thursday as fears grew that Europe's debt crisis could spread around the world and undermine the U.S. economic recovery. The possibility has been brewing for weeks, but analysts said some investors are just waking up to it.
The Dow Jones industrial average fell 376 points, its biggest point drop since February 2009. All the major indexes were down well over 3 percent and are now showing losses for 2010. Interest rates fell sharply in the Treasury market as investors once again sought the safety of U.S. government debt. (WTOP)
FEMALE FIREFIGHTER IN CAGE MATCH
It was just another day in the gym for Iman Achhal. She sat in Capital MMA & Elite Fitness in Sterling, the facility where she works and trains at every day, with a gallon jug of water in her hand and a smile on her face.
Achhal, 33, who lives just a few lights from the club, is a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter who specializes in Jujutsu. She has never lost in her MMA journey, which began nearly seven years ago. She will fight professionally for the third time on Saturday, May 22, at the Patriot Center as part of the UWC 8—Judgement Day fight card. (Loudoun Independent)
SHANAHAN TAKING 'WAIT AND SEE' APPROACH TO MOSS, HGH REPORTS
Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan is taking a "wait and see" approach to reports that receiver Santana Moss is linked to a Canadian doctor charged with smuggling and supplying human growth hormone.
Shanahan said Thursday that he will speak to Moss "at the right time" about the matter and not been contacted by the league.
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"Let's just wait and see before we throw him underneath the bus," Shanahan said after speaking at a local Chamber of Commerce luncheon. (Sports Illustrated)
VIRGINIA SEES MORE INTERNATIONAL VISITORS
Virginia bucked a national trend and posted a 16 percent increase in visits from overseas travelers in 2009, despite the recession and an overall decrease in international visitors nationally.
Data from a recent U.S. Department of Commerce report showed that Virginia posted the greatest percentage increase for international visitors amongst the states and territories surveyed.
International visits to Virginia grew from 329,000 in 2008 to 380,000 in 2009. Virginia moved up from 18 to 14 in ranking for overseas visitors to U.S. states. (Sun Gazette)
