2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Limits on compensation for members of Parliament
The compensation of the members of the Eighth Olbiil Era Kelulau shall be a uniform fee the initial amount of salary Which shall be determined by law, but shall not exceed the amount of compensation received by the members of the Seventh Olbiil Era Kelulau, for each day the member attends to official session of the Olbiil Era Kelulau. The amount of the fee shall be determined by law. No increase in compensation shall apply to the members of the Olbiil Era Kelulau during the term of enactment, nor to increase in compensation may be enacted in the period between the date of a regular general election and the date a new era Olbiil Kelulau takes office.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Beginning and end of a legislative term
A popular initiative proposed amending the constitution to define the beginning and end of a legislative term. It would amend Article IX, Section 11 of the Constitution to read as follows:


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Beginning and end of a legislative term
The terms of the incumbent members of the Olbiil Era Kelulau shall end at the time of the installation of the members-elect, Which shall take place on the third Monday of January after the general election. Each house of the Olbiil Era Kelulau shall convene its meeting on the fourth second Tuesday in January following the regular general election and may meet regularly for four (4) years. Either house may be convened at any time by the presiding officer, or at the written request of the Majority of the members, or by the President.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, No term limit for members of Parliament
A popular initiative proposed amending the constitution to repeal the parliamentary term limits amendment passed in 2004. It read as follows:


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, No term limit for members of Parliament
The Amendment of the Constitution "limiting terms of members of the Olbiil Era Kelulau" is hereby repealed.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Separation of Appellate Division of the Supreme Court
A popular initiative proposed amending the constitution to separate the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court from the Trial Division. It would amend Article X Section 2 to read as follows:


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Separation of Appellate Division of the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is a court of record, Consisting of an appellate division and a trial division. The Supreme Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and not less than three (3) nor more than (6) Associate Justices, all of whom shall be members of both divisions, provided, however when the Olbiil Era Kelulau appropriates funds for additional justices to serve on the appellate division, the Chief Justice shall implement the separation of the Justices of the appellate division and provide rules and reputations therefore. All appeals shall be heard by at least three justices. Matters before the trial division may be heard by one justice. No justice may hear or decide an appeal of a matter heard by him in the trial division.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Constitutional voting anytime
A popular initiative proposed amending the constitution to permit amendment of the constitution by referendum at any time, where referenda had previously been limited to taking place during general elections. It would amend Article XIV, Section 2 to read as follows:


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Constitutional voting anytime
Section 2: After the Election Commission certifies that a proposed amendment has satisfied the requirement of this Article, a nationwide election shall be held on the proposed amendment as prescribed by law, provided that no such election shall be held either six (6) months before or six (6) months after a general election. Section 2 3.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Constitutional voting anytime
A Once a proposed amendment to this Constitution shall become effective when is approved at the next regular general in a nationwide election by a Majority of the votes cast on that amendment and in not less than three-fourth (3/4) of the states, The amendment shall take effect on the date prescribed in the text of the amendment itself, or if a date is not prescribed then on the date the election results are certified.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Academic freedom at all levels
A popular initiative proposed amending the constitution to ensure a right to academic freedom in all institutions of higher learning. It would add a new section to Article IV to read as follows:


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Academic freedom at all levels
Section 15: In post-secondary education and any institution of higher learning, academic freedom is guaranteed.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Dual citizenship with all possible states
A popular initiative proposed amending the constitution to ensure a right to academic freedom in all institutions of higher learning. It would amend the constitutional section on "Allowing Palauans Multiple Citizenship" to read as follows::


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Dual citizenship with all possible states
A person born of parents, one or both of whom are or are citizens of Palau of recognized Palauan ancestry, is a citizen of Palau, by birth . United States Citizenship of other foreign nations shall not affect a person's Palauan citizenship, nor shall a person of recognized Palauan ancestry be required to renounce United States citizenship to become a naturalized citizen of Palau. Persons of recognized Palauan ancestry who are citizens of other foreign nations may retain their Palauan citizenship or become naturalized Palauan citizens as provided by law. Palauan citizens may renounce their Palauan citizenship. Renouncements made prior to the effective date of this amendment are not affected by this amendment. Section 2 Repealer. Article III, Sections 2 and 3 are hereby repealed.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Naturalization for adoptees
A popular initiative proposed amending the constitution to permit adoptees to petition the government for naturalization. It would amend Article III, Section 4 to read as follows:


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Naturalization for adoptees
A person born of parents who are not born of parents, one or both of whom are of recognized Palauan ancestry and who is adopted before the age of three (3) by parents (s), one or both of whom are citizens of Palau, shall have the right to enter and reside in Palauan to enjoy other rights and privileges as provided by the law, Which shall include the right to petition through a special act of the Olbiil Era Kelulau to become a naturalized citizen of Palau: provided that prior to becoming a naturalized citizen, a person must not renounce his citizenship of another nation. There shall be no citizenship by naturalization except pursuit to this section.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Naturalization for adoptees
This was the only proposal among the package of twenty-three which failed.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Postal voting for citizens overseas
A popular initiative proposed amending the constitution to permit overseas Palauans to vote by absentee ballot. It would amend Article VII to read as follows:


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Postal voting for citizens overseas
A citizen of Palau eighteen (18) years of age or older may vote in national and state elections. The Olbiil Era Kelulau shall prescribe a minimum period of residence for voter registration and provide for national elections. Each state shall prescribe a minimum period of residence and provide for voter registration for state elections. A citizen who is in prison, serving a sentence for a felony, or mentally incompetent as determined by a court may not vote. Voting shall only be by absentee ballot for voters who are outside the territory of Palau during an election.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Land acquisition for diplomatic purposes
A popular initiative proposed amending the constitution to permit foreign countries to acquire land for diplomatic purposes. It would amend Article XIII, Section 8 to read as follows:


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Land acquisition for diplomatic purposes
Only citizens of Palau and corporations wholly owned by citizens of Palau may acquire title to land or waters in Palau. Foreign countries, with which Palau establishes diplomatic relations, may acquire title to land for Diplomatic purposes Pursuant to bilateral treaties or agreements.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Land acquisition for non-Palauans limited to 99 years
A popular initiative proposed amending the constitution to limit land ownership by non-Palauans to 99 years. It would amend Article XIII, Section 8 to read as follows:


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Land acquisition for non-Palauans limited to 99 years
Only citizens of Palau and corporations wholly owned by citizens of Palau may acquire title to land or waters in Palau. While non-citizens may not acquire title to land, Palauan citizens may lease land in Palau to non-citizens or corporations not wholly owned by citizens for up to 99 years.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Support for Palauan culture
A popular initiative proposed amending the constitution to require the government to support Palauan traditional culture. It would amend Article V, adding a new paragraph which read as follows:


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Support for Palauan culture
Section 3: The national government shall take affirmative action to assist traditional leaders in the preservation, protection, and promotion of Palauan heritage, culture, languages, customs, and traditions.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Marriage as between a man and a woman only
Voters were asked whether they approved of a popular initiative to amend the constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman. Article IV, Section 13 of the Constitution would be amended to read as follows:


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Marriage as between a man and a woman only
The government shall provide for marital and related parental rights, privileges and responsibilities on the basis of equality between men and women, mutual consent and cooperation. All marriages contracted within the Republic of Palau shall be between a man and a woman. Parents or individuals acting in the capacity of parents shall be legally responsible for the support of and for the unlawful conduct of their minor children as prescribed by law.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Free primary school
A popular initiative proposed amending the constitution to require the government to provide free education for grades one through twelve. It would amend Article VI to read as follows:


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Free primary school
The national government shall take positive action to attain these national objectives and implement these national policies: conservation of a beautiful, healthful and resourceful natural environment: promotion of the national economy: protection of the safety and security of persons and property: promotion of the health and social welfare of the citizens through the commission of free or subsidized health care: and commission of public education for citizens Which shall be free from grades one (1) to twelve (12) and compulsory as prescribed by law.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Free preventive health care
A popular initiative proposed amending the constitution to require the government to provide free health care. It would add a new section to Article IV to read as follows:


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Free preventive health care
Section 16: The national government shall provide free preventive health care for every citizen as prescribed law.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Priority of Palauan before the English language in the Constitution
Voters were asked whether they approved of a popular initiative to amend the constitution to give the Palauan version priority of interpretation over the English version. Article XIII, Section 2 of the Constitution would be amended to read as follows:


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Priority of Palauan before the English language in the Constitution
The Palauan and English versions of this Constitution shall be equally authoritative: in a case of conflict, the English Palauan version shall prevail.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Definition of territorial waters
A popular initiative proposed amending the constitution to define the nation's territorial waters. It would amend Article I, Sections 1 and 2 to read as follows:


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Definition of territorial waters
Section 1: (A)


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Definition of territorial waters
The Republic of Palau shall have jurisdiction and sovereignty over its territory Which consist of all the islands, atoll reefs, and shoals that have traditionally been in of the Palauan archipelago Ngeruangel Kayangel including reef and Island in the north and Hatohobei Island (Island Tobi) and Hocharihie (Helen's reef) in the south and all rural areas adjacent and in between, and therefore, consist of the internal waters and archipelagic waters within these rural areas, the territorial waters around these rural areas, and the air space above these lands and water areas, extending to a two hundred (200) nautical miles exclusive economic zone, unless otherwise delimited by bilateral agreement or as may be limited or extended under international law, from a straight archipelagic baseline, the seabed, subsoil, water column insular shelves, and airspace over land and water unless limited by international treaty obligations assemble by Palau.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Definition of territorial waters
(B) the straight archipelagic baselines, Which from the breadths of marine zones are measured for Palauan Archipelago, Shall drawn from the northernmost point of Ngeruangel Reef, thence east to the northernmost point of Island and around the Kayangel Island to its easternmost point, south to the easternmost point of the Babeldaob Barrier Reef, south to the easternmost point of Anguar Island and then around the Island to its westernmost point, thence north to the westernmost point of Ngeruangel Reef and then around the reef to the point of origin.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Definition of territorial waters
The normal baselines, from Which the breaths of maritime zones for the South West islands are measured shall be drawn around the islands of Fanna, Sonsorol (Dongosaro), Pulo Anna and Merir, and the Island of Hatohobei (Tobi Island), including Hocharihic (Helen's Reef). Helen's Reef, west from the southernmost point of Helen's Reef to the easternmost point of Tobi Iceland and then around the Iceland to its westernmost point, north to the westernmost point of Fanna Island, and north to the westernmost point of Ngeruangel Reef and then around the reef to the point of origin. Section 2: (A)


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Definition of territorial waters
The Republic of Palau shall have exclusive ownership and shall exercise its sovereign rights to conserve, develop, exploit, explore, and manage at a sustainable manner all living and non-living resources within its exclusive economic zone and its continental shelf in accordance with applicable treaties, international law and practices. The Republic of Palau shall have exclusive ownership and sovereign jurisdiction over all mineral resources in the seabed, subsoil, water column and insular shelves within its continental self.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Definition of territorial waters
(B) Each state shall have exclusive ownership of all living and non-living resources except highly migratory fish from the country to within the twelve (12) nautical mile territorial sea: seaward through the traditional baselines: provided, however, that traditional fishing rights and practices shall not be impaired.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Judicial Appointments Commission only Palauan citizens
A popular initiative proposed amending the constitution to require all members of the Judicial Nominating Commission to be citizens of Palau. It would amend Article 7 Chapter X to read as follows:


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Judicial Appointments Commission only Palauan citizens
The Judicial Nominating Commission shall consist of seven (7) members, all of whom shall be citizens of the Republic of Palau, as defined by Article III of the Constitution of the Republic of Palau. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall be one of the seven (7) members and shall act as chairman. one of whom shall be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who shall act as a chairman.


2008 Palauan referendum, Results, Judicial Appointments Commission only Palauan citizens
The Bar Association shall elect three (3) of its citizen-members to serve on the Judicial Nominating Commission and the President shall appoint three (3) citizens who are not members of the bar The Judicial Nominating Commission shall meet upon the call of the Chairman and prepare and submit to the President a list of seven ( 7) nominees for the positions of justice and judge. A new list shall be submitted every year.


2008 Palmer Cup
The 2008 Palmer Cup was held on 26–27 June 2008 on the Gailes Links in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland. Europe won 14–10.


2008 Palmer Cup, Format
On Thursday, there were four matches of four-ball in the morning, followed by eight singles matches in the afternoon. Four foursomes matches were played on the Friday morning with a further eight singles in the afternoon. In all, 24 matches were played.


2008 Palmer Cup, Format
Each of the 24 matches was worth one point in the larger team competition. If a match was all square after the 18th hole, each side earned half a point toward their team total. The team that accumulated at least 12½ points won the competition.


2008 Palmer Cup, Teams
Eight college golfers from Europe and the United States participated in the event.


2008 Palmer Cup, Michael Carter award
The Michael Carter Award winners were Jonas Enander Hedin and Michael Thompson.


2008 Pan Am Badminton Championships
The XIV 2008 Pan Am Badminton Championships were held in Lima, Peru, between October 1 and October 5, 2008.


2008 Pan Am Badminton Championships
This event was part of the 2008 BWF Grand Prix Gold and Grand Prix series of the Badminton World Federation.


2008 Pan American Combined Events Championships
The 2008 Pan American Combined Events Championships were held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, at the Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez on May 31-June 1, 2008. A detailed report on the event and an appraisal of the results was given.


2008 Pan American Combined Events Championships, Participation
An unofficial count yields the participation of 41 athletes from 15 countries.


2008 Pan American Individual Event Artistic Gymnastics Championships
The 2008 Pan American Individual Event Artistic Gymnastics Championships were held in Rosario, Argentina, November 19–23, 2008.


2008 Pan American Judo Championships
The 32nd Pan American Judo Championships were held in Miami, United States from 8 May to 10 May 2008.


2008 Pan American Men's Handball Championship
The 13th American Handball Championship, also called PanAmericano 2008, was the 13th edition of the Pan American Men's Handball Championship, held from 24 to 28 June 2008 in São Carlos, Brazil. It also acted as the qualifying competition for the 2009 World Men's Handball Championship, securing three vacancies for the World Championship. These places were earned by Brazil, Argentina and Cuba.


2008 Pan American Men's Handball Championship
Eight nations had been scheduled to play at the tournament, but Dominican Republic decided not to play just a few days before the tournament, so Group B had only three participating teams.


2008 Pan American Men's Youth Handball Championship
The 2008 American Handball Men's Youth Championships took place in Blumenau from September 2 – 6. It acts as the Pan American qualifying tournament for the 2009 Men's Youth World Handball Championship.


2008 Pan American Trampoline and Tumbling Championships
The 2008 Pan American Trampoline and Tumbling Championships were held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, December 4–7, 2008.


2008 Pan American Weightlifting Championships
The 2008 Pan American Weightlifting Championships were held in Callao, Peru from 19 March to 23 March 2008.


2008 Pan American Women's Junior Handball Championship
The 2008 Pan American Women's Junior Handball Championship took place in the sports complex CeNARD, in Buenos Aires from March 11 – March 15.


2008 Pan American Women's Youth Handball Championship
The 2008 American Handball Women's Youth Championships took place in Blumenau from September 2 – 6.


2008 Pan-Pacific Championship
The 2008 Pan-Pacific Championship is the inaugural edition of the Pan-Pacific Championship association football competition which took place on February 20 and February 23 in Honolulu, Hawaii, featuring teams from Japan's J. League, United States Major League Soccer (MLS) and the A-League of Australia and New Zealand.


2008 Pan-Pacific Championship
For the 2008 tournament, the A-League was not represented by the champion team but instead by the loser of the minor semi-final. This is due to a scheduling conflict with the Grand Final on February 24, which was moved back so as not to interfere with Australia's 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.


2008 Pan-Pacific Championship
The 2008 tournament also features Gamba Osaka of the J. League, which were the 2007 J. League Cup champion, and Major League Soccer representatives Houston Dynamo and Los Angeles Galaxy, the latter reportedly chosen instead of the desired 2007 SuperLiga champion, as Pachuca declined and Galaxy were the Superliga runner-up. The Galaxy's first game was versus Gamba Osaka. while the Dynamo were drawn against Sydney FC.


2008 Pan-Pacific Championship
All matches were played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.


2008 Pan-Pacific Championship, Sponsors
The following is a list of the official sponsors of the Pan-Pacific Championship 2008.


2008 Panzhihua earthquake
The 2008 Panzhihua earthquake struck southern Sichuan province, China on August 30 at 16:30:50.5 China Standard Time with a surface wave magnitude of 6.1 (5.7 Mw). It is also cited as the Renhe-Huili earthquake, especially in SCEA reports and early CEA reports. It was not an aftershock of the Sichuan earthquake that occurred several months prior. With more than 400 aftershocks, it caused over 40 deaths, the collapse of 10,000 homes and damage to other infrastructure in the area. The maximum intensity was VIII liedu (Heavily damaging).


2008 Panzhihua earthquake, Earthquake
According to the China Earthquake Administration (CEA) and Sichuan Earthquake Administration (SCEA), the (Ms) 6.1 shock struck southern Sichuan province, China on August 30, 2008 at 16:30:50.5 China Standard Time (CST - 0730 UTC). The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported it at (Mw) 5.7.


2008 Panzhihua earthquake, Earthquake
The earthquake's epicenter was located at , in the Renhe District of Panzhihua, Sichuan, which is 50 km southeast of the city center. The epicenter is 60 km from Huili County in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, 30 km from Yongren County and 55 km from Yuanmou County in neighboring Yunnan province.


2008 Panzhihua earthquake, Earthquake
Whereas the Sichuan earthquake two and half months earlier in the same province continues to invoke aftershocks even after August 30, the Panzhihua earthquake was not one of them because it occurred on a different fault.


2008 Panzhihua earthquake, Earthquake, Damage
By September 5, authorities confirmed 41 deaths (35 in Sichuan, 6 in Yunnan) and 589 injuries. CEA also reported collapse of 10,000 homes, and damage to 190,000 more. Considerable damage to highways, bridges, and reservoirs were reported.


2008 Panzhihua earthquake, Earthquake, Intensity
The seismic intensity map published by SCEA shows a maximum intensity of liedu VIII on China Seismic Intensity Scale (CSIS), somewhat equivalent to VIII (Heavily damaging) on EMS-94 from which CSIS drew reference. The area affected by liedu VIII earthquakes covered a north-south oriented oval of 628 km2 centered around the epicenter, 39 km long and 19 km wide, including 28 km2 in Yunnan province. The total area of liedu VI (Slightly damaging) and above is 9,634 km2, of which 6,265 km2 are in Sichuan.


2008 Panzhihua earthquake, Earthquake, Aftershocks
A Ms  5.6 aftershock (5.5 Mw  according to USGS) struck the same location on August 31, 2008 at 16:31:09.6 CST (08:31 UTC), causing at least two additional deaths.


2008 Panzhihua earthquake, Earthquake, Aftershocks
By midnight CST September 1, there had been 439 aftershocks including the M5.6 one and two more exceeding M4.0.


2008 Panzhihua earthquake, Earthquake, Aftershocks
Incidentally, a Ms  3.0 earthquake very close to the main quake's epicenter preceded the main quake by 2 hours 15 minutes.


2008 Panzhihua earthquake, Response
Although the quake-stricken area is relatively low in population, reported at 118/km2, early casualties and property damage were significant. Within two hours, the CEA invoked its Level III emergency response protocol for disaster relief. 8,000 troops and para-militia were deployed to the disaster area.


2008 PapaJohns.com Bowl
The 2008 PapaJohns.com Bowl was the third edition of the college football bowl game, and was played at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. The game was played starting at 2 PM US CST on Monday, December 29, 2008. The game, telecast on ESPN, pitted the Rutgers Scarlet Knights against the North Carolina State Wolfpack.


2008 PapaJohns.com Bowl
The game marked the first ever meeting of the two universities' football programs. NC State led 17-6 at halftime, but crumbled in the second half after losing starting quarterback Russell Wilson to a knee injury. Rutgers won, 29-23.


2008 PapaJohns.com Bowl
This was also the first edition of the bowl game not to feature any current or former members of Conference USA. The selection of NC State did have a connection to past bowl games in Birmingham as the Wolfpack had competed in the last All-American Bowl, which was also held at Legion Field in 1990.


2008 Papua New Guinea floods
Coordinates: The 2008 Papua New Guinea floods  displaced roughly 75,000 people located in Papua New Guinea, prompting an international response to provide support for the region. The country was struck by large sea swells on 16 December, apparently caused by "strong storms", which affected over eight provinces and caused at least one death.


2008 Papua New Guinea floods, Response
The United Nations dispatched a six-member disaster assessment team after determining that there was a high possibility of water-borne diseases spreading throughout the populace. According to early government estimates, 60,000 people had been displaced, while 35,000 were in need of "immediate aid", according to the United Nations. The tides destroyed crops and carried away farming implements. U.N. spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs stated that displacement rates were high, with as many as "half the population of Manus Island" being displaced.


2008 Papua New Guinea floods, Response
Byrs also said that, "The Government of Papua New Guinea has declared a state of national disaster", adding that "a team of [UN] experts should arrive on Wednesday to examine [Papua New Guinean] needs." Byrs concluded by stating that, "The affected islands are scattered and the never-ending nature of the tidal waves makes the evaluation of the situation very difficult."


2008 Papua New Guinea floods, Response
Australia pledged A$1 million in support, and had already started flying food and supplies to affected areas; the relief flights were troubled, with multiple planes sustaining damage from birds. A C-130 Hercules taking off from the PNG province of New Ireland on 16 December aborted after a bird hit one of the plane's propellers. The second attempt, four hours after the first, met the same fate, with another bird hitting the aircraft while it was taxiing, causing serious engine damage to the left-hand propeller and forcing the RAAF crew to be grounded for a week while waiting for a replacement engine.


2008 Papua New Guinea floods, Response
New Zealand also pledged $300,000 in support for the Red Cross relief effort in PNG. A New Zealand councilman, Shane Bayley, flew out with the United Nations disaster assessment team, later reporting that "a lot of the food gardens in the coast villages having been destroyed; that is their local supply of food, so it's also ensuring they have a means of distribution for food supplies."


2008 Parachinar bombing
In the Parachinar bombing of 16 February 2008, a suicide bomber in Parachinar, Pakistan killed 70 people and injured 110 attending a political rally for the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party. The attack occurred on the eve of the 2008 Pakistani general election to be held on 18 February when an explosives-laden car was rammed into the election office of an independent candidate in Parachinar. The attack targeted people in a rally outside Riaz Shah's campaign office.


2008 Parachinar bombing
A suicide attacker struck his car full of explosive and petrol gallon in Eidgah Market area, an entrance point in Parachinar. 43 Persons died at the spot, including the suicide bomber, while more than 200 people were injured. According to eyewitnesses, 7 shops of the market located near the blast site were destroyed completely which reflects the intensity of the blast. The blast also damaged electricity wires which suspended the electricity in the city. This blast was carried out just 10 meters away from the location of the 2007 Parachinar bombing.


2008 Parachinar bombing
The attack on the rally came as Riaz Shah launched a final push for votes before a midnight deadline after which all rallies were banned until after the election. The bombing was believed to be motivated by sectarianism, as the majority of the area's residents are Shia Muslims.


2008 Parachinar bombing, After the attack
The army imposed a curfew in the northwestern tribal area town of Parachinar after the bomb blast. Funerals would be held for many of the victims Sunday, officials said, and the army agreed to relax its curfew in some areas so family members could attend. Early on Sunday 17 February 2008, the wreckage of four cars flipped over by the force of the blast littered the street near the site. Most shops were shuttered and streets were largely deserted. More than 200 relatives of the dead blocked the main road with stones and milled around in the streets. Dozens of heavily armed army and paramilitary troops set up barricades at two roads into Parachinar, just over a mountain from the Afghan area of Tora Bora.


2008 Parachinar bombing, After the attack
Panicked people stood on the blood stained street after the blast, with local people and vehicles arriving to take bodies away. The bodies and wounded were shifted to the hospital immediately with some of the injured in critical condition. According to one injured man, Gulraiz Khan:"I came out from the centre and stood beside the road, a car came over there at the place of the blast and then a big blast occurred, after that I don't know what happened."


2008 Parachinar bombing, Responsibility
The Pakistani Taliban splinter local Sunni militant group Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan claimed responsibility.


2008 Paradise Jam Tournament
The 2008 Paradise Jam Tournament was a men's and women's preseason college basketball tournament that took place in Saint Thomas at the Sports and Fitness Center. Connecticut won the men's division while Wisconsin won the women's Island Division and California won the women's Reef Division.


2008 Paradise Jam Tournament, Men's Tournament
The 2008 Paradise Jam featured three ranked teams, with Miami ranked 16th in the ESPN/USA poll, Wisconsin ranked 22nd, and Connecticut ranked second.


2008 Paradise Jam Tournament, Men's Tournament, Overview
In the first round, Wisconsin took on unranked Iona, and won, but by only two points 60–58. Miami faced unranked Southern Miss and won by ten, 70–50. Connecticut played LaSalle and Connecticut won 89–81; with A.J. Price returning to play after an ankle injury, but still suffering from an abscessed tooth.


2008 Paradise Jam Tournament, Men's Tournament, Overview
In the second round, Connecticut faced Miami, but won by 13 points, 76–63. Wisconsin faced San Diego, the winner of the first round game against Valparaiso, and won 64–49. In the championship game UConn faced Wisconsin, but opened up a ten-point lead by halftime, and extended it to a 19-point victory at the end of the game, with a final score of 76–57. Jerome Dyson was the leading scorer for Connecticut, while Hasheem Thabeet earned the Tournament MVP honors.


2008 Paradise Jam Tournament, Women's Tournament
The woman's tournament is organized as two divisions of four teams, each playing each other in a round-robin format.


2008 Paradise Jam Tournament, Women's Tournament, Overview, Island Division
In the opening round, Wisconsin won a two-point game over Villanova, 47–45, while 7th ranked Baylor beat UCF 79–67. In the second round, Wisconsin improved to 2–0 with a 65–61 victory over UCF, as well as Baylor who beat Villanova 62–57. Baylor had a 21–2 run early in the game to take a large lead, and the Bears still held a 16-point lead at halftime. The Wildcats cut the lead to three with just over two minutes left in the game, but Baylor hit five of six free throws to hold on to the victory 52–57.


2008 Paradise Jam Tournament, Women's Tournament, Overview, Island Division
On the final day, Villanova beat UCF to finish in third place. In the championship game, the two undefeated teams faced each other. Unranked Wisconsin was down by six points at halftime, and Baylor still lead by five points with under three minutes to go when Wisconsin scored six straight points to take the lead, ending with a two-point jump shot with seven seconds left in the game by Alyssa Karel. Baylor had one last shot; Melissa Jones was fouled at the buzzer, but missed both free throws to secure the Paradise Jam Championship (Island) for Wisconsin. Wisconsin's Alyssa Karel won the tournament MVP award.


2008 Paradise Jam Tournament, Women's Tournament, Overview, Reef Division
In the first round Iowa played Texas Tech. The halftime margin was two points in favor of Iowa, and they extended the lead to win the game 56–48. In the other game 3rd ranked California took on South Florida and won easily, 85–55. In the second round South Florida took Iowa to overtime, then won 82–79 in overtime. California played Texas Tech and won 68–54.


2008 Paradise Jam Tournament, Women's Tournament, Overview, Reef Division
On the final day, South Florida beat Texas Tech to earn second place in the division with a 2–1 record. California easily beat Iowa 76–43 to go undefeated and win the 2008 Paradise Jam Championship (Reef) California's Ashley Walker won the Tournament MVP.


2008 Paraguayan general election
General elections were held in Paraguay on 20 April 2008. Elections were held for the presidency, 45 senators, 80 representatives, 17 governors and Paraguay's members in the Mercosur Parliament.


2008 Paraguayan general election
The presidential election was won by opposition candidate Fernando Lugo of the Patriotic Alliance for Change, who defeated Blanca Ovelar of the long-ruling Colorado Party. The Colorado Party remained the largest in both houses of Congress despite losing several seats.


2008 Paraguayan general election
The election ended a 61-year hold on the presidency by the Colorados. The Colorados had held the presidency without interruption since 1947 (from 1947 to 1962 as the de jure sole legal party, and from 1962 to 1989 as the de facto sole legal party). Additionally, when Lugo took office on 15 August, it marked the first time since Paraguay gained independence in 1813 that an incumbent government peacefully transferred power to an elected member of the opposition.


2008 Paraguayan general election, Presidential candidates and campaigning
The incumbent president, Nicanor Duarte Frutos, was barred by the Constitution from running for reelection and instead supported his education secretary, Blanca Ovelar. Initial results in the Colorado Party's December 2007 primary showed Ovelar defeating former Vice President Luis Castiglioni, but the result was disputed, leading to a recount. On 21 January 2008, the Colorado Party electoral commission announced that Ovelar had won with 45.04% of the vote against 44.5% for Castiglioni, although Castiglioni continued to claim victory, alleging that 30,000 votes in his favor were "stolen", and said that he would take the matter to court. Ovelar said that her campaign would shift its focus from the "cruel primary campaign" to the general election and that her platform prioritized "fight against poverty and to the creation of jobs".


2008 Paraguayan general election, Presidential candidates and campaigning
Lugo is a former bishop who resigned from the priesthood in December 2006 in preparation for his presidential bid. As a priest, he required a permit from the Vatican to become directly involved in politics prior to 2006. However, the Paraguayan constitution prohibits ministers of any faith from standing as a political candidate. Despite his resignation, the Vatican regards priesthood as a lifelong commitment but has suspended him from his duties.


2008 Paraguayan general election, Presidential candidates and campaigning
As bishop of San Pedro, a poor region, for ten years beginning in 1994, his support for landless peasants earned him a reputation as "the bishop of the poor". He is an advocate of land reform and other measures to address poverty, but has distanced himself from leftists such as Hugo Chavez and Evo Morales, saying that he is not left-wing or right-wing but "in the middle". He vowed to end the Colorado Party's 61 year rule, fight corruption, and make Paraguay "a new country". According to Lugo, he believes "in the people's self-determination and in recovering sovereignty and independence".


2008 Paraguayan general election, Presidential candidates and campaigning
Lugo is backed by the Patriotic Alliance for Change (APC), which includes both left and right wing groups, notably the conservative Authentic Radical Liberal Party. President Duarte caused controversy just before the election by telling the Ultima Hora newspaper that Lugo "probably sells himself" for money from Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador.


2008 Paraguayan general election, Presidential candidates and campaigning
Ovelar, the Colorado candidate, said that she knew "what the people need and what has to be done". She said that she would focus on job creation and the strengthening of agricultural cooperatives, hoping to reduce the number of Paraguayans who emigrate for economic reasons. According to Ovelar, Paraguay has "new needs that were not obvious before ... and they require the touch of a woman". If elected, Ovelar would have been Paraguay's first female president.


2008 Paraguayan general election, Presidential candidates and campaigning
Lino Oviedo's conviction for 1996 mutiny was overturned by the Supreme Court in October 2007, leaving him free to run for president. In January 2008 he was nominated as the candidate of his party, the National Union of Ethical Citizens, without opposition.


2008 Paraguayan general election, Presidential candidates and campaigning
Ovelar held her last campaign rally in Asuncion on 16 April. Along with Oviedo and Fadul, she participated in a last televised debate in the early afternoon of 17 April; Lugo did not participate, and Ovelar criticized him for this. Lugo held his last rally in Asuncion later that night, with about 15,000 supporters present.


2008 Paraguayan general election, Opinion polls
A poll from September 2007 saw a three-way race develop between Lugo, Oviedo and the ANR-PC candidate.


2008 Paraguayan general election, Opinion polls
A poll from November 2007 saw Lugo lead with over 40%, with Oviedo in second place and Castiglioni or Ovelar (it was still undetermined which of the pair would run) in third place.


2008 Paraguayan general election, Opinion polls
A poll from March 2008 saw two way developing with  Lugo in the lead with 31%, Ovelar in second place with 27% and Oviedo in third place with 24%. A poll from  5 April 2008 saw Lugo and Ovelar in a statistical dead heat with Lugo in the lead with 30.9%, Ovelar in second with 30.1%, and Oviedo in third with 21.4%. More than 10% remained undecided.


2008 Paraguayan general election, Results
Shortly after the election, with results from 13,000 of 14,000 polling stations counted, Lugo had 41% of the vote against 31% for Ovelar and 22% for Oviedo. Lugo's supporters celebrated in the streets of Asuncion, and he declared that "today we've written a new chapter in our nation's political history". Ovelar conceded defeat, acknowledging that Lugo's lead was unassailable. A couple of hours later, President Nicanor Duarte Frutos appeared at a press conference somberly but remarked that for the first time in the history of Paraguay a handover to the opposition will take place peacefully and in an orderly fashion.


2008 Paraguayan general election, Results
In the gubernatorial election, the ANR won nine departments, the PLRA seven and the APC one.


2008 Paraguayan general election, Results
In August, shortly before taking office, Lugo struck a deal with Oviedo, enabling him to govern with a parliamentary majority. Together, the Authentic Liberal Radical Party and National Union for Ethical Citizens will hold 25 out of 45 Senate seats and 44 out of 80 House of Representatives seats.


2008 Paraguayan general election, Results
Lugo was sworn in as president on 15 August 2008.


2008 Parañaque shootout
The Paranaque shootout was a deadly confrontation between members of the Philippine National Police, the Special Action Force and the Waray-Ozamis Gang on December 5, 2008 in Parañaque, Metro Manila. The shootout became controversial due to the death of two civilians including a 7-year-old girl in the cross-fire. Director Leopoldo Bataoil, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), described the shootout as the bloodiest firefight between lawmen and criminal elements in Metro Manila.


2008 Parañaque shootout, Background
In the 2000s, many cities in Luzon were beset by crimes conducted by various robbery groups, many of whom were of Waray ethnicity. Poverty during President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's administration caused many in faraway provinces to form or join a gang. Hold-ups were the primary activity, where they would rob cars, buses and trucks in rural roads, as well as banks and stores in urban areas. At that time, they became notorious for their shootouts with the law enforcement and open anti-authoritarian stance, with one gang member proclaiming once how he hated the police during a robbery in Pampanga.


2008 Parañaque shootout, Shootout
In late 2008, the Philippine National Police tracked down one of these robbery hold-up groups known as the "Waray-Ozamis Gang" in Parañaque City. On the night of December 5, the police trailed the gangsters in a crowded subdivision in Sucat. The latter were driving in SUVs and motorcycles when they sensed that they were being followed. After spotting the officers, the gang started to open fire. Law enforcement consisted of the Highway Patrol Group, Special Action Force, National Capital Region Police Office and Southern Police District fired back. Both parties were well-armed, with the gang sporting M16s fitted with underbarrel grenade launchers.


2008 Parañaque shootout, Shootout
In the gunfight that ensued, the SAF unit managed to kill eight suspects inside a vehicle, while the HOG killed two more armed men on motorcycles. During their escape, the gangsters tried to blow up a diesel tanker to divert the cops' attention. An OFW seaman by the name of Jun De Vera and his daughter Lia, were caught in the crossfire and killed. By the end of the hour-long battle, sixteen people died including ten criminals but many had managed to escape. Barangay tanod Bernard Tuncab died as he was rushed to the hospital.


2008 Parañaque shootout, Aftermath
The PNP was criticized for their role in the deaths of the two civilians since it was determined that the bullets that struck them came from the guns of the SAF. The head of the Internal Affairs Service of the PNP said, "We failed in our mission to protect the civilians. Because during the conduct of operation many civilian lives were lost."


2008 Parañaque shootout, Aftermath
On July 29, 2009, it was reported that the Department of Justice (DOJ) had filed multiple murder charges against 29 policemen, including three generals, in connection with the shootout following the filing of a complaint-affidavit by Lilian de Vera, the wife of Jun De Vera. On January 11, 2010, the Commission on Human Rights recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against 26 of the policemen.


2008 Parañaque shootout, Aftermath
In March, it was reported that after two witnesses had said De Vera and his daughter were not killed in the shootout, that policemen already had complete control of the area where the two were killed, the Department of Justice filed two counts of murder charges against 25 of the policemen. Eight policemen were eventually arrested for their role in the shootout: Chief Inspector Lawrence Cajipe, Chief Inspector Joel Mendoza, Inspector Gerardo Balacutan, Police Officers 3 Jolito Mamanao Jr. and Fernando Rey Gapuz, Police Officers 2 Eduardo Blanco and Edwin Santos, and PO1 Josil Rey Lucena. Seventeen SAF members were also arrested but exonerated in 2014.


2008 Paris Motor Show
The 2008 Paris Motor Show took place from 4 October to 19 October 2008, in Paris expo Porte de Versailles.


2008 Paris Motor Show
This edition of the Paris Motor Show featured a high number of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs), that led a blogger with The New York Times to ask, "Who killed the non-electric cars? ".


2008 Paris Motor Show, Taxis du Monde
As usual, Hall 8 hosted a special exhibition. In this edition, the subject was "Taxis du Monde" (Taxis from around the world), and it featured a variety of taxi vehicles from different cities and eras, such as a New York checker cab, a Chicago yellow cab, London black cabs, a Manila Jeepney, a Bangkok Tuk Tuk, etc., as well as several Parisian taxis, starting with the classic Renault Taxi de la Marne and ending with the proposed future taxi Peugeot Expert Tepee.


2008 Paris municipal election
Municipal elections were held in Paris on 9 and 16 March 2008, at the same time as other French municipal elections. The outgoing Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë (PS), faced UMP candidate Françoise de Panafieu who was chosen to head his party's list in a primary election held in 2006. The MoDem MEP and François Bayrou supporter, Marielle de Sarnez, was the centrist candidate.


2008 Paris municipal election
Control of the 20 arrondissements of the French capital was also to be decided in the elections. Of these, the PS-Greens-MRC controlled 12 (10 PS, 1 Green, 1 MRC) and the UMP eight. 163 councillors were due to be elected in the 20 arrondissements. As a result of the election, Bertrand Delanoë was re-elected with a larger majority. The left controls 99 seats against 63 for the right, two for other right-wing dissidents, and one MoDem.


2008 Paris–Nice
The 2008 Paris–Nice, the 66th running of the race, took place from March 9 to March 16, 2008 and was won by Italian Davide Rebellin from Gerolsteiner, who finished second last year. The race started in Amilly and ended in Nice. The 2008 edition returned to the fabled climb of Mont Ventoux, with stage four finishing at the mountain's ski facility, Mont Serein. The Mont Ventoux stage saw a winning break by Cadel Evans and Robert Gesink. Evans took the stage victory as Gesink moved into the overall lead. However, Gesink could not hold on to the lead in stage six when Rebellin attacked on the final descent and took enough time to move into the overall lead.


2008 Paris–Nice
The event was marked by controversy before the race regarding the ongoing power struggle between ASO and UCI, excluding the race from the UCI ProTour calendar. The race organisers also decided to exclude Astana, the team of the 2007 edition winner Alberto Contador, due to "damage caused by the team during the 2007 Tour de France".


2008 Paris–Nice, Stages, Stage 1 - March 10, 2008: La Chapelotte > Nevers, 93.5 km
This stage was originally supposed to start in Amilly, but because of a storm with gale force winds and rain, the route was shortened by 91 km and started in La Chapelotte instead.


2008 Paris–Nice, Withdrawals
Only 86 riders finished the race of the 160 that started. Almost 40 riders abandoned during the last stage.


2008 Paris–Nice, Teams and cyclists
The following 20 UCI ProTour and UCI Professional Continental teams were selected to the 2008 Paris–Nice:


2008 Paris–Nice, Teams and cyclists
The Astana is the only ProTour team not to be invited to this event because of the "damage caused by the team during the 2007 Tour de France".


2008 Paris–Roubaix
The 2008 Paris–Roubaix was the 106th running of the Paris–Roubaix single-day cycling race, often known as the Hell of the North. It was held on 13 April 2008 over a distance of 259 kilometres (160.9 miles). Tom Boonen of the Quick-Step team won in a sprint inside the Roubaix velodrome. Fabian Cancellara was a close second and Alessandro Ballan came third.


2008 Paris–Tours
The 2008 Paris–Tours was the 102nd edition of the Paris–Tours cycle race and was held on 12 October 2008. The race started in Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines and finished in Tours. The race was won by Philippe Gilbert of the Française des Jeux team.


2008 Parnell–Bressington filibuster
The Parnell–Bressington filibuster is a record-breaking filibuster that occurred in the South Australian upper house, the Legislative Council, on 8 May 2008, involving SA Greens MLC Mark Parnell and No Pokies MLC Ann Bressington.


2008 Parnell–Bressington filibuster
The South Australian workers compensation scheme known as WorkCover had been suffering an underfunded liability blowout since 2000, and by 2008 was nearing toward $1 billion. Legislation created to rectify the situation meant that injured workers payments would be cut by 10 percent after 13 weeks, 20 percent after 26 weeks, and end workers compensation payments and reverting to Centrelink benefits after two and a half years, if a person is deemed to have any capacity to work. Both the governing Labor Party and the main opposition Liberal Party were supportive of the changes, and with eight members each in the 22-member upper house, numbers were not an issue. The crossbench was made up of two Family First, two No Pokies, one Democrat, and one Green.


2008 Parnell–Bressington filibuster
Considering themselves the opposition to this legislation, Parnell spoke for over eight hours, with Bressington speaking for another five hours. Allowing for lunch and dinner breaks, Parnell started at 11 am and finished at 11 pm. Bressington went from 11 pm to 4 am straight. Parnell's eight-hour contribution alone set a record filibuster in South Australian parliamentary history, and combined, set a record nationally in any Australian parliament. Parnell alone fell short of the record, Albert Gardiner's effort of 12 hours and 40 minutes in the Australian Senate in 1918. The world record is held by US Senator Strom Thurmond who filibustered against the Civil Rights Act of 1957 for 24 hours and 18 minutes.


2008 Parnell–Bressington filibuster
Reported to be full at all times, the chamber heard Parnell present his own analysis and then related the submissions from the union movement and stories from injured workers. Some media outlets reported that Parnell read the entire WorkCover Bill into the public record. An examination of the official Hansard record of the debate shows that this is incorrect and that Parnell read none of the Bill during his speech. Parnell has also denied the charge of "filibuster", especially since his contribution did not delay the Bill and it still passed within the timeframe set by the Government. He described the bill as the most important he had dealt with since entering the parliament at the March 2006 state election:


2008 Parnell–Bressington filibuster
I planned to speak for a long time. I didn't know how long it would be but in the end I cut it down. Had I gone through all the material that I could have, it would have been twice as long. But I knew I was pushing the boundaries of parliamentary convention. No-one goes for that long, it's not normally regarded as polite.


2008 Parnell–Bressington filibuster
SA Unions Secretary Janet Giles, who resigned her position on the WorkCover board in protest to the changes, applauded the actions.


2008 Parnell–Bressington filibuster
The voice of workers in this debate has been ignored and then silenced as the Premier tries to ram the WorkCover Bill through Parliament. If it wasn't for the cross bench members in the Upper House the impact this law will have on injured workers and their families would never have been considered.


2008 Parnell–Bressington filibuster
The filibuster used up the last sitting day, however it did not substantially delay the passage of the Bill. The most substantial part of the debate – the Committee Stage – took place two weeks later (commencing on the next scheduled sitting day) and went for 3 days including the consideration of nearly 200 amendments. The Bill finally passed 14 votes to four with one pair, and one Family First abstaining. Parnell stated:


2008 Parnell–Bressington filibuster
This is a sad day for South Australia... this is the worst piece of legislation I have seen in my time here. This is a horrible legacy the government is leaving this state.


2008 Parnell–Bressington filibuster
These reforms... ensure the longevity of a healthy and economically viable workers compensation scheme for generations of workers to come.


2008 Parramatta Eels season
The 2008 Parramatta Eels season was the 62nd in the club's history. Coached by Michael Hagan and captained by Nathan Cayless, they competed in the National Rugby League's 2008 Telstra Premiership.


2008 Parramatta Eels season, Summary
After being billed at premiership contenders by several prominent betting agencies, including TAB SportsBet, the Parramatta Eels failed to impress in the 2008, a season that could only be described as a huge disappointment. The Eels finished 11th in an inconsistent season marred by Jarryd Hayne's controversial shooting incident in the pre-season. Despite the poor performance by Parramatta, CEO Denis Fitzgerald stressed that Michael Hagan's position as club coach was not in danger. Michael Hagan resigned as coach on 21 October 2008, citing family and health reasons for his decision.


2008 Passover margarine shortage
During the 2008 Passover season, kosher-for-Passover margarine in the United States was short in supply due to several issues, leading to a scramble among kosher consumers to obtain the staple since it features prominently in many Passover recipes.


2008 Passover margarine shortage, Causes
One was the shortage of cottonseed oil, the main ingredient in the product. Cottonseed oil is used in lieu of corn or soybean oil, the traditional bases for margarine, which are not permitted to Ashkenazi Jews during Passover due to the laws of kitniyot. Cottonseed oil is a byproduct of cotton; because of the demand for corn-based ethanol, many farmers dropped their cotton crops in favor of more lucrative corn. Additionally, some of the previous manufacturers of Passover margarine discontinued producing the product after deciding it was not economically feasible. The process of cleansing a margarine plant to make it suitable for producing kosher-for-Passover margarine is complicated, and involves dismantling much of the equipment.


2008 Passover margarine shortage, Causes
Some of the previous manufacturers felt it was no longer practical to undergo these procedures for a short-term project. Manischewitz and Mother's, two of the largest kosher margarine brands, were only able to provide limited amounts to the marketplace, which were often not in the popular stick form.


2008 Passover margarine shortage, Impact
The margarine shortage affected home Passover baking. Dishes which comply with Passover rules are often somewhat lacking in taste, and for this reason margarine is a key ingredient in many Passover recipes.


2008 Passover margarine shortage, Impact
Since the laws of kashrut mandate the separation of milk and meat, margarine is an important butter substitute in recipes that are served with meat meals. Some of the recipes that require large amounts of margarine include Passover desserts, such as cookies.


2008 Passover margarine shortage, Impact
Many stores rationed the sales of margarine to customers by limiting the number of cases of margarine that could be purchased, and some stores required a minimum number of other items to be purchased.


2008 Passover margarine shortage, Impact
Haolam, a large manufacturer of kosher cheeses, was able to produce margarine for Passover to meet some of the demands.


2008 Passover margarine shortage, Other scarce items
In addition to margarine, matzo was also in short supply for the 2008 Passover season, as were the Tam Tam matzo crackers manufactured by Manischewitz. Possible reasons for the matzo shortage included business decisions by the Trader Joe's and Costco chains not to stock matzo for 2008, and manufacturing problems at Manischewitz that forced the company to withhold Tam Tams for the year, and to produce less matzo and none of the more strictly made shmurah matzo preferred by many traditional Jews.


2008 Patriot League Baseball Tournament
The 2008 Patriot League Baseball Tournament was held on consecutive weekends with the semifinals held May 10–11 and the finals May 16–17, 2008 to determine the champion of the Patriot League for baseball for the 2008 NCAA Division I baseball season. The event matched the top four finishers of the six team league in a double-elimination tournament. Fourth seeded Bucknell won their fourth championship and claimed the Patriot's automatic bid to the 2008 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. Jason Buursma of Bucknell was named Tournament Most Valuable Player.


2008 Patriot League Baseball Tournament, Format and seeding
The top four finishers from the regular season were seeded one through four, with the top seed hosting the fourth seed and second seed hosting the third. The visiting team was designated as the home team in the second game of each series. Army hosted Bucknell while Holy Cross visited Navy.


2008 Patriot League Men's Basketball Tournament
The 2008 Patriot League Men's Basketball Tournament, a part of the 2007-08 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, took place on March 5, 2008 as a single-elimination tournament, with games being played at the higher seeds' home courts. The American University Eagles won the league's regular season, and received the number one seed in the tournament. They kept their home advantage throughout the tournament and defeated Colgate, 52–46, on March 14, 2008 to win the conference tournament and received the Patriot League's automatic bid for the 2008 NCAA Tournament.


2008 Patriot League Men's Basketball Tournament, Before the tournament
Prior to the season defending champion Holy Cross, was predicted to finish first in the league once again, while Bucknell, a team who had won a game in both the 2005 and 2006 NCAA Tournaments, was predicted to finish second. However the league was unpredictable, as both teams ended their conference regular seasons with a losing record. Lafayette started off strong in league play, but quickly fell by the wayside. American and Navy, teams predicted to finish fifth and seventh respectively, ended their seasons in first and second in the league, with American gaining home court advantage throughout the tournament.


2008 Patriot League Men's Basketball Tournament, Bracket
The Patriot League announced the bracket and seed on March 3, 2008.


2008 Pattaya Women's Open
The 2008 Pattaya Women's Open was a women's tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts. It was the 17th edition of the Pattaya Women's Open, and was part of the Tier IV Series of the 2008 WTA Tour. It took place in Pattaya, Thailand, from 2 February through 10 February 2008. First-seeded Agnieszka Radwańska won the singles title and earned $25,650 first-prize money.


2008 Pattaya Women's Open, Finals, Doubles
Yung-jan Chan /  Chia-jung Chuang defeated    Su-wei Hsieh /  Vania King, 6–4, 6–3


2008 Pattaya Women's Open – Doubles
Nicole Pratt and Mara Santangelo were the defending champions, but chose not to participate that year.


2008 Pattaya Women's Open – Doubles
Chan Yung-jan and Chuang Chia-jung won in the final 6–4, 6–4, against Hsieh Su-wei and Vania King.


2008 Pattaya Women's Open – Singles
Sybille Bammer was the defending champion, but chose not to participate that year.


2008 Pattaya Women's Open – Singles
Agnieszka Radwańska won in the final 6–2, 1–6, 7–6(4), against Jill Craybas.


2008 Paul Hunter Classic
The 2008 Paul Hunter Classic was a pro–am snooker tournament held in August 2008. Barry Pinches was the reigning champion, but he was eliminated in the last 32 by Shaun Murphy. Murphy went on to win the tournament, defeating Mark Selby 4–0 in the final.


2008 Paul Hunter Classic, Tournament structure
The initial stage began with 40 groups of 4 players. The winners of each group advanced to the last 32 stage of the tournament, and the tournament runners-up moved to the last 64. Shaun Murphy was the only professional not to top his group, and thus had to play two matches more than the other professional players.


2008 Pavel Roman Memorial
The 2008 Pavel Roman Memorial was the 14th edition of an annual international ice dancing competition held in Olomouc, Czech Republic. The event was held between November 14 and 16, 2008. Ice dancers competed in the senior, junior, and novice levels.


2008 Peace Queen Cup
The 2008 Peace Queen Cup was the second edition of the Peace Queen Cup. It was held from 14 to 21 June 2008 in Suwon, South Korea.


2008 Peak Antifreeze Indy 300
The 2008 Peak Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy 300 was the seventeenth round of the 2008 IndyCar Series season. It took place on September 7, 2008. It was the last points race of the year. It was held at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois. Dixon held on to win his second IndyCar championship.


2008 Peak Antifreeze Indy Grand Prix
The 2008 Peak Antifreeze & Motor Oil Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma County was the fifteenth round of the 2008 IndyCar Series season. It took place on August 24, 2008.


2008 Pekan Olahraga Nasional
2008 Pekan Olahraga National or the Indonesia National Games XVII were a major multi-sport event in Indonesia which took place in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, from 5–17 July 2008. A total of 7,946 athletes participated in the biggest-ever Pekan Olahraga Nasional and also the first on the island of Borneo. These games make Samarinda the second city to host Pekan Olahraga Nasional outside of the island of Java and Sumatra, after Makassar hosted the 1957 Pekan Olahraga Nasional.


2008 Pekan Olahraga Nasional
Samarinda was awarded the right to host the games over three competitors, Pekanbaru, Bandung, and Semarang. Later, Pekanbaru was chosen to be the host of eighteenth edition of the games in 2012.


2008 Pekan Olahraga Nasional, Mascots
Mascots for the games are three endangered species of the East Kalimantan province and also representing three elements: land, water, and air.


2008 Pekan Olahraga Nasional, Co-hosts
Although Samarinda is the main host for the games, several sports also played in other cities in East Kalimantan, they are:


2008 Peloponnese earthquake
The 2008 Peloponnese earthquake killed two people, injured more than 220 and left at least 2,000 people homeless in north western Peloponnese, Greece, on June 8. The earthquake hit the area at 1525 EET (1325 UTC), with a moment magnitude of 6.5, according to the Athens Geodynamic Institute. It was strongly felt as far away as in Athens and in parts of southern Italy. The US Geological Survey reported that the quake had a magnitude of 6.4.


2008 Peloponnese earthquake
The epicenter of the tremor was located about 15 miles (32 km) southwest of the Greek port city of Patras, at a depth of 16 km. Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos dispatched rescue and recovery teams (including members of five government agencies), the Red Cross and units of the army in order to assess the damage and the needs of survivors in the earthquake affected areas.


2008 Peloponnese earthquake, Earthquake
The earthquake of June 8, 2008, was generated by stresses resulting from the motion of the small Aegean Sea plate southwest with respect to the Eurasia plate with a velocity of about 30 mm/y. The boundary between the Aegean plate and the Eurasia plate in central Greece is diffuse. Seismicity is concentrated in east-trending and northeast-trending zones of deformation. The east-trending zones are characterized by predominantly normal faulting. The northeast-trending zones are characterized by predominately strike-slip faulting earthquakes. The focal mechanism of the earthquake of June 8 is consistent with the shock having been caused by strike-slip faulting similar to that occurring within the northeast-trending zones. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the largest crustal earthquakes of central Greece have had magnitudes of about 7.2.


2008 Peloponnese earthquake, Earthquake, Damage
At least 1,156 buildings damaged or destroyed in the cities of Achaea and Elis. This earthquake generated enough power to cause damage to structures over an area of 2000 square kilometers. Although it was reportedly felt 350 kilometers away from the epicenter. Within the 2000 square kilometers of the damaged area many landslides and rockfalls took place. Heavily affected villages by this natural disaster were Portes, Santomeri and Valmi. Although there were occurrences of rockfalls and landslides as far away as on the island of Leukas. This island is located 100 kilometers away from the epicenter.


2008 Peloponnese earthquake, Earthquake, Damage
The villages of Portes and Santomeri are located at the foot of the mountain, Skollis Mountain. This is a mountain with very steep cliffs of loose rocks such as sandstone, and higher up there are cliffs of limestone. During the earthquake there was significant damage done to these cliffs of the Skollis Mountain. This damage resulted in rockslides and landslides. There is account of limestone rock falling from this mountain, which struck a house in the village of Santomeri and caused serious structural damage, but there were no casualties in this incident.


2008 Peloponnese earthquake, Earthquake, Ground effects
A search was conducted in order to locate any damage done to the Earth's surface in the form of surface ruptures. This search was heavily conducted in and around the Kato Achaea train station. The Kato Achaia Train station is located about four fifths of a kilometer from the coastline. This search took place two days after the incident of the earthquake. The search consisted of a mapping of the train station, discussion with a station operator, and a careful process of observing the ground. There was significant notable damage done to the rails of the station.


2008 Peloponnese earthquake, Earthquake, Ground effects
In the northern part of the station there was both compression and extension damage noted on the ground. This did damage to the Kato Achaia train station's rails. Although the rails were replaced before the inspection began. This was done to continue the operation of the station immediately after the earthquake occurred. On the southern side of the station there was obvious evidence of compression damage done to the rails. The movements of the Earth caused the southern rails to buckle together, making them unusable.


2008 Peloponnese earthquake, Aftermath
The villages of Santomeri and Portes have both been declared hazardous areas. They have been evacuated due to the damage done to the Skollis Mountain by the earthquake. The falling Limestone from the village is a major Hazard, and the government decided that no more risks are to be taken. Along with the evacuation, some of the damage done to the Kato Achaia train station has been repaired in the form of replaced rails within two days of the occurrence of the earthquake. This was to keep the train station in operation.


2008 Pembrokeshire County Council election
Elections to Pembrokeshire County Council were held on 1 May 2008. It was preceded by the 2004 election and followed by the 2012 election. On the same day there were elections to the other 21 local authorities in Wales, and to community council elections in Wales. There were also elections elsewhere in the United Kingdom


2008 Pembrokeshire County Council election, Overview
All 60 council seats were up for election. The previous council was controlled by Independents as had been the case since the authority was formed in 1995. The Independents retained control in 2008 and Labour achieved its worst result of the four elections fought thus far.


2008 Pembrokeshire County Council election, Results, Johnston
Ken Rowlands had been elected as a Labour candidate in 2004.


2008 Pembrokeshire County Council election, Results, Pembroke Monkton
Peral Llewellyn was elected as a Labour candidate in 2004.


2008 Pembrokeshire County Council election, Results, Pembroke St Michael
The Conservative candidate had won the seat at a by-election in 2007 following the death of the previous member, John Allen.


2008 Pembrokeshire County Council election, Results, Saundersfoot
Rosemary Hayes was one of the longest serving members of the Council, having represented Saundersfoot on the authority since 1995 and previously been the district councillor on the former South Pembrokeshire District Council for many years. Phil Baker had stood as a Liberal Democrat in 2004.


2008 Pembrokeshire County Council election, Results, Scleddau
Alwyn Luke was one of the longest serving members of the Council, having represented Scleddau on the authority since 1995 and previously been the district councillor on the former Preseli Pembrokeshire District Council for many years. David Williams had stood as a Liberal Democrat in 2008.


2008 Penang state election
The 12th Penang election was held on 8 March 2008. Polling took place in 40 constituencies throughout the State of Penang, with each electing a State Assemblyman to the Penang State Legislative Assembly. The election was conducted by the Malaysian Election Commission.


2008 Penang state election
The legislative body had been dissolved on 13 February by the Governor of Penang, Abdul Rahman Abbas, on the advice of the incumbent Chief Minister, Koh Tsu Koon, who also led the state's ruling coalition at the time, Barisan Nasional (BN). Opposing the BN was the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance, which consisted of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), the People's Justice Party (PKR) and the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS). Electoral candidates were nominated on 24 February.


2008 Penang state election
The election proved to be a watershed in Penang's history, as the BN was handed an unprecedented and shocking defeat by the PR, making the election the second time Penang's ruling party was voted out of power; the first was in 1969. The PR won 29 out of the 40 seats, gaining more than a two-thirds majority in the Penang State Legislative Assembly. The leader of the PR in Penang, Lim Guan Eng, was subsequently sworn into power as Penang's fourth Chief Minister on 11 March.


2008 Penang state election, Background
The election was the 12th state election in the State of Penang since the independence of Malaya (now Malaysia) in 1957. The governing Barisan Nasional (BN) sought to secure their ninth consecutive term in office since 1974.


2008 Penang state election, Background
According to the Constitution of the State of Penang, the maximum term of the Penang State Legislative Assembly, the legislature of Penang, is five years from the date of the first sitting of Assembly following a state election, after which it is dissolved by operation of law. However, the Chief Minister, as the head of government in Penang, may advise the Governor, the head of state, to dissolve the Assembly before the five-year period is up.


2008 Penang state election, Background
On 13 February 2008, the Governor of Penang, Abdul Rahman Abbas, gave his consent to the incumbent Chief Minister of Penang, Koh Tsu Koon, to dissolve the Assembly; the dissolution of the Assembly was conducted simultaneously with the dissolution of the Malaysian Parliament.


2008 Penang state election, Background
A state election must be held within sixty days after the dissolution. Accordingly, the Malaysian Election Commission set 24 February as the nomination day and 8 March as the polling day, providing for a campaigning period of 13 days.


2008 Penang state election, Background, Political parties
The Barisan Nasional (BN), the ruling coalition in Penang at the time, had been in power since 1955, although BN rule was briefly interrupted after the 1969 election when Gerakan, then an opposition party, seized power in the state; Gerakan subsequently joined the BN in 1973.


2008 Penang state election, Background, Political parties
Prior to the election, BN, which was led by the incumbent Chief Minister of Penang and Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan) leader, Koh Tsu Koon, controlled 38 out of the 40 state seats in the Penang State Legislative Assembly. BN was opposed by the informal Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition, which held the remaining two seats in the Assembly. PR was led by the secretary-general of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), Lim Guan Eng.


2008 Penang state election, Background, Electoral divisions
All 40 state constituencies within Penang, which constitute the Penang State Legislative Assembly, were contested during the election.


2008 Penang state election, Issues, Decline of Penang
In the preceding years, concerns had been raised over the perceived decline and neglect of Penang. Among the factors were the deteriorating cleanliness in George Town, incoherent urban planning, poor traffic management, the state's economic slowdown and persistent brain drain.


2008 Penang state election, Issues, Decline of Penang
By the early 2000s, Penang's economic growth began to lose steam, with the city-state recording the lowest monthly household income growth rate amongst the Malaysian states. Also in 2001, the Rent Control Act, which until then had protected the low-income residents within the George Town city centre from eviction by preventing any arbitrary hike in rents, was repealed. Consequently, the city centre was hollowed out, as residents and smaller businesses were unable to cope with the rental hikes.


2008 Penang state election, Issues, Decline of Penang
This led to the dilapidation of heritage buildings within the city centre, whilst private developers began demolishing pre-war buildings in the name of redevelopment. In addition, the decades of brain drain took its toll, as Penang suffered a shortage of professionals, who generally preferred to move to the Greater Kuala Lumpur area for business and employment opportunities. Poor urban planning and traffic management caused worsening traffic congestion, whilst George Town's garbage-strewn streets led to Penang being labelled a "garbage state" by Barisan Nasional (BN) politicians.


2008 Penang state election, Issues, Decline of Penang
Widespread discontent over Penang's decline led to campaigns by Penang-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the national media to return the city-state to its former glory.


2008 Penang state election, Issues, Political infighting in Barisan Nasional
Prior to the election, Koh Tsu Koon had stated his intention to resign as the Chief Minister of Penang, in order to stand for a position in the national Cabinet; during the election, Koh stood in the Batu Kawan parliamentary constituency. Subsequently, internal squabbles broke out within the Barisan Nasional (BN) over the next person to helm the position of the Chief Minister. While Koh picked Teng Hock Nam to succeed him as the Chief Minister, the then Malaysian Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, preferred Teng Chang Yeow to succeed Koh. Other BN leaders who also contended for the position of the Chief Minister were Chia Kwang Chye and Lee Kah Choon.


2008 Penang state election, Issues, Political infighting in Barisan Nasional
The internal infighting, exacerbated by Koh's indecisiveness, adversely affected BN's campaign in Penang, as the coalition was unable to publicly declare its Chief Minister-designate. In addition, Koh's decision to run for a higher position in the Malaysian federal government was widely scorned; Penangites perceived Koh's party, Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, as being more interested in promoting its political ambitions in the national level instead of seeing to its constituents' needs.


2008 Penang state election, Issues, Corruption and maladministration
Allegations of corrupt practices by the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration were also abound prior to the election. In early 2008, an online news portal alleged that the incumbent Chief Minister, Koh Tsu Koon, had spent RM10 billion to persuade Motorola to stay in Penang. While Koh initially refused comment, he finally admitted to the issue.


2008 Penang state election, Issues, Corruption and maladministration
The BN administration was also condemned by Penang-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for steamrolling the Penang Global City Centre project, which was the brainchild of Partick Lim, a tycoon who maintained close ties with the then Malaysian Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Despite opposition by the NGOs, the BN administration proceeded with the project by bypassing the Penang Island Municipal Council (now Penang Island City Council), thus eliminating any need for approval from the local government. The issue strengthened the perception that Chief Minister Koh, who led Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan), displayed utmost deference to the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the dominant party within the BN coalition.


2008 Penang state election, Issues, Corruption and maladministration
BN's maladministration extended to Penang's two local governments - the Penang Island Municipal Council and the Seberang Perai Municipal Council - which were under the purview of the BN-controlled state government. Both local governments accrued large annual deficits in the preceding years, but more so for the Seberang Perai Municipal Council, which had its lavish headquarters near Bukit Mertajam completed in 2006. Despite this, the Seberang Perai Municipal Council was led by UMNO-appointed councillors, which gave it better access to the UMNO-dominated Malaysian federal government, whereas the Penang Island Municipal Council, headed by Gerakan appointees, did not enjoy such a benefit.


2008 Penang state election, Campaign
The Barisan Nasional (BN) administration in Penang, plagued by various crises, sought to appeal to the clamour of change by employing the slogan "keep reinventing". Even so, the BN had the advantage of incumbency and the backing of the UMNO-led Malaysian federal government. By contrast, the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition, which lacked the resources available to its opponent, launched its theme "just change it", heralding a more aggressive campaign to overthrow the BN-controlled state government.


2008 Penang state election, Campaign, Social media
Due to Barisan Nasional's control of the traditional mainstream media, including newspapers, television and radio, the Pakatan Rakyat (PR), led by the Democratic Action Party (DAP), turned to other methods of reaching out to voters. The election was notable for being the first election that was influenced by the alternative media, such as websites, blogs and news portals. The Internet played a vital role in PR's campaign, by allowing critics of the BN administration to air their views on issues which had been deliberately ignored by the mainstream media. The DAP sought to tap into its booming online presence by nominating Jeff Ooi, a blogger, as its candidate for the Jelutong parliamentary constituency on Penang Island.


2008 Penang state election, Campaign, Social media
Owing to the increasing use of mobile phones, the short messaging service (SMS) was also put to use to disseminate information regarding PR rallies during the campaigning period. In addition, voters could register their phone numbers at DAP offices to receive campaign information via SMS.


2008 Penang state election, Campaign, Rallies
Both political coalitions held rallies, known in Malay as ceramah, throughout the state during the campaigning period just prior to the polling day. Pakatan Rakyat (PR) rallies, in particular, drew massive turnouts and generated a sizeable sum of donations. By contrast, Barisan Nasional (BN) rallies attracted very few attendees, so much so that some were reportedly cancelled due to the sheer lack of audience.


2008 Penang state election, Campaign, Rallies
On 1 March 2008, a PR rally was held at the Han Chiang College in George Town. Among the key speakers in the rally were Lim Guan Eng, Karpal Singh, Jeff Ooi and Anwar Ibrahim. A 10,000-strong crowd attended the rally, which also broke the record for the highest amount of donation collected at that point; RM38,000 were collected during the rally. The rally at Han Chiang College was surpassed only a few days later, when on 6 March, more than 60,000 people thronged the same venue for another PR rally, during which over RM133,000 were collected.


2008 Penang state election, Results
The polling on 8 March 2008 was closed by 5.00 p.m. Malaysian time, and was immediately followed by the counting of votes. Preliminary results, streamed online by Malaysiakini, indicated that the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) was in the lead. Unofficial results continued to trickle in throughout the evening as seat after seat, beginning with Pulau Tikus, fell to the PR. By 9.00 p.m., the Malaysian Election Commission confirmed that the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a component party of the PR, won all of the 19 state constituencies it was contesting in Penang.


2008 Penang state election, Results
The outgoing Chief Minister of Penang and the state's Barisan Nasional (BN) leader, Koh Tsu Koon, immediately informed the Governor of Penang, Abdul Rahman Abbas, of the electoral results and subsequently called Penang DAP chairman, Chow Kon Yeow, to congratulate him. At 11.45 p.m., Koh publicly conceded defeat in a televised press conference.


2008 Penang state election, Results
At 12.30 a.m. on 9 March, the top leaders of the PR, led by Lim Guan Eng, held a press conference at the Red Rock Hotel in George Town. Lim thanked Penangites for "allowing the opposition parties to form the Penang state government", and announced that the DAP would form the new state government in cooperation with the People's Justice Party (PKR) and the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS).


2008 Penang state election, Results
"DAP wishes to state that we will form the next Penang state government in cooperation and coalition with PKR, a government for all Malaysians, embracing Malays, Chinese, Indians and other races... We also hope that the PAS elected wakil rakyat (State Assemblyman) can help this new government." - Lim Guan Eng


2008 Penang state election, Results
During the night, the elected PR State Assemblymen were instructed to remain indoors for fear of reprisals by BN extremists, with their mobile phones kept away to prevent any of the State Assemblymen from being bought over by the BN. PR supporters were also told not to hold street celebrations to prevent any outbreak of post-election violence. PR politicians wished to avoid a repeat of the 1969 race riots in Kuala Lumpur, which occurred after the General Election that year. For similar reasons, Lim Kit Siang, a DAP politician who was in Ipoh at the time, immediately despatched bodyguards over to Lim Guan Eng in Penang.


2008 Penang state election, Results
The election marked the second time the incumbent Penang state government was voted out of power; the first was in 1969. For the first time ever, BN's component parties, Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), lost all their state constituencies and were wiped out of Penang's political scene altogether. The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), BN's dominant party, became the sole BN party remaining in Penang, securing 11 seats; UMNO thus formed the opposition within the state. Meanwhile, the PR swept 29 out of the 40 seats that form the Penang State Legislative Assembly, winning more than a two-thirds majority in the legislature.


2008 Penang state election, Aftermath
The elected Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng, met his predecessor, Koh Tsu Koon, in the Office of the Chief Minister of Penang inside Komtar in George Town on 9 March 2008, promising a smooth transition of power. Lim was sworn in as the Chief Minister in the presence of the Governor of Penang, Abdul Rahman Abbas, at the latter's official residence, The Residency, in George Town at 10.05 a.m. on 11 March.


2008 Penang state election, Aftermath
Chief Minister Lim's first task in office was to waive all summonses and parking tickets issued by both the Penang Island Municipal Council and the Seberang Perai Municipal Council before March 2008. He also began instituting the CAT policy (Competency, Accountability and Transparency) in the Penang state government; in an unprecedented move, Chief Minister Lim himself took to answering questions posed to him online and via press conferences. The CAT policy entails the adoption of the open tender system for state government contracts and projects, to avoid corruption and to promote transparency. Lavish expenses made by the previous state government were cut down as well.


2008 Penang state election, Aftermath
In addition, one of the major initiatives of the new PR-led Penang state government was to abolish the controversial New Economic Policy, which had been implemented throughout Malaysia by the Barisan Nasional since 1971. The decision, which was aimed at refocusing the state government's efforts towards eradicating poverty regardless of ethnicity, was agreed upon by the People's Justice Party (PKR), with the party's leader, Anwar Ibrahim, pledging to "stop this practice of awarding tenders, projects and privatisation to family-related companies and cronies only at states where we are in charge". BN extremists, particularly those from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), subsequently held a protest outside Komtar on 14 March.


2008 Penang state election, Aftermath
Following the drastic change in Malaysia's political landscape, Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister of Singapore, visited Penang and met Chief Minister Lim on 13 June 2009. During the visit, Lee remarked on Penang's poorly-maintained infrastructure at the time and opined that one term was inadequate for Chief Minister Lim to implement the necessary changes within Penang.


2008 Pendle Borough Council election
The 2008 Pendle Borough Council election took place on 1 May 2008 to elect members of Pendle Borough Council in Lancashire, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Liberal Democrats lost overall control of the council to no overall control.


2008 Pendle Borough Council election, Background
Before the election the Liberal Democrats held control of the council with 28 seats, but a loss of 4 seats would mean they lost their majority. 17 seats were contested in the election, with the Liberal Democrats defending 12, the Conservatives 4 and Labour 1 seat.


2008 Pendle Borough Council election, Background
5 councillors stood down at the election, 2 Liberal Democrats from Bradley and Walverden wards, 2 Conservatives from Earby and Reedley and Labour's David Whalley from Vivary Bridge ward. Councillors who were defending seats included the leader of the council, Liberal Democrat Alan Davies, in Boulsworth, deputy mayor Marjorie Adams in Coates ward and the chairman of the Nelson committee David Foster in Clover Hill. The only candidates standing in the election not from the 3 main parties, were 4 from the British National Party and 2 independents.


2008 Pendle Borough Council election, Campaign
The election saw complaints of voting fraud involving postal voting, leading to a police investigation and the matter being raised in Parliament by the local Member of Parliament Gordon Prentice. These allegations involved both the Liberal Democrat parliament candidate for Pendle constituency Afzal Anwar and Labour councillor Mohammed Tariq, after multiple postal votes were registered at their addresses. Both men denied doing anything and were supported by their parties, saying everyone registered at the addresses were entitled to vote. The police dropped the enquiry after concluding that there had been no wrongdoing.


2008 Pendle Borough Council election, Campaign
During the campaign the national Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg visited Pendle to support his party.


2008 Pendle Borough Council election, Election result
The results saw the Liberal Democrats lost their majority on the council after suffering a net loss of 8 seats. Defeated councillors for the Liberal Democrats included the leader of the council Alan Davies in Boulsworth, Nelson Committee chairman David Foster in Clover Hill, Shelley Franklin in Craven, Frank Wren in Brierfield and Judith Robinson in Southfield. The Liberal Democrats blamed their defeats on a targeted campaign by the Conservatives, while the Conservatives said the "tide is now turning towards us".


2008 Pendle Borough Council election, Election result
The Labour and Conservative parties both made significant gains from the Liberal Democrats. However Labour did lose one seat back to the Liberal Democrats in Vivary Bridge and the Conservatives lost a seat in Marsden to the British National Party. There was also a success for an independent candidate, with Glenn Whittaker taking Craven from the Liberal Democrats. These results meant the Liberal Democrats held 20 seats, the Conservatives 16, Labour 10, British National Party 2 as well as 1 independent. Overall turnout in the election was 41.58%.


2008 Pendle Borough Council election, Election result
Following the election the parties held talks on control of the council with reports that an agreement between the Conservative and Labour parties to take over from the Liberal Democrats was possible. However these were not successful and the new leader of the Liberal Democrats group, John David, became leader of the council at the head of a minority administration, after an 18-17 vote at the council meeting.


2008 Penn Quakers football team
The 2008 Penn Quakers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Pennsylvania in the 2008 NCAA Division I FCS football season. It was the 132nd season of play for the Quakers. The team was led by Al Bagnoli, in his 17th season as head coach. The Quakers played their home games at historic Franklin Field on the university campus in Philadelphia.


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
The 2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, Previous season
The 2007 season began with the Nittany Lions ranked No. 17 in the AP and No. 18 in the Coaches' preseason polls, ranked as high as No. 10 at one point. The team dropped out of the rankings with back to back losses to Michigan and Illinois, regained a poll ranking after consecutive blowouts, then dropped out of the polls again after losing to Ohio State, but finished the season ranked No. 25 in the Coaches Poll with a final record of 9–4, including a victory over the Texas A&M Aggies in the 2007 Alamo Bowl.


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, Preseason
Prior to the end of the previous season, linebacker Sean Lee announced his plans to return for his senior season. However, Lee tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during practice and was sidelined for the entire season. Lee used his available redshirt and plans to return in 2009.


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, Preseason
In January, junior cornerback Justin King announced that he was going to declare for the 2008 NFL Draft, skipping his final year of eligibility. King had graduated the previous semester with a degree in liberal arts with an emphasis in sports management. According to King's stepfather and high school coach, "He wanted to get an education and a degree from Penn State, which he did. He wanted to help turn Penn State around, and he did that, too."


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, Preseason
Despite the injury, Lee was named one of the team's captains for 2008. Also elected captains by their teammates were center A. Q. Shipley, receiver Derrick Williams, safety Anthony Scirrotto and defensive end Josh Gaines. All five are seniors.


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, Preseason, Recruiting class
The Nittany Lions received 14 letters of intent on National Signing Day, February 6, 2008.


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, Preseason, Spring practice
A record crowd of 73,000 fans attended the annual Blue-White scrimmage at Beaver Stadium on April 19, surpassing the previous year's record of 71,000. The Blue squad won 27–14. Redshirt freshman running back Stephfon Green opened up the scoring for White, taking his first handoff 57 yards for a touchdown. Green finished the game with 87 yards on 12 carries, a 7.2 yard per carry average. Tight end Andrew Szczerba was the game's leading receiver, catching five passes for 65 yards in the first half.


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, Preseason, Spring practice
In the quarterback competition, both Daryll Clark and Pat Devlin rotated between the first, second and third teams. Overall, Clark finished 9 of 16 for 106 yards and two scores, including a 33-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Williams. Devlin was 12 of 18 for 122 yards and a 22-yard touchdown pass to backup receiver Graham Zug.


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, Preseason, Spring practice
On defense, sophomore Aaron Maybin tied for a game-high six tackles, including 3.5 sacks for the White team. Sophomore Ollie Ogbu led the Blue with six tackles and two sacks. Redshirt freshman linebacker Nate Stupar also had six tackles. Sophomore linebacker Chris Colasanti had four stops and forced and recovered a fumble.


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, Preseason, Suspensions
Five players were suspended prior to spring drills for their involvement in an October 7 fight at the HUB-Robeson Center during the previous season, including defensive tackle Chris Baker, linebacker NaVorro Bowman, defensive back Knowledge Timmons, defensive tackle Phil Taylor, and receiver Chris Bell. Tight end Andrew Quarless became the sixth player suspended after a DUI incident in March. Bell was later kicked off the team after brandishing a knife at a teammate.


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, Preseason, Suspensions
Following spring practice, Baker, Bowman, Quarless, Timmons and Taylor were allowed to rejoin and work out with the team. Baker was sentenced to two years probation.


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, Preseason, Suspensions
ESPN's Outside the Lines aired a story on the legal troubles of the Penn State football team on July 27, 2008. The story detailed the increased number of PSU football players that have been arrested during the past few years. Among the statistics presented in the story was that 46 different players since 2002 have been charged with a combined 163 counts that have resulted in 27 players pleading guilty to 45 crimes. Three days after the story aired, Paterno dismissed Baker and Taylor, apparently after another off-campus incident.


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, Schedule
Penn State did not play Big Ten teams Northwestern and Minnesota this year.


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, Game summaries, August 30: Coastal Carolina
Sophomore tailback Evan Royster ran for three touchdowns and 64 yards on eight carries, and redshirt freshman Stephfon Green gained 89 yards on ten carries including two scores to help the Nittany Lions defeat the Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina 66–10. Penn State has won seven straight season openers. After Trent Usher provided the Chanticleers' lone touchdown on a 33-yard reception to cut Penn State's lead to 14–7 early in the second quarter, Derrick Williams scored on an 89-yard kickoff return en route to a 38–7 halftime lead.


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, Game summaries, August 30: Coastal Carolina
Many reserves saw action in the second half, including Chaz Powell's 55-yard touchdown run, and freshman Brandon Beachum's 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter for the Nittany Lions' final touchdown. After Darryl Clark and Pat Devlin split quarterback duties in the first three quarters, Penn State subbed in Paul Cianciolo for the 4th. Coastal Carolina kicked a field goal as time expired for the final score.


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, Game summaries, August 30: Coastal Carolina
Defensively for Penn State, Tyrell Sales led the defense with seven tackles, while Aaron Maybin had two sacks. Bani Gbadyu snagged his first career interception. Twenty-eight Nittany Lions recorded at least one tackle.


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, Game summaries, August 30: Coastal Carolina
The win tied Joe Paterno with Florida State's Bobby Bowden atop the career wins list among major college coaches with his 373rd win.


2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team, Game summaries, September 6: Oregon State
In the week leading up to the game, a campus police search turned up a small amount of marijuana in an on-campus apartment home to defensive end Maurice Evans, defensive tackle Abe Koroma, tight end Andrew Quarless and cornerback A. J. Wallace. Coach Paterno later announced that Evans, Koroma and Quarless would not play against Oregon State. Wallace was allowed to return to practice, according to Paterno, "Wallace was not part of that." In an unrelated incident, cornerback Willie Harriott was dismissed from the team.