Briefing

ALBANY, N.Y. David Paterson replaces Eliot Spitzer as New York governor

NEW YORK CITY Crane crushes home, kills seven

AUSTIN, TEXAS Hundreds of acts play South by Southwest music fest

AUSTIN, TEXAS Hundreds of acts play South by Southwest music fest

SHENZHEN, CHINA Flu outbreak in southern China closes schools and fills hospitals

ATLANTA Tornado strikes downtown buildings, crowded basketball arena

ECONOMY

All That Glitters

For investors, gold is a traditional hedge in uncertain times, whenever inflation or geopolitical tensions loom. Little wonder, then, that its price has skyrocketed amid the current market turmoil. A look at some other moments when jitters gave gold a push:

[This article contains a complex diagram. Please see hardcopy of magazine.]

Gold price Per troy ounce, in 2008 dollars

1971 GOLD STANDARD ENDS Nixon's suspension allows gold prices to fluctuate freely

1979 MIDDLE EAST TENSION The Iranian hostage crisis, stagflation and oil woes lead to an all-time peak

1987 STOCK-MARKET CRASH In the months after Black Monday, gold reaches its highest price in five years

1990 IRAQ INVADES KUWAIT Prices jump, then fall as allied forces react

2008 CREDIT CRISIS Gold has risen 41% since last August; it hit a peak of $1,033 on March 17

Source: World Gold Council

ELECTIONS

Zimbabwe's Democratic Dictator

For the first time since Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, its 84-year-old President, Robert Mugabe, faces real competition in the country's March 29 elections. Largely owing to dissatisfaction over food and fuel shortages, 80% unemployment and 100,500% inflation, the three opposition candidates--including a former member of his own party--are gaining momentum.

RIGGED AGAIN? Mugabe is accused of fixing his last election, in 2005; this time, he has barred U.S. and European monitors and has limited media access amid reports of corrupt voter registration, gerrymandering and threats of violence against the opposition.

SECOND AMENDMENT

Ruling on the Right to Bear Arms

The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a challenge to a Washington, D.C., law that bans almost all forms of gun ownership. It is the first time since 1939 that the Supreme Court will have weighed in on gun control.

IN THE CROSSHAIRS With key Justices signaling early on that they think the Constitution protects a person's right to bear arms, the D.C. gun ban may fall. If so, the real question is how broadly the court will rule: you have the right to a handgun at home, but what about automatic or concealed weapons? Clarity on the issue may be an elusive target.

JUSTICE

A Troubled Terrorist Watch List

In theory, the Terrorist Screening Database should contain only the names of those likely to commit acts of terrorism. But a U.S. Justice Department audit has revealed that for nearly three years, the list--used by airport screeners, embassy officials and law-enforcement officers alike--has been compiled using old or inaccurate data.

WHAT HAPPENED? The FBI was slow to clear the names of those no longer suspected. (The list has ballooned to more than 900,000 people.) Some legitimate suspects, on the other hand, were added belatedly or not at all.