2015 Event The U.S. Internal Revenue Service warns of an increase in taxpayer phone scams threatening victims unless they pay a given amount with a debit or prepaid credit card; over 366,000 people have been swindled of over $15 million since 2013 2015 Event Sierra Leone Vice President Samuel Sam-Sumana is entering a voluntary 21-day quarantine after one of his bodyguards dies of Ebola; spread of the virus has been slowing, but a recent increase in infections has led to new calls for precaution 2014 Event Chocolate manufacturers state that a cocoa-pod fungus and dry weather in cocoa-growing regions has created a shortage of cocoa that may increase in the future; world chocolate demand already exceeds production capacity 2014 Event The E.U. plans to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent compared to 1990 levels and increase renewables to 27 percent of all energy sources; environmentalists claim larger targets are needed 2014 Event Wal Mart announces that, due to the Affordable Care Act, it will increase health benefit costs for all employees and end health benefits for its 30,000 or so workers with fewer than 30 hours per week; the changes will take place in January 2015 2014 Event President Barack Obama announces that the U.S. will increase its support for forces fighting the advances of the Islamic State militant group; air power, military training and other aid will be provided, but U.S. troops will not be sent to battle 2014 Event Iran is strengthening gender segregation policies, forbidding women to work in public areas of restaurants and seeking separation from men in office settings; the move will increase the 18.9% female jobless rate 2014 Event Spain will increase spending in an $8.2 billion program aimed to stimulate economic growth; the country has been working to overcome an unemployment rate of 25%, but recent reports have shown an encouraging decline in jobless claims 2014 Event German company Linde begins constructing a facility to convert wind power to hydrogen; the plant will help Germany in its efforts to increase reliance on renewable energy sources 2014 Event Facebook announces first-quarter profits of $642 million, an increase of nearly a factor of 3 over first-quarter profits in 2013, resulting in earnings of 25 cents per share versus the 17 cents per share expected by Wall Street 2014 Event A study announced today that high levels of vitamin D in the blood may increase the probability of survival for breast cancer patients 2014 Event Researchers report that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy can increase the risk of ADHD diagnoses as the babies mature; taking acetaminophen in the first trimester has the lowest risk at 9%, but there is a 63% likelihood of the condition in babies if the drug is taken in the last two trimesters 2014 Event G-20 nations discuss ending stimulus efforts in economically advanced nations while planning ways to increase global trade and employment opportunities to achieve global GDP growth 2014 Event After restricting its ties with Cuba since 1996, the European Union agrees to launch negotiations; the talks aim to increase the dialogue on human rights and increase trade and investment between Cuba and the EU 2014 Event U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew urges Congress to increase the debt ceiling because the U.S government debt is expected to hit $17.2 trillion soon 2014 Event A long-delayed review of the Keystone XL Pipeline is completed by the U.S. State Department; it concluded the pipeline would not significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions 2014 Event The World Bank global forecast predicts an increase in growth to 3.2 percent, from 2.4 percent in 2013 2013 Event The death toll from Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines, is confirmed to be over 5,700 people; the number is expected to increase 2013 Event Only 162,000 jobs were added to the U.S. economy in July, falling short of expert predictions of an increase of 175,000 - 185,000 new jobs 2013 Event Scientists say Pandemrix, GlaxoSmithKline influenza vaccine, may be the cause of Europe's recent increase in cases of narcolepsy 2012 Event Inquiries into the September 11, 2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya increase as the only surviving witness of the attack, Walid Faraj, has yet to be interrogated 2012 Event Spain announces it expects its debt levels to increase in 2013 2012 Event In 2012, the People's Republic of China will increase its defense spending by 11.2 per cent 2012 Event According to Israel's military chief, the country is preparing for a increase of Syrian refugees into Golan Heights 2011 Event Consumers spend over $30 billion on online holiday shopping in the U.S., a 15 percent increase over last year 2011 Event The U.S. House of Representatives votes to increase the debt ceiling; the Senate rejects the measure 2011 Event UK Researchers report a study showing that the use of drugs during vitro fertilization may increase the risk of Down syndrome for their baby 2011 Event China reports plans to increase its 2011 defense spending by 12.7% 2010 Event Bolivian President Alvaro Garcia Linera prompts bus drivers to strike after announcing an 83% increase in the price of gasoline and a 73% increase in the price of diesel fuel 2010 Event University students in England and Wales protest the government's plan to increase tuition fees and make higher education funding cuts 2010 Event The U.K. will increase aid to poor nations, including a 40% increase in Afghanistan, while reducing aid to 'powerhouses' like Russia, China and other eastern European countries 2009 Death Norman Borlaug, humanitarian, agronomist, discoveries saved one billion lives worldwide, winner, 1970 Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing contributions to world peace for methods to increase food supply, awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, dies 1995 Event John Bobbitt has plastic surgery to increase his penis 3 inches 1995 Event Most Dutch telephone numbers increase to 10 digits 1957 Event Dutch 2nd Chamber accepts temporary tax increase 1953 Event Dutch government proclaims 5% general pay increase on Jan 1, 1954 1951 Event Italian civil servants strike for pay increase 1951 Event Wages in France increase 11% 1936 Event Dutch 2nd Chamber agree to temporarily increase defense budget 1916 Event NL votes down a proposal by Giants, Braves, and Cubs to increase club player limit from 21 to 22 (The Reds want to decrease to 20) 1914 Birthday Norman Borlaug, born in Cresco, Iowa, humanitarian, agronomist, discoveries saved one billion lives worldwide, winner, 1970 Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing contributions to world peace for methods to increase food supply, awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom 1900 Event German Navy Law calls for massive increase in sea power 1894 Event 136,000 mine workers strike in Ohio for pay increase 1891 Event Riot against tax increase in Paramaribo Suriname 1726 Event People's revolt due to increase in gin/brandy tax
