Current events of 19 March 2009 (2009-03-19) (Thursday) edit history watch

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake occurs and the Hunga Tonga submarine volcano erupts in the Pacific Ocean near Tongatapu, Tonga. (MSNBC) (Sky News) North Korea detains two American Current TV journalists near its border with China. (Guardian) (BBC) The United States House of Representatives votes to levy a 90% tax on executive compensation from companies aided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. (New York Times) Josef Fritzl of Austria is sentenced to life imprisonment on all charges. (CNN) Malagasy political crisis: President Andry Rajoelina dissolves Parliament. (AFP) The Southern African Development Community meets in Mbabane, Swaziland, to discuss suspending the country's government. (VOA) Pope Benedict XVI leads a Roman Catholic Mass in Yaoundé, Cameroon. (BBC) Namibia declares a state of emergency after floods kill 92 people and render 25,000 homeless. (BBC) The Civil and Public Services Union protests against Ireland's government. (RTÉ)