1.   This briefing is a matter of routine whenever a new minister takes office.

2.   Ministers took the floor to denounce the decision to suspend constitutional rule.

3.   Six new members joined the Cabinet and three other ministers took on new responsibilities.

4.   Records were needed for audit, disciplinary and precedent purposes, and to enable ministers to take responsibility for the work of their departments before parliament.

5.   Around metro Atlanta, one minister took the occassion to discuss school shootings for the second time in less than a month.

6.   Christian, Jewish and Islamic ministers take turns leading the vigils.

7.   In both cities, the two ministers took part in ceremonies spotlighting previously-budgeted federal anticrime funds.

8.   Italian and German finance ministers took time off from a meeting of European finance ministers in Dresden, Germany, at the weekend to discuss it.

9.   Ministers take the lead and release positive figures themselves in parliament, or at media events like ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

10.   OPEC ministers likely will take up the issue tomorrow as meetings reconvene.