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Several earthquakes strike Peru; Tsunami warnings issued According to the United States Geological several earthquakes have struck Peru and a tsunami warning has been issued. Reports: US to label Iran's Revolutionary Guard as 'terrorist organization' The United States will be labeling Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a "specially designated global terrorist" organization according to U.S. White House officials.

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Wikinews interviews: Tony Benn on U.K. politics Wikinews interviewed former U.K. secretary of state for Energy and Industry, Tony Benn, on the current political situation in the U.K. .

Wikipedia Current Events
China will send officials to the United States to discuss food and product safety following a spate of recalls in recent months. The trial of the President of Zambia Frederick Chiluba for stealing public money resumes today. Two powerful earthquakes measured 7.7 and 7.5 in the Richter Scale rocks Peru 100 miles near Lima, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. A tsunami warning was issued for Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Colombia, following the earthquakes. Japan resumes economic and humanitarian aid to the Palestinian National Authority. Tropical Depression Five strengthens into Tropical Storm Erin, causing tropical storm warnings to be issued for parts of Texas and Tamaulipas. Mexican authorities deport hundreds of illegal immigrants who got stuck on a closed GWI rail line in Chiapas. 2007 South Asian floods: A landslide hits the Dharla village in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, killing at least five people. Another 55 are missing. Hundreds of Kenyan journalists protest in the streets of Nairobi against a law that would require them to disclose their sources. Australia's foreign minister, Alexander Downer, confirms Australia will sell uranium and nuclear technology to India. Richard Boucher, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, arrives in Pakistan to meet foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and President Pervez Musharraf. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Argentinian presidential candidate, presents Julio Cobos as her running mate. Ali Mohammed Ghedi, the interim Prime Minister of Somalia, says he plans to create a Green Zone in Mogadishu and criticizes the United Nations for giving "so much emphasis on Darfur and not to Somalia".

2007 World Deaf Swimming Championships Day 4: Local athletes break new world record
In the countdown section of 2007 World Deaf Swimming Championships, the organizer advanced final section holding schedule included 200m Individual Medley, 50m Backstroke, 200m Breaststroke, and 100m Freestyle Groups, that will have 8 winners at the 4th matchday.

And this matchday also has two new world records rewritten in Women 50m Backstroke and Women 100m Freestyle Groups.

In the women 50m Backstroke group, Shu-ning Tseng from Taipei and Anna Polivanchuk from Sweden not only won Gold and Silver at the Finals but also broke a world record, an error time of two athletes is only just 0.01 seconds. The new "women deaf swimmer 50m backstroke" record is established by Tseng with 32.23 seconds.

On the other hand, in Women 100m Freestyle Final, Ganna Lytvnenko from Ukraine, breaking old "women deaf swimmer 50m freestyle" world record at 1st matchday, broke another world record in "women deaf swimmer 100m freestyle" section with 58.05 seconds.

At next matchday on August 16, Freestyle Groups with 400m Individual and 4x100m Team Relay, 100m Butterfly, and 200 Backstroke Groups will take place and have 8 winners.

Big Island residents prepare for arrival of Flossie
Residents of the Big Island completed their emergency preparations in expectation of the worst winds and rain of Hurricane Flossie to arrive Tuesday evening.

As of 8:00 p.m. HST Tuesday (0300 Wednesday UTC), the center of Flossie was located at 17.5N, 155.9W, 95 miles south of South Point (the southernmost tip of the Big Island) and 305 miles south-southeast of Honolulu, moving west-northwest at 10 mph. Maximum sustained winds were 85 mph (160 km/h), making it a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The hurricane is expected to weaken over the next 24 hours. Reconnaissance aircraft show that the eye of the hurricane has disappeared.

Tropical storm force winds of about 40-50 mph with higher gusts are expected to reach the Big Island this evening.

Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim declared a state of emergency on Monday in preparation for the approach of Flossie, and Governor Linda Lingle signed an order giving Maj. Gen. Robert Lee, state adjutant general, the ability to activate National Guard units.

All public and private schools, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and both campuses of Hawaii Community College were closed on Tuesday. Schools are expected to remain closed on Wednesday.

Local branches of Wal-Mart temporarily provided 24 hour service to allow residents to prepare for Flossie.

About 116 people have voluntarily evacuated to emergency shelters set up by the Red Cross.

Yasser Arafat may have had HIV
Reports are surfacing that say former Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) leader Yasser Arafat had HIV, the virus that causes AIDS present in his blood stream when he died, a number of reports say the virus had been injected to him prior to death and the actual cause of death was a separately administered poison that HIV was intended to mask.

The claims come from Doctor Ashraf al-Kurdi, a former doctor for Arafat and also a former member of the Health Ministry located in Jordan who says the virus was injected into Arafat's blood stream just before his death, but al-Kurdi also stated that Arafat's death was not caused by the virus. Doctor Ashraf al-Kurdi also states that Arafat's wife prevented him from attending to Arafat while he was dying.

CNSNews.com claims that Arafat may have been a homosexual and that syphilis was the cause of his death. CNSNews.com also claims that Israel caused his death by poisoning him.

Ion Mihai Pacepa, an ex-head of Romanian intelligence, and Terry McAuliffe, an aid to Bill Clinton, have unrelated claims that Arafat was homosexual.

Arafat died on November 11, 2005 at Percy hospital in Paris. French officials never fully explained the cause of death, but instead transfered his medical records to his nephew Nasser al-Qudwa, his next of kin.

Three men arrested under suspicion of organising dog fights in southern Finland
Three Finnish men have been arrested as part of an investigation by the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) into apparent illegal dogfights in various locations in the south of the country.

Dog fights, in which two dogs are pitted head-to-head for the entertainment of spectators and for gambling, is illegal in Finland, and is covered by Finland's animal protection laws, as dogs often sustain severe or even fatal injuries. It is believed this case also involved gambling, thus rendering the suspects, if convicted, in breach of gambling laws also.

The investigation was started in July after the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) forwarded information to the NBI, claiming that during an investigation of its own for a programme it was making into dog fighting in the United Kingdom, they had uncovered connections to comparable activity in Finland.

"We are trying to find out when the activity has started and how widespread it has been. Apparently, just a small gang of people has been involved." said Detective Chief Inspector Göran Wennqvist, adding that "We are now trying to find out whether or not this is part of a larger international organisation or just local criminal activity."

It is believed the dogs went through training fights to test if they were suitable for fighting prior to actual events. A number of animals thought to have been used for fighting have been examined by a veterinarian to determine the types of injuries sustained by the dogs.

Despite the fact that dog fighting is known to have occurred in various countries - including countries close to Finland, such as Sweden, Norway, and Russia - neither the police or the Finnish Kennel Club were aware of any previous incidents occurring in Finland, although chairman of the board of the Finnish Kennel Club Martti Mannersuo told reporters that he recalled a rumour "many years ago" of domestic dog fights occurring in Finland, although this went unconfirmed. Wennqvist, however, independently told YLE "In other Nordic countries, they have seen incidents of dog fighting since the 90's, but I haven't come across any cases in Finland in 32 years," although it is unclear if this was a confirmed case or if it were linked to the rumour Mannersuo had reported.

Tropical storm Erin forms in Gulf of Mexico
Tropical storm Erin has formed in the Gulf of Mexico. It expected to make landfall Thursday near Corpus Christi, Texas, forcasters have stated.

At 11 a.m. EDT today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration measured winds over 40 mph which is the mark of a tropical storm.

At 11:30 a.m. EDT, the storm was about 250 miles east of Brownsville, Texas, and about 295 miles east-northeast of La Pesca, Mexico, with sustained winds of 30 mph.

Texas Governor Rick Perry is warning that many areas in the projected path of the storm could be facing severe flooding, saying “Because storms have saturated much of our state this summer, many communities in this storm's projected path are at high risk of dangerous flash flooding.”

Therfore, Governor Perry has an estimated 30 vehicles and 60 National Guard members in the area on standby in case of severe flooding. Also, Texas' disaster response team has been mobilized. There are also members of the Texas Task Force One, who have been trained in urban search and rescue techniques, on standby. Corey Ricketson with Texas Task Force One said, "We've got food, water, we've got shelters, we've got showers, beds, everything that we need right here in order to go to a remote location and be self-sufficient as a unit."

Reports: US to label Iran's Revolutionary Guard as 'terrorist organization'
The United States will be labeling Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a "specially designated global terrorist" organization according to U.S. White House officials.

According to reports, U.S. President, George W. Bush will label the group under "Executive Order 13224" which "provides a means by which to disrupt the financial support network for terrorists and terrorist organizations by authorizing the U.S. government to designate and block the assets of foreign individuals and entities that commit, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism."

"Anyone doing business with these people will have to reevaluate their actions immediately. It increases the risks of people who have until now ignored the growing list of sanctions against the Iranians. It makes clear to everyone who the IRGC and their related businesses really are. It removes the excuses for doing business with these people," said an unnamed U.S. official.

U.S. officials say that Iran's growing involvement in terrorist acts in Afghanistan, Iraq and their support for Middle Eastern Muslim extremists are some of several reasons officials are considering the move. It is also reported that Iran's continuing involvement in nuclear activities is also a cause for the addition.

If the U.S. labels Iran's military as a terrorist organization, it would be the first time that any country has added an armed forces unit of any sovereign government to its list of terrorist groups. Iran has been on the U.S. list of state sponsored terrorism since 1984.

Iran continues to deny that their nuclear program is being used to build nuclear bombs, saying that their program is for "peaceful purposes."

"This kind of news is within the propaganda and psychological activities of the US statesmen against the Islamic Republic of Iran and it is professionally worthless," said an unnamed Iranian official.

Iran's Revolutionary guard controls the air force, navy and ground forces and was created in 1979.

Former NBA ref surrenders to charges he bet on games he officiated
Tim Donaghy, an ex-NBA referee, surrendered today for an appearance in a Brooklyn federal court. Law enforcement officials said that Donaghy allegedly placed his own bets, and also released confidential information to others, including referees' schedules. Today, Donaghy pleaded guilty to 'conspiracy to engage in wire fraud' and 'transmitting wagering information to other individuals'. These two charges could result in up to 25 years in jail.

Tim Frank, a NBA spokesman, told the Associated Press the league was informed yesterday that Donaghy would plead today but was not given any further information.

Both John Lauro, Donaghy's attorney, and federal prosecutors did not comment. But, NBA commissioner David Stern said a month ago that the ex-referee's lawyer told the league Donaghy was contemplating a plea. The plea was made official early today.

Donaghy has been reportedly cooperating with prosecuting attorneys who together are building a case against other people to whom Donaghy may have provided inside information.

Donaghy today told the court that he had a gambling problem. However, he also said that he was receiving treatment for it.

The Associated Press reports that no other NBA officials or players are suspects in this case.

The FBI contacted the NBA on June 20, 2007 to talk about a referee who was allegedly gambling on games. The FBI and the NBA officially met on June 21. Donaghy resigned from his position July 9, after over 10 years as a referee

Former US Speaker of The House Hastert planning to retire
Republican officials announced today that Rep. Dennis Hastert of Illinois will be leaving the United States Congress when his present congressional term concludes at the end of next year.

Hastert has served the people's interests in congress since 1987 and his time as Speaker makes him longest serving Republican Speaker in history. Party officials have scheduled a formal announcement of Hastert's retirement for Friday, August 17.

Hastert's decision has been expected since the Republicans lost the elections last November and he was removed as Speaker. For eight years, he's been second in line of presidential succession behind only the vice-president.

The party officials who discussed his planned retirement did so on condition of anonymity because there had been no public announcement yet.

Nokia issues BL-5C battery warning, offers replacement

In northwestern Iraq today, multiple suicide bombers used trucks loaded with explosives to kill at least 175 people, and injure another 200, the Iraq military said. It all happened in the mainly Kurdish Yazidi town of Qahtaniya, an estimated 60 miles west of Mosul. Qahtaniya is Iraq's third largest city. If the death toll is accurate, the attack was one of the deadliest in Iraq in the past six months.

U.S. military helicopters are reportedly helping to evacuate the wounded. The injured are being moved to Dahuk, about 60 miles north of Qahtaniya. U.S. military sources said American troops are on the ground to offer their assistance. Also, television stations in the area are asking for blood donations.

The Bush administration called the attackers "vicious and heartless murderers," saying "We condemn these barbaric attacks on innocent civilians...Extremists continue to show to what lengths they will go to stop Iraq from becoming a stable and secure country. We will continue to work with the Iraqi government and the Iraqi Security Forces to stabilize the country."

At least 175 killed, 200 injured in northwestern Iraq

In northwestern Iraq today, multiple suicide bombers used trucks loaded with explosives to kill at least 175 people, and injure another 200, the Iraq military said. It all happened in the mainly Kurdish Yazidi town of Qahtaniya, an estimated 60 miles west of Mosul. Qahtaniya is Iraq's third largest city. If the death toll is accurate, the attack was one of the deadliest in Iraq in the past six months.

U.S. military helicopters are reportedly helping to evacuate the wounded. The injured are being moved to Dahuk, about 60 miles north of Qahtaniya. U.S. military sources said American troops are on the ground to offer their assistance. Also, television stations in the area are asking for blood donations.

The Bush administration called the attackers "vicious and heartless murderers," saying "We condemn these barbaric attacks on innocent civilians...Extremists continue to show to what lengths they will go to stop Iraq from becoming a stable and secure country. We will continue to work with the Iraqi government and the Iraqi Security Forces to stabilize the country."

Don Imus reaches settlement with CBS, sued by Rutgers member

Don Imus has reportedly reached a settlement with CBS and is now negotiating with New York's WABC radio for a job there.

CBS spokesman Dana McClintock said Imus and CBS Radio reached a settlement to pre-empt Imus' threatened $120 million breach-of-contract lawsuit.

Martin Garbus, Imus' lawyer, and CBS Radio issued a joint statement, saying "[Imus and CBS Radio] have mutually agreed to settle claims that each had against the other regarding the Imus radio program on CBS," but did not release any specific details about the settlement.

Imus was fired from both CBS radio and MSNBC in April after using the phrase "nappy headed hos" when describing the Rutgers women's basketball team.

CBS and MSNBC argued Imus' remark was racist and sexist. Meanwhile, Imus' attorney cited a clause in his contract that said CBS acknowledged that Imus' services were "unique, extraordinary, irreverent, intellectual, topical, controversial."

On the same day, Imus was sued by Kia Vaughn, a Rutgers team member. That suit also named NBC and CBS as defendants. The suit alleges libel and seeks monetary damages as of yet unannounced.

Cargo Vessel grounded South of Gibraltar

The Panamanian cargo Vessel "New Flame", carrying a cargo of scrap metal and the Danish Product Tanker "Torm Gertrude" collided in Gibraltar waters, 1 kilometre south of Europa Point, Gibraltar at 05.55 hrs on Sunday 12th August 2007.

All 23 crewmen were safely rescued, the captain was later arrested by the Royal Gibraltar Police.

5.3 magnitude earthquake rocks Hawaii hours before expected hurricane

As residents of the Big Island of Hawaii continue to make preparations for Hurricane Flossie, a 5.3 magnitude earthquake rocked the Big Island at 7:38 p.m. local time last night. The earthquake jolted an area about 20 miles south of Hilo.

There were no immediate reports of injuries from the earthquake, as of late Monday night. However, Tom Brown, a spokesman for Hawaii County Civil Defense did report that the quake caused a small landslide.

Parts of Hawaii are already under hurricane watches, tropical storm warnings, and flash flood watches as Hurricane Flossie approaches. Public and private schools alike closed early Tuesday morning as residents and visitors were warned to stock up on food and water.

Meteorologists predict the eye of the category three storm will pass less than 100 miles from the islands, leaving parts of Hawaii exposed to strong winds and up to 15 inches of rain. However, meteorologists also express caution in saying that even a slight change in course could take the storm closer to land.

The Hawaii National Guard has been activated under the command of Governor Linda Lingle, who signed an emergency disaster proclamation ahead of the storm. Mayor Harry Kim also declared a state of emergency on Monday.

The last time a hurricane struck the state was in 1992, when Hurricane Iniki devastated the island of Kauai. Six people were killed and over $2.5 billion in damage was caused.

Today in History
1777 – American Revolutionary War: The New Hampshire Militia led by John Stark routed British and German troops under Friedrich Baum in the Battle of Bennington.

1819 – Cavalry charged into a crowd, turning a public meeting in Manchester, England into the Peterloo Massacre.

1896 – A group led by Skookum Jim Mason discovered gold near Dawson City, Yukon, Canada, setting off the Klondike Gold Rush.

1977 – Elvis Presley, "The King of Rock and Roll", was found dead on the floor of his bathroom. Although it was officially ruled as a fatal heart attack, many people have claimed to have seen Elvis alive since then.

1987 – Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashed after takeoff in Detroit, Michigan, USA, killing all of the crew and passengers except for 4-year-old Cecelia Cichan.

August 16 is Children's Day in Paraguay.

Quote of the Day

The printing press is the greatest weapon in the armoury of the modern commander.

~ T. E. Lawrence

Word of the Day

nestle; v

To settle oneself comfortably and snugly.

To press oneself against another affectionately.

To lie half-hidden or in shelter.

Wikipedia Current Events
Ali Mohammed Ghedi, the interim Prime Minister of Somalia, says he plans to create a Green Zone in Mogadishu and criticizes the United Nations for giving "so much emphasis on Darfur and not to Somalia". ODM-Kenya, the main Kenyan opposition party, splits in two four months before the general elections. Charles Murigande, the foreign minister of Rwanda, criticizes the Democratic Republic of Congo for stopping military operations against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda. Three Germans are killed by a bomb attack near Kabul. United States and Afghan forces start a new offensive in Tora Bora. In the 62nd anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his ministers do not visit the Yasukuni Shrine. Government sources reveal that the Russian administration of Boris Yeltsin sent unofficial signals to Finland at the end of 1991 about returning Karelia to Finland. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation invites Turkmenistan to its summit in Bishkek with a view to asking it to join. The death toll from the 2007 Kahtaniya bombings reaches 500 with 350 more people injured. Six Italians are found shot to death in the town of Duisburg, Germany. Police say they were connected to 'Ndrangheta. The Burmese government doubles the price of petrol and increases the cost of compressed natural gas fivefold leaving some commuters stranded. The Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon orders a full evaluation of the needs of North Korea after severe floods hit the country. Up to 300,000 people may have been left homeless. India marks the 60th anniversary of its independence from British rule. Five persons, including two policemen injured when suspected rebels threw grenades near an Independence Day venue in Assam, India. A strike led by seperatists brings the Muslim areas of Jammu and Kashmir to a standstill. Bangladesh marks the 32nd anniversary of the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a pioneer of Bengali independence from Pakistan and their first President. The United States declares Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a "specially designated global terrorist," paving the way for increased financial pressure on Iran and its assets abroad.

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This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License. Articles published in this Print edition were created by Wikinewsies. Other content released under the GNU Free Documentation License. To view a copy of the CC-BY license, visit: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ or send a letter to Creative Commons 543 Howard Street, 5th Floor San Francisco, California, 94105, USA To view a copy of the GFDL, visit: http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html Wikipedia Current Events http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Current_events Today in History http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Quote of the Day http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Main_Page Word of the Day http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Main_Page
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2007-08-15T21:23:33