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Luciano Pavarotti dead Opera singer has died of cancer at the age of 71 German police arrest three in imminent terrorist plot Three Islamic militants of the so-called Jihad-Union were arrested by German police. They were found in possession of large amounts of the chemical used in the suicide bombings in London in July of 2005.

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New Zealand's anti-spam legislation kicks in – exclusive report Wikinews interviewed Joe Stewart, the Unit Manager of the Department of Internal Affairs new Anti-Spam Compliance Unit, and David Farrar, Chair of InternetNZ’s Public Policy Committee, on the new anti-spam legislation that came into effect in New Zealand.

Wikipedia Current Events
The death toll from Hurricane Felix in Nicaragua is raised to 65, with a high casualty level amongst Miskito Indians who failed to evacuate. An Islamist website claims it will soon carry a new video of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden to mark the sixth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on U.S. cities. 12 people, including 11 New Jersey public officials, are arrested by the FBI on corruption charges. Among those arrested are Mayor Samuel Rivera of Passaic and Mayor Mims Hackett Jr. of Orange. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hits off shore of Taiwan near the capital city Taipei. Paras, Crown Prince of Nepal, undergoes angioplasty operation after a heart attack. British RAF Tornados intercept eight Russian Tupolev Tu-95 bombers as they approach UK airspace. Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti dies at 71, after suffering from pancreatic cancer for more than one year. A study published by United States and Czech researchers claims that there is a 90% chance that the object that caused the Chicxulub crater in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and probably led to the extinction of the dinosaurs came from the Baptistina family of asteroids. The President of China Hu Jintao and Prime Minister of Australia John Howard agree to six deals including an agreement whereby China will purchase A$35 billion worth of liquefied natural gas from Woodside Petroleum. China and Australia agree to hold yearly security meetings. Eleven members of the cast and crew of the ABC's The Chaser's War on Everything are arrested and charged with breaching security regulations including Chas Licciardello who was dressed as Osama bin Laden. The President of the United States George W. Bush meets with the President of China Hu Jintao with Bush accepting an invitation to attend the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Fiji reintroduces martial law.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau criticised in new book "Brian Mulroney: Memoirs 1939-1993"
Written in his new book "Brian Mulroney: Memoirs 1939-1993", a 1,100-page to-be-released book, former Progressive-Conservative Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who was PM of Canada from 1984 to 1993, has revealed in his book that he called former Liberal Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau a "coward" and criticised his decisions on the Meech Lake Accord, questions Trudeau's moral leadership, his refusal to fight against Nazis, his admiration for leaders such as Adolf Hitler, anti-Semitic and anti-immigration views, and his belief in the independence of Quebec.

According to the Canadian Press, Mulroney was quoted saying after Trudeau died that he was "an exceptional individual who served his country effectively and well . . . a gallant political warrior who loved his country."

In his book, one quote says "Pierre Trudeau, Captain Canada? I think not." Another quote says Trudeau was "opposed to enlightened policies designed to wipe out the curse of Nazism."

"'Bunglers', 'cowards', 'snivelers' -- Trudeau knew whereof he spoke," Mulroney also writes.

The book not only criticises Trudeau, but former Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chretien and former Quebec premier Lucien Bouchard.

The book hits stores next Monday. A 90-minute special television interview conducted by news anchor Lloyd Robertson entitled "Triumph & Treachery: The Brian Mulroney Story" will air on Sunday night on CTV. [1] Quebec French-language channel TVA will air a version in french.

"This is a Brian Mulroney Canadians have never seen before," a news release written by Robertson said. "He opens up and shares intimate details about world leaders such as Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Nelson Mandela. He also lashes out at his political opponents and deals with the controversies that have followed him through the years."

Trudeau, who died in 2000 at the age of 80 from Parkison's disease, was prime minister of Canada from 1968 to 1984. He is considered the most well-recognised prime minster and particularly popular with many in Canada.

Trudeau and Mulroney are both from Quebec.

Liberal leader Stephanie Dion and many others rebucked Mulroney for his comments.

"While Mr. Mulroney's track record in politics may indeed explain his frustrations with Prime Minister Trudeau, they do not qualify him as a historian," Dion fought back. "If Mr. Mulroney wanted to fight with Mr. Trudeau when he was alive, that's one thing. But Mr. Trudeau is not there any more and Mr. Mulroney should respect the man and respect what he did for the country and for the world."

"I wasn't angry when I read it; I was just kind of sorry for him," said Tom Axworthy, Trudeau's principal secretary. "I just think it's sad that this former prime minister (Mulroney) is still so consumed by his predecessor that he's spending time attacking a man who's dead rather than talking about his own accomplishments. I'm sorry that he still obviously feels so threatened by the achievements of Trudeau."

Trudeau's sons, Justin, a Liberal candidate for a Quebec riding, and Alexandre, a journalist, have not yet commented.

In 2005, secret recordings taped by German-born arms dealer Karlheinz Schreiber of his conversations with Mulroney, 68, were released in a book. In them, Mulroney made hard statments and used bad-language. Schreiber said he paid Mulroney CAN$300,000 ($285,000) during the ongoing Airbus affair. They are currently in a legal battle.

Police called to investigate after tenant draws swastikas in landlords house
82-year-old Jewish Bowmanville, Ontario woman Ms. Marion Schwarz's house has been found vandalised with graffiti showing neo-Nazism expressions, as well as swastikas. Broken windows and walls were found ripped open.

The terms "Kike", "Fuck Jews," and "White Power" were graffitied in white around the house, as well as a large green swastika.

The woman's husband Mr. Allan Schwarz, a Holocaust survivor, was returning home to their house on King Street East, the town's centre, to bring home a present for their 40th wedding anniversary when he found the house not the way he left it.

Bought to start an antique store, the Schwarz's rented it out instead. Ten years ago their tenant started to rent the house, just five months ago he stopped paying rent saying he was on welfare. Ms. Schwarz offered to lower his rent. He vandalised and fled from the house on Tuesday morning, the day he was to be evicted. She was accompanied by her son Alan, two police officers, and a locksmith.

"I don't know what happened to him ... Up until the last while, I never had a day's trouble with him. He was friendly," Ms. Schwarz said.

Durham Regional Police are now investigating what they refer to as an "incident", and what lobby group B'nai Brith Canada has argued constitutes a "hate crime"

"A swastika on its own, as per the Criminal Code of Canada, is not a hate crime," said Sgt. Paul McCurbin. "It doesn't have the proper components to be considered a hate crime. For example, if I said that I was going to kill a race of people or we should kill a race of people, that would be considered a hate crime."

A local neighbour, who asked not to be named, swept glass from the broken windows off the sidewalk, worried that dogs could cut their feet. She said the tenants were private people.

Mr. Schwarz fled from Germany to Canada in 1938. Marion, a Toronto native, and her husband moved to Bowmanville to start a new life.

"In 1938, we found safe haven in Bowmanville," said her son Alan. "It was wonderful place to settle and my parents have been here basically for 70 years. They never anticipated ever facing the same kind of symbolism they had to leave Germany for."

The investigation still continues. The tenant's name has not been released.

Major League Baseball roundup: September 6, 2007
Tigers hit another walkoff single to win

Tigers 3, White Sox 2: After winning on Wednesday with a walkoff single in the 11th inning, the Tigers overcame a 2-1 deficit in the bottom of the 9th inning with two RBI singles to win, 3-2. Pinch hitter Sean Casey drove in the tying run off a one-out single, and Omar Infante, who came in to pinch run for Casey, scored off a two-run single by Placido Polanco. For the second game in a row, Bobby Seay (3-0) pitched one hitless inning for the win, while Bobby Jenks (3-5) got the loss, giving up two runs and receiving his sixth blown save, his first since July 17. The Tigers (75-65) trail the Indians by 6.5 games, pending the results of the Indians-Angels game, and trail the Yankees by 3 games in the AL Wild Card race.

Other games

Dodgers 7, Cubs 4: Alfonso Soriano hit two homers and drove in all four Cubs runs, but the Dodgers scored one run in the eighth inning and four in the ninth inning, dropping the Cubs into a tie with the Brewers in the NL Central. Andre Ethier hit a pinch-hit three-run homer (11) to win the game for the Dodgers. Joe Beimel (4-1) picked up the win, pitching 1 2/3 perfect innings. Ryan Dempster (2-5) got the loss, giving up four runs in 2/3 inning for his third blown save. Takashi Saito picked up his 37th save in a perfect ninth inning. The Cubs (71-68) next face the Pirates, while the Brewers play the Reds. The Dodgers, meanwhile, trail the Diamondbacks by 3.5 games in the NL West, and trail the Padres by 2.5 games in the NL Wild Card race.

Cardinals 16, Pirates 4: Rick Ankiel led the Cardinals, going 3-4 with seven RBI and four runs, including a three-run and a two-run homer (8, 9), and a two-run double. The game was called due to rain in the ninth inning. Kelvin Jimenez (2-0) picked up the win, pitching to just one batter (recording a strikeout). Bryan Bullington (0-1) got the loss, pitching 3 innings and giving up five runs. The Cardinals (69-68) are just one game back of the Cubs and the Brewers in the heated NL Central race.

Games not completed

Bot 3rd: Red Sox 2, Orioles 1: The Orioles' only run came off a Miguel Tejada 1st inning RBI single, while the Red Sox scored two runs in the 3rd, off an RBI single by Julio Lugo and an RBI groundout by David Ortiz.

Indians at Angels, 10:05 p.m. Scheduled pitching matchup: Paul Byrd vs. Kelvim Escobar.

Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti dies at age 71
World-famous opera singer Luciano Pavarotti died early Thursday morning, according to a message from his manager. On August 10, Pavarotti, 71, was admitted to Modena University Polyclinic in Modena, Italy because of a high fever. The cause of the fever was unknown, however some reports stated that he was being treated for pneumonia.

"The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life. In fitting with the approach that characterised his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness," said Terri Robson, Pavarotti's manager in a statement to the press.

Pavarotti had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, and in July of 2006 he underwent surgery to remove a cancerous mass. According to Nicoletta Mantovani, Pavarotti's wife, he had also been receiving radiation treatments.

Pavarotti's death came only one day after becoming the first recipient of the new "Excellence in Italian Culture Award" from the Italian government, the Italian Culture Ministry reported on Tuesday evening. The tenor received the award for promoting Italian culture abroad and within Italy itself. The opera house where he performed for the first time 40 years ago, the La Scala opera house in Milan, stated it will organise a singing contest in honour of the Italian tenor.

Belgian triathletes race at North Sea coast
Yesterday, the 2007 edition of the Zwintriathlon took place. This short course Triathlon starts in the canal in Sluis, the Netherlands, where the athletes swim 1000 metres. Then the 41 kilometres cycling part of the race goes through the nature domain Het Zwin, to the city of Knokke in Belgium, where the athletes had 10 kilometres of running on the seawall ahead of them. The finish was at the casino in Knokke.

In the Men's race, Stijn Goris surprisingly beat living legend Luc Van Lierde and Rutger Beke, known for being acquitted from allegations that he had used EPO. Goris, the leader in the overall ranking in the Olympic distance, could just follow Luc Van Lierde during the swimming part. He completed the cycling race together with Van Lierde, but had better legs during the footrace. Number four was Bart Aernouts, a duathlete champion who increasingly focuses on triathlon. Young talents Marc Geerts and Lander Dirken followed, before Frederik Van Lierde and Koen Hoeyberghs, who won the competition in the age group of 40 years and older (40+).

Kristien Vleugels was the first female athlete, before Knokke's local favourite and category 40+ athlete Françoise Wellekens. Another favourite, Joke Coysman, stopped her race after fainting during the running section. Sofie Goos followed, while Marjolein Truyers managed to keep her advantage before Inge Vancauwenberghe and Anne-Marie Dupont. The winners from each race took home €2500.

Almost 1000 athletes came to Knokke for the triathlon, professional and recreational, men and woman, and also hand-bike athletes. A typical element of this triathlon is the fact that some competitors finish the race in a costume. Among these, Spiderman was the first to cross the finish line. Other characters came from the Belgian comic albums of Tintin, from the fairy tale Peter Pan, there was a Roman soldier, a Tarzan look-a-like, a Chiquita Banana, and more.

Australian TV show The Chaser breaches APEC security; 11 charged
Eight cast and crew members of the Australian television show The Chaser successfully breached the security surrounding the APEC sumit meeting in Sydney, Australia.

Using a cavalcade of three cars and two motorcycles branded with the Canadian Flag, the crew passed through two security check points before being stopped outside the InterContinental Hotel where United States President George W Bush was staying.

Eleven people have been charged over the incident, the eight cast and crew members and the three drivers. Comedian and cast member Chas Licciardello was dressed up as Osama bin Laden during the event.

All 11 have been bailed to appear in court on October 4, 2007.

New South Wales minister for police denied that the security services had been embarrassed by the event. A police statement said that the shows producers had been cautioned a week beforehand about trying any stunts during the APEC meetings.

The Chaser had tried unsuccessfully yesterday to breach security when they dressed up as a NSW Police horse.

On April 25, 2007 The Chaser successfully asked Jimbo Wales 10 questions during his visit to Sydney as a part of a segment for The Chaser's War on Everything series.

Major League Baseball roundup: September 5, 2007
Tigers win in 11 innings

Tigers 2, White Sox 1, 11 inn: Timo Perez hit a walk-off single in the 11th inning to win the game for Detroit, a key win for the Tigers as they try to stay in the AL Wild Card race. Tigers' reliever Bobby Seay (2-0) pitched a hitless 11th inning for the win, while Heath Phillips (0-1) gave up two hits and one run in 2/3 inning for the loss. Tigers starter Kenny Rogers returned from the disabled list, giving up two hits and one run in five innings of work. The Tigers (74-65) remain 3.5 games behind the Yankees in the race, but gained a game on the Mariners, who lost to the Yankees on Wednesday.

Other games

Diamondbacks 9, Padres 6: The Diamondbacks win two out of three against the Padres, taking a 1 game lead in the NL West. Chris Young hit a three-run double to break a 5-5 tie for the Diamondbacks, and Miguel Montero hit two solo homers (9, 10). Livan Hernandez (10-9) pitched five innings, giving up five runs for the win. Padres ace Jake Peavy (16-6) takes the loss, giving up eight runs in four innings. Jose Valverde picked up his 42nd save. The Diamondbacks (78-63) lead the Padres (76-63) by a game in the NL West; the Padres lead the Dodgers and the Phillies by 3 games in the NL Wild Card race.

Blue Jays 6, Red Sox 4: Jason Varitek hit a two-run homer (13) to take the lead for the Red Sox, but Troy Glaus responded with a solo homer (20) to tie the game again, and Vernon Wells hit the game-winning two-run homer (16) in the 9th inning. Jeremy Accardo (4-3) pitched the last 1 2/3 hitless innings for the win, while Hideki Okajima (3-2) got the loss. The Red Sox lead the Yankees by 6 games in the AL East.

Yankees 10, Mariners 2: In an eight-run 7th inning, Alex Rodriguez hit his league-leading 47th and 48th homers. Joba Chamberlain (1-0) got the win, pitching a perfect 7th inning, while Jarrod Washburn (9-13) pitched 6+ innings, giving up three runs (two earned) for the loss. The Yankees (78-62) lead the Mariners (74-64) by 3 games in the AL Wild Card race.

Athletics 6, Angels 2: Mark Ellis had 4 RBI, including a three-run homer (17) to start the scoring for the A's, and Donnie Murphy went 3-4 with a solo homer (5) and an RBI single. Joe Blanton (12-9) pitched eight innings, giving up two runs and six hits for the win, while the Angels' Joe Saunders (7-3) pitched 6+ innings, allowing four runs and seven hits for the loss. The Angels (82-57) lead the AL West by 7.5 games.

Indians 6, Twins 2: Victor Martinez hit a two-run double in the 1st inning to score what would turn out to be the winning runs. Fausto Carmona (15-8) pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing two runs for the win. Scott Baker (8-7) pitched 5 innings, giving up eleven hits and three runs for the loss. The Indians (81-58) lead the AL Central by 7 games.

Cubs 8, Dodgers 2: Mark DeRosa went 3-4, with a two-run single and two runs, and Aramis Ramirez hit a two-run homer (20) for the Cubs. Ted Lilly (14-7) pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and six hits for the win, while Eric Stults (1-3) pitched 4 2/3 innings, giving up four runs (three earned) for the loss. The Cubs (71-67) lead the NL Central by a half-game over the Brewers, and 2 games over the Cardinals. The Dodgers (73-66) trail the Padres by 3 games in the NL Wild Card race.

Brewers 14, Astros 2: Brewers' 3-4-5 hitters Ryan Braun (28), Prince Fielder (41), and Corey Hart (20) each hit three-run homers in the game. Yovani Gallardo (7-4) pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing six hits for the win, while Matt Albers (4-7) pitched three innings, giving up seven runs for the loss. The Brewers (71-68) trail the Cubs in the NL Central by a half-game.

Pirates 8, Cardinals 2: Ronny Paulino hit a three-run homer, and Jack Wilson hit a three-run double for the Pirates. Rick Ankiel hit a two-run homer (7) for the Cardinals in the loss. Tony Armas pitched six innings, giving up two runs and five hits for the win. Matt Mulder pitched four innings, giving up six runs for the loss. The Cardinals (68-68) trail the Cubs in the NL Central by 2 games.

Reds 7, Mets 0: Edwin Encarnacion went 3-4, with two RBI and a run. The Mets were held to just three hits in the game, all singles. Tom Shearn (2-0) pitched six scoreless innings, allowing three hits for the win. John Maine (14-9) allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings for the loss. The Mets (78-61) lead the NL East by 5 games over the Phillies.

Braves 9, Phillies 8: The Braves scored four runs in the 8th inning and three runs in the 9th, led by Matt Diaz, who hit an RBI infield single in the eighth, and a three-run double to win the game. Rafael Soriano (3-3) picked up the win, while Brett Myers (3-6) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the loss, and his 2nd blown save of the year. The Phillies (73-66) trail the Mets by 5 games in the NL East, and trail the Padres by 3 games in the NL Wild Card.

Giants 5, Rockies 3: Barry Bonds hit a two-run homer (28, 762nd career), and Pedro Feliz went 3-4 with a solo homer (18) and an RBI triple. The Rockies scored two in the bottom of the 9th off a Troy Tulowitzki single, but were not able to score again. Kevin Correia (4-6) pitched six innings, giving up six hits and one run for the win. Ubaldo Jimenez (3-3) pitched five innings, giving up three runs and getting the loss. Brad Hennessey pitched 2/3 inning, giving up one hit for his 18th save. The Rockies (72-67) trail the Diamondbacks by 5 games in the NL West, and they trail the Padres by 4 games in the NL Wild Card.

Nationals 6, Marlins 4: Austin Kearns went 3-4 with three runs and a solo homer (13), scoring the winning run in the 7th inning. Nationals pitcher Luis Ayala (1-2) got the win, pitching a perfect seventh inning, while Matt Lindstrom got the loss, giving up two runs in 2/3 inning. Chad Cordero picked up the save, giving up a hit and striking out the side in the 9th.

Devil Rays 17, Orioles 2: Carlos Pena had 7 RBI and four runs, going 2-3 with two home runs (36, 37), a grand slam in the 4th and a two-run shot in the 6th, and a sacrifice fly. Andy Sonnanstine pitched 6 innings, giving up two runs for the win. Radhames Liz pitched just 1 2/3 innings, giving up four runs for the loss.

Rangers 3, Royals 2: Rangers' designated hitter Hank Blalock went 2-3, with an RBI double, and the game-winning RBI single in the 6th inning. Vicente Padilla (5-9) pitched six innings of two-hit, scoreless ball for the win, while Kyle Davies (2-4) gave up two runs (one earned) and three hits in five innings for the loss. Joaquin Benoit pitched a perfect 9th for his third save on the season.

Ousted PM Thaksin bemoans freezing of Swiss assets
Following on from the seizure of US$1.5 billion in former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai bank accounts, the ousted PM is claiming assets in Swiss bank accounts have been frozen.

When queried, the Swiss embassy in Bangkok said that there had been no request for an asset freeze, and that such action would only take place in the event of a successful prosecution.

Thaskin was removed from power in September, 2006 by Thailand's military in a bloodless coup and was accused of corruption. Aside from having his Thai accounts frozen, Thaskin is the subject of arrest warrants in Thailand for "official misconduct"; charges that he denies. "Neither my family nor I has done anything illegal," Thaskin said in a newspaper interview. "It is defamation."

On the reputation of Swiss banking discretion, Thaskin was critical. "Good old bank secrecy is no more," he commented. "Absolute discretion is a thing of the past."

The ex-premier currently resides in the United Kingdom where he has purchased Manchester City football club for £81 million.

Today in History
1191 – Third Crusade: Forces under Richard I of England defeated Ayyubid troops under Saladin at the Battle of Arsuf in Arsuf, present-day Israel.

1901 – With Peking occupied by foreign troops from the Eight-Nation Alliance, Qing China was forced to sign the Boxer Protocol, an unequal treaty ending the Boxer Rebellion.

1940 – World War II: The German Luftwaffe changed their strategy in the Battle of Britain and began bombing London and other British cities and towns for 57 consecutive nights.

1977 – Panamanian de facto leader Omar Torrijos and U.S. President Jimmy Carter signed the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, agreeing that the United States would transfer control of the Panama Canal to Panama at the end of the 20th century. The transfer eventually took place on December 31, 1999.

September 07 is 200th Anniversary of the birth of Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (b. 1807), Independence Day in Brazil (1822).

Quote of the Day

Why not be oneself? That is the whole secret of a successful appearance. If one is a greyhound, why try to look like a Pekingese?

~ Edith Sitwell

Word of the Day

haggard; adj

Looking exhausted and unwell.

Wild, untamed.

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