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Al-Qaeda threaten to kill British Prince Harry in Iraq British newspaper The Sun reports that Al-Qaeda members have issued a prominent threat on a website to kidnap or kill Britain's Prince Harry when he is sent out to Iraq in May on his first tour of duty in the British Army. Iranian president and Saudi king agree to fight sectarian strife Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met King Abdullah to discuss the region's growing political and sectarian conflicts, agreeing to stand against "enemy plots" that divide the Muslim world.

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Operation to capture rebel leader surges violence in East Timor Several conflicts involving civilians occurred in East Timor at the same time that Australian-led peacekeeping troops stormed a town where a rebel former army officer and his men have been under siege.

Wikipedia Current Events
Andrus Ansip's Reform Party wins 27% of the vote raising its mandate in the Riigikogu to 31 seats from 19. Approximately 30,000 voters take advantage of electronic voting, becoming the first nationwide election where part of the votecasting was allowed via the Internet. Abkhazian parliamentary election, 2007: Separatists in the breakaway Georgian republic of Abkhazia hold elections. The Government of Georgia claims that the elections are not legitimate. Sunil Kumar Mahato, an Indian member of parliament from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, is killed by suspected Maoist rebels while watching football in Jharkand. China raises its defense budget by 17.8 percent, while cutting the budget deficit to 1.1 percent of GDP. A memorial service is held at St Mary's Church in Dover, United Kingdom, to mark the 20th anniversary of the Zeebrugge ferry disaster. U.S. troops open fire after a suicide bomb attack on a convoy and kill 8 or more civilians on the main road linking Jalalabad with the Pakistan border. Local people protest at the soldiers' actions. Two British soldiers serving with the NATO International Security Assistance Force force are killed in Helmand province during clashes with Taliban forces. Australian troops enter the town of Same in East Timor where fugitive East Timorese army officer Alfredo Reinado was located with orders to arrest Reinado from the President of East Timor Xanana Gusmão. Reinado evades capture but four of his men are killed.

NCAA Basketball: Championship week continues through Sunday
The NCAA's two-week slate of conference championships continues through Sunday, March 11. Twenty-five conferences will hold their championship games this week, cementing the postseason destinies of schools headed to the national tournament. Wikinews is here to cover all of the conference tournament action up through the unveiling of the 65-team national tournament bracket at 6:00pm EDT (2300 UTC) on March 11.

Sunday, March 4, 2007

The week kicked off with the Missouri Valley Conference championship. The Southern Illinois Salukis took on the Creighton Bluejays for the right to guarantee a trip to the national tournament. While nationally-ranked SIU was heavily favored and had defeated Creighton twice during the regular season, the Salukis had no answer for the Bluejays attack. Creighton led by as many as 14 points, and while SIU was able to cut the deficit to five in the waning minutes, Creighton's free throw shooting allowed them to ride the lead to a victory.

Monday, March 5, 2007

The first game on March 5th featured the Virginia Commonwealth Rams taking on the George Mason Patriots. GMU, coming off a trip to the national semifinals last year, simply ran out of steam as VCU used a 12-2 run in the final 90 seconds of the game to finish off the Patriots, 68-58. With GMU leading by 5 points with just under 1:30 remaining, VCU scored 6 straight points to take the lead. Off a miss by GMU, Eric Maynor of VCU brought down the rebound and drew an intentional foul that would all but seal the win for the Rams. VCU's overall record now stands at 27-6.

In the MAAC final, Niagara University got 26 points from Tyrone Lewis and 21 from Lorenzo Miles as the Purple Eagles defeated Siena University 83-79. Niagara returns to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2004.

Out west, the Gonzaga Bulldogs wrapped up their fourth straight West Coast Conference tournament championship with a 77-68 win over Santa Clara. The Broncos' loss marked the final game for Santa Clara coach Dick Davey, who announced his retirement on February 1st. Gonzaga will be making its ninth straight trip to the NCAA tournament.

Tuesday's action will include three conference finals: The Horizon League, the Mid-Continent Conference, and the Sun Belt Conference.

Sinkhole swallows twelve houses in Guatemala
A huge sinkhole in the earth swallowed about a dozen houses in a poor neighborhood of the capital of Guatemala. Three people died when the 330-ft-deep hole opened up on February 23. The police decided to evacuate some 1,000 people in the Guatemala City neighborhood.

The bodies of Domingo Irma and David Soyos were recovered from the hole and surrounding sewage water.

Officials speaking to the AP blamed recent rains and a ruptured sewage main for the massive hole.

West Ham rocked by stoppage time goal
Tottenham Hotspur travelled to Upton Park earlier today to face West Ham United, currently the bottom team in the table. West Ham were 10 points adrift of relegation safety at kickoff, and desperately needed points to secure a stay in the Premiership for next season. Tottenham on the other hand have been enjoying a good run of play as of late, and had a chance to jump above Portsmouth into 8th position in the Premiership.

West Ham started strongly in the match, desperately trying to bring the game to Tottenham with the support of their home fans urging them on. West Ham's first effort came in the second minute, but keeper Paul Robinson was able to beat away the shot of Mark Noble. Things took a downturn for the Hammers several minutes later, when Matthew Upson was forced off the pitch after aggravating a calf injury, and was replaced by Calum Davenport. Dimitar Berbatov then had two great chances for Tottenham, as he went one on one with keeper Robert Green, but Green was able to stop the Bulgarians attempts both times. West Ham continued to press, and were rewarded with a goal on 16 minutes. Paul Konchesky's pass was chested down by Argentinian Carlos Tevez, and Mark Noble half-volleyed the ball into the back of the net. Tottenham nearly got an equilizer only minutes later after a defensive error by West Ham, but Berbatov's shot was again saved by Green. More chances came for both sides in the forms of Defoe for Tottenham and Harewood for West Ham, but the next goal would come through the young Carlos Tevez. Michael Dawson fouled the Argintinian on the outside of the 18 yard box, and Tevez curved the ensuing free kick in under the crossbar. The goal was Teves' first since joining West Ham at the beginning of the season. He was booked for his goal celebration as he ripped off his shirt and ran into a group of cheering fans.

Tottenham made a change to start the second half, substituting Tom Huddlestone for Hossam Ghaly, and Huddlestones prescence helped Tottenham to control the midfield. They used their control to its potential, and Aaron Lennon was able to earn a penalty after being brought down by Lee Bowyer in the area. Jermain Defoe stepped up and slotted the ball past Green to cut the Hammers lead in half. Spurs continued to press for an equilizer, and got it in the 63 minute as Lennon flicked a Berbatov cross into the path of Tainio, and the Finnish international volleyed the ball past Green. The tying goal seemed to wake West Ham up, and Bobby Zamora and Keppa Blanco were added to the mix to try and save the 3 points for the home side. West Ham got their goal, and Tevez was involved again as his cross was headed home by substitute Zamora. As 90 minutes approached, Tottenham won a free kick on the edge of the box, and Dimitar Berbatov stepped up to the plate. Several of Berbatov's attempts had been blocked by keeper Green already, but he would not be denied this time as he curled the ball into the top left corner, leaving the goalie helpless. Tevez again threatened Tottenhams goal, but his shot flew just wide. West Ham would be left to rue their missed chances when Defoe's shot was parried by Green, but the ball was tapped in by Canadian Paul Stalteri, giving the visitors their first lead of the game, and soon earning them all 3 points. The goal came just over 5 minutes into stoppage time, and there was no chance left for West Ham to equilize.

West Ham will continue their battle to stay in the Premiership in two weeks time against Blackburn, while Tottenham is due for an UEFA cup battle against Braga.

Kraft Canada recalls cookies after reports of 'sharp metal objects' baked into the cookies
On March 2, 2007, Kraft Canada Inc. (Kraft) issued an alert to news media requesting the recall of a brand of cookies manufactured in their Toronto, Ontario plant.

The news release indicates that certain packages of Christie Chewy Chunks Ahoy! cookies may have been tampered with. Kraft had received 2 complaints from consumers that small, sharp metal objects had been found in the cookies.

The product had been distributed to stores in Quebec, Ontario, and to a Wal-Mart in Labrador City, in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Kraft indicated that no other Christie products are affected by the recall.

Kraft is undertaking an internal investigation and has referred the case to police, although they suggest that there have been no serious injuries associated with consumption of the product.

According to spokesperson Lynne Galia, Kraft is treating the case as suspected tampering, as "the material found in the cookies is not found in our plant."

The police investigation is in early stages, with accidental contamination or intentional tampering both being given consideration.

The product recall affects the following packages of Christie Chewy Chunks Ahoy!:

Package Date: 2007 JL30 KT16, Size: 325 g, UPC: 0 6672101602 7

Package Date: 2007 JL30 KT26, Size: 325 g, UPC: 0 6672101602 7

Package Date: 2007 JL31 KT36, Size: 325 g, UPC: 0 6672101602 7

Package Date: 2007 JL31 KT16, Size: 325 g, UPC: 0 6672101602 7

Package Date: 2007 JL31 KT26, Size: 325 g, UPC: 0 6672101602 7

For more information, consumers and industry are encouraged to call 1-800-310-3704

Operation to capture rebel leader surges violence in East Timor
Several conflicts involving civilians occurred in East Timor at the same time that Australian-led peacekeeping troops stormed a town where a rebel former army officer and his men have been under siege.

The Australian soldiers, supported by helicopters and armored vehicles, stormed the town of Same, 50km south of the capital Dili, at dawn.

Four armed East Timorese men were killed and two others injured during the operation, but their leader, Major Alfredo Reinado, escaped the troops.

The operation was authorised by East Timor's president, Xanana Gusmão, after Reinado refused to negotiate.

The Major was directly involved in the clashes with the government forces last May, and was later jailed by Portuguese troops for having in his possession dozens of weapons and explosives that he hadn't handed over to the Australian troops in charge of disarming the rebels. Reinado escaped during a mass breakout from a Dili jail last August.

After the Australian-led operation started, many conflicts occurred simultaneously in different parts of Dili, with roads being barricaded and cut off by burning tires, rocks and trees. Many houses and vehicles were also burned, as violence between rival groups started on the streets.

The Vila Verde neighborhood, right in the center of Dili, was one of the most affected, with facilities of the Education Ministry being engulfed by a fire until the morning.

Benjamin Marty, finance manager for the Norwegian Council for Refugees in East Timor, has his house and office in Vila Verde, in the same street that connects the Portuguese Corporation Neighborhood to the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) headquarters.

"I didn't get too worried when a saw a group of people starting to hit the gate, but I called my boss, that said me to stay calm." Bryn Bithell-Marty said.

"Ten minutes later, I see the GNR arrive and starting to fire rubber bullets to the right and to the left" of the street, Marty remembered.

"They called and asked me to open the gate, but initially I didn't understood what they wanted, because I don't speak Portuguese. Just in some minutes, I was inside a armored vehicle, and we got out of there at the same speed that they had arrived, deviating from the barricades with a lot of skill", Marty added.

Benjamin Marty said he was "surprised with the professionalism" with which the Portuguese Republican National Guard (GNR) acted, but he was discontented with members of the United Nations Police (UNPol).

"There's UNPol near my house, the patrol cars were always stopped and the police agents didn't do anything», Marty said, adding that the UNPol agents also didn't react "hours early when some people started to burn tires and hitting metal to call other people to the street".

The clashes in Taibessi, Pité neighbourhood, and at the entrance of the UNMIT headquarters were the most severe, involving firearms in some locations.

In Banana Road, one of the main roads that crosses the city, a group of teenagers guarded a poster of Alfredo Reinado.

"We are the defenders of Major Alfredo, hero of the justice. We are ready to die to defend him", said one of them.

In the streets of Taibessi since some days ago that the illumination posts and some trees have posters and banners of Alfredo Reinado.

As a response to the successive attacks by a group on the Pité neighborhood, 15 Portuguese Public Security Police (PSP) officers, organized themselves without orders from the UNPol, and for three hours the 15 officers faced the attacks.

Later back at the GNR headquarters, Benjamin Marty, found himself even more surprised. "Do you know how the Asterix and Obelix stories end?" he said. On the GNR headquarters there wasn't a party with roasted boars, like in the Gaul village, "but there was a cow in the skewer", he added.

All of the three GNR operational platoons then left their monthly festivity to the streets of Dili, for a operation that lasted seven hours.

Three babies dead within one week at Madrid Hospital
A Spanish hospital reported today that three premature babies have died within one week from the same infection. The babies, who were being cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit of Madrid's 12 de Octubre Hospital, all died after being infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterium. Authorities also suspect that a fourth baby has become infected with the bacterium. The Spanish patients' association ADEPA has asked the public prosecutor of the Madrid Region, Manuel Moix, to open an investigation into the matter.

This morning, hospital authorities stated that the first death occurred on 26 February. A baby born eight weeks prematurely and weighing just under one kilo died due to septic shock arising from the infection, which was unconnected with the symptoms of his premature birth, according to hospital reports.

Shortly afterwards, two babies in the same unit died on 2 March. They appear to have died from the same infection; however the hospital stated that they are still waiting for confirmation of the cause of death. A fourth baby has been found to have the bacteria on his skin, but as yet there is no confirmation of whether he has been infected. The hospital states that although the baby is in a serious condition, this is to be expected when a baby is born so premature, and that his condition is also due to other factors, unrelated to the bacterium, which have arisen since his birth.

The hospital authorities have asserted that all of the babies in its care are under close supervision, and are being periodically monitored by the Preventive Medicine Centre, in order that the most up-to-date information may be had on the state of any and all patients in the hospital.

To prevent further infections, the hospital has taken several measures. The first is of course rigorous medical hygiene. High-risk patients are referred to other hospitals. The hospital has been divided into two separate zones, one for those already infected and the other for those who have not yet been affected. As a consequence, 25 children who were staying in the hospital while the 3 premature babies died, remain separate from the others, to make sure newly admitted children are not exposed. The nursing staff has also been restricted to one or other of these two areas. Visits from specialists of other hospital services, and from families, has been restricted. Furthermore, an epidemiological study is being undertaken to determine the origin of the situation.

The newspaper El País reports that the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae is to be found in hospitals as a matter of course and is often contracted by those who have been in hospital for prolonged periods (termed a nosocomial infection). The mortality rate from the bacterium is extremely high in those cases where it's contracted by people with serious illnesses, as is often to be expected in the case of a premature birth, which can result in newborn babies weighing less than 500 grammes.

According to the Spanish daily, this type of bacterium is prevalent in hospitals throughout the world, but the incidence of infection in Madrid hospitals is lower than the Spanish average. The head of the Neonatal Unit at 12 de Octubre Hospital, Carmen Payás, explained that the bacterium is very adaptable "and keeps on learning". The father of the dead baby, an Ecuadorian named Angel Marcelo, was quoted as saying that the progress of the baby had at first been "tremendous", and that he had even been taken off the respirator, but that a few days later he began to cough up blood, dying soon afterwards.

The chair of ADEPA, Carmen Flores, has appealed to the Madrid public prosecutor to open an investigation into the situation and to find those responsible. ADEPA have suggested that the investigation centre on the number of casualties among infants in the hospital, and on the question of whether conditions in the neonatal unit were a direct contributor to the incidence of the infection.

José Quero, head of the Neonatology Department of the La Paz hospital in Madrid said that, "sadly enough", this situation was "not something exceptional," but rather something neonatologists have to watch out for.

Microsoft wins case against Alcatel
A week after having been ordered to pay a one-and-a-half-billion dollar fine by courts in the United States, El Mundo reports today that Microsoft has won a case brought by Alcatel-Lucent against Microsoft involving the violation of patents on voice-recognition technology.

Alcatel-Lucent's spokesman said that the company planned to appeal against the verdict by a federal judge in San Diego, California, and were confident of victory on appeal.

On the other hand, Tom Burt, a member of Microsoft's legal team, said that Microsoft were confident that the appeal court would uphold the verdict of the trial court.

Last week, a jury in the San Diego federal court upheld a complaint against Microsoft for the violation of patents on the MP3 format, used on computers and portable media players. Sources said that the $1.5bn fine, the largest ever awarded in a patent case, took into account the number of computers sold pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows operating system since May 2003.

The verdict - which Microsoft has confirmed it intends to appeal - could have implications far beyond Microsoft's Redmond, WA headquarters, due to the high volume of devices which use the MP3 format; the format is the most popular method of storing digital music on portable music players, etc.

Bloggers sued by pro-government Malaysian newspaper
Pioneer Malaysian bloggers Ahiruddin Attan and Jeff Ooi have been sued for defamation by a leading Malaysian newspaper, The New Straits Times. They are alleged to have defamed top executives of the English daily. The case marks the first time bloggers have been sued for libel in the country.

The oldest newspaper group in Malaysia is owned by the Media Prima group, which is in turn owned by the United Malays National Organization, the leading party in the government.

Malaysia has strict media laws but they function less effectively on newer forms of electronic media. Leading members of the ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional (the National Front) have suggested making amendments to its media laws, such as to punish bloggers who publish materials that are deemed controversial and "anti-government".

Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang expressed concerns that the action will have a chilling effect on popular blogs that have expressed discontent with the incumbent administration.

Iranian president and Saudi king agree to fight sectarian strife
In his first official visit to Saudi Arabia, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met King Abdullah to discuss the region's growing political and sectarian conflicts, agreeing to stand against "enemy plots" that divide the Muslim world.

Both leaders have expressed concern over sectarian tensions in Iraq, fearing they could spread through the Middle East.

According to an account of Sunday's meeting in Riyadh by the Saudi Press Agency, "The two leaders asserted that the greatest danger threatening the Muslim nation at the present time is the attempt to spread strife between Sunni and Shia Muslims and that efforts should be exerted to stop such attempts and close ranks."

Iran is a large Shia power in the region and Saudi Arabia a large Sunni power. The Saudis have tried in recent months to curb the growing influence of Iran, even working to cool off tensions in Lebanon, where the Iran-backed Hezbollah has faced off with the secular Lebanese government.

After returning to Tehran, Ahmadinejad said, "Plots carried out by the enemies in order to divide the world of Islam were discussed" and both men condemned those plots. He also said Iraq and Palestinian issues were discussed "comprehensively."

Today in History
1770 - Boston Massacre: The pelting of British soldiers with snowballs during a military occupation soon escalated into a riot in Boston.

1872 - George Westinghouse patented the air brake for trains to stop more reliably.

1918 - Bolshevist Russia moved its capital from Petrograd to Moscow.

1946 - Winston Churchill used the term "Iron Curtain" in a speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, USA.

1970 - The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty entered into force.

March 05 is Casimir Pulaski Day in Illinois (2007).

Quote of the Day

I've always wanted to make the world a more rational place. I'm still working on it. ~ Penn Jillette.

Word of the Day

weird; adj

Strange, unusual, bizarre.

Having supernatural powers over human destiny

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