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Strong earthquake in Sumatra Two earthquakes, measuring 6.3 and 6.0 on the Richter scale struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra within the space of two hours, killing at-least 70 people. The death toll may rise as a large number of buildings were destroyed and survivors are still being searched for. 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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Research In Motion chairman resigns position Jim Balsillie has resigned as chairman of RIM, the maker of the Blackberry wireless handheld device, over irregularities in the company's accounting of stock options.

Wikipedia Current Events
Two attacks on U.S. forces north of Baghdad kill nine soldiers. Two suicide bombers in a crowd of pilgrims in Al Hillah kill at least 115 people and wound 150. Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing criticises President of Taiwan Chen Shui-bian for making calls for independence. United States v. Libby: Former Bush administration aide Lewis Libby is found guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice. The United States Congress opens hearings into the dismissal of eight U.S. Attorneys, probing whether the Bush Administration had political motives for ousting the federal prosecutors. Heavy security operations begin in Bogotá, Colombia, for the visit of U.S. President Bush on March 11. Security forces expect protests on Wednesday. Japanese news agency Kyodo News reports that Empress Michiko is suffering from internal bleeding. NATO-led forces launch Operation Achilles against the Taliban in Helmand province. Two earthquakes measuring 6.6 and 6.1 on the Richter scale hit Sumatra in Indonesia, with the epicenter near Lake Singkarak. At least 82 fatalities are currently reported. The earthquakes were felt as far as in Malaysia and Singapore. India and Pakistan hold a meeting in Islamabad to discuss joint actions against terrorism with discussion focussing on the Samjhauta Express bombings. Celebrations in Ghana mark the fiftieth anniversary of its independence.

Microsoft faults Google on its copyright protection practices
Microsoft started attacking Google on copyright. The officials from the software giant state that number one search engine takes a cavalier approach to what concerns copyright protection. The associate general counsel of Microsoft, Mr. Thomas Rubin, prepared a remark that he delivered to the Association of American Publishers. He argued that Google's idea to create a book search engine might come on publishers' expense.

Mr. Rubin criticized those companies that use the works of various publishers and not their own, stating that such companies make billions on the back of other people's content. He said that in distinction from Microsoft, Google feels comfortable to make a certain content searchable on-line and afterwards ask permission from the author. According to the associate general counsel of Microsoft, Google does not always ask permission and uses the copyright work until its author tells the company to stop.

In response to the accusations from Microsoft, the senior vice president for corporate development of Google said that Google performs legal actions. Whenever the company wanted to make certain content available on-line it always asked for permission. In such a way Google worked with several thousands publishing partners and recently made a partnership with BBC and N.B.A. to display videos on YouTube.

Barca eliminated in Champions League
Spanish giants Barcelona bowed out of the Champions League earlier today, even after defeating Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield. Barcelona was up against the wall from the get-go after loosing 2-1 in the first leg of the series. Due to the away goals Champions League rule (in the event of a tie after both games, all goals scored at the opposing teams home field count for two goals), Barcelona required at at least two goals to advance. Liverpool have been strong at home this season, loosing only one domestic league match this season at Anfield to rivals Manchester United. Liverpool featured one of their recent January signings in the match by the way of Alvaro Arbeloa, while Barcelona played their usual lineup including Ronaldinho and Deco.

Though Barca was the desperate team in the match, Liverpool were the more dominant side after the kickoff, as they used the support of their home crowd to boost them. After only 5 minutes, Steve Finnan crossed in a well placed ball to Bellamy, but the Wellshman wasnt able to head the ball into the open net. Riise, who scored the winning goal in the first leg, continued to threaten Barcelona with two of his trademark long-range shots. The first flew just wide, and the second was even closer as it hit off the crossbar. Another attack by Liverpool made Barcelona look shaky as Victor Valdes was force into a double save, first off Bellamy, then off Dirk Kuyt. He could get nowhere near a diving header by Riise on the same play, but defender Puyol was able to clear the ball off the line to keep Barcelonas hopes alive. Liverpool would hit the bar again several minutes later, after a poor clearing attempt by Valdes was handed straight to Sissoko, and he was unfortunate to see his first time shot bang off the bar and go safely over the net. In the whole of the first half, Barcelona were not able to strecth Liverpools keeper Jose Reina, as the Reds defence snuffed out all of Barca's offensive talent.

The second half started much as the first did, with Liverpool having a scoring chance within the minute. Captain Steven Gerrard made a run down the right side and crossed the ball into Kuyt, but the Dutchman missed the ball, and Bellamy wasnt expecting the ball to come to him as it flew safely through the area. Jose Reina was finally forced into a save on 50 minutes, but Ronaldinho's long range shot was easy pickings for the Spaniard. Ronaldinho would have another great chance minutes later as he made a quick run, exchange passes with Deco, and twisted past Jamie Carragher, only to see his side footed shot slam off the post. Barcelona continued to push, and a good save by Reina was required to keep youngster Lionel Messi from scoring. Barcelona's coash Frank Rikjarrd decided it was time for some changes and sent Giuly and Gudjohnsen into the mix. Gudjohnsen was used to playing against Liverpool after his years at Chelsea, and seemed to use it to his advantage as he recieved a pass from Xavi and slotted the ball home to give Barcelona sight of the next round. Ronaldinho then forced a save out of Reina, and Barcelona appeared to have regained their passing game, which caused the home fans to worry. Liverpool still played strongly, and Steven Gerrard was the main point of their inspiration winning a free kick, which was wasted, and then seeing a left footed effort palmed away by Victor Valdes. Liverpool had a chance to equilise in the final minutes, but were not able to convert. The one goal would not be enough for Barcelona however, as Liverpool advances to the next round of the Champions League.

Broken stormwater drain led to Guatemala sinkhole
A rupture in the underground stormwater drain system led to the sinkhole whose collapse a fortnight ago killed three people and brought down twelve houses in Guatemala city.

Wikinews has learnt that the size of the hole is much smaller than the 330 feet depth originally reported and that the erosion causing the collapse is belived to have happened over a long time, and not just during the recent rains as initially suspected.

A junction box linking two collector pipes to a 3.5m main pipe was located at the site of the sinkhole. The area itself has been filled-in artificially, but the filling has not been well-compacted, before being built upon.

It is thought that, at some point in the last 20 years, either one of the collector pipes ruptured or was detached from the junction box, possibly because of seismic activity. Water gushing out of the break following rainstorms has gradually eroded the loosely compacted soil, creating an expanding cavern around the junction box. On February 23, the roof of this cavern collapsed, creating the sinkhole, 20m wide at the top and tapering out towards the bottom, which is about 60m deep, not 330 feet as originally reported.

The sinkhole has continued to expand even after the collapse, since the collector pipes continued to carry water, which was cascading 15m down the sinkhole to the main pipe, further eroding the sides of the sinkhole. The hole was about 25m wide at the top and 40m wide at the bottom a week ago.

There are also concerns that a four-story building less than a metre from the edge of the hole may collapse as the earth under the building continues to be eroded.

A bypass pipe is being laid to divert the water away from the junction to arrest further erosion .

NHL: Penguins, government officials reach "Impasse" over new arena
The Pittsburgh Penguins future in Pittsburgh is skating on thin ice. Owners Ron Burke and Mario Lemieux sent a letter Wednesday addressed to Pennsylvania Governer Ed Rendell, Alleghney County Executive Officer Dan Onorato, and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, stating that the organization was prepared to "aggressively explore relocation", after reaching what the organization called an "impasse." This threat came just three days after Rendell expressed his belief that a new arena deal was close.

Lemieux and Burke visited Kansas City on January 4, 2007 to explore possibly moving the team if a new arena deal in Pittsburgh could not be reached. The offer from Kansas City includes free rent of the $276 million Sprint Center, which is still under construction. The Penguins would be asked to pay $2.86 million per year to rent a proposed arena in Pittsburgh, better than the orignial offer of $4 million a year, including $1.16 million each year in naming rights, along with an upfront contribution of $8.5 million.

Leading luxury businesses to form a joint venture
Richemont and Polo Ralph Lauren decided to join their skills and rich experience in order to form a joint venture, the name of which is Polo Ralph Lauren Watch and Jewelry Company, S.A.R.L. The representatives of the global luxury business decided to unite their efforts in order to develop luxury timepieces and fine jewelry items.

After the new products are manufactured, they will be distributed through Ralph Lauren boutiques and independent retailers of jewelery items and luxury timepieces. The first jointly developed products are to appear in the fall of the following year.

Richemont and Polo Ralph Lauren will equally share 50 percent of the new joint venture. The partners long for a long-term cooperation. This union is a completely new experience for both Richemont, that has never cooperated with a luxury fashion designer before, and Polo Ralph Lauren, that until the present day has not maintained any links with the precious jewelry and luxury watch businesses.

Ralph Lauren, holding the post of Polo Ralph Lauren's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer , believes that the company's experience in the area of designing and marketing luxury lifestyle products will blend with Richemont’s experience on a global scale.

Johann Rupert, owning the position of Richemont's Executive Chairman counts on Ralph Lauren's reputation and image based upon distinctive taste, style and attention to detail. He hopes that the newly formed joint venture will benefit from these factors, as well Richemont’s expertise in the area of jewelry and watches.

Strong earthquake in Sumatra
Two earthquakes, measuring 6.4 and 6.3 on the Richter scale struck the Indonesian island of Sumatra within the space of two hours, killing at-least 70 people. The death toll may rise as a large number of buildings were destroyed and the search for survivors continues.

No tsunami warning was issued, although some people in coastal areas moved inland. However, as the quake was under land there was no likelihood of a tsunami.

The tremors were felt in Singapore and Malaysia as well.

Lineup solidified for Manchester United charity match

Manchester United will be taking on eleven of the top players in Europe in a celebration match next Tuesday at Old Trafford, and the lineup for the European XI has finally been set. The game is a UEFA-Manchester United collaboration created to commemorate not only the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, but also the 50th anniversary of Manchester United entering into European club competitions. Funds raised in the match will go to support the Manchester United Foundation, which works with local charities as well as UNICEF to aid children in need. Italian Marcello Lippi will be in charge of coaching the European XI side, and his assistant will be Andy Roxburgh. Confirmed players have slowly been filing into the team, but with current Manchester United on-loan striker Henrik Larsson confirmed, the XI is now complete.

Players

Henrik Larsson:

Current Club: Manchester United (loan)

Age: 35

Currently on loan to Manchester United from Helsinbourghs, Larsson has been in sharp form as of late. This charity match will act as a farewell for the Swede, as he is due back in Sweeden to play for his home club after his loan contract expires on March the 12th.

David Beckham:

Current Club: Real Madrid

Age: 31

The former Manchester star will be returning to Old Trafford to play against his former club. Beckham has been playing strong for Real Madrid in recent weeks. An injury will keep him out of Real's next game in the Champions League, but if all goes well he will be back to match fitness for the March 13th charity match.

Update: Beckham has been removed from the squad due to his knee injury. No replacement has yet been announced.

Ronaldinho:

Current Club: Barcelona

Age: 26

Winner of both European and World player of the year awards, Ronaldinho is arguably one of the best players in the world currently. After nearly signing with United, the Brazilian has won 2 La Liga titles and the Champions League trophy with Spanish giants Barcelona.

Carlos Puyol:

Current Club: Barcelona

Age: 28

Another player from Barcelona, Puyol is one of the best central defenders in Spain, he was the first of his position named to Lippi's squad. His shaggy hair makes him easy to pick out on the football pitch, but his dominance from the back lures much more attention.

Gianluca Zambrotta:

Current Club: Barcelona

Age: 30

A member of the Italian World Cup winning team, Zambrotta is equally comfortable on either defensive wing, or in the midfield. He is also a Barcelona player, and joined the Spanish team after winning two Italian domestic championships with Juventus. Zambrotta has history with coach Lippi, as he played on his Italian International side while Lippi was in command.

Lilian Thuram:

Current Club: Barcelona

Age: 35

Thuram is most capped player on the French International team, and he was with the French side for their European and World Cup victories in 1998 and 2000. Thuram has also won domestic league trophies in 3 countries with Monaco, Parma, Juventus, and Barcelona, his current club.

Steven Gerrard:

Current Club: Liverpool

Age: 26

Though Gerrard plays for one of Manchester United's biggest rivals, Liverpool, he is an amazing football talent in the midfield. Gerrard won the 2006 PFA Player of the Year award, and has won several other medals including the European Cup, 2 FA cups, two league cups, a UEFA cup, and a Super Cup.

Jamie Carragher:

Current Club: Liverpool

Age: 29

Another Liverpool player, Carragher is well known for his grit and determination in defence, and is sure to cause the United forwards some problems, like he did this past Sunday in a match between the two.

Juninho:

Current Club: Lyon

Age: 32

The second Brazilian player on the team, Juninho is well known for his free-kick prowess, and is regarded as one of the best in the world for that purpose. Juninho has played at Lyon in France for all 5 of their consecutive league titles.

Eric Abidal:

Current Club: Lyon

Age: 27

The French International plays alongside Juninho at Lyon after moving there from Lille in 2004. He has won 2 league titles with the French giants, as well as a Champions Trophy, France's equivalent to the FA Cup.

Gregory Coupet:

Current Club: Lyon

Age: 34

Coupet is the keeper named to the European XI side, and plays alongside Juninho and Abidal at Lyon. He, like Juninho, has been with the club for all 5 of their consecutive league championships.

Today in History
161 - Following the death of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus agreed to become co-Emperors in an unprecedented arrangement in the Roman Empire.

1862 - American Civil War: Union forces won the Battle of Pea Ridge and cemented their control in Missouri.

1936 - Germany re-occupied the demilitarized Rhineland, violating the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties.

1950 - The Soviet Union issued a statement denying that German nuclear physicist Klaus Fuchs had served as a Soviet spy.

1965 - American Civil Rights Movement: Civil rights demonstrators marching from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama were brutally attacked by police on Bloody Sunday.

March 07 is Teachers' Day in Albania

Quote of the Day

Everything that depends on the action of nature is by nature as good as it can be, and similarly everything that depends on art or any rational cause, and especially if it depends on the best of all causes. To entrust to chance what is greatest and most noble would be a very defective arrangement. ~ Aristotle

Word of the Day

upbraid; v

To charge with something wrong or disgraceful; to reproach.

To reprove severely; to chide.

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