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Friendly fire killing of Lance Corporal Matty Hull deemed unlawful A Coroner has ruled that the killing of a UK soldier by a US attack aircraft in a friendly fire incident in Iraq was unlawful. Warmest global winter on record according to NOAA Although the United States experienced average temperatures for the December, 2006 to February, 2007 period, overall world temperatures were the warmest on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

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Saturn's moon Enceladus may host "internal life" Scientists at NASA say that new satellite images of Saturn's moon Enceladus taken in 2005, has shown that the moon has begun to spew geysers which contain "liquid water", and that the internal heat produced by the moon's core may be able to host life below the icy surface.

Wikipedia Current Events
Explosions in Baghdad kill eleven people. Two cargo ships collide in the East China Sea. 23 crew members are missing. Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan cricket coach, dies in a Kingston, Jamaica hospital following his team's shock loss to Ireland and consequent early elimination from the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Voters go to the polls, with the centre-left governing coalition between the Centre Party and the Social Democratic Party continuing for another term under the leadership of Matti Vanhanen. The National Coalition Party had a strong result finishing with one seat less than the Centre Party. More than 200,000 Sydneysiders walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to mark the 75th anniversary of the icon's opening. The bridge had been closed to vehicular traffic for one day to mark the occasion.

2007 Cricket World Cup: Pakistan vs Ireland
Ireland stunned Pakistan by beating them by 3 wickets (with 32 balls remaining) in Group D at the World Cup at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica.

Ireland won the toss and elected to field first.

After rain and bad light delayed proceedings, Ireland's target was reduced by the Duckworth-Lewis method to 128 runs from 47 overs.

Ireland's eventual victory eliminates Pakistan from the World Cup.

Rugby: France wins Six Nations
France has won the 2007 RBS Six Nations Championship today, following their victory over Scotland at the Stade de France, Saint-Denis. Earlier in the day, Ireland beat Italy at the Stadio Flaminio, Rome, and, following the France-Scotland match, Wales beat England at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

Italy vs. Ireland

The first match of the day, Italy versus Ireland, kicked off at 1430 local time (UTC+1). It was won by Ireland, 51 points to 24. Ireland were up 21-12 at half time, and looked certain to win 51-17, but for a stoppage-time touchdown by Roland de Marigny, which ultimately cost Ireland the title. Ireland's points came with eight tries (four converted), four of which came in a 13 minute period early in the second half, as well as one penalty. Italy replied with two tries (both converted), two penalties, and two drop goals.

France vs. Scotland

The second match, France versus Scotland, kicked off at 1630 local time (UTC+1), with France needing to win by at least 24 points to knock Ireland out of the running for the championship. It was won by France, 46 points to 19. Scotland started brightly, scoring a converted try in the first 7 minutes, but by the end of the first half, France were up 20-14. As with Italy, France got a decisive try, in terms of the championship, this time coming in the last play of the game, by Elvis Vermeulen. France's points came with six tries (five converted) and two penalties. Scotland scored three tries (two converted).

Wales vs. England

The final match of the day, and the tournament, Wales versus England, kicked off at 1730 local time (UTC), with England needing to win by 57 points to win the championship. However, Wales ended the tournament with their first win of it, by 27 points to 18. Wales took the lead with a third minute try by James Hook, and did not lose it throughout, except for a short period in the second half when England pulled it back to 18-all. Wales's points came from two tries (one converted), a drop goal, and four penalties. England scored two tries (one converted), a drop goal, and a penalty.

Tournament results

These results meant that France were level on 8 table points with Ireland, and won the championship with a points difference of +69 to Ireland's +65. They were awarded the trophy in an empty Stade de France after the Wales-England match. England came third with 6 table points, Italy fourth with 4 points, and Wales and Scotland in the last two places level on 2 table points, with Scotland taking last place, and the Wooden Spoon, with a -58 points difference to Wales's -27. This year's competition is considered by many as the closest in years.

San Francisco & New York City office towers get new owner
Vornado Realty Trust of Paramus NJ has completed a deal to take a majority interest in the 1.8 million sq ft building at 555 California St in San Francisco, (aka The Bank of America Center) and the 2 million sq. foot building located at 1290 Avenue of The Americas in New York City.

In an announced deal worth $1.8 billion, the new investors get a 70 percent interest in both towers, alleviating the current owners, Hudson Waterfront Associates of any possible liability in a lawsuit brought against them by Donald Trump.

Built in 1969, 555 California is SF's largest office tower, and 2nd tallest building at 779 ft. just a few feet shy of the 48 story Transamerica Pyramid at 853 ft which was completed in 1972.

The SF structure, whose current deal estimates it's value @ $575 per sq ft, had just sold last year for $1.05 Billion all by itself ($583 a sq ft), when property magnate Walter Shorenstein sold it to Henry Cheng and Vincent Lo's Hong Kong based Hudson Waterfront Associates, a record for a city property.

Before 2005, 555 California had been Bank of America's World HQ, but that status ended when North Carolina based NationsBank ate up A.P Giannini's west coast banking legacy and kept the B of A name, but made the main HQ in Charlotte NC.

For lookee loos the 52nd floor of 555 California features the popular Carnelian Room, a hang for well to do bankers, brokers, lawyers and tourists checking out wide sweeping views from what was once the tallest structure west of the Mississippi, now only the 5th Tallest Bldg on the west coast, but still impressive. For those afraid of heights and the tab for "fine dining", the ground floor also features a Starbucks.

2007 Cricket World Cup: India vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh caused a shock by beating India by 5 wickets (with 9 balls remaining) in Group B at the World Cup at the Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Many Indian fans have labelled the team's performance 'shambolic' and one of the darkest days in Indian cricket history, while some have responded by burning effigies of team coach, former Australian test captain Greg Chappell.

India won the toss and chose to bat first.

Wii tops U.S. video game console sales in February
NDP Group released the independent February United States video game sale reports today leaving gaming companies with things to both worry, and jump for joy about. Nintendo had a strong lead last month with the DS and Wii at the top of the list at 485,000 and 335,000 units sold, respectively. Nintendo alone sold 54% of industry wide merchandise.

Microsoft beat out Nintendo for best-selling game of the month with its Xbox 360 exclusive game, Crackdown. Nintendo filled the other 3 spots in the top 4 with Wii Play with Wiimote at number 2, Diddy Kong Racing at number 3, and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess coming in 4th.

Sony only made one spot on the top 10 best-selling games list for February with Guitar Hero 2 bundle coming in 5th overall.

The president of the American Nintendo, Reggie Fils-Aime said, "We're gratified that the explosive appeal of Wii, in terms of both new players and new ways to play, has created unprecedented demand, substantially beyond supply."

Top 10 Best-Selling Games for February 2007

1. Crackdown (Xbox 360)

2. Wii Play with Wii Remote (Wii)

3. Diddy Kong Racing (DS)

4. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii)

5. Guitar Hero 2 Bundle (PlayStation 2)

6. Gears of War (Xbox 360)

7. MLB 2K7 (Xbox 360)

8. Lost Planet: Extreme Condition (Xbox 360)

9. WarioWare: Smooth Moves (Wii)

10. NBA Street: Homecourt (Xbox 360)

Richard Dean Anderson in Stargate Continuum
Actor Richard Dean Anderson, former lead for the television program Stargate SG-1, will appear in the second of the two DVD movies based on the program, Stargate: Continuum. Anderson will start filming for the movie later this month in the arctic, with considerable involvement from the U.S. Navy, along with co-stars, Amanda Tapping, and Ben Browder. Filming for the first DVD movie, Stargate: The Ark of Truth, will begin on May 22.

Football: Manchester United breeze past lackluster Bolton
Doubles from Park Ji-Sung and Wayne Rooney lifted Manchester United to an easy 4-1 win over Bolton Wanderers earlier today at Old Trafford. Manchester's Christiano Ronaldo was the star of the game, as he set up all three first half goals for United. Bolton had been struggling as of late in the Premiership, loosing two of their last three games, while United were looking for their sixth straight win.

Bolton started off the game with the first chance when John O'Shea gave the ball away to Nicolas Anelka, but the Frenchman dragged his shot just wide. United hit their stride soon after, and Park Ji-Sung should have given them the lead after seven minutes. Ryan Giggs flick at the net was miss-handled by keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, and Park was there to pick up the scraps, but he somehow poked the close range shot over the net. United suffered a blow a few minutes later when skipper Gary Neville twisted his ankle under a challenge from Gary Speed. Neville was replaced by Wes Brown, and the game continued with Ryan Giggs as captain for United. Ronaldo then had a chance after he was found by a searching ball by Brown, but the Portugese wingers shot was from a bad angle and flew high and wide. Ronaldo would then set up the first goal of the game as he broke for the touch line and at the last minute cut the ball back to Park, who slotted home the ball with a tidy side foot finish. Bolton pushed back to tie the game, but it would be United who would score nect on a storming counterattack. Ronaldo picked up the ball in his own half, did a quick one-two with Rooney, and then delivered the ball back to the young Englishman. Rooney was all alone on the keeper, and chipped the ball over the sprawling Jaaskeleinen to double Uniteds lead. Ronaldo had another chance, but shot wide before Kevin Davies wasted Bolton's best chance by heading over the net. Park then earned himself a brace after some poor goalkeeping by Jaaskeleinen gifted him the ball and the South-Korean slotted home his second, giving Manchester a three-nil lead before halftime.

After the break, Christiano Ronaldo had a fantastic chance to score after a cross by Heinze picked him out in the box, but the Portugese was not able to make contact and the ball flew harmlessly by. Giggs then had a chance for United, but his attempted chip went well wide of the net. Nicolas Anelka then had a chance for Bolton as he lashed a volley from the center of goal, but again was off target. Jaaskeleinen was then forced into a fine save off a blasted shot by Ronaldo, who was soon replace by Alan Smith. Smith was returning to the Premiership after thirteen months out with injury due to a broken leg which he suffered against Liverpool last year. Smith instantly made an impact on the game when his lob-pass to Rooney left the striker open to blast home his second of the game, increasing United lead to four. Bolton were given a consolation penalty as the game neared its end, and Speed's low blast from the spot snuck in past Kuszkzak, ruining his bid for a clean sheet.

The win gives United more hope in their goal of the Premiership title, but their next game is a FA Cup replay against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford. Bolton's next match is at home to strugglers Sheffield United.

Namibia: VAT on milk to stay
The Namibian government has refused to remove value added tax (VAT) on the price of milk. The Namibian Dairy producers organization requested the Namibian directorate of local income in May 2006 to follow the example of South Africa and declare fresh milk as a basic need upon which no taxation is applicable.

Mnr. Calle Schlettwein, permanent Secretary of the Namibia Ministry of Finance said the decision not to discard VAT on milk is because of two reasons: “This industry is already receiving advantages because of Article 26 of the African Customs Union (SACU),” he said.

"Secondly, the ministry cannot decrease the country's tax basis. Namibia is a country that spend more than what it can collect through tax. We cannot afford to discard VAT on fresh milk."

The price of fresh milk is to climb by 50c in the beginning of April 2007 following increases in production costs to producers. The dairy industry has warned of a collapse of the industry and a dependence on foreign imports if prices are not increased to match rising production costs.

Kimi Räikkönen will start from pole of 2007 Australian GP
Ferrari driver Kimi Räikkönen won the pole on the FIA Formula-1 2007 ING Australian Grand Prix on the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne. Felipe Massa, his teammate and the previous GP winner in Brazil, was out due to technical problems with his Ferrari.

Kimi's major rival for the new season Fernando Alonso, who earned his place in McLaren-Mercedes, will start second tomorrow. Alonso's former teammate, Renault driver Giancarlo Fisicella, classified six.

Lewis Hamilton, McLaren rookie and a companion of the current world champion Alonso placed 4th after Nick Heidfeld of BMW.

And a very good start of the season for Takuma Sato, who managed to get 10th in the third qualifying session, first time in history for Super Aguri-Honda team. Together with Anthony Davidson who will start 11th, right after Takuma. This perfect results may be explained by the controversial use of the chassis Super Aguri SA07 pretty similar to Honda RA106. Though, Takuma was 10th after the previous race in Brazil when the team used Arrows-based SA06.

The Formula-1 season officially started with Friday free practice sessions appears to be very competitive because of some changes in sporting regulations as well as the engines specs freezing and only one tyre supplier, Bridgestone.

Today in History
1229 - Sixth Crusade: Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II declared himself King of Jerusalem.

1438 - Albert II of Habsburg became King of the Romans in the Holy Roman Empire.

1921 - The Polish-Soviet War, which determined the borders between the Republic of Poland and Soviet Russia, formally concluded with the signing of the Peace of Riga.

1922 - Mahatma Gandhi was sentenced to six years in prison for civil disobedience.

1965 - Cosmonaut Aleksei Leonov donned a spacesuit and ventured outside the Voskhod 2 spacecraft, becoming the first person to walk in space.

March 18 is Mothering Sunday in the United Kingdom and Laetare Sunday in Western Christianity (2007); Flag Day in Aruba (1976).

Quote of the Day

Straighten up and fly right

Cool down, papa, don't you blow your top.

~ Nat King Cole ~

Word of the Day

gnash; v

To grind one's teeth in pain or in anger.

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