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U.S. Senator Craig resigns U.S. Sen. Larry Craig resigns over sex scandal. 10 years on Princess Diana remembered Hundreds attend memorial service in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a tragic car crash in France exactly 10 years ago.

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200 yard spider web found in Lake Tawakoni State Park, East Texas A massive 200 yard spider web has been discovered in Lake Tawakoni State Park, Eastern Texas, United States.

Wikipedia Current Events
Iraq is to free up to 6,000 Sunni insurgents in an attempt at reconciliation by the Government. French and Spanish police foil an ETA car bomb plot and arrest the man who is alleged to be the organisations top bombmaker and his accomplices. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appoints Mohammed Ali Jafari to replace General Yahya Rahim Safavi as the leader of the Revolutionary Guard. Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto promises to return to Pakistan very soon. Idaho Republican Senator Larry Craig resigns from the United States Senate effective 30 September following a guilty plea to a disorderly conduct charge following his arrest in a restroom at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. International aid agency Médecins Sans Frontières has accused Ethiopia of denying it access to the country's eastern Ogaden region. The Second Tuareg Rebellion spreads rapidly as a Malian army colonel has deserted to join a Tuareg rebellion in the northern desert, taking with him nearly 60 fighters. New gambling legislation comes into effect in the United Kingdom, relaxing advertising restrictions and extending opening hours. 2007 Atlantic hurricane season: Tropical Storm Felix forms over the Windward Islands of the Caribbean and becomes Hurricane Felix. Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao have storm warnings in place and Jamaica has a tropical storm watch. 2007 Pacific hurricane season: Tropical Storm Henriette is expected to become a hurricane on Sunday, with heavy rain falling on Acapulco.

California company recalls fresh spinach over salmonella contamination
After testing positive for salmonella, a California produce company has recalled fresh bagged spinach from the United States and Canada. Food officials state there have been no immediate reports of illness linked to the tainted spinach that was distributed by Metz Fresh LLC.

In Canada, the product only reached the distribution level and thus was not shipped to retail outlets, said the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Food officials state the recalled spinach was distributed throughout the 48 states and sold in both retail and food service packages. The recall covers covers 8,118 cases of spinach, however, more than 90 per cent of that was on hold and would not be released, said Metz Fresh.

Only a single sample from one of three packing lines tested positive for salmonella, but the company choose to recall all the spinach produced that day as precaution.

The recall includes the following: 10 and 16 ounce bags, as well as 4 pound cartons and cartons that contain four 2.5 pound bags, with the following tracking codes: 12208114, 12208214 and 12208314. Anyone with questions about the recall, and whether or not their spinach may be recalled can contact Metz Fresh LLC by calling (831) 386-1018.

Major League Baseball roundup: September 1, 2007
Completed games

Yankees 9, Devil Rays 6: Alex Rodriguez went 3-4, with a home run and a double, and 4 RBI before being removed in the eighth inning. Yankees starter Ian Kennedy (1-0) got the win in his first major-league game, pitching 7 innings and giving up one earned run. Devil Rays starter Edwin Jackson (4-13) was rocked for seven runs (six earned) in 3 1/3 innings. Mariano Rivera pitched his 23rd save, retiring all four batters he faced, and striking out the side in the 9th inning. The Yankees improve to 76-60, and extended their lead to 2 games over Seattle in the AL Wild Card race.

Mets 5, Braves 1: The Mets' Carlos Delgado, Lastings Milledge, and Carlos Beltran all hit solo home runs in the win. Mike Pelfrey (1-7) notched his first win of the year, giving up just one hit and one run in six innings of work. Braves starter Chuck James (9-10) gave up three earned runs en route to the loss. Pedro Feliciano pitched two perfect innings, striking out the last five batters he faced.

Blue Jays 2, Mariners 1: In the 7th inning, Gregg Zaun scored the first run of the game on a solo home run. The Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki shot back in the 8th inning, singling in the tying run, but Troy Glaus knocked in the deciding run in the bottom of the 8th, with a single to center field that scored Alex Rios. Dustin McGowan (9-8) pitched 8 innings for the win, while relief pitcher Sean Green got the loss. Closer Jeremy Accardo got the save, his 27th. The Mariners drop to 73-61, dropping them to 2 games behind the Yankees in the AL Wild Card race.

Cubs 4, Astros 3: Powered by a 6th inning two-run homer by Aramis Ramirez, his 19th of the season, the Cubs beat the Astros 4-3. Jason Marquis (11-8) pitched 6 2/3 innings for the win, while Astros pitcher Troy Patton gave up three runs (two earned) in six innings for the loss. Ryan Dempster gave up a solo home run in the 9th inning, but held on for his 24th save. The Cubs lead the NL Central by two games.

Twins 6, Royals 4: The Twins rode a four-run, two-out fifth inning en route to a 6-4 victory. Mike Redmond hit a two-run double off Brandon Duckworth to score the eventual game-winning runs. Carlos Silva (11-13) pitched 6 innings for the win, while Duckworth (2-4) pitched 4 1/3 innings in the loss, giving up all six runs. Joe Nathan pitched his 29th save of the season.

Games in progress

Top 7th: Rangers 7, Angels 3: Marlon Byrd is 3-4 with a home run, a double, and 3 runs for the Rangers, while Angels' designated hitter Kendry Morales scored twice off a single and a double by Howie Kendrick.

Top 8th: Tigers 6, Athletics 1: Curtis Granderson is 4-5, with a solo home run, a double, 2 RBI, and three runs. Mike Piazza hit his 6th home run of the year, a solo shot in the 4th.

Later tonight

Orioles at Red Sox, 7:05 EST. Scheduled pitchers: Garrett Olson (1-2) vs. Clay Buchholz (1-0).

White Sox at Indians, 7:05 EST. Scheduled pitchers: Javier Vazquez (11-7) vs. Paul Byrd (13-5).

Pirates at Brewers, 7:05 EST. Scheduled pitchers: Shane Youman (3-4) vs. Dave Bush (10-9).

Giants at Nationals, 7:05 EST. Scheduled pitchers: Jonathan Sanchez (1-2) vs. Joel Hanrahan (3-2).

Phillies at Marlins, 7:05 EST. Scheduled pitchers: J.D. Durbin (6-3) vs. Byung-Hyun Kim (7-6).

Reds at Cardinals, 7:15 EST. Scheduled pitchers: Phil Dumatrait (0-2) vs. Adam Wainwright (12-9).

Rockies at Diamondbacks, 9:40 EST. Scheduled pitchers: Elmer Dessens (2-1) vs. Dana Eveland (0-0).

Dodgers at Padres, 10:05 EST. Scheduled pitchers: Derek Lowe (11-11) vs. Jake Peavy (15-5).

Eurovision Dance Contest 2007 held in London
Tonight the first Eurovision Dance Contest is being held in London. Sixteen countries have entered with most of the participants coming from the regional versions of Strictly Come Dancing. This will be updated as the voting happens.

70 insurgents killed in Afghanistan
Afghan security forces, along with the United States led coalition are reported to have killed about 70 suspected militants in Afghanistan. According to US authorities, Afghanistan is currently experiencing its highest level of violence in the last 6 years.

The surge in militant attacks comes despite a multi-million dollar reconstruction effort to rebuild the shattered country and the presence of more than 50,000 foreign troops and 110,000 Afghan police and military officers. It was not possible to independently verify any of the death tolls because travel to the areas is extremely dangerous.

More than 4,200 people - most of them insurgents - have been killed so far this year, according to an Associated Press count.

U.S. Sen. Larry Craig resigns over sex scandal
United States Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) resigned Saturday, five days after Craig's arrest for lewd conduct in a public restroom was first reported.

In a news conference in Boise, Idaho, Senator Craig apologized for his actions, but insisted that he had not engaged in gay sex, and that the June 11 incident at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport was a misunderstanding.

"To Idahoans I represent, to my staff, my Senate colleagues but most importantly to my wife and my family, I apologize for what I have caused. I am deeply sorry," Craig said Saturday. "I have little control over what people choose to believe but clearly my name is important to me. And my family is so very important also. Having said that, to pursue my legal options as I continue to serve Idaho would be an unwanted and unfair distraction of my job and for my Senate colleagues."

It was revealed on Monday that Craig pled guilty to disorderly conduct after allegedly soliciting sex in the men's room of a Minnesota airport. Craig, who voted against gay marriage and gay rights bills numerous times over the course of his 17-year career in the Senate, has denied rumors about his sexuality since the 1980s, when he served in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Craig's resignation is effective September 30. His replacement, who will serve until January 2009, will be named by Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter; it is believed that Idaho Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch will be named to the post.

Two men charged with igniting second-largest fire in California history
Two men have been charged with starting the Zaca Fire, the second-largest wildfire in the history of California.

The fire is continuing to burn through the Los Padres National Forest, and has consumed a total of 240,000 acres, having started on July 4. However, the fire is now under control, and is expected to be contained by September 4.

Jose Jesus Cabrera of Santa Ynez, 38, Santiago Iniguez Cervantes of Santa Maria, 46, and the company of Rancho La Laguna, whom they worked for, have all been charged with six counts of felony in relation to starting the fire.

Three of the charges are for "recklessly causing a fire that caused great bodily injury". Two counts of this stem from the crash of a helicopter that was fighting the fires, and the other from a seperate incident when a third firefighter was serously wounded while battling the flames.

The other three counts are for recklessly causing a structure or forest fire, carelessness with a flaming substance and for not having the required permit to operate equipment capable of starting a fire. The fire started when equipment being used on a blocked water line sparked.

58 firefighters were injured in total by the blaze, although no life-threatening injuries were sustained. Currently, 1,800 people are involved in firefighting efforts, which have cost a total of $114 million.

A lawyer for the men said he felt the charges were excessive considering the circumstances. "We have a couple of hard working guys who go out to take care of a water pipe or some cattle on a very hot day on the Fourth of July and they took precautions and despite the precautions an accident happened and a fire started," said Attorney Robert Sanger.

If convicted, the men could face up to nine years imprisonment. There is also the possibility of fines and action to recover the costs of the fire.

Big time Democratic donor faces prison after surrender
Norman Hsu, big time democratic fundraiser, turned himself into San Mateo County sheriff's deputies in Redwood City, California. "We arranged for Mr. Hsu to turn himself in to the court," said Hsu's San Francisco attorney. "He's very anxious to get this behind him."

Hsu was living a wealthy life in New York City up till this week when local newspapers began examining purported abuses in campaign financing. Over the past few years Hsu has given an estimated $600,000 to various democratic candidates.

200 yard spider web found in Lake Tawakoni State Park, East Texas
Much discussion has been garnered over a massive 200 yard spider web discovered in Lake Tawakoni State Park, Eastern Texas, United States.

The web is stretched across a 200 yard section of a nature trail in the park, covering the ground, bushes and even seven sizeable trees.

Donna Garde, superintendent at the park, described the web and its effectiveness: "At first, it was so white it looked like fairyland. Now it's filled with so many mosquitos that it's turned a little brown. There are times you can literally hear the screech of millions of mosquitoes caught in those webs."

Mike Quinn, an invertebrate biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, described a high level of interest in the web: "I've been hearing from entomologists [sic] from Ohio, Kansas, British Columbia, all over the place." It was Quinn who originally posted images of the web on the internet, sparking the intense interest.

There is much debate amongst experts over the reasons for the web's construction, with some believing it was created by social spiders living as a colony, and others suggesting it is possibly a system of mass dispersal, with the spiders building webs in order to spread out. There is also uncertainty over the species of spider responsible, although it is known that smaller webs of an otherwise similar nature have been discovered elsewhere in the park, on another trail. It is thought that the species is likely a member of the genus Tetragnatha.

John Jackman, a professor and extension entomologist for Texas A&M University and author of "A Field Guide to the Spiders and Scorpions of Texas," said that the phenomenon is not particularly unusual and that reports are submitted to him every few years detailing similar webs. "There are a lot of folks that don't realize spiders do that," Jackman said. "Until we get some samples sent to us, we really won't know what species of spider we're talking about."

However, other experts disagree over the unusual nature of the discovery. "From what I'm hearing, it could be a once-in-a-lifetime event," said Herbert "Joe" Pase, a Texas Forest Service entomologist. "It's very, very unusual."

The web is expected to begin to disintegrate soon, as the spiders die out over Autumn. "It would make a good Halloween set, wouldn't it?" said park ranger Freddie Gowin, who found the giant web while mowing last month. However, it is not anticipated to survive until October 31st.

Finnish terrestrial analogue TV network shut down
The terrestrial analogue television broadcasts in Finland ended in September 1, 2007, at 04:00 local time, marking the transition to the digital DVB-T standard. DVB broadcasts were started in 2001, Users of terrestrial TV are no longer able to receive the formerly nationally available TV channels - YLE TV1, YLE TV2, MTV3, and Nelonen - without set-top boxes or TV sets with built-in digital receivers. SVT Europa is also no longer available in analogue networks.

Cable networks are permitted to make the analogue mode available until the end of February 2008.

While over 75% of households already use digital TV, as of mid-August, over 220 000 households that depend on terrestrial broadcasts have not yet purchased a set-top box. There are also areas where digital terrestrial broadcasts are not yet available. This is being remedied through relay transmitters that will be set up over the following months.

2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup: Ghana beat Peru in Quarter finals
The Black Starlets, Ghana's Under-17 football team, today beat their Peru counterparts by 2-0 margin to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea.

Ghana dominated the match from the beginning but had to wait till stoppage time in the first half before scoring their first goal. Sadick Adams collected a pass from Ransford Osei, but saw his initial shot blocked by Eder Hermoza, the Peru goalkeeper. He however managed to score from the rebound.

The second half continued as the first with Ghana ending up with 55% of the total ball possession and with 12 shots on target compared to 1 shot on target for Peru. In the 53rd minute, an overhead kick by Issac Donkor hit the upright before Osei slotted it home to guarantee victory. This goal makes Osei joint top scorer of the tournament so far on 5 goals.

Ghana are scheduled to meet Spain in the semi-final on Wednesday September 5, 2007.

Quotes

Sellas Tetteh Teivi (GHA), Ghana coach: "First of all, I'm thankful that we won this game. I'm also happy because we played good football. It's great to have played three South American teams in this tournament. The Peruvians, in particular, were a very good side and played impressive football. We were lucky to score the first goal in the 46 th minute and that set the trend. I'm not satisfied with two goals but I think we're going to improve in the games to come. We believe we can play good football against any team, even if Spain are very strong."

Juan Jose Ore (PER), Peru coach: "The pitch wasn't easy due to the rain, and the game itself was a tough one for us. But we gave it our all. I think the goal in the first half in stoppage time changed the game. It was crucial. We never really recovered from it."

Paul Addo (GHA), Ghana captain: "It was a very good game for us. We didn't score as many goals as we created chances, but still we managed to keep the Peruvians from scoring. As for our next opponents, Spain, I saw them play on television just before our game and I think the semi-final will be tough. Even so, we'll be playing our normal game. Hopefully that'll be enough."

Reimond Manco (PER), Peru midfielder: "I'm very, very sad because we're out of the tournament, but we gave everything out on the pitch. This tournament has taught me that football is the most beautiful game in the world. I'll be trying to win a place at the U-20 World Cup."

Airbus A380 test flight delayed after accident
A test flight of the new Airbus A380 superjumbo, the largest passenger jet in the world, was delayed today after a superficial accident at Suvarnabhumi Airport, which serves Bangkok, Thailand.

The minor accident occured during push back, as the aircraft was leaving a parking space before it was due to fly to Chiang Mai International Airport. As the jet was being pushed back by a Thai Airways International tug operator, the left winglet struck the side of the hanger, and was crumpled against it.

The winglets, designed to improve fuel efficiency, are non-vital parts. After an inspection, Airbus decided to remove both winglets and continue the flight without them. The plane left four hours after it's scheduled 9:45 a.m. local time departure, carrying 150 passengers.

The flight was intended to counteract criticisms that the massive airliner, which has a 79-metre wingspan, is too big (and thus too complex for ground crews) to be practically operated at most airports. It also demonstrates continuing problems at Suvarnabhumi airport, which has suffered various incidents since it opened last September, the most severe of which being the discovery of large cracks in airport taxiways shortly after opening.

Airbus has said they will continue with their tour of Asia demonstrating the plane.

Four jackpot winners confirmed in US 'Mega Millions' lottery drawing
Mega Millions officials have stated that there are four winners in Friday's US$330,000,000 lottery drawing in the United States. The tickets matched the drawn number balls of 8, 18, 22, 40, 44 with the Mega Ball of 11.

The lucky winners bought their tickets in four different states. The only winning ticket purchase location to be identified so far was Walther Liquors in Nottingham, Maryland located in Baltimore County and the winner from that purchase has yet to come forward. Lottery officials said the winner bought five tickets, for $1 each, just after 5:00 p.m. Friday, all as a 'quick pick' ticket, which is when the computer randomly selects the numbers. The other winners bought their tickets in Virginia, Texas and New Jersey, though the specific retailers had not been revealed.

But the jackpot winners are not the only lucky ones. 36 other individuals had winning tickets that matched all five numbers, without matching the Mega Ball. Those numbers are good for a prize of $250,000. The luck kept spreading though, as 215 others had four winning numbers while also matching the Mega Ball. Those ticket holders will receive a prize of $10,000.

The odds of at least one person winning the jackpot were one in 175,711,536. It was the third largest lottery jackpot in the world.

"You have a better chance of being hit by lightning at the same place and time every day for a week," said Buddy Roogow, the director of the Maryland Lottery division of Mega Millions.

Crow found in Vermont is state's first West Nile case this year
State officials say Vermont's first case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in Brattleboro, Vermont.

State officials said that nine birds tested positive for West Nile virus in 2006, and there have been no human cases of the West Nile virus since 2003. "This is the seventh year of our surveillance program and a good time to remind people that West Nile Virus reaches its peak late in the summer, when the virus has had time to develop in the mosquito population," said state Health Department Epidemiologist Patsy Tassler. "Before a long holiday weekend, it's a good reminder for Vermonters to take precautions and avoid exposure to mosquitoes especially at dusk and dawn when they are most active."

10 years on Diana, Princess of Wales remembered
Exactly 10 years on from her death hundreds of people attended a memorial service today led by her two sons, William and Harry, in memory of Diana, who was killed in a car crash in Paris, France in 1997.

The memorial service was led by her two sons and was attended by many members of the British Royal Family including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and Prince Charles, Diana's brother and sisters and others including Andrew Lloyd Webber, former UK prime ministers Tony Blair and Sir John Major and entrepeuner Sir Richard Branson. Hundreds more listened to the ceremony broadcasted live outside. There was also a period of two minutes of silence in Harrods, the London department store owned by Mohammed al Fyaed, father of Diana's partner at the time of the crash Dodi, to pay respect.

During the ceremony Harry called his mother "the best in the world" and the Bishop of London, Reverend Dr Richard Chartres, said that Diana should now be left to "rest in peace" and that the media speculation and conspiracy theories should end.

The second inquiry into the circumstances of the fatal crash is due to commence in the coming weeks.

U.S. Senator Larry Craig to resign
United States Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) is announcing on September 1 that he will resign his post, effective September 30. Craig was involved in a scandal where he allegedly propositioned another man for sex in a bathroom at a Minneapolis airport. Craig has previously claimed he was "in the bathroom for its intended purpose." The senator said in a news conference that "I am not gay. I have never have been gay," and that he "pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in the hopes that it would go away." This comes just before the Republican National Convention would have called on Craig to resign.

Wikipedia Current Events
2007 Pacific hurricane season: Tropical Storm Henriette is expected to become a hurricane on Sunday, with heavy rain falling on Acapulco. A bomb in the Indian state of Assam kills one person and injures 12, with police suspecting the United Liberation Front of Asom. Two people go missing and six people are injured following a boat accident at the mouth of the Brisbane River in Australia. Kurds in northern Iraq flee from Iranian shelling aimed at Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan (PEJAK) positions. Japan's Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Takehiko Endo refuses to resign over allegations that a group that he chaired received state subsidies illegally. Envoys from the United States and North Korea meet in Geneva to discuss normalising relations. A concrete and steel fence is built in Sydney to protect leaders attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting next week. There has been a spike in dengue fever cases in 2007 in Malaysia with seventy-five people dying in the first eight months. 2007 Greek forest fires: The Prime Minister of Greece Costas Karamanlis says that the fires are now under control after killing 64 people and causing £800 million worth of damage. New laws come into effect giving China more control over the selection of the Dalai Lama. Finland ceased all of its analog television transmissions in the terrestrial network as as part of the digital switchover.

Today in History
31 BC – Final War of the Roman Republic: Troops supporting Octavian defeated the forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra in the naval Battle of Actium on the Ionian Sea near Actium in Greece.

1666 – Great Fire of London: A large fire began in London's Pudding Lane and burned the city for three days, destroying St Paul's Cathedral and the homes of 70,000 of the city's 80,000 inhabitants.

1870 – Franco-Prussian War: Prussian forces captured Napoleon III of France at the Battle of Sedan in Sedan, France; the Second French Empire collapsed within days.

1898 – Mahdist War: Forces led by Horatio Kitchener defeated Sudanese tribesmen at the Battle of Omdurman in Omdurman, Khartoum, Sudan, establishing British dominance in northeastern Africa.

1945 – On the deck of the the United States Navy battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, representatives from the Empire of Japan and several Allied Powers signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, formally ending World War II.

September 02 is Father's Day in Australia and New Zealand (2007); National Day for Vietnam.

Quote of the Day

There is only one thing infamous in love, and that is a falsehood.

~ Paul Bourget

Word of the Day

hedonism; n

(philosophy): The belief that pleasure or happiness is the highest good in life.

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