Home // Monthly Archive for February, 2006
Deadly bird flu strain reaches Sweden February 28, 2006
Bird flu hit a ninth European Union country today with the discovery of two dead ducks in Sweden.
Google shares fall on slow growth February 28, 2006
Shares in internet search giant Google fell 10% on Tuesday after finance officer George Reyes said overall growth was slowing.
He told investors at a conference that the company would have to find new ways to grow revenues. Nearly all Google advertising revenue comes from a pay-per-click ads system.
Shares in Google were down more than $39 to about $350 ...
Distillery to revive 184-proof whisky February 28, 2006
A Scottish distillery said Monday it was reviving a centuries-old recipe for whisky so strong that one 17th-century writer feared more than two spoonfuls could be lethal.
Risk-taking whisky connoisseurs will have to wait, however - the spirit will not be ready for at least 10 years.
The Bruichladdich distillery on the Isle of Islay, off Scotland's west coast, ...
Saudis Say Kingdom’s al-Qaida Leader Slain February 28, 2006
The leader of al-Qaida in Saudi Arabia and two men who helped attack the world's largest oil-processing complex were among five militants killed during police raids in the capital, authorities said Tuesday.
Google to offer NARA films February 28, 2006
Google Inc. of Mountain View, Calif., has launched a pilot project to digitize historic films held by the National Archives and Records Administration. The search service plans to offer the films to the public online through its new video service.
NARA’s Web site will also host the digitized films.
“This is an important step for the National ...
‘Execution memo’ at Saddam trial February 28, 2006
Prosecutors at the trial of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein have presented a memo allegedly showing his approval of the execution of 148 Shias.
They said he signed to approve the killings after a failed attempt to assassinate him in Dujail in 1982.
His defence team reappeared after a month-long boycott but two lawyers caused new disarray by walking out when ...
‘Many dead’ in India rebel attack February 28, 2006
At least 25 people have been killed after Maoist rebels blew up two trucks carrying civilians in India's central state of Chhattisgarh, police say.
Ancient Sun Temple Unearthed in Cairo February 28, 2006
Archaeologists discovered a pharaonic sun temple with large statues believed to be of King Ramses II under an outdoor marketplace in Cairo, Egypt's antiquities chief said Sunday.
Traces of Lost Civilization Found February 28, 2006
Scientists have found what they believe are traces of the lost Indonesian civilization of Tambora, which was wiped out in 1815 by the biggest volcanic eruption in recorded history.
GOP Governors Say Bush Missteps Hurt Them February 28, 2006
Republican governors are openly worrying that the Bush administration's latest stumbles from the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina to those of its own making on prescription drugs and ports security are taking an election-year toll on the party back home.
Congressional showdown looms this week on Cape wind ... February 27, 2006
After a long, loud and costly public fight, the fate of the proposed Nantucket Sound wind farm could be decided soon at a closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill.
US, Columbia Conclude Free Trade Deal February 27, 2006
The United States and Colombia have concluded a trade agreement to eliminate tariffs and other barriers to goods and services flowing between the two countries.
China’s Deserts Shrink, Partly Thanks to Tree ... February 27, 2006
China's seemingly ever-expanding deserts have in recent years shrunk for the first time, the government said Monday, although the amount of land saved from an arid fate was relatively modest.
Shooting at Detroit church leaves woman dead, two i ... February 27, 2006
A woman was killed and a 9-year-old girl was wounded when a gunman opened fire during a church service, prompting frightened parishioners to duck under pews for safety. The suspect fled and later shot a man before turning the gun on himself.
Yen Rises to Month High; Government Supports BOJ Po ... February 27, 2006
The yen advanced to a one-month high against the dollar after Japanese officials said the government supports central bank plans to end deflation-fighting policies.
Former Top Enron Accountant to Testify February 27, 2006
The former top accountant for Enron Corp.'s profitable trading division struck a deal with the government unlike most others he shelled out half a million dollars to settle civil allegations, but didn't admit to a crime.
Saudi Refinery Attack Kills Five February 27, 2006
Saudi forces on Monday killed five suspected militants believed to be linked to an al-Qaida attack on the world’s biggest oil processing plant and arrested one other, the interior ministry said.
First Case of Bird Flu in Switzerland February 26, 2006
Switzerland confirmed on Sunday its first case of avian flu in a duck found dead in the heart of Geneva, near the city’s famous jet d’eau fountain.
UK Tobacco giant accused of Hezbollah deal February 26, 2006
One of Britain’s biggest tobacco companies has been accused of agreeing to “enlist” the services of a militant Islamic group, according to papers lodged with the High Court last Friday.
Blast shocks rally site in Bangkok February 26, 2006
A blast rocked a mass rally site at Sanam Luang, Royal Palace, here at 8:00 p.m. (1300 GMT) Sunday as thousands of protesters gathered to demand the caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to step down.
3,000-year-old cliff painting found in Yunnan February 26, 2006
Chinese archaeologists have discovered a cliff painting dating back 3,000 years along the Jinsha River in southwestern Yunnan Province, an expert has confirmed.
Hamas “ready to recognize” Israel on Co ... February 26, 2006
Palestinian Prime Minister designate Ismail Haniyeh said on Saturday Hamas is "ready to recognise" Israel if it gives the Palestinians their full rights and a state on lands occupied since 1967, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
German police sieze suspected foreign spies February 26, 2006
German police arrested Thursday two men suspected of acquiring missile technology for an unnamed foreign power and raided 12 homes and offices in a major espionage inquiry.
Germany admits it gave Iraq intelligence to Washing ... February 26, 2006
German intelligence officials provided the United States with information about developments in Iraq during the US-led invasion to which the Berlin government was officially opposed, according to a government dossier.
French Parliament Guarantees Equal Pay Rights February 26, 2006
The French parliament on Thursday adopted a law aimed at guaranteeing equal pay rights for women, who earn on average one fifth less than their male counterparts.
The text sets a five-year target for wiping out pay inequalities, calling for more negotiations between companies and unions, but does not plan any coercive measures.
A national review, to be carried out in ...
Nigerian court imposes mega fine on Shell February 26, 2006
A Nigerian court has ordered Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell to pay USD 1.5 billion (EUR 1.26 billion) to the Ijaw people for environmental damage to their region.
The Ijaw have been seeking compensation for the damage caused by oil drilling in the area since 2000. They went to court after Shell refused to make the payment ordered ...
Bird Flu Spreads to Second Indian State February 26, 2006
Bird flu has spread to a second western Indian state, health officials say.
Tests on poultry confirmed the deadly H5NI strain of the virus in Gujarat, a week after it was first discovered in neighbouring Maharashtra state.
Two farms in Surat near the Maharashtra border have been sealed off and thousands of birds are being destroyed.
On Friday, Indian health officials ...
Population Hits 6.5 Billion February 25, 2006
A population milestone has been set on this jam-packed planet. At 7:16 p.m. ET on Saturday, the population here on this good Earth hit 6.5 billion people, according to projections.
Along with this forecast, an analysis by the International Programs Center at the U.S. Census Bureau points to another factoid, Robert Bernstein of the Bureau's Public Information Center advised ...
Don Knotts Dead at 81 February 25, 2006
Don Knotts, who kept generations of TV audiences laughing as bumbling Deputy Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show" and would-be swinger landlord Ralph Furley on "Three's Company," has died. He was 81.
Knotts died Friday night of pulmonary and respiratory complications at a Los Angeles hospital, said Paul Ward, a spokesman for the cable network TV Land, which airs ...
Democrats hit Bush on security February 25, 2006
Democrats on Saturday accused U.S. President George W. Bush of being casual with U.S. security as they warned of risks from a deal in which an Arab, state-owned company would gain control of six key U.S. ports.
Al-Qaida Claims Responsibility for Attack on Saudi ... February 25, 2006
Saudi guards have foiled an attempt to attack a major oil refinery by two suicide bombers in explosive-packed vehicles, the Saudi al-Arabiya TV station said.
They were stopped by gunfire from guards. One car exploded, damaging a pipeline at Abqaiq in eastern Saudi Arabia.
Militant group al-Qaida has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to an Islamic website.
The BBC says ...
UAE Gave $100 Million for Katrina Relief February 24, 2006
The United Arab Emirates gave the Bush administration $100 million to help victims of Hurricane Katrina weeks before a state-owned company there sought U.S. approval for its ports deal.
Midwest Oil fined for selling gas too cheaply February 24, 2006
The Minnesota Commerce Department on Thursday announced plans to fine a gas station chain $140,000 for repeatedly selling gas below the state's legal minimum price.
Banned from School for Haircut February 24, 2006
Schoolboy Daniel Artingsall has been banned from class after getting spirals shaved in his hair.
Dozens Killed in Bangladesh Fire February 24, 2006
At least 51 people have been killed in a fire at a textile mill in Bangladesh, police say. More than 100 others were injured in the blaze in the south-eastern port city of Chittagong.
U.S., Britain conduct nuclear experiment February 24, 2006
U.S. and British government scientists performed an underground nuclear experiment, short of a nuclear blast, at the Nevada Test Site this week, the National Nuclear Security Administration said.
Shots, Explosion, Heard at Saudi Oil Refinery February 24, 2006
Shots and an explosion have been heard at an oil refinery in Baqiq, eastern Saudi Arabia, the pan-Arab satellite channel Al-Arabiya TV reported Friday, quoting its own reporter.
The reporter, who was in the Saudi kingdom, told the newscaster that the shots and explosion could have been part of an attempt to break into the refinery.
A Saudi oil official ...
Coup Plot Foiled in Philippines February 23, 2006
Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has declared an emergency after the army said it had foiled a coup plot involving security forces commanders.
Chinese slap ban on TV cartoons February 23, 2006
Cartoons that blend live-action actors with animation are to be banned from TV in China. Shows such as Teletubbies and the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit? could be affected by the decision taken by the country's main TV and film regulator.
U.K. police make arrests in bank heist February 23, 2006
British police announced two arrests Thursday in connection with the robbery of a cash center in Kent county that netted the armed thieves the equivalent of $87 million. Police called the arrests of a 29-year old man and 31-year-old woman "significant" and said the two were connected to the robbery.
Attorneys say new bankruptcy law ineffective February 23, 2006
Ninety-seven percent of consumers seeking to file for bankruptcy so far this year cannot afford to pay back their debts, according to a survey by the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA). (Isn't that WHY they file in the first place?)
ATF Acting Without Warrants? February 23, 2006
Agents of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), allegedly acting without warrants or legislative authority to do so, seized firearms from at least 50 gun show patrons in Virginia according to congressional testimony and an agency document made public Wednesday. Witnesses also testified that African-American and female gun buyers in Richmond, Va., and Pittsburgh, ...
Shakespeare death mask ‘genuine’ February 23, 2006
A 17TH-CENTURY death mask claimed to be that of British playwright William Shakespeare could be genuine, according to new research. The mask, discovered in a ragpicker's shop in 1842 and now owned by the German city of Darmstadt, has long been a subject of controversy.
TR Traps Last Tomcat from Combat Mission February 23, 2006
ABOARD USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT - A chapter in naval aviation history drew to a close Feb. 8 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) with the last recovery of an F-14 Tomcat from a combat mission.
Second Bird Flu Case in France February 23, 2006
French officials say a second wild duck has tested positive for the deadly bird flu virus H5N1. The dead duck was found in the Ain department, in south-eastern France, where the first H5N1 infection was found in a duck a week ago.
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