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June 26, 2007 The free-content news source that you can write! Page 1

Top Stories Wikipedia Current Events archeological site of Chichen Itza were doing well in earlier rankings. New video released shows Olmert and the King Abdullah II A spokeswoman for the Foundation BBC journalist Alan Johnston of Jordan meet to support Abbas' said earlier this month that the wearing 'explosive belt' leadership of the Palestinian result is wide open. A new video has been released by Authority. Olmert announces that the kidnappers of BBC News he will release 250 Palestinain The election ceremony will be held reporter Alan Johnston, who was political prisoners as a gesture of in Lisbon, Portugal. Hollywood kidnapped whilst returning from goodwill. actress Hilary Swank, British actor work in 105 days ago. •Iran invites an International Sir Ben Kingsley and Bollywood Atomic Energy Agency to Tehran actress Bipasha Basu have been Audio tape released of to discuss its nuclear program. announced as hosts, astronaut Neil missing Israeli soldier Armstrong will be present, and Kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad •The United States Supreme performers will include Jennifer Shalit, 20, is believed to be alive, Court issues three 5-4 split Lopez and Chaka Khan. and has released an audio decision rulings limiting student tape where Shalit says he needs freedom of expression, barring The finalist countries of New Seven to be hospitalized and that he ordinary taxpayers from Wonders. regrets that Israel has not met challenging governmental funding Some in India fear however that the demands of the kidnappers. of faith-based initiatives, and the Taj Mahal might not make the allowing "issue ads" to air on A-list. In the Bihar town of television close to election dates. Featured story Muzaffarpur, sex workers are •A plane crashes in Cambodia, asking people to cast their vote for Election of new 7 wonders of with 22 on board. Efforts to the monument in Agra. "We are the world: deadline locate the wreckage have thus far doing it in our own small way to approaching failed. promote the 17th century The results of the New Seven monument of love," said prostitute Wonders of the World election, a Shahnaj Bano. Mughal Emperor proposed revision of the ancient Election of new 7 wonders of Shah Jahan ordered the wonders, will be announced on the world: deadline construction of the mausoleum July 7, 2007 (or 07.07.07). approaching The New Open World Foundation when his favourite wife died. People of all walks of life have Wikipedia Current Events will announce the results of the New Seven Wonders of the World joined the campaign in India: for •Conoco Phillips and Exxon Mobil election on July 7, 2007 (or example, hundreds of lawyers in reject a deal with PDVSA, the 07.07.07). The ballot itself will Rajkot collectively casted their nationalised oil company of close on midnight the day before. vote to support the Taj in the Venezuela about a deal over the The Foundation proposes a world wonder poll. future participation in revision of the ancient Seven development of reserves in the Wonders of the World, of which India's Tourism and Culture Orinoco Belt. only the Great Pyramid of Giza still Minister, Ambika Soni, previously pitched in the campaign by •Middle East leaders President of exist. personally voting for the Taj Mahal, Egypt Hosni Mubarak, the but government officials confirmed President of the Palestinian Among the 21 candidates left over that they did not officially support Authority Mahmoud Abbas, the after the previous election round the initiative of the for-profit Prime Minister of Israel Ehud ended on January 1, 2006, the Acropolis and the Maya organisation. "The campaign is not

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit en .wikinews.org Tuesday, June 26, 2007 Wikinews Page 2 backed by any government scientific foundations the project Four families left homeless agency, though we feel it is good has, compared to the method of after apartment fire in Buffalo, and in the interest of the tourism it's own selection of World Heritage New York industry as a whole to promote the Sites. Buffalo, New York – At least four Taj Mahal," declared Sudhir Kumar, families have been left homeless the Agra chief of the Indian The candidates after a fire ripped through an government's tourism department, Originally the Pyramids of Giza had apartment in a four apartment to the Indo-Asian News Service. to compete against the others in building at 630-632 Plymouth the election, but after criticism in Avenue in Buffalo, New York and at India is not the only country trying Egypt, they were removed from least one person had to jump out to get a monument elected. the election list and made an of a second floor window to get to Brazil's soccer team for example, honorary candidate. The 20 other safety. One firefighter was injured urged Brazilians to vote for Christ candidates are: while fighting the blaze. Redeemer, the statue in Rio de ● The Acropolis of Athens, Janeiro. Greece. At approximately 4:30 p.mp ● The Alhambra in Granada, (eastern time) firefighters were Criticism on methods Spain. called to the building after initial The campaign started in ● The temple of Angkor Wat calls reported that an oven had September 1999 with a website by in Cambodia. caught on fire after grease had Swiss businessman Bernard ● Chichen Itza in Yucatan, spilled in Apt. #4. When Weber. One year later, one million Mexico. firefighters arrived, Apt. #4 was votes had already been cast, and ● Christ the Redeemer in Rio completely engulfed in flames. today the total number of internet, de Janeiro, Brazil. text message and telephone votes ● The Colosseum in Rome, "When we (the firefighters) has surpassed 50 million -possibly Italy. arrived, one person was trapped the largest global poll ever. ● The Easter Island Moais on on the second floor, but jumped Easter Island, Chile. out of a window to the neighbors Earlier on in the elections, ● The Eiffel Tower in Paris, second floor porch. The fire started promotional campaigns have been France. in a kitchen oven, maybe by able to severely influence the top ● The Great Wall of China. grease, but an investigation is seven. An e-mail chain letter in ● The Hagia Sophia in being conducted," said Buffalo Fire Turkey caused the nation to set Istanbul, Turkey. Department Chief Joe Fahey. the voting record in February ● The Kiyomizu Temple in 2002. After the site had been Kyoto, Japan. "One firefighter was injured," noticed in China, the country took ● The Kremlin, Red Square, added Fahey. Catalano, the injured the lead in weeks, according to the and Saint Basil's Cathedral firefighter, and whose first name is Foundation website. in Moscow, Russia. not known, received a small cut ● Machu Picchu in Cuzco, under his left eye, but did not The United Nations Educational, Peru. require hospitalization and was Scientific and Cultural Organization ● Neuschwanstein Castle in treated at the scene by (UNESCO) in a press release on Füssen, Germany. paramedics. July 20 reaffirmed that it has no ● Petra in Jordan. link with the initiative, which it ● The Statue of Liberty in New It is estimated that there is at says would reflect "only the York City, United States. least "US$100,000 in damage. opinions of those with access to ● Stonehenge in Amesbury, US$60,000 damage to the building the internet". The Foundation . and US$40,000 to the contents," 'Campaign Milestones page' ● Sydney Opera House in said Fahey. At least three floors however claims that "more than Australia. and two apartments were severely 25 percent of the world's ● The Taj Mahal in Agra, damaged by the fire. population is now aware of the India. N7W campaign" after the media ● Timbuktu, Mali. All of the building's occupants attention around the time the final made it out safely, and none were round began on January 1, 2006. injured. Arson is not believed to be UNESCO also criticised the lack of the cause.

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Heavy rain causes severe 103, a Boeing 747 next week. 243 they reach their final decision. flooding in UK passengers, 16 crew and eleven Heavy rain in England and Wales people on the ground were killed Several key items in the has caused the death of one man when the a bomb destroyed the prosecution's case come under after he was sucked down a man aircraft over Lockerbie, . heavy questioning of credibility in hole in Hull when attempting to There were no survivors. It is the evidence submitted to the clear flood water. A teenage boy expected that the result will be SCCRC, with rescue workers was also killed after being swept that the SCCRC will refer the case describing multiple items away by flood water of the River back to the court of apeal. supposedly in or near the bomb as Sheaf, Sheffield. The flooding has intact at the time of discovery, inundated large areas of land, The Scotsman reported that while they were presented to the many houses and caused travel documents leaked from al- court in a fragmentary form. The chaos with many roads and Megrahi's legal team include evidence of Maltese shopkeeper railways flooded or blocked by allegations that evidence used to Tony Gauci is also heavily stranded vehicles, especially in convict him 'was subject to scrutinised. Although he northern England. deliberate destruction and supposedly testified that al- manipulation for political reasons'. Megrahi bought clothes from him 75 mm of rain in some areas has They go on to accuse officials in later found to have been in the caused sever flooding which could both the United States and the suticase containing the bomb, in get worse as forecasters predict United Kingdom of "a co-ordinated reality he apparantly gave multiple one months worth of rain will fall effort to mislead the court" in inconsistent and substantialy in the next 24 hours. order to divert attention from differant accounts of who bought other suspects, who had support the clothes, failed to pick out al- A state of emergency has been from Iran, in order to prevent Megrahi at an identity parade, at declared in Hull and over 120 increased diplomatic tensions with at one point linked the purchase to schools have been closed in Iran at the time of the first Gulf convicted Egyptian terrorist Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The fire War. Mohammed Abu Talb, from the service, police and coast guards Iran-backed Popular Front for the have attempted many rescues The SCCRC is currently reviewing Liberation of Palestine. There are today with helicopters used to hundreds of documents and also allegations that two early remove people from stranded photographs that are alleged to statements by Gauci are missing houses to temporary shelters. supply evidence that evidence was altogether, and has even denied invented, manipulated or ignored any knowledge of Megrahi prior to Areas also affected are along the by both the UK police and the CIA. the bombing. River Severn, the River Teme, and Politician Tam Dalyell, who has the River Aire. campaigned against the conviction One investigator also claims that for years, has now said that the evidence was fabricated, whilst The rain also affected the start of full report by the SCCRC should be there was little investigation into Wimbledon and created more made public, adding "The Crown claims by a baggage handler at problems for the clear-up at the Office has a moral obligation to Heathrow International Airport end of another "mud bath" hold a public inquiry. If it that the bag containing the bomb Glastonbury festival. embarrasses the Scottish judiciary, was only added to the flight at the so be it. We're in danger of last minute. Scottish Criminal Cases Review becoming the laughing stock of Commission to review Pan Am Europe." He also said “I have no The SCCRC refused to comment, Flight 103 conviction doubt that evidence was planted, saying "It is not for Scottish The Scottish Criminal Cases and I have said so repeatedly in ministers to comment or preempt Review Commission (SCCRC), an the Commons. Only a full, public the outcome of this review. is the organisation that investigates and nonadversarial inquiry can strong view of the Scottish alleged miscarriages of justace, is finally settle this matter.” Government that due process of to complete a review of the Meanwhile, al-Megrahi's lawyers law will be followed and seen to be conviction of Libyan Abdel basset said that if he is granted a retrial followed in all matters pertaining Ali Mohamed al-Megrahi for the they will attempt to convince to this case." 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight authorities to release him until

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The SCCRC will issue its report on kidnappers say [the belt] will be Cambodian officials have not Thursday. detonated if there is any attempt confirmed or denied the report, to storm this area. They say and said they were still searching New video released shows BBC they're ready to turn the hideout for the wreckage. journalist Alan Johnston into what they describe as a death wearing 'explosive belt' zone if there is an attempt to free "We don't know how many are A new video has been released by me by force." dead or how many survived," Him the kidnappers of BBC News Sarun, chief of cabinet of the Civil reporter Alan Johnston, who was Both the BBC and Alan's family Aviation Secretariat was quoted as kidnapped whilst returning from were "distressed" by the video and saying by Agence France-Presse work in Gaza City 105 days ago. both re-iterated their plea for Alan (AFP). to be released peacefully. In the video Johnston is shown By nightfall, emergency workers wearing what the reporter says is Johnston, 45 and from Scotland, said they had not yet located the an "explosive belt" around his was kidnapped in Gaza by a crash site. "It could have crashed waist. He continues to say "the militant group calling itself "The into the side of a hill. It could be kidnappers say [the belt] will be Army of Islam" over 14 weeks ago anywhere. This is difficult country," detonated if there is any attempt whilst nearing the end of a three an unnamed rescue worker was to storm this area. They say year contract there and is, quoted as saying by Deutsche they're ready to turn the hideout according to the Committee to Presse-Agentur (DPA). into what they describe as a death Protect Journalists, one of 15 zone if there is an attempt to free journalists abducted from Gaza An unnamed airport official told me by force." since 2004. All the others were Reuters that the plane had crashed released, unharmed, within days into a mountain in Kampot Both the BBC and Alan's family of of their capture. Province, about 150 kilometers (93 were "distressed" by the video and miles) from the capital, Phnom both re-iterated their plea for Alan Plane with Korean, Czech Penh. "We heard there was to be released peacefully. tourists aboard crashes in something wrong with the plane at Cambodia Kom Chhay mountain in Kampot," Johnston, 45 and from Scotland, An airliner carrying 22 people the official was quoted as saying. was kidnapped in Gaza by a crashed into a remote militant group calling itself "The mountainous area of Cambodia Earlier in the day, Royal Army of Islam" over 14 weeks ago today, and the fate of those Cambodian Armed Forces whilst nearing the end of a three aboard remained uncertain as dispatched helicopters to search year contract there and is, search teams were daunted by for the crash site, but visibility was according to the Committee to darkness and rugged terrain. poor because of rain. Protect Journalists, one of 15 journalists abducted from Gaza Radar contact with the PMTair Deputy provincial police chief In since 2004. All the others were Antonov An-24 was lost at around Chiva told AFP that some released, unharmed, within days 10:40 a.m. local time (0340 GMT). conservationists working in the of of their capture. The flight had departed at around mountainous jungle near Kampot's 10 a.m. from Angkor International Bokor Hill Station had seen the Audio tape released of missing Airport in Siem Reap, near the plane crash. "The area is heavily Israeli soldier popular Angkor Wat temple forested and the sky is dark [with A new video has been released by complex, and was heading to rain] so it is hard for us to search. the kidnappers of BBC News Sihanoukville International Airport We have not found any pieces of reporter Alan Johnston, who was at Sihanoukville, a beach resort the plane yet," he was quoted kidnapped whilst returning from town on the Gulf of Thailand. saying by AFP. work in Gaza City 105 days ago. A report by Kyodo News said local The search is centered in Chhuk In the video Johnston is shown villagers heard a loud explosion, district, about 40 kilometers (24 wearing what the reporter says is rushed to the crash site, and found miles) north of the provincial an "explosive belt" around his no survivors. capital, Kampot governor Thach waist. He continues to say "the Khorn told DPA. "We are having

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Tuesday, June 26, 2007 Wikinews Page 5 serious difficulties reaching the funds had become a major sticking second international goal; wreck," he was quoted as saying. point in the ongoing nuclear Donovan's 34th international goal "We can do no more to get to the negotiations. The were frozen at ties him for first place with Eric site by road tonight. However, we the Macau bank after the United Wynalda among all American men. are doing everything we can to States accused North Korea of The United States were the reach the area as soon as money laundering and defending champions and hosts for possible," Khorn added. counterfeiting. the twelve-team bienniel event.

The flight had 16 passengers – 13 KCNA quoted an official at the America's Cup: Team New South Koreans and three Czechs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Zealand wins over Alinghi in plus a flight crew of one Russian saying: "As the funds that had second race and five Cambodians. been frozen at Macau's Banco Team New Zealand have defeated Delta Asia have been transferred Swiss syndicate Alinghi in the PMTair is a small Cambodian airline as we demanded, the troublesome second race of the 32nd America's with domestic and international issue of the frozen funds is finally Cup Challenge on Sunday, making routes, including direct flights from resolved." He continued, "there will the overall score equal with one Seoul to Siem Reap, feeding a be discussions with International win for each team. large influx of tourists from South Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Korea in the past few years. The delegates June 26 in Pyongyang on Team New Zealand, racing with airline had begun regularly shutting down nuclear facilities NZL-92, crossed the start line scheduled Siem Reap- and inspections and monitoring." three seconds ahead of Alinghi's Sihanoukville flights in January, yacht, SUI-100. But Alinghi led the providing a direct link between the A team from the IAEA arrived in race at the first mark by 13 two popular tourist towns. Beijing, China, on their way to seconds, though near the ending Pyongyang for a five-day visit. This of the race, Team New Zealand "We cannot find the plane right will be the first visit by the IAEA managed to overtake Alinghi to now, so we cannot say anything," since December 2002 when North lead the final leg of the race by 28 an unnamed PMT official was Korea ejected inspectors. seconds. quoted saying by AFP. The head of the team, Olli Former Alinghi and Team New The airline's website lists its Heinonen, said "Now we are going Zealand skipper, Russell Coutts current fleet as having two jets, a to negotiate how to verify and said that the latest win for Team Boeing 737-200 and a McDonnell make sure the reactor will be shut New Zealand will act as a big boost Douglas MD-83, and four prop- down and sealed, so this is the for them. Ray Davis, Team New driven planes: two each of the next step on this long trip." The Zealand after-guard, said, "It’s Russian-made Antonov AN-24s Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific been huge for the team to get a and AN-12s. Research Center is at the heart of win on the board in the America’s the North Korean nuclear program. Cup. It has been a long time The airline has a checkered safety coming for Emirates Team New reputation. In 2005, a piece of United States wins CONCACAF Zealand." landing gear snapped off an aging Gold Cup Antonov AN-24 on landing at The United States men's soccer Dan Cowie, Team New Zealand Banlung, Ratanakiri, with 59 team have won the 2007 trimmer, said, "As we said passengers aboard. There were no CONCACAF Gold Cup by defeating yesterday there are two very even injuries, but the airline was Mexico 2-1 at Soldier Field in boats out there. We didn’t learn a temporarily grounded after the Chicago. Mexico took the lead whole lot more today." incident. shortly before halftime with a goal from Jose Andres Guardado. The The next race is scheduled for North Korea confirms receipt of Unites States leveled the scores tomorrow, Monday being a race-off funds, nuclear shutdown to when Landon Donovan converted a day. proceed penalty in the 62nd minute and North Korea has confirmed that it took the lead eleven minutes later The last time Alinghi and Team is in receipt of US$25 million that from a goal by Benny Feilhaber. New Zealand fought for the was frozen at a Macau bank. The Feilhaber's goal was his only his America's Cup was when Team

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New Zealand was defending the unproven, but is thought to trophy in Auckland, New Zealand. be true; a guess. 2. A supposition based upon The past three consecutive incomplete evidence; a America's Cup challenges have hypothesis. been all whitewash victories, and 3. (obsolete) The five of the last six challenges have interpretation of signs and also been whitewashes. omens.

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