January 30, 2008 The free-content news source that you can write! Page 1

Top Stories Wikipedia Current Events Grass fires break out in wide area of Texas regime propaganda'. In the U.S. state of Texas, grass •Snow storms cuts the Beijing- fires spread across 2,000 acres of Guangzhou railway and paralyzes land, destroying at least two dozen China's Chunyun structures in the process. The fires were fueled by gusty winds of up •The United States House of to 60 miles per hour. Representatives passes a $146 billion economic stimulus No injuries or deaths have been package. reported. Residential areas in •Venezuelan gunmen hold 30 Tarrant, Wise, Parker, Nolan, Mauritanian refugees begin hostages in a bank in Guárico Burnet, and Callahan counties returning home from Senegal state before fleeing the scene in were evacuated as firefighters an ambulance with several struggled to put out the flames. Venezuelan police arrest bank hostages. The gunmen are Fires were also reported in Dallas, robbers, free hostages subsequently captured. Denton, and Collin counties. Many Police have of these fires have now been •United States presidential arrested contained, officials say. election, 2008: Voters in Florida four bank go to the polls to determine robbers who In response to the fires, Texas presidential nominees. took as governor Rick Perry activated the many as sixty hostages in a two- •Hillary Clinton wins the state's Emergency Operations day siege after the robbery was Democratic Party primary Center at the highest level. In botched. election with no delegates addition, 152 counties instituted awarded from, nor much burn bans. campaigning in, the state. Featured story Military aircraft were sent to the •John McCain wins the Republican Anonymous plans to protest area to help douse the fires. Party primary ahead of Mitt Church of Scientology on According to officials, two CH-47 Romney. February 10 Chinook helicopters are on standby The Internet-based group •Rudi Giuliani announces he will in Grand Prairie, waiting for the "Anonymous" released a new drop out and endorse John winds to slow down before taking video on McCain. to the skies with buckets of water. YouTube Six UH60 Blackhawk helicopters •Near-Earth asteroid 2007 TU24 Monday, are on standby in Austin and San passes Earth at a distance of announcing Antonio as well. 334,000 miles (537,500 km), and international observations reduce the estimate protests outside Church of Sharolyn Holder, a North Texas of its size from 2,000 feet (610 Scientology centers set for resident, said, "My house is sitting m) diameter to 800 feet (250 m). February 10. back there with fire all around it. •A missile strike by the Pakistan My son's house has already burned Wikipedia Current Events Army in North Waziristan kills ten some. It's just so stressful." suspected militants. Iran's judiciary sentences 54 Craig Civale of WFAA-TV said that Bahai religion followers for 'anti- •A car bomb in Thenia, Algeria kills at least three people. a lack of water contributed to the

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit en .wikinews.org Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Wikinews Page 2 spread of the fires. "We've seen freed, though there are no reports Sunday, January 27. areas where fire trucks simply ran of injuries as of yet. out of water, tanker trucks ran out "The woman died yesterday, but of water, and had to stop battling “This nightmare is over” we just received the results that the blazes at these homes; and —Gov. Eduardo Manuitt she's positive with bird flu. The pretty much watch them burn total number of deaths is now 100 down until more water came to the After the ambulance was out of 124 positive cases," said area," he said. surrounded, roadside negotiations National Bird Flu Center were begun, Manuitt told state spokesman, Joko Suyono. Officials in Tarrant County believe television. The gunmen released that a fire in Benbrook may have three hostages before Nearly half of all humans that died been started by a cigarette thrown surrendering their weapons, after from H5N1, have been from onto an interstate highway. which they were ordered to the Indonesia. Nearly half of those ground and arrested. "This infected in the country received Parts of U.S. Route 377 and nightmare is over," he said. the virus from poultry that was Interstate 35 were closed due to contaminated with the virus. the fires. The four suspects are said to be male and all in their twenties. So far, 223 people from 13 The heavy winds had other They were armed with pistols and different nations around the world adverse effects for Texas a hand grenade. They had have died from H5N1. residents. Around 75,000 homes in threatened to kill the hostages if the area were reported to be police stormed the bank. Mauritanian refugees begin without power in the afternoon returning home from Senegal due to the wind knocking down Earlier estimates thought there Mauritanian refugees stuck in several power lines. were 30 hostages, but freed Senegal for nearly two decades hostages have suggested there after fleeing ethnic clashes in their Some flights at Dallas-Fort Worth were as many as 60. Among the home country have begun International Airport were delayed hostages were a pregnant woman, returning to Mauritania under a more than half an hour or a two-week-old infant and several U.N.-sponsored program. But cancelled after the wind forced children. many do not want to return. officials to limit use of the runways. During the standoff, hostage There were goodbye ceremonies Vanessa Saavedra managed to call and welcoming ceremonies Venezuelan police arrest bank Colombia's Caracol Radio by cell attended by officials on both sides robbers, free hostages phone, saying: "We don't want of the Senegal River as more than The four gunmen who were them to shoot ... We don't want 100 former refugees were ferried holding as many as 60 hostages in them to open fire. Please." on motorized pirogues. a bank in Altagracia de Orituco, Venezuela, cut a deal with police The siege has called attention to A spokesman for the United that allowed them to drive off with the problem of crime in Venezuela. Nations refugee agency, Alphonse five hostages after freeing the The country has been facing one of Munyaneza, explained remaining. the highest rates of gun-related international funding will help pay deaths in the world. President for resettlement. The Governor of Guárico Eduardo Hugo Chávez has made promises Manuitt, in explaining the deal to to deal with the problem. "Each refugee returning back to media, said that the robbers would Mauritania will receive a piece of not be followed. Indonesia reports 100th land equivalent to 140 square human death from bird flu meters for establishing a house. However, after the ambulance had Two people, a nine year old boy UNHCR and the government of been allowed to drive to the and a 23-year-old woman from Mauritania will provide outskirts of Caracas, police Jakarta in Indonesia, have died construction material so that they surrounded the vehicle and from the H5N1 Avian Flu virus can build a house," explained arrested all four of them. The five marking the country's 100th death Munyaneza. "We will provide three hostages are said to have been from the disease. Both died on months of food ration. We will

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Wikinews Page 3 provide a tent also." He says he is still very bitter about heavily armed police, television what happened nearly 20 years crews, and the victims relatives. “Each refugee returning back to ago. He said his father, who was a The gunmen released a few Mauritania will receive a piece of civil servant, was attacked by a hostages on Monday evening and land equivalent to 140 square mob and died of internal bleeding two employees escaped, including meters for establishing a house.” at the gates of a hospital after a security guard who ran from the —Alphonse Munyaneza doctors refused to treat him. building as the gunmen fired shots at him. Mauritanian refugee children broke Sow accuses the military of seizing out in song and laughter when all his family's property. He says “We are in real danger. They can officials arrived at their camps that two of his younger brothers kill us. Please help.” close to the border to get the died on the trip to Senegal. He —Unknown hostage process going. says his children are now going to school and that they are better off There are more than 20,000 in Senegal. The hostages, which are said to Mauritanian refugees in Senegal. include a pregnant woman and Officials say the return program One of the refugee leaders, small children, occasionally appear will extend over 18 months. Mohamed Ali Sow, who left when in the windows of the bank, he was 10, says he is studying at a ostensibly to show relatives that One of those happy to go is Haddy university in Senegal to become a they are still alive. One hostage Sy. She says she left Mauritania lawyer to defend the rights of displayed a placard in of the after she was beaten up. This took chased out Mauritanians. windows. It read, "We are in real place during a wave of ethnic danger. They can kill us. Please violence that began in Arab Moor- He says the return program has help." dominated Mauritania in 1989 and been rushed, because he says escalated into border clashes, people who had their property The hostage takers are demanding forcing tens of thousands of black, seized, houses burned, and jobs an ambulance in which they wish mostly ethnic Fula, Mauritanians taken away, should have to be allowed to drive away with into exile. guarantees these will be restored. their stolen goods and a handful of He says until then, he does not hostages. Negotiators said they In the late 1990s, more than think it is wise to go back. had turned down an offer to let 30,000 refugees returned by their them surrender in front of live own means and some U.N. Bank robbers take hostages in cameras with guarantees that assistance. Venezuela police would not fire a shot.

Sy says she is leaving behind Updated story above. Police cut off running water to the many good things in Senegal, bank, but have made deliveries of including a peaceful setting, but On Monday, four men entered a food, drinking water, and diapers. that she is still happy to return to branch of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Some hostages have sent text her home country. Argentaria in Altagracia de messages to relatives and one Orituco, Venezuela, a small city even managed to place a phone Since taking office last year, the south-east of the capital Caracas. call to regional radio station. government of the elected, post- Allegedly, the bank heist did not coup President Sidi Ould Cheikh go as planned, and the men Speaking on Unión Radio, local Abdallahi has been making efforts became trapped in the bank with security official Manuel Granadillo to bring home the refugees, police outside. In the resulting said, "They appear to be new at including several thousand more in standoff, approximately 30 this. They could do something Mali. employees and customers were crazy and then anything could taken hostage. happen." But many in Senegal do not want to return home, like Yaraah Sow, Today, after the standoff has State-run media has largely who lives in the Dagana refugee lasted more than 24 hours, with a ignored the standoff, while other camp about 400 kilometers helicopter hovering above, the outlets have been giving frequent northwest of Dakar. bank is surrounded by hundreds of and detailed reports. Crime is a

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Wikinews Page 4 growing political issue in those who threaten our troops, we the address was delivered by Venezuela. Opinion polls have will stand by our allies, and we will Kansas Governor Kathleen indicated that it is the number one defend our vital interests in the Sebelius. concern of the population. Persian Gulf." "Tonight's address begins the final Bush delivers final State of the Bush also spoke of his year of this presidency, with new Union address determination to protect the leaders on the horizon and President George W. Bush has American economy. He uncertainty throughout our land," delivered his seventh and final acknowledged many Americans she said. "Conditions we face, at State of the Union Address to worry the slowdown in economic home and abroad, are results of Congress and the American growth could evolve into a full- choices made and challenges people. In the speech he urged the blown recession, and he sought to unmet." American public to support his Iraq calm their fears. policies and called on other Ole Miss player arrested; politicians to take action to boost "In the long run, Americans can be charged with selling steroids the U.S. economy. confident about our economic Jared Foster, a transfer growth," he said. "But in the short quarterback with the University of Since 2008 is a presidential run, we can all see that growth is Mississippi (Ole Miss) Rebels election year and he has already slowing." football team, was arrested served the Constitutional yesterday in Oxford, Mississippi maximum of two four year terms, The president called on Congress and charged with selling steroids. he may not run again. Since State to pass the economic stimulus of the Union addresses are package the administration worked Rebels head coach Houston Nutt traditionally only given yearly in out with Democratic and said that Foster will not be allowed January, he will likely not give Republican leaders in the House. to remain with the team. another one. And he urged lawmakers to re- authorize a program that enables Foster was arrested for alcohol Rather than focus on the past, the government to secretly possession by a minor and Bush talked at length about the monitor communications between contributing to the delinquency of issues that will shape his legacy - Americans and terror suspects a minor in 2006 while a star player starting with the war in Iraq and abroad without a prior court for Madison Central High School in his decision to send in an warrant. Madison, Mississippi. Prosecutors additional 30,000 U.S. troops. agreed then not to try the case on On these and other matters, Bush the conditions that Foster help "Some may deny the surge is said everyone should put politics police in a steroid investigation working, but among the terrorists aside. and stay out of trouble. there is no doubt," he said. "Al- Qaeda is on the run in Iraq, and "In this election year, let us show Anonymous plans to protest this enemy will be defeated." our fellow Americans that we Church of Scientology on recognize our responsibilities and February 10 About half the speech dealt with are determined to meet them," he The Internet-based group foreign policy, with a heavy focus said. "And let us show them that "Anonymous" released a new video on the Middle East. President Bush Republicans and Democrats can on YouTube Monday, announcing talked about his hopes for an compete for votes and compete for international protests outside Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, and results at the same time." Church of Scientology centers set issued a challenge to the for February 10. The video "Call to government of Iran. Two of the Democrats running for Action" uses the same computer their party's presidential synthesized voice as a previous "Come clean about your nuclear nomination — Senators Hillary video titled "Message to intentions and past actions, stop Clinton and Barack Obama — were Scientology", which was posted to your oppression at home, and in the chamber for the president's YouTube last Monday. The cease your support for terror speech. "Message to Scientology" video abroad," he said. "But above all, has been viewed over 1,400,000 know this: American will confront The official Democratic response to times, and the "Call to Action"

If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Wikinews Page 5 video has already been viewed far too long." The video goes on to "pathetic" group of "computer over 237,000 times. state "We want you to be aware of geeks". On Monday, Radar the very real dangers of reported that the Church of Anonymous is taking action Scientology," citing what they Scientology has asked the U.S. against the Church of Scientology term "gross human violations". Attorney General's office in Los in response to what it sees as Angeles, the F.B.I., and the LAPD suppression of freedom of speech Specific controversial events in to start a criminal investigation of on the Internet. The group was Scientology history are cited in the possible criminal activity related to first motivated after the Church of video, including Operation the Internet attacks. A source told Scientology issued a copyright Freakout and Paulette Cooper, and Radar that the Church of infringement claim to YouTube Operation Snow White. Operation Scientology is arguing that the regarding a promotional video of Freakout was the name of a Internet attacks are a form of Scientologist Tom Cruise speaking Church of Scientology operation "illegal interference with business." about his beliefs and using whose goal was to "get P.C. Radar also reports that the Church Scientology jargon. The Church of [Paulette Cooper] incarcerated in a of Scientology is emphasizing its Scientology also issued a legal mental institution or jail or at least status as a religious organization complaint to the website to hit her so hard that she drops in the United States, in order to Gawker.com which is also hosting her attacks." Paulette Cooper had assert that the Internet attacks the video, but Gawker has stated written a book critical of can be classed as hate crimes.... it will not take the video down Scientology called The Scandal of I'm mainly concerned because it is newsworthy. Scientology. Operation Snow White because you shouldn't be doing was the name of a Church of things that are illegal, you just Anonymous set up a movement Scientology operation where shouldn't. ... called "Project Chanology" to members of the Church's secretive coordinate their efforts, and took Guardian's Office infiltrated United down several Church of States government agencies in —Mark Bunker, XenuTV.com. Scientology websites through Washington, D.C. including the denial-of-service attacks. Members I.R.S. The F.B.I.'s investigation of Anonymous have also into Operation Snow White led On Saturday, Mark Bunker of the participated in prank calls to them to discover the planning of website XenuTV.com posted a Church of Scientology centers, as actions taken against Paulette video to YouTube criticizing the well as protests or "raids" outside Cooper. illegal actions of Anonymous and Scientology buildings, and have suggested legal methods for them posted some of their exploits to The video concludes by inviting the to retaliate against the Church of YouTube.... viewer to "take up the banner of Scientology, including peaceful Anonymous is a collective of free speech" and protest with protesting, writing letters to their individuals united by an awareness Anonymous world wide. In an government representatives, and that someone must do the right email to CNET News, Anonymous persuading the United States thing. ... stated that cities where unknown government to take away the activities are planned on February Church of Scientology's tax 10 include New York City, exempt status. In the video, —Anonymous, "Call to Action". Montreal, Houston, London, Bunker states "I'm mainly Melbourne, and Los Angeles. concerned because you shouldn't be doing things that are illegal, In the "Call to Action" video, On Friday, two spokespersons for you just shouldn't. It's not morally Anonymous denies that they are the Church of Scientology right, and it's not right when composed solely of "super commented on the recent actions Scientology does it, it's not right hackers", stating "Anonymous is a of Anonymous. A spokesman told when we do it." Bunker's video collective of individuals united by News.com.au "These types of post has been viewed over an awareness that someone must people have got some wrong 156,000 times. On Sunday, do the right thing, that someone information about us," and Church Bunker posted a follow-up video to must bring light to the darkness, spokeswoman Yvette Shank told YouTube where he gives advice to that someone must open the eyes Sun Media that she regarded Anonymous on how to peacefully of a public that has slumbered for members of Anonymous as a picket. He also provides viewers

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