Portal:Current events/February 2006: Difference between revisions

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{{see also|February 2006 in sports}}

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{{Events by month|2006|prefix=Portal:Current events/}}

NOTE: Please log news events in the past tense. Provide links to the news stories after each entry. '''Stories without links will be removed'''. News stories must be in '''English''', no other languages! PLEASE DO NOT LINK TO SUBSCRIPTION-ONLY SITES SUCH AS AOL, WSJ (except in the unlikely event that a story is covered substantially better there than anywhere else). If possible, AVOID YAHOO NEWS LINKS, as those URLs are transitory and die quickly!

'''[[February]]''' '''[[2006]]''' was the second month of that common year. The month, which began on a [[Wednesday]], ended on a [[Tuesday]] after 28 days.

NOTE: For each item, please update the most relevant linked article if it is appropriate.

Only stories of international interest should be added here.

DO NOT LIST THE ORDINARY DEATHS OF PROMINENT PERSONS HERE. That's what [[Recent deaths]] is for. Generally the deaths listed here have been of persons of extreme prominence, such as Ronald Reagan, John Paul II or the Queen Mother.

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__NOTOC__

{{portalpar|Current events}}

'''[[February]] [[2006]]''' : [[December 2005|←]] - [[January 2006|January]] - [[February 2006|February]] - [[March 2006|March]] - [[April 2006|April]] - [[May 2006|May]] - [[June 2006|June]] - [[July 2006|July]] - [[August 2006|August]] - [[September 2006|September]] - [[October 2006|October]] - [[November 2006|November]] - [[December 2006|December]]- [[January 2007|→]]

{{February 2006 events|}}

{| class="infobox" width="250"

|- style="font-size: 133%; background-color: #DDDDDD; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px"

![[Deaths in 2006#February 2006|Deaths]]

|-

|

*[[February 3|3]]: [[Al Lewis]]

*3: [[Romano Mussolini]]

*[[February 4|4]]: [[Betty Friedan]]

*[[February 8|8]]: [[Ron Greenwood]]

*[[February 9|9]]: [[Freddie Laker|Sir Freddie Laker]]

*[[February 10|10]]: [[Juan Soriano]]

*[[February 11|11]]: [[Peter Benchley]]

*[[February 14|14]]: [[Lynden David Hall]]

*[[February 15|15]]: [[Sun Yun-suan]]

*[[February 16|16]]: [[Ernie Stautner]]

*[[February 20|20]]: [[Curt Gowdy]]

*[[February 22|22]]: [[Atwar Bahjat]]

*22: [[Sinnathamby Rajaratnam]]

*[[February 24|24]]: [[Don Knotts]]

*24: [[Dennis Weaver]]

*[[February 25|25]]: [[Octavia Butler]]

*25: [[Darren McGavin]]

*[[February 27|27]]: [[Linda Smith (comedian)|Linda Smith]]

*27: [[Robert Lee Scott, Jr.|Robert Scott]]

== [[Portal:Current events]] ==

|}

''This is an [[Portal:Current events/How to archive the portal|archived version]] of Wikipedia's [[Portal:Current events|Current events Portal]] from February 2006.''

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!Events

{{Portal:Current events/Month Inclusion|2006 February}}

|-

|style="vertical-align:top;width:250px"|

|

{{Portal:Current events/February 2006/Calendar}}

*[[2006 Winter Olympics]]

{{Portal:Current events/February 2006/Sidebar}}

|-

|

====Ongoing====

*[[Jack Abramoff lobbying and corruption scandal|Abramoff scandal]]

*[[Illnesses of Ariel Sharon|Ariel Sharon illness]]

*[[Global spread of H5N1|Avian influenza (H5N1) outbreak]]

*[[Black site|Black sites scandal]]

*[[Dubai Ports World controversy]]

*[[2006 Horn of Africa food crisis|Horn of Africa food crisis]]

*[[Iran and weapons of mass destruction|Iran's nuclear program]]

*[[Liberal Party of Canada leadership convention, 2006/07|Liberal leadership race in Canada]]

*[[2005 Malawi food crisis|Malawi food crisis]]

*[[Baldgate|Malaysian Baldgate scandal]]

*[[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|Muhammad cartoons controversy]]

*[[2006 North Indian cyclone season|North Indian cyclone season]]

*[[NSA warrantless surveillance controversy|NSA Spying Controversy]]

*[[2006 Pacific typhoon season|Pacific typhoon season]]

*[[2006 state of emergency in the Philippines|Philippines under state of emergency]]

*[[2005-06 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season|Southern Hemisphere cyclone season]]

*[[2006 Southern Leyte mudslide|Southern Leyte mudslide]]

|}

{| class="infobox" width="250"

|- style="font-size: 133%; background-color: #DDDDDD; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px"

!Wars and conflicts

|-

|

*[[Lord's Resistance Army|Acholiland insurgency]]

*[[Arab-Israeli conflict]] ([[Al-Aqsa Intifada]])

*[[Darfur conflict]] in [[Sudan]]

*[[Iraq War]]

*[[Ivorian Civil War]]

*[[Nepal Civil War]]

*[[Second Chechen War]]

*[[Second Congo War]]

*[[South Thailand insurgency]]

|}

{| class="infobox" width="250"

|- style="font-size: 133%; background-color: #DDDDDD; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px"

![[Electoral calendar 2006|Elections]]

|-

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====Results====

*[[February 23|23]]: [[Elections in Uganda|Uganda]], [[Ugandan general election, 2006|President and Parliament]]

*[[February 15|15]]: [[Politics of Tokelau|Tokelau]], [[Tokelau self-determination referendum, 2006|referendum on future status]]

*[[February 12|12]]: [[Elections in Cape Verde|Cape Verde]], [[Cape Verde presidential election, 2006|President]]

*[[February 8|8]]: [[Elections in Nepal|Nepal]], municipality election

*[[February 7|7]]: [[Elections in Haiti|Haiti]], [[Haitian elections, 2006|General]]

*[[February 5|5]]: [[Elections in Costa Rica|Costa Rica]], [[Costa Rica presidential elections, 2006|Pres.]] and [[Costa Rican legislative elections, 2006|Legislative]]

|}

{| class="infobox" width="250"

|- style="font-size: 133%; background-color: #DDDDDD; padding-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px"

!Trials

|-

|

*Chile: [[Alberto Fujimori|Alberto Fujimori (extradition process)]]

*Chile: [[Augusto Pinochet]]

*Iraq: [[Iraqi Special Tribunal]]

**[[Trials of Saddam Hussein|Saddam Hussein]], among others

*Netherlands: [[International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia|ICTY]]

**[[Slobodan Milošević]]

*Russia: [[Nur-Pashi Kulayev]]<

*UK: [[O'Connor - Keogh official secrets trial|Leo O'Connor & David Keogh]]

*U.S.: [[Brian Nichols]]

*U.S.: [[Kenneth Lay]] and [[Jeffrey Skilling]]

*U.S.: [[Tom DeLay]]

*U.S.: [[Zacarias Moussaoui]]

|}

{{commons category|February 2006}}

<div id="1_February_2006"> </div>

{{events by month links|year=2006|prefix=Portal:Current events/}}

===[[1 February]] [[2006]] (Wednesday)===

*[[Governor of West Virginia|Governor]] of [[West Virginia]] [[Joe Manchin]] asks for a halt in [[coal mining]] following two more coal mining deaths in the state that saw fourteen people die in coal mining disasters in [[January 2006|January]]. [http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/02/01/mine.close/index.html (CNN)].

*More than 200 [[Israeli settler]]s and [[Israeli Security Forces]] are injured when the Security Forces brutally beat the settlers of the [[Amona]] outpost in the [[West Bank]]. [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/676627.html (Haaretz)]

*The controversy surrounding the [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons|Muhammad cartoons]] escalates as newspapers in [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Italy]] and [[Spain]] republish the controversial pictures in defiance of widespread [[Muslim]] protests in the [[Middle East]] and elsewhere.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4670370.stm (BBC)]

*The [[Latin America]]n [[TV station]] [[teleSUR]], backed by the [[Venezuela]]n government, has signed a co-operation agreement with the [[Arabic]] channel [[al-Jazeera]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4669268.stm (BBC)]

*Shares in [[Google]] fall dramatically after the company reported profits below [[Wall Street]] estimates. $12 billion in market value was lost. [http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/02/01/D8FGFE6G1.html (AP)]

*Astronomers measure the size of newly discovered [[dwarf planet]] [[Eris (dwarf planet)|Eris]] as larger than [[Pluto]] with 84% probability. [http://www.astro.uni-bonn.de/~bertoldi/ub313/ (astro.uni-bonn.de)], [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060202/ap_on_sc/new_planet (AP via Yahoo!)]

<div id="2_February_2006"> </div>

===[[2 February]] [[2006]] (Thursday)===

*A leaked memo in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], detailing a conversation between U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] and British Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]] in 2003, has revealed that Blair intended to follow the US into [[Iraq]] even without a [[UN resolution]], and that Bush considered provoking a response from Iraq using falsely marked [[Lockheed U-2]] spy planes to provide an excuse for war. [http://politics.guardian.co.uk/iraq/story/0,,1700881,00.html (Guardian)]

*[[Venezuela]] has expelled [[U.S. Navy|U.S. Navy Cmdr]]. [[John Correa]], a military attaché at the [[USA|U.S.]] embassy in [[Caracas]], on suspicion of espionage. [http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11147752/ (Newsweek)] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4675572.stm (BBC)]

*Representative [[John Boehner]] of [[Ohio]] becomes the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House]] [[Majority Leader of the United States House of Representatives|Majority Leader]], beating out acting majority leader [[Roy Blunt]] in a house vote. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/02/politics/02cnd-cong.html?hp&ex=1138942800&en=5b186f41a14ac954&ei=5094&partner=homepage (New York Times)]

*[[Royal Dutch Shell]] breaks the record for the highest ever annual profit for a British company with a total of £13.12bn [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4672716.stm (BBC)]

*The [[oil tanker]] [[Seabulk Pride]], carrying approx 100,000 [[Barrel (unit)|barrels]] (approx. 16 million L) of oil, runs aground in the port of [[Nikiski]], [[Alaska]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4675372.stm (BBC)]

*The mobile phones of high ranking [[Greece|Greek]] government officials, including Prime Minister [[Costas Karamanlis]] have been revealed to [[Greek telephone tapping case 2004-2005|have been tapped by unknown eavesdroppers]]. [http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=2006-02-02T172158Z_01_L02784735_RTRIDST_0_OUKOE-UK-GREECE-TAPPING.XML&archived=False (Reuters)] [http://www.ana.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=3881774&maindocimg=3094654&service=6 (Athens News Agency)]

<div id="3_February_2006"> </div>

===[[3 February]] [[2006]] (Friday)===

*[[Jamal al-Bedawi]], who masterminded the [[USS Cole bombing|USS ''Cole'' bombing]], and [[Fawaz al-Rabeiee]], who planned the [[Limburg tanker bombing|2002 attack on the French tanker ''Limburg]],'' escape from a prison in [[Yemen]] along with 22 other prisoners, 12 of whom were convicted members of [[Al-Qaida]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2940251.stm (BBC)]

*The [[United States]] [[persona non grata|expels]] [[Venezuela]]n diplomat Jeny Figueredo Frias in retaliation for yesterday's expulsion of suspected US spy John Correa from Venezuela. A [[United States Department of State|State Department]] spokesman described the move as part of "tit-for-tat diplomatic games". [http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-02-03-voa61.cfm (VOA)]

*The [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] has deferred until Saturday a vote on whether to report [[Iran]] to the [[United Nations Security Council|UN Security Council]] over concerns its nuclear programs may produce weapons. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2006/02/03/iaea-060203.html (CBC)]

*A plot to [[assassination|assassinate]] [[President of Georgia|President]] [[Mikhail Saakashvili]] of [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] by shooting down his [[helicopter]] has been foiled. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060203/ts_afp/georgiasaakashviliplot (Yahoo)]

*Queues build up at vendors as the [[EuroMillions]] [[lottery]] offers a jackpot of [[Euro|€]]180 million after 11 successive rollovers (statistically expected once in 25 years). Some British vendors report a 1200% increase in sales. EuroMillions tickets are sold in [[Austria]], [[Belgium]]. [[France]], [[Ireland]], [[Luxembourg]], [[Portugal]], [[Spain]], [[Switzerland]] and the [[United Kingdom]]. An Irish woman won €115,436,126 last July. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4673280.stm (BBC)], [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uklatest/story/0,,-5591756,00.html (Guardian)]. UPDATE: The winning numbers were 9 21 30 39 50 with Lucky Star numbers 01 and 03; the jackpot was shared between three winning tickets, two in France and one in Portugal. [http://www.national-lottery.co.uk/player/p/results/prizes/prizeAction.do (UK National Lottery)]

*Two [[car bombs]] explode minutes apart in southern [[Baghdad]], killing at least 16 people and wounding more than 90 others. [http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/02/02/iraq.main/index.html (CNN)]

*A strong [[earthquake]] registering magnitude 5.9 shakes northeastern [[Japan]], but there is no danger of a [[tsunami]]. [http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/02/03/japan.quake.ap/index.html (CNN)]

*[[Israeli-Palestinian Conflict]]:

**[[Hezbollah]] fires some 30 [[mortar shells]] at [[Israel Defence Forces|IDF]] outposts along the northern [[Israeli]] border, lightly wounding an Israeli soldier. In response, Israeli Air Force strikes [[Hezbollah]] targets in southern [[Lebanon]]. [http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-02-03T151204Z_01_L03725805_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST-ISRAEL-AIRSTRIKE.xml (Reuters)] [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3210485,00.html (YNET)]

**At least three [[Qassam]] rockets are fired from [[Gaza]] by [[Palestinian]] militants at [[Israeli]] civilian targets. One rocket strikes a home in [[Kibbutz Karmiyah]], injuring four people, including a one-year-old infant. The home belongs to a family recently evicted during Israel's 2005 [[Israel's unilateral disengagement plan|unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip]]. [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3210491,00.html (YNET)]

*The [[United States]] [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]] [[Donald Rumsfeld]] likens [[Venezuela]]'s [[President of Venezuela|President]] [[Hugo Chávez]] to [[Adolf Hitler]]. In retaliation, Venezuelan Vice President [[José Vicente Rangel]] refers to the US as the [[Third Reich]]. [http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11159503/ (AP)], [http://espanol.news.yahoo.com/060203/1/16vpr.html (AP)]

*The [[M/V al-Salam Boccaccio 98]], a ferry carrying 1272 passengers and 105 crew, sinks in poor weather in the [[Red Sea]] while travelling between [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Egypt]]. 314 people have been rescued so far. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4676916.stm (BBC)] [http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Egyptian_passenger_ferry_sinks_in_Red_Sea (Wikinews)]

*Dutch [[Democrats 66|D66]] party chairman [[Boris Dittrich]] resigns because the Dutch Government voted 'Yes' to Dutch participation in a [[NATO]]-led [[ISAF]] operation in [[Afghanistan]]. [http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=19&story_id=27352&name=D66+chief+Boris+Dittrich+set+to+quit+over+Afghan+vote (Expatica)]

<div id="4_February_2006"> </div>

===[[4 February]] [[2006]] (Saturday)===

*[[Saddam Hussein]] aims to sue [[Tony Blair]] and [[George W. Bush]] for crimes against [[Iraq]]. [http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=130152006 (Scotsman)]

*Georgia, USA. 17 human rights activists sentenced to prison including one 81 year old retired World War II Veteran for protesting outside [[Fort Benning]] military camp. [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0602/S00014.htm (Scoop, New Zealand)]

*Twenty-seven out of 35 countries on the [[International Atomic Energy Agency|IAEA]]'s Board of Governors vote to refer the [[nuclear program of Iran]] to the [[United Nations Security Council]] out of concern over Iran's plans to enrich nuclear materials and to refuse IAEA inspection of the process. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4680294.stm (BBC)]

*[[Pasig City stampede|A stampede]] at a sports stadium in [[Pasig City]], [[Metro Manila]], [[Philippines]], kills 73 and injures more than 320, mostly women. Tens of thousands of people had gathered to watch the anniversary presentation of the popular [[ABS-CBN]] early afternoon TV gameshow, ''[[Wowowee (variety show)|Wowowee]]''. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4680040.stm (BBC)] [http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/02/04/manila.stampede/index.html (CNN)]

*The [[Denmark|Danish]], and as a consequence of sharing the same building, the [[Chile|Chilean]] and [[Sweden|Swedish]] embassies in [[Damascus]], are firebombed by protestors denouncing the publication of what they consider sacrilegious [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad]]. The [[Norway|Norwegian]] embassy is also burned. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4681294.stm (BBC)]

<div id="5_February_2006"> </div>

===[[5 February]] [[2006]] (Sunday)===

*[[American football]]: The [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] defeat the [[Seattle Seahawks]] by a score of 21-10 in [[Super Bowl XL]]. [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/recaps/2006/02/05/1989_recap.html (Sports Illustrated)]

*[[Iran]] resumes most of its [[nuclear program of Iran|nuclear program]] after it was voted to be referred to the [[United Nations Security Council]]. However it says that it is still open for renegotiation. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4682536.stm (BBC)]

*The [[Denmark|Danish]] embassy in [[Beirut]], [[Lebanon]], is set on fire by protesters because of the continued controversy over the [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad]], and rumors of [[Qur'an]] burnings in Denmark. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4682560.stm (BBC)]

*Israel bombs a sport club in Gaza. When people came to help the wounded they fired another missile. When they manage to get a badly injured into a car a third missile is fired at the car killing three persons. <!-- {{citenews|date=[[2006-02-25]]|title=Israel trappar upp våldet mot palestinierna|org=Stockholms Fria Tidning|url=http://www.stockholmsfria.nu/modules.php?name=Artikel&id=6555}} --> [http://www.stockholmsfria.nu/modules.php?name=Artikel&id=6555 (SFT)]

<div id="6_February_2006"> </div>

=== [[6 February]] [[2006]] (Monday)===

*In [[Costa Rica]], the [[Costa Rica presidential elections, 2006|presidential election]] is a tight race and too close to call. [http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-02-06T175555Z_01_N05365534_RTRUKOC_0_US-COSTARICA-ELECTION.xml&archived=False (Reuters)]

*[[Mauritania#Politics|Mauritania]] denounces amendments to an oil contract made by former leader [[Maaouiya Ould Taya]] with [[Woodside Petroleum]]. The Mauritanian authorities declare that the amendments were signed "outside the legal framework of normal practice, to the great detriment of our country", and could cost Mauritania up to $200 million a year. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4684836.stm {BBC)] [http://www.rfi.fr/actufr/articles/074/article_41704.asp (Radio France International)]

*[[U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary]] hearings begin regarding the [[NSA warrantless surveillance controversy|NSA warrantless surveillance program]], with testimony from [[United States Attorney General|Attorney General]] [[Alberto Gonzales]]. [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5191188 (NPR)]

*As [[Stephen Harper]] is sworn in as [[Canada]]'s [[Prime Minister of Canada|22nd Prime Minister]], [[David Emerson]] [[crossing the floor|crosses the floor]] from the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal Party]] to join Harper's [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative Party]], and is appointed as Minister of International Trade. Harper also appointed [[Michael Fortier]], an unelected party supporter, to minister of public works and government services and to the senate. [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060206/cabinet_main_060206/20060206?hub=TopStories (CTV)] [http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/02/06/emerson-jumps060206.html (CBC)]

*[[United States|U.S.]], [[Indonesian]], and [[Australian]] scientists working in the [[Foja Mountains]] in eastern [[Papua (Indonesian province)|Papua]], [[Indonesia]], discover 20 previously unknown [[frog]] species, a new species of [[honeyeater]], four new [[butterflies]], and at least five new plants. Also discovered were a [[kangaroo]] unknown in Papua, and a [[Berlepsch's Six-wired Bird-of-paradise|Six-wired Bird of Paradise]], previously known only from dead specimens whose origin was unknown. [http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=1587606&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312 (ABC)]

*[[Germany|German]] car company [[BMW]] is banned from the [[Google]] index after attempting to deliberately deceive Google users. [http://blog.outer-court.com/archive/2006-02-04-n60.html (Outer Court)]

*In the [[Egypt]]ian port of [[Safaga]], relatives of hundreds of passengers killed when the ferry ''[[al-Salam Boccaccio '98]]'' sank in the [[Red Sea]], attack the office of [[El Salam Maritime Transport]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4684976.stm (BBC)]

*[[Isabelle Dinoire]], the [[France|French]] woman who received the world's first partial face transplant appears before the media for the first time, saying she expects to resume a normal life. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2006/02/06/face-transplant.html (CBC)]

<div id="7_February_2006"> </div>

=== [[7 February]] [[2006]] (Tuesday)===

*Private [[Andrei Sychev]], an 18-year old conscript soldier who was so severely [[Dedovshchina|beaten in a hazing incident]] at his base in [[Chelyabinsk]] on [[New Year's Eve]] that his [[leg]]s and [[genitals]] had to be [[amputation|amputated]], is transferred to [[Moscow]] for further treatment. The incident has caused uproar in [[Russia]] with [[Vladimir Putin|President Putin]] addressing the [[State Duma]] on army bullying. 16 soldiers officially died in hazing incidents last year, although the figure does not include related suicides. [http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060207/43405767.html (RIA Novosti)] [http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/01/b84f149f-7911-4f94-b7cd-a43808f2fdb3.html (Radio Free Europe)]

*[[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy]]:

** An [[Iran]]ian newspaper, ''[[Hamshahri]]'', has announced a competition for the best cartoon of the [[Holocaust]] "as a test of the boundaries of [[free speech]]". [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4688466.stm (BBC)] [[:n:Hamshari newspaper plans cartoon response|(WikiNews)]]

** As the [[Denmark|Danish]] embassy in [[Tehran]] is attacked by hundreds of protesters, five people are killed in [[Afghanistan]] as protests against European Muhammed cartoons sweep across the country. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4687992.stm (BBC)]

** [[Prime Minister of Denmark]] [[Anders Fogh Rasmussen]] says violent [[Muslim]] protests over [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|cartoons]] of the [[Prophet Mohammad]] are a worldwide crisis spinning out of the control of governments. [http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-02-07T191037Z_01_L07197113_RTRUKOC_0_US-RELIGION-CARTOONS-DENMARK.xml (Reuters)]

*Monitored by thousands of [[United Nations|UN]] [[Peacekeeping|peacekeepers]], the people of [[Haiti]] go to polling stations in the country's [[Haitian elections, 2006|first election]] since the ousting of former [[president]] [[Jean-Bertrand Aristide]] in [[2004]]. [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060207/haiti_elections_060207/20060207?hub=World (CTV)]

*An [[Israel]]i [[airstrike]] on a car kills two Palestinian militants in [[Gaza City]]. [http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-02-07T191318Z_01_L07782011_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST-GAZA-EXPLOSION.xml (Reuters)]

*[[Mounir El Motassadeq]], a member of the [[Hamburg cell]] led by [[Mohammed Atta]], is ordered an early release by the [[Federal Constitutional Court of Germany]]. The [[Berlin]] court rules there is an absence of proof in the government's case that Motassadeq was informed about the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]] terrorist plot. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4690712.stm (BBC)]

*[[Scotland]] is to follow [[England]] into implementing the controversial [[UK National DNA Database]] of those arrested, but acquitted or released without charges. [http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=191982006 (Scotsman)]

*[[Japan]] urges [[North Korea]] to return to six-party talks on its nuclear program and halt [[missile]] development, but a Japanese official said Pyongyang insists that Washington drop sanctions first. [http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060207/3/2ffsk.html (Reuters)]

*[[Muslim]] cleric [[Abu Hamza al-Masri]] is convicted on 11 of 15 charges of solicitation and incitement to murder, and [[incitement to racial hatred]] after a lengthy trial at [[London]]'s [[Old Bailey|Central Criminal Court]] and is sentenced to seven years' imprisonment. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4689556.stm (BBC)]

*The number of people attempting to view illegal [[child pornography]] on the web has risen since 2004, according to [[British Telecommunications]] (BT). They use a system to block sites carrying the images of children, which has been getting some 35,000 hits a day for the past four months. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4687904.stm (BBC)]

<div id="8_February_2006"> </div>

=== [[8 February]] [[2006]] (Wednesday)===

*[[Chad]] and [[Sudan]] sign the [[Tripoli Agreement]], ending the [[Chadian-Sudanese conflict]]. [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L08583702.htm (AlertNet)]

*[[Heather Wilson]], a New Mexico Congresswoman with [[NSA]] oversight authority, became the first Republican on an intelligence committee to call for a congressional investigation into [[NSA warrantless surveillance controversy|Bush's warrantless wiretap program]]. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/08/politics/08nsa.html (NY Times)]

*An explosion at Russian military base at [[Kurchaloi]] in [[Chechnya]] kills at least 12 soldiers. The cause is unknown; however, a [[Second Chechen War|separatist attack]] has been officially ruled out. [http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/37F32D8F-5EB3-4EA4-B7D8-C40D35454D6A.htm (Al Jazeera)][http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=263655&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__international_news/ (Mail and Guardian)]

*[[Japan]]ese [[Princess Kiko]] is pregnant with her third child. [http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1588790&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312 (ABC)]

*Thousands of native [[South America]]ns march 900 miles south of [[Rio de Janeiro]] to the spot where [[Sepe Tiaraju]] was killed in [[1756]], demanding that land in [[Brazil]] be given for a new "[[Guaraní]] nation."

*[[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy]]: in [[Afghanistan]], four people are killed and eleven others are wounded by police firing on hundreds of protesters attempting to storm US military base. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/prophet_drawings;_ylt=Aokn1pU49TyAuYpyPODP2B.s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ-- (AP)]

<div id="9_February_2006"> </div>

=== [[9 February]] [[2006]] (Thursday) ===

*[[Scooter Libby|I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby]], [[US Vice President]] [[Dick Cheney|Cheney]]'s former chief of staff tells federal grand jury that his superiors authorized him to give secret information to reporters as part of the [[Bush]] administration's defense of intelligence used to justify invading [[Iraq]]. [http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CIA_LEAK (AP)]

*Early results indicate that [[René Préval]] has an overwhelming lead in the [[Haitian elections, 2006|Haitian general election]] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4699470.stm (BBC)]

*The [[General Synod]] of the [[Church of England]] unanimously votes to apologise to descendants of the [[slavery|slaves]] on [[Barbados]] where, two hundred years ago, the church's [[Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts]] that owned the Codrington Estates, used slaves for labour. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2031966,00.html (The Times)] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4694896.stm (BBC)]

*U.S. forces are searching for the [[USS Cole (DDG-67)|USS ''Cole'']] attacker who escaped from prison last Friday. According to [[Interpol]], an [[al-Qaida]] operative who had been sentenced to death for plotting the [[USS Cole bombing|bombing]] of the [[USS Cole (DDG-67)|USS ''Cole'']] in 2000 escaped with a group of convicts from their prison last week in [[Sanaá]], [[Yemen]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4698496.stm (BBC)] This is not the first group to have escaped. 10 other chief suspects escaped from custody in Aden during April of 2003 [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2940251.stm (BBC)]

*[[Egypt]]'s [[Supreme Council of Antiquities]] announces the discovery of an [[KV63|intact pharaonic tomb]] in the [[Valley of the Kings]] &ndash; the first to be discovered since [[KV62|King Tutankhamun]]'s in 1922. [http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=208422006 (Scotsman)]

*In [[Turkey]], [[Istanbul]]'s police chief said a bomb blast at an Internet cafe in the city had wounded 14 people. [http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1597973 (ABC)]

*A suicide bombing occurs during a [[Shiite]] [[Muslim]] procession in [[Hangu, Pakistan]], resulting in riots during the Muslim branch's most important holiday, [[Ashura]]. At least 27 people were killed and dozens injured in the result violence. [http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1598397 (ABC)]

*A large-scale slaughter is planned at a [[Nigeria]]n farm where thousands of chickens have died from [[bird flu]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4696878.stm (BBC)]

*The [[House of Keys]], the [[lower house]] of the [[Isle of Man]], a [[crown dependency]] of the [[United Kingdom]], votes to lower the voting age to 16. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/isle_of_man/4690678.stm (BBC)]

*[[Mannheim]], [[Germany]] — [[Ernst Zündel]], a German white supremacist extradited from [[Canada]] on accusations he repeatedly [[historical revisionism (political)|denied the Holocaust]], returned to court [[Thursday]] to face charges of incitement, libel and disparaging the dead. [http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1598656 (ABC)]

*[[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy]]: administration at the [[University of Prince Edward Island]], [[Canada]], ordered a halt to the on-campus distribution of the student newspaper [[Cadre]] after the cartoons were re-printed in the newspaper. Campus authorities also attempted to seize all 2,000 copies of the edition containing the cartoons. [http://www.cbc.ca/pei/story/pei-apology060213.html (CBC)]

<div id="10_February_2006"> </div>

=== [[10 February]] [[2006]] (Friday) ===

*[[National Hockey League]] great [[Wayne Gretzky]] has denied placing any bets with an illegal sport gambling operation. [http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=sportsNews&storyID=2006-02-10T132814Z_01_SP142097_RTRUKOC_0_US-ICE-HOCKEY-GAMBLING.xml (Reuters)]

*Finance chiefs of the [[G8]] countries meet this weekend in [[Moscow]] with energy security at the top of their agenda. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4701012.stm (BBC)]

*[[Israel]] has criticised [[Russia]]'s decision to invite [[Hamas]] leaders to [[Moscow]] for talks, following the militant group's victory in Palestinian elections. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4701312.stm (BBC)]

*[[KV63]], tomb from the [[Eighteenth dynasty of Egypt]], dating back more than 3,300 years, has been uncovered in the famed [[Valley of the Kings]], an ancient desert burial ground near the southern city of [[Luxor]]. [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060210/tomb_egypt_060210/20060210?hub=World (CTV)]

*[[United Nations]] [[Secretary General]] [[Kofi Annan]] wishes editors to stop reprinting the controversial [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|Muhammad cartoons]]. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2006/02/09/cartoons-annan060209.html (CBC)]

*A medium-sized [[earthquake]], registering 4.9, shook central [[Chile]], rattling buildings, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damages. [http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1603903 (ABC)]

*[[H5N1]] bird flu virus:

**The deadly strain of [[H5N1]] avian flu has been found in wild birds in [[Azerbaijan]]'s [[Caspian Sea]] coast. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2006/02/10/avian-azerbaijan.html (CBC)]

**Two [[Indonesian]] women from an area just east of the capital are in hospital after local tests showed they had the [[H5N1]] bird flu virus. [http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1596667 (ABC)]

*At least eight people are killed and 22 wounded by a car bomb in the southern Doura district of the [[Iraqi]] capital, [[Baghdad]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4699964.stm (BBC)]

*An [[atheist]] who sued a small-town priest for saying that [[Jesus Christ]] existed has had his case thrown out of court by a judge in [[Italy]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4701484.stm (BBC)]

*The [[2006 Winter Olympics]] open in [[Turin]], [[Italy]], with the [[2006 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony|opening ceremony]] at the [[Stadio Olimpico (Turin)|Stadio Olimpico]]. It is the 20th winter games and the second hosted by an Italian city. [http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/stories/headlines.shtml?/story/olympics/national/2006/02/09/Sports/turinopening060209.html (CBC)]

<div id="11_February_2006"> </div>

=== [[11 February]] [[2006]] (Saturday) ===

*[[Vice President of the United States|United States Vice President]] [[Dick Cheney]] accidentally shoots and injures [[Harry Whittington]] while hunting in [[Corpus Christi, Texas]]. [http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1609790 (ABC News)]

*[[H5N1]] avian flu virus: [[Bulgaria]], [[Greece]], and [[Italy]] report their first cases of H5N1-infected wild birds, all swans thought to have migrated from [[Russia]] in recent months. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4704046.stm (BBC)]

*[[Steve Fossett]] completes the world record for the longest non-stop, unrefuelled, flight when the [[Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer]] lands at [[Bournemouth]] airport in southern [[England]] after a flight lasting 76 hours and 45 minutes which covered a distance of 26,389.3 miles (42,469.46 km). The aircraft had to declare an emergency landing after suffering total electrical failure, and had only 200 lb (90 kg) of fuel remaining. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4704762.stm (BBC)]

*[[Israel]]i [[Prime Minister of Israel|Prime Minister]] [[Ariel Sharon]] undergoes emergency [[surgery]] due to digestive problems. His condition is critical. [http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2006-02-11T083945Z_01_L11489821_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST-SHARON.xml (Reuters)]

*[[Politics of Tokelau|Tokelau]] begins voting in [[Tokelau self-determination referendum, 2006|a referendum]] to determine whether it remains a New Zealand territory, or becomes a state in [[associated state|free association]] with [[New Zealand]]. [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10367667 (NZ Herald)]

*In the [[United States]], it has been revealed that the [[White House]] knew of extensive flooding of [[New Orleans]] in the hours after [[Hurricane Katrina]] struck last August. [[Michael D. Brown|Michael Brown]], the former head of the [[Federal Emergency Management Agency of the United States|Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA), told a [[List of United States Senate committees|Senate Committee]] that he informed the White House of the seriousness of the situation at a time when even the media weren't fully aware of the extent of the flooding. [http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2006/s1567631.htm (ABC)]

*[[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|''Jyllands-Posten'' Muhammad cartoons controversy]]:

**The Danish editor who first published the [[Prophet Mohammed]] cartoons that sparked global protests has been placed on leave. [http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200602/s1567581.htm (ABC)]

**Thousands of people are planning to gather in [[London]] on [[Saturday]] to rally against the controversial cartoons of the [[Prophet Mohammed]]. [http://www.channel4.com/news/content/news-storypage.jsp?id=1063019 (Channel4)]

<div id="12_February_2006"> </div>

=== [[12 February]] [[2006]] (Sunday) ===

*[[Prime Minister of Italy|Italian prime minister]] [[Silvio Berlusconi]] causes a political storm by comparing himself to [[Jesus Christ]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4707368.stm (BBC)]

*A royal tomb from the 2nd or 3rd century BC is found in [[Pella]], [[Greece]]. It is the largest Greek tomb found to date. This announcement comes a few days after the Egyptian tomb in the Valley of the Kings was found. [http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-02-12T143309Z_01_L114134_RTRUKOC_0_US-GREECE-TOMB.xml (Reuters)]

*[[Great Britain|British]] tabloid The ''[[News of the World]]'' releases a video shot in [[2004]] by a [[British Army|British soldier]] showing the repeated kicking and beating of four [[Iraq]]i teenagers with batons by other British soldiers. The video contains a commentary by the cameraman urging the soldiers on. The [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] began an investigation. One man was arrested on [[13 February]] and two more on [[14 February]]. [http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/story_pages/news/news1.shtml (News of the World)] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4705482.stm (BBC)][http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/armyvideo.shtml (Video)]

*[[United States]] military strategists reportedly are developing plans for a possible major military bombing campaign against [[Nuclear program of Iran|Iranian nuclear sites]] as a "last resort" in the event that diplomatic efforts fail to convince [[Iran]] to voluntarily end what Western governments consider to be efforts at acquiring a [[nuclear weapon]]. [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/02/12/wiran12.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/02/12/ixnewstop.html (The Telegraph)]

*The [[North American blizzard of 2006]] dumps 27 inches of snow on [[New York City]], closes many major airports, and leaves 200,000 without power in [[Washington, D.C.]] and [[Baltimore, Maryland]]. [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WEATHER/02/12/northeast.snow/index.html (CNN)]

<div id="13_February_2006"> </div>

===[[13 February]] [[2006]] (Monday)===

*In a televised address to the nation, [[Kenya]]n President [[Mwai Kibaki]] announces the resignations of two government ministers in connection with two separate corruption scandals, the "[[Goldenberg scandal|Goldenberg]]" and "[[Anglo Leasing Scandal|Anglo Leasing]]" affairs. Energy minister [[Kiraitu Murungi]] and education minister [[George Saitoti]] both deny any wrongdoing. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4711546.stm (BBC)]

*In [[Baghdad]], a [[suicide bomber]] detonates an explosive belt in a line of people waiting to receive government payments, killing at least eight other people and wounding about 30, including children and police. [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060212/iraq_violence_060213/20060213?hub=World (CTV)]

*[[Saddam Hussein]] is forced to attend the latest session of his trial, wearing a traditional Islamic robe rather than his usual crisp suit, as he shouted "Down with Bush." [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060201/hussein_boycott_060213/20060213?hub=TopStories (CTV)]

*[[Tonga]]n Prime Minister Prince [[Lavaka Ata 'Ulukalala]] resigns suddenly on [[11 February]] [[2006]], and also gives up his other cabinet portfolios. He was replaced in the interim by the elected Minister of Labour, Dr. [[Feleti Sevele]]. [http://www.pacificislands.cc/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlpinaid=20227 (Pacific Magazine)]

*[[Australia]]n [[Renae Lawrence]], 28, the only female member of the [[Bali Nine]] group arrested in 2005, and fellow accused [[Scott Rush]], 19, are convicted in Indonesia of attempting to import heroin to Australia and sentenced to [[life imprisonment]]. [http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/lawrence-jailed-for-20-years/2006/02/13/1139679516835.html (Sydney Morning Herald)]

<div id="14_February_2006"> </div>

===[[14 February]] [[2006]] (Tuesday)===

*The [[British House of Commons]] votes by 384 to 184, on a [[conscience vote]], to implement a full smoking ban in all enclosed public places in [[England]] from Summer 2007. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4709258.stm (BBC)]

*The [[U.S. Senate]] votes on a budgetary [[point of order]] on the [[Asbestos and the law|Fairness in Asbestos Injury Recovery]] legislation. The bill's supporters fail to get the 60 votes they need to proceed with a vote on the bill's merits, so the legislation has effectively been returned to committee. [http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8FPMHO8C.htm?campaign_id=apn_home_down&chan=db (Business Week)]

*[[Harry Whittington]], the 78-year-old lawyer who was shot by [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Dick Cheney]] in a [[Dick Cheney hunting incident|hunting incident]], has some [[birdshot]] lodged in his heart and he has had a "minor [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]] due to an irregulairty in his heartbeat.". [http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1617733 (ABC)]

*[[Kenya]]n Police instruct 20 leading figures not to leave the country as investigations into two corruption scandals, the [[Goldenberg scandal|Goldenberg]] and [[Anglo Leasing scandal]]s continue. Among the people told to hand in their passports is [[George Saitoti]] whose resignation as education minister was announced by President [[Mwai Kibaki]] yesterday. Meanwhile, 80 Members of Parliament have demanded the resignation of Deputy President [[Moody Awori]], who is accused of involvement in the [[Anglo Leasing Scandal|Anglo Leasing affair]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4711546.stm (BBC)]

*A moderate [[earthquake]] shakes east [[India]], recording a 5.7-magnitude. [http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-02-14T123828Z_01_DEL116034_RTRUKOC_0_US-INDIA-QUAKE.xml (Reuters)]

*Former [[President of Iraq|Iraqi president]] [[Saddam Hussein]] tells the court during the latest session of his trial that he and his seven co-accused are on [[hunger strike]] to protest at their treatment. [http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060213/saddam_hunger_060214/20060214?hub=TopStories (CTV)]

*A top [[Iran]]ian official confirms that [[Iran]] has resumed small-scale enrichment of [[uranium]] at one of its main nuclear facilities last week. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2006/02/14/iran-uranium060214.html (CBC)]

*[[Iran]]'s veterinary organization said the first cases of the deadly [[H5N1]] strain of bird flu had been detected in wild [[swan]]s in the Islamic Republic. [http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-02-14T150810Z_01_OLI444217_RTRUKOC_0_US-BIRDFLU-IRAN.xml (Reuters)]

*The ''New York Times'' reveals the existence of a "destabilization plan" for Hamas, winner of the Palestinian legislative elections. The intention is, according to Israeli officials and Western diplomats, to make sure that Hamas officials fail in fulfilling their campaign promises so that the president, [[Mahmoud Abbas]], is forced to call a new election. The plan would cut all Quartet funds from the Palestinian National Authority (PA), while Israel would refuse to release taxes and custom duties it collects on behalf of the PA and also block movements between the West Bank and the Gaza strip. A third of the Palestinian population would suffer from the Quartet's decision to cut funds to the PA. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/14/international/middleeast/14mideast.html?ei=5094&en=d28cff5caa1702fa&hp=&ex=1139979600&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print (NYT)]

*[[Australia]]ns [[Andrew Chan]], 21, and [[Myuran Sukumaran]], 24, are sentenced to [[death by firing squad]] by an [[Indonesia]]n court for their role in the [[Bali Nine]] [[heroin]] [[smuggling]] attempt. Fellow accused [[Martin Stephens]], 29, and [[Michael Czugaj]], 20, both receive life prison sentences. [http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200602/s1569684.htm (ABC)]

*In [[Israel]], the [[Tel Aviv]] Magistrates Court sentences [[Omri Sharon]] to a nine-month prison term, a nine-month suspended sentence, and a NIS 300,000 (USD 65,000) fine after he is convicted of violating political fundraising law and providing false testimony. [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3216063,00.html (Ynetnews)]

<div id="15_February_2006"> </div>

===[[15 February]] [[2006]] (Wednesday)===

*[[Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse]]: [[Australian television]] network [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]] airs video and photographs of what it says are previously unpublished images of the abuse of Iraqis in US military custody at Abu Ghraib prison in 2003. [http://www.metronews.ca/reuters_international.asp?id=130178 (Metronews)]

*Italian ambassador [[Francesco Trupiano]] apologizes to Libya on behalf of Italian minister of Constitutional Reform [[Roberto Calderoli]], who suggested Italy use "force against Muslims." [http://www.angolapress-angop.ao/noticia-e.asp?ID=416999 (Angola Press)]

*The final three defendants in the [[Bali Nine]] hearings in Indonesia, Australians, [[Matthew Norman]], 19, [[Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen]], 23, and [[Si Yi Chen]], 20, are sentenced to life imprisonment. [http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=86883 (NineMSN)]

*The United States and Israel deny a "destabilisation plan" of Hamas, winner of the January 2006 legislative elections, which was revealed on February 14 by the ''New York Times''. However, they do acknowledge that they would cut off funds and transfers of tax-receipts to the Palestinian Authority. The aim of the "destabilisation plan" was to push the PA to organize new elections [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/15/international/middleeast/15diplo.html (NYT)].

*[[Haitian elections, 2006]]: In a case of apparent [[electoral fraud]], hundreds of ballot boxes are discovered in a garbage dump in [[Haiti]], throwing the results of the elections there in doubt. [http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2006/02/15/haiti-election-060215.html CBC]

<div id="16_February_2006"> </div>

===[[16 February]] [[2006]] (Thursday)===

*[[Oxfam]] reports hundreds of thousands are affected by severe water shortages in [[Kenya]] and [[Somalia]]. [http://allafrica.com/stories/200602160191.html (AllAfrica.com)]

*Tens of thousands of [[refugees]] are [[homeless]] in the [[Western Sahara]] after rains wiped out their shelters. [http://allafrica.com/stories/200602160180.html (AllAfrica.com)]

*[[Directive on services in the internal market|Bolkestein directive]]: 391 [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]] vote for the new directive against 213 (among them the [[Party of the European Left]], the [[European Green Party]] and the [[French Socialist Party]]). The controversed "country of origin principle", which had led to the [[Polish plumber]] controversy, was abandoned, although the current legislation still favorize it [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4717978.stm (BBC)].

*Following their [[Palestinian legislative election, 2006|Palestinian legislative election]] victory, [[Hamas]] chooses [[Ismail Haniya]], considered a moderate, as [[Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4721456.stm (BBC)]

*[[2006 Southern Leyte mudslide]]: A [[mudslide]] in [[Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte|Saint Bernard]], [[Southern Leyte]], Philippines has buried more than 300 homes and an elementary school. An estimated 300 people are killed, with more than 1500 missing. [http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/02/17/philippines.landslide (CNN)]

*Telephone recordings show governors in plot against journalist [[Lydia Cacho]] who exposed a ring of pedophiles. The recordings include conversations between businessman [[José Camel Nacif]] and governors [[Mario Plutarco Marín Torres|Mario Marín]] ([[Puebla]]) and [[Pablo Salazar Mendiguchía]] ([[Chiapas]]) in which they arrange for her imprisonment and bribe prison guards to have her raped on arrival. [http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/miami/16995.html (El Universal)] [http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=16460 (Reporters Without Borders)]

*A [[United Nations]] report condemns the continued existence of Camp Delta, and multiple breaches of [[Human Rights]] by the US. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4718724.stm (BBC)]. The UN says that prisoners held there should be immediately charged or released. Like many other countries that the UN Human Rights watchdog has heavily criticised, the US has attacked the report as invalid [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4721068.stm (BBC)]. The UN report is available online [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/16_02_06_un_guantanamo.pdf as a large 54 page PDF]

*[[Abu Ghraib prison]] abuse:

**US civil liberties groups have called for an inquiry into treatment of Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib after new images of apparent abuse were shown. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4718328.stm (BBC)]

**U.S. slams new Abu Ghraib leak [http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/02/16/abughraib.photos/ (CNN)]

* After allegations of fraud, officials in [[Haiti]] have reached an agreement to declare [[René Préval]] the winner of that country's election. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4718790.stm (BBC)]

*[[Tokelau self-determination referendum, 2006]]: Tokelau decides to remain a New Zealand territory after a referendum on self-governance. A 60% majority voted in favor of self-governance, but a two-thirds majority was required for the referendum to succeed. [http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=24941 (NZ Government press release)]

<div id="17_February_2006"> </div>

===[[17 February]] [[2006]] (Friday)===

* [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy]]:

**In [[Libya]], [[International reactions to the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy#Deaths|at least eleven protesters are killed]] in [[riot]]s protesting the [[Muhammad]] cartoons in [[Tripoli]] outside the Italian consulate in Benghazi. [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11383819/ (MSNBC)]

**[[Russia]]n authorities order the closing of a [[Volgograd]] newspaper that published a cartoon of [[Prophet Muhammad]]. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/17/international/europe/17cnd-russia.html (New York Times)]

* [[Lord's Resistance Army]] leader [[Joseph Kony]] narrowly escapes an attempted [[assassination]] by [[Uganda]]n troops attacking in [[Sudan]]. Several of his [[bodyguard]]s are killed as he flees to the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L16753384.htm (Reuters)]

* Interim [[Israel]]i Prime minister [[Ehud Olmert]] postpones until Sunday official discourse which would ban Palestinian movements between [[Gaza]] and the [[West Bank]], bar [[Palestinian]]s from working in Israel and stop transfer of $50 million tax receipts to the Palestinian Authority. All these measures, criticized by [[Labour Party of Israel|Labour]] leader [[Amir Peretz]], follows the victory of [[Hamas]] over [[Fatah]] during the [[Palestinian legislative election, 2006|January 2006 legislative elections]]. [http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=uri:2006-02-17T153806Z_01_L17580155_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST.xml&pageNumber=0&summit= (Reuters)] [http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/ISRAEL_PALESTINIANS?SITE=WKHG&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT (AP)].

* International demands grow that the [[United States]] close ''[[Guantanamo Bay detainment camp|Guantanamo Bay]]'' [[prison camp]]. The [[European Parliament]] votes overwhelmingly for a resolution urging that the prison be closed and inmates given a [[fair trial]]. [http://www.theage.com.au/news/editorial/un-and-europe-are-right-guantanamo-must-close/2006/02/17/1140151810111.html (The Age)] [[United Kingdom|UK]] Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]] calls Guantanamo an "anomaly" [http://www.guardian.co.uk/guantanamo/story/0,,1712066,00.html (Guardian)]. [[UN General Secretary]] [[Kofi Annan]] calls for the camp to be closed "as soon as possible" [http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&pubid=968163964505&cid=1139871011305&col=968705899037&call_page=TS_News&call_pageid=968332188492&call_pagepath=News/News (Toronto Star)] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4722534.stm (BBC)]. Former [[Ireland|Irish]] President and [[UNHCR|UN High Commissioner for Human Rights]] [[Mary Robinson]] urges the US to act on the findings of the UN report [http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0217/guantanamo.html (RTÉ)], while [[Northern Ireland]] Secretary of State [[Peter Hain]] also calls for its closure. [http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=251232006 (Scotsman)] This follows a [[United Nations]] report which calls for it to be closed.

<div id="18_February_2006"> </div>

===[[18 February]] [[2006]] (Saturday)===

*Former [[Malawi]]an Minister of Education and head of the country's anti-corruption campaign [[Yusuf Mwawa]] is sentenced to five years in prison for [[fraud]] and [[Political corruption|corruption]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4712534.stm (BBC)]

*Venezuelan president [[Hugo Chávez]] threatens to cut off oil supplies after [[U.S.]] Secretary of State [[Condoleezza Rice]] claims that the Venezuelan government poses "one of the biggest problems" in the region. [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/02/18/chavez.oil.ap/index.html (CNN)]

*[[Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta]] rebels kidnap nine foreign oil workers in Nigeria. [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/02/18/nigeria.oil.reut/index.html (CNN)]

*[[H5N1]] [[Avian flu]] crisis:

**[[France]] orders mass [[inoculation]] of domestic [[fowl]] following the discovery of an infected dead duck near [[Lyon]]. [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L18751974.htm (Reuter)]

**[[Egypt]] records the presence of the virus for the first time. [http://english.people.com.cn/200602/18/eng20060218_243728.html (People's Daily online)]

**[[India]] confirms the virus was responsible for the death of fifty thousand [[chicken]]s in the state of [[Maharashtra]] in recent days. [http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-02/18/content_4198287.htm (Xinhua)]

**[[Iraq]] reports a second human fatality. [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=aFE1R0NWa0gQ&refer=top_world_news (Bloomberg)]

* [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy]]:

**[[Italy|Italian]] reform minister [[Roberto Calderoli]] resigns after criticism for wearing a [[T-shirt]] depicting the [[cartoon]]s. The incident triggered yesterday's rioting outside the Italian [[consulate]] in [[Benghazi]], [[Libya]], in which at least 10 people died. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4727606.stm (BBC)]

**Sixteen people are killed in northern [[Nigeria]] as [[Demonstration (people)|demonstrator]]s protest the cartoons by storming and burning [[Christian]] [[church]]es and [[business]]es. [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/02/18/cartoon.roundup/index.html (CNN)]

<div id="19_February_2006"> </div>

===[[19 February]] [[2006]] (Sunday)===

*The movie ''[[Grbavica (film)|Grbavica]]'' by [[Jasmila Žbanić]] wins the Golden Bear at the [[Berlinale]], the world's most visited [[film festival]].

*[[Pasta de Conchos mine disaster]]: An explosion traps 66 coal miners three hundred meters underground in a [[coal mine|mine]] near [[Nueva Rosita]], [[Coahuila]]. [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/02/19/mexico.mine.reut/index.html (CNN)]

*[[Ismail Haniya]] of [[Hamas]] becomes [[Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority|Prime Minister]] of the [[Palestinian National Authority]], succeeding [[Ahmed Qurei]]. [http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/59847765-6FF7-45EE-9831-889600167AFB.htm (Al Jazeera)]

*[[Palestinian-Israeli conflict]]: Interim [[Israel]]i Prime Minister [[Ehud Olmert]] decides to withhold payment to the Palestinian Authority of tax receipts amounting to about $50 million per month.[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/19/international/middleeast/19cnd-mideast.html? (New York Times)] [http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=uri:2006-02-19T204037Z_01_L17580155_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDEAST.xml&pageNumber=0&summit= (Reuters)].

<div id="20_February_2006"> </div>

===[[20 February]] [[2006]] (Monday)===

*Retired scientist Don Kennedy suggests the entire population of [[Tuvalu]] should move to the Fijian island of [[Kioa]], to preserve Tuvaluan culture as their homeland becomes uninhabitable due to [[Sea level rise|rising sea levels]]. [http://www.pacificmagazine.net/pina/pinadefault2.php?urlpinaid=20421 (Pacific Magazine)]

*[[Iran]]ian [[Foreign Minister]] [[Manouchehr Mottaki]] denies that [[Iranian President]] [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] said that he wanted [[Israel]] to be "[[Annihilation|wiped off the map]]," saying Ahmadinejad was misunderstood. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060220/wl_nm/iran_israel_dc;_ylt=Au_s7hHhEmUoRB0Hda7OyYm9IxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NTMzazIyBHNlYwMxNjk2 (Reuters)]

*Attacks by the [[Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta]] destroy an [[oil pipeline]] and a military houseboat in southern [[Nigeria]], cutting crude production by about twenty percent. The recent violence has caused a rise in international [[oil prices]] due to supply concerns. [http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1641106 (ABC)]

*[[United Kingdom|British]] [[historical revisionism (political)|revisionist historian]] [[David Irving]] is jailed for three years by an [[Austria]]n court after pleading guilty to [[Holocaust denial|denying the existence of the Holocaust]] during a visit to Austria in 1989. Arrested last November, a suspended sentence had been expected and Irving is expected to appeal the sentence. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4733820.stm (BBC)] [http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article346727.ece (The Independent)]

*[[Russia]]n and [[Iran]]ian negotiators begin talks today on a plan that may have the former enrich uranium for the latter, as part of the international community's efforts to dissuade Iran from doing its own enrichment. [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/3671838.html (AP)]

*Western romance ''[[Brokeback Mountain]]'' wins awards for best film and best director for [[Ang Lee]] at the [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]] awards. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4724066.stm (BBC)]

*[[Osama bin Laden]] vows never to be captured alive, according to an audiotape that was posted Monday on a militant Web site. [http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1639688 (Associated Press)]

<div id="21_February_2006"> </div>

===[[21 February]] [[2006]] (Tuesday) ===

*33 people are killed and dozens are wounded amidst fighting between the [[Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism]] and [[Islamic Court]] in [[Daynille]], [[Mogadishu]], [[Somalia]]. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060221/wl_afp/somaliaunrest (AFP)]

*[[Enron]]: The [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] in London rules that three bankers may be extradited to the [[United States]] to face trial on Enron-related charges. The three, David Bermingham, Gary Mulgrew and Giles Darby, former executives at [[Royal Bank of Scotland]] Group PLC unit [[Greenwich NatWest]], had argued unsuccessfully that since the majority of the alleged offenses took place in Britain, any trial should be held in that country. [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/special/enron/3674015.html (Houston Chronicle)]

*Former [[Bosnian Serb Army]] General [[Ratko Mladić]], wanted by the [[International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia]] in [[The Hague]] in connection with the massacre of 8,000 men and boys on [[July 11]], [[1995]] in [[Srebrenica massacre|Srebrenica]], has been reported by [[Belgrade]]'s Studio B TV to have been arrested. The Serbian government has denied the capture, decrying the report as "manipulation which damages the government". [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4737382.stm (BBC)]

*Eight men are acquitted of the 1999 murder which has many hundreds of witnesses of model [[Jessica Lal]] in India. The acquittal causes outrage among the Indian community with petitions to President [[Abdul Kalam]] for a review of the case [http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1635528,0093.htm (Hindustan Times)].

<div id="22_February_2006"> </div>

===[[22 February]] [[2006]] (Wednesday) ===

* [[South Dakota]] [[State Senate]] approves a [[bill]] that would purport to outlaw almost all forms of [[abortion]]. [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/22/national/22cnd-dakota.html (New York Times)]

* A man in [[Manhattan]], [[New York City]] is hospitalized for treatment of [[anthrax]] infection after being exposed to animal hides from the [[Côte d'Ivoire]] which he used for making drums. [http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/am-anth0223,0,4242573.story?track=rss (Newsday)]

* [[Securitas depot robbery]]: The [[United Kingdom]]'s largest [[robbery]] when a Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent was robbed and the thieves made off with [[Bank of England]] banknotes worth £53 million. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4742972.stm (BBC)]

* The [[European Commission]] proposes the establishment of a [[European Institute of Technology]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4740144.stm (BBC)]

* [[Pope Benedict XVI]] announces that a [[consistory]] will be held next month to create 15 new [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|cardinals]], the first of his [[Papacy]]. [http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0222/vatican.html (RTE)]

* [[Al Askari Mosque bombing]]: The [[Al Askari Mosque]], a shrine to [[Shi'a Imam|Imam]] [[Ali al-Hadi]] and Imam [[Hasan al-Askari]] in [[Samarra]], [[Iraq]], is bombed and partly destroyed. The Golden Dome has collapsed. In the aftermath dozens of people die in riots, along with three journalists which includes [[Atwar Bahjat]].[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4738472.stm (BBC)] [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/02/22/iraq.main/index.html (CNN)]

* [[India]]n authorities completely seal off the village of [[Navapur]] after [[H5N1|bird flu]] is discovered there. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4739800.stm (BBC)]

<div id="23_February_2006"> </div>

===[[23 February]] [[2006]] (Thursday) ===

* [[Uganda]] holds a [[Ugandan general election, 2006|general election]], the first [[Multi-party system|multiparty election]] in 25 years. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2055668,00.html (Times Online)] [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4744284.stm (BBC)]

* [[Al Askari Mosque bombing]]: In [[Iraq]] over 100 people are killed in violence following yesterday's bombing of the [[Al Askari Mosque]]:

**47 factory workers are forced off buses and shot at [[Nahrawan]], near [[Baghdad]].

**About 50 bullet-riddled bodies are found in Baghdad overnight.

**[[Al-Arabiya]] TV reporter [[Atwar Bahjat]] and her two crew are killed in [[Samarra]].

**At least 11 people are abducted from jail in [[Basra]] by gunmen dressed as police, and shot.

**One person is killed in a Sunni mosque in [[Baquba]], where a bomb targeting an Iraqi army patrol also kills 12 people. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4742188.stm (BBC)]

* A roof at a marketplace in [[Moscow]] collapses under heavy snow at approximately 4:50am local time (0150 UTC), killing at least forty-nine people. The 1970s-built building had the same architect as the [[Transvaal Park|Transvaal Water Park]], whose roof collapsed in 2004 killing 28 people. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4742134.stm (BBC)] [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/02/23/russia.market.ap/index.html (CNN)]

* A [[Richter scale|magnitude]] 7.5 earthquake occurred at 12:19am local time (Feb.22, 2219 UTC) in southern [[Mozambique]], 140 miles southwest of the coastal city of [[Beira, Mozambique|Beira]], centered near [[Espungabera]], a small farming town in a remote and sparsely populated area near the border with [[Zimbabwe]]. [http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usjlca.php (USGS)], [http://www.forbes.com/technology/feeds/ap/2006/02/23/ap2548300.html (AP)]

*An ancient Egyptian sun temple has been discovered beneath a flea market in the [[Ain Shams|Ein Shams]] suburb of [[Cairo]], which is built on top of the ancient city of [[Heliopolis (ancient)|Heliopolis]]. [http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200602/s1578829.htm (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)] [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11588559/ (MSNBC)]

<div id="24_February_2006"> </div>

===[[24 February]] [[2006]] (Friday) ===

* [[Philippines|Philippine]] [[President of the Philippines|President]] [[Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo]] declares a [[2006 state of emergency in the Philippines|state of emergency]] in attempt to subdue a possible military coup. [http://news.inq7.net/express/html_output/20060224-67295.xml.html (INQ7.net)], [http://www2.igma.tv/gmanews.tv/nation.php?sec=5 GMANEWS.TV] [http://today.reuters.com/business/newsarticle.aspx?type=tnBusinessNews&storyID=nSP69755&imageid=2006-02-24T014826Z_01_MAN204D_RTRIDSP_2_PHILIPPINES-MILITARY.jpg&cap=Philippine%20soldiers%20at%20Camp%20Aguinaldo%20in%20Quezon%20city,%20north%20of%20Manila,%20Feb.%2024,%202006.%20REUTERS/Cheryl%20Ravelo (Reuters)]

* [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy]]: A [[Finland|Finnish]] editor of the paper ''[[Kaltio]]'', Jussi Vilkuna, was fired after refusing to remove a Mohammed-cartoon on the online version of the paper. This cartoon featured a westerner in the grips of prophet Mohammed (who was masked), and Finnish politicians burning Danish flags. [http://newsroom.finland.fi/stt/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=11874&group=General (NewsRoom Finland)]

* It is revealed that [[MI5]] (British Intelligence) withheld vital anti-terrorism intelligence just months before the [[Omagh Bombing]] in 1998. [http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0224/omagh.html RTÉ News]

* [[Venezuela]] orders US airlines to reduce the number of flights into the country by up to 70% in a dispute over safety regulations. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4747828.stm (BBC)]

* [[NASA]] announces the unusual [[gamma ray burst]] [[GRB 060218]] that is not yet explained and may be a predecessor to a [[supernova]]. It was located 440 million light-years away and lasted for 33 minutes, closer and longer than any previous gamma ray burst. [http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/060223_explosion.html (Space.com)]

* [[Ken Livingstone]], the [[Mayor of London]], is suspended from his position for one month by a three member panel of the [[Adjudication Panel for England]] for being "unnecessarily insensitive" in comparing a [[Judaism|Jewish]] ''[[Evening Standard]]'' reporter to a [[Nazi party|Nazi]] concentration camp guard. [[Nicky Gavron]], his deputy, will take over his responsibilities whilst Livingstone is suspended. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4746016.stm (BBC)]

* An explosion and gunshots are reported at [[Abqaiq]], home of largest [[Saudi Arabian]] oil facilities. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4747488.stm (BBC)] [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/02/24/saudi.refinery.ap/index.html (CNN)]

* After months of an increasing political power struggle, the [[Thailand|Thai]] Prime Minister [[Thaksin Shinawatra]] dissolves the [[House of Representatives of Thailand|House of Representatives]] and calls for new election to be held on [[April 2]]. [http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/02/24/headlines/headlines_20001495.php (The Nation)]

* A fire in a textile mill in [[Chittagong]], [[Bangladesh]], kills 51 people and injures over 100. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4745894.stm (BBC)]

* [[Australia]]n [[Member of Parliament]] and [[Treasurer of Australia|Treasurer]] [[Peter Costello]] challenges [[Muslim]] leaders to pledge their allegiance to [[Australia]]. [http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=88387 (National Nine News)]

<div id="25_February_2006"> </div>

===[[25 February]] [[2006]] (Saturday)===

* [[Heads of state of Chad|Chad President]] [[Idriss Déby]] announces that the [[2006 Chad Presidential Election]] will take place on [[May 3]]. Several opposition leaders have already stated plans to boycott the election, and [[Mohammed Nour]] continues to threaten further violence if a national forum is not held soon.[http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/541b3dc826568bc01bc69a1492edc8b0.htm (Reuters AlertNet)]

* A [[New Jersey]] company is accused of harvesting body parts from [[New York]] funeral homes for transplants. An estimated 12,000 people received the body parts. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/27/AR2006012701569.html (Washington Post)]

* [[Ugandan general election, 2006]]: [[Yoweri Museveni]], [[President of Uganda|President]] of [[Uganda]] since [[1986]], is re-elected. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4750040.stm (BBC)]

* Paintings by [[Pablo Picasso|Picasso]], [[Salvador Dalí|Dalí]], [[Henri Matisse|Matisse]] and [[Claude Monet|Monet]] are stolen from a museum in [[Rio de Janeiro]], [[Brazil]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4749756.stm (BBC)]

* [[2006 Dublin Republican riots|Riots occur in Dublin]] in the lead up to the Love Ulster parade. Six officers, seven protesters and a journalist are hospitalized, mostly with head wounds. [http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=173985228&p=y73985934&n=173985988 (IOL)] [http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0225/loyalist.html (RTE)] [http://dailyireland.televisual.co.uk/home.tvt?_scope=DailyIreland/Content/News&id=24575&opp=1 (Daily Ireland)]

*[[Al-Qaeda]] admits responsibility for a failed bomb attempt at [[Abqaiq]] plants, the world's largest oil processing facilities. [http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=88664 (National Nine News)]

* The search for [[coal mining|coal miners]] trapped in the [[Pasta de Conchos mine disaster]] in [[Mexico]] is suspended due to toxic levels of [[natural gas]]. The 65 trapped miners are presumed dead. [http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-briefs26.2feb26,1,2564150.story?ctrack=1&cset=true (LA Times)]

* It is revealed that [[MSN Messenger]] silently removes messages containing links to freeware and open source software.[http://www.atomer.se/bbb/manadsbrev/bbb-2-06.html (BBB)]

<div id="26_February_2006"> </div>

===[[26 February]] [[2006]] (Sunday)===

* [[Laurence Olivier Awards|Olivier Awards]]: [[Liam Mower]]<!--updated-->, [[James Lomas]] and [[George Maguire]] win an award for Best Actor in a musical for their role in ''[[Billy Elliot the Musical]]''. They are the first to do so in a shared capacity. At 13, this makes Mower the youngest actor to ever receive this award. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4753606.stm (BBC)]

* [[2006 Winter Olympics]]: The [[Olympic symbols#The flag|Olympic flag]] is passed to the [[Sam Sullivan|mayor]] of [[Vancouver]], home of the [[2010 Winter Olympics]], during the [[2006 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony|Closing Ceremony]] of the 2006 Winter Olympics. [http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/stories/headlines.shtml?/story/olympics/national/2006/02/26/Sports/closing-ceremony060226.html (CBC)]

* [[Al Askari Mosque bombing]]: The [[International Crisis Group]] releases a report cautioning the international community to plan for the contingency of a [[civil war]] in [[Iraq]]. At least 250 people have died in violence resulting from the [[Al Askari Mosque]] bombing. [http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0227/p01s03-woiq.html (CSMonitor)]

* [[Jamaica]] will have its first female [[Prime Minister of Jamaica|Prime Minister]], as [[Portia Simpson-Miller]] is elected president of the [[People's National Party]]. She will automatically replace [[P. J. Patterson]] in a few weeks. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4752192.stm (BBC)]

* [[Drew Lachey]] and [[Cheryl Burke]] are crowned champions of the US [[Dancing with the Stars (US TV series)|Dancing With the Stars]] on the show's Season 2 live finale.

* The [[world population|world's population]] hits 6.5 billion at 0016 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]], according to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]]'s [[World Population Clock]]. [http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&pubid=968163964505&cid=1140826029712&col=968705899037&call_page=TS_News&call_pageid=968332188492&call_pagepath=News/News (Toronto Star)] [http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html (US Census)]

<div id="27_February_2006"> </div>

===[[27 February]] [[2006]] (Monday)===

* [[President of the Republic of China]] (Taiwan) [[Chen Shui-bian]] announces the cease of the function of the [[National Unification Council]] and the application of the [[Guidelines for National Unification]]. The move is condemned by the [[pan-Blue Coalition]] and [[People's Republic of China]]. Chen says that the reversal is a response to aggression by the PRC. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/27/AR2006022700580.html (Washington Post)] [http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2006-02/27/content_524427.htm (China Daily)] [http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2006/02/27/2003294860 (Taipei Times)][http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4753974.stm (BBC)]

*[[International Court of Justice]] (ICJ) begins hearing a landmark genocide case, [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] vs. [[Serbia and Montenegro]]. Bosnia filed a claim alleging violations of the [[UN]] Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide against the former [[Yugoslavia]] during the 1992-1995 [[Bosnian war]]. [[Bosnian genocide case at the ICJ]] is a first ever genocide court case against a state in the 60 year history of ICJ. [http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-02-27T124822Z_01_L24724981_RTRUKOC_0_UK-WARCRIMES-BOSNIA-SERBIAMONTENEGRO.xml (Reuters)], [http://www.icj-cij.org/icjwww/ipresscom/ipress2006/ipresscom_2006-09_bhy_20060227.htm (ICJ press release)]

* [[Securitas depot robbery]]: [[United Kingdom|British]] police announce that the total amount of cash stolen in last Wednesday's [[Securitas depot robbery]] was [[Pound sterling|GBP]] £53 million ([[United States dollar|USD]] $92.6 million, [[Euro|€]]77.8 million). Five more people have been arrested in the last 24 hours and 10 properties searched in the ongoing investigation. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/4756454.stm (BBC)]

* The [[United Nations]] [[World Food Programme]] says that it needs 11 million USD to be able to continue its [[Afghanistan]] operations to June this year. "Poor and hungry schoolchildren who receive take-home rations of food as an incentive to attend school will receive at most half their usual ration and in some cases none at all," says the U.N. More than 50% of the nation's children are malnourished. [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/a3ffcf346090bf9c2ed72a6a88800845.htm (Reuters)]

* Another series of bomb attacks in southern [[Iran]]ian cities of [[Dezful]] and [[Abadan]] wounds at least six people. Eight people died when bombs exploded in the provincial capital [[Ahwaz]] a month ago. The Iranian government again accuses [[United Kingdom|Britain]] of being behind the attacks, although a small Arab separatist group claimed reponsibility on its website.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4754446.stm (BBC)]

* [[Post-invasion Iraq, 2003–2006|Post-invasion Iraq]]: The deadline set by the kidnappers of [[Jill Caroll]], after which they said they would execute her if their demands were not met, passes with no word yet on whether she has been killed. An Iraqi official says he believes she is still alive and that they know her original kidnapper's name and address, although Carroll may have been sold to another group since. [http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1665512 (AP)] [http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=1666314 (ABC)] [http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0228/p04s01-woiq.html?s=t5 (CSMonitor)]

* The [[Dubai Ports World controversy]] continues with Miami-based [[Eller & Company]] trying to obtain an injunction in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] High Court to prevent the sale of [[P&O]] to Dubai Ports World. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/business/4752524.stm (BBC)]

* ''[[The Da Vinci Code]]'': Writers [[Michael Baigent]] and [[Richard Leigh (author)|Richard Leigh]] sue [[Random House]] in the [[High Court of Justice]] in [[London]] claiming that the best selling novel ''[[The Da Vinci Code]]'' by [[Dan Brown]] contains ideas stolen from their 1982 book ''[[The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail]]''. [http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,1719084,00.html (Guardian)]

<div id="28_February_2006"> </div>

===[[28 February]] [[2006]] (Tuesday)===

* [[Al Askari Mosque bombing]]:

** Sixty-eight people have been killed so far today in [[Baghdad, Iraq]]. Car bombs and mortar barrages rocked Baghdad streets, as news [[pundit]]s speculate about the possibility of Iraq becoming embroiled in a full fledged [[civil war]]. [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11491483/ (MSNBC)]

** [[Baghdad]]'s primary [[morgue]] says that the death toll resulting from violence after the [[Al Askari Mosque bombing]] has surpassed 1,300, contrary to earlier information from most news media and the [[United States]] military. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/27/AR2006022701128_pf.html (Washington Post)]

* The [[High Court of Justice|High Court of England and Wales]] grants the [[Mayor of London]], [[Ken Livingstone]], an order that delays a four-week suspension from his post ordered by an administrative tribunal last week. [http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-02-28T155759Z_01_L28787897_RTRUKOC_0_UK-BRITAIN-MAYOR.xml (Reuters)]

* For the first time in Europe, a domesticated cat is found infected with the [[H5N1]] bird flu virus. The dead cat was found on the island of [[Rügen]] in [[Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania]], [[Germany]]. [http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=1670496 (AP)], [http://www.handelsblatt.de/pshb/fn/relhbi/sfn/buildhbi/cn/GoArt!204455,204493,1041647/SH/0/depot/0/index.html (Handelsblatt)], [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L28468688.htm (Reuters AlertNet)]

* [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congolese]] government forces and [[United Nations]] peacekeepers (part of the [[MONUC]] mission) engage militia fighters in the wartorn [[Ituri]] district in a battle to retake the town of Tchei. The operation is in conjunction with a more aggressive disarmament policy by the U.N. peacekeepers in the region. [http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/02/28/congo.fighting.reut/index.html (CNN)]

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