Wikinews:2004/December
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| Archives for 2004 - 2005 | ||||||
November 29 - December 5 Digest
- Napster founder Shawn Fanning introduces new file-sharing project
- United States anti-drug efforts in Latin America criticized by report WASHINGTON - The "War on Drugs" waged by the United States has been criticized in a report released by the Washington D.C.-based human rights group Washington Office on Latin America. The report, "Drugs and Democracy in Latin America: The Impact of U.S. Policy" (Summary [1] (http://www.wola.org/publications/ddhr_exec_sum_brief.pdf), PDF), investigated "the impact of drug control policies on human rights and democracy" and declared that present policies in the War on Drugs have failed to achieve any meaningful success. The United States government has criticized it, claiming progress is shown by street prices for drugs being near an all-time low.
- Police deactivate explosive device in Andalucía, Spain Andalusia. A small explosive device was deactivated today by the Spanish police in Almería, Andalusia.
- Thai government drops origami cranes as message of peace Thailand - Millions of origami cranes have been dropped on Thailand's three southern provinces following violence between the government and ethnic minority Muslim populations. The move has been called a "goodwill gesture" towards Muslims.
- Calvin Murphy acquitted of molestation charges Former Houston Rockets star Calvin Murphy, accused of molestation by five of daughters, was found not guilty by the jury, putting an end to the eight-month long trial.
- E.C. President does not advise Portuguese referendum in light of current crisis LISBON – The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Durão Barroso, said holding a referendum on acceding to the European Constitution in Portugal is inadvisable, in light of the current political crisis in that country.
- Lycos Europe ends its anti-spam campaign EUROPE – Lycos Europe has ended its anti-spam operation: "Make Love Not Spam." A company spokesperson said the objective of the time-limited campaign was to raise people's awareness. The reasons why it ended the campaign was variously reported and speculated in media. The operation, while fairly popular, suffered unexpected troubles and drew criticism from security experts and others from the start.
- Rumsfeld to remain in Bush administration WASHINGTON, DC – Donald Rumsfeld revealed today that he will not resign his position as United States secretary of Defense. Several other members of President George W. Bush's cabinet have resigned. Rumsfeld stated he will continue at his post until at least the end of the Iraq war, although he did not commit to remaining for the full four years of the administration. While also not committing to any dates for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, Rumsfeld indicated his desire that they be withdrawn sometime within the next four years.
- Vanuatu PM accused of assaulting envoy PORT VILA, Vanuatu – Serge Vohor, the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, recently came into spotlight as the newest battleground in the diplomatic war between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan, was accused of pushing the ambassador from the People's Republic of China, Mr. Bao Shusheng.
- Man missing after an explosion in central Stockholm
- NASA van rolls off California mountain
- Soldiers question U.S. Defense Secretary on issues during Kuwait visit
- Veteran sergeant accounts US torture coverup David DeBatto reports US Sergeant Frank Ford was immediately stripped of his weapon and assigned a 24-hour escort. Shortly after he was told to report to an army psychiatrist for a "combat stress evaluation". The psychiatrist deemed Ford to be "completely normal".
- Criminal charges filed in Nov. 19 NBA brawl PONTIAC, Michigan – After spending weeks going over written statements, TV video and even fan shot video, Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca announced criminal charges against five Indiana Pacer players and seven fans stemming from the November 19th brawl at The Palace Of Auburn Hills.
- The Deadliest Fall The flu pandemic in the Fall of 1918 killed tens of millions. Can it happen again?
- Battle of the Bulge reenacted in Belgium Seventeen American paratroopers jumped out of two old Dakota's who date from WWII.
- Poland made software patent directive stop Despite all expectations, the EU Council will further discuss the software patent directive.
- Department of Defense report lambasts communication failure in US War on Terror
- Thieves carry out biggest bank robbery in British history Thieves have gotten away with $39m or $58m from the Northern Bank.
- SEALs say US officer's cover-up was reported by fake SEAL US Sergeant Frank Ford has already made several unsubstantiated claims according to VeriSEAL.
- Zambian government launches a new agricultural policy African nation moves to modernize food production infrastructure.
- Mozambique's ruling party retains control in elections Elections in the Southern African nation Mozambique have resulted in a landslide victory for the ruling Frelimo party.
- US army gives medical assistance to Iraq school US soldiers provided medical assistance to Iraq children at an elementary school in Bagdah.
- Police raid filesharing resources The largest BitTorrent and ed2k link sites have been closed by police or went offline voluntarily.
- European Union Council to accept software patent directive
- 16 Foot Asteroid Passes Between Earth and Satellites Earth's scientists discover the latest astronomical near-miss.
- Former Indian PM Narasimha Rao passes away Former Indian PM Narasimha Rao passed away after suffering cardiac arrest in a private hospital in New Delhi.
- Mumbai officials demolish 39K shanties; 200K homeless. India government demolishes over 6,000 shanties in a push to eradicate the capital city's slums.
- Major earthquake jolts Bangladesh, centered in Nicobar Islands
- Strongest earthquake in 40 years hits Southeast Asia The magnitude 9.0 quake rocked the w:Indian Ocean off Sumatra, setting off tsunami waves.
- Australians fast over 2004 Xmas in empathy with detainees Members of the public, celebrities and politicians have been fasting in empathy with Iranian asylum seekers.
- Drug-dealers war in Rio de Janeiro In 2 days 11 people were killed in Rio de Janeiro in gang turf fights between drug dealers.
- Yushchenko claims victory in re-run Ukrainian pro-government candidate refuses to accept outcome.
- U.S. and U.K. governments warn citizens against travelling to areas hit by tsunamis U.S. travel advisories to last at least one month.
- Chiang Fang-liang, former First Lady of the Republic of China (Taiwan), dies of pulmonary and cardiac failure in Taipei.
- Asian earthquake toll nears 60,000 Countries bury the dead as threat of disease looms.
- Connecticut Serial Killer Competent- Waives Further Appeals Serial killer Michael Ross told a judge that he wants to die.
- Security firm identifies United States as world's top spamming country 42% originates in the U.S.
- MN4 2004 asteroid now considered safe
- Time Warner, Sprint close to mobile pact Company would be able to offer voice, video, Internet and mobile services.
- Tsunami toll passes 80,000 people as relief effort continues Relief agencies expect number to rise further.
- Republicans Subpoenaed in Ohio Recount Ohio Republican Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell refused to appear for the deposition.
- BitTorrent tracker site sued by movie studios, will mount defense
- Linux fifth most searched tech word on Google in 2004 SCO number one most searched company name.
- Double car bombing attack in Mosul kills 26 Twenty-five insurgents and 1 U.S. soldier dead, 15 U.S. troops injured in frontal assault.
- India issued tsunami warning, nothing happened Citizens flee.
- Gregoire wins Washington state's closest ever governor's race Republican candidate asks for new election.
- Democrats ask GAO for election review House of Representatives seeks to investigate the facts behind widespread reports of voting irregularities.
- South American Community of Nations announced at Third South American Summit South American nations have begun the creation of an international economic and legislative bloc.
- Actor Jerry Orbach dies
- 'Fockers' set to meet another weekend title With no new wide releases, last weekend's films are set to rule U.S. and Canadian box office receipts once again.
- Exeem Annonunced To Be Successor Of Suprnova Announced yesterday on Novastream, there will be a Suprnova successor "apparently".
- NASA: Hope's Raised For Shuttle Flight Again Soon NASA plans to spend $612 million repairing the space shuttle system.
- Kenyans win International Race of São Silvestre