Portal:Current events/2011 February 9

Current events of February 9, 2011 (2011-02-09) (Wednesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• Somali pirates seize an oil supertanker off the coast of Oman. (BBC)
• At least seven people are killed and dozens of others are injured during three explosions in Kirkuk. (Al Jazeera)
• Serial blasts rock Russia's Grozny, at least five people are wounded. (People's Daily)
• 2011 Egyptian protests:
  • Nationwide protests against President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak and his regime continue for a sixteenth day. (Al Jazeera) (The Guardian)
  • Egyptian labour unions involving thousands of workers go on a nationwide strike, boosting the pro-democracy demonstrations occurring across the country. (Al Jazeera)
  • Human rights groups say the Egyptian military is secretly detaining and torturing hundreds and possibly thousands of suspected government opponents and has been doing so since the protests started. (The Guardian)
  • The Egyptian government threatens a crackdown as the protests spread. (Khaleej Times) (Voice of America)
  • Egyptians mourn those killed for protesting against their government. (Al Jazeera)
  • After being released by Egyptian authorities, Google executive Wael Ghonim addresses the crowds in Tahrir Square. (The Guardian)

Business and economy

• The Guardian publishes WikiLeaks cables claiming that Saudi Arabia had exaggerated its crude oil reserves by nearly 40% and will have trouble keeping a cap on oil prices. (The Guardian)
• A leaked memo shows Nokia chief executive Stephen Elop's belief that the company is too slow in its response to trend changes. (Al Jazeera)
• Activision Blizzard announces that it is dissolving its Guitar Hero division and not publishing any more games. (Gamasutra)
• ConocoPhillips and Marathon Oil announce plans to shut down a liquefied natural gas plant in Kenai, Alaska. (AP via KTUU)

Disasters

• A major fire breaks out in Bombay House, a historic building in Mumbai, India, which serves as the headquarters of the Tata Group, resulting in at least three deaths. (Press Trust of India via IBN-Live)
• Thieves tapping a Pemex oil pipeline cause a diesel fuel spill south of Tijuana in Mexico. (Reuters)
• Two small planes (took off from Langley Regional Airport) collide mid-air near Mission, British Columbia in western Canada with at least one person dead. (CTV)
• An explosion occurs in Allentown, Pennsylvania resulting in two people being missing. (The Morning Call)

International relations

• President of France Nicolas Sarkozy calls for an end to government ministers holidaying abroad after it emerges they went to countries such as Egypt and Tunisia while anti-regime protests were underway. The controversy has led to calls for resignations. (Al Jazeera)
• Korean talks
  • South Korea agrees in principle to resume discussions with North Korea on humanitarian issues including reuniting families separated by the Korean War. (BBC)
  • Military talks end without agreement as North Korea refuses to apologise for the Bombardment of Yeonpyeong. (Yonhap)
• U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano claims the possibility of terrorism being carried out against the country "has evolved significantly" and, she claims, is "at its most heightened state" since the 9/11 attacks". (BBC)

Law and crime

• Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi brands "disgusting" a request by prosecutors in Milan to have him put on trial immediately in relation to sexual relations with underage prostitutes which allegedly occurred at one of his house parties. (BBC)
• Detectives investigating claims over tabloid phone hacking in Britain are re-examining whether a string of high-profile individuals and celebrities were targeted. Scotland Yard is taking a second look. (Radioaire)
• Jimmy Lemi Milla, a South Sudanese minister, and his bodyguard are shot dead apparently as a result of a personal dispute. (Al Jazeera)
• The trial of former President of Liberia Charles Taylor is adjourned until Friday after he does not attend court in The Hague. (BBC)
• Daniel Patrick Boyd pleads guilty to terrorism charges in a trial in the US state of North Carolina. (AP via Minneapolis Tribune)

Politics and elections

• Spanish Basque nationalists announce a new political party named Sortu (meaning "born" in the Basque language), categorically rejecting all violence, including that of ETA. (Deutsche Presse-Agentur)
• The Cabinet of Pakistan submit their resignations to the prime minister, who intends to appoint a smaller cabinet in order to reduce government spending at a time of economic crisis. (AFP via Google News)
• British Liberal Democrat peer Lord Oakeshott resigns as a Treasury spokesman in the House of Lords after making an outspoken attack on the government's banking policy. (BBC)
• US Representative Chris Lee representing New York's 26th congressional district resigns after it is revealed that he sent a racy photo to a woman who was not his wife. (New York Times)
• The United States Democratic Leadership Council consisting of centrist Democrats announces that it will wind up. (The New Republic)
• The Chamber of Councillors of Tunisia passes legislation allowing the President to rule by decree. (BBC)

Sport

• Owners and players in the United States National Football League resume talks in an effort to avoid a lockout next season. (ESPN)
• The Florida Panthers National Hockey League team acquires Jack Skille, Hugh Jessiman and David Pacan from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Michael Frolik and Alexander Salak. (National Hockey League)