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, Iraq. (Al Jazeera)
• Serial blasts rock Russia's Grozny, at least five people are wounded. (People's Daily)
• 2011 Egyptian protests:
  • Nationwide protests against President Hosni Mubarak and his regime continue for a sixteenth day. (Al Jazeera) (The Guardian)
  • 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 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 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 the 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, United States. (AP via KTUU)
• Project Merlin
  • 9 February - Project Merlin, an agreement on aspects of banking activity in the United Kingdom, is agreed between the coalition government and the country's four major high street banks. (BBC)
  • Liberal Democrat peer Lord Oakeshott resigns as a Treasury spokesman in the House of Lords after making an outspoken attack on the agreement. (BBC)

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, United States, 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)
• 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)