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Bill Gates to step down from daily roles by July 2008 Bill Gates is stepping down from Microsoft by July 2008 to dedicate more time working on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Rallies in Greece as Universities' strike continues University students in Greece continue their opposition to a new law - which mainly has to do with the foundation of private universities in Greece - through organizing new rallies in Athens and Thessaloniki as well as through the occupancy of many University departments across the country."

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"Living fossil" found in Laos A retired biologist from Florida State University has captured photos of a rodent in Laos which scientists thought was extinct for 11 million years.

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Iran loses to Portugal in the 2006 FIFA World Cup guaranteeing Iran's elimination from the tournament. This averts a possible international incident, whereby Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would have traveled to Germany to congratulate the Iranian football team, had they advanced to the next round. Surveillance and intelligence reports have confirmed that North Korea is preparing to test its Taepodong 2 missiles on Sunday. The Italian pretender, Vittorio Emanuele, Prince of Naples, is arrested as part of an investigation into corruption and prostitution. An H5 strain of avian flu has been detected in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. The bird flu currently has a "low risk" to humans. Chinese journalist Yang Xiaoqing, a reporter for the state-run China Industrial Economy News, is sentenced to one year in prison at the Longhui No. 1 People's Court in Hunan province for extortion. Xiaoqing wrote an article exposing local Communist Party official Yang Jianxin's embezzlement of state assets. Jianxin has been reassigned to an advisory post in Shaoyang city. Hundreds of protesters block police cars to prevent them from taking Xiaoqing to jail. The Winnipeg police have made numerous arrests in the relation to the Shedden massacre, including five members from the Bandidos motorcycle club. Prachanda, reclusive leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), meets with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, in what is thought to be his first visit to the capital Kathmandu in decades. Israeli air strike near Gaza kills one Islamic Jihad militant and wounds two others, reportedly on their way to launch Qassam rockets. No civilians were hurt in the strike. More than a hundred Qassam rockets were launched against Israeli towns in the past week, six of them on Friday. Evangelist Gilbert Deya is arrested by police at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in relation to allegations by Kenyan police of involvement in child trafficking.

USA hold Italy to 1-1 draw in Group E
Kasey Keller made three crucial saves as nine-man USA drew 1-1 with ten-man Italy in an heart-pounding Group E match.

The match played in Kaiserslautern where there is a US army base helped boost the sizable US fan contingent in the crowd. Those among them who had seen Czech Republic roll the USA 3-0 might not have recognised the side this game.

Bruce Arena began with a 4-5-1 formation and surprised Italy with their competitive intensity. A solid energetic start, the USA had best of play for 15 minutes.

However; Italy scored first. A set piece 45 yards out was driven low and Alberto Gilardino got in front of his defender and glanced a header to the far post.

USA got a deserved 26 minute equaliser. Christian Zaccardo tried to clear a corner one way but skewed the ball the other. Own goal, Gianluigi Buffon did not move.

USA had been all over the Italians by their shear work rate. And on 28 minutes something gave. Daniele De Rossi rose for a midfield challenge and elbowed Brian McBride hard under the left eye.

Uruguay referee Jorge Larrionda did not wait for the blood that streamed from the striker's head and gave De Rossi a straight red. Fifa might give the 22-year-old a lengthy ban for what looked like a premeditated attempt to intimidate the Americans.

Larrionda went on to show two more red cards in the match which equalled a tournment record. There had only been three other Fifa World Cup games with three red cards: 1938 Brazil v Czechoslovakia; 1954, Brazil v Hungary; and 1998, Denmark v South Africa.

For a few minutes McBride remained shirtless on the touchline while he received boxer treatment and three stiches for his cut. Italian manager Marcello Lippi replaced Francesco Totti with midfield tackler Gennaro Gattuso.

With half an hour gone the own goal and De Rossi's indiscipline had given the USA a massive advantage. But it appears they did not keep their heads.

Ten minutes after Pablo Mastroeni had grazed the crossbar with a shot he made a horrible lunge at the ankles of Andrea Pirlo. Jorge Larrionda flashed the red again.

Just before half-time the USA had neutralised their advantage. In less than one minute after the restart they were to hand the Italians the advantage.

Eddie Pope was sent off after he received his second caution: two yellow cards equal one red card and now it was ten men versus nine.

Lippi almost immediately got substitute Alexandro Del Piero on for one of his defenders to take advantage of their extra player. Arena brought on another defender and lined up 3-3-2. By 80 minutes this had become 8-0-0.

For a game with so few players and so much drama there were very few chances. Only three shots were on target; all for Italy. USA had 8 shots; none on target.

A statistic that suggests the draw was a tactical victory for the USA coach Italy's forward line were guilty of getting caught offside 11 times.

Pirlo went close with a freekick and almost forced Carlos Bocanegra to head another dangerous dipping cross into his net; fortunately for Keller it clipped the bar.

As the Americans were stretched further Kasey Keller made a couple of crucial saves from Lippi's extra attacker. On 73 minutes he got one hand to a Del Piero header and then palmed away two-handed his long range drive.

In the last 10 minutes Italy passed well and created half-chances to score. Vincenzo Iaquinta broke the offside trap but, perhaps in surprise at the achievement, failed to control the ball with only Keller to beat.

On 90 minutes Gilardino headed wide under pressure from Steve Cherundolo.

USA, despite playing the entire second half with 9 men might say they were unlucky not to get a second goal. A DaMarcus Beasley shot beat Buffon but was over-ruled because McBride was standing offside in the keeper's line of sight.

On USA attacks Landon Donovan kept the ball well which allowed respite from Italian attacks and spurred his team on to play further up the pitch, until their stamina cracked with ten-minutes left.

The referee had a hard match but was overall fair if not consistent. In the second half decisions appeared more based on necessity to be more lenient; as both sets of players tired it may have been unreasonable to expect perfect tackles.

Lunges were not whistled and there was an aggressive shirt pull in the USA penalty area that was ignored. In an earlier World Cup match, a Ukraine player had conceded a penalty and was sent off for doing this.

The shared point meant either one of Italy or Czech Republic would qualify from Group E for the knock-out stage of the Fifa World Cup. USA next play Ghana: a win for Ghana would mean qualification while the USA would qualify if they won and Italy beat the Czech Republic.

Ghana surge past Czech Republic in Group E
Ghana beat the Czech Republic by two goals with a powerful attacking display in Koln, Saturday.

The Czech Republic had Tomas Ujfalusi sent off after 66 minutes but in this game Ghana had the best of the chances over the 90 minutes.

The African team played short quick passes as well as long ones and had relentless energy. They commanded the field with their physical presence.

With 10 minutes left some sides up by a single goal would hold the ball near the opponent's corner flag to run down the clock. Ratomir Dujkovic's side, at 25 years and two months the youngest at the Fifa World Cup, did not.

Against ten men they seemed determined to get a killer second goal. They eventually achieved this after numerous chances.

They surged forward in numbers such that sometimes the ten men Czech Republic broke with three players attacking four defenders - which might be a dangerous situation when two of them are Pavel Neved and Tomas Rosicky and your side is only one goal in front.

The Czech Republic did not take their opportunties to score. Their star midfielders looked busy but with the team's best strikers on the injury list - Milan Baros and Jan Koller - the Czech attack was toothless and a bit disorganised.

At one point Rosicky let a low cross through his legs for a runner behind when he was in fact in the best striker's position.

On 57 minutes Neved left an imprint of his frustration in the stadium when he kicked an advertising hoarding which left visible stud holes.

The game had started brilliant fashion for the passionate Ghanians. They never looked back from the second minute when Asamoah Gyan took a long ball down on his chest and from the edge of the area drove the ball low past Petr Cech.

On 31 minutes Gyan got behind the defence but Cech, in a good position, saved. Gyan should have chipped it. In the second period the promising 20-year-old arguably missed many equally good chances with only Petr Cech to beat - again shooting low when he might have gone high.

Karel Bruckner had Petr Chec to thank for the score not being an embarassment. After the sending off saves from Ghanians came on 71, 73, 77, and 79 minutes.

Any hope the central Europeans could surprise with a comeback ended when Sulley Muntari showed how to beat Cech on 84 minutes. In space in the area, he fired high left-footed inside the near post.

Ujfalusi had interrupted Matthew Amoah's kicking leg when he was clean through and was shown a red card for this offence by Horacio Elizondo.

The referee delayed the red card slightly and this led to what seemed to be a misunderstanding. On the 66 minute the crowd roared when the belated red was flashed. Gyan, perhaps in eagerness, might have taken this noise a sign the whistle had blown.

He took the penalty, though the referee was not yet in position to let it be taken. This earned the striker a yellow card and put him out of the USA match. An example of the inexperience of the young team.

His Serbian coached then watched as Gyan hit midway up the right post with the actual penalty and the score stayed 1-0.

On 93 minutes there was a flurry of activity near the Ghana goal and Richard Kingston pulled off two fine saves. But with captain Stephen Appiah and Michael Essian in control of midfield Ghana looked a powerful side who well-deserved their win against the understrength Czechs.

With three teams in Group E now on three points all eyes then turned to the next games, as potentially any of the four teams still could qualify.

Three people die in New South Wales, Australia car accidents
Police were kept busy around Blayney in New South Wales' central west this morning as two separate crashes on the Mid Western Highway claimed three lives. Both accidents occurred within 20 minutes of each other and were only seven kilometres (4 miles) apart.

The first accident occurred five kilometres North of Blayney towards Cowra at 7:45 a.m. AEST. A B-double truck carrying woodchips slammed into a parked table-top truck as it went around a corner. As a result of the crash, the B-double rolled over. The parked truck's passenger died at the scene, while its driver was airlifted to Orange Base Hospital suffering abdominal injuries.

A second accident occurred two kilometres south of Blayney, towards Bathurst. Both the driver and passenger died when their car left the road and collided with a tree. Police said they were investigating the crash and would prepare a report for the Coroner.

In a report released in 2004, the NRMA said that the government should give priority to upgrading the highway among others within the region. In 2005, the NRMA also expressed concern about the highway being reclassified as a regional road (from a state road), putting the onus for maintenance and improvements on councils, which already have limited resources.

According to a 2004 audit conducted by the NRMA, the Mid Western Highway is the fifth safest highway statistically in NSW with 18.7 major crashes per 100 million kilometres travelled and 11.5 fatalities per 100 million kilometres travelled. According to the NRMA, the most dangerous highway in NSW is the Great Western Highway, which has 51.5 crashes and 30.8 fatalities per 100 million kilometres travelled.

Upon closer examination of statistics, the safety record of the stretch between Bathurst and Cowra (which also happens to be the most heavily used) is comparable to that of the entire New England Highway and more dangerous than the Pacific Highway with 29.5 crashes and 15.6 fatalities per 100 million kilometres travelled. A 14-kilometre section between Bathurst and Blayney is particularly dangerous according to the NRMA.

Portugal beat Iran 2-0 in Group D
Just when Portugal might have wondered if they could breakthrough Deco produced a wonderful goal to send Luiz Felipe Scolari's side into the knock-out stage of the World Cup, Saturday.

Iran used defensive tactics to frustrate Portugal in the Commerzbank Arena and until one hour of play the scores were level. The defence had blocked shots, Ebrahim Mirzapour had made some great saves.

Figo had created most of Portugal's best opportunities. In the first half the team in the maroon strip had 5 corners in the first 15 minutes and, after half an hour, had 68 per cent of the posession.

A Deco shot from a close angle forced Mirzapour to make a one-handed save over the bar. By half time Richard Carvalho, and later Ronaldo, had missed the target with a header from a Figo corner.

Branko Ivankovic's side did not trouble Ricardo at the other end but this did not make the Brazilian coach of the Portugal team adjust the 4-5-1 formation which had Pauletta up front on his own.

In the second half Figo was again the centre of everything but this did not look enough. It was Deco's brilliant 25 yard shot, from Figo's rolled pass, which won it.

Mirzapour could only stand and watch the ball rise into the net as Deco fell backwards onto the ground.

Portugal had ten shots on target to Iran's one; when a Vahid Hashemian header which produced a photographer friendly save from Ricardo. Iran allowed Figo to take 13 corner kicks and conceded 63 per cent of ball possession.

After the first goal the second looked more likely as Iran were forced to get forward to equalise. If they did not they would play only one more game at the World Cup.

Rasoul Khatibi got on the end of a long ball into the box but, at an angle, dragged wastefully wide of the far post.

On 78 minutes Figo attacked the Iranian penalty area once more and was brought down by Yahya Golmohammadi. Golmohammadi, Iran's captain, ten minutes later was taken off injured, clutching his left shoulder after he had stepped in front of Ronaldo.

Ronaldo passed the penalty in high using the inside of his right foot.

Portugal were due next to play Mexico and would go through as winners of Group D if they did not lose.

Australia defeat England in rugby to win Cook Cup
Australia has defeated England 43 points to 18 in the second match of the Cook Cup series between the two nations in rugby union. The second win for Australia saw them win the Cook Cup trophy, which was held by England entering the series. The match was played under a closed roof at Telstra Dome, Melbourne in Australia. Regular Australian captain George Gregan entered the game off the bench in the second half to receive his 120th cap for the Wallabies - setting a new world record.

The first points of the match went to England with Andy Goode booting a field goal to put them up by three points. A few minutes later George Smith charged over to score a try under the posts for the Wallabies, Stirling Mortlock added the subsequent conversion to take the Australians to a seven to three lead over the English. In the 14th minute, Mark Gerrard catches a cross field bomb from Stephen Larkem to score the second Australian try. Although Mortlock missed the conversion, Australia move to a 14 to three lead over England. Goode was able to give England another three points, kicking a penalty goal in the 25th minute. Rodney Blake, one of Australia's heroes from the previous test, appeared to have hurt his ankle and is replaced by Al Baxter. Minutes out from half-time, Lote Tuqiri scores for Australia. Mortlock is successful with the conversion to take the score to 19 points to six goign into break.

Mark Chisholm runs in the first try of the second half, and with Mortlock adding the conversion, Australia's lead extended to over 20 points. Although an English comeback now looked unlikely, minutes later George Chuter scores a try for England, although Goode missed the conversion, the score was now 26 to 11 to Australia. With 20 minutes remaining, Mortlock kicks a penalty goal to take to score to 29 to 11. A few minutes later, Gerrard runs in for his second side and with Mortlock adding the conversion, Australia now moved the score to 36 to 11. A late try to Larkham, which was converted by Mortlock sees Australia take the score to over 40 points. In the 80th minute of the match, moments from halftime, Varndell receives a pass from Balshaw to run in a late try for England. The final score was 43 points to 18.

All Blacks defeat Ireland in second rugby test
The All Blacks defeated Ireland in the second of two rugby tests. The All Blacks managed to create a good lead in the first half, though the Irish fought back to get within just three points. The All Blacks however held on in the end to win. The match was played at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.

The match kicked off after the All Blacks performed their traditional haka as the rain started to pour down. Byron Kelleher opened up the scoring in the first half, scoring a try for the All Blacks after the first five minuets. Luke McAlister kicks over a conversion to take the New Zealanders to a seven to nil lead. McAlister added another three points with a kick at goal when the All Blacks were awarded a penalty, taking their lead to 10 to nil. Clarke Dermody charges over with just over 10 minutes remaining in the first half, though the Irish were upset about an alleged knock-on in the lead up to the play. McAlister converted the try, and the All Blacks now led 17 to nil. With around nine minutes left, Ireland scored their first points through Paul O'Connell who ran through to score under the posts. Ronan O'Gara converts the try to put the Irish within 10 points. Minutes later, McAlister kicks a penalty to extend the All Blacks lead to 20 to seven. Minutes before half time, Jerry Flannery scores a try for Ireland to put them back in the game, O'Gara converts, and the sides go into the break with the All Blacks leading 20 to 14.

O'Gara kicks a penalty goal after 10 miutes into the second half, putting Ireland within just three points of the All Blacks, the score now being 20 to 17, with around 30 minutes to go. A period of no scoring followed, with the score remaining seperated by just three points. The lock was broken by McAlister was scored under the posts for the All Blacks with under 10 minutes remaining. McAlister converted his own try and the All Blacks held onto the win. The final score was 27 to 17.

Fiji defeat Italy in rugby
Fiji defeated Italy 29 to 18 in rugby in Fiji on Saturday. It was their first meeting since November of 2005, when Italy were victorious in Monza. The match was played in front of a capacity crowd at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

Norman Ligairi scored the opening try of the match six minuets in to put the Fijians in front. Rupeni Caucau extended Fiji's lead in the 28th minute with another try. Fiji scored another two tries in the first half as well. Italian Andrea Lo Cicero scored their only try in the first half to see the score at 29 to eight as the nations entered half time. Italy scored another try through Josh Sole but Fiji were able to hold onto their lead and win the match, with the final score being 29 to 18.

Avian flu found in eastern Canada
Canada's Broadcasting Corporation reports that a case of avian flu has been discovered in a bird in the Eastern province of Prince Edward Island.

The case was discovered in a gosling found in the community of O'Leary and confirmed at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown. The announcement was made in a press release issued by the government of Prince Edward Island.

Chief Health Officer for PEI, Dr. Lamont Sweet, said, "From the information we have received, there is a low risk of human illness at the present time." He went on to suggest that people in West Prince who have contact with domestic or wild birds who may be experiencing flu-like symptoms should consult their physician.

Today in History
1812 - The United States declared war against Great Britain, officially beginning the War of 1812.

1815 - Napoleon Bonaparte fought and lost his final battle, the Battle of Waterloo.

1858 - Charles Darwin received a manuscript by Alfred Russel Wallace on evolution, which prompted him to publish his theory.

1873 - Woman suffrage activist Susan B. Anthony was fined $100 for attempting to vote in the 1872 U.S. presidential election.

1979 - The SALT II treaty was signed by the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

June 18 is Father's Day in several regions (2006)

Quote of the Day

Will you still need me,

Will you still feed me,

When I'm sixty-four?

~ Paul McCartney ~

Word of the Day

fissiparous; adj

Factious, fragmenting, or tending to break into pieces.

(biology): Of cells that reproduce through fission, splitting into two.

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