Wikinews:Briefs/September 11, 2006

Monday, September 11, 2006 

Queensland: Beattie's labor government returned to power

September 9, 2006

The Queensland state election has been won by the Peter Beattie led labor government. After a colourful campaign featuring disunity between the liberal-national coalition and a forecasted protest vote that failed to eventuate against labor, Beattie maintained his considerable margin in the 89 seat legislative assembly winning a predicted 60 seats with approximately 70% of votes counted. The nationals and liberals are predicted to pick up 16 and nine seats respectively.

Paes and Damm win men's doubles title

September 10, 2006

Leander Paes and Martin Damm crowned their first year as a pair on Saturday as they beat Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 to win the men's doubles title at the 2006 U.S. Open tennis tournament.

Paes and Damm had lost the first set and their serve broken in the second set managed to win their first title of the year.

Paes said communication had been the key to his success with Damm. "I don't think there are enough words to express how much fun and how much learning I've actually had playing with Martin, because we're actually opposites on the court," Paes said. "Martin is strong and plays more solid. I'm more flashy and a bit more quick. We really complement each other. "It's been a fantastic year playing with him. I've really enjoyed it. I'd like to thank him for a wonderful year."

Malegaon blasts: ATS arrives to probe blasts

September 10, 2006

The situation in Malegaon is calm, two days after multiple blasts killed 38 people and left 200 others injured. The police are investigating cautiously and are yet to find definite clues or detain suspects. A special ten-member team of Mahrasthra's Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) is in Malegaon to probe blasts. National Security Guards (NSG) is inspecting the site as well. Investigators admit that cracking the Malegaon mystery will be tough one and so for there have been no arrests or detentions.

Related news:

• "Muslims in Gujarat hold anti-Pakistan rally" — Wikinews, September 9, 2006
• "38 dead, over 180 injured as blasts rock Maharashtra town" — Wikinews, September 8, 2006

Aerobatics champ dies in tragedy at Aero GP season opener

September 10, 2006

A mid-air collision has taken the life of Swedish aerobatics champion Gabor Varga. Shortly after the in-flight tangle, the two planes crashed into the sea as co-competitor Eddie Goggins of Ireland parachuted into the sea where Maltese Armed Forces rescued him.

The incident comes only days after Aero GP announced a sponsorship deal with Betfair, giving the Malta Aero GP the official title, Aero GP Betfair Grand Prix of Malta.

The competition in the Aero GP involves a variety of skill tests for the pilots, testing their racing, dogfighting and target-bombing abilities.

Strong earthquake in Gulf of Mexico causes rare tremor in Florida

September 10, 2006

An earthquake struck in the Gulf of Mexico with a magnitude of 6.0, a strength very rare for that region of the world, at 10:56am EDT (14:56 UTC) on September 10. Although no damage has been reported, it has been reported that tremors were felt in Orlando and Ocala in the state of Florida.

According to the U.S. Geographical Survey, the quake's epicenter was 260 miles (418 km) WSW (240°) of Clearwater, Florida, and 329 miles (529 km) southeast (145°) of New Orleans, Louisiana, at a depth of 6.2 miles (10 km).

USGS officials stated that the quake was not strong enough to trigger a tsunami. Tremor intensities as high as Force IV on the Modified Mercalli scale were felt throughout Florida.

Sources

• Australian Associated Press. "Beattie clinches historic Qld poll win" — Sydney Morning Herald, September 9, 2006
• Simon Cambers. "Paes and Damm win men's doubles title" — Reuters, September 10, 2006
• "Malegaon calm, no leads yet in probe" — NDTV, September 10, 2006
• "Swedish aerobatics champion killed in competition" — News.com.au, September 11, 2006
• "Aero GP flying high with new sponsor deal." — CRASH.net, September 7, 2006
• "Earthquake in Gulf Felt in Orlando, Ocala" — WOFL, September 10, 2006
• "Magnitude 6.0 - GULF OF MEXICO" — U.S. Geological Survey, September 10, 2006
• "Earthquake Reported Off Florida Coast" — WFTV, September 10, 2006