Wikinews:Briefs/March 28, 2007
A compilation of brief news reports for Wednesday, March 28, 2007.
US to seek less than 20 years for Hicks
The United States will reportedly seek a jail sentence of less than 20 years for Australian David Hicks. He pleaded guilty to providing material support for terrorism, but not an act of terrorism. Hicks may be sentenced by the end of the week. He could be returned to Australia to serve out his sentence, with credit for the years at Guantanamo Bay.
Related news
- "Guantanamo detainee David Hicks pleads guilty to providing "material support"" — Wikinews, March 27, 2007
- "US charges Australian David Hicks" — Wikinews, March 26, 2007
Sources
- Gemma Daley. "U.S. to Seek Hicks Jail Term of Less Than 20 Years" — Bloomberg L.P., March 28, 2007
- "Australian's Gitmo confession likely to get him home" — CNN, March 28, 2007
Global stock markets are lower
US stocks fell on Tuesday starting another round of global selling, as worries about the US housing market and weaker consumer confidence. Lennar Corp., one of the largest US home builders reported that profits fell 73%. Wednesday, Asia markets opened steady to higher, but fell as rising oil prices and the geopolitcal standoff between Britain and Iran made investors seek the safety of government bonds. European and North American markets are trading lower in the Wednesday trading session.
Sources
- Madlen Read, AP. "Wall Street slides on economy worries" — Yahoo! News, March 28, 2007
- Chen Shiyin and Makiko Suzuki. "Asian Stocks Fall on U.S. Economy Concern; Toyota, Samsung Drop" — Bloomberg L.P., March 28, 2007
- "European stocks -- Factors to watch on March 28" — Reuters, March 28, 2007
- Chris Burns. "Markets lower on Iran, US data" — Reuters, March 28, 2007
Gunmen kill 50 overnight in Sunni district in Iraq
In an apparent reprisal for bombings in Shi'ite areas, gunmen went on a rampage in a Sunni in Tal Afar, Iraq, killing about 50 people. There have been reports that the gunmen included police.
Sources
- "Gunmen kill 50 in Iraqi town" — Reuters, March 28, 2007
- "Gunmen kill dozens in Iraqi town" — BBC News Online, March 28, 2007
UK releases GPS data in dispute with Iran
The United Kingdom has made public GPS data that it says proves that the 15 navy personnel were well inside Iraqi waters when they were seized by Iran. Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said the dispute would be solved "based on rules and regulations" and that the female sailor would be released soon.
Related news
- "UK prepared to go 'into different phase' if sailors and marines not released by Iran within days" — Wikinews, March 27, 2007
- "British sailors detained by Iran "to be tried for espionage"" — Wikinews, March 25, 2007
- "15 Royal Navy sailors captured at gunpoint by Iranian guards" — Wikinews, March 23, 2007
Sources
- "UK reveals Iran dispute evidence" — BBC News Online, March 28, 2007
- Peter Graff and Sophie Walker. "Britain turns up heat on Iran, woman to be freed" — Reuters, March 28, 2007
First black airmen in US Airforce to be honored
Surviving members of the 332d Air Expeditionary Group and 99th Pursuit Squadron, widely known as the Tuskegee Airmen, will be honored on Thursday by President Bush at a ceremony at the US Capitol. They will receive the Congressional Gold Medal for fighting both the Nazis abroad and racial segregation at home.
Sources
- Matthew Bigg. "Black airmen honored for fighting Nazis, racism" — Reuters, March 28, 2007
- Annie Bergman, AP. "Tuskegee Airmen Being Honored" — ABC News, March 28, 2007
