User:Equilibrium007/ITNSample
The following results are based on a sample of stories shown in the ITN template over the past three years. The dates were randomly selected by a short Python script, and they fall anywhere between January 1, 2006 and today (December 15, 2008). The goal was primarily to waste some perfectly good time, but also to gather data on any systemic biases in the stories presented on ITN.
Results
[edit]| Topic | # Stories | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| Business | 10 | 5.8% |
| Disaster | 12 | 7.0% |
| Leadership | 45 | 26.2% |
| Military | 11 | 6.4% |
| Politics | 7 | 4.1% |
| Riots, violence, and terrorism | 20 | 11.6% |
| Space | 10 | 5.8% |
| Sports | 24 | 14.0% |
| International organizations | 8 | 4.7% |
| Other | 25 | 14.5% |
| Total | 172 | 100.0% |
"Leadership" refers specifically to any change in the leadership of a country, typically an election or resignation or something. "Politics" refers to any other largely domestic decision made by the government. The other ones should be pretty clear.
| Region | # Stories | % of total |
|---|---|---|
| Asia | 50 | 28.7% |
| Europe | 34 | 19.8% |
| United Kingdom | 8 | 4.6% |
| Russia | 2 | 1.1% |
| North America | 19 | 10.3% |
| United States | 10 | 5.2% |
| Oceania | 6 | 3.5% |
| South America | 3 | 1.7% |
| Africa | 14 | 8.1% |
| World | 47 | 27.0% |
| Total | 172 | 100.0% |
Raw sample
[edit]If you want to check my work, copy and paste the following into a text file and open it as a tab-delimited spreadsheet. Worked for me in Excel.
"June 27, 2006" East Timor Asia Leadership "Prime Minister Marí Alkatiri (pictured) of East Timor, in the wake of national crisis, follows foreign minister José Ramos Horta in resigning from government." United States United States Other Billionaire Warren Buffett pledges a record US$30.7 billion in shares to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. World - business World Business "The world's two leading steel producers, Arcelor and Mittal, announce their merger." Philippines Asia Politics The death penalty is abolished in the Philippines. United States United States Military "The U.S. Navy concludes Valiant Shield, its largest Pacific military exercise since the Vietnam War." World - sports World Sports "2014 Winter Olympics bids are approved for Sochi, Salzburg, and Pyeongchang." World - sports World Sports The 2006 FIFA World Cup enters the knockout stage in Germany. "November 11, 2007" World - business World Business " * A children's toy is subject to a worldwide recall after it has been found to contain a chemical that metabolises into the anesthetic GHB, which has caused the hospitalisation of several children." World - sports World Sports " * Glasgow is chosen to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games after voting by the Commonwealth Games Federation in Colombo, Sri Lanka." Belgium Europe Leadership " * In Belgium, government formation negotiations have gone on for a record 150 days as Dutch- and French-speaking politicians clash over the Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde electoral district." Georgia Europe "Riots, violence, and terrorism" * A state of emergency is declared in Georgia after clashes between riot police and opposition demonstrators in Tbilisi. United Kingdom Europe Other " * Queen Elizabeth II formally opens the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link and London's St Pancras terminus, the new home for Eurostar trains (pictured) linking London with Paris and Brussels." World - space World Space " * Space Shuttle Discovery safely returns to Earth, after a 15-day mission to the International Space Station." "May 28, 2006" Indonesia Asia Disaster " * An earthquake on the island of Java, Indonesia (flag pictured) kills at least 3,700 people." Burma Asia Politics * Myanmar extends the house arrest of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi for another year. Germany Europe Other " * The largest train station in Europe, the Berlin Hauptbahnhof, opens in the German capital" United States United States Business * Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling are convicted for their roles in the collapse of Enron. East Timor Asia "Riots, violence, and terrorism" * Australian forces deploy to East Timor to quell the ongoing crisis. India Asia Politics " * In India, students protest a proposal to increase educational quotas for members of the ""backward"" castes." "June 30, 2007" United Kingdom Europe "Riots, violence, and terrorism" " * Glasgow International Airport is rammed by a burning car, one day after car bomb attacks are thwarted in central London." Egypt Africa Other * Egyptologist Zahi Hawass identifies a mummy found in an unadorned tomb as that of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut (pictured). United Kingdom Europe Leadership * Gordon Brown succeeds Tony Blair as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Blair assumes the post of Envoy for the Quartet on the Middle East. European Union Europe International organizations * The leaders of the 27 European Union states agree to an outline for a Reform Treaty to replace the failed European Constitution. Iraq Asia Other " * ""Chemical"" Ali Hassan al-Majid, cousin of Saddam Hussein, is sentenced to death along with two other defendants for his role in the Al-Anfal Campaign against the Iraqi Kurds." "April 26, 2007" World - space World Space " * Gliese 581 c, a potentially habitable Earth-like extrasolar planet, is discovered in the constellation Libra." Nigeria Africa Leadership * Umaru Yar'Adua is declared the winner of the Nigerian presidential election amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud. Russia Europe Other " * Boris Yeltsin (pictured), President of the Russian Federation from 1991 to 1999, dies at age 76." France Europe Leadership " * The first round of voting in the French presidential election concludes, with Nicolas Sarkozy and Ségolène Royal advancing to the run-off." Romania Europe Leadership * The Parliament of Romania suspends President Traian B?sescu following allegations of abuse of power and an impeachment vote. United States United States Politics " * The U.S. Supreme Court, in the decision of Gonzales v. Carhart, upholds the constitutionality of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act." Iraq Asia "Riots, violence, and terrorism" " * At least 198 people are killed and 251 others are injured in a series of bombings on the deadliest day in Baghdad, Iraq since Operation Law and Order began two months ago." "September 17, 2007" Roman Catholic Church World "Riots, violence, and terrorism" * Statements by Pope Benedict XVI (pictured) regarding Islam spark protests in parts of India and the Muslim world. World - space World Space " * The crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis, in STS-115, complete a third and final spacewalk to continue construction of the International Space Station." Canada North America "Riots, violence, and terrorism" " * A gunman shoots 20 people at Dawson College in downtown Montreal, Canada, killing one and critically injuring eight others before committing suicide." World - space World Space " * The solar system's largest dwarf planet, previously designated 2003 UB313, is officially named ""Eris""; its satellite is now known as ""Dysnomia""." World - politics World International organizations * The 61st Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund commence in Singapore under strict security. "September 24, 2008" Japan Asia Leadership * The Diet of Japan elects Taro Aso (pictured) of the Liberal Democratic Party as the new Prime Minister of Japan. Finland Europe "Riots, violence, and terrorism" " * Eleven people are killed in a school shooting in Kauhajoki, Finland." Vanuatu Oceania Leadership * Edward Natapei is elected the new Prime Minister of Vanuatu following the 2008 general elections. World - sport World Sports " * In golf, Team USA defeats Team Europe to win the 37th Ryder Cup Matches." South Africa South Africa Leadership " * Thabo Mbeki, as requested by the ruling African National Congress, resigns as President of South Africa." People's Republic of China Asia Business " * More than 12,800 children in China are hospitalized due to adulterated milk products and infant formula." Pakistan Asia "Riots, violence, and terrorism" " * A truck bomb detonates outside a hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing at least 53 people and injuring 266 others." "December 11, 2006" Chile South America Other * Former Chilean president Augusto Pinochet (age 91) dies one week after suffering a heart attack. World - space World Space * Christer Fuglesang (pictured) becomes the first Scandinavian astronaut in space as the Space Shuttle Discovery is launched on a mission to the International Space Station. Ethiopia Africa Military * Ethiopia begins to intervene in the Somali Civil War. Iraq Asia Military " * The Iraq Study Group releases its final report, describing the situation in the Iraq War as ""grave and deteriorating"" and making seventy-nine policy recommendations." Fiji Oceania Leadership * The Fijian military under Commodore Frank Bainimarama takes control of the government. Philippines Asia Disaster " * After killing nearly six hundred people in the Philippines, Typhoon Durian (Reming) strikes Vietnam, leading to over eighty more deaths." "July 25, 2007" World - sport World Sports " * Danish cyclist Michael Rasmussen, wearer of the yellow jersey, and pre-Tour favourite Alexander Vinokourov are pulled out of the 2007 Tour de France amidst a doping controversy." Libya Africa Other * A Palestinian medical intern and five Bulgarian nurses sentenced to death in the HIV trial in Libya on charges of causing an outbreak of HIV are freed after a deal is reached with the European Union. United Kingdom Europe Disaster " * Heavy rains create widespread flooding in the United Kingdom, leading to the Royal Air Force's largest peacetime rescue operation." Turkey Asia Leadership " * The Justice and Development Party (AKP) wins the 2007 Turkish general election, securing a large majority in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey." World - sport World Sports * Pádraig Harrington defeats Sergio García in a playoff to win golf's 2007 Open Championship. "January 16, 2008" World - space World Space "NASA's MESSENGER flies by Mercury (pictured), the first spacecraft to do so in thirty-three years." Republic of China Asia Leadership "The Kuomintang and its allies win a landslide victory in the Republic of China (Taiwan) legislative elections, securing more than three quarters of the seats in the Legislative Yuan." India Asia Business "Indian car manufacturer Tata Motors unveils the world's least expensive production car, the Tata Nano, priced at 100,000 rupees (US$2,500)." Georgia Europe Leadership Mikheil Saakashvili wins the Georgian presidential elections amidst allegations of vote-rigging. Colombia South America "Riots, violence, and terrorism" Former Colombian vice presidential candidate Clara Rojas is released by FARC guerrillas after nearly six years in captivity. "December 19, 2006" Libya Africa Other * Five Bulgarian nurses and one Palestinian doctor were convicted and sentenced to death in Libya for infecting people with HIV. Israel/Palestine Asia Leadership * Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas calls for new general elections amid clashes between supporters of the Hamas and Fatah parties. Bhutan Asia Leadership " * Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, abdicates in favour of his son Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck a year earlier than expected." World - sport World Sports " * The 15th Asian Games conclude with a closing ceremony at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar." World - space World Space * Astronauts on mission STS-116 (pictured) successfully attach the P5 truss segment and retract a solar array on the International Space Station. United Kingdom Europe "Riots, violence, and terrorism" " * Suffolk police arrest a man under suspicion of murdering five women near Ipswich, United Kingdom." "July 27, 2006" Ireland Europe Other " * An early medieval prayer book, possibly 1200 years old, is discovered in a bog in Ireland." World - politics World International organizations " * The Doha round of the WTO global trade talks is suspended in Geneva, amid substantial disagreements over farming subsidies and import taxes among the United States, the European Union and the developing world." World - sport World Sports " * Cyclist Floyd Landis (pictured) wins the 2006 Tour de France, fails drug test." World - sport World Sports " * Golfer Tiger Woods wins the 2006 Open Championship, capturing the Claret Jug for a third time." Israel Asia Military " * The Israeli–Lebanese conflict continues with mounting military and civilian casualties on both sides; as other nations rush to evacuate their citizens, the UN warns of a possible upcoming Lebanese refugee crisis." "September 29, 2007" Bosnia Europe Other " * The Yugoslavia Tribunal in The Hague sentences Mile Mrkši? and Veselin Šljivan?anin to 20 and 5 years in prison, respectively, for their involvement in the 1991 Vukovar massacre." Vietnam Asia Disaster " * The C?n Th? Bridge in Vietnam collapses, killing dozens of construction workers." Burma Asia "Riots, violence, and terrorism" * Japanese photojournalist Kenji Nagai is killed in protests (pictured) involving thousands of Buddhist monks in Myanmar (Burma). India Asia Sports * India's cricket team wins the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 held in South Africa after beating Pakistan in the last over. Japan Asia Leadership " * Yasuo Fukuda wins the LDP leadership election, and is sworn in by Emperor Akihito as Prime Minister of Japan." "September 23, 2008" Finland Europe "Riots, violence, and terrorism" " * Nine people are killed in a school shooting in Kauhajoki, Finland." Vanuatu Oceania Leadership * Edward Natapei is elected the new Prime Minister of Vanuatu following the 2008 general elections. World - sport World Sports " * In golf, Team USA defeats Team Europe to win the 37th Ryder Cup Matches." South Africa Africa Leadership " * Thabo Mbeki (pictured), as requested by the ruling African National Congress, resigns as President of South Africa." People's Republic of China Asia Other " * More than 12,800 children in China are hospitalized due to adulterated milk products and infant formula." Pakistan Asia "Riots, violence, and terrorism" " * A truck bomb detonates outside a hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing at least 53 people and injuring 266 others." World - business World Business " * Lloyds TSB announce a takeover of rival UK bank HBOS after a week of global financial market instability that saw a U.S. government bail-out for AIG, and Lehman Brothers filing for bankruptcy protection." Thailand Asia Leadership * Somchai Wongsawat is selected to become the next Prime Minister during an ongoing political crisis in Thailand. World - space World Space * The International Astronomical Union classifies Haumea as the fifth dwarf planet in the Solar System. "October 12, 2006" Turkey Asia Other * Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk (pictured) wins the 2006 Nobel Prize in literature. World - sport World Sports * Major League Baseball pitcher Cory Lidle is killed when his private plane crashes into a building in Manhattan. World - arts and literature World Other " * The Inheritance of Loss, the second novel by Indian author Kiran Desai, wins the 2006 Man Booker Prize for Fiction." World - business World Business " * Google purchases YouTube, a popular video sharing website, for US$1.65 billion in stock." North Korea Asia Military * North Korea claims to have successfully detonated a nuclear weapon in an underground facility. "September 7, 2008" People's Republic of China Asia Sports " * The 2008 Summer Paralympics open in Beijing, China." India Asia Other * The Nuclear Suppliers Group grants India a waiver to carry out civilian nuclear commerce with the rest of the world. Pakistan Asia Leadership * The Parliament of Pakistan elects Asif Ali Zardari of the Pakistan People's Party as the next President of Pakistan. United States United States Disaster * Tropical Storm Hanna (pictured) moves towards the U.S. South Atlantic coast after causing at least 529 deaths in Haiti. Pakistan Asia Military " * U.S. Special Forces raid a village in Waziristan, Pakistan using three helicopter gunships, the first such ground incursion to take place in Pakistan in the War on Terrorism." "December 8, 2008" Greece Europe "Riots, violence, and terrorism" * Anti-police riots break out in Athens and several cities across Greece. Russia Europe Other " * Patriarch Alexy II (pictured), the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, dies of heart failure in Peredelkino, Russia." Pakistan Asia "Riots, violence, and terrorism" " * A bombing kills 29 people and injures more than 100 in Peshawar, Pakistan." Canada North America Leadership " * At the request of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Governor General of Canada Michaëlle Jean prorogues the parliament until January 26, 2009, to avoid a confidence motion by a newly-formed coalition of opposition parties." Thailand Asia Leadership " * The Constitutional Court of Thailand dissolves three parties in the ruling coalition, and Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat resigns." Zimbabwe Africa Disaster " * A cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe spreads, with hundreds dead and over 10,000 people infected since August 2008." "August 21, 2008" Spain Europe Disaster " * Spanair Flight 5022 crashes immediately after takeoff from Barajas Airport in Madrid, Spain, killing at least 150 people on board." Jamaica North America Sports " * Usain Bolt (pictured) of Jamaica wins gold medals in the 100-metre and 200-metre sprints at the 2008 Summer Olympics, setting new world records of 9.69 and 19.30 seconds, respectively." Zambia Africa Leadership * President of Zambia Levy Mwanawasa dies after suffering a stroke in late June. Pakistan Asia Leadership " * Facing impeachment, Pervez Musharraf announces his resignation as President of Pakistan." World - sport World Sports " * Michael Phelps wins his eighth gold medal of the 2008 Summer Olympics, surpassing Mark Spitz's record for most gold medals won at a single Olympics." Nepal Asia Leadership " * Maoist leader Prachanda is elected Prime Minister of Nepal, the first since the country's transition from a monarchy to a republic." Mauritania Africa Leadership " * Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf is appointed Prime Minister of Mauritania, following a coup d'etat." "November 6, 2006" Iraq Asia Other " * In Iraq, Saddam Hussein (pictured) is sentenced to death by hanging for crimes against humanity." Malaysia Asia Leadership " * The Conference of Rulers elects Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu as the next Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the head of state of Malaysia. His reign begins on 13 December 2006." Uganda Africa Military " * The government of Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army rebels agree to a ceasefire as negotiations restart in Juba, Sudan." World - politics World International organizations " * Venezuela and Guatemala withdraw their bids from the election for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council after 47 rounds of voting, and propose Panama as their candidate." World - labor World International organizations " * The World Confederation of Labour and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions merge to form the International Trade Union Confederation, representing 166 million members." "July 7, 2006" World - sport World Sports " * Sochi, Russia, is chosen by the International Olympic Committee as the host city for the 2014 Winter Olympics." Israel/Palestine Asia "Riots, violence, and terrorism" " * Alan Johnston, a BBC correspondent who was kidnapped by Palestinian gunmen in March, is released." World - sport World Sports " * Alinghi beats Team New Zealand (both teams pictured) in the final race of the 2007 America's Cup, winning the regatta 5–2." United States United States Other " * U.S. President George W. Bush commutes the prison sentence of Lewis ""Scooter"" Libby, previously convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in relation to the CIA leak investigation." United Kingdom Europe "Riots, violence, and terrorism" * The main terminal of Glasgow International Airport is rammed by a burning car one day after two unexploded car bombs are discovered in central London. "September 9, 2008" World - sport World Sports "In tennis, Serena Williams (pictured) and Roger Federer win the women's and men's singles titles respectively, at the 2008 U.S. Open." United States United States Business "In one of the largest banking interventions in United States history, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are placed into conservatorship by the Federal Housing Finance Agency." India Asia Disaster "Flooding along the Brahmaputra River displaces 2.1 million people and causes 24 deaths in Assam, India." Canada North America Leadership "On the advice of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Governor General Michaëlle Jean dissolves the 39th Canadian Parliament and calls early elections to be held October 14." Haiti North America Disaster "Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike result in more than 570 deaths, mostly due to floods and mudslides in Haiti." World - sport World Sports "The 2008 Summer Paralympics open in Beijing, China." India Asia Other The Nuclear Suppliers Group grants India a waiver to carry out civilian nuclear commerce with the rest of the world. "December 21, 2007" European Union Europe International organizations "The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia join the Schengen zone of the European Union." Belgium Europe Leadership "After more than 190 days of discussion, an interim government led by Guy Verhofstadt is formed in Belgium." South Korea Asia Leadership Lee Myung-bak (pictured) wins the presidential election in South Korea. Pakistan Asia Politics President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan declares an end to the six-week state of emergency. World - sport World Sports "The ""Mitchell Report"" is released, naming more than 80 alleged users of anabolic steroids or human growth hormone among Major League Baseball players." Caribbean North America Disaster "Tropical Storm Olga causes floods and landslides in the Caribbean, killing at least 35 people." Switzerland Europe Leadership "A new Swiss Federal Council is elected, with six of seven incumbents returning." "March 8, 2006" United Nations World International organizations The United Nations General Assembly votes to establish the UN Human Rights Council. United Kingdom Europe Other Six men are in intensive care after taking the immunomodulatory drug TGN1412 in clinical trials in the UK. Denmark Europe Other Three people involved in the February protest at the Danish embassy in London are charged with inciting racial hatred. Transnistria Europe Military New customs regulations on the Ukraine-Transnistria border lead to escalating conflict in the region. Serbia Europe Other The remains of former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Miloševi? are flown to Serbia for burial. World - sport World Sports Triathlon: Australia wins gold in both the men's and women's races. "January 23, 2006" Montenegro Europe Disaster "At least 39 people die in the Bio?e train disaster in Montenegro, the worst-ever train accident in the former Yugoslav state." Canada North America Leadership Canadians cast votes to elect the 39th Parliament. United States United States Business The Ford Motor Company announces plans to lay off nearly a quarter of its North American workforce. Portugal Europe Leadership Aníbal Cavaco Silva is elected the first right-wing President of Portugal since the 1974 Carnation Revolution. Kosovo Europe Leadership President Ibrahim Rugova of Kosovo dies in office at age 61. "January 19, 2006" World - space World Space "The New Horizons spacecraft becomes the fastest ever launched, taking off successfully from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on a nine-year mission to Pluto." Japan Asia Business "Alleged fraud prompts heavy sales of livedoor stock, forcing the Tokyo Stock Exchange to close early for the first time." Chile South America Leadership Socialist Michelle Bachelet (pictured) is elected the first female President of Chile. Finland Europe Leadership Tarja Halonen and Sauli Niinistö take the first round of the Finnish presidential election. "September 10, 2006" World - space World Space Space Shuttle Atlantis (pictured) lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center to begin STS-115. United Kingdom Europe Leadership Tony Blair announces that he will resign as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom before the 2007 Labour Party Conference. Japan Asia Leadership Princess Kiko of Japan gives birth to the first male heir born into the Japanese Imperial Family for more than 40 years. The as-yet-unnamed infant may become third in line for the Chrysanthemum Throne. Mexico North America Leadership "More than two months after the Mexican elections, Felipe Calderón is declared President-elect by the Federal Electoral Tribunal." Australia Oceania Other "Steve Irwin, wildlife expert and host of the television show The Crocodile Hunter, is killed by a stingray while filming a nature documentary at the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia." "June 6, 2008" Turkey Asia Politics "Turkey's Constitutional Court reinstates a ban on the hijab (example pictured) in universities, citing the constitution's secular principles." World - sport World Sports The Detroit Red Wings win ice hockey's Stanley Cup after defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Six of the Finals. Zimbabwe Africa Leadership Zimbabwean police briefly detain opposition Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai during campaigning in the second round of the Zimbabwe presidential election. United States North America Leadership "In the U.S. Presidential campaign, Senator Barack Obama obtains a predicted majority of delegates needed to become the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee, the first African-American ever to do so." Somalia Africa Military The United Nations Security Council unanimously passes a declaration allowing foreign naval vessels to enter Somali territorial waters to deal with pirates. Pakistan Asia "Riots, violence, and terrorism" "A car bomb explodes outside the Danish embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing at least five." "September 7, 2007" Nicaragua North America Disaster "Hurricane Felix (pictured) makes landfall on Nicaragua's Mosquito Coast as a Category 5 hurricane, becoming the second storm of that strength to make landfall in the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season." Afghanistan Asia "Riots, violence, and terrorism" The Taliban release the remaining South Korean hostages in return for South Korea withdrawing its 200 non-combat troops within the year and suspending missionary work in Afghanistan. Turkey Asia Leadership "Abdullah Gül is elected as the eleventh President of Turkey by the Turkish Parliament, after secularist concerns delayed his initial candidacy." "June 19, 2007" France Europe Leadership "The centre-right Union for a Popular Movement, party of French President Nicolas Sarkozy (pictured), retains a majority in the National Assembly despite losses in the legislative elections." World - sport World Sports Argentine golfer Angel Cabrera wins the 2007 U.S. Open Championship. Samoa Oceania Leadership Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi is elected as the new O le Ao o le Malo (Head of State) of Samoa. World - sport World Sports "The San Antonio Spurs defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers, four games to none, to win the 2007 National Basketball Association Finals." Israel/Palestine Asia Military "Hamas takes control of the Gaza Strip, causing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to dissolve the current unity government and declare a state of emergency." Israel/Palestine Asia Leadership Shimon Peres is elected President of Israel after both of his opponents withdraw before the second round of voting. "October 7, 2006" WTO World International organizations Georgia threatens to block Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organization in response to the Georgia-Russia spying dispute. Lesotho Africa Politics "Lesotho adopts a new flag (pictured), incorporating the traditional Basotho hat." World - science World Other Roger D. Kornberg wins the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on the molecular basis of gene transcription. North Korea Asia Military North Korea announces plans to test a nuclear weapon. World - science World Other John C. Mather and George F. Smoot win the Nobel Prize in Physics for work that helped establish the cosmogonical Big Bang theory of the universe. United States United States "Riots, violence, and terrorism" "Five students are killed and five others seriously injured at an Amish school in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania by gunman Charles Carl Roberts, who then commits suicide."