• The United States wins its first Davis Cup since 1995 taking an unbeatable 3-0 lead over Russia in the final in Portland, Oregon. Events 800 - Charlemagne judges the accusations against Pope Leo III in the Vatican Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The United States Davis Cup Team represents the United States in Davis Cup Tennis competition and is governed by the United States Tennis Association The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's Tennis. Athletics For an extensive coverage see 1995 in athletics (track and field Marathon January The Russia Davis Cup team represents Russia in Davis Cup Tennis competition and are governed by the Russian Tennis Federation. Portland is a city located in the Northwestern United States, near the Confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers (AP via CBS Sports)
• Iraq:
  • Al-Qaeda in Iraq militants attack the Shiite village of Dwelah in Diyala, killing at least 13 people. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI is a group playing an active role in the Iraqi insurgency. Dwelah is a Shiite village in Diyala Governorate, Iraq, approximately 45 miles north of Baghdad. (AP via IHT)
  • Turkey claims that it has attacked PKK positions in Iraq, inflicting significant losses. Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches The Kurdistan Workers' Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistan or PKK, also called KADEK, Kongra-Gel, and KGK It is listed as a terrorist For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. (Time)
• Pakistani general election, 2008:
  • Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto begins her election campaign for the Pakistani general election, 2008. A general election was held in Pakistan on February 18, 2008, after being postponed from 8 January 2008, the original date to elect Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and Benazir Bhutto ( Sindhi: بينظير ڀٽو Urdu: بینظیر بھٹو beːnəziːɾ bɦʊʈːoː (21 June 1953 &ndash 27 December 2007 was a A general election was held in Pakistan on February 18, 2008, after being postponed from 8 January 2008, the original date to elect
• In another regional leadership reshuffle following the 17th Party Congress in the People's Republic of China, Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai is appointed the CPC Chongqing Committee Secretary, replacing Wang Yang, who is now Party Secretary in Guangdong. The 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China ( Pinyin: Zhōngguó Gòngchǎndǎng Dìshíqícì Quánguó Dàibiǎo Dàhuì, abbreviated Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES This is a Chinese name; the family name is Bo. Bo Xilai (薄熙来 Pinyin: Bó XÄ«lái pronounced Chongqing ( Postal map spelling: Chungking; Wade-Giles: Ch'ung-ch'ing) is the largest and most populous of the People's Republic of China Wang Yang, ( Born March 12, 1955) is the current Secretary of the Guangdong Committee of the Communist Party of China. Guangdong ( EFEO: Kouangtong; Pinyin Guǎngdōng; Postal map spelling: Kwangtung) is a province on the Zhang Dejiang resigns from his posts in Guangdong. Zhang Dejiang ( Chinese:张德江 Pinyin: Zhāng Déjiāng born November 1946) is a current Vice-Premier and a prominent leader of the Communist Party (Xinhua)
• 2007 Belgian government formation: Formateur Yves Leterme resigns. The 2007–2008 Belgian government formation followed the general election of 10 June, 2007, and consisted of a period of negotiation in which the Flemish A formateur is a Politician who is appointed by the Head of state to lead the formation of a Coalition government, after either a General election Yves Camille Désiré Leterme (born 6 October 1960 is a Belgian politician a leader of the Christian Democratic and Flemish party ( CD&V) (Bloomberg)
• British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith issues a terrorism warning ahead of Christmas. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the United Kingdom Home Office Jacqueline Jill "Jacqui" Smith (born 3 November 1962 is a British Politician for the Labour Party. Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion

• Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez's constitutional amendments are rejected by a margin of 51% to 49% in a popular vote. Events 1409 - The University of Leipzig opens 1755 - The second Eddystone Lighthouse is destroyed by fire Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Venezuela (ˌvɛnəˈzweɪlə) officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish República Bolivariana de Venezuela) is a country on the ||-||} Wikipedia talkFeatured lists for an explanation of this and other inclusion tags below -->The President of Venezuela (Presidente Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (ˈuɰo rafaˈel ˈtʃaβ̞es ˈfɾias (born July 28 1954 is the current President of Venezuela. A constitutional referendum was held in Venezuela on December 2, 2007 to amend 69 articles of the 1999 Constitution. He concedes the vote. (AP via Yahoo! News)
• Russian President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party wins 62. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The President of Russia (Президент России or the President of the Russian Federation, Президент Российской Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (; born 7 October 1952 in Leningrad, USSR; now Saint Petersburg, Russia was the second President of Russia United Russia (Единая Россия Yedinaya Rossiya) is a major Political party in the Russian Federation. 8% of the votes in Russia's parliamentary elections. Legislative elections were held in the Russian Federation on December 2 2007. (Reuters)
• Sébastien Loeb wins the World Rally Championship for the fourth time in a row, a feat only so far accomplished by Tommi Mäkinen. Career Early career Loeb was born in Haguenau, Alsace, and grew up in Oberhoffen-sur-Moder. History Early The World Rally Championship was formed from well-known international rallies nine of which were previously part of the International Championship Tommi Antero Mäkinen (ˈtommi ˈmækinen is a now retired Finnish rally driver born in Puuppola, Finland near Jyväskylä in June (Reuters)
• Brazil starts free-to-air digital television transmissions in São Paulo, but broadcasting companies must transmit signals in both analogue and digital formats until June 2016. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld Digital television (DTV is the sending and receiving of moving images and sound by discrete ( digital) signals in contrast to the analog signals used by São Paulo ( is the largest city in Brazil, with its metropolitan area ranking among the largest urban areas in the world (Folha de S. Paulo)
• Four people are killed at the Zasyadko coal mine in eastern Ukraine where 101 people were killed twelve days earlier in the country's worst mining accident. Zasyadko Mine (Шахта ім Засядько is a Coal mining company in Ukraine 's eastern city of Donetsk. Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. The 2007 Zasyadko mine disaster was a Mining accident that happened on November 18, 2007 at the Zasyadko coal mine (Шахта ім (BBC)

• The United States National Intelligence Estimate of November 2007 reports with "high confidence" that Iran stopped its nuclear weapons program in the fall of 2003 and has probably not restarted it since. Events 1800 - War of the Second Coalition: Battle of Hohenlinden, French Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the National Intelligence Estimates ( NIEs) are United States federal government documents that are the authoritative assessment of the Director of National Intelligence November 2007 is the eleventh month of that year It began on a Thursday and 30 days later ended on a Friday For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. Iran is not known to possess Weapons of mass destruction, and has signed treaties repudiating possession of them including the Biological Weapons Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. (BBC News)
• The Election Commission of Pakistan rejects former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's nomination papers for the upcoming parliamentary election. Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and The Prime Minister of Pakistan, in Urdu وزیر اعظم Wazir-e- Azam meaning "Grand Minister", is the Head of Government Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif also known as Nawaz Sharif ( Urdu:) (born December 25, 1949 in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan A general election was held in Pakistan on February 18, 2008, after being postponed from 8 January 2008, the original date to elect (Daily Times)
• The Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir pardons a teacher at Unity High School for her alleged insult in the naming of her class's teddy bear "Muhammad". Sudan (officially the Republic of Sudan) ( السودان al-Sūdān is a country in northeastern Africa. This page contains a list of presidents and other heads of state of Sudan. Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir ( Arabic: عمر حسن أحمد البشير born January 1 1944) is the President of Sudan. Unity High School, founded in 1902 is an independent school in Khartoum, Sudan, which uses the English language and provides a British-style education The Sudanese teddy bear blasphemy case concerns the arrest trial conviction imprisonment and subsequent release of a British schoolteacher working at Unity Etymology The name "Muhammad" is the Transliteration of an Arabic name that comes from the Arabic passive Participle from the (CNN)
• Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka breaks Shane Warne's record to become test cricket's leading wicket-taker. Muttiah Muralitharan ( Tamil: முத்தையா முரளிதரன் born 17 April 1972 in Kandy, Sri Lanka) often referred to as Murali Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka ( Sinhalese:, இலங்கை known as Ceylon before 1972 is an Island Shane Keith Warne (born 13 September 1969 is a former Australian international Cricketer who is widely regarded as one of the Test cricket is the longest form of the Sport of Cricket. It has long been considered the ultimate test of playing ability between cricketing nations In the sport of Cricket the word wicket has several distinct meanings Meanings of wicket Set of stumps Primarily the wicket (BBC News)
• Kevin Rudd is sworn in as the 26th Prime Minister of Australia by Governor-General Maj. Kevin Michael Rudd (born 21 September 1957 is the 26th and current Prime Minister of Australia and federal leader of the Centre-left Australian Labor The Prime Minister of Australia is the Head of government of the Commonwealth of Australia, holding office on commission from the Governor-General. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the representative in Australia of the monarch of Australia (currently Elizabeth II Queen of Australia) Gen. Michael Jeffery. Major General Philip Michael Jeffery AC, CVO, MC (born 12 December[[ 937]] was the 24th Governor-General of Australia (News24)
• Australia ratifies the Kyoto Protocol agreement, which former Prime Minister John Howard declined to sign due to claims that it would harm Australia's economy. The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the international Framework Convention on Climate Change with the objective of reducing Greenhouse gases in an effort See also Howard Government John Winston Howard AC (born 26 July 1939 was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia from 11 March Throughout this article the unqualified term "dollar" and the $ symbol refer to the Australian dollar. (BBC News)

• The two Romanian parties supporting President Traian Băsescu, the Democratic Party and the Liberal Democratic Party, announce that they will merge to form the Democratic Liberal Party in January 2008. "December 4th" redirects here For the song by Jay-Z, see December 4th (song. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania The President of Romania is the Head of state of Romania. The President is directly elected by a Two-round system for a five-year term (since 2004 Traian Băsescu (born November 4 1951) is a Romanian politician and former Merchant Navy officer The Democratic Party ( Romanian: Partidul Democrat, PD was a centre-right party of Romania. The Liberal Democratic Party (Partidul Liberal Democrat or PLD) was a political party in Romania, formed in December 2006 as a breakaway group from the The Democratic Liberal Party (Partidul Democrat-Liberal PD-L) is a centre-right party in Romania. PortalCurrent events International holidays January 1 - New Year's Day January 1 - Independence (Earth Times)
• The United States Senate approves a free trade agreement with Peru by a vote of 77 to 18, clearing the way for its implementation. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives Peru (Perú Piruw Piruw officially the Republic of Peru ( reˈpuβlika del peˈɾu is a country in western South America. (Reuters)
• Dr. David Southall, a prominent British paediatric scientist, is barred from practice after a General Medical Council panel finds that he abused his position to make unsubstantiated accusations in court, and kept illegal records. Professor David Southall is a UK Paediatrician who is regarded by some as a leading expert in Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII also known as " The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Pediatrics (also spelled paediatrics) is the branch of Medicine that deals with the medical care of Infants Children and Adolescents The General Medical Council (the GMC) is the regulator of the medical profession in the United Kingdom. (BBC News)
• Turkish President Abdullah Gül signs a nuclear energy bill, allowing bids to be made for Turkey's first nuclear reactor. Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches The President of Turkey ( Cumhurbaşkanı) is the Head of state of the Republic of Turkey. Abdullah Gül PhD GCB, (born October 29, 1950) is the 11th President of the Republic of Turkey, serving in that office since (Today's Zaman)

• Swedish National Television reveals systematic food safety irregularities at ICA, the leading grocery store chain in Sweden. Events 63 BC - Cicero reads the last of his Catiline Orations. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Sveriges Television AB ( SVT,) is a national Television broadcaster based in Sweden, funded by an obligatory fee payable by all Television -owners A controversy surrounding the illegal repackaging of out-of-date meat led the Swedish Grocery store chain ICA to take actions towards a better quality work ICA AB ( Inköpscentralernas aktiebolag) is a swedish Retailing corporate group "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. (Sveriges Television)
• Two British citizens are arrested in Lithuania after trying to ship 14 kg (31 pounds) of khat out of Vilnius. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublika is a Country in Eastern often referred to as Northern Europe or in the KHAT (1210 AM) is a Radio station broadcasting a Sports format (The Baltic Times)
• Latvian Prime Minister Aigars Kalvītis resigns. Latvia ( Latvija officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region. The Prime Minister of Latvia is the most powerful member of the Government of the Republic of Latvia, and presides over the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers Aigars Kalvītis (born June 27, 1966) is a Latvian politician and the former Prime Minister of Latvia. (The Baltic Times)
• Car bombs in Baghdad and three northern Iraqi cities kill at least 22 people and injure more than 60 others. Baghdad (بغداد) is the Capital of Iraq and of Baghdad Governorate, with which it is also coterminous For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. (The New York Times)
• A man opens fire at a mall in Omaha, Nebraska, in the United States, killing eight before committing suicide. The Westroads Mall shooting was a Murder-suicide that occurred on December 5 2007 at the Von Maur department store in the Westroads Mall in Omaha Nebraska ( is a state located on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States and The United States of America —commonly referred to as the (Reuters)
• A suicide bomber rams a car into a minibus containing Afghan soldiers on a highway south of Kabul. Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, } Kābul ( Persian and Pashto: کابل, IPA:) is the Capital and largest city of Afghanistan, with Thirteen, including six Afghan soldiers, are killed in the incident. (AP via Google News)

• The death toll rises to 104 in a northern China coal mine gas blast. Events 1060 - Béla I of Hungary is crowned king of Hungary 1240 - Mongol invasion of Rus: Kiev Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES (China Daily)
• France begins construction on the third unit of the Flamanville Nuclear Power Plant, which will be the world's second European Pressurized Reactor following a week after a record breaking deal with China for new nuclear power. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The Flamanville Nuclear Power Plant is located at Flamanville Manche, France on the Cotentin Peninsula. The EPR (or US-EPR for the United States specific design is a third generation Pressurized water reactor (PWR design As of 2008, the People's Republic of China (not including Taiwan) has 11 Nuclear power reactors spread out over 4 separate sites (World Nuclear News)
• United States President George W. Bush writes to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il asking him to fully disclose North Korea's nuclear program. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. North Korea is the commonly used short form name for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (or DPRK) a State located in East Asia, Kim Jong-il (also written as Kim Jong Il) (born 16 February 1941 Vyatskoye, Soviet Union; official biographies state 16 February 1942 Baekdu North Korea claims to possess Nuclear weapons and the CIA asserts that it has a substantial arsenal of Chemical weapons. (AFP via Google News)
• The United States Central Intelligence Agency admits to destroying at least two videotapes documenting the interrogation of two al-Qaeda operatives in custody following Congressional scrutiny. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the near as long as it used to be several months ago It has been actively summarized and split into sub-articles and there is a dynamic talk page discussion of all Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida, al-Qa`ida or al-Qa`idah, ( Arabic:; ar-Latn ''al-qāʿidah'' Translation: The The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses (The New York Times)
• United States President George W. Bush outlines a plan to freeze mortgage rates for five years to help homeowners hit by the subprime mortgage crisis in the United States' housing market. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. The subprime mortgage crisis is an ongoing financial crisis characterized by contracted Liquidity in global credit markets and Banking Real estate economics is the application of economic techniques to real estate markets (BBC News)
• One person is killed and one is seriously injured after a letter bomb explosion in a law office building in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, France. A mailbomb (or mail bomb) also called parcel bomb, letter bomb or post bomb, is an Explosive device sent via the postal service The 8th arrondissement of Paris is one of the 20 arrondissements (administrative districts of the capital city of France. Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. (CNN)
• The launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis's STS-122 mission, which will deliver ESA's Columbus module to the International Space Station, is delayed for one day due to a sensor malfunction. NASA 's Space Shuttle, officially called the Space Transportation System ( STS) is the Spacecraft currently used by the United States Space Shuttle Atlantis ( Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-104 is one of the three currently operational orbiters in the Space Shuttle fleet of STS-122 was a NASA Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS flown by the Space Shuttle ''Atlantis''. The European Space Agency ( ESA) established in 1975 is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space, currently with 17 member Columbus is a science laboratory that is part of the International Space Station (ISS and is the largest single contribution to the ISS made by the European (CNN)
• The 2007 laureates of the Right Livelihood Award (aka "Alternative Nobel Prize") for "ongoing successful work" are presented in Stockholm, Sweden:
  • Christopher Weeramantry for his lifetime of groundbreaking work to strengthen and expand the rule of international law. The Right Livelihood Award, established in 1980 by Jakob von Uexkull, is an award that is presented annually usually on December 9 to honour those "working on ('stɔkhɔlm is Sweden 's Capital and its largest City. It is the site of the national Swedish government, the parliament, and the "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. Sri Lankabhimanya Christopher Gregory Weeramantry (born November 17 1926 in Colombo Sri Lanka) was a Justice of the Supreme Court (DPA via Monsters and Critics.com)
  • Dekha Ibrahim Abdi for her mediation work in a conflict-riven region of north Kenya. Dekha Ibrahim Abdi is a peace practitioner based in Mombasa, Kenya, working as a consultant to government and civil society organisations The Republic of Kenya is a country in East Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the north Somalia to the northeast Tanzania to the south (Reuters)
  • Percy Schmeiser and Louise Schmeiser for their courage in defending biodiversity and farmers' rights, and challenging the environmental and moral perversity of current interpretations of patent laws. Percy Schmeiser (born January 5 1931) is a Farmer from Bruno, Saskatchewan, Canada. (The Right Livlihood Award.org)
  • Grameen Shakti wins the Right Livelihood Award for bringing sustainable light and power to thousands of Bangladeshi villages, promoting health, education and productivity. The Grameen family of organizations has grown beyond Grameen Bank into a multi-faceted group of profitable and non-profit ventures established by Dr (Daily News)

• State prosecutors launch a criminal investigation after systematic food safety irregularities were revealed at ICA, the leading grocery store chain in Sweden. Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. A controversy surrounding the illegal repackaging of out-of-date meat led the Swedish Grocery store chain ICA to take actions towards a better quality work ICA AB ( Inköpscentralernas aktiebolag) is a swedish Retailing corporate group "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. (TT via Stockholm City)
• A large oil leak from the Hong Kong-registered MT Hebei Spirit occurs off the coast of South Korea. The MT Hebei Spirit oil spill is a major Oil spill in South Korea that began on the morning of 7 December 2007 local time Hong Kong ( officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is a territory located on China 's south coast on the Pearl River Delta, and borders South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea and often referred to as Korea ( Korean: 대한민국 tɛː (Reuters via News Limited)

• The United States Department of Justice and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) launch a joint inquiry into the destruction of two CIA tapes of the interrogation of two suspected al-Qaeda terrorists. Events 1609 - Biblioteca Ambrosiana opens its reading room the second public library of Europe. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the For animal rights group see Justice Department (JD The United States Department of Justice ( DOJ) is a Cabinet department near as long as it used to be several months ago It has been actively summarized and split into sub-articles and there is a dynamic talk page discussion of all The CIA interrogation tapes destruction of two Videotapes made by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA during Interrogations of Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida, al-Qa`ida or al-Qa`idah, ( Arabic:; ar-Latn ''al-qāʿidah'' Translation: The (AP via the Houston Chronicle)
• A second human case of H5N1 bird flu is confirmed in eastern China. Influenza A virus subtype H5[[Neuraminidase N1]], also known as A(H5N1 or simply H5N1, is a subtype of the Influenza A virus which can cause For the H5N1 subtype of Avian influenza see H5N1. Avian influenza, sometimes Avian flu, and commonly Bird flu refers Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES (People's Daily)
• Gunmen attack a party office of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Karachi, Pakistan, killing three supporters. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, in Urdu وزیر اعظم Wazir-e- Azam meaning "Grand Minister", is the Head of Government Benazir Bhutto ( Sindhi: بينظير ڀٽو Urdu: بینظیر بھٹو beːnəziːɾ bɦʊʈːoː (21 June 1953 &ndash 27 December 2007 was a (ڪراچي) is the largest city in Pakistan. It is the world's second largest city proper behind Mumbai in terms of population which exceeds 10 million Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and (AP via Google News)
• The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2007 was held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2007 was the fifth edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Rotterdam (pronounced) is the 2nd-largest City by population in the Netherlands, located in the province of The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands

• Two people are killed and two are injured in a shooting at a youth training center in Arvada Colorado, United States. Events 536 - Byzantine General Belisarius enters Rome while the Ostrogothic garrison peacefully leaves the city Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The 2007 Colorado YWAM and New Life shootings occurred on December 9 2007, when Matthew J The City of Arvada (arˈvaˈda is a suburb of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area and a Home Rule Municipality in Jefferson County and The State of Colorado ( or chiefly by nonresidents) is a state located in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States of America. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the (CNN)
• Four people are injured and two are killed after a shooting at a church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. The 2007 Colorado YWAM and New Life shootings occurred on December 9 2007, when Matthew J The City of Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the County seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, The State of Colorado ( or chiefly by nonresidents) is a state located in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States of America. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the (CNN)
• Taliban fighters in Afghanistan have pulled back to take up new positions defending the town of Musa Qala during a battle with the Afghan National Army and the International Security Assistance Force. The Taliban ( طالبان, also anglicised as Taleban; translation "students" is a Sunni Islamist, predominately Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, Musa Qala is a town and the district center of Musa Qala District in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, at and at 1043 m altitude in the valley of Musa The Battle of Musa Qala (also Qaleh or Qal'eh) was a military clash in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, launched by the Afghan National The Afghan National Army (ANA is a service branch of the Military of Afghanistan currently being trained by the coalition forces to ultimately take the lead in International Security Assistance Force (10 ( ISAF) is a NATO -led security and development mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations (BBC News)
• Robert Pickton is found guilty of second-degree murder of six women from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Robert William "Willie" Pickton (born October 24, 1949) of Port Coquitlam, British Columbia is a Canadian pig farmer Murder is the unlawful killing of another human person with Malice aforethought, as defined in Common Law countries Vancouver (vænˈkuːvɚ is a coastal The Downtown Eastside (DTES is the oldest neighbourhood in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (CBC News)

• Subtropical Storm Olga forms north of Puerto Rico, ten days after the official end of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season. Events 1041 - Empress Zoe of Byzantium elevates her adoptive son to the throne of the Eastern Roman Empire as Michael V Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Puerto Rico (ˌpwertoˈriko officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ("Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico" {{lang-en|"Associated Free State of Puerto Rico"}} The 2007 Atlantic hurricane season was an active Atlantic hurricane season that produced 17  Tropical cyclones It officially started on June 1 and ended on The National Hurricane Center forecasts landfall in the Dominican Republic within 24 hours, and Tropical Storm Warnings and Watches have been posted for the northern shore of the nation. The US National Hurricane Center, located at Florida International University in Miami Florida, is the division of National Weather Service The Dominican Republic ( Spanish: República Dominicana;) is a nation located in the Caribbean region and shares the island of Hispaniola with (The Guardian)
• The United States Supreme Court decides that federal district judges have broad discretion to impose what they think are reasonable sentences, even if federal guidelines call for different sentences. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest judicial body in the United States and leads the federal judiciary. The case that they ruled on involved crack cocaine. Crack cocaine or crack is a solid smokable form of Cocaine. It is a freebase form of cocaine that can be made using baking soda ( Sodium bicarbonate (The New York Times)
• Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick receives a 23-month jail sentence for his involvement in a dogfighting ring. The Atlanta Falcons are an American football team based in Atlanta Georgia. Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26 1980 in Newport News Virginia) is a suspended National Football League (NFL Quarterback under contract The Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting investigation began in April 2007 with a search of property in Surry County, Virginia, owned by Atlanta Falcons football (Canadian Press via TSN)
• Former media tycoon Conrad Black receives a 78-month jail sentence in the United States for mail fraud and obstruction of justice. Conrad Moffat Black Baron Black of Crossharbour PC, KCSG, OC, (born 25 August 1944, in Montreal, Quebec) is The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Mail fraud refers to any scheme which attempts to unlawfully obtain money or valuables in which the Postal system is used at any point in the commission of a criminal offense The crime of obstruction of justice includes crimes committed by Judges Prosecutors attorneys general, and elected officials in general (CNN)
• Russian President Vladimir Putin announces at a party meeting that he will support Dmitry Medvedev as his successor in the March 2008 presidential election. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The President of Russia (Президент России or the President of the Russian Federation, Президент Российской Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (; born 7 October 1952 in Leningrad, USSR; now Saint Petersburg, Russia was the second President of Russia Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev ( Dmitrij Anatol′evič Medvedev;; born 14 September 1965 is currently President of Russia, inaugurated on 7 May 2008 The Russian Presidential election of 2008, held on March 2, 2008 resulted in the election of Dmitry Medvedev as the third President of Russia (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Led Zeppelin plays their first concert in 25 years at the O2 Arena in London, England

• Canadian serial killer Robert Pickton is sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 25 years before a chance for parole. Events 359 - Honoratus, the first known Prefect of the City of Constantinople, takes office Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Robert William "Willie" Pickton (born October 24, 1949) of Port Coquitlam, British Columbia is a Canadian pig farmer (CTV)
• A series of ice storms across the central United States kills at least 24 and leaves nearly 1 million homes and businesses without electricity. The Mid-December 2007 North American Winter storms was a series of Winter storms that affected much of central and eastern North America from December 8 The Central United States is sometimes conceived as between the Eastern United States and Western United States as part of a three-region model roughly coincident (AP via CNN)
• The former President of Peru, Alberto Fujimori, is sentenced to six years in prison for ordering a warrantless search while in office. Established in the Constitution of 1993 the President of Peru, officially the President of the Republic ( Presidente de la República) is the Chief of Peru (Perú Piruw Piruw officially the Republic of Peru ( reˈpuβlika del peˈɾu is a country in western South America. Alberto Ken'ya Fujimori (Japanese name) (born in Lima, Peru on July 28 1938 is a Peruvian and Japanese ref> Fujimori secures Japanese haven A search warrant is a Court order issued by a Judge or Magistrate that authorizes law enforcement to conduct a Search (AFP via Google News)
• The United States Federal Reserve cuts federal funds rates and discount rates by a quarter of a percentage point to 4. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the In the United States, the federal funds rate is the Interest rate at which private Depository institutions (mostly banks lend balances ( Federal funds For the interest rate charged to Banks for borrowing short-term funds directly from the Federal Reserve, see Discount window. 25% and 4. 75% respectively, signalling its concerns about the impact of the subprime mortgage financial crisis on the United States economy. The subprime mortgage crisis is an ongoing financial crisis characterized by contracted Liquidity in global credit markets and Banking The Economy of the United States is the largest national economy in the world (The New York Times)
• Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb claims responsibility for two simultaneous bombings in Algiers, Algeria, causing at least 62 deaths and more injuries. The al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb, previously known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (الجماعة السلفية للدعوة والقتال Algiers (الجزائر Algerian Arabic: Dzayer ( (From kabyle pronunciation Kabyle: Ledzayer, Alger) is the Capital and largest Algeria ( ar [[Arabic]] الجزائر, Al Jaza'ir ælʤæˈzæːʔir Amazigh: ⴷⵥⴰⵢⴻⵔ Dzayer) officially the People's (CNN)
• Ensign Intermediate was threatened by bomb making ingredients on campus

• United States President George W. Bush vetos an expansion of the federally funded, State Children's Health Insurance Program for the second time. Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. A veto, Latin for "I forbid" is used to Denote that a certain party has the right to stop unilaterally a certain piece of Legislation. The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP is a United States federal government program that gives funds to states in order to provide Health insurance (CNN)
• The International Olympic Committee strips sprinter Marion Jones of five medals from the 2000 Summer Olympics after she admits to having taken banned substances. Sprints are short running races in athletics. They are roughly classified as events in which top runners will not have to "pace themselves" but can run as fast as Marion Lois Jones, also known as Marion Jones-Thompson (born October 12, 1975 in Los Angeles California) is a former world champion American "I am proud and happy to proclaim that you have presented to the world the best Olympic Games ever Tetrahydrogestrinone (often referred to as THG or The Clear) is an Anabolic steroid. (Reuters)
• Merck & Co. recalls a million doses of a childhood vaccines after tests show a sterilization problem at a Pennsylvania factory. Merck & Co Inc ( also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the USA and Canada, is one of the largest Pharmaceutical companies A product recall is a request to return to the maker a batch or an entire production run of a product usually due to the discovery of safety issues A vaccine is a biological preparation which is used to establish or improve immunity to a particular disease The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ( often colloquially referred to as PA (its abbreviation by natives and Northeasterners is a state located in the Northeastern (AP via Google News)
• The Lebanese armed forces' chief of operations, General François al-Hajj, is killed in a bomb attack in Beirut. Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF' ( Arabic: القوات المسلحة اللبنانية al-Quwa'at al-Musalha al-Lubna'ani General François al-Hajj (الجنرال فرنسوا الحاج July 28, 1953 &ndash December 12, 2007) was born in the southern Beirut (بيروت Bayrūt) is the Capital and Largest city of Lebanon with a population of over 2 (BBC News)
• Russia orders the British Council to suspend the majority of its Russian operations by January 2008. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The British Council is a Public Body of the United Kingdom Government which specialises in educational and development opportunities (BBC News)
• Christoph Blocher, the leading figure of the right-wing People's Party, is voted out of office in the elections to the Swiss Federal Council. Christoph Blocher (born 11 October 1940, Schaffhausen, Switzerland) is a Swiss Politician, Industrialist, and The Swiss People's Party (SVP also known as the Democratic Union of the Centre (UDC is a Political party in Switzerland. On December 12, 2007, all seven members of the Federal Council, the government of Switzerland, were elected by the joint chambers of the Federal Assembly The Swiss Federal Council (Schweizerischer Bundesrat Conseil fédéral suisse Consiglio federale svizzero Cussegl federal (Swissinfo.org)

• An archaeological expedition from Indiana University finds the remains of William Kidd's ship, the Quedah Merchant, believed to have sunk in 1699, near Catalina Island, Dominican Republic. Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Archaeology, archeology, or archæology (from Greek grc ἀρχαιολογία archaiologia – grc ἀρχαῖος archaīos Indiana University, founded in 1820, is a nine-campus University system in the state of Indiana. William " Captain " Kidd ( c 1645 &ndash May 23, 1701) was a Scottish sailor remembered for his The Quedah Merchant was a ship used by Captain Kidd. Possible Discovery of the Quedah Merchant In December 2007 just off the coast of Catalina Catalina Island or Isla Catalina is an uninhabited Tropical Island located 1 The Dominican Republic ( Spanish: República Dominicana;) is a nation located in the Caribbean region and shares the island of Hispaniola with (Indianapolis Star)
• The United States Senate passes an energy bill which would increase automobile fuel economy standards for the first time in three decades. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ( originally named the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007) is an Act of Congress concerning the Energy policy of the Fuel economy in automobiles is the amount of Fuel required to move the Automobile over a given Distance. (CBS News)
• Former United States Senator George Mitchell releases a report detailing the use of banned substances by current and former Major League Baseball players. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives For other persons with a similar name see George Mitchell. George John Mitchell, GBE (born August 20, 1933 The Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation into the Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball The question of steroid use in baseball has been an ongoing issue for Major League Baseball since the mid 1990s The List of Major League Baseball players named in the Mitchell Report includes currently-active and former Major League players as well as Free agents. (MLB) (ESPN) (BBC)
• A United States Marine Corps reservist is found guilty of killing an Iraqi soldier while they stood guard together in Fallujah. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. For other meanings see Fallujah (disambiguation. Fallujah (الفلوجة sometimes transliterated (AP via Google News)
• European Union leaders sign the Reform Treaty in Lisbon, Portugal. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in The Treaty of Lisbon (also known as the Reform Treaty) is a Treaty designed to streamline the workings of the European Union (EU with amendments to the Lisbon (Lisboa liʒˈboɐ is the Capital and largest city of Portugal. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. (BBC News)
• Kivu conflict: Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo loyal to General Laurent Nkunda call for peace talks with the government to resolve the crisis. The Kivu conflict is an armed conflict between the military of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC and rebel forces under the command of Laurent Nkunda The Democratic Republic of the Congo (République démocratique du Congo often referred to as DR Congo, DRC or RDC, and formerly known or referred to Laurent Nkunda alias Laurent Nkundabatware or Laurent Nkunda Batware (born February 2, 1967) is a former (BBC News)
• A bomb explodes on the Rajdhani Express in Assam, India near Chungajan killing five passengers. Rajdhani Express is a Passenger train service in India connecting National Capital New Delhi with other important destinations especially capitals of States in India Assam) ( Assamese: অসম Ôxôm) is a northeastern state of India with its capital at Dispur, a suburb of the city India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country (AP via Google News)
• ZANU-PF, the ruling party in Zimbabwe, endorses incumbent Robert Mugabe for the 2008 presidential election set for March. The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF is a Zimbabwean Political party that was the ruling government in Zimbabwe See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election The Republic of Zimbabwe held a presidential election along with a parliamentary election on March 29, 2008. (Nasdaq)
• Lucy Kibaki, the wife of Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, slaps a government official during independence day celebrations after he accidentally referred to her as "Mama Lucy Wambui," widely rumored to be the President's mistress. Lucy Muthoni Kibaki is the wife of Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki. The Republic of Kenya is a country in East Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the north Somalia to the northeast Tanzania to the south List of the heads of state of Kenya Dominion of Kenya (1963 – 1964 Republic of Kenya (1964 – present Latest election "Notes from Mwai Kibaki (born November 15, 1931) is the President of Kenya. Mary Wambui is a Kenyan businesswoman and alleged second wife of Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki. ( Guardian)

• King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia invites the President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to visit Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage. Events 1287 - St Lucia's flood: The Zuider Zee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses killing over 50000 people Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The King of Saudi Arabia is Saudi Arabia 's Head of state and Absolute monarch. Khaled bin Abdullah Mutaib bin Abdullah Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Faisal bin Abdullah The President of Iran is the highest elected official in the Islamic Republic of Iran, second only to the Supreme Leader. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (محمود احمدی‌نژاد; born October 28, 1956) is the sixth and current President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mecca ˈmɛkə also spelled Makkah ˈmækə (in full Makkah Al-Mukarramah (Arabic mækːæ(t ælmʊkarˑamæ مكّة المكرمة, literally Honored The Hajj (حج is a pilgrimage to Mecca (Makkah It is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world In Religion and Spirituality, a pilgrimage is a long journey or Search of great Moral significance (BBC News)

The movie "" I Am Legend "" had première.

• Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, the Information Minister of Zimbabwe, calls Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany a "Nazi". Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Sikhanyiso Ndlovu is a Zimbabwean politician currently serving as Minister of Information & Publicity See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election The Head of government of Germany is called Chancellor (Kanzler (ˈaŋɡela doʁoˈteːa ˈmɛɐ̯kəl (born Angela Dorothea Kasner, 17 July 1954 in Hamburg, West Germany) is the Chancellor of Germany. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Nazism, which was a short name for National Socialism (Nationalsozialismus refers primarily to the Ideology and practices of the National Socialist German Ndlovu responded to the German government's criticism of rising human rights abuses in Zimbabwe by telling Merkel to "shut up". There are widespread reports of systematic and escalating violations of human rights in Zimbabwe under the Mugabe administration and his party ZANU-PF. (allAfrica.com)
• Pitcher Andy Pettitte of the New York Yankees admits to using human growth hormone to recover from an elbow injury two days after the release of the Mitchell Report. In Baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the Pitcher's mound toward the Catcher to begin each play with the goal of Andrew Eugene Pettitte (born June 15 1972 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is an American Left-handed Starting pitcher who plays for the The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City, New York. Growth hormone ( GH) is a Peptide hormone that stimulates growth and cell reproduction in humans and other animals The elbow is the region surrounding the elbow-joint&mdashthe ginglymus or Hinge joint in the middle of the Arm. The Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation into the Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball (AP via The New Tork Times)
• Rashid Rauf, a suspect in a plot to blow up trans-Atlantic airliners, escapes from police custody in Pakistan. Rashid Rauf, a Dual citizen of Britain and Pakistan was arrested in Bhawalpur, Pakistan in connection with the 2006 transatlantic aircraft Surveillance and arrests Surveillance In Pakistan a British man from Birmingham called Rashid Rauf is believed to have put plotters in touch with Al-Qaeda Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and (AP via Google News)
• The President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf lifts the state of emergency that he declared on November 3, 2007. The President of Pakistan ( Urdū: صدر Sadr-e-Mumlikat) is the Head of state of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and General (ret Pervez Musharraf ( (born 11 August 1943 NI(M, HI(M, TBt, is the former Military dictator and President of A 2007 Pakistani state of emergency was declared by Pervez Musharraf on November 3, 2007 and lasted until December 15, 2007,during Events 644 - Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second Muslim Caliph, is killed by a Persian slave in Medina. (BBC News)
• The 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference concludes with an agreement for a two-year process to develop a new treaty on climate change. The 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference took place at the Bali International Conference Centre Nusa Dua, in Bali, Indonesia, between December Climate change is any long-term significant change in the “average weather” that a given region experiences (The New York Times)
• The 2007 NCAA Division I Women's volleyball National Championship that took place in Sacramento, California. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean.

• A.C. Milan wins the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup after defeating Boca Juniors 4-2 in the final. Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to by the abbreviation Milan, is an Italian professional football club based in Milan, Lombardy The 2007 FIFA Club World Cup was a football tournament played in December 2007 in Japan. Club Atlético Boca Juniors known also as Boca Juniors or simply Boca, is one of the most popular Argentine Sports clubs, best known for (BBC News)
• Philippine Marine Corps troops kill Mobin Abdurajak, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group, in a shootout after finding him on the southern island of Tawi-Tawi. The Philippines ( Filipino: Pilipinas, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (fil ''Republika ng Pilipinas'' RP The Philippine Marine Corps ( PMC) ( Filipino: Hukbong Kawal Pandagat ng Pilipinas) ( HKPP) is the Marine corps of the Philippines "Sword of God" redirects here For the 7th century Arab Muslim military commander known as the "Sword of God" see Khalid ibn al-Walid. Tawi-Tawi is an island province of the Philippines located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM (BBC News)

• The leaders of Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile agree to build a highway by 2009 that will link the Atlantic (in Santos, Brazil) and the Pacific (in Iquique, Chile) coasts of South America. Events 546 - Gothic War (535–554: The Ostrogoths of King Totila Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld The Republic of Bolivia (República de Bolivia) named after Simón Bolívar, is a Landlocked country in central South America. Chile, officially the Republic of Chile ( Spanish:) is a country in South America occupying a long and narrow Coastal strip wedged between the The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth 's Oceanic divisions Iquique (iˈkike is a city in northern Chile, capital of Tarapacá Region, on the Pacific coast, west of the Atacama Desert and the South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a (BBC News)
• Zarkasih, the leader of the Islamic militant organisation Jemaah Islamiyah, goes on trial in Indonesia on terrorism charges. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. History The JI was established as a loose confederation of several Islamic groups The Republic of Indonesia ( (Republik Indonesia is a Country in Southeast Asia. (Sky News)
• President of Russia Vladimir Putin agrees to become Prime Minister after his term as president ends. The President of Russia (Президент России or the President of the Russian Federation, Президент Российской Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (; born 7 October 1952 in Leningrad, USSR; now Saint Petersburg, Russia was the second President of Russia The Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, (Председатель Правительства Российской Федерации unofficially called the Prime-Minister (CNN)
• Russia delivers its first shipment of nuclear fuel to the Bushehr nuclear reactor in Iran. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Nuclear fuel is any material that can be consumed to derive Nuclear energy, by analogy to chemical Fuel that is burned to derive energy Bushehr or Bushire ( Persian:بوشهر pop 165377 (in 2005) is a city on the southwestern coast of Iran, on the Persian Gulf This article is a subarticle of Nuclear power. A nuclear reactor is a device in which Nuclear chain reactions are initiated controlled For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. (BBC News)
• The Bolivian departments of Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz, and Tarija declare autonomy from Evo Morales' central government. The Republic of Bolivia (República de Bolivia) named after Simón Bolívar, is a Landlocked country in central South America. Provinces of Beni Cercado Iténez José Ballivián Mamoré Marbán Provinces of Pando Abuná Federico Román Madre de Dios Manuripi Government and Administration According to current Constitution, the highest authority in the department lies with the prefect (prefecto similar to a governor but Autonomy ( Greek: Auto- Nomos - nomos meaning "law" one who gives oneself his/her own Law) is the right to Self-government Juan Evo Morales Ayma (born October 26 1959 in Orinoca, Oruro) popularly known as Evo (ˈeβo is the President of Bolivia since (CNN)
• King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia pardons a rape victim who had been sentenced to six months in prison and 200 lashes. The King of Saudi Arabia is Saudi Arabia 's Head of state and Absolute monarch. Khaled bin Abdullah Mutaib bin Abdullah Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Faisal bin Abdullah A pardon is the forgiveness of a crime and the penalty associated with it Rape, also referred to as Sexual assault, is an Assault by a person involving Sexual intercourse with or Sexual penetration of another person A prison, penitentiary, or correctional facility is a place in which individuals are physically confined or interned and usually deprived of a range of Flagellation is the act of whipping (Latin flagellum, "whip" the human body (AP via The Guardian)
• Microsoft announces that Internet Explorer version 8 passes tests for standards compliance (IEBlog)

• Jacob Zuma is elected president of South Africa's ANC party. Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational Computer technology Corporation, which rose to dominate the Home computer Events 218 BC - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal 's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma (born 12 April 1942 is a South African politician The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa The African National Congress (ANC has been South Africa 's governing party supported by its Tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Sky News)
• An earthquake of 7. An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth 's crust that creates Seismic waves Earthquakes are recorded with a Seismometer 2 magnitude hits the Aleutian Islands 125 miles west of Adak, Alaska. The Aleutian Islands (possibly from Chukchi aliat, " Island " are a chain of more than 300 small volcanic islands forming a Volcanic Adak (ˈeɪdæk formerly Adak Station, is a city in Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska, United States. (AP via The Houston Chronicle)
• United States District Judge Henry Kennedy orders a hearing on whether the Bush administration violated a court order by destroying CIA interrogation videos of two Al-Qaeda suspects. The United States district courts are the general Trial courts of the United States federal court system. Henry H Kennedy Jr is a United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. In law a hearing is a Proceeding before a Court or other decision-making body or officer The Presidency of George W Bush began on his inauguration on January 20, 2001 as the 43rd and current President of the United States of America A court order (or court ruling) is an official proclamation by a Judge (or panel of judges that defines the legal relationships between the parties to a hearing The CIA interrogation tapes destruction of two Videotapes made by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA during Interrogations of Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida, al-Qa`ida or al-Qa`idah, ( Arabic:; ar-Latn ''al-qāʿidah'' Translation: The (AP via MSNBC)
• The Orange Revolution advocate Yulia Tymoshenko wins parliament's backing to return as prime minister of Ukraine. The Orange Revolution (Помаранчева революція Pomarancheva revolyutsiya) was a series of Protests and political events that took place in Ukraine Yulia Volodymyrivna Tymoshenko (Юлія Володимирівна Тимошенко ʋɔlɔ'dɪmɪriʋnɑ tɪmɔ'ʃɛnkɔ Julia Volodymyrivna Tymošenko) (born on November The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Верховна Рада України English: Supreme Council of Ukraine) is Ukraine 's Parliament The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Верховна Рада України English: Supreme Council of Ukraine) is Ukraine 's Parliament Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. (Reuters)

• An explosion and fire at a T2 Laboratories facility in Jacksonville, Florida, results in four deaths and 14 injuries. Events 324 - Licinius abdicates his position as Roman Emperor. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. T2 Laboratories Inc of 3043 Faye Road Jacksonville Florida, USA, is a facility that specializes in the design and manufacture of specialty chemicals primarily Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the (AP and Reuters via The Seattle Times)
• A fire breaks out at the Old Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., which houses ceremonial offices of Vice President Dick Cheney and the majority of White House staff. The Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB was formerly known as the Old Executive Office Building (OEOB and originally was built as the State War and Navy Building Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D The Vice President of the United States is the first person in the presidential line of succession, becoming the new President of the United States upon the death Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney (born January 30 1941 is the forty-sixth and current Vice President of the United States. See also Executive Office of the President of the United States The White House, formerly known as the Executive Mansion, is the Official residence No injuries are reported. (CNN)
• Lee Myung-bak is elected President of South Korea with 50% of the vote, defeating rivals Chung Dong-young and Lee Hoi-chang. Lee Myung-bak (ˈliː ˈmjʊŋˌbæk or Korean) (born December 19, 1941) is the tenth and current President of South Korea The 17th South Korean presidential election took place on December 19, 2007. The President of the Republic of Korea is according to the Constitution head of state chief executive of the government and commander-in-chief of the armed forces South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea and often referred to as Korea ( Korean: 대한민국 tɛː Chung Dong-young (born July 27, 1953 in Sunchang County, North Jeolla) is a Politican and was the United New Democratic Party Lee Hoi-chang (ihøtɕʰaŋ (born June 2, 1935) is a South Korean politician (CNN)
• A passenger express train derailment in southern Pakistan kills at least 40 and injures 269. The Mehrabpur train derailment was a fatal railway accident that occurred shortly after 0200 local time on 19 December 2007 near the town of Mehrabpur Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and (BBC News)
• President of Russia Vladimir Putin is Time magazine's Person of the Year. The President of Russia (Президент России or the President of the Russian Federation, Президент Российской Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (; born 7 October 1952 in Leningrad, USSR; now Saint Petersburg, Russia was the second President of Russia Time (trademarked in capitals as TIME) is a weekly American Newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and Person of the Year (formerly Man of the Year) is an annual issue of the United States Newsmagazine Time that features and profiles (Time)
• Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt forms a temporary coalition government comprising five Socialist and Christian Democrat parties from both main language communities. The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those This is a list of Prime Ministers of Belgium, known regionally as Premier Ministre in French, Eerste Minister in Dutch, (ɣi vəɾˈɦɔfstɑt (b Guy Maurice Marie Louise Verhofstadt, 11 April 1953 in Dendermonde, Belgium) is a Belgian politician municipal The 2007–2008 Belgian government formation followed the general election of 10 June, 2007, and consisted of a period of negotiation in which the Flemish Belgium is a federation with a Multi-party political system with numerous parties who factually have no chance of gaining power alone and therefore must work with each other to form (BBC News)

• There are violent incidents in New Orleans, Louisiana as the City Council approves the demolition of 4,500 public housing units. Events 69 - Vespasian, formerly a general under Nero, enters Rome to claim the title of Emperor. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana The State of Louisiana ( or, État de Louisiane, pronounced) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America The Housing Authority of New Orleans is a Housing authority in New Orleans Louisiana tasked with providing housing to low-income residents (AP via Google News)
• United States presidential election, 2008: Tom Tancredo withdraws as a candidate for the Republican nomination and endorses Mitt Romney. The United States presidential election of 2008, scheduled for Tuesday November 4 2008 will be the 56th consecutive Thomas Gerard Tancredo (born December 20 1945) is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Colorado (AP via The Guardian)
• The US$8 billion buyout of the Tribune Company is completed by Sam Zell. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been The Tribune Company is a large American Multimedia Corporation based in Chicago Illinois. Samuel "Sam" Zell (born September 1941) is a US-born Billionaire and Real estate Entrepreneur. (AP via Google News)
• At 81 years, 7 months, and 29 days, Queen Elizabeth II becomes the longest-lived British monarch, surpassing the record of Queen Victoria. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II TalkCommonewalth realm.--> The monarchy Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (BBC News)
• A magnitude 6. 8 earthquake strikes 50 km (31 miles) southeast of Gisborne, New Zealand at 20:55 local time. The December 2007 Gisborne earthquake was an Earthquake of magnitude 6 For other uses of Gisborne see Gisborne (disambiguation. Gisborne (Tūranga-nui-a-Kiwa is the name of a unitary authority in New Zealand New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island (Stuff News)
• Sean Hoey is found not guilty of all 56 charges against him relating to the 1998 Omagh bombing. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) The Omagh bombing was a Paramilitary Car bomb attack carried out by the Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA a splinter group of former Provisional Irish (RTÉ)

• At least 50 people are killed by an explosion at a mosque in northern Pakistan. Events 69 - The end of the Year of the four emperors: Following Galba, Otho and Vitellius, Vespasian Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and (CNN)
• Belgian authorities arrest 14 people the government calls Islamic extremists, who they say were plotting to free an al-Qaeda member from prison. The Belgian police is the government agency charged with upholding the law and public order in Belgium. Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida, al-Qa`ida or al-Qa`idah, ( Arabic:; ar-Latn ''al-qāʿidah'' Translation: The (The New York Times)
• The Schengen Agreement is expanded to include the seaports and land borders of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. The term Schengen Agreement is used for two agreements concluded among European states in 1985 and 1990 which deal with the abolition of systematic Border controls The Czech Republic ( ˈt͡ʃɛskaː ˈrɛpuˌblɪka short form in Česko ˈt͡ʃɛskɔ also called Czechia, Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia ( Eesti or Eesti Vabariik) is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic Latvia ( Latvija officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvijas Republika is a Country in Northern Europe in the Baltic region. Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania (Lietuvos Respublika is a Country in Eastern often referred to as Northern Europe or in the Malta, officially the Republic of Malta (Repubblika ta' Malta is a European Microstate, comprising an Archipelago of three islands Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland Slovakia (long form Slovak Republic; Slovak:, long form, is a Landlocked country in Central Europe with a population of over five million Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia (Republika Slovenija) is a Country in southern Central Europe bordering Italy to the west (BBC News)

• Turkish Air Force planes strike Kurdistan Workers Party targets in northern Iraq. Events 1790 - The Turkish fortress of Izmail is stormed and captured by Suvorov and his Russian armies Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Turkish Air Force (Türk Hava Kuvvetleri is a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces. The Kurdistan Workers' Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistan or PKK, also called KADEK, Kongra-Gel, and KGK It is listed as a terrorist For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. (BBC News)

• Thailand's People Power Party, led by Samak Sundaravej, wins the 2007 general elections. Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj The People's Power Party ( Phak Palang Prachachon; PPP - Sanskrit Prajājan = People) is a Thai Political party founded Samak Sundaravej (สมัคร สุนทรเวช RTGS Samak Sunthorawet 李沙马 (born 13 June 1935) was the Prime Minister of The 2007 Thai general elections were held on 23 December. This was the first legislative election after the Council for National Security, a Military junta (BBC News)
• Saudi police arrest 28 men for allegedly planning terrorist attacks against holy sites in Mecca and Medina. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA ( المملكة العربية السعودية, al-Mamlaka al-ʻArabiyya as-Suʻūdiyya) or Suudi Mecca ˈmɛkə also spelled Makkah ˈmækə (in full Makkah Al-Mukarramah (Arabic mækːæ(t ælmʊkarˑamæ مكّة المكرمة, literally Honored Medina mɛˈdiːnə (المدينة المنورة ælmæˈdiːnæl muˈnɑwːɑrɑ or المدينة ælmæˈdiːnæ also transliterated into English as (AP via CNN)
• India's Bharatiya Janata Party win elections in the state of Gujarat. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP (भारतीय जनता पार्टी, Translation: Indian People's Party) founded in 1980 is a major Political Gujarat (ગુજરાત Gujǎrāt, pronounced) is a state in western India. (BBC News)
• The Nepalese legislature agrees to abolish the country's 240-year-old monarchy. Nepal (नेपाल) is a Landlocked country in South Asia. On January 15 2007 the Pratinidhi Sabha, the legislature of Nepal, was dissolved and a new Interim legislature was formed The King of Nepal was traditionally known as the Mahārājdhirāja (श्री 5 महाराजधिराज his queen was known as the Badāmahārānī (BBC News)

• Incumbent Uzbekistani President Islom Karimov wins a new term in office following presidential elections. Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Uzbekistan, officially the Republic of Uzbekistan ( Uzbek: O‘zbekiston Respublikasi or Ўзбекистон Республикаси is a doubly Leaders of Uzbekistan since 1924 Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic (1924-1991 First secretaries of the Communist Party Vladimir Ivanovich Islom Abdug‘aniyevich Karimov (in Cyrillic Uzbek: Ислом Абдуғаниевич Каримов; in Russian: Ислам Абдуганиевич A presidential election was held in Uzbekistan on 23 December 2007. (AP via CNN)
• At least 12 people are dead and 15 others missing after portions of a building collapse in Alexandria, Egypt. Alexandria ( Egyptian Arabic: اسكندريه Eskendereyya; Standard Arabic: ar الإسكندرية Al-Iskandariyya; Ἀλεξάνδρεια (BBC News)
• Sebastian Kawa of Poland is FAI World GP Gliding Champion after 5 intensive competition days in Omarama,New Zealand. Sebastian Kawa is a Polish glider pilot former number one in the world rankings of the IGC. Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland FAI World Grand Prix Gliding Championships are competitions for gliders that is both more spectacular and more easily understood by the public than conventional Gliding Introduction Omarama is a small township (population 231 at 2006 census at the junction of State Highways 8 and 83, near the southern end of the Mackenzie New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island (FAI)

• December 2007 bombing of northern Iraq: Turkish forces claim to have killed hundreds of Kurdistan Workers Party rebels and struck more than 200 targets in northern Iraq in the past 10 days. Events 274 - Roman Emperor Aurelian Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. TalkKurdistan The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF (Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri or TSK consist of the Army, the Navy (including naval aviation and naval infantry and the Air Force The Kurdistan Workers' Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistan or PKK, also called KADEK, Kongra-Gel, and KGK It is listed as a terrorist For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. (BBC News)
• A suicide bombing attack in Baiji, Iraq kills at least 34. Baiji ( Arabic: بيجي; also spelled Bayji) is a city of about 200000 inhabitants in northern Iraq some For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. (CNN)
• At least 15 people are killed and dozens more missing after the collapse of a suspension bridge in western Nepal. Nepal (नेपाल) is a Landlocked country in South Asia. (BBC News)
• Nine people are dead following a collision between a train and a minibus in Tajikistan. Tajikistan (təˈdʒɪkɨstæn or /təˈdʒiːkɨstæn/ Тоҷикистон tɔʤikɪsˈtɔn or, Persian تاجیکستان‎ taajikestaan officially the Republic of (BBC News)
• In the San Francisco Zoo, a tiger escapes from its enclosure and attacks three visitors, killing one of the men and mauling two others. The San Francisco Zoo, housing more than 250 animal species is located in the southwestern corner of San Francisco California nestled between Lake Merced and The Siberian tiger ( Panthera tigris altaica) also known as the Amur tiger, Manchurian tiger, or Ussuri tiger, is a rare Subspecies (The Guardian) (CNN) (BBC News)

• Record temperatures stoke bushfires in Perth, Western Australia; arson is suspected. Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. (The West Australian)
• The bodies of six people killed on 24 December are found in a house in Carnation, Washington. The Carnation Massacre was a Mass murder that occurred on December 24, 2007, near Carnation Washington, a small rural town 25 miles east of Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes Carnation is a city in King County, Washington, United States. Washington ( is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. (Seattle Times)
• Hours of torrential rains cause landslides killing at least 78 in the island of Java in Indonesia. Java (Jawa is an Island of Indonesia and the site of its Capital city Jakarta. The Republic of Indonesia ( (Republik Indonesia is a Country in Southeast Asia. (AP via CNN)
• At least 34 people are killed following a pipeline explosion in Lagos, Nigeria. Lagos ( pron ˈleɪgɒs or /ˈlɑːgoʊs/ overseas is the most populous Conurbation in Nigeria with Nigeria, officially named the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal Constitutional republic comprising thirty-six states and one Federal (BBC News)

• A suicide gunman shoots former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto, killing her, and then blows himself up killing at least 22 others at an election rally in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Events 537 - The Hagia Sophia is completed 1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The assassination of Benazir Bhutto occurred on December 27 2007 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, in Urdu وزیر اعظم Wazir-e- Azam meaning "Grand Minister", is the Head of Government Benazir Bhutto ( Sindhi: بينظير ڀٽو Urdu: بینظیر بھٹو beːnəziːɾ bɦʊʈːoː (21 June 1953 &ndash 27 December 2007 was a A general election was held in Pakistan on February 18, 2008, after being postponed from 8 January 2008, the original date to elect ( Urdu: Rāwalpindī) is a city in the Potwar Plateau near Pakistan 's capital city of Islamabad, in the province Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and (BBC News) (AP via Yahoo! News)
• Iraq War: U.S. troops kill 11 members of a Mahdi Army splinter group. The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign The United States Armed Forces are the overall unified military forces of the United States This page describes the Shia Mahdi Army of contemporary Iraq for the Sunni Mahdi Army of Nineteenth Century Sudan see Muhammad Ahmad. The military also announces that it has detained two more suspects in the capture of three U. S. soldiers earlier this year. (AP via Yahoo! News)
• Kenyan presidential election, 2007: Election officials have started counting the votes in what is seen as the closest election in Kenyan history. A presidential election was held as part of the Kenyan general election on December 27 2007; parliamentary elections were held on the same date (BBC News)

• 2007 Zoé's Ark controversy - Six French aid workers, sentenced to eight years at hard labor by a Chadian court for allegedly attempting to rescue over 100 Chadian children, are flown to France, where they will appear before a French court which will decide how they will serve their sentences. Events 1065 - Westminster Abbey is Consecrated. 1308 - The reign of Emperor Hanazono, Emperor of Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The 2007 Zoé's Ark controversy started when members of a French Charity organization, the Zoé's Ark (L'Arche de Zoé attempted to fly 103 children This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Humanitarian aid (also called succour) is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes typically in response to humanitarian crises Penal labour or penal servitude is a form of Unfree labour. The term may refer to two different notions labour as a form of punishment and labour as a form of occupation Chad (Tchad تشاد Tshād) officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a Landlocked country in Central Africa. (Reuters)
• War in Somalia: Ethiopian troops have withdrawn from a key town in central Somalia. The War in Somalia is an ongoing armed conflict involving largely Ethiopian and Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG forces versus the Somali Somalia ( Soomaaliya; الصومال) officially the Somali Republic ( Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliya, جمهورية الصومال) and formerly known Islamist insurgents say they now control Guriel. (BBC News)
• NASA astronomers refine the trajectory of new asteroid 2007 WD5, giving it a 1-in-25 (4%) chance of striking Mars on January 30, 2008. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA, ˈnæsə is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nation's public space program is a diameter Apollo class Near-Earth object and a Mars-crosser asteroid discovered on November 20[[ 007]] by Andrea Boattini Events 1648 - Eighty Years' War: The Treaty of Münster is signed ending the conflict between the Netherlands and Spain 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The object, estimated to be 50 meters wide, could impact Mars with the force of about three megatons of TNT. The potential strike area is close to the location of the Opportunity rover. MER-B ( Mars Exploration Rover - B) known as Opportunity, is the second of the two rovers of NASA 's Mars Exploration (NASA)

• Phil O'Donnell, a player for Scottish football team Motherwell F.C., collapses on the pitch whilst being substituted and later dies. Events 1170 - Thomas Becket: Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury is assassinated inside Canterbury Cathedral by followers of King Henry II Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Phillip "Phil" O'Donnell ( 25 March 1972 &ndash 29 December 2007) was a Scottish football player Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered Motherwell Football & Athletic Club is a Scottish football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. (BBC News)
• The United Kingdom government announces its New Year's Honours List. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The New Year Honours 2008 for the Commonwealth Realms were announced on 29 December 2007, to celebrate the year passed and mark the beginning of 2008 People being honoured include broadcaster Michael Parkinson, singer Kylie Minogue, chief executive of Marks & Spencer Stuart Rose, embryologist Ian Wilmut and actor Sir Ian McKellen. Sir Michael Parkinson, CBE (born March 28 1935) is an English broadcaster and Journalist. Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE, born 28 May 1968 is an Australian pop Singer - Songwriter and occasional Actress. Marks & Spencer Group plc (also M&S, Marks and Sparks, and Marks) is a British Retailer with 843 stores in more than 30 For the American retail executive with a similar name see Stuart Alan Rose. Embryology (from Greek grc ἔμβρυον embryon, "unborn embryo" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study of the development Prof Sir Ian Wilmut OBE (born July 7 1944) is an Scottish Embryologist and is currently one of the leaders of the Queen's Medical Sir Ian Murray McKellen, CH, CBE (born 25 May 1939 is an English stage and screen actor the (BBC News)
• Australian David Hicks is released from Yatala Labour Prison, South Australia, after his jail sentence for providing material support for terrorism ends, following his earlier detainment at Guantanamo Bay. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. David Matthew Hicks (born 7 August 1975 is an Australian who undertook combat training in Al Qaeda -linked camps and served with the ruling Taliban Yatala Labour Prison is a low- to high-security men's Prison in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion The Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp is a controversial United States Detention center operated by Joint Task Force Guantanamo since 2002 in Guantanamo (ABC News Australia)
• Kenyan presidential election, 2007: Vote counting is delayed for a day with the opposition, led by Raila Odinga, holding a 40,000 vote lead with 90% of votes counted. A presidential election was held as part of the Kenyan general election on December 27 2007; parliamentary elections were held on the same date Raila Amollo Odinga (born January 7, 1945) is a Kenyan politician currently serving as the Prime Minister of Kenya with president Mwai Kibaki Violence and looting ensue, especially in the capital Nairobi, with "several" fatalities amidst claims of election fraud from both camps. Looting ( Hindi lūṭ akin to Sanskrit luṭhati steals also Latin latro, latronis Nairobi (naɪˈroʊbɪ is the capital and largest city of Kenya. (BBC News)
• The New England Patriots are the first team in the NFL to ever finish the regular season with a record of 16-0, the first perfect regular season in the league since the 1972 Miami Dolphins. The New England Patriots, commonly called the " Pats " by sports writers and fans are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston The National Football League ( NFL) is the largest professional American football league. The 2007 New England Patriots season was the 38th season for the team in the National Football League and 48th season overall (ESPN)

• Benazir Bhutto assassination: Bhutto's son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is appointed her successor as chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party. Events 1460 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Wakefield. 1816 - The Treaty of St Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The assassination of Benazir Bhutto occurred on December 27 2007 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Bhutto ( Sindhi: ڀُٽو Urdu:) is a Sindhi samat tribe settled in Sindh, Pakistan. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari ( بلاول بھٹو زرداری) (born 21 September 1988) is co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, and the eldest The Pakistan Peoples Party ( PPP) (پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی is Centre-left Political party in Pakistan affiliated with Socialist His father, Asif Ali Zardari is named co-chairman. Asif Ali Zardari ( Urdu, Sindhi: آصف علی زرداری) (born 26 July 1955 is the 12th and current President of Pakistan and the Co-Chairman (BBC News)
• Kenyan general election, 2007: Incumbent Mwai Kibaki is declared the winner, beating challenger Raila Odinga by 231,728 votes; Odinga supporters riot in Kibera; EU election observers complain of irregularities; Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement is set for a majority in parliament. Kenyan general election 2007 was held on 27 December 2007. It comprised Presidential, parliamentary and civic elections Mwai Kibaki (born November 15, 1931) is the President of Kenya. Raila Amollo Odinga (born January 7, 1945) is a Kenyan politician currently serving as the Prime Minister of Kenya with president Mwai Kibaki Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya is the second largest Slum in Africa, the largest being Soweto in South Africa, and has a population The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in Election monitoring is the observation of an Election by one or more independent parties typically from another country or a Non-governmental organization (NGO Orange Democratic Movement refers to a Political party in Kenya, which originated as a single party that was formed as a result of the 2005 Kenyan constitutional Parliamentary elections in Kenya were held as part of the Kenyan general election on December 27 2007; presidential elections were (Daily Telegraph)
• Emmanuel Mwambulukutu, the ambassador of Tanzania to South Africa, is in intensive care after four assailants attacked and robbed his family, stabbing his wife and other guests with bottles. Emmanuel Asajile Mwambulukutu (born 22 November 1944) is a Tanzanian politician and diplomat Tanzania ˌtænzəˈniːə officially the United Republic of Tanzania (Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa (Khaleej Times)

• One hundred to over 120 people are reported killed in rioting following the disputed result of the presidential election in Kenya. Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The 2007–2008 Kenyan crisis refers to a political economic and humanitarian crisis that erupted in Kenya after incumbent President Mwai Kibaki was declared Kenyan general election 2007 was held on 27 December 2007. It comprised Presidential, parliamentary and civic elections The Republic of Kenya is a country in East Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the north Somalia to the northeast Tanzania to the south (Reuters)
• Seven people are injured and four are missing when a fire razed several fireworks stores in the Municipality of Bocaue, Bulacan, Philippines. On the morning of December 31 2007 ten Fireworks stores burned in Barangay Turo Bocaue, Bulacan, causing a series explosions within the area A municipality ( bayan, sometimes munisipyo in Cebuano or used infrequently in Tagalog) is a local government unit in the Philippines Bocaue is a 1st class urban municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. The Philippines ( Filipino: Pilipinas, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines (fil ''Republika ng Pilipinas'' RP