Portal:Current events/2006 December 6
December 6, 2006 (Wednesday)
- Joseph Kabila, the first freely elected leader of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 40 years, is inaugurated as President. (BBC)
- The Iraq Study Group Report calls the situation in Iraq "grave and deteriorating" and calls for a change in strategy including the removal of most United States troops by early 2008. (CNN)
- The Australian House of Representatives passes private members legislation allowing therapeutic cloning after a conscience vote. The Australian Senate had already approved the bill prepared by Senator Kay Patterson meaning that it will become law. (News Limited)
- The United States Senate confirms Robert Gates as the next United States Secretary of Defense by 95–2. Gates will be sworn in on December 18. (CNN)
- Philippe Douste-Blazy, the Foreign Minister of France, says that the United Nations Security Council will impose sanctions on Iran for its nuclear program. However, the five permanent members of the Security Council as well as Germany have failed to agree on what the sanctions should be. (AFP via Khaleej Times)
- 2006 Fijian coup d'état:
- Fijian military Commodore Frank Bainimarama, the leader of the coup, usurps Ratu Josefa Iloilo as President of Fiji. He promises to ask the Great Council of Chiefs to reappoint Iloilo to the office in one week's time. (The NZ Herald)
- Bainimarama appoints Jona Senilagakali as interim Prime Minister of Fiji. (Fiji Times)
- The Fijian military deports deposed Prime Minister of Fiji Laisenia Qarase to his home island in the remote Lau Group. The military has also arrested senior Government officials. (Sydney Morning Herald)
- The Fiji Times resumes publication after the military promises to refrain from further attempts at press censorship. (Fiji Times) Editors immediately blast the coup as illegal. (Fiji Times)
- The United Kingdom joins the United States, Australia and New Zealand in halting defence foreign aid. (Fiji Times)
- Bainimarama fires Fiji police commissioner Moses Driver, who had declared that the Fiji Police will stand up to the Fiji Military. Bainimarama warned against a popular uprising against the coup. (CNN)
- NASA presents "compelling" evidence that liquid water flowed recently on the surface of Mars. (NASA), (BBC)
- A large explosion occurs near downtown Milwaukee, killing 3, injuring 37 others and leveling a factory compound.(AP)
- Officials of the Islamic Courts Union in power in Buloburde, Somalia, declare that, under their interpretation of Sharia, all people in the city must pray five times a day, or they will be beheaded on sight. (Fox News)
- Hundreds of thousands of Dalits stage a mass rally in Mumbai to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of their leader, B. R. Ambedkar. (BBC)
- James Kim is found dead in Oregon after spending 11 days in the wilderness. (CNN) (CNET)