A compilation of brief news reports for Tuesday, May 8, 2007.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem announced that it has uncovered the grave and tomb of King Herod, who ruled Judea for the Roman empire from circa 37 BCE. The Tomb was found at Herodium, 12 km south of Jerusalem.

Sources

• “King Herod’s ancient tomb ‘found'” — BBC News Online, 2007-05-08
• Amiram Barkat. “Hebrew University: Herod’s tomb and grave found at Herodium” — Haaretz, 2007-05-08
• Lilach Shoval and Reuters. “King Herod’s tomb discovered, Israeli university says” — Ynetnews, 2007-05-08

An Australian female science student is in a serious but stable condition at the Royal Melbourne Hospital after being stabbed by another female student at La Trobe University this morning.

The victim, a 27-year-old behavioral science student, was stabbed several times in the chest by a masked female stranger in a toilet block outside the Bundoora campus library. Students quickly evacuated the library after seeing the victim running from the bathroom, screaming that she had been stabbed and leaving a trail of blood behind her. The 23-year-old attacker has been charged with attempted murder. Witnesses to the event are being offered councelling services.

Sources

• “Woman stable after uni stabbing” — ABC News Online, May 8, 2007
• Julia Medew and Leo Shanahan. “Shock at uni stabbing” — The Age, May 8, 2007

President-elect of France, Nicolas Sarkozy was criticized for going on a luxury cruise in Malta with his family, right after winning the election on a platform that emphasized hard work.

“It sends a disastrous signal to the country, notably the 53 percent of French people who earn less than 800 euros a month and who voted for him,” said Patrick Menucci, former advisor to Ségolène Royal.

However, Sarkozy last week explained the reasons for taking what was supposed to an unpublicized retreat. He said he needed time to prepare himself for the heavy burden of state.

Sources

• Charles Bremner. “A wreath for Chirac, a yacht for Sarkozy” — The Times, May 9, 2007
• Jon Boyle. “France’s Sarkozy attacked over luxury cruise” — Reuters, May 8, 2007

Attacks by Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in Nigeria have reportedly forced Italian oil company Eni to shut down production of some 150 thousand barrels of oil per day.

“We intend to destroy between now and May 29 more pipes than we have destroyed in the last one year,” Jomo Gbomo (suspected to be a pseudonym), spokesperson for MEND, said in an e-mail.

Up to 25% of the usual production is said to have been lost last year.

Sources

• Estelle Shirbon. “Nigerian oil bombings cut 150,000 bpd output” — Reuters, May 8, 2007
• “‘Pipelines hit’ in Nigeria delta” — BBC News Online, May 8, 2007

At around 1am local time NATO forces came under attack from insurgents in Kandahar City, Afghanistan. During the battle one civilian was killed and another two were injured with conflicting reports as to who was to blame. First hand reports lay blame on the NATO troops however there has been no official confirmation either way as yet. The nationality of the NATO soldiers involved in the incident has not been released. Both NATO and the Afghan Police are investigating the civilian death and injuries.

The Associated Press states that 151 Afghan civilians have been killed in combat during the first 4 months of 2007, and that 51 of these died from NATO and/or US fire.

Sources

• “NATO convoy ambushed, opens fire on civilians” — Canada.com, May 8, 2007
• Noor Kahn. “NATO convoy ambushed in Afghanistan” — Journal-Gazette Times Courier, May 8, 2007

In Washington DC, Department of Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman announced the awarding of the Management & Operation (M&O) contract for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory today in a press conference. The M&O contract was awarded to a consortium comprised of the University of California, Bechtel National, BWX Technologies, Washington Group International, and Battelle, to be known as Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS) LLC.

“Livermore National Laboratory is a critical part of our nuclear weapons complex and has been for the last 55 years,” Secretary Bodman said. “For the first time since the beginning of the laboratory a new contractor is coming to Livermore. We look forward to working with LLNS as Livermore continues its vital national security work.”

Sources

• Erica Werner. “UC Team Gets Livermore Contract” — WTOP, May 8, 2007
• Robert C. Dynes, AP. “UC Team To Get Lawrence Livermore Management Contract” — KGO-TV, May 8, 2007
• Press Release: “DOE Selects Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC to Manage its Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory” — United States Department of Energy, May 8, 2007