2006 Sarawak state election
The ninth Sarawak state election was held on Saturday, 20 May 2006 with nomination day on Tuesday, 9 May 2006. The election functioned to elect 71 representatives to the Sarawak State Assembly (Dewan Undangan Negeri in Malay). The eighth state assembly was dissolved by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng by the advice of Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, on 24 April 2006.


2006 Sarawak state election
On nomination day, Barisan Nasional won two seats without contest.


2006 Sarawak state election
This election saw 892,537 voters eligible to cast their ballots.


2006 Sarawak state election
The previous state election was held in 2001, when the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) won 60 out of 62 seats in the eighth state assembly. The Democratic Action Party won one, while another went to an independent candidate. The eighth state assembly's mandate would expire on 18 November 2006, necessitating the calling of an election beforehand.


2006 Sarawak state election
A total of 28 seats was contested by Sarawak National Party (SNAP), followed by People's Justice Party (PKR) (25 seats), Democratic Action Party (DAP) (12 seats), and Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (1 seat). There were 20 independents contesting for 16 seats.


2006 Sarawak state election, Background
Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, comprising 124,450 square kilometers, almost as large as the Malay peninsula. In 1963, Sarawak and Sabah together with the Federation of Malaya formed a greater federation named Malaysia. Since then, Sarawak nationalism dominates in every state election. The people of Sarawak generally resented the control of the Malay peninsula on Sarawak affairs such as autonomy in decision making, dissatisfaction over the 5% allocation of oil royalty to Sarawak, and the tendencies to support local parties in Sarawak.


2006 Sarawak state election, Background
Since rural areas dominated Sarawak lands, the control over the rural areas is essential for electoral successes. In the 1990s, deforestation in Sarawak became a major issue whereby logging companies with close political ties to the regime were given large amount of concessions for logging. As the source of timber in Sarawak forests became depleted, oil palm plantations became a priority. The Sarawak government had encroached on the Native customary rights (NCR) lands to convert them into state lands for logging, plantations, and infrastructure developments. In return, the government promised infrastructure projects that can benefit the rural community. However, tenders for the infrastructure projects were also awarded according to party lines. Poverty in the rural areas had fostered dependence on government handouts, thus rural communities showed more loyalty to the government when compared to urban areas.


2006 Sarawak state election, Background
Sarawak is ethnically diverse. The Iban people is the largest group, followed by Chinese, Malay, Melanau people, Bidayuh, and Orang Ulu. The Ibans are primarily located in rural areas, the Chinese is primarily located in the urban areas; Bidayuh was traditionally rural but has been increasingly urbanised. Since the 1970s, the chief minister of Sarawak traditionally come from Melanau ethnic group. Similar to Peninsular Malaysia, delineation of constituencies and campaign issues are organised along racial lines.


2006 Sarawak state election, Electoral system
Since formation of Malaysia in 1963, Sarawak has hold nine state elections. Since 1979, Sarawak hold state elections separately from the national parliamentary elections. Thus, Sarawak elections become a measure of support of the incumbent government before the next Malaysian general elections. Malaysian electoral system uses the first-past-the-post voting system, where winners take all. Therefore, Sarawak BN consistently won greater proportion of seats than the share of popular vote. Election Commission of Malaysia (EC) had been alleged to be politically aligned with the incumbent government since 1961. The chairman of EC is appointed by the incumbent government and is answerable to the Malaysian prime minister department.


2006 Sarawak state election, Nomination
The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly was dissolved by chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud. The nomination date was set on 9 May 2006 with campaign period set from 10 to 19 May. This election also saw larger number of women candidates being fielded by both government and opposition parties. BN nominated six women candidates while the opposition slated four women candidates. BN has introduced 18 new faces in the election.


2006 Sarawak state election, Nomination
There were only a total of 892,537 registered voters in this election, which was less than a third of the 2.5 million total population in Sarawak.


2006 Sarawak state election, Nomination
Out of 71 seats, only 69 seats saw contests between various candidates. Two seats – namely Daro and Dalat – were won uncontested by candidates from Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu, a component party in Barisan Nasional.


2006 Sarawak state election, Parties and leaders, Government
Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and its predecessor Alliance has been securing decisive victories in every state elections since the formation of Malaysia. Sarawak is also one of the five states in Malaysia where the governing BN coalition secured more than 90% of the seats in almost every election. Other states are: Malacca, Perlis, Negeri Sembilan, and Johor. Sarawak BN consists of entirely local parties: United Traditional Bumiputera Party (PBB), Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Sarawak Peoples Party (PRS), and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP). Sarawak chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud is the president of PBB.


2006 Sarawak state election, Parties and leaders, Government
He is also the chairman of Sarawak BN. His party consists of Malay-Melanau party members. SUPP is predominantly Chinese, although the party also has several Iban members. PRS is the combination of Iban and Chinese members while SPDP is predominantly Iban. Both PRS and SPDP are either direct or indirect splinter parties from Sarawak National Party (SNAP).


2006 Sarawak state election, Parties and leaders, Opposition
Sarawak National Party (SNAP) was a component party in Sarawak BN in 2001. However, in 2002, SNAP was grippled by a leadership crisis. It was later deregistered by the Malaysian Registrar of Societies (ROS) on 5 November 2002 due to the persistent unresolved leadership crisis. The party then filed a judicial review against the ROS decision. The review was dismissed by the High Court in September 2006. During the 2002 SNAP crisis, Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) was formed and admitted into Sarawak BN. SNAP then departed from BN and became an opposition party in 2004. In the same year, another component party of Sarawak BN, Parti Bangsa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), which was a splinter party from SNAP in 1983, faced a leadership crisis and was deregistered. Sarawak Peoples Party (PRS) was formed later and admitted into Sarawak BN.


2006 Sarawak state election, Parties and leaders, Opposition
Amongst all the opposition parties in Sarawak, only Democratic Action Party (DAP) has a seat in Kidurong since 2001 election. DAP had left Barisan Alternatif (BA) before the 2001 election. It has reached an informal agreement with People's Justice Party (PKR) for the latter to contest at Padungan in return for not contesting against DAP in 2004 Malaysian general election.


2006 Sarawak state election, Parties and leaders, Opposition
Meanwhile, People's Justice Party (PKR) together with Sarawak National Party (SNAP) teamed up to form the Sarawak United Front (Barisan Bersatu Sarawak, BBS). Malaysian Dayak Congress (MDC), being one of the two parties split from the deregistered PBDS in 2004, was awaiting for registration approval from ROS. Therefore, BBS had allowed candidates from MDC to use SNAP party symbol to contest in this election. Meanwhile, Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) decided to contest in only one seat in view of voters base in Sarawak mainly consists of non-Muslims.


2006 Sarawak state election, Parties and leaders, Opposition
Most of the seats saw two corner fights with the agreement of the opposition on not contesting against each other. The number of independent candidates also dropped from the last election where only 15 seats saw the participation of the independent candidates.


2006 Sarawak state election, Campaign, Barisan Nasional
The BN government lifted the ban of helicopter flights to ease the dissemination of manifestos in the rural areas. Sarawak BN mainly campaigned on theme of "development and stability" with messages such as "A Peaceful, Progressive and Prosperous Sarawak". BN put heavy emphasis on rural development in terms on agricultural expansion such as palm oil, pepper, and cocoa. It is stressed that continued rural development is depended upon the rural voters' political loyalty. For example, chief minister Taib Mahmud had spoken the following words to the voters at Bekenu:


2006 Sarawak state election, Campaign, Barisan Nasional
It is the policy of the government to always help the people, and that is why we have a development plan. Since the First Malaysia Plan (1MP), the government has spent hundreds of billions of ringgit to provide the infrastructure and basic amenities for the rakyat (people). They[the opposition] have no capital to help the people so they spread lies, but do you want to wait another 50 years to see development to your area?”


2006 Sarawak state election, Campaign, Barisan Nasional
Sarawak government allocated projects under the SALCRA agency (Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority) in rural areas. Rural Growth Centres (RGC) were also opened throughout Sarawak. These centres were aimed to "create job opportunities and income". A total of RM 2.12 billion (US$0.57 billion) would be allocated exclusively for rural development. BN also linked Ninth Malaysia Plan to Sarawak development. The Malaysian federal government allocated RM 13.4 billion (US$3.62 billion) to win support in this campaign. For example, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Peter Chin announced his plans of boosting cocoa and pepper production in Sarawak. Awang Tengah, a senior politician from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) highlighated the RM400 million (US$108 million) allocation for Rural Electrification Scheme (RES) in Sarawak. Samy Vellu, Malaysian Minister of Works announced allocations for upgrading Mambong-Sejingkat road (Kuching), Miri-Lutong road (Miri), Limbang-Lawas road, and an elevated road in Miri.


2006 Sarawak state election, Campaign, Barisan Nasional
A PBB leader named Abdul Wahab Aziz stressed that Mukah and Balingian only got development when Taib Mahmud represented Balingian since 2001. Since the discovery of coal in Mukah, a coal power plant was built in Balingian, an oil palm plantation was planted in Mukah, and a deep sea fishing port was built at Tanjung Manis. In Ba'kelalan (near Indonesian border of Kalimantan), BN candidate Nelson Balang emphasised regarding the risk of them being left behind for 10 to 20 years if they do not vote for BN in the next five years.


2006 Sarawak state election, Campaign, Barisan Nasional
The issue of connectivity of Ba'kelalan to other towns in Sarawak had also been highlighted. A road project was also politicised in Bekenu (near Miri). Besides, BN also emphasized on the importance of political stability in bringing developments to the people while saying the opposition only bring chaos to the community. Politicians from BN coalition also argued that supporting BN is also necessary in maintaining Sarawak's autonomy in decision making and with local leaders in control because Sarawak BN are consisted of local parties. A vote for the opposition will let Peninsular Malaysia to have more control over Sarawak. This election was also portrayed as the last election for the chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud. The election day coincidentally fell on the date of his birthday. Therefore, Sarawak BN regularly featured a headline read as "Give CM special birthday gift" on newspapers.


2006 Sarawak state election, Campaign, Opposition parties
Sarawak National Party (SNAP) campaigned on the Native Customary Rights (NCR) platform, arguing that BN has not been respecting Dayak NCR rights while using their lands in various development platforms. SNAP has been focusing on personalities of a Dayak long-time leader Daniel Tajem, however Daniel lost the Balai Ringin constituency eventually. Meanwhile, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) emphasized on good governance with less corruption, better human rights protection, lower inflation, and equitable allocation of resources. PKR national advisor Anwar Ibrahim came to Sarawak for three days and highlighted these issues during his campaign.


2006 Sarawak state election, Campaign, Opposition parties
The meagre 5% oil royalty, removal of fuel subsidies, and uncertainty associated with the renewal of the 60-year land lease among the urban residents were highlighted during the PKR campaign. The PKR campaign was relied heavily on machinery and resources from Peninsular Malaysia. Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) also emphasized on similar issues with endorsement on Islamic governance. Although PAS only focus on one constituency, their own PAS candidate was not loyal to the party. Therefore, the candidate did not receive the required amount of support from party leadership to campaign.


2006 Sarawak state election, Campaign, Opposition parties
Democratic Action Party (DAP) has the strongest campaign amongst all the opposition parties. They portrayed themselves as the watchdog of the government with the themes "Enough is enough" and "Sarawak deserves better". They also presented themselves as the probable alternative with a united team to the urban Chinese voters. Price hikes, land lease renewal problems, and corruption issues were highlighted. In response to opposition accusations, BN "approved" 835 owners in Sibu and 85 owners in Kuching to renew their land leases but only with the final approval from the Sarawak Land and Survey Department and the fees were not announced.


2006 Sarawak state election, Campaign, Opposition parties
BN labelled the oppositions such as DAP, PKR, and PAS as "West Malaysia opportunists", "liars" and "rejects". They even labelled DAP as "dangerous and poisonous". BN also labelled the opposition as the transversities welcoming Anwar Ibrahim at Kuching airport. Meanwhile, the opposition lashed back and lablled BN as "Barang Naik" (goods increase") in reference to inflation of prices of daily necessities under BN governance. The opposition also attacked the character of the chief minister Taib Mahmud. The largest opposition public meeting on the night before the polling day was at Kings Centre Shopping Plaza at Kuching, with over 5,000 voters.


2006 Sarawak state election, Polling
On the polling day, 62.6% of the registered voters went our for voting. The election commission spent RM 31 million in this election. They used 3,889 land vehicles, 1,007 boats and 48 speedboats to reach the 1,705 polling centres staffed with 14,571 officers, 71 returning officers and 170 assistant returningofficers. Voters from rural areas such as Ba'kelalan and Telang Usan went to polls early in the morning and the polling was stopped at noon with certain polling stations opened for half an hour. DAP, SNAP, and PKR parties were able to put more polling agents to supervise voting counting at polling stations. There was no incidence of violence reported. The polling day was peaceful.


2006 Sarawak state election, Results
By 8 pm on the same day, results started to pour in with overall results known by midnight. Barisan successfully captured 61 seats out of 71 seats, but lost a total of nine seats; eight seats to opposition and one seat to an independent. Meanwhile, the opposition managed to captured 8 seats. This was the first time since the 1987 election that the opposition made a significant inroad in a state election. SUPP, a component party in the BN coalition, is the biggest loser as it lost six seats to DAP in Chinese urban areas. SUPP almost lost all the seats in the Kuching city (Padungan, Pending, Kota Sentosa, and Batu Lintang) but able to retain one seat Batu Kawah. Meanwhile, twenty one candidates lost their deposits (garnered less than 1/8 of the total votes cast), mostly independents.


2006 Sarawak state election, Results
BN was managed to secure 62.8% of the popular vote in this election, a significant reduction when compared to 70.3% in the last election. Meanwhile, the opposition together won 47.2% of the popular vote. BN experienced a general drop in support from multiple ethnic groups, with the biggest loss of support from the Chinese. Younger generation have more tendency to support the opposition than the older generation. Poorer voters tend to be more receptive of the BN development promises while wealthier voters tend to sympathise the opposition. BN suffered an average of five percent decline in vote share across all constituencies. BN suffered 19 percent decline in Chinese majority seats, four percent decline in Iban and Bidayuh seats, six percent decline in mixed constituencies, and two percent increase in Malay-Melanau areas.


2006 Sarawak state election, Results
According to political scientist Bridget Welsh, the loss of BN support in Sarawak was attributed partially to national issues such as fuel price hike, high electricity tariffs, increased inflation, slowing of reform, and the lack of direction by the Abdullah Ahmad Badawi administration. As the media become more open under Abdullah administration, voters gain more access to information, including the opposition; thus favouring the chances of the opposition in this election.


2006 Sarawak state election, Results
Locally, chief minister Taib long tenure in office and his exertion of political power in economy through firms allegedly linked to his family members and associates have raised concerns amongst the voters. Lack of job opportunities in the state led to out-migration of the younger people. The Chinese questioned the voice of SUPP within Sarawak BN. The SUPP handling of land leases involving oil palm plantations was seen as benefiting only a selected few and did not contribute to a wider Chinese community. Factional infighting amongst the SUPP led to sabotage of candidates during the election. DAP was seen as offering a more dynamic range of younger candidates when compared to SUPP which offered only old candidates.


2006 Sarawak state election, Controversies
During this election, DAP had made police reports at Opar, Balai Ringin, and Saribas for alleged vote-buying. The opposition also protested on postal votes that greatly favoured the incumbent government. Sarawak BN also used government machinery such as government vehicles and public officials during campaign. Public officials were expected to be rewarded for helping BN during campaign. The Sarawak media were also expected to feature news favouring the incumbent government. An NGO named "The Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections" (MAFREL) raised concerns on the discrepancies in the electoral roll where voters were registered without addresses, and a case of voter impersonation was recorded.


2006 Sarawak state election, Aftermath
After the election, both BN and the opposition tried to build momentum in the next general election, with DAP being more optimistic about its outcomes. SUPP lost the mayoralty of the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) after their devastating defeat in the Kuching city. The mayor of the Kuching South was usually a political appointee from SUPP.


2006 Sarawak state election, Aftermath
Johnichal Rayong, who won the N28 Engkilili seat on SNAP ticket, joined SUPP in December 2010, contributed another seat for BN. Dublin Unting, the state assemblyman for N29 Batang Ai, died at the Normah Medical Specialist Centre, Kuching on 24 February 2009 after a coma. This resulted in the necessity to call for a by-election. Malcolm Mussen Lamoh later successfully defended the seat for Barisan Nasional. Gabriel Adit Demong previously an independent for N43 Ngemah constituency joined PKR in November 2008. He later quit PKR and joined Parti Cinta Malaysia in December 2009. Larry Sng, who won the N54 Pelagus seat for BN, was sacked by Sarawak Peoples Party (PRS) in 2007. Although partyless, Sng is regarded as a loyal member of BN by Abdul Taib Mahmud, the chairman of Sarawak BN coalition.


2006 Saroma tornado
On November 7, 2006, a deadly tornado struck the town of Saroma, Hokkaidō in northern Japan. The tornado destroyed forty buildings. Nine people were confirmed dead and 26 people injured (seven seriously) as of November 9, 2006. Most of the casualties occurred at the work site for a tunnel, where the storm swept over prefabricated housing that was being used by workers. The Japan Meteorological Agency says the tornado is the deadliest ever recorded in Japan.


2006 Saroma tornado
The previous recent most deadly tornado occurred September 18, 2006, killing three people on the southern island of Kyūshū. The agency's records only go back to 1961, however. The previous deadliest tornado struck Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture in 1941, killing 12; and the deadliest killed 16 in Miyazaki, Miyazaki Prefecture in 1881.


2006 Saroma tornado
The November tornado also took out power to approximately 600 homes and destroyed 40 separate buildings. The meteorological agency estimates a wind speed for the tornado at more than F2 on the Fujita scale. The tornado was later confirmed as an F3. It was likely a low-mild F3 with winds around 160-165mph, well built, conventional earthquake resistant homes lost their roofs and some walls and even conventional multi floor houses lost their stories as well, cars were thrown for a short distance and overturned, and poorly built structures were swept away entirely. Stronger reinforced-concrete buildings had partial roof collapse, all doors blown in, and total loss of glass windows; they also lost the entrances if they were not made of steel-reinforced concrete, patios were swept away, and garages were blown in.


2006 Saskatchewan Roughriders season
The 2006 Saskatchewan Roughriders finished 3rd place in the West Division with a 9–9 record. They appeared in the West Final where they lost to the eventual Grey Cup champions BC Lions.


2006 Saskatchewan Scott Tournament of Hearts
The 2006 Saskatchewan Scott Tournament of Hearts women's provincial curling championship, was held February 1–5 at the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. The winning team of Tracey Streifel, represented Saskatchewan at the 2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts in London, Ontario, where the team finished round robin with a 2–9 record.


2006 Saskatchewan municipal elections
The Canadian province of Saskatchewan held municipal elections on October 25, 2006.


2006 Saudi Crown Prince Cup Final
The 2006 Saudi Crown Prince Cup Final was the 31st final of the Crown Prince Cup, Saudi Arabia's main football knock-out competition at the time.


2006 Saudi Crown Prince Cup Final
It took place on 7 April 2006 at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and was contested between Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal. It was Al-Ahli's ninth Crown Prince Cup final and Al-Hilal's seventh final. It was Al-Ahli's first final since 2004 and Al-Hilal's second consecutive final.


2006 Saudi Crown Prince Cup Final
Al-Hilal won the game 1–0 to claim their sixth Crown Prince Cup title. As winners of the 2005–06 Saudi Crown Prince Cup, Al-Hilal qualified for the 2007 AFC Champions League group stage.


2006 Saudi Crown Prince Cup Final, Venue
The King Fahd International Stadium was announced as the host of the final venue. This was the seventh Crown Prince Cup final hosted in the King Fahd International Stadium following those in 1992, 1994, 1998, 2003, 2004, and 2005.


2006 Saudi Crown Prince Cup Final, Venue
The King Fahd International Stadium was built in 1982 and was opened in 1987. The stadium was used as a venue for the 1992, 1995, and the 1997 editions of the FIFA Confederations Cup. Its current capacity is 68,752 and it is used by the Saudi Arabia national football team, Al-Nassr, Al-Shabab, and major domestic matches.


2006 Saudi Crown Prince Cup Final, Background
Al-Hilal reached their seventh final after a 5–2 aggregate win against Al-Wehda. This was Al-Hilal's second final in a row. Previously, they won finals in 1964, 1995, 2000, 2003, and 2005, and lost in 1999.


2006 Saudi Crown Prince Cup Final, Background
Al-Ahli reached their ninth final, after a 5–4 aggregate win against Al-Shabab. They reached their first final since 2004. They finished as runners-up after losing to Al-Ittihad in that year's final. Previously, they won finals in 1957, 1970, 1998, and 2002, and lost in 1958, 1974, 2003, and 2004.


2006 Saudi Crown Prince Cup Final, Background
This was the second meeting between these two sides in the Crown Prince Cup final. Al-Hilal won in 2003. This was the 6th meeting between these two sides in the Crown Prince Cup; previously Al-Hilal won 3 times, Al-Ahli won once and the two teams drew once. The two teams played each other three times in the season prior to the final with Al-Hilal winning all three matches.


2006 Saudi Crown Prince Cup Final, Match, Details
Assistant referees:Clemente Ayete Plou (Spain)Oscar Martínez Samaniego (Spain)Fourth official:Bernardino González Vázquez (Spain)


2006 Sault Ste. Marie municipal election
The 2006 Sault Ste. Marie municipal election was held on 13 November 2006 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to elect a mayor and 12 city councillors to Sault Ste. Marie City Council for the term from 2006 to 2010, as well as school board trustees for the Algoma District School Board, wards 1, 3 and 4/5, and the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board.


2006 Sault Ste. Marie municipal election
This election coincided with the 2006 Ontario municipal elections held across Ontario.


2006 Savannah State Tigers football team
The 2006 Savannah State Tigers football team represented Savannah State University in American football. The Tigers were members of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision


2006 Savannah State Tigers football team, Statistics
Current as of November 27, 2006 (2006-11-27) – All Games


2006 Saxony-Anhalt state election
The 2006 Saxony-Anhalt state election was held on 26 March 2006 to elect the members of the 5th Landtag of Saxony-Anhalt. The incumbent coalition government of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Free Democratic Party (FDP) led by Minister-President Wolfgang Böhmer lost its majority. The CDU subsequently formed a coalition with the Social Democratic Party (SPD).


2006 Saxony-Anhalt state election, Parties
The table below lists parties represented in the 4th Landtag of Saxony-Anhalt.


2006 Scheldeprijs
The 2006 Scheldeprijs was the 94th edition of the Scheldeprijs road cycling one day race, held on 12 April 2006 as part of the 2005–06 UCI Europe Tour, as a 1.HC categorised race.


2006 Scheldeprijs
Belgian rider Tom Boonen, in the rainbow jersey as the incumbent world champion, won the race in a bunch sprint for the Quick-Step–Innergetic team, ahead of teammate Steven de Jongh, while compatriot Gert Steegmans (Davitamon–Lotto) completed the podium. Boonen was the first incumbent world champion to win the race since Eddy Merckx in 1972.


2006 Scheldeprijs, Teams
Twenty-one teams were invited to take part in the race.


2006 Scotland rugby union tour of South Africa
The 2006 Scotland rugby union tour of South Africa was a series of matches played in June 2006 in South Africa by Scotland national rugby union team.


2006 Scotland rugby union tour of South Africa, The Matches
South Africa: 15.Percy Montgomery, 14.Breyton Paulse, 13.Jaque Fourie, 12.Jean de Villiers, 11.André Snyman, 10.Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 9.Fourie du Preez, 8.Joe van Niekerk, 7.Juan Smith, 6.Schalk Burger, 5.Victor Matfield, 4.Danie Rossouw, 3.Eddie Andrews, 2.John Smit (capt. ), 1.Os du Randt,  – replacements: 16.Hanyani Shimange, 17.Lawrence Sephaka, 18.Johann Muller, 19.Pedrie Wannenburg, 20.Ricky Januarie, 21.Wynand Olivier, 22.Gaffie du Toit Scotland: 15.Hugo Southwell, 14.Chris Paterson, 13.Marcus di Rollo, 12.Andrew Henderson, 11.Sean Lamont, 10.Dan Parks, 9.Mike Blair, 8.Ally Hogg, 7.Donnie Macfadyen, 6.Jason White (capt. ), 5.Scott Murray, 4.Nathan Hines, 3.Bruce Douglas, 2.Scott Lawson, 1.Gavin Kerr,  – replacements: 16.Dougie Hall, 17.Craig Smith, 18.Alastair Kellock, 19.Kelly Brown, 20.Sam Pinder, 21.Gordon Ross, 22.Simon Webster


2006 Scotland rugby union tour of South Africa, The Matches
South Africa: 15.Percy Montgomery, 14.Breyton Paulse, 13.André Snyman, 12.Wynand Olivier, 11.Bryan Habana, 10.Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 9.Fourie du Preez, 8.Joe van Niekerk, 7.Juan Smith, 6.Schalk Burger, 5.Victor Matfield, 4.Danie Rossouw, 3.Eddie Andrews, 2.John Smit (capt. ), 1.Os du Randt,  – replacements: 17.CJ van der Linde, 18.Albert van den Berg, 19.Jacques Cronje, 20.Ricky Januarie, 22.Gaffie du Toit     –  No entry : 16.Hanyani Shimange, 21.Wayne JuliesScotland: 15.Hugo Southwell, 14.Chris Paterson, 13.Marcus di Rollo, 12.Andrew Henderson, 11.Simon Webster, 10.Gordon Ross, 9.Mike Blair, 8.Jon Petrie, 7.Ally Hogg, 6.Jason White, 5.Alastair Kellock, 4.Nathan Hines, 3.Craig Smith, 2.Dougie Hall, 1.Gavin Kerr,  – replacements: 16.Scott Lawson, 17.Bruce Douglas, 18.Scott Macleod, 19.Kelly Brown, 20.Donnie Macfadyen, 21.Sam Pinder, 22.Ben MacDougall


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts
The 2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, the Canadian women's curling championship, was held at the John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario, February 25, 2006 – March 6, 2006. The tournament consists of 12 teams, one from each of Canada's provinces, one from Canada's territories and the defending champion, whose team is known as Team Canada. The tournament was the 25th anniversary of the Hearts. The winner would be Kelly Scott's British Columbia rink who defeated the defending champions, Jennifer Jones in the final.


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Representing Team Canada is last years champion, Jennifer Jones but with a change at lead position with 2002 Olympic bronze medalist Georgina Wheatcroft. Making her 21st appearance at the Scotts in Colleen Jones who is skipping the Nova Scotia team. Colleen Jones has won the Scotts six times. 1998 Champion Cathy King will be skipping Team Alberta. Making her fourth appearance at the Scotts is Suzanne Gaudet from Prince Edward Island, a two time Canadian Junior Champion and 2001 World Junior Champion. Making her first appearance at the Scotts is Andrea Kelly from New Brunswick, the 2005 Canadian Junior Champion.


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Returning from last year is the Northwest Territories/Yukon team skipped by Kerry Koe- Koe is making her fourth appearance at the Scotts. Also returning is Kelly Scott, from British Columbia, the 1995 World Junior Champion who is making her second appearance. Another skip returning from last year is Heather Strong from Newfoundland and Labrador who is making her sixth appearance. Making an appearance at the Scotts for the first time since 1997 is Janet Harvey of Manitoba, attending her third event. Debuting at the Scotts this year, along with Kelly from New Brunswick is Eve Bélisle from Quebec, Krista Scharf from Ontario and Tracy Streifel from Saskatchewan.


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Jennifer Jones Third: Cathy Overton-Clapham Second: Jill Officer Lead: Georgina Wheatcroft


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Cathy King Third: Lori Armistead Second: Raylene Rocque Lead: Tracy Bush


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Kelly Scott Third: Jeanna Schraeder Second: Sasha Carter Lead: Renee Simons


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Janet Harvey Third: Jill Thurston Second: Cherie-Ann Loder Lead: Carey Burgess


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Andrea Kelly Third: Kristin McDiarmid Second: Jodie deSolla Lead: Morgan Muise


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Heather Strong Third: Shelley Nichols Second: Laura Strong Lead: Susan O'Leary


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Colleen Jones Third: Kim Kelly Second: Mary Anne Arsenault Lead: Nancy Delahunt Alternate: Mary Sue Radford


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Krista Scharf Third: Tara George Second: Tiffany Stubbings Lead: Lorraine Lang Alternate: Michelle Boland


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Suzanne Gaudet Third: Susan McInnis Second: Nancy Cameron Lead: Tricia Affleck Alternate: Shelly Bradley


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Eve Bélisle Third: Pamela Nugent Second: Martine Comeau Lead: Saskia Hollands


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Tracy Streifel Third: Ros Tanner Second: Kristen Ridalls Lead: Andrea Rudulier


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Teams
Skip : Kerry Koe Third: Monique Gagnier Second: Kelli Turpin Lead: Heather McCagg-Nystrom


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Qualifying
Event held at the Shamrock Curling Club in Edmonton January 24–29


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Qualifying
Event held at the Williams Lake Curling Club in Williams Lake January 25–29.


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Qualifying
Event held at the C.A. Nesbitt Arena in Thompson January 25–29.


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Qualifying
Defending Manitoba champion, Jennifer Jones won the 2005 Scott Tournament of Hearts, meaning she will get an automatic bye to the championships and did not have to go through qualifying.


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Qualifying
Event held at the Curling Beauséjour, Inc. in Moncton January 25–29


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Qualifying
Event held at the Corner Brook Rec Plex in Corner Brook January 25–29


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Qualifying
Colleen Jones represented Team Canada at the 2005 Scott Tournament of Hearts because she had won it in 2004.


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Qualifying
Event held at the Highlander Curling Club in St. Andrews January 25–29.


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Qualifying
Event held at the Fort Frances Curling Club in Fort Frances January 29-February 4


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Qualifying
Event held at the Maple Leaf Curling Club in O'Leary January 19–22.


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Qualifying
The defending champion, Rebecca Jean MacPhee played third for O'Rourke


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Qualifying
Event held at the Club de curling Victoria in Quebec City January 15–22.


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Qualifying
Event held at the Yorkton Curling Club in Yorkton February 1–5.


2006 Scott Tournament of Hearts, Qualifying
Event held at the Yellowknife Curling Club in Yellowknife January 26–29


2006 Scottish Challenge Cup Final
The 2006 Scottish Challenge Cup Final was an association football match between Ross County and Clyde on 12 November 2006 at McDiarmid Park in Perth. It was the 16th final of the Scottish Challenge Cup since it was first organised in 1990 to celebrate the centenary of the Scottish Football League.


2006 Scottish Challenge Cup Final
The match was Ross County's second appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup Final since losing in 2004, whilst it was Clyde's first national final in 48 years since winning the Scottish Cup in 1958. The tournament was contested by clubs below the Scottish Premier League, with both finalists from the First Division.


2006 Scottish Challenge Cup Final
Roddy Hunter scored first for Clyde in the 43rd minute with Andy Dowie equalising the score at 1–1 in the 80th minute for Ross County to force extra time. Clyde were reduced to 10 men during extra time after Eddie Malone was sent-off after receiving a second yellow card. The score remained 1–1 and the winner was decided by a penalty shoot-out. Both teams scored four of their first five penalties and Jason Crooks scored the winner for Ross County after Neil McGregor missed the decider for Clyde.


2006 Scottish Challenge Cup Final, Team news
Ross County started with a 4-4-2 formation. Alex Williams, who was Clyde's top scorer the previous season, missed the match through injury along with Sean Higgins and Fergus Tiernan. Craig Samson started in goals for County, with on loan Celtic duo Gary Irvine and Michael Gardyne also getting starts. Gardyne was partnered by Frenchman Amick Ciani, the only non-Scot in both squads, in attack. Experienced duo Don Cowie and Derek Adams were partnered in the centre of midfield. The midfield was completed by youngsters Craig Gunn and Martin Scott. Midfielder Kevin McKinlay found himself in the unfamiliar position of left back, playing alongside Andy Dowie and Alex Keddie. Jason Crooks, who would go on to score the winning penalty, was making his first senior appearance from the bench.


2006 Scottish Challenge Cup Final, Team news
Clyde used their preferred 3-5-2 formation. Star striker Dougie Imrie missed the game through injury, which he picked up in the previous game, as did Steven Masterton, who was suffering from a knee injury. Michael McGowan and Gary Arbuckle were both suspended, after picking up their second yellow cards of the competition at the semi final stage. Goalkeeper David Hutton made only his fourth appearance for the club, with the consistent trio of Craig McKeown, Neil McGregor and Chris Higgins in front of him.


2006 Scottish Challenge Cup Final, Team news
The suspension to McGowan meant a rare start for Ryan McCann at right wing back, with Eddie Malone took up position on the opposite flank. Captain Paul McHale played in the middle of the park, alongside Craig Bryson and Stephen O'Donnell, with Andy Ferguson and Roddy Hunter forming the attack. The squad was so stretched that manager Joe Miller named himself amongst the substitutes.


2006 Scottish Cup Final
The 2006 Scottish Cup Final was played on 13 May 2006 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the final of the 120th Scottish Cup. The final was contested by Heart of Midlothian (Hearts), who beat Hibernian 4–0 in the semi-final, and Gretna, who beat Dundee 3–0.


2006 Scottish Cup Final
Hearts had previously reached the final 13 times, winning six. Gretna, who were only admitted to the Scottish Football League in 2002, having previously competed in non-League English football, had never reached the final. Gretna became the first team from the third tier of Scottish football to reach a Scottish Cup Final.


2006 Scottish Cup Final
The cup holders were Celtic, who had beaten Dundee United 1–0  to win the previous final, but they were knocked out in the third round by First Division club Clyde who beat them 2–1.


2006 Scottish Cup Final
Hearts won the match 4–2 on penalties after the match had ended in a 1–1 draw after extra time.


2006 Scottish League Cup Final
The 2006 Scottish League Cup Final was a football match played on 19 March 2006 at Hampden Park in Glasgow. It was the final match of the 2005–06 Scottish League Cup and the 59th Scottish League Cup Final. The final was contested by Dunfermline Athletic and Celtic. Celtic won the match 3–0, thanks to goals from Maciej Zurawski, Shaun Maloney and Dion Dublin.


2006 Scottish League Cup Final
The Celtic team all wore the number 7 on their shorts in honour of former player Jimmy Johnstone, who had died a week earlier.


2006 Scream Awards
The Spike Scream Awards inaugurated an annual award show dedicated to the horror, science fiction, and fantasy genres of feature films. The show was created by executive producers Michael Levitt, Cindy Levitt, and Casey Patterson.


2006 Scream Awards
The 2006 ceremony was held on October 10, 2006 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, California. The ceremony was hosted by Grindhouse co-stars Rose McGowan, Marley Shelton and Rosario Dawson. Shock rocker Marilyn Manson presented the Scream Rock Immortal Award to Ozzy Osbourne. Rock groups My Chemical Romance and KoЯn performed.


2006 Scream Awards, Competitive categories
Nominees and winners for each announced category are listed below. Winners are listed in boldface.


2006 Seattle Mariners season
The  Seattle Mariners 2006 season was their 30th since the franchise creation, and their third consecutive season finishing at the bottom of the American League West, finishing with a 78–84 (.481) record.


2006 Seattle Mariners season
Two players were featured in the All-Star Game: Ichiro Suzuki, making his sixth appearance in the All-Star Game, and José López, with his first appearance.


2006 Seattle Mariners season
The Mariners' longest winning streak was 5 games, which they managed twice, between June 16–21 and June 24–29, counterpointed by their longest losing streak of 11 games from August 10–20.


2006 Seattle Mariners season, Player stats, Batting, Starters by position
Note: Pos = position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In


2006 Seattle Mariners season, Player stats, Batting, Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In


2006 Seattle Mariners season, Player stats, Pitching, Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = StrikeoutsOnly pitchers who qualified for the ERA title have been listed


2006 Seattle Mariners season, Player stats, Pitching, Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; SV = Saves; W = Wins; L = Losses; H = Holds; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts


2006 Seattle Mariners season, Player stats, Team statistics
Positions in brackets are in league with other MLB teams


2006 Seattle Mariners season, Player stats, Team statistics, Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; R = Runs; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In


2006 Seattle Mariners season, Player stats, Team statistics, Pitching
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts; SHO = Shutouts


2006 Seattle Mariners season, Major League Baseball Draft
Below is a complete list of Seattle Mariners draft picks from the June 2006 draft.


2006 Seattle Mariners season, Major League Baseball Draft
The Seattle Mariners took part in both the Major League Baseball Rule 4 draft but not the Rule 5 draft in 2006.


2006 Seattle Mariners season, Major League Baseball Draft
The 2006 Major League Baseball Draft was held from June 6 to 7. The Mariners selected a total of 50 players in the draft. Of those 50 players, the Mariners signed 26 players. They did however sign multiple players after the draft deadline.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season
The 2006 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's  31st season in the National Football League, fifth season playing at Qwest Field, and eighth under head coach Mike Holmgren. The season began with the team attempting to improve on their 13–3 record from 2005, repeat as National Football Conference (NFC) champions, and return to the Super Bowl. The team, while winning their NFC West division, only advanced as far as the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs, losing to eventual 2006 NFC champions Chicago Bears in overtime.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 1: at Detroit Lions
The Seahawks won their regular season opener against the Detroit Lions on September 10. Despite the Seahawks' offense failing to score a single point, Josh Brown had a big day, as he provided all of the Seahawks' points. He kicked a 20-yarder, a 50-yarder, and a 42-yard field goal as time expired to win the game. Meanwhile, the defense limited the Lions to just two field goals.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 1: at Detroit Lions
With the win, the Seahawks started out the season at 1–0.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Deion Branch trade
On September 11, the Seahawks announced they had acquired wide receiver Deion Branch in a trade with the New England Patriots. In return, they gave their first-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft to the Patriots.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 2: vs. Arizona Cardinals
After a low-scoring victory in Detroit, the Seahawks played their Week 2 home-opener against their fellow NFC West rival, the Arizona Cardinals. Unlike Game 1, Seattle's offense got off to a strong start, as RB Shaun Alexander got a 2-yard TD run, while QB Matt Hasselbeck completed a 49-yard TD pass to WR Darrell Jackson. That's how the rest of the first half would end up. In the third quarter, the score of the period was Arizona kicker Neil Rackers completed a 43-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Seahawks got a 1-yard TD run by FB Mack Strong.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 2: vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals would get a touchdown, which would come in the form of a 40-yard TD pass from QB Kurt Warner to WR Bryant Johnson, but fortunately, Seattle would maintain the lead for the win. The Seahawks would extend their home winning streak to 11 straight games and improved to 2–0.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 3: vs. New York Giants
The Seahawks held on to defeat the New York Giants 42–30 after leading 42–3 going into the 4th quarter. Prior to the game the Giants had complained to the NFL about the level of crowd noise at Qwest Field and suggested that some of the noise was artificial. Last year the Giants were called for 11 false start penalties in a 24–21 overtime loss at Seattle. The complaint became public and the predictable result was a boisterous Seattle crowd and inspired play from the team.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 3: vs. New York Giants
Deion Branch saw his first action with the Seahawks as he caught two passes for 23 yards and ran once for eight yards.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 3: vs. New York Giants
One day after the game, the Seahawks reported that MVP Running Back Shaun Alexander had a cracked bone in his foot that would sideline him for a few weeks.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 3: vs. New York Giants
With the win the Seahawks improved to 3–0 and increased their home game streak to 12 games.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 4: at Chicago Bears
The Seahawks met the 3–0 Chicago Bears in a primetime matchup of NFC powerhouses at Soldier Field. The Seahawks took the lead on an early field goal, but momentum quickly shifted to the hometown Bears. Two Matt Hasselbeck interceptions midway through the 2nd quarter led to 10 Chicago points and a 20–6 halftime lead. Any hopes for a comeback were erased after the Bears scored a touchdown on their first possession of the second half for a 27–6 lead.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 4: at Chicago Bears
The Seahawks running attack was diminished without the injured Shaun Alexander. Near constant pressure on Hasselbeck, including 5 sacks, thwarted the effectiveness of the 4 receiver offense that had confused the Giants the week before.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 4: at Chicago Bears
The team flight back to Seattle was diverted to South Dakota for a "medical emergency", which turned out to be Defensive Consultant Ray Rhodes feeling ill after the game. He was checked out at a Rapid City, South Dakota hospital and released.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 4: at Chicago Bears
With the loss, the Seahawks went into their bye week at 3–1.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 6: at St. Louis Rams
Still recovering from the loss to the Bears and without Shaun Alexander and WR Bobby Engram, the Hawks were ineffective for much of the first half. Trailing 21–7, Mike Holmgren blistered the paint in the locker room and a different Hawks team took the field in the second half. Seattle scored 20 unanswered points to lead 27–21 and looked to have put the game away after a Lofa Tatupu interception late in the game. However, RB Maurice Morris fumbled on the Ram 7-yard line with 2:48 left. A few plays later Ram QB Marc Bulger hit Torry Holt with a 67-yard TD pass to give the Rams a 28–27 lead with 1:38 remaining.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 6: at St. Louis Rams
Matt Hasselbeck engineered a final drive from the Seahawks' 17-yard line and led the team to the Rams' 31-yard line. A premature celebration erupted on the Rams' sideline as the Seahawks were called for an illegal formation after Hasselbeck spiked the ball to stop the clock with four seconds left in the game. The Rams believed the Seahawks had committed a false start which would have resulted in a ten-second runoff on the clock that would have ended the game. Instead, the Seahawks were penalized five yards, pushing them back to the 36-yard line. Despite the setback, Josh Brown still kicked a 54-yard field goal to win the game, 30–28.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 6: at St. Louis Rams
Brown's kick was tied for the second longest game-winning field goal in NFL history, behind Tom Dempsey's 63-yard effort in 1970. (It would be supplanted a week later by Tampa Bay kicker Matt Bryant's 62-yard field goal in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles.) Brown also became the first player in NFL history to make 3 field goals of 49 yards or longer in the same quarter. In the third quarter, Brown achieved the equally rare feat of hitting both uprights on an unsuccessful 34-yard field goal attempt.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 7: vs. Minnesota Vikings
The return of Steve Hutchinson had the 12th man at Qwest Field in a frenzy. A knee injury to Matt Hasselbeck early in the second half silenced them. An early 72-yard touchdown reception by Darrell Jackson staked the Seahawks to a 7–3 lead, but the Vikings scored a TD of their own in the second quarter and the teams went to the half tied at 10. On the Hawks first possession of the 3rd quarter, Vikings LB E.J. Henderson rolled onto Hasselbeck's right leg and sent the QB to the turf well after he had released the ball.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 7: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Hasselbeck left the field with the assistance of trainers, and did not return. Seneca Wallace took over at QB, completing  14 of 25 passes with two interceptions and a fumble in his own endzone. The Hawks gave up a 15-yard TD pass from RB Mewelde Moore to TE Jermaine Wiggins to trail 17–10 as Hasselbeck was walking to the locker room. They looked to have weathered the storm and recaptured momentum when punter Ryan Plackemeier pinned the Vikings on their own 5-yard line.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 7: vs. Minnesota Vikings
The next play resulted in the Vikings' longest ever TD play, a 95-yard romp by Chester Taylor that brought back memories of Bo and the Boz. Suddenly the deficit was 14 points. The Hawks drove for an FG to cut the lead to 11, but a failure to convert a 4th and 1 play on the next drive ended any hope of pulling out the game. The loss ended the Seahawks' 12-game winning streak at home.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 7: vs. Minnesota Vikings
An MRI scan on Hasselbeck's knee revealed a second degree sprain and he missed 4 games.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 7: vs. Minnesota Vikings
With the loss, the Seahawks fell to 4–2 and their 12-game winning streak at home was snapped.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 8: at Kansas City Chiefs
The Seahawks ventured to Arrowhead Stadium without stars Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander. Seneca Wallace made his first career start in a stadium where the Seahawks have won only twice in their last 20 visits. The story of the game was not the Seahawks wounded offence, but rather the failure of the supposedly healthy defence.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 8: at Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs controlled the ball for over 42 minutes of the contest, piled up 499 total net yards, and were able to sustain drives all afternoon. The Seahawks defence was only able to force one Chiefs punt, early in the fourth quarter. Despite being dominated in time of possession and yardage, the Seahawks found themselves leading the game 28–27 after a Kelly Herndon 61-yard TD return of a fumbled field goal attempt and a 49-yard TD grab by Darrell Jackson with just over 6 minutes remaining.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 8: at Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs responded as they had all game, with an 8-play, 80-yard drive capped off by Larry Johnson's 4th TD of the game. A successful 2-point conversion made the score 35–28. A last drive by the Seahawks ended when Seneca Wallace completed a short sideline pass to FB Mack Strong for 8 yards on 4th down and 15 from the Chiefs 46-yard line.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 8: at Kansas City Chiefs
Fox became the sixth network to air a game between these two teams. All Sunday afternoon meetings between 1977–97 were aired on NBC, then from 1998–2001 on CBS (which also aired the 2002 game in Seattle). ESPN broadcast Sunday night games in 1992 and 1998, TNT aired a Thursday night game in 1996, and ABC aired a Monday night game in 2000.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 9: vs. Oakland Raiders
Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Chiefs, the Seahawks returned home for a Monday Night match-up with the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders won the coin toss. It would be the last time fortune smiled on them on a windy and wet night at Qwest Field. In the first quarter, QB Seneca Wallace completed a 22-yard TD pass to WR Deion Branch. Later in the first quarter, kicker Josh Brown nailed a 20-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Brown would get a 25-yard field goal for the only score of the quarter. After a scoreless third quarter, Brown would put the game away with another 20-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 9: vs. Oakland Raiders
While the offense did their job, Seattle's defense had a huge night, sacking Raiders QB Andrew Walter nine times, including three consecutive times on the same set of downs.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 9: vs. Oakland Raiders
With their 16–0 victory over the Raiders, and a 42–0 appearance at the Eagles in 2005, dubbed the Monday Night Massacre by NFL Films, the Seahawks became the first team to post consecutive shutouts on Monday Night Football. Poetically, the Raiders became the first team to lose in back-to-back MNF shutouts, having lost 27–0 to the San Diego Chargers earlier in 2006.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 10: vs. St. Louis Rams
On a windy, rainy Sunday the Seahawks hosted the Rams looking to take an effective 3 game lead in the division with a win. The Seahawks drove the ball easily on their first possession, moving to the Ram 1-yard line. After a false start penalty, Seneca Wallace was sacked and fumbled, and the Rams returned the ball 89 yards for a touchdown. The Seahawks drove down the field again, this time maintaining possession to the endzone as Darrell Jackson caught a 3-yard TD pass. The lead would change hands 6 more times in the game.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 10: vs. St. Louis Rams
With the Rams holding a 16–14 lead in the fourth quarter, Rams coach Scott Linehan chose to challenge a call, nullifying a field goal. The challenge was upheld, but the Rams still faced a fourth down play. Instead of kicking another field goal to increase the lead, Linehan chose to go for a first down. The raucous Qwest Field rose to the occasion, and Rams FB Paul Smith could not hear the play call. Rather than run a pass route he stayed in the backfield to block, and Ram QB Marc Bulger's pass to double covered TE Klopfenstein fell incomplete.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 10: vs. St. Louis Rams
Nate Burleson returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown and a 21–16 lead. After a Rams TD with 2:37 remaining, a series of penalties against St. Louis changed momentum. A holding penalty nullified a successful 2 point convert. The second attempt failed. A 15-yard personal foul was assessed on the subsequent kickoff, and Josh Scobey returned the ball to the Ram 49-yard line. With a short field and time on the clock, Seneca Wallace and Maurice Morris drove the Seahawks to the Ram 20-yard line, where Josh Brown kicked a game-winning field goal with 9 seconds remaining.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 10: vs. St. Louis Rams
Brown kicked game-winning field goals in both games against the Rams that year.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 10: vs. St. Louis Rams
With their 4th straight win over the Rams, the Seahawks improved to 6–3.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers
The Seahawks travelled to Monster Park to face division rival San Francisco. Buoyed by the return of Shaun Alexander to the starting line-up, and having Matt Hasselbeck dressed as the 3rd quarterback, the Seahawks expected to take a stranglehold on the NFC West. Instead, they played a flat first half and fell behind by 20 points – 13 of those coming after 3 turnovers. The Seahawks also allowed the 49ers to gain 163 rushing yards in the first half, whereas Alexander had only 9 yards on 7 carries. He would finish with 37 yards on 17 carries.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers
A different Hawks team appeared in the second half, scoring quickly on a 38-yard touchdown reception by Deion Branch. The Seahawks added another long touchdown reception by Darrell Jackson with 6:40 remaining in the game, but could not get any closer. A key sequence in the last 2 minutes of the game saw Alexander stopped for a loss on 4th and 1. Following the change of possession, 49ers RB Frank Gore fumbled, recovered by Grant Wistrom. Given a second life, the Seahawks allowed a 9-yard loss on a sack before Seneca Wallace threw an interception. Instead of owning a 3-game lead in the division, the Seahawks only lead the surprising 49ers by a game. The teams meet again December 14 at Qwest Field.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 12: vs. Green Bay Packers
Snow fell on a Seahawks home game for the first time ever. In a setting that looked more like Green Bay's home field, the Seahawks started poorly on Monday Night Football. Matt Hasselbeck returned after missing 4 games and promptly turned the ball over four times in the first half. Shaun Alexander picked up the slack for the rusty Hasselbeck, rushing a team record 40 times for 201 yards on the evening. It was a return to MVP form for Alexander, who is still running on a cracked foot injured in the first week of the season.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 12: vs. Green Bay Packers
Josh Brown kicked four field goals in the first half to keep Seattle in the game, and they trailed only 14–12 at the half. All of Green Bay's points came off turnovers, the last 7 when a Hasselbeck fumble was returned for a TD. The snow stopped falling at halftime.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 12: vs. Green Bay Packers
Green Bay drove for a TD on their first possession of the second half to go up 21–12. After both teams had drives stall and were forced to punt, Hasselbeck led the Seahawks on a nine-play, 62-yard drive capped by a 23-yard pass to D. J. Hackett. Seattle drove again late in the third quarter, led by Alexander. On the second play of the 4th quarter, Hasselbeck found Darrell Jackson for a 4-yard TD toss. A 2-point convert gave the Seahawks a 27–21 lead.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 12: vs. Green Bay Packers
After a Green Bay field goal cut the Seahawks lead to 3 points, Hasselbeck threw his third TD to Jerramy Stevens to cap an 11-play, 51-yard drive. The Seahawks defense crushed the final three Green Bay drives with two interceptions and a fumble recovery to finish with 4 takeaways on the night.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 13: at Denver Broncos
The Seahawks travelled to Denver to face their old foe from the AFC West. On a frigid Sunday Night game, these Seahawks were able to accomplish what few of their predecessors managed – to come out of Denver with a win. Carrying on their recent troubling tendency of weak first half performances, the Seahawks fell behind 13–7 to the Broncos, who were led by first-time starter Jay Cutler. The Seahawks managed only 2 first downs and 67 yards of total offense in the first half, but remained in the game thanks to Darryl Tapp's 25-yard return of an intercepted Cutler pass for a TD.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 13: at Denver Broncos
In the second half, the teams traded punts and one turnover apiece until Seattle got the ball on its own 39-yard line with 9:42 left in the game. Two long pass completions from Matt Hasselbeck to Darrell Jackson put the Seahawks on the Broncos one-yard line. Shaun Alexander quickly took the ball into the endzone for a 14–13 Seahawks lead. The Broncos fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Joe Tafoya recovered. Assisted by a holding penalty on third down, the Seahawks moved the ball into range for Josh Brown to kick a 44-yard field goal.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 13: at Denver Broncos
The Broncos held onto the following kickoff, but on their first play Cutler threw an interception to Jordan Babineaux for Seattle's  9th takeaway in the past two games. The Seahawks again had to settle for a Brown 23-yard field goal for a 20–13 lead with 3:01 remaining, keeping Denver in the game. The failure to score a TD proved costly, as Cutler connected with WR Brandon Marshall on a 71-yard pass and run play for a game tying TD, assisted by some poor tackling by Seattle.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 13: at Denver Broncos
The Seahawks started the last drive at their own 14-yard line with 2:31 remaining. A key third down reception by Nate Burleson kept the drive alive, and Hasselbeck led the team down to the Broncos 32-yard line with 10 seconds remaining. Josh Brown came on to kick a game-winning, 50-yard FG, his fourth such kick of the season to tie an NFL record.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 13: at Denver Broncos
With the win the Seahawks' lead in the NFC West increased to three games over the 49ers and Rams as they improved to 8–4.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 14: at Arizona Cardinals
Coming off their Sunday night victory over the Broncos, the Seahawks flew to the University of Phoenix Stadium for an NFC West rematch with the Arizona Cardinals. In the first quarter, Seattle trailed early as Cardinals QB Matt Leinart completed a 56-yard TD pass to WR Bryant Johnson, while RB Edgerrin James got a 7-yard TD run. The Seahawks would respond with QB Matt Hasselbeck completing a 23-yard TD pass to WR D. J. Hackett. In the second quarter, Arizona increased its lead with kicker Neil Rackers nailing a 32-yard field goal.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 14: at Arizona Cardinals
Seattle would draw closer with Hasselbeck completing a 5-yard TD pass to WR Nate Burleson. In the third quarter, the Seahawks took the lead with Hasselbeck's 2-yard TD pass to WR Darrell Jackson for the only score of the period. However, in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals got the win with Leinart's 5-yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald and Rackers' 40-yard field goal. With the loss, Seattle fell to 8–5.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 15: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Despite the loss to the Cardinals, the Seahawks could still clinch the NFC West at home in a Thursday night game against the San Francisco 49ers with the Seahawks hoping to avenge the earlier loss to the 49ers. On a rainy, windy night, Seattle started off strong with RB Shaun Alexander getting a three-yard TD run for the only score of the first quarter. The 49ers offense was almost nonexistent in the first half, as seven of San Francisco's first eight drives ended in three-and-outs. However, the Seahawks still allowed a 39-yard field goal by Niners kicker Joe Nedney near the end of the half.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 15: vs. San Francisco 49ers
After a scoreless third quarter, Seattle's defense started giving way. 49ers QB Alex Smith completed an 8-yard TD pass to TE Vernon Davis. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Davis combined with an excellent kickoff return by Nate Burleson gave Seattle prime field position at the San Francisco 33-yard line. However, the Seahawks failed to convert on a fourth down play on the first series from scrimmage, and turned the ball over on downs. Smith would take advantage by driving his team downfield and completing a 20-yard TD pass to RB Frank Gore.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 15: vs. San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco delivered the final blow with Smith running for an 18-yard TD on a naked bootleg with no defenders near him. The Seahawks got a 22-yard touchdown from QB Matt Hasselbeck to TE Jerramy Stevens with under two minutes left, but it wouldn't be enough as Seattle would get swept by the 49ers. With the loss, the Seahawks fell to 8–6.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 16: vs. San Diego Chargers
Trying to end a two-game skid, the Seahawks went home for a Week 16 fight with the San Diego Chargers. After a scoreless first quarter, the Chargers struck in the second quarter with QB Philip Rivers completing a 9-yard TD pass to WR Vincent Jackson for the only score of the period. In the third quarter, San Diego increased its lead with kicker Nate Kaeding nailing a 46-yard field goal. Fortunately, Seattle started to strike back with RB Shaun Alexander getting a 33-yard TD run. However, the Chargers answered back with Kaeding kicking a 40-yard field goal.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 16: vs. San Diego Chargers
In the fourth quarter, the Seahawks finally took the lead with Alexander getting a 9-yard TD run, along with kicker Josh Brown's 33-yard field goal. However, the Chargers wrapped up the game with Rivers and Jackson hooking up again on a 37-yard TD pass. With the loss, Seattle fell to 8–7.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 17: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Trying the end a three-game skid, the Seahawks flew to Raymond James Stadium for their last game of the regular season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the first quarter, Seattle drew first blood with kicker Josh Brown nailing a 35-yard field goal, while RB Shaun Alexander got a 1-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Buccaneers would get their only score of the game as QB Tim Rattay completed a 4-yard TD pass to WR Joey Galloway.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 17: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Afterwards, Seattle took over for the rest of the game as QB Matt Hasselbeck completed a 5-yard TD pass to WR D. J. Hackett. In the second half, Brown wrapped up the game with a 30-yard field goal in the third goal, along with a 23-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. With the win, the Seahawks wrapped up the regular season at 9–7 and acquired the NFC's #4 seed.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Regular season, Week 17: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
However, CB'S Kelly Jennings, and Jimmy Williams were injured during the match. They would join Kelly Herndon and Marcus Trufant on the injured list.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Postseason
Seattle entered the postseason as the #4 seed in the NFC.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Postseason, NFC Wild Card Playoff: vs. #5 Dallas Cowboys
Entering the NFC playoffs as the fourth-seed, the Seahawks began their playoff run at home against the fifth-seeded Dallas Cowboys. In the first quarter, Seattle struck first blood with a 23-yard field goal, while Cowboys kicker Martín Gramática nailed a 50-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Seattle went back into the lead with Brown kicking a 30-yard field goal. However, Dallas took the lead with QB Tony Romo completing a 13-yard TD pass to WR Patrick Crayton before halftime.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Postseason, NFC Wild Card Playoff: vs. #5 Dallas Cowboys
In the third quarter, the Seahawks regained the lead with QB Matt Hasselbeck completing a 15-yard TD pass to TE Jerramy Stevens. However, following the touchdown drive, the Cowboys marched right back into the lead as WR Miles Austin returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Dallas increased its lead with Gramática kicking a 29-yard field goal.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Postseason, NFC Wild Card Playoff: vs. #5 Dallas Cowboys
Later, Seattle retook the lead with a safety off a Terry Glenn fumble from a hit by rookie CB Kelly Jennings, along with Hasselbeck hooking up with Stevens again on a 37-yard TD pass (followed up with a failed a two-point conversion). Afterwards, the Cowboys got into position to score late in the game, but Romo botched the hold of a field-goal attempt. He then ran to try for the first down or the touchdown, but was tackled by strong safety Jordan Babineaux. The Seahawks then ran out as much of the clock as they could. With two seconds left, Dallas had one final shot as Romo threw up a Hail Mary pass, but Seattle batted the ball down for the win.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Postseason, NFC Wild Card Playoff: vs. #5 Dallas Cowboys
With the victory, the Seahawks improved their overall record to 10–7 and advanced to the Divisional Round to take on the Chicago Bears. They also became the first team to win a playoff game after losing the Super Bowl since the 1997 Patriots.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Postseason, NFC Wild Card Playoff: vs. #5 Dallas Cowboys
In the words of the , the Seahawks won "a wild wild-card game."


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Postseason, NFC Divisional Playoff: at #1 Chicago Bears
Coming off the win over the Cowboys, the Seahawks traveled to Soldier Field to face the top-seeded Chicago Bears in the Divisional round. In the first quarter, Seattle trailed early with Bears RB Thomas Jones getting a 9-yard TD run for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, the Seahawks got on the board with QB Matt Hasselbeck completing a 16-yard TD pass to WR Nate Burleson. However, immediately following Seattle's score, Chicago responded with QB Rex Grossman completing a 68-yard TD pass to WR Bernard Berrian.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Postseason, NFC Divisional Playoff: at #1 Chicago Bears
The Seahawks struck back with RB Shaun Alexander getting a 4-yard TD run, yet Jones helped the Bears out with a 7-yard TD run. In the third quarter, Seattle took the lead with kicker Josh Brown kicking a 40-yard field goal, while Alexander got a 13-yard TD run. However, in the fourth quarter, Chicago tied the game with kicker Robbie Gould getting a 41-yard field goal. In overtime, the Seahawks won the coin toss and received the ball first. Hasselbeck led the team to around midfield, but on their last third down of the game, he threw the ball out of bounds. On fourth down the Seahawks punted to the Bears who were able to get the ball close enough for Gould to kick a 49-yard field goal.


2006 Seattle Seahawks season, Game summaries, Postseason, NFC Divisional Playoff: at #1 Chicago Bears
With the loss, Seattle ended its season with an overall record of 10–8.


2006 Seattle Storm season
The 2006 WNBA season was the seventh for the Seattle Storm. The Storm barely made the playoffs as the 4th seed, which they later lost to the Los Angeles Sparks in three games.


2006 Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council election
Elections to Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council were held on 4 May 2006. One third of the council was up for election and the council stayed under no overall control.


2006 Segunda División B play-offs
The 2006 Segunda División B play-offs (Playoffs de Ascenso or Promoción de Ascenso) were the final playoffs for promotion from 2005–06 Segunda División B to the 2006–07 Segunda División. The four first placed teams in each of the four Segunda División B groups played the Playoffs de Ascenso and the four last placed teams in Segunda División were relegated to Segunda División B. It also decided the one team which placed 16th to be relegated to the 2006–07 Tercera División.


2006 Segunda División B play-offs
The top four placed teams from each group in the Segunda División B played in the Liguilla de Ascenso. Each liguilla contained one team from each of the four regular season groups. Teams were then drawn to plan one another with the 1st placed team in each group playing the 4th placed team, and the 2nd placed playing 3rd. The winners of these ties then played each other with the winning team being promoted.


2006 Segunda División B play-offs
The teams finishing 16th in each group of the Segunda División B were drawn into 2 pairs, with the losing teams then played each other with the losing team being relegated to the Tercera División.


2006 Segunda División B play-offs
All ties were two-legged, with each team playing once at home. The winner of each tie was determined by aggregate score, with draws being separated by the away goals rule or a penalty shoot-out where necessary.


2006 Segunda División B play-offs, Promotion play-offs
The regular season finished on the 27 May and the play-offs began on the 3 June.


2006 Segunda División B play-offs, Relegation play-off, Matches
The two losers of this tournament will play another tie, which will decide the team that will be relegated to the 2006-07 Tercera División.


2006 Senior League World Series
The 2006 Senior League World Series took place from August 13–19 in Bangor, Maine, United States. Punto Fijo, Venezuela defeated Pearl City, Hawaii in the championship game.


2006 Seniors Torneo Godó
The 2006 Seniors Torneo Godó was the first edition of the Seniors Torneo Godó and it took place from April 20–23, 2006.


2006 Seniors Torneo Godó
Tie-breaks were used for the first two sets of each match, which was the best of three sets. If the score was tied at one set all, a 'Champions Tie-break' (the first player to win at least 10 points or by a margin of two points) would be used.


2006 Seniors Torneo Godó
Sergi Bruguera won the inaugural edition by defeating Carlos Costa 6–1, 6–4 in the final.


2006 Seniors Torneo Godó, Draw
The list of players was confirmed on 10 April 2006. Marcelo Ríos, winner of the first two tournaments at Doha and Hong Kong, was initially considered but later discarded.


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum
A referendum on a proposed draft of the new Serbian constitution was held on October 28 and 29 October 2006 and resulted in the draft constitution being approved by the Serbian electorate. The constitution is Serbia's first as an independent state since the Kingdom of Serbia's 1903 constitution. Over 6.6 million people were entitled to vote in the national referendum.


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, Background
The previous Constitution of Serbia was adopted in 1990, when Slobodan Milošević was President of Serbia. When he was ousted on October 5, 2000, one of pre-election promises of the new Democratic Opposition of Serbia coalition government was to adopt a new constitution. That did not occur, however, as the coalition soon fell apart following disputes between the President of Yugoslavia, Vojislav Koštunica, and the Prime Minister of Serbia, Zoran Đinđić, which ended with Koštunica's Democratic Party of Serbia leaving the government of Serbia, dominated by Đinđić's Democratic Party.


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, Background
The 1990 constitution contained several anachronisms, such as a provision for "social property", which was neither privately nor state owned. Also, it significantly reduced the level of autonomy of Serbia's two provinces (Vojvodina and Kosovo), which had been introduced in the Titoist constitution of 1974. It required a two-thirds majority in parliament and a qualified majority of 50% of the electorate to be changed. Koštunica advocated that the change of constitution be in accordance with the constitution of 1990, while many other parties suggested the provisions for constitutional change be ignored, advocating elections for a Constitutional parliament.


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, Background
Following Đinđić's assassination in March 2003, general election was held in December 2003 but was considered inconclusive due to low voter turnout. In March 2004, Koštunica became the Prime Minister. At the same time, the Serbian Radical Party experienced a revival and became the single largest party in parliament, but it was excluded from government.


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, Background
The issue was revisited in 2005, when the teams selected by President Boris Tadić and the Government presented their drafts of the constitution to the public. In June 2006 Serbia became an independent state when Montenegro decided to put an end to the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro at a referendum, making a new constitution urgent. The Kosovo status talks also necessitated the quick adoption of a new constitution which would affirm Serbian desires to keep the province under its sovereignty, in accordance with international law and UN Security Council Resolution #1244.


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, Background
On October 1, 2006, followed by short negotiations among the largest parliamentary parties, the Parliament of Serbia unanimously adopted the draft of the new Constitution, with 242 MPs voting in favour. The other eight were not present. The draft was the result of a compromise among the key political parties. Some considered the way in which it had been drawn up to be reasonably untransparent, and the result of political horse-trading. In the preamble, a statement that "Kosovo is an autonomous province of Serbia with significant autonomy" was included. It was decided that the constitutional referendum was to be held on October 28 and October 29.


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, Background
All major political parties supported the draft and began a public campaign for the referendum. The only  political bloc that campaigned against the draft and advocated public boycott was a group of liberal and social-democrat parties (Čedomir Jovanović's Liberal Democratic Party, Nenad Čanak's League of Vojvodina Social Democrats,  Žarko Korać's Social Democratic Union, Nataša Mićić's Civic Alliance of Serbia) and  a number of NGOs. They objected to the lack of public discussion, argued that the claims to Kosovo in the preamble were a populist attempt to encourage the voters. Some were also dissatisfied with the level of autonomy given to Vojvodina. (On the 2007 election, those parties formed the coalition and entered the Parliament with about 5.3% support).


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, The constitution
In the first article, Serbia is defined as a "state of the Serb people and all its citizens", and in the preamble Kosovo is defined as an "integral part" of Serbia with "fundamental autonomy". Also, it defines Serbia as an independent state for the first time since 1918. In addition, it makes Cyrillic the only alphabet for official use, while making provisions for minority languages to be used at the local level.


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, The constitution
Differences between the new constitution and that adopted in 1990 include the following:


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, Controversy
While it was more or less universally accepted that the new constitution draft was a significant improvement over the 1990 constitution, the main objections of the public were directed at the untransparent way in which the draft was drawn up and approved by parliament. Even President Tadić acknowledged that "...I sense a certain uneasiness that we did not have a full public discussion about the constitution, due to the speed and pace at which it was seems to be adopted".


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, Controversy
Several international law experts and independent analysts pointed out that the new article 16, which states that all international treaties must comply with the provisions of the constitution, sets up an inherent conflict, and can present an obstacle to the country's accession to European Union.


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, Controversy
Another obstacle was how to ensure the constitutional limit of 50% of registered voters. Republic Election Commission (RIK) placed the total number of electors at 6,639,385—that excluded Kosovo Albanians, who have been boycotting all Serbian elections and censuses since 1990. Critics pointed that it's hypocritical to exclude Albanian voters from the balloting about the document which states that Kosovo is part of Serbia. Political analyst and president of Transparency Serbia Vladimir Goati said that  "It is pointless to state that they are not on the voter list, because they are boycotting all Serbian elections.


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, Controversy
If you recognize someone as a citizen of your country, then you cannot take away his or her right to boycott. "; however, the practice of excluding Kosovo Albanians has been adopted in several elections before. Also, opponents of the constitution such as Serbia's Liberal Party pointed out that the decision of the Republic Election Commission that potentially an extra number of ballots would be ignored, was unlawful and outrageous.


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, Results
According to preliminary counts published by the Republic Election Commission, 51.46% of the electorate (95.9% of those voting) supported the constitution, with 50% support needed for it to come into effect. The voter turnout amounted to 53.66%. The turnout of registered voters in Kosovo reached 90.1%, Albanians in Southern Serbia (Kosovo and Metohia) who constitute the majority of population in these areas ignored the referendum. The turnout in Vojvodina was also low (45.9%), as several regional parties and NGOs called for a boycott, stating that the degree of the province's autonomy was insufficient.


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, Results
The Speaker of the Vojvodina provincial assembly, Bojan Kostreš, accused the authorities of "forcing the new constitution". "The final voting hours were very strange, with a sudden, steep rise in turnout", he said. Several political analysts pointed out that similar scenarios have happened before; analyst Đorđe Vukadinović stated that "...the turnout of three to five percent per hour has been reached on several occasions in the past ten years.


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, Results
", while many commentators also pointed out that non-stop public messages on TV urging people to vote, the appearance of Serbian Patriarch Pavle voting on a TV broadcast, and an increase in awareness about the problems that would occur if the referendum failed, may also have played the role in increasing turnout.


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, Results
The final results of the referendum were declared by the Republic Election Commission on 2 November 2006: voter turnout amounted to 3,645,517, or 54.91% of the electorate (totally 6,639,385 citizens), of which 25,866 votes were declared invalid and thus the final valid figure of 3,619,221 votes published. The new constitution was supported by 3,521,724 voters, or 53.04% of the electorate and 96.60% of those voting; 97,497 voters (1.47% of those registered and 2.67% of those voting) were against the new constitution; 25,866 votes were invalid.


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, Reactions
The referendum and the text of the new Serbian Constitution have been sharply criticized by International Crisis Group.


2006 Serbian constitutional referendum, Reactions
Despite the drawbacks, the European Union and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe endorsed the proposed changes. Cristina Gallach, spokeswoman of  EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, stated that "[The EU] positively assesses the fact that Serbia is changing the Constitution from the time of Slobodan Milošević".


2006 Serena Williams tennis season
Serena Williams's 2006 tennis season was hampered by injury, She was only able to play 4 tournaments and was outside of the top 100 for the first time since 1997.


2006 Serena Williams tennis season, Year summary, Australian Open
Williams in her biography talking about her meltdown on court.


2006 Serena Williams tennis season, Year summary, Australian Open
Williams did not have any preparation into defending her title at the Australian Open. Williams faced China's Li Na and won in three sets dropping the second set in a tie-break, but winning the first and third set comfortably. In the second round she defeated Frenchwoman Camille Pin dropping just four games. Williams then faced Daniela Hantuchová in the round of 32. Williams dropped the first set by winning only a single game. In the second set Williams saved three match points in the twelfth game to push it to a tie-break. Hantuchová took the tie-break on her fifth match point. The loss meant that Williams will drop outside of the top 40 since entering it in 1998.


2006 Serena Williams tennis season, Year summary, Early hard courts, clay court and grass season
She then withdrew from tournaments in Tokyo (citing her lack of fitness) and Dubai and from the Tier I NASDAQ-100 Open in Key Biscayne (citing a knee injury and lack of fitness). On April 10, her ranking fell out of the top 100 for the first time since November 16, 1997. Shortly after, she announced that she would miss both the French Open and Wimbledon because of a chronic knee injury. She said that she would not be able to compete before "the end of the summer", on doctor's orders.


2006 Serena Williams tennis season, Year summary, US Open Series, Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open
Williams came back ranked no. 139 at the Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open and faced world no. 11 Anastasia Myskina, she won easily losing only four games. She then faced Bethanie Mattek in the next round and won, once again just dropping four games. The following round, Williams defeated compatriot Amy Frazier, once again losing only four games for the third match in a row. In the semifinals, she took on Russian Vera Zvonareva and fell in straight sets.


2006 Serena Williams tennis season, Year summary, US Open Series, JPMorgan Chase Open
In her only third tournament of the year, she played the JPMorgan Chase Open. She cruised pass through her first two matches Maria Kirilenko and Ashley Harkleroad winning in straight sets. In the third round she faced Daniela Hantuchová and lost the first set winning only a game. However, Williams came back winning the next two at three. In the quarterfinals, Williams faced compatriot Meghann Shaughnessy, the first set went to a tie-breaker, which Shaughnessy won. However, Williams came back and won the next two sets easily. Williams then faced Jelena Janković in the semifinals. Janković broke Williams in tenth game of the first set to take the set. Janković took control of the second set by breaking Williams in the fourth game and that paved way for Janković to advance to the final.


2006 Serena Williams tennis season, Year summary, US Open Series, US Open
Williams was unable to enter US Open as a direct entry, but received a wildcard. Williams began her Open against Spaniard Lourdes Domínguez Lino and quickly dispatched the 41 ranked player in straight sets. For the third time in four tournaments Williams has played, she once again faced Daniela Hantuchová, Hantuchová served for the first set in the ninth game, but Williams pegged her back, breaking and winning the next three games. Williams then took the second set to advance.


2006 Serena Williams tennis season, Year summary, US Open Series, US Open
Williams then faced a young up-and-comer in Ana Ivanovic and cruised through with a straight set win to become the first wildcard entry to advance to the round of 16. In the fourth round, Williams faced top seed Amelie Mauresmo. Mauresmo took the first set with a single break, however in the second set Williams came back winning it in a bagel. In the final set Mauresmo broke in the fifth game of the third set and won the last three games to advance.


2006 Setanta Sports Cup
The 2006 Setanta Sports Cup was the 2nd staging of the cross-border cup competition that takes place between football clubs from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The final was played at Tolka Park in Dublin, Republic of Ireland on 22 April 2006, where Drogheda United beat Cork City to win the competition for the first time.


2006 Setanta Sports Cup, Group stage
The draw for this round was held 12 December 2005. The matches were played 20 February 2006 – 3 April 2006.


2006 Setanta Sports Cup, Semi-finals
The draw for the semi-finals was made by drawing the winners of Group A against the runners-up of Group B and vice versa, with group winners having home advantage. There would be no replays if the matches were drawn; instead, extra time would decide winners immediately thereafter. If extra time did not decide the winners, a set of five alternating penalty kicks would decide winners.


2006 Setanta Sports Cup, Final
Similarly to the semi-finals, there would be no replay even if the match was drawn; instead, extra time would be used to decide the winners. If extra time failed to separate the two sides, the match would go to penalties.


2006 Seychellois presidential election
Presidential elections were held in the Seychelles between 28 and 30 July 2006. Incumbent president James Michel of the Seychelles People's Progressive Front was re-elected with 54% of the vote.


2006 Seychellois presidential election, Results
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2006 Seychellois presidential election, Results
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2006 Shanghai International Film Festival
The 2006 Shanghai International Film Festival was the ninth such festival to be held, and took place over the course of two weeks between June 17 and June 25, 2006.


2006 Shanghai International Film Festival
In all, over 764 films were submitted, but only seventeen were selected to compete for the Golden Goblet or "Jin Jue." The jury was chaired by French filmmaker Luc Besson.


2006 Shanghai International Film Festival, International reaction
The 2006 rendition of the Shanghai International Film Festival was meant to place the program as a top echelon international festival. Problems plagued the two-week festival, however, including poor Chinese-English translations and a failure by many of the filmmakers to even attend the award ceremony.


2006 Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite
The Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite was a plebiscite on the creation of the Province of Shariff Kabunsuan in the Philippines. The plebiscite was conducted on October 28, 2006 and results were announced on October 31, 2006.


2006 Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite
The proposed province — named after Shariff Mohammed Kabungsuwan, an Arab-Malay Islamic preacher who introduced Islam to central Mindanao in the 16th century, — was established under Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 201 which was signed into law by ARMM Regional Governor Zaldy Ampatuan on September 7, 2006. MMAA 201 provided for the creation of a new province comprising the nine municipalities of Barira, Buldon, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Parang, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, and Upi, all of the first legislative district of the province of Maguindanao. A tenth municipality, Datu Blah T. Sinsuat, was created within the proposed province on September 16, 2006, weeks prior to the actual plebiscite for the creation of the province.


2006 Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite
Maguindanao Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr. originally pushed for the creation of the new province to "decentralize governance and maximize development in poor Muslim communities, most of which have been areas of armed conflict for decades." He and his son ARMM Regional Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, campaigned for the creation of Shariff Kabunsuan to better extend government services to residents, particularly those in the "precipitous" parts of the area.


2006 Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite, Referendum question
The Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite was supervised and officiated by the COMELEC pursuant to Resolution No. 7727.


2006 Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite, Referendum question
DO YOU APPROVE OF THE CREATION OF THE PROVINCE OF SHARIFF KABUNSUAN, INTO A DISTINCT AND INDEPENDENT PROVINCE COMPRISING THE MUNICIPALITIES OF BARIRA, BULDON, DATU ODIN SINSUAT, KABUNTALAN, MATANOG, PARANG, SULTAN KUDARAT, SULTAN MASTURA, UPI AND DATU BLAH T. SINSUAT IN THE PROVINCE OF MAGUINDANAO, PURSUANT TO MMA ACT NO. 201?


2006 Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite, Results
The following municipalities seceded from Maguindanao and formed the new province. All of them were from the first legislative district of Maguindanao.


2006 Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite, Results
Datu Odin Sinsuat was designated the capital of the new province, per Section 1 of MMA Act 201.


2006 Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite, Results
The province was the first to be created under Republic Act No. 9054 or the Expanded ARMM law.


2006 Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite, Aftermath
By 2008, in Sema v. COMELEC and Dilangalen, the Supreme Court ruled the creation of the province as unconstitutional, as the constitution only gives Congress the power of creating legislative districts; this means that provinces and cities, which are made up of legislative districts, can only be created by a Republic Act made by Congress. This led to the province being reverted to Maguindanao.


2006 Sharpie 500
The 2006 Sharpie 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race held on August 26, 2006 at Bristol Motor Speedway, in Bristol, Tennessee. Contested over 500 laps on the 0.533 mile (0.857 km) concrete short track, it was the 24th race of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season. Matt Kenseth of Roush Racing won the race.


2006 Sharpie 500, Race recap
One of the most popular races on the circuit, the Sharpie 500, NASCAR's twenty-fourth race of the season was held on August 26, 2006 under the lights on the 0.533-mile Bristol International Speedway. Kurt Busch won the pole for this event. Matt Kenseth won his second straight Nextel Cup race and, along with points leader Jimmie Johnson, clinched a berth in the Chase for the Nextel Cup.


2006 Sheffield City Council election
Sheffield City Council elections took place on Thursday 4 May 2006 with polling stations open between 7am and 10pm. One third of council seats were up for election; one in each ward, plus one additional seat in Ecclesall due to a resignation. The overall turnout this year was 34.5%, down considerably from the previous year's general election turnout at 43.9 per cent turnout in Sheffield.


2006 Sheffield City Council election, Election result
This result has the following consequences for the total number of seats on the Council after the elections:


2006 Shelbourne F.C. season
In the 2006 season, Shelbourne were crowned League of Ireland Premier Division champions.


2006 Shelbourne F.C. season, Overview
Despite having battled with dire finances for much of the 2006 season, mainly due to market risk-taking in the drive for success, over-expenditure on player-purchase fees, high wages, low home attendance rates and continuing tax debts, Shelbourne actually managed to win the title. However, they had been hit with three winding-up orders by the Revenue Commissioners within a spell of nine months but just about managed to gather enough funds and investment to keep the tax collectors off their backs and keep the club running on each occasion.


2006 Shelbourne F.C. season, Overview
This was at the expense of the players, though, who had gone for weeks without their wages and it seemed that the only thing keeping them performing at the club was the season's climax and the drive for the title, as well as promises (which ultimately turned out to be empty) of a remedy. Once the season came to a close the rot set in and the general public were made fully aware of the true extent of how poor a state the club were in.


2006 Shelbourne F.C. season, Overview
Due to the finances, many found it extraordinary that Shelbourne had been awarded a Premier Division licence for 2007 by the Independent Assessment Group a few months earlier. They saw it as another chance to criticise the lack of transparency within the organisation that appointed the Group who were supposed to dispense licences to clubs who were solvent and financially stable for the foreseeable future - the Football Association of Ireland. The association has been well used to criticism of its administration in the past, but clearly, the Group could not have been said to have performed their role effectively.


2006 Shelbourne F.C. season, Overview
Manager Pat Fenlon tendered his resignation from Shelbourne on 5 December 2006. This was in spite of Shelbourne winning the title on goal difference from Derry City. Fenlon's departure precipitated a widescale exodus from Tolka Park, as players, unhappy with the wage situation, departed to rival clubs - many having their contracts rescinded by law.


2006 Shelbourne F.C. season, Personnel, 2006 Squad Members
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2006 Shelbourne F.C. season, Personnel, Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2006 Shelbourne F.C. season, Final League, League results summary
Last updated: November 17, 2006. Source: League of Ireland Premier Division Fixtures