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Today's featured article The Timor Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL) is the military body responsible for the defence of East Timor. The F-FDTL was established in February 2001 and currently comprises two small infantry battalions, a small Naval Component and several supporting units. The F-FDTL's primary role is to protect East Timor from external threats. It also has an internal security role, which overlaps with that of the Policia Nacional de Timor Leste. This has led to tensions between the services, which have been exacerbated by poor morale and indiscipline within the F-FDTL. The F-FDTL's problems came to a head in 2006 when almost half the force was dismissed following protests over discrimination and poor conditions. The dismissal contributed to a general collapse of both the F-FDTL and PNTL in May, and forced the government to request foreign peacekeepers to restore security. The F-FDTL is currently being rebuilt with foreign assistance and has drawn up a long-term force development plan. (more...) Recently featured: "The Last Temptation of Krust" – Kuiper belt – Draped Bust dollar Did you know... From Wikipedia's newest content: ... that a bikini-clad rendition of the "Cat Daddy" dance by the reigning Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model Kate Upton (pictured) was temporarily banned from YouTube? ... that the German National Library of Science and Technology, the world's largest specialty library in its field, has 125 km (78 mi) of shelf space? ... that an obituary in The Independent called Lady June "a great British eccentric and cosmic prankster"? ... that Christ's College Big School is the oldest educational building in New Zealand in continuous use? ... that the first 140 amino acids encoded by the gene TMEM106A are deleted along with BRCA1 during early-onset breast cancer? ... that missing 20th Century Fox executive Gavin Smith set a single-season record of 23.4 points per game playing University of Hawaii basketball that still stands? ... that National Hero of Indonesia Pong Tiku used chili pepper extract to blind his Dutch foes?

In the news Love, directed by Michael Haneke (pictured), wins the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. In motorsport, Dario Franchitti wins the Indianapolis 500. In cycling, Ryder Hesjedal wins the Giro d'Italia, becoming the first Canadian to win a Grand Tour. In cricket, the Indian Premier League concludes with the Kolkata Knight Riders defeating the Chennai Super Kings in the final. "Euphoria", by Swedish singer Loreen, wins the Eurovision Song Contest. At least 116 civilians are killed in a massacre in Houla, Syria. On this day... May 29: International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers; Democracy Day in Nigeria 1867 – By the Austro-Hungarian Compromise, signed by Franz Joseph I of Austria and a Hungarian delegation led by Ferenc Deák, the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary was established. 1914 – The ocean liner RMS Empress of Ireland sank in the Saint Lawrence River after colliding with the Storstad, killing 1,012 on board. 1942 – Bing Crosby (pictured) recorded his version of the song "White Christmas", which went on to become the best-selling single of all time, with over 50 million copies sold. 1954 – The first annual Bilderberg Group meeting of leaders from European countries and the United States took place in Oosterbeek, Netherlands. 1985 – A wall at Brussels' Heysel Stadium collapsed under the pressure of football fans escaping a riot before the European Cup Final between Liverpool and Juventus, killing 39 people and injuring over 600 others. More anniversaries: May 28 – May 29 – May 30 It is now May 29, 2012 (UTC) – Refresh this page

Today's featured picture Sceliphron spirifex is a species of sphecid wasp. It has a medium sized body (17–27 millimetres or 0.7–1.1 inches), which is dull black with a long, yellow petiole (waist). The legs are black with yellow bands, the antennae are black and the wings are clear. Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim Recently featured: Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor – Century of Progress – Red-and-yellow Barbet

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