Wikipedia:In the news/Candidates/January 2009

Archived discussion for January 2009 from Wikipedia:In the news section on the Main Page/Candidates.

• 2009 Southern Australia heat wave - This is considered the worst heat wave in Southern Australia since records began. Australian sources state that no one has died of heat-related causes, but overseas sources say anywhere from 2 to 31 people have died, but the local authorities state that none of these have been confirmed. I'm inclined to value the quality of the source in the country of origin from the Ambulance and medical authorities themselves. Needless to say this story qualifies for ITN inclusion. Nick carson (talk) 05:08, 31 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The article is in a good shape. Please, suggest a wording. --Tone 09:00, 31 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Posted. --BorgQueen (talk) 20:11, 31 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Can we please use the updated wording on the main page? Nick carson (talk) 03:17, 1 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Does someone want to add more prose to 2009 Australian Open? It's on WP:ITNSPORTS, and results for womens singles are out now. Spencer^T♦C 19:29, 31 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• I was thinking Australia was a bit neglected... now two in a row... --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 19:48, 31 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Don't worry. Once the tennis thing goes up, people will be complaining about bias. It's typical. Spencer^T♦C 20:18, 31 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

even though australians wont win the open u will see many posts against it lol. 99.237.101.160 (talk) 21:30, 31 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Hey, we had allegations of U.S. biaz about the America's Cup so... –Howard the Duck 01:49, 1 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Well I'm not a huge tennis fan but I'd say it makes perfect sense that the Grand Slams get included. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 03:03, 1 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• If Australia can do it then why not Kenya too... double the deaths in this rather gruesome incident. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 03:56, 1 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]
  • Over 50 people are killed and 82 critically injured following an oil spillage ignition in Molo, Kenya.
  • Correction: The death toll has risen to 111 according to the astonishing BBC report I've just witnessed. :O --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 04:05, 1 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

But, as I can find no online ref for that increase yet, I say leave it at the original "over 50" and I'll notify if I can find a change. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 04:08, 1 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Posted. --BorgQueen (talk) 05:36, 1 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Sky and Radio New Zealand sources now saying 111 deaths. Please change if you're reading this and able to do so. I shall assist by leaving a screaming edit summary in the hope that it attracts attention. Thank you. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 09:28, 1 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Please don't. It only annoys us. --Golbez (talk) 09:46, 1 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry for waking you. I'll bear that in mind in future. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 15:13, 1 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Somali presidential election, 2009: Somalia has a new president, Sharif Ahmed! Wording: Sharif Ahmed is elected President of Somalia in an indirect election. Spencer^T♦C 20:25, 31 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I suggest mentioning that it's held in Djibouti. This is probably a government-in-exile, after the Islamists captured Baidoa a few days ago, and won't really rule in Somalia. --PFHLai (talk) 21:42, 31 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Is this better? Wording: After an indirect election held in Djibouti, Sharif Ahmed is elected President of Somalia. Spencer^T♦C 03:11, 1 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Posted. --BorgQueen (talk) 04:41, 1 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Qimonda, the world's fifth-largest manufacturer of DRAM chips whose end would "certainly weaken if not cripple Europe's largest semiconductor cluster", declared insolvency (or filed for bankruptcy, according to some sources: [1]). Sources do not agree whether it is insolvency or bankruptcy, which are not the same. However the company filed for it on 23 Jan - Is it too late to consider this for ITN now? --BorgQueen (talk) 11:13, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Who gets to decide how late? Is there is a rule or is it just as long as somebody agrees? --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 12:36, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Slightly older items can be posted lower on ITN's bullet list, and it will be removed sooner as the conveyer belt proceeds down. Pope Benedict, the oldest current item, was nommed and posted on the 24th though, so it's borderline. I didn't see a rule in WP:ITNMP and any admin can post an item without discussion first, but s/he must have very good reasons if it's likely to be questionable for any reason, as any admin can remove it too. TransUtopian (talk) 19:57, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Hm, if the sources are not consistent what happened, I'd prefer waiting. Though it's a bit, we have newer items featured already. --Tone 20:12, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

When a new item about some old news gets onto ITN, it gets itself bumped off because it's the oldest news, then you know it's too late. So we don't need a written rule at WP:ITNMP on this, eh? On this note, I wonder if we need sth about the war in Somalia soon (Islamist forces captured Baidoa on Jan.26th, forcing the Transitional Federal Government to flee to Djibouti....), before this is too late for ITN. --PFHLai (talk) 21:32, 31 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Nakamutt fire

• At least 14 people are killed and 47 reported missing following a massive fire at a supermarket in downtown Nairobi, Kenya.

• One I've updated for later. As its only just been reported I think I've got all the information that's available but I'll leave that up to whoever views it. The police appear to be investigating reports that people were purposefully prevented from escaping which probably increases its notability. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 14:42, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The article is in good shape. I'd like some more comments before posting. --Tone 20:12, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Posting. Spencer^T♦C 21:33, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Mount Redoubt (Alaska)

• Mount Redoubt, a volcano near Anchorage, Alaska that has been dormant for nineteen years, is showing signs of an eruption, with volcanic earthquakes occurring every hour.

-- Matthewedwards (talk • contribs • email) 16:50, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

That sounds like just one to watch for now as, until it at least does erupt, I would think there are more ITN-worthy items between yesterday and today. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 17:12, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, you are probably right. Matthewedwards (talk • contribs • email) 19:51, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Actually, if this is put on the main page, I feel I should be given credit. I largely expanded the article over the course of the past several weeks, and have generally kept it in shape since it passed its GA review. Plus, the recent sources added to the article were improperly formatted and disrupted the article's proper structure. Ceran^→//forge 20:32, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I think you'd get credit anyway. ITN credits, just like DYKs, go to nominators and main contributors. Anyway, I didn't mean to step on your toes, I just thought that it was an important news item that was suitable for ITN. As for not formatting the refs, I did intend to format them but got distracted by RL. Apologies. Matthewedwards (talk • contribs • email) 21:06, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Effects of the 2008-9 Global Financial Crisis on Museums

• Brandeis University announces that it will close the Rose Art Museum and deaccession its entire collection.

--I'm not sure how to fit the article I just created into the hook.... Lithoderm 20:03, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Is the museum itself important enough for ITN? Perhaps the article you've created would be more suitable for DYK? --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 20:07, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

This is probably a better candidate for DYK, indeed. --Tone 20:12, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• The Illinois Senate votes unanimously to remove Governor Rod Blagojevich from office and bar him from holding future office in the state. (Chicago Tribune)
  • Support. I'm OK with the Iceland thing, but if we can have a change of government in a country of 300,000, we should have the highly remarkable removal from office of a governor of a state of 12 million. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 23:52, 29 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Any reason that a questionable Blagojevich item went up without even a mention here, not to mention consensus? Spencer^T♦C 00:27, 30 January 2009 (UTC) Wow, I missed the above. I am hiding (not removing) the Blagojevich item because the only updated part of the article I see is the intro, but there also needs to be a body paragraph about this, with refs. Spencer^T♦C 00:32, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I agree, we need a lot more consensus on this before it goes up. Also, Mwalcoff, it's a bit more than numbers. After all, as you said yourself, you're comparing a state with a country. Master of Puppets _{Call me MoP! :D} 00:36, 30 January 2009 (UTC) ,[reply]

I wouldn't know where to look for it, but I recall that when he was first arrested, then impeached, the consensus was "Wait until the final Senate vote." Well, here it is. -- The original poster, Fishal (talk) 00:55, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I think the impeachment of the first US state governor in 20 years is sufficiently notable for ITN. It is a lead article on CNN, BBC, IHT and Reuters. I agree with Spencer that there should be a reference body paragraph in addition to the intro. (Otherwise the article is lopsided, updating the intro but having no significant mention of the current outcome in the body.) TransUtopian (talk) 01:10, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Support I just added some refs to the WP:LEAD. Check out the edit count and make sure I get a credit on my talk page. On my first ITN, I got overlooked at first.--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/WP:CHICAGO/WP:LOTM) 01:18, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Support. Very far from a routine occurence. An involuntary change in leadership of the fifth largest US state is certainly significant. Coverage in international press is prominent and demonstrates the broad interest. Dragons flight (talk) 01:36, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Removal of a "provincial" head is significant??

Okay, we have stuff in the lead, but we still need info in the article- a paragraph of prose with refs. Once this has been accomplished, I will unhide. Currently, I just see a one-sentence mention. Spencer^T♦C 01:41, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

We already have three paragraphs in the body devoted to the impeachment trial over the last three days. I suppose one could add information about the reaction, aftermath, etc., but personally, I'd say the coverage of the trial proceedings is sufficient to meet ITN criteria. Dragons flight (talk) 02:13, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

And said paragraphs have ample refs. Fishal (talk) 02:23, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I'm waiting for an admin to say it still lacks something else so that the day passes which means this is not news anymore. –Howard the Duck 06:12, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Since we said last time that we should wait for the vote, this can go up now (when the article is ok). --Tone 08:16, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

(<--)I have unhidden now, per above comments and generally better-expanded article about the event. If someone wants to upload the photo... Spencer^T♦C 11:36, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Can we say he is a Democrat? We can amend "bar him from holding future office in the state" into "disqualify him from political office" so adding his political party would only had 5 letters. –Howard the Duck 11:53, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Why? We didn't mention Obama was a Democrat either time. What makes his party more significant? I can't be bothered looking back that far but I'm doubtful we mentioned Bush was a Republican. Nil Einne (talk) 12:26, 31 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I think we've put party affiliation for crises in other countries (Thai political crisis). Check: Wikipedia:ITN_in_2008#November, and we did put Obama's political affiliation on his election, but not inauguration. I'm not sure though, that his party is exactly significant. Spencer^T♦C 19:38, 31 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

When didn't put Obama's party initially (see [2]), it was added later which was why I got confused. I don't think there's much point comparing to parliamentry democracies, in that case the party is significant since the PM's position is usually dependent on what party he or she belongs to and in many ways is often a representative of that party rather then simply an individual, as they are not directly elected. Nil Einne (talk) 12:24, 1 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The fact that the IL Senate has a Democratic majority makes it significant. 119.95.23.57 (talk) 13:11, 1 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Why? There's no suggestion I'm aware of that the Illinois Senate acted in any way inapproriately or that they were in collusion with him so I don't really get the connection. The fact that the Illinois Senate is the same party as this guy may suggest it not some sort of partisan hackjob but this is arguably far better shown by the fact that it was a unanimous vote. Nil Einne (talk) 07:33, 2 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Do we have anything about protests in Madagascar? [3] This looks big. --Tone 13:07, 29 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

44 deaths is a lot for some protests. If there's a good article, I support. Spencer^T♦C 00:56, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I didn't realize that Blago was that popular in Madagascar. :) Lovelac7 11:58, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Here it is. And here's a line: At least 68 people are killed in anti-government protests in Madagascar. I'll see what I can find to add to it. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 12:48, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir is appointed prime minister of Iceland following the collapse of the previous coalition government. She becomes the first openly gay head of government in the world.

Source: [4]. Can be merged with the existing item on the govt. collapse as needed. Radagast (talk) 17:04, 29 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The article is updated just partially. When this is fixed, a certain ITN, combining with the previous blurb. By the way, shall we mention her being gay or not? I am indifferent on this one. --Tone 17:52, 29 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Should be fully updated now, I think. I would like her sexuality mentioned for its historic value, but that's one editor's opinion. Radagast (talk) 18:12, 29 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I think this is trivial info that would steal away the focus about the real event. I know WP is not censored. It is up to the admins to decide. --GPPande 19:19, 29 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Looks like we have to put the brakes on this for now; she has not yet been put in, my original source was misleading. (Article has been corrected.) Sorry for the confusion. Radagast (talk) 20:13, 29 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, she won't become PM before 31 January now, and even that date is not 100% certain. I would support an ITN entry when the event actually happens: she is Iceland's first female PM, regardless of her sexuality. Physchim62 (talk) 00:39, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

New Iceland PM (once she's installed) is definitely ITN. I think it's worth noting in the headline that she's the world's first openly gay head of government if the reaction to that is expanded. It's no big deal (which I love) in Iceland politics, but it's significant to the rest of the world. TransUtopian (talk) 01:10, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Definite support if updated. A lot of firsts here as well as a new leader which seems to be enough to make ITN anyway. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 12:50, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Don't list it unless you plan to create headlines for every new head of state. Don't mention she's a woman unless you plan to note the sex, male or female, of every new president or prime minister. Don't point out she's lesbian unless you intend to draw attention to the sexuality, gay, straight or otherwise, of every new national leader. Create a consistent editorial policy and stick to it; to do otherwise makes a 'freak show' of the accomplishments of minorities. --Blake the bookbinder (talk) 17:46, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Actually, we do list every new head of state, apart from those of a few very small Pacific Island nations (and we might list those if someone pointed them out in time, and we had decent articles on the new leaders). We will mention her gender because she's the first female PM for the country. We would mention the gender of the first male PM for a country too, I think. The same argument would appear reasonable for her sexual orientation. Please find an example where the first openly-straight PM was elected for a country with a long line of gay PM's, and we'll discuss why we failed to mention their orientation.-gadfium 18:30, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

We should definitely mention her sexual orientation given that she's the first in the world. It's IMHO far more significant then being female, yes it's the first in Iceland but there have been a number of female head's of government already. In any case, we already have a precedent with Obama, that NY governor and likely a few cases I can't remember (did we have Manmohan Singh?) so changing now surely requires wider discussion. Incidentally women aren't a minority group in numerical terms. P.S. If it's not the case that most sources mention her being the first gay/lesbian head of government I will reconsider but I doubt that will be the case. Nil Einne (talk) 12:26, 31 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Looks like this is for tomorrow now [5]: I'll update the article this evening (to give them time to change their minds again!). "Appointed" is the verb used in the official translation of the Icelandic Constitution (Art. 15). Physchim62 (talk) 12:52, 31 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Scheduled for 13:00 UTC [6]. Physchim62 (talk) 10:17, 1 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Yep, her gender/orientation should really be mentioned. 119.95.23.57 (talk) 13:09, 1 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• The Illinois Senate votes unanimously to remove Governor Rod Blagojevich from office and bar him from holding future office in the state.

This is a bit different; the above item has already been featured by Keegan, but it was not discussed before addition. As we've had controversy in the past about featuring Blagojevich items, I was wondering what the community says. I'm not going to remove it without hearing from you guys first. Thanks a ton, Master of Puppets _{Call me MoP! :D} 00:31, 30 January 2009 (UTC) crossing out because it's being discussed at the top of this day Master of Puppets _{Call me MoP! :D} 00:36, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Nominate the 2009 Madagascar protests. This is one of the world's largest conflicts this week, but it has received very little coverage. Scanlan (talk) 02:52, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The article is a bit short but informative enough. Support. --Tone 08:16, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Strong support and cheers to the users for taking up with this article. I would spare sometime later today to work on this. --GPPande 11:58, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I think this one has sufficient support. I can post it as soon as there is no more merging issue (there are two similar articles at the moment). And I'd like a good wording as well. --Tone 18:45, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I left one above where it was previously discussed. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 19:35, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Ok, posting. Please, fix the merge issue. --Tone 19:39, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Done! ;) --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 19:47, 30 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• The 8th President of India, Ramaswamy Venkataraman dies at 98. TouLouse (talk) 11:06, 27 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Ramaswamy Venkataraman#Death needs some expansion, and for deaths, the whole article needs to be filled in. There's two blank headers that need to be filled in before this even could have consideration. Spencer^T♦C 21:29, 27 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Patriarch-Elect Kirill of Moscow becomes Patriarch-Elect of Moscow. --Tone 21:27, 27 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not sure I see an update to the article. Spencer^T♦C 21:30, 27 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Not much of an update yet. This one is for consideration, he'll become the partiarch next week. --Tone 21:36, 27 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• is there any article on the octuplets out there. I think it will be very interesting addition to ITN since its first time babies survived and there were only supposed to be 7. Ashishg55 (talk) 23:43, 27 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
  • We do have 2009 octuplets. However the Chukwu octuplets appear to have all survived birth. One died a week later but as it hasn't been a week for this recent set yet, it's seemingly not clear yet that there's anything unique about this compared to the previous case. Nil Einne (talk) 02:59, 28 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

i still think we should post this seeing as how "insanely" rare this is and first time in almost 11 years. wikipedia ITN wasnt even around back then. Ashishg55 (talk) 07:35, 28 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Support. This rare event is of encyclopedic value. According to List of multiple births the last case of octuplets was in 2000. Suggest the blurb, please. --Tone 08:19, 28 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

A set of human octuplets are born alive for the second time in United States. If anyone can suggest better wording then please do so. Ashishg55 (talk) 18:20, 28 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

That suggests the octuplets are born again.-gadfium 19:54, 28 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Oppose. This isn't a record even in the United States. There have been larger multiple births, and other cases of octuplets. Medical records don't appear to be complete so we cannot say in some cases how many survived birth.-gadfium 20:00, 28 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

They come along and get internationally reported once in a blue moon by my reckoning. Keep it simple if it's controversial or indefinite. Just say they are born. Interested parties can click to read more. "A set of human octuplets are born in the United States." --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 20:04, 28 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Posting. I'll add the city as well. --Tone 20:33, 28 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Hm, is this grammacitally correct? A set... are born. --Tone 21:03, 28 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

No. 'Tisn't. Oh well. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 21:46, 28 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

What makes this notable is that all 8 were lives births. If this is up, it should be mentioned. Spencer^T♦C 21:10, 28 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

it sounds fine, i think itn just needed to mention they were born. they can click and find out the conditions in which the babies were born.Ashishg55 (talk) 22:11, 28 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I don't have strong feelings either way on this story, but I would point out it appears one of the reasons why this is rare is apparently by choice since according to [7], selective reduction is routinely offered to those carrying such a large number of fetuses. In other words, it's not just that ending up with that many is very rare or that they will often die naturally but that people may choose to terminate one or more fetuses if they have that many because of the risks involved to the mother and other fetuses. Nil Einne (talk) 09:14, 29 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Iceland, quite certainly (we could have have this before when the early election was announced). Any good wording? --Tone 15:25, 26 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• How about this? "In Iceland, the coalition government under Prime Minister Geir Haarde (pictured) collapses amid escalating protests against its handling of the country's financial crisis." Has Geir Haarde turned in his resignation papers yet? --PFHLai (talk) 18:29, 26 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Maybe "The coalition government of Iceland under Prime Minister Geir Haarde (pictured) collapses amid escalating protests against its handling of the country's financial crisis."? Any of those seems ok. According to the article, the full resignation will happen soon, maybe wait until then. --Tone 18:49, 26 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Geir Haarde handed in his resignation. I am posting. --BorgQueen (talk) 09:03, 27 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Nomination - 30 Rock wins all three of its nominations, the most for any production, at the 15th Screen Actors Guild Awards. Grsz¹¹ 18:44, 26 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Was it most of any production ever or just at these awards? Anyway, I think Golden Globes and Oscars are enough, regarding the awards. --Tone 18:49, 26 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The "guild awards" are too minor to be included. The reason why the SAGs get so much publicity is because the guild awarding the awards is composed of actors themselves. –Howard the Duck 05:59, 27 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Who vote and give out the Oscars, Howard? --74.13.129.119 (talk) 07:44, 27 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

All of the guilds combined. What I meant (and was supposed to be easily understood if not for nitpicking) was "guilds on their own." We might as well add the Directors Guild, the Writers Guild of America Awards and so forth. –Howard the Duck 11:51, 27 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

But if "The reason why the SAGs get so much publicity is because the guild awarding the awards is composed of actors themselves." is an issue, "The reason why the Oscars get so much publicity is because the combined guilds awarding the awards are composed of guilds' members themselves." is also an issue. I'm puzzled. --74.13.129.119 (talk) 14:52, 27 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I guess my point was that the SAGs are awarded by a single guild? –Howard the Duck 05:09, 28 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Just a general comment: Since most people here know a lot about In the news and its subpages, I was wondering if you guys could take a look at Wikipedia:FCDW/ITN, ITN's dispatch workpage for the Wikipedia Signpost. Please be bold and give it some cleanup/copyediting, add another section/expand, or leave a comment. Thanks, Spencer^T♦C 19:07, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• An avalanche at a ski resort in north-east Turkey, kills 10 hikers. (CNN) Jolly Ω Janner 22:16, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
  • There is no article yet. Also avalanches seem to be no longer notable on ITN. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 22:21, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Strong oppose. --GPPande 22:28, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

This avalanche killed 10 people. Perhaps we could merge this hook with the other avalanche? Jolly Ω Janner 22:30, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I think it would be wise to leave the avalanches be, especially if they're happening this frequently across Europe. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 02:32, 26 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

...and certainly one line won't get it anywhere. It lacks any context whatsoever. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 02:33, 26 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Suggestion: I wonder if this is considered important? The article isn't updated though.

• Mamadou Dia, the first Prime Minister of Senegal dies. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 18:33, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

He was not holding the office at the time of his death so the question is about his historical role (we had Suharto on ITN when he died). But the article is far too short to say. So I'd say not for now. --Tone 18:57, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, we had the first PM of the Maldives on ITN who was a major reformer. If this goes up, the whole article, not just a paragraph on Dia's death, needs to be expanded, at least a little. And also, in the wording you may want to say more about what Dia did. Spencer^T♦C 19:03, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

That's what I am saying. In fact, I think it is reasonable to use this as an unofficial guideline, if someone's death is to be featured, the article needs to be in a good shape (B class or more?) --Tone 19:31, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I will leave that up to anyone with more time and interest in the topic. I just thought I'd point it out to said people. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 19:35, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Nomination: Sri Lankan army captures Mullaitivu, the last stronghold of Tamil Tigers in an ongoing civil war.

This is a turning point in Sri Lanka's history. 25 year old civil war is nearing a bloody end which has repercussions in India too. Never has Sri Lanka gained so much in past. It is almost a united country after decades. The article is a start class. Go! --GPPande 21:07, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Support. The article is being worked on at the moment so maybe let's wait a couple of hours before posting. And don't use the acronym in the blurb. --Tone 21:38, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Support. For historic reasons. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 21:44, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I have nearly doubled the article. Lets post now. Only the words are LTTE - not the link. The link is for Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. It is big name for ITN so short form should be fine. Feel free to alter the blurb. Also, what about the internet nom below? --GPPande 21:56, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I'd rather use Tamil Tigers than LTTE as the name in the blurb - I think more ppl would recognise that name. Narayanese (talk) 22:19, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Done. Feel free to alter. --GPPande 22:28, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Posting. --Tone 22:36, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Nom: Pope Benedict XVI (pictured) rescinds the excommunications of four bishops consecrated in 1988 by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. --Hapsala (talk) 14:56, 24 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
  • Posted. --BorgQueen (talk) 15:27, 24 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I am not against the news to be posted on ITN, but the article really should have more information added to it before it should go up on ITN. There is only 1 sentence at the bottom of the article with 1 ref. The purpose of ITN is to invite everyone in updating old articles elaborately. If it is a new articles it should carry at least enough text to give the reader an idea of what the event is about. I think we should wait for the article to expand a little more. Sadly, I do not understand much of the subject area so cannot do it. --GPPande 15:39, 24 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

There will be updates, as the decision is very, very important. --Hapsala (talk) 15:50, 24 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I've made some additional updates to the article. --BorgQueen (talk) 15:57, 24 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Is there any way to make the blur make more sense to a layman? I couldn't understand what it meant until I looked up every linked word, and still I don't fully understand it. Matty (talk) 01:29, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I suppose it could be changed to: Pope Benedict XVI (pictured) invites four exiled bishops back into his Church. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 01:50, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I find your suggestion rather more incomprehensible than the original. I am a layperson, too, and I could understand the original far better. Besides, excommunication is something very different from exile. --BorgQueen (talk) 03:01, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• There is one nomination below from yesterday. --GPPande 15:17, 24 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I wonder why the nomination of 1 billion unique users on internet is being ignored? It is a historical milestone in growth of internet. Doesn't anyone think so? I think this is very encyclopedic. --GPPande 12:54, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Nominate "A European windstorm strikes Spain and France, killing 12 people". We post all atlantic hurricanes so i think this deserves to go up on ITN. this news is being covered internationally and effects multiple countries.Ashishg55 (talk) 21:32, 24 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

We need an article first... --Tone 21:33, 24 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Article is located at January 2009 Mediterranean storm. I therefor, support this proposal, but not really the headline used above. Perhaps "A storm (path pictured) across France and Spain kills 15 people with hurricane-force winds" Jolly Ω Janner 00:30, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

ya jolly's headline sounds better Ashishg55 (talk) 01:51, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry, but I've changed my headline a bit, as there were more deaths than I originaly put and it's not really a European windstorm. I still think it's better than the original one. Hopefully it will be on the Main Page soon. Jolly Ω Janner 02:30, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• A storm (path pictured) across France and Spain kills 15 people with hurricane-force winds. Jolly Ω Janner 02:54, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
  • Posted. --BorgQueen (talk) 12:07, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Three people are killed and one is seriously injured following an avalanche in the Scottish Highlands.
  • This incident is also of international significance as people from at least three countries were on the mountain at the time and the dead are from two separate countries. I've created and updated it appropriately to include some detail of the incident and two images too. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 01:46, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
    • Also the mountain is popular with tourists, climbers and skiers and is often pictured on postcards, according to the sources. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 02:04, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
      • I've inserted an image of the mountain as well in case people are bored with the sudden onslaught of Popes and Presidents featuring as the ITN image... --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 02:06, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
        • Posted. --BorgQueen (talk) 12:00, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
          • I am a bit sceptic about this one, especially in comparisson with the storm. Does having people from 3 different countries really make this international? This shouldn't be on ITN, in my opinion. --Tone 21:36, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
            • OK. Although it has been for some time now. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 21:46, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
              • Removed. --BorgQueen (talk) 21:57, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• We don't have an article about the Japanese satellite, do we? Since it is the world's first greenhouse-gas monitoring satellite (according to the AP), it will make a nice new addition to ITN if someone can write an article about it. --BorgQueen (talk) 08:30, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
  • Okay, I've updated Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite. Suggest: Japan launches the world's first greenhouse-gas-monitoring satellite Ibuki from the Tanegashima Space Center. --BorgQueen (talk) 19:28, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Posting. --Tone 20:40, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Does anyone else think the Laurent Nkunda arrest is notable? I think so, but the article needs ~4+ sentences more about his arrest. Spencer^T♦C 14:31, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
  • I've expanded it for later. This headline is pretty convincing, drawing comparisons to WWII... --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 17:44, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
    • Rebel leader Laurent Nkunda is arrested by the Rwandan military on its country's border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 18:07, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Posting. Spencer^T♦C 20:15, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Is there any article about the Belgian childcare attack? Spencer^T♦C 14:33, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

At Dendermonde nursery attack. Spencer^T♦C 14:44, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Wording: Three people are stabbed to death and ten more are injured after an attack at a crèche in Dendermonde, Belgium.

Going to post, article looks good now. Spencer^T♦C 15:47, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• How about Norway? Would it feature on ITN? I imagine two consecutive shootings might be a bit much but I'll do Norway as well if it's needed. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 15:10, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Norway actually appears to be a domestic dispute gone bad...the girlfriend, a student-teacher, was shot in the school parking lot. Not really notable, IMO. Spencer^T♦C 15:13, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

OK. Belgium jumps at me more anyway. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 16:04, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Just make sure that there are the same numbers in the ITN as in the article (at the moment, ITN says 4 dead and article 3). --Tone 16:38, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The foreign language sources appear to be contradicting each other. A person fluent in all of Flemish, French and German might be useful. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 16:42, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Wording changed to: "At least three..." Spencer^T♦C 16:53, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

A question about international significance has been raised on the talkpage about this one. I suggest removing it, we have two more appropriate ITN items today, Nkuda and the satellite that I am going to post now. --Tone 20:40, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Actually it seems to be rather balanced if not in favour of inclusion in my view. It's managed to reach Australia... --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 20:56, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Hm, no opinion on this one, really. Any admin can put it back on. --Tone 21:44, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Nomination: The number of unique users accessing internet in a single month reach 1 billion.

This is the first time in internet history that 1 billion unique users have used it in a single month. Source of the news, comScore, is reliable. Feel free to alter the blurb. Article has been updated. --GPPande 15:17, 24 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I'd support but perhaps a minor change with the link to highlight the change rather than the internet? The number of unique internet users in a single month reaches 1 billion for December 2008. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 18:15, 24 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Support, but maybe add some reference in the blurb...? --Tone 13:28, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I could get a link for just one more article. I think we can post now. --GPPande 20:38, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

One more added to the blurb. You can alter it if needed. --GPPande 20:45, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

How did I miss this? I'm going to post it in on the end. Spencer^T♦C 00:13, 28 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Iceland protests maybe? There's a decent percentage of the population protesting. Though use of tear gas should not go to ITN. --Tone 15:42, 22 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Yeah they are significant protests, 1-2% of the total population (that would be like 3-6 million people in the USA). Use of tear gas for the first time is highlighted by all news sources as a significant escalation, but I am ok with rewording. I think this is straight up ITN item, as the protests have escalated progressively, have gone on for three days, and are not expected to end anytime soon.--Cerejota (talk) 15:53, 22 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I'll post, but I find the wording in P:CE rather poor. Can someone suggest better wording? Spencer^T♦C 20:03, 22 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Early election has been called today [8]. When the articles are updated, this should go up. --Tone 16:32, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• The President of Ireland Mary McAleese (pictured) signs emergency legislation confirming the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 18:35, 21 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Comment: This has been ongoing for some time and has resulted from some dodgy loans and at least four resignations, all of which are covered in the article. The President signing what has been described as "emergency" legislation just this afternoon makes it all the more symbolic in my opinion, showing the seriousness of the situation and the damage that has been done to the country's banking system in the past few weeks. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 19:17, 21 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The article is in good condition and if I see correctly, this is one of the biggest banks in the country? Support, but maybe without the photo, the president isn't really the focus here. --Tone 21:24, 21 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

It is. OK, just thought I'd put it there in case anyone wanted to take the focus off Obama a bit. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 21:30, 21 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Posting. We need another item. Spencer^T♦C 03:03, 22 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Comment: this is very internal Irish centric news. Are you sure that it is notable enough for the main page instead of the GM takeover and Guantanamo halt?--Avala (talk) 20:20, 22 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Though its a more marginal news item, it has a good update to it. In addition, no article (or update in an article) apparently exists for the GM/Toyota item, and the Guantanamo item will be posted when the prison is actually closed. Spencer^T♦C 00:07, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

How big is this item? Are Irish banks as big as, say, British banks? –Howard the Duck 11:31, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

According to Candlewicke (above), Anglo Irish Bank is one of the largest in the country. Spencer^T♦C 14:35, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Anglo-Irish is actually quite small. It only employs 1500 people according to its article, whilst UK banks are much bigger. RBS and Barclays both employ 150,000 and a very large proportion of HSBC's 300,000 workforce are likely to employed in the UK --Daviessimo (talk) 16:50, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Comment: Surely the confirmed nationalisation of any bank is more relevant than the proposed closure of a facility? If it closes I would not object but a proposal to shut it down? There's always the slightest outside possibility that it may never shut, or at least not just yet. That and having two consecutive Obama ITNs? Anglo-Irish may be "quite small" to some people but how does one compare two countries whose population difference runs into many millions? The bank has been regularly mentioned by the media in the same breath as the country's other two large banks - Allied Irish Bank and Bank of Ireland. Whether it is important is not so much the matter at hand - it is the fact that a government felt it was such to take action. The bank's importance is a topic for debate but the point is that the action has been taken by a country's government to nationalise a bank at an extremely quick pace - it was due to simply be recapitalised one week ago. Something prompted drastic action in that period. Whether it was the correct decision is not for us to decide; we can debate the matter but the fact is it has happened. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 18:25, 23 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

This demonstrates my point of the (ex-)Commonwealth bias. If this were American this won't make it. –Howard the Duck 02:49, 24 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Well actually several American banks (and insurance companies) did make it to ITN, however, everything is reletive. Yes, by US standards Anglo-Irish is small, but given that Ireland has a population of less than 5m which makes it less than 1/60th the size of the US it naturally follows that their banks will be smaller. Also whats your anti-commonwealth/UK/Ireland/Europe agenda. Where is this bias you talk of? You want to talk about bias how much US presidential coverage was on ITN? --Daviessimo (talk) 16:00, 24 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

US presidential coverage was everywhere, even our local media got on the Obama bandwagon, hence its prominence at ITN was, lemme say, proportional to its coverage everywhere.\

To further illustrate the international importance of this item, see this illustration at the right.

That's the sizes of the music markets around the world, now of course this is not the same in the financial industry but it gives you an idea on the relative importance of the different nations (although Russia seems a lot smaller than it should be. Maybe because of rampant piracy, but that is for another day).

And where's the Republic of Ireland? The cute pink rectangle between U.S., UK and France. If you can't see it you'd have to click the thumb. –Howard the Duck 16:07, 24 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I think this is high time people realize that ITN is not a place to discuss/showcase that one news from a country/region is more superior or worthy than other. This type of discussion along with nominations should stop. International importance, encyclopedic value, historical uniqueness(for any subject - sports/science/socio-politics/calamities, etc), impact on population(local or global) should be few points to be met without giving undue focus on certain topics. --GPPande 17:44, 24 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

It's like this: If Miley Cyrus died on a plane crash at the border of Montana and Idaho, it'll probably won't make it. Now if a similar teen star from France had a plane crash at the border of Germany and Switzerland, it'll probably make it.

PS, there are further discussions at Template:In the news about the topic of internationalness. This and the knife-spree items are under discussion although probably they won't be removed. –Howard the Duck 18:01, 24 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Is there anything for Toyota overtaking GM as the world largest vehicle producer. Personally I thought that they had done this several years ago but the Reuters story says otherwise. Its pretty noteworthy I'd say --Daviessimo (talk) 10:22, 22 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Hours after taking office, President Obama issues an order halting the trials of detainees at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. (Reuters) Steven Walling (talk) 21:20, 21 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Enough Obama for now, I'd say. Support when Guantanamo actually closes. --Tone 21:24, 21 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Here, here. Agreed. The bank above was not included when there were discussions over its nationalisation, now it has officially taken place so its importance has increased. Guantanamo will get plenty of airing later if it does shut. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 21:30, 21 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Bank shares in the United Kingdom collapse as RBS posts the biggest loss in British history. See Blue Monday 2009 Crash. [9] —Preceding unsigned comment added by Jandrews23jandrews23 (talk • contribs)

Please use P:CE when you post a news item along with the refline. Here we discuss the nomination. One star is enough to start a new topic. I have removed the excesses. Hope you don't mind. The article is poorly sourced and needs clean-up before it can up on ITN. --GPPande 15:52, 20 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I agree. It needs more refs, and a little more meat in general. Spencer^T♦C 15:54, 20 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

(From Jan 17):

• Barack Obama is inaugurated as the forty-fourth President of the United States. -- Lampman (talk) 19:51, 17 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Please do not post until the article is written in the correct tense, and updated with the correct citations. Spencer^T♦C 03:36, 20 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Alternate wording: Barack Obama and Joe Biden are sworn-in as the forty-fourth President and forty-seventh Vice President of the United States, respectively. Parler Vous (edits) 07:18, 20 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Comment On the main page we have Obama as featured picture, Washington as featured article and Inaugaration day in OTD. Surely we have to be careful of US political overkill --Daviessimo (talk) 09:07, 20 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Luckily, no Obama items in DYK :-) Well, since this is the news of the day, I say we let it be. Regarding the wording, I prefer mentioning just Obama since the alternative with Biden is rather long. But I am fine with the other one as well. --Tone 09:25, 20 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The Barack Obama "HOPE" poster is in the update queue for DYK... Lampman (talk) 13:08, 20 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

... Obama Wikipedia ... (at least, tomorrow only the ITN post will remain on the Main page). --Tone 13:10, 20 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Anyone feel like updating the El Salvador elections article? Spencer^T♦C 03:30, 20 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I think the news is still evolving. Also, I am not sure if the legislative elections have any impact on the leadership of the country. BBC says that presidential elections are 15 months in future. Anyone knows the official government website showing results of El Salvador? I could not find one. --GPPande 15:19, 20 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Salvadoran legislative election, 2009 is updated with the results but it seems rather stubby as an article. --PFHLai (talk) 06:34, 25 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Also, when the results for the Australian Open are known, this should be posted as well (WP:ITNSPORTS). Spencer^T♦C 03:35, 20 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Couple of things for today:

• Helicopter crash into sea off Gabon
• 10 dead in Afghanistan avalanches

If the plane where nobody dies gets one then logic decrees the helicopter where at least one dies does too. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 10:49, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Helicopters crash all the time in war zones. Commercial airlines landing on a water body are a little bit rarer. –Howard the Duck 11:21, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Ooops, wait. I thought the chopper crashed in Afghanistan. However, this doesn't diminish the fact the commercial aircraft landing on a water body is somewhat rare. –Howard the Duck 11:25, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Would you have the same opinion on avalanches in warzones? Seems a bit of an unusual extremity for the military to go to... --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 11:30, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Actually when was the last time an avalanche featured on ITN? --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 11:48, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Aren't avalanches common this time of the year (at least in the Northern Hemisphere)? Nevertheless, we list tropical cyclones even if the season is ongoing so... –Howard the Duck 12:32, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I should think an avalanche would be more of a novelty... --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 13:09, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Aren't they much more common? It inly becomes ITN material when a whole town is buried. I dunno about this case though; I'd rather pick the chopper crash. Or if the avalanche happened on a tropical place, then that's something. –Howard the Duck 16:30, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I thought you disagreed with the chopper crash? --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 16:36, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

If it was between the chopper crash vs. the avalanche I'd pick the chopper crash. –Howard the Duck 05:23, 19 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

2009 Gabonese helicopter crash & 2009 Afghan avalanches are rather stubby right now and not ready to be showcased on MainPage. If there is international attention and a high-profile rescue mission (as with a lost submarine, perhaps), and the article(s) is(are) well expanded and updated to document these events, you might have a case for ITN. --PFHLai (talk) 18:23, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I have expanded 2009 Gabonese helicopter crash more now. Wording:

• During a training exercise off the coast of Gabon, a French helicopter crashes, killing at least seven French soldiers.
  • ALT: Seven French soldiers are killed and one is reported missing following a helicopter crash off the Gabonese coast.
    • I believe this to be more specific for the purpose of condensing the most significant info for ITN. The one missing seems more important than what they were doing and "coast of Gabon" is shortened. If anyone wants the detail of the military exercise they can click the link - they are soldiers after all so military exercise would be expected. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 22:06, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I hope this is suitable. Spencer^T♦C 19:11, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I like the alt better. Posting. Spencer^T♦C 02:02, 19 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

YAY! Thank you! :) --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 02:10, 19 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Hamas announces ceasefire to allow Israel to withdraw and to open borders, after...

Or something like it, preceeding the sentence, "Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (pictured) declares a unilateral ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza." -SusanLesch (talk) 19:28, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Barack Obama 2009 presidential inauguration celebrations began on January 17 and continue until January 20 when Barack Obama and Joe Biden will assume office.--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/WP:CHICAGO/WP:LOTM) 14:52, 13 January 2009 (UTC) (Rescued from Portal:Current events/2009 January 17. --PFHLai (talk) 14:49, 17 January 2009 (UTC))[reply]

Swearing in, taking office, Presidential transition of Barack Obama? Yes, and this should be on ITN after things happen as planned on Inauguration Day. Concerts and parades? No, thanks. --PFHLai (talk) 15:04, 17 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

What about the train ride and such.--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/WP:CHICAGO/WP:LOTM) 16:05, 17 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Relative to getting a new POTUS, the rest seems rather unimportant. --PFHLai (talk) 02:35, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Obama is expected to take the oath of office around noon on Tuesday, I think that would be a good time to put it up. Something like:

• Barack Obama is inaugurated as the forty-fourth President of the United States. -- Lampman (talk) 19:51, 17 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Sure. Please be reminded to make sure that, before this item gets on MainPage, the article no longer uses the future tense for things that have already happened, and that everything is properly referenced, i.e. we'll have to wait till CNN, BBC, VOA, etc. to report the inauguration on their websites, and we have to cite them in the article as properly formatted footnotes. Thanks. --PFHLai (talk) 02:35, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Nomination: Computer worm Conficker infects nearly 9 million Microsoft Windows based personal computers.

The worm has become one of the worst outbreak on internet in recent times and is still spreading fast. The figures from outbreak during the first two week of Jan was alarming. Feel free to alter the blurb. I have expanded the article to 2x. --GPPande 14:29, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Only nine million PCs? Seems a tad small... --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 16:39, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

A major outbreak - affecting users across continents - major corporations across globe acting for protecting their networks and Microsoft taking swift action. Not a localized event. --GPPande 17:23, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Oh, I get you... I was just remarking that nine million seems quite small... you would think there would be more... like a few hundred million at least... --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 18:02, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I have added figure now in blurb which can remove confusion. Feel free to alter. --GPPande 19:53, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Posted. Spencer^T♦C 20:42, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Apparently the fighting in Gaza has finished. Who won ? Surely we can't let this event slip off the in the news section ? Sean.hoyland - talk 03:09, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Why? It's been there for a month. The Cholera Epidemic in Zimbabwe has more victims and it didn't get as much coverage. Nor did the fighting in Sri Lanka. --Cdogsimmons (talk) 05:04, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

That's true...I suppose the potential global implications of what's happening in Gaza could be one argument....me, slinking away quietly. Sean.hoyland - talk 09:13, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

With so many people dying everyday, 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict should stay at the homepage. It is important news. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.208.91.226 (talk • contribs)

It stayed for more time on ITN than it actually deserved. It is placed here and is enough for now. Lets move on. --GPPande 08:13, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

This item has become too old and stale on ITN. We can bring it back when there are significant changes to the status quo (and such changes are documented, with refs, in appropriately updated wikipages). Until then, we'll have other newer news items on ITN. --PFHLai (talk) 17:58, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

How about something original and exciting for a change such as the nationalisation of another bank? :P I've been humbly writing about it here for a number of months and have just completed the latest updates from last night and today. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 21:06, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

You mean that "The Irish government nationalises Anglo Irish Bank."? Narayanese (talk) 19:51, 17 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Exactly (well with a few more links). I wasn't expecting to be taken seriously but had I been that is just what I would have suggested.

ALT: "The Irish government nationalises its country's third largest financial insitution, Anglo Irish Bank." --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 00:06, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not sure the bank is really large enough to be notable. We've put up similar items twice, I recall. Once, for Iceland, all 3 main banks were nationalised, and the other time we put it up was when there were 4-5 banks at once, each larger than the Anglo Irish Bank. I'm afraid I'm going to have to oppose. I would suggest DYK, but it's already been there. Spencer^T♦C 19:46, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Nomination: China becomes third largest economy based on revised 2007 GDP figures, surpassing Germany.

Rarely we see changes in ranks for this type of list in top 5 or 10. Ranks change every year but those are mostly beyond top 5 or 10 countries. Main article(by me) along with the list article(not by me) is updated. Feel free to alter the blurb. --GPPande 15:52, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Support. An important milestone in world history. Thue | talk 16:57, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Support Interesting and important story during a time of global economic crisis.--Cdogsimmons (talk) 19:32, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Posted, thanks --Stephen 22:24, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

It hasn't been updated on the world rankings list. Jolly Ω Janner 23:48, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

{{sofixit}} Spencer^T♦C 01:55, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

How? Those are figures from the IMF, the World Bank and the CIA fact book, i.e. two or three highly trusted sources. I doubt anyone here has enough clout to get the IMF, the World Bank of the CIA to issue revised figures for us to use Nil Einne (talk) 18:54, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

WHY ? Why was this news removed without a single word of discussion? I have really started hating admins these days. A bunch of them seem not ready to talk a word and delete whatever they feel like doing, be it FAR or ITN. Really horrible!!!! --GPPande 08:22, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Comment The basis for China leapfrogging Germany is data released from within China. Surely we need a more reputable source to verify this (such as world bank or IMF) before we take this as true --Daviessimo (talk) 13:56, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

There is absolutely no need for discussion if the statement we're making on ITN is not supported by the article. The main page defers to articles, always, and if you can't reach a consensus in the article then you shouldn't have anything on the main page. Frankly, not being an admin myself I feel they generally do a decent job and I'm much more 'hating' those who propose headlines without making sure the articles are ready first (or at least mentioning if they're not) Nil Einne (talk) 18:50, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The list article (for which the link is now removed in the blurb) was updated with China being third in rank. But it was quickly reverted and subsequently got buried down under newer edits. Check the history to see it. I did not update the list article further because it purely relies on three sources which would not be updating their own figures soon. So no point of making an exception for China. I agree to the current status of the ITN. The news is reliable because WB, IMF or CIA HB would never differ so drastically from China or any other top countries' self published figures. Now, my remark was not meant for admins here doing an exceptional job of keeping ITN rolling, but was meant for "the admins" who take "things in their own control" without even a small intimation - or - FYI kind of message why they did so. Edit summaries are not the right place to discuss individual opinions. I have seen this happen frequently with certain admins and so vented out. A right admin seeks community consensus rather enforcing his/her own free will. A proof of that is the admin who removed the news has not even bothered to explain his/her act. Clear lack of basic WP guideline. I would leave this discussion now as it is because this not an AN. --GPPande 19:17, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

There is also a major problem with the hook. It makes it seem as though it over took Germany yesterday. It should be something like "The IMF published data signaling that China's economy overtook Germany in 2008". Please remove this, it should be posted when the CIA, IMF or WB publish the data. Jolly Ω Janner 20:03, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Strong oppose, please remove this immediately. Wikipedia's list of countries by GDP is made up of three reliable sources. None of them indicate that China is greater than Germany. I would support this if it was correct, but I'm afraid the source isn't reliable enough. Jolly Ω Janner 16:43, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]
• Strong support Dozens of reliable mainstream sources have reported the new revised figures. It has also been covered by the World Bank. I, do however, agree that the list article should only be updated when IMF or World Bank issue new datasets.[[10]] 130.113.81.33 (talk) 23:57, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

But just because China have released these figures doesn't mean they are necessarily true. A reputable and neutral international organisation should first verify them and only then should the item be placed on ITN. China is essentially a semi-communist country and as such we should take very carefully any data they release. Wikipedia is not a news service and its job is not to 'report' news. Its job is to provide verifiable neutral information and as far as I'm concerned China releasing information and every news organisation reporting it doesn't make it verifiable. --Daviessimo (talk) 15:16, 17 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Nomination: US Airways Flight 1549

US Airways Flight 1549, flying from LaGuardia Airport, New York City to Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, North Carolina, carrying 146 passengers and 5 crew members, has crash landed in the Hudson River. Matthewedwards (talk • contribs • email) 21:17, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Strong support. For obvious reasons, any commercial plane crash in New York City should be on here. Its the lead on BBC.com, reuters.com, ABC (Australia), CNN. Clearly there is international interest. Parler Vous (edits) 21:32, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Usually i would support a plane crash but this one hit a bunch of birds and everyone came out unharmed. Except US Airways losing a 100 million $ plane nothing much happened. So i do not support this plane crash. 99.237.101.160 (talk) 21:58, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• • Strong support - lots of images of this, as well. Garden. 22:03, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Strong support As far as I'm aware, what happened here (and correct me if I'm wrong) is almost unprecedented in commercial aviation - a fully loaded jetliner making a successful landing on water. Personally I think that would be pretty noteworthy on it's own, even if you disregard the fact that it's a crash landing of a jetliner in the middle of one of the most densely populated areas on the planet. 87.115.87.175 (talk) 23:05, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Crashed into water in a single digit temperature. Pretty unusual there. Grsz¹¹ 22:13, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Oppose. Plane crashes aren't as uncommon as you think. I don't think the fact that happened in New York in the river makes it any extra notable. Plane crashes are over-reported news, because planes are supposed to be safe and everybody gets scared when they crash. Wikipedia shouldn't be like this. Jolly Ω Janner 23:46, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Support I don't really see why not. I recall other large plane crashes that have occurred, and the article looks nice. The wording needs some modifications though, it's not really that great. Spencer^T♦C 23:48, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I was thinking the same thing, since more information is now available. How about "An Airbus A330, US Airways Flight 1549, flying from LaGuardia Airport, New York City to Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, makes an emergency landing in the Hudson River, following a bird strike with geese."

Do we really need the location? I was thinking of saying NYC to Charlotte, but it technically doesn't matter. I'm going to post this, there appears to be consensus. If someone wants to upload (and crop) the image and upload here, feel free. Spencer^T♦C 01:55, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Remove. This is not an item worthy of the ITN space, imo. Clearly US-sentric bias has prevailed here. __meco (talk) 13:18, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• I suppose you find the ITN hook of the sinking MV Teratai Prima to be too Indonesia-centric, too? 1549 has made news headlines around the world. It made a successful emergency landing with no major casualties in NYC - fairly newsworthy, I think. Matthewedwards (talk • contribs • email) 20:42, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Nomination: Methane and water vapour on Mars. --bender235 (talk) 21:40, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Support – you beat me to it. Reported in plenty of big news sources, plus we could need a science item up there. Lampman (talk) 22:02, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Is there an article for this? Spencer^T♦C 23:45, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I guess that would have to be Atmosphere of Mars, in particular the section on Methane. It should probably be updated to reflect the latest announcement though. Lampman (talk) 23:55, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I'd support this. Very enlightening and a distraction from all the economic talk. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 11:40, 18 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• As the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict is an ongoing event perhaps it is best to keep it in the news with updates? Whatever happened to the idea of creating an ongoing news section? The late 2000s economic crisis, climate change education, wars/conflicts/battles, etc, could all be located here. Nick carson (talk) 03:06, 14 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

What wording do you suggest? Spencer^T♦C 22:45, 14 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

There are lots of ongoing wars and other events, I think we should let Israel/Gaza slip at the next update. --Stephen 01:15, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Nom: The unveiling of David Černý's sculpture Entropa in Brussels generates controversy throughout the European Union and attracts criticism from the Bulgarian government. (Article created by Chinaman88, most expansion and writing done by Pointoften.) Politizer ^talk/_contribs 17:16, 14 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I'm unsure of the notability, perhaps a European ITN participant can fill me in. You may want to say "....Černý's satrical scuplture...". Spencer^T♦C 22:49, 14 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I doubt this will qualify as an ITN item. Since it's brand new, why not nominate it for DYK instead? Lampman (talk) 23:39, 14 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I don't mind seeing this on ITN, but I wonder how "big" this is. I don't think this is "frontpgae materials" in newspapers around the world, except maybe in Brussels and Bulgaria. So I'd recommend DYK, too. It's already nominated at T:TDYK#Entropa, anyway. --PFHLai (talk) 22:51, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I was also considering it for DYK, I just figured I should try here first since it's a current event. If consensus here is not to use it for ITN, I can take it to DYK. Thanks, Politizer ^talk/_contribs 00:40, 15 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Withdrawn, nominated at DYK instead. Probably too late for ITN now anyway. Politizer ^talk/_contribs 16:40, 16 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• The portal space is still empty... Is there an article about ferry disaster in Indonesia? And Golden globes were handed out today, this is one of the biggest awards. However, due to many categories, it's hard to propose an adequate wording. --Tone 08:23, 12 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Slumdog Millionaire is updated. It won 4 GG awards. --GPPande 08:59, 12 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

At 66th Golden Globe Awards, the movie Slumdog Millionaire wins four awards and Kate Winslet two. Wining two acting awards is probably significant as well. John Adams (TV miniseries) also won four, maybe we should put this one as well. Or, an alternative is just 66th Golden Globe Awards ceremony takes place in Beverly Hills, California., with no winners featured. Though I am somehow inclined to have the Slumdog Millionaire in. Any other opinions? --Tone 10:16, 12 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

How about – Slumdog Millionaire, Kate Winslet and John Adams win multiple Golden Globe Awards? --GPPande 12:04, 12 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

How about: The 66th Golden Globe Awards takes place in Beverly Hills, California, with Slumdog Millionaire winning four awards including best picture - Personally I'd prefer only one winner mentioned. If slumdog millionaire won the most for a single film then that should go up. Having too many winners makes it very long and clumsy: --Daviessimo (talk) 15:52, 12 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Ok, this is fine with me. Posting. --Tone 16:23, 12 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

How about Kate Winslet winning both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress? That seems pretty remarkable. –Howard the Duck 01:30, 13 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I don't regard the Golden Globe Awards as being worthy of its inclusion here. It happens every year and it's just people getting awards. Not really news. Jolly Ω Janner 16:59, 12 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The Globes are not listed WP:Recurring items on ITN but I'd support its inclusion. –Howard the Duck 01:48, 13 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Proposing File:DannyBoyle08TIFF.jpg so Mr. Atta-Mills can have a break: The 66th Golden Globe Awards take place in Beverly Hills, California, with Slumdog Millionaire (director Danny Boyle pictured) winning four awards including Best Motion Picture—Drama.

Commons:File:DannyBoyle08TIFF.jpg says "cc-by-sa-2.0", but the source page at Flicker.com ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/gdcgraphics/3025796443/in/set-72157607247444523/ ) says "(C) All rights reserved". We need someone with an OTRS account to verify the copyright status of this image before it can be used on MainPage. --PFHLai (talk) 08:44, 13 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

 Done. Release of the Danny Boyle photo is verified. As an alternate image, may I suggest as well? howcheng {chat} 21:56, 13 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Okay. If someone wants to flip the image (so it faces the text) and upload it here, that'd be great. I think the Boyle photo is better than the alt. Spencer^T♦C 22:02, 13 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

 Done I concurred with Spencer's flipping. --Stephen 22:35, 13 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you, Howcheng, Spencer & Stephen. --PFHLai (talk) 02:27, 14 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Nom: 2009 Fiji floods. I'm currently working on the article, and it should be ready soon. Spencer^T♦C 21:02, 12 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Okay, I think I'm done. Wording: Flooding in Fiji kills 8 people and displaces 6,000. Spencer^T♦C 22:02, 12 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Looks fine, I think you can post it. Maybe the ferry accident as well, interested in starting an article? --Tone 22:37, 12 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Okay. The artivlr is at Teratai Prima, and I'll look into it later...I'm going to log off soon, and won't be able to get back for a bit. Ask gppande to see if he would like to. Spencer^T♦C 22:42, 12 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I added the ferry, as I'm in favour of shorter articles getting developed by views off the MP. But if anyone strenuously disagrees, then just revert. --Stephen 22:46, 13 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

This [12] looks like a good ITN item. I wonder if there is any good article on the topic. --Tone 13:58, 9 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Nice. Recently India saw the greatest corporate scam in its history. Satyam Computer Services had inflated balance sheets of ₹7,000 crore (US$840 million). Do you think, if I made a quality update to the article, it would make it to ITN? --GPPande 14:32, 9 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Looks big and it has some international consequences. In any case, it's good to have the article updated, ITN or not ;-) --Tone 14:49, 9 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Satyam_Computer_Services#Accounting_scandal_of_2009 is updated along with Ramalinga Raju's article (which was severely vandalized on Wednesday when scam was opened). Yes, the scam has international importance as Satyam is listed not just on Indian stock exchange but also on NYSE and American investors of Satyam ADR have already initiated the legal case – not to mention Price Waterhouse Coopers' legal hassles. --GPPande 15:12, 9 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Is using genetic screening in this way a new thing? I have the impression that we have had the technology to do such screening for some time. Perhaps the only news here that people are screening for that gene for the first time, which would make this just-another-gene-screening-process. Thue | talk 19:12, 9 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I think the significance comes from the fact that using screening they were able to avoid passing on one of the most prevelant hereditary diseases in the world (breast cancer). The profound implications is that it will allows couples, where one of them has a family history of breast cancer, to screen embryos and prevent passing it on. But without an updated article its a non-starter --Daviessimo (talk) 20:49, 9 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The article in focus would be BRCA1, or maybe Predictive testing. However, I am not an expert on the topic therefore I leave the expansion to others. --Tone 21:35, 9 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• I'm creating an article for the Costa Rican earthqake at 2009 Costa Rica earthquake. Spencer^T♦C 20:35, 9 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Looks ok to me. --Tone 21:35, 9 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Support. Article looks long enough, death toll updated to fifteen. ~AH1^(TCU) 22:25, 9 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Posting. Spencer^T♦C 22:32, 9 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• The UNSC passing a resolution for a cease fire in Gaza should be added as long as the prerequisites are done. –Howard the Duck 03:35, 9 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Have fun with the stubby United Nations Security Council Resolution 1860 wikipage, Howard. Happy editing. :-) --PFHLai (talk) 15:31, 9 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Israel's Defense Forces launch a ground attack on the Gaza Strip.

How original suggestion turned into "Israeli ground forces enter Gaza after a week of airstrikes against Hamas in the area." See our detailed objection in January 3 title below. Over 300 civillians including over 130 children are dead by now, only yesterday 75 civillians had been killed, while only 4 Hamas gunmen had been killed. IDF claimed Hamas is the only target and they took cautions against civillians, then they bombed a UN School, which is reported to IDF as a school by UN, which resulted 40 deaths including children. High civillian casualties should be stressed immediately. Kasaalan (talk) 12:19, 7 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Suggest a better wording then. --Tone 13:14, 7 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Israeli ground forces enter Gaza after a week of airstrikes over city, statedly against Hamas, resulted with high civillian and children casualties. A better wording may be suggested since I am not native English speaker, yet high civillian casualties should be stressed. Near 2700 people are wounded, 670 are dead already, while over 300 of them are civillians and at least 130 them are 16 year old or smaller children. Source AP [13] Kasaalan (talk) 01:02, 8 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

It's war. There will be inevitable collateral damages. I'm not sure if it's such as good idea to bring up the children as this seems to be "sensationalizing" the news item. I've rewitten the line as:

• Israeli and Hamas forces resume hostilities in Gaza after a brief respite to allow humanitarian aid to enter the area.

Actually, I plagiarised (from Portal:Current events/2009 January 7.) --PFHLai (talk) 01:20, 8 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Actually we shouldn't do play-by-play on ITN. Re-posting as

• After a six-month ceasefire, Israeli and Hamas forces resume hostilities in Gaza.

and moving the blurb to the bottom. --PFHLai (talk) 01:47, 8 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Hi, with respect (and I'm sure it's not your intention) this kind of sanitised, understated characterisation of what's happening is likely to bring shame on Wikipedia in many peoples eyes. 'Resume hostilities' hardly seems to be an appropriate description that mirrors the terms used by the majority of English language reliable sources around the world. I've seen what seemed to be more appropriate titles in this section given their due weight. This event is on everyone's TV screens after all and it still seems to be the headline on all channels given the ongoing developments. Just a thought. Sean.hoyland - talk 04:31, 8 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Well, ITN doesn't report news, just highlighting new or well updated articles related to news..... with a factually correct sentence that doesn't require too much updating. I must say I am not 100% happy with the word "hostilities", though. Perhaps "resume fighting"? Or "resume combat"? I don't know. Suggestions are welcome. I'm putting in "resume fighting" for now. I hope it's not too "chatty". --PFHLai (talk) 06:19, 8 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I think After a six-month ceasefire, Israeli and Hamas forces resume hostilities in Gaza is exactly the kind of undramatic and NPOV kind of wording that an encyclopedia should be using and commend the author/s. --Dweller (talk) 08:37, 8 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks. I hope you're okay with the change from "hostilities" to "fighting". It's more than "staring, angrily pointing fingers and screaming at each other," eh! --PFHLai (talk) 13:56, 8 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Ukraine blocked three key gas pipelines to Europe meaning that Russian state-controlled supplier Gazprom cannot deliver gas to European nations, causing several European countries to experience a fall in supplies.

Update to the current one.--Avala (talk) 23:18, 6 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• The 111th United States Congress holds its first session.

I feel this is better than the Franken one (as that will almost certainly be taken through the courts) if you're looking for an American story. Wording probably needs to be improved though. Parler Vous (edits) 21:56, 5 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Nope, not internationally significant --Stephen 03:18, 6 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Agree with Stephen, not internationally significant. Thue | talk 15:39, 6 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• • I prefer: "United States Senate leaders refuse to seat Roland Burris on the first day of the 111th United States Congress." As for the international-ness of it or lack thereof, please see the ITN discussion page for a discussion on that criterion. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 01:14, 7 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• The last Macworld Conference & Expo is held in San Francisco.

Am no MAC user, maybe it's somewhat notable. [14] --Avant-garde a clue-hexaChord² 06:44, 6 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Not really important news, IMO. Thue | talk 15:39, 6 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Maybe we could have something on the Ukraine gas crisis now since several European countries report a drop in gas supplies. --Tone 09:56, 6 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I would support this - is there an article (and a suggested line)? Thue | talk 17:02, 6 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Not significant here. Parler Vous (edits) 19:27, 6 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Support if there is an updated article. BBC are stating that Serbia, Germany, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Macedonia, Greece, Croatia and Czech Republic have all been affected. --Daviessimo (talk) 19:45, 6 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Several European countries report fail in supplies after Gazprom cuts off gas deliveries to Ukraine, caused by failure of negotiations over gas price. Something like this but the blurb can certainly be written better so I am not putting it on yet. --Tone 21:11, 6 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Had a crack, feel free to tweak. --Stephen 23:36, 6 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• How come the Russia-Ukraine dispute is not in the ITN? Nergaal (talk) 19:42, 6 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

It is. Patience is a virtue. --Stephen 23:02, 6 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Democrat Al Franken is certified the winner of the United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2008, defeating Norm Coleman by 225 votes.

  Sources: [15]. This is a bit iffy: on one hand, it's only about a Senate seat in America, and we already have an election hook on ITN. On the other hand, this election is especially notable because it was so close, and there isn't anything about America in ITN at the moment. Your call; I'm new to ITN :/ Sceptre ^(talk) 21:28, 5 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Oppose, no international significance --Stephen 03:18, 6 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• A deadly earthquake strikes Indonesia, killing at least four.

• Source: [16] --Ouro (blah blah) 10:59, 4 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I'd wait for more info to see if 2009 Indonesia earthquake has more impact. If a tsunami reaches Japan, why not the Philippines and Taiwan? --PFHLai (talk) 16:34, 4 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The article is a bit stubby as well. Spencer^T♦C 17:52, 4 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I'm currently working on the article. I suggest "An earthquake strikes West Papua, Indonesia, killing at least four people and wounding dozens." However, we could also wait for updated info. ~AH1^(TCU) 23:52, 4 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Support. It's a bit better updated by now. ~AH1^(TCU) 00:48, 8 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

It's still too short. WP:ITNMP recommends 3 paragraphs for a stand-alone article, and this appears to have ~1 1/2. Spencer^T♦C 03:01, 9 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• John Atta Mills (pictured) of the National Democratic Congress is elected President of Ghana.

Already put up. Spencer^T♦C 17:51, 4 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Presumptive nom: 2009 Dakar Rally. It's been put up before, and instead of taking place in Africa, its in South America. I'm still updating it, though. Spencer^T♦C 15:04, 3 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

They moved Dakar to South America? Sorry I couldn't resist. Anyway support presuming the article gets up to scratch. Not sure if we should put it now or wait to the end though Nil Einne (talk) 17:05, 3 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I suggest we put it on now since there are many categories and it would be impractical to list all the winners at the end. Of course, it would be nice to have some more content in the article. --Tone 18:01, 3 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I think I'm done updating; any other opinions? Spencer^T♦C 17:51, 4 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Wording: In the first running outside of Europe and Africa, the Dakar Rally begins in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

I'm going to post this; timer's at 25 hrs and there aren't any other items with a support consensus. Spencer^T♦C 21:19, 4 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Following a week of Israeli air attacks against Hamas in Gaza, Israeli ground forces enter Gaza.

Thue | talk 20:28, 3 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Posting. There is some update in the article and I believe it will be improved even more soon. --Tone 20:43, 3 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Please remove the words "against Hamas". Though the IDF claims that Hamas is its target, it is not possible for independent sources to confirm this (therefore I don't think these 2 words are verifiable or neutral.) --InfantGorilla (talk) 12:06, 6 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

It's absolutely verifiable - it's in all the major media that Israelis have said that Hamas is the target. --Dweller (talk) 15:01, 6 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I agree that this is unacceptable repetition of Israeli rhetoric as fact. Algebraist 17:46, 6 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I think more than Hamas are being struck. If anything most aren't even Hamas. --➨♀♂Candlewicke _S^T _# :) 03:21, 7 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Dweller, That is what I mean. It is verifiable (and undisputed) that Israel states that Hamas is the target. It is not verifiable that Hamas actually is the target (we cannot know how pilots actually select targets - we can guess from the aggregate of the targets they have hit, but we should not guess on the Wikipedia main page.) Much more balanced that we don't open this issue in a headline.--InfantGorilla (talk) 10:13, 7 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Over 2700 people are wounded, over 630 people are dead, over 300 of them are civillians while over 130 of them are children, yesterday IDF bombed a school killed 40 people, UN stated IDF already had been informed on school locations, how can we still say the attack only targets Hamas gunmen. Just yesterday they killed 75 civillians in total while they only killed 4 Hamas gunmen. They do bomb on Gaza true, yet it is not limited to Hamas gunmen or government buildings, they strike with Phosphorus bombs apparently, which targets an area instead a location. Gaza is one of the most crowded cities in the world, while you bomb a building all the other buildings around affected. I stated my objections in the Main Page Template Talk in detail with clear sources. 1.5 million of people are suffering hunger and lack of medication now by Israeli blockade. We cannot present the case just like Israel strikes Hamas.

Gaza Map Independent

Israel ground war drives up civilian casualties By KARIN LAUB JERUSALEM (AP) 1 hour ago

The title needs to be change immediately for apparent neutrality purposes, with stressing on high Palestinian civillian casualties. Kasaalan (talk) 11:39, 7 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

It is now expired and replaced with a Jan 7 candidate linking to the same encyclopedia article: "Israeli and Hamas forces resume fighting in Gaza after a six-month ceasefire" I support the new wording. --InfantGorilla (talk) 14:33, 8 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Sri Lankan victory over LTTE is quite significant. Kilinochchi was the last big town held by LTTE. After 20 years it is back into Sri Lankan armies control. The 25 year-old of bloody civil war is about to end. Maybe I would work on it sometime later today. --GPPande 12:02, 2 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I have added the Battle_of_Kilinochchi_(2008–2009)#Capture and Battle_of_Kilinochchi_(2008–2009)#Effects section. I think we can post the below mentioned blurb now. --GPPande 12:38, 2 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Sri Lanka's military has seized control of the Tamil Tiger rebels' de facto capital of Kilinochchi.

--TheFEARgod (Ч) 12:06, 2 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Posting, changing tense to present (seizes). --Tone 12:43, 2 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• May I suggest the death of the world's oldest person, Maria de Jesus? More information is available at n:Maria de Jesus, the world's oldest person, dies at age 115. Dendodge Talk^Contribs 19:09, 2 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

We could either write about the death itself, or about Gertrude Baines becoming the oldest living person. I suggest the latter, as it's less morbid. Dendodge Talk^Contribs 19:19, 2 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

According to the archive, we didn't have Edna Parker on ITN when she died. I think we should discuss whether to set a precedent because news of this sort happen every couple of months, according to the world's oldest living person log. I don't have a strong opinion for or against in this case. --Tone 19:49, 2 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I'm going to have to oppose...I don't find it particularly noteworthy, as it happens too often, and I feel it sets a dangerous precedent. Spencer^T♦C 23:53, 2 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I oppose too. By their very nature the oldest person in the world dies all the time, since they are at the outer limit of human capacity. IMO it would only be ITN-worthy if there were really exceptional circumstances involved, such as beating the previous age record by a significant margin. Thue | talk 00:28, 3 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Ok, then we can say we include the oldest person only when he/she lives longer than the previous record holder (around 122 years, if I remember correctly). --Tone 10:37, 3 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Even I oppose inclusion of similar entries in ITN. These are mostly trivial information, with no impact on international events and on scientific community in nature(yeah, there longevity has been a matter of research, but that's all). Such entries fail WP:ITN/DCcriteria#6. --GPPande 12:58, 3 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• This might not really be the place for it, but ITN's 2008 archive was compiled and is listed at Wikipedia:ITN in 2008. Cheers, Spencer^T♦C 21:52, 1 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Well done! To save the effort for next year, a list for 2009 should probably compiled on monthly or weekly basis. And I think we should put a link to past ITN items somewhere on this page permanently, to have an archive. --Tone 23:04, 1 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Monthly is a good idea, because wording gets changed over time (deaths updates, moves, etc.) I'll create one at Wikipedia:ITN in 2009. Spencer^T♦C 23:38, 1 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Since adding items to this archive would not require admin access - I may also be able to give a helping hand as and when possible. --GPPande 07:19, 2 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• This is a bit early setup but anyway. Do we have any significant events on January 1? New Turkish Lira is being renamed with a change of paper money, maybe ITN material? Czech Republic assuming the presidency of the EU. And many more... --Tone 14:36, 31 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Actually Slovakia taking the euro is the most significant event.--Avala (talk) 18:25, 31 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Agree with Avala. We already have an updated article: Enlargement_of_the_eurozone#Slovakia. Spencer^T♦C 23:10, 31 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Nom: Slovakia adopts the euro (pictured Slovak euro coin) and becomes the 16th member of the eurozone. --Hapsala (talk) 02:17, 1 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Posting (someone upload the image, please). Happy New Year! --Tone 09:23, 1 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

By the way, shall we include the Turkish Lira in the same blurb since they are both about currency? Or is it less newsworthy? --Tone 12:29, 1 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

It's just a redesign it seems. Not that important I think.--Avala (talk) 13:08, 1 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Nom: Gazprom cuts off gas deliveries to Ukraine after failure of negotiations over gas price. -- Beagel (talk) 10:11, 1 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Rationale: Already quite traditional news, but having influence to most of the EU countries. Beagel (talk) 10:11, 1 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Conditional support. We don't have any responses or effects but I guess it will take some time to see the consequences. So this can probably go up. Any other opinions? --Tone 12:29, 1 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Let's wait to see how long the supplies remain cut-off. If there is a serious shortage affecting multiple countries, then this should go up - as of now - the shortage is simply "expected". Avoid speculation. Maybe Russia would resume supply till then. --GPPande 13:20, 1 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• I wonder if 2009 Guwahati bombings is "business as usual" or a significant news item. I am not sure if this is "ITN-worthy", but I really don't know enough about terrorism in India to tell. --PFHLai (talk) 15:56, 2 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I think its worth putting up, but the refs need some cleanup first. Spencer^T♦C 00:48, 3 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I don't know, explosions on such scale have recently happened in Sri Lanka, Iraq and Gaza as well... In my opinion it really depends on the significance but I can't say anything here. --Tone 10:37, 3 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]