Wikipedia:In the news/Candidates

To prevent vandalism on the Main Page, Template:In the news is protected. If you are not an Administrator and have a submission to make to that template, then please list it below.

Submissions that do not follow the guidelines at Wikipedia:In the news section on the Main Page will not be put into the live template.

Current template and archive

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian The European Union passes the Artificial Intelligence Act, aiming to establish a regulatory and legal framework for AI. A helicopter crash near Varzaqan, Iran, kills eight people, including President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (pictured). In boxing, Oleksandr Usyk defeats Tyson Fury to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in twenty-four years. Protests over voting rights changes break out in the French territory of New Caledonia. Ongoing: Israel–Hamas war timeline Russian invasion of Ukraine timeline War in Sudan timeline Recent deaths: Kabosu Ivan Boesky Narayanan Vaghul David Wilkie Fernando Martínez Castellano John Koerner view - page history - related changes - Edit (admins only)

Archives: February-March 2005 • April 2005 • May 2005 • June 2005 • July 2005 • August 2005 • September 2005 • October 2005 • November 2005 • December 2005 • January 2006 • February 2006 • March 2006 • April 2006 • May 2006 • June 2006 • July 2006 • August 2006 • September 2006 • October 2006 • November 2006 • December 2006 • January 2007 • February 2007 • March 2007 • April 2007 • May 2007 • June 2007 • July 2007 • August 2007 • September 2007

ITN Criteria

The In the news section should have 3-5 items. The criteria for inclusion, as decided through community consensus, are:

1. A story should be listed at Portal:Current events, or one of its subpages.
2. The current event needs to be important enough to warrant updating the corresponding article.
3. It should be a story of an international importance, or at least interest.
4. The article must be updated to reflect the new information and have a recent date linked (but remember: Wikipedia is not a news report so relatively small news items should not be put into articles; thus those type of news items should not be displayed on the Main Page).
5. A death should only be placed on ITN if it meets one of the following criteria:
   1. the deceased was in a high ranking office of power at the time of death,
   2. the deceased was a key figure in their field of expertise, and died unexpectedly or tragically,
   3. the death has a major international impact that affects current events. The modification or creation of multiple articles to take into account the ramifications of a death is a sign that it meets this criterion.
6. A short headline should be written for the current event and the link to the article that was updated based on the current event should be emboldened.
7. One and only one image should be included on Template:In the news at any one time, and it must be protected. It should be no more than 100 pixels wide, be right justified, and have alt text. This can be done by enclosing the image code in <div style="float:right"> </div> and adding |100px| followed by the alt text inside the image code, for example: <div style="float:right">[[Image:example-photo.jpeg|100px|This is an example]]</div>. The use of the "|right" extended image markup should be avoided, since under the current MediaWiki parser it results in unsightly and unsymmetrical white borders around images on the coloured Main Page sections. When adding an image of a person, be sure to add "(pictured right)" to the news entry for clarity.

   Avoid using fair use images. Instead, find a related free image (PD, GFDL, CC etc.) as an alternative.

Suggested additions

• Check the criteria above before making your suggestion.
• Place new suggestions at the top under the appropriate date heading (create a new date header if necessary).
• Remember Wikipedia is not a newspaper. There must be an existing encyclopedic article on Wikipedia regarding the subject.
• Do not link to external news sites here. If the article has been appropriately updated it should speak for itself (Instead, consider adding those to the subject's article as references to improve the article).

• Please use the following format for the candidate item:

Start the entry with a dot point/bullet (type an asterisk)

• The candidate item written in simple present tense summary format, short and to the point, with the main article in bold and minimal pertinent links.

Add any additional comments you may have below --and sign & date your entry 12:00, 1 April 2007 (UTC)

The next editor has something to say about the suggestion. --They've also signed their comment 12:06, 1 April 2007 (UTC)

Another person has continued the discussion --User's Name 12:07, 1 April 2007 (UTC)

And so on. When continuing the discussion please refrain from using dot points/bullets to allow the candidates to stand out from the discussion. Indent your comments for clarity.

October 19

• Montenegrin Parliament adopts new Constitution, proclaiming Montenegrin official rather than Serbian. --PaxEquilibrium 17:22, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

Flag of the Europe

• Leaders of the European Union (flag pictured) finally reach agreement on a Reform Treaty following concessions to Poland, Italy and Bulgaria. --Camptown 10:45, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

The linked article is currently a redirect. The comment of the edit which turned it into a redirect was I'm reverting back, this treaty has not yet been signed. Thue | talk 12:33, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

Reform Treaty is indeed the proper name until it has been officially signed in Lisbon (?) later in the year. --Camptown 12:36, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

Hmm dunno about this. I was thinking wait until it's signed but then I thought of something and after checking the article confirmed that indeed it has to be ratified before it takes effect meaning it being signed doesn't really matter. Given this, perhaps post now and if and when it's ratified by all states and/or when it takes effect. Nil Einne 13:36, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

The way I understand European politics, it's the moment of reaching a political agreement that matters. Then, when signing and ratifying come, the big news comes only if a country changes its mind. So, if indeed there is a certainty in the agreement, now's the time to post. --Cryout 13:39, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

Support. Certainly, there will be a formal signing cermony later, followed by a year-long ratification process, but the news is that the EU states after more than 5 years have come to a final agreement. Bondkaka 16:37, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

October 18

Benazir Bhutto

• Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto returns to Pakistan, ending an eight-year exile.

I believe this was suggested back when it was merely a possibility, and the consensus was that it would be ITN-worthy if it actually happened. Well, it has, and Benazir Bhutto has been updated. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 12:09, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

While i support this in priciple,i think the specific blurb suggested by Josiah Rowe might leave people who aren't as familiar with current events of Pakistan with a feeling of "so what"? While i havent been following this story as closely the last week or so, there was a widespread belief that she would return as a relatively significant member of the Pakistani government to-be. If that is still the case i think that that should perhaps be reflected in the blurb. Thethinredline 17:46, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

People may now have been killed. Source: Al Jazeera, based on Pakistani TV. Reports are of two explosions, one leaving ten to twenty bodies. The news is supported by AP, AFP and Reuters. --Cryout 19:42, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

Definitely ITN worthy now, i would suggest: "At least 30 people are killed in two explosions in Karachi, Pakistan near a convoy carrying former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, but leaving her unhurt, on the first day of her return to Pakistan following an eight-year exile." Current events and Mrs. Bhutto's article have both been updated. Thethinredline 20:53, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

Definently ITN-worthy, however the section in the Benazir Bhutto does not currently inspire confidence. For example it has the sentence "The Pakistani People's Party leader and former Pakistani PM, Bhutto, was shadowed by the Quran during her journey leaving the plane and touching Karachi Airport grounds" until I deleted it. Thue | talk 21:14, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

Now an event article at 2007 Karachi bombings, but it's still not a well-rounded stub. - BanyanTree 22:34, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

125 deaths, surely this has to be put up. Hammer Raccoon 23:24, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

Unfortunately a lot of articles related to Pakistan covering controversial things appear to have similar issues from those that have been proposed recently. I don't mean stuff about the Quran but contradictary information, outdated speculation (which probably shouldn't have been there in the first place) and blatant POV. Nil Einne 13:40, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

• Cécilia and Nicolas Sarkozy file for divorce. 87.245.156.73 13:38, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

Definitely not IMO, I don't see what impact this is going to have or why it's important EtTuMercader

I did hear on NPR this morning the interesting theory from a French correspondent that Mrs. Sarkozy was a major component of his political engine; sort of a Hillary Clinton+10, as she related to Bill Clinton's presidency. The supposition was that the divorce, and losing his major political aide--his wife--would have major ramifications. Ironically, France today is completely shut down by major labor strikes of all transportation and utilities workers because of policy changes Sarkozy is pushing. That is less than 24 hours after the announcement of the divorce. • Lawrence Cohen 16:03, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

My understanding of the situation between President Sarkozy and his wife was that they had been separated for a long time prior to his election as President, so even if she had been a significant behind the scenes player as Lawrence Cohen suggests, than whatever influences she might have had had long since eroded, and as such would have little effect of any kind on international events or politics in France. I dont think this merits inclusion. Thethinredline 18:08, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

Your understanding is wrong. See the Bulgarian hostages in Lybia for instance. Hektor 12:15, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

The thing is, while it's true that she appears to still have some behind the scenes role, it's unclear that this is incumbent on her being married to Nicholas. Given that they appear to have been more or less seperated for a while, with her making a cursory appearance at state functions at best, the divorce by common consent seems to be more of formality then a significant move. Perhaps she will greatly lose influence or will change her position/behaviour but this seems crystal bally to me. There's simply no way we can know if this seperation is going to have a great effect. Nil Einne 13:52, 19 October 2007 (UTC)

October 17

• The Man Booker Prize for 2007 is won by Anne Enright for her novel The Gathering. MAG1 11:38, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

Have we announced the winners of this in the past? If so I support, if not I oppose.EtTuMercader

Yup. Posted. Thanks, BanyanTree 23:10, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

• The move of the Acropolis marbles to the New Acropolis Museum after 25 centuries (see below on Oct 15th). I don't want to be a pest, but I don't know how this works. I saw a couple of reminders for other news below. NikoSilver 19:54, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

I hate outlining my reasoning why I don't post items, since I always appear like an ass, but I have the feeling that you'll continue posting every day. I know that the Acropolis is old. I know from the article that big stone things from the old thing are being moved the distance of a short walk. I don't know why this is ITN-worthy. I believe I suggested the movement of the Obelisk of Axum, way back when, but that had a clear international issue surrounding it. Someone below seems to insinuate that there is a related controversy, but the articles imply that someone said, "Let's move these old rocks under some cover" and everyone said, "OK". Maybe I'm a cultural philistine here, but I don't see the international interest, nevertheless significance. - BanyanTree 23:32, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

lol, I'd continue posting for another 2,500 years if I didn't receive any negative reply! (kindly advise in my talk how I should treat "seemingly endorsed non-insertion"). My rationale for posting this here was that those 400 meters are mostly vertical, and you can't walk them (unless you are a climber). Second, that those things never left the rock for so long. Third, that the Acropolis is a symbol for democracy and should concern all of us (well, as a symbol of the western civilization, I mean). Fourth, that the Greek politicians found the opportunity to raise an issue for the Elgin marbles (again), as cited in the bolded article. Fifth, that all major international media covered it (well, I don't know about their first page but, still, all of them did). Sixth, that the Acropolis Museum is considered one of the most important museums in the world (see article) and now it's being moved. And seventh, that I found this particular kind of classical, cultural, democratic, ancient, quasi-controversial news to be very suitable for an encyclopedia. I may be wrong, of course, but at least I wanted to present my rationale. I'm sure that if the Pyramids or the Stonehenge were moved we wouldn't give it a second thought, yet the Acropolis is arguably much more important. In any case, I may be seeing things from a very narrow Greek viewpoint, so feel free to disagree. (yes, I can be convinced and, no, I certainly won't call anyone a philistine _{although I still feel I'm being a pest}) NikoSilver 23:57, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

Below I supported this because I was under the mistaken impression that it involved the Elgin marbles. Since that isn't the case I have to switch and oppose this. While no one doubts that the Parthenon is an important piece of architecture and history I don't think that otherwise non-notable pieces being moved to a museum really meets the threshold of notability. EtTuMercader

Point well taken, thanks. Retracting proposal. NikoSilver 10:21, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

October 16

• The National Lacrosse League cancels its 2008 season, after failing to reach a new contract with the league's players.

Proposed. The NLL is the top LAX league in North America. SashaCall ^(Sign!)/_(Talk!) 17:31, 16 October 2007 (UTC)

Oppose- Professional Lacrosse isn't really a significant sport. The League in question has only been in existence for 6 years and only has 10 teams. Though its certainly a quickly growing high school sport I don't think that the national league is significant enough to merit ITN. EtTuMercader

Agreed, not quite big enough/international enough, to put it mildly. • Lawrence Cohen 13:40, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

• The move of the Acropolis marbles (see below Oct 15). NikoSilver 20:29, 16 October 2007 (UTC)

Support- This has been a controversy for nearly 200 years now, and the Elgin Marbles article is a pretty good one. I think it's worth an ITN for the conclusion of this long-running dispute.

Ummm, sorry, but as much as I'd want to, the Elgin marbles stay put in the British museum for now (although the New Acropolis Museum was used as a very serious reason for them to return). It's the rest of the statues and artifacts that are moved there, leaving the "Sacred rock" for the first time in 2,500 years. You see, Elgin sufficed in wrecking only half the place down... _{(In case nobody noticed, I'm Greek :-) )} NikoSilver 20:00, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

Definitely use. • Lawrence Cohen 13:40, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

October 15

Airbus A380

• Airbus delivers its first double-deck A380 aircraft (pictured) to launch customer Singapore Airlines in a ceremony in Toulouse, France. --Camptown 22:50, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

Added. Thanks, BanyanTree

Leonid Hurwicz

• The 2007 Nobel Prize in Economics is shared between American economists Leonid Hurwicz (pictured), Eric Maskin and Roger Myerson. EconomicsGuy 12:15, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

Yes. All the others have been up already. • Lawrence Cohen 12:16, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

Support. Possibly with the addition of "for having laid the foundations of mechanism design theory." --Camptown 12:40, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

Image:Leonid Hurwicz.jpg may be used on MainPage in place of Al Gore's pic from a long time ago, but it needs OTRS authorization. Can any Commons admins help? --PFHLai 22:32, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

Actually it needs a Commons admin on OTRS who subscribes to the permissions queue. (List here) That pic is so awesome that it totally needs to go up once its sourcing is sorted out. - BanyanTree 10:54, 16 October 2007 (UTC)

Funny how we note the literature winner was British, but not note the economics winners were American. I smell anti-Americanism (or pro-Europeanism, considering airbus is also listed) SashaCall ^(Sign!)/_(Talk!) 16:47, 16 October 2007 (UTC)

Hi. BanyanTree and all, thanks to your note here and OTRS and the source, the photo is AOK to use now. Thank you again. -Susanlesch 19:54, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

Thanks! I've switched images. - BanyanTree 22:56, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

I'm sure we'll mention when the first 787 is delivered... Nil Einne 09:56, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

Three Gorges Dam

• How about updating the picture with something more current than a 10 year old picture of the former US Vice President? --Camptown 07:55, 15 October 2007 (UTC)
  • What is that? Mommy's pudding for Halloween? --Howard the Duck 08:52, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

• After 25 centuries, the marbles of the Acropolis of Athens (Parthenon pictured) are cautiously being moved to the New Acropolis Museum. --NikoSilver 13:20, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

This seems interesting. Can Acropolis of Athens be also updated? --PFHLai 22:56, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

Done. [1] --NikoSilver 20:23, 16 October 2007 (UTC)

• About the 17th Party Congress, this is the headline on every major newspaper in the world today, as well as all major news websites, while the dam story does not appear very prominently anywhere. If it is not up on iTN today then it should be when the new Politburo Standing Committee is named. I am in favour of dropping of the dam story though. Colipon+(T) 13:57, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

I don't think just having another meeting convened as scheduled is enough for ITN. I'd wait till there is some big announcements. Election of a new Politburo Committee would be a good thing to mention on the oneliner on ITN. --PFHLai 22:32, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

Support holding off for now; wait for some news to come out of it. • Lawrence Cohen 16:52, 16 October 2007 (UTC)

October 14

• Australian Prime Minister John Howard formally calls new elections for 24 November 2007.

While the election has been in the offing for some time, the date was not set. The heavy campaigning begins now. It is the main front-page article on the BBC website, and the election may end up a Labor landslide and the end to the Howard era. Lockesdonkey 02:53, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

Great! Pls come back when you have the results of the voting in Australian general election, 2007. Thank you. --74.13.129.52 05:09, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

• The 17th Party Congress opens in Beijing. (of course, the wording will be more formal, but this is a big event. Colipon+(T) 21:45, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

Having raised this event on October 12, I obviously endorse it ;) Aec·is·away ^talk 22:39, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

From a purely organizational standpoint, having two China items side by side is to be avoided. Would people approve dropping the dam story so this can go up? Also, we still need a suggested hook. - BanyanTree 03:34, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

Hmmm.... Maybe we could combine hooks? Blood Red Sandman ^{(Talk) (Contribs)} 06:15, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

Combining them is fine, but I think it would be wrong to drop the dam story, that seems a lot bigger than this.

A nobel prize story wedged in between has solved the problem. Blood Red Sandman ^{(Talk) (Contribs)} 16:21, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

October 13

• A stretch of Interstate 5 in California is shut down due to a fire in a truck tunnel. [2] --Rschen7754 (T C) 19:42, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

Probably not of sufficient international interest. Sorry. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 19:50, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

The I-35W bridge collapse was mentioned here... Also, this is currently most viewed story at CNN. Is there any other reason why this should not be on the page? --Rschen7754 (T C) 19:55, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

A bridge unexpectedly collapsing is very different from a crash. --NE2 22:27, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

I-35W received international coverage (beyond CNN, an American news outlet). Is this being covered widely or affecting huge numbers of people? • Lawrence Cohen 22:28, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

This affects both of the northbound routes into Los Angeles... I would assume so. The Chicago and New York papers have picked up the news. --Rschen7754 (T C) 22:53, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

Heh, even BBC picked it up: [3]. --Rschen7754 (T C) 22:55, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

Even the most read story on BBC, and it's front page material: [4]. --Rschen7754 (T C) 22:57, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

A burning highway doesn't seem to be on the scale of the recent news, like Nobel prize awards and 4,000,000 people being displaced because of ecological armageddon... • Lawrence Cohen 23:00, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

But then why would I-35W make recent news? --Rschen7754 (T C) 23:06, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

I'd imagine because that was a large disaster, with many people killed, and initial speculation that it was possibly a terrorist attack. Major disasters are Big News. A tunnel fire closing down a lone highway in one part of the United States, not so much, as I see it, unfortunately. The story has to have at least significant international interest, at the least, to people in all the English-speaking nations. Would Australians, Irish, and Indians be worried about L.A. traffic being even more backed up? • Lawrence Cohen 23:08, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

Ah, I see. Apparently "most viewed article" at BBC doesn't count? </sarcasm> And this is not just a lone highway. The closure of the main artery into Los Angeles from the north will disrupt the economy of the second-largest city in the U.S. --Rschen7754 (T C) 23:11, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

Well, I'll defer to everyone else, after they chime in. It just feels far too local. • Lawrence Cohen 23:13, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

Wasn't the I-35W bridge collapse feel far too local? O₂ (息 • 吹) 23:14, 13 October 2007 (GMT)

Everything on ITN is subjective, isn't it? People died in the bridge collapse, it had days of international news coverage, it was speculated to be a terrorist attacks. Disasters are routinely included on ITN. Is a tunnel fire that stops traffic lightly affecting a local economy (it's Saturday, in the United States, not a business day), an internationally-significant event people will be talking and reporting on 72 hours from now? • Lawrence Cohen 23:17, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

(Outdent) It's already off of the BBC News front page, for what it is worth. • Lawrence Cohen 23:20, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

This could easily affect the economies of San Diego and San Francisco, as well as Portland, Seattle, and Mexico... must I say more? --Rschen7754 (T C) 23:22, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

[ec] I-5 doesn't just serve a local economy. It is the main Interstate Highway on the west coast, which serves a whole lot of cities along that corridor. Even more than that, it is a border-to-border highway as well, so not only it is tampering with LA and the whole west coast's economy, but it will also be disrupting Mexico-U.S.-Canada trade. O₂ (息 • 吹) 23:23, 13 October 2007 (GMT)

And I still see it on the BBC page... [5] --Rschen7754 (T C) 23:24, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

This is just from a UK perspective, but I wondered what was going on when I logged on and saw this, because I couldn't find it on the BBC until I checked the Americas section, and even then I only managed to find the pictures. RHB - Talk 00:22, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

This story appeared in France, Canada, and Australia too… O₂ (息 • 吹) 00:43, 14 October 2007 (GMT)

There was never anything but pictures - the BBC ran an "in pictures" item with Associated Press photographs, but don't seem to have decided to produce an actual news story on it. Shimgray | talk | 02:21, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

FWIW, my feeling is also that this is does not have the historical and international significance to qualify for ITN. Thue | talk 07:34, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

My feeling is more or less the same. While this is obviously news, I'm not sure it's encyclopedic enough for Wikipedia. Of all such accidents, probably only the 1999 Mont Blanc tunnel fire might qualify for ITN. Aec·is·away ^talk 23:36, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

• "The Chinese government announces that 4,000,000 people will be forced from their homes near the Three Gorges Dam, because of a possible "environmental catastrophe"." Source: [6]. • Lawrence Cohen 06:21, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

This is ITN class news IMO, but as far as I can see this news is only covered in the article by a single line. The article has to be updated for it to be put into ITN. It would be nice if there were a subsection we could link to. Thue | talk 09:27, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

OK, I expanded out that one line in the article from numerous sources to become Three Gorges Dam#"Environmental catastrophe". • Lawrence Cohen 15:41, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

Posted (some time ago). Thue | talk 22:05, 13 October 2007 (UTC)

Do you mean "an additional 4 million people"? Millions of people have already been relocated to make way for the dams for the past 10 years. Just moving people out of there is hardly news at all, unless you have never heard of this project. --74.13.129.52 05:14, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

Yes, these are 4m people in addition to the already planned/moved 1.3m people(!). I see somebody already improved the formulation on the front page. Thue | talk 10:31, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

October 12

• The Seventeenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China will start on Monday, and some of the decisions taken there might be ITN-worthy. One of them is the election of a new Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China, the 17th PSC, which will be in office from 2007 to 2012. Aec·is·away ^talk 14:02, 12 October 2007 (UTC)
• Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change win the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for their effort to disseminate knowledge about man-made climate change.

I could add it myself, but suggesting here first to give others a chance to suggest improvements. Thue | talk 09:24, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

Al Gore

I don't have time to crop and upload the image myself right now, but I suggest that we replace the Doris Lessing image with one of Al Gore, perhaps a crop of Image:AlGoreGlobalWarmingTalk.jpg (right). —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 15:04, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

Here you go:

(removed old image; requested CSD)

Cheers. • Lawrence Cohen 15:33, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

Reuploaded, slightly smaller. • Lawrence Cohen 15:35, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

Al Gore

The guy won the Nobel prize; I'd be smiling instead. I cropped another one from commons for consideration. NikoSilver 16:19, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

I don't feel that either are good enough quality. The sad one because he is looking sad, and the happy one is technically poor. Thue | talk 16:35, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

How about this one?

File:Al Gore ITN2.jpg

Good enough? • Lawrence Cohen 16:42, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

Yes, that one looks fine :). Adding... Thue | talk 17:16, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

That was my original pick too, but I hesitated because we're not allowed to widen it a bit (having gained a few pounds since). :-) NikoSilver 17:33, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

I think photoshopping on a few pounds would be original research. :) I figured it would be the best one since he's smiling, it is a simple photo, and it looks iconic. • Lawrence Cohen 17:36, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

Plus it shows where the prize will eventually land (in the background). Too bad it doesn't match the official actions as much... Anyway, great pic(k)! NikoSilver 17:50, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

• Vote counting after the Gibraltarian general election, 2007 is still taking place at the moment, but there appear to be two candidates to become the new Chief Minister of Gibraltar: incumbent Peter Caruana (Gibraltar Social Democrats) and opposition leader and former Chief Minister Joe Bossano (Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party). Exit polls by the Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation indicate a victory for Bossano, who favours a greater degree of autonomy for Gibraltar. I suggest/propose adding this to ITN when the final results are in. Aecis^Brievenbus 00:14, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

According to the GBC, the final results are expected between 5 and 6 am local time (CET). Aecis^Brievenbus 00:21, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

The exit poll was incorrect: "Peter Caruana is reelected Chief Minister of Gibraltar." Aec·is·away ^talk 12:10, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

October 11

• "Turkey recalls their ambassador to the United States, in the wake of the U.S. Congress voting to recognize that the Ottoman Empire played a role in the Armenian Genocide."

• New suggestion; possibly huge international news, as if Turkey cuts off military support for the US, it will have huge implications for the Iraq War. • Lawrence Cohen 17:41, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

Definitely a worthy candidate; however, I'm not sure whether the wording is sufficiently clear. What's happened so far is that a House committee has voted to let a bill identifying the Armenian genocide go before the full House for a vote. I'm worried that this wording suggests that the bill has been voted on by the full House. How about this: "Turkey recalls its ambassador to the United States, after the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs passes a resolution describing the deaths of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide." It's a bit wordy, but accuracy is important, especially in a touchy subject like this. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 18:47, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

It's a bit wordy, but it's a very good wording nonetheless: to the point, accurate and neutral. It's long, but not excessively long. So I don't see a problem there. The subject is highly notable and relevant, because of the role of the Armenian Genocide in Turkey's foreign relations in general (see the negotiations with the EU, for instance), and because of the possible repercussions of this resolution for the relations between the US and Turkey. Aecis^Brievenbus 19:53, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

Added — thanks for the feedback. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 20:01, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

And right after I added it I realized that I could condense "United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs" to "U.S. House Committee...", since "United States" was already mentioned in the item. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 20:04, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

That could do it. Is it important enough for the main page? • Lawrence Cohen 20:09, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

Oh, I'd say so — it's a major diplomatic incident with potentially significant international repercussions going far beyond Turkey and the United States. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 20:19, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

Excuse me, if it's due to my english skills, but current wording sounds as if Turkey is cutting (or at least impending to cut) its diplomatic relations with US. However, according to Turkish Newspapers, the ambassador is called to Turkey just for consolation and setting up a new roadplan for all this Armenian Genocide resolution issue (and actually he's still in US, he'll be on his way on Monday. So it's not as if he's been immideatly called back) Kerem Özcan 21:40, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

It could do with a re-write to clarify the function of the preposition. I know that "Ambassador to the United States" is a job title, but it could read as if this man is being ordered to return to the United States. Kevin McE 23:11, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

Doris Lessing

• The British writer Doris Lessing (pictured) wins the 2007 Nobel Prize in Literature. --Camptown 11:14, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

Yep, gotta be. And seemingly the oldest recipient. Let's hope she's still knocking about next year to give the lecture. Badgerpatrol 11:25, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

Posted, without mentioning the age thing. How should we word that? "British writer Doris Lessing becomes the oldest person in history to win the Nobel Prize in Literature"? Aecis^Brievenbus 11:34, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

Maybe we can add her picture later in the day? --Camptown 12:57, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

Doris Lessing, reworked photo

I agree that adding her picture would be good. There is a slightly reworked version of the photo above at Image:Doris lessing 20060312 (jha).jpg. Does anyone have a strong opinion on whether we should use the original or the retouched version? —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 17:39, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

I went ahead and added a crop of the retouched version. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 19:43, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

October 10

• At least 25 killed in Brazil double collision. A truck coming down a hill plowed into rescue workers and gawkers at the site of an earlier collision -- a double accident that killed least 25 people and injured 87, police said Wednesday. (CNN)
  • While this is obviously news, this is not encyclopedic news, I'm afraid. ITN is not a news ticker. This does not have an international interest, and does not seem to have an updated Wikipedia article. Aecis^Brievenbus 18:06, 10 October 2007 (UTC)
• The first Malaysian astronaut, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and the first female space station commander, Peggy Whitson are launched towards the International Space Station on board Soyuz TMA-11. 193.56.37.1 15:41, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

Have to admit, the "Ramadan in Space" angle is pretty cool. Lapicero 16:05, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

I support this item going on ITN, but am a little concerned that the current blurb mentions only two of the three crew. Normally we would highlight the spaceflight, Soyuz TMA-11, but that article is less well developed than the two crew memebers. Perhaps we could work the commander, Yuri Malenchenko, into the blurb.-gadfium 18:30, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

How about the following.-gadfium 18:34, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

The first Malaysian astronaut, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, the first female space station commander, Peggy Whitson, and the first person ever married in space, Yuri Malenchenko, are launched into space on board Soyuz TMA-11.

That would mean three bolded links in one blurb. I think that would be a bit too much. Aecis^Brievenbus 20:41, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

Inviting criticism of being both anti-women and anti-marriage, I've reworded with only Shukor until the Shoyuz article can serve as the bolded item. If that doesn't happen, I suggest focusing on Whitson once she takes actual command of the ISS. Thanks, BanyanTree 22:44, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

Should we mention the Angkasawan program that Shukor was part of? Aecis^Brievenbus 11:36, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

• "Roman Catholic priest Christian Von Wernich is sentenced to life imprisonment by an Argentine federal court for murders, torture and abductions commmitted during the 1976–83 Dirty War." Or link to crime against humanity, per Rome Statute definition. Headshot photo w/ non-copyrighted status on article. Lapicero 15:38, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

I support this item for ITN. Seems to be getting significant international coverage.-gadfium

Added under the date of sentencing (Oct 9). Thanks, BanyanTree 22:23, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

• Gerhard Ertl is awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his studies of chemical processes on solid surfaces.Ilvil 11:03, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

Posted and please don't forget to bold the updated article link when suggesting ITN hooks in the future. Thanks, BanyanTree 11:28, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

October 9

• The United States Supreme Court dismisses the case of the German citizen Khalid El-Masri who accuses the CIA to have him abducted to a secret prison in Afghanistan were he claims he was tortured. The US government had argued that a public trial would reveal state secrets. Happily ever after 19:25, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

I support the addition of this item. I would suggest a slightly different wording: "The United States Supreme Court dismisses the case of German citizen Khalid El-Masri, who was wrongfully abducted to a secret prison in Afghanistan and allegedly tortured." The U.S. government has admitted that El-Masri was abducted in error, so only the torture allegation needs to be qualified. The case was dismissed without comment from the Supreme Court, so I don't think we need to go into the details of state secrets privilege in the item. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 04:44, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

There is an immediate issue of the nature of the update and what I believe is a problem with the wording of the hook. Scanning for the update, I found "The ACLU filed a petition for certiorari at the U.S. Supreme Court, but it was denied" as the last bullet point. However, after reading the rest of the bullet points, it is not immediately clear that the "appeal the recent dismissal" is the same as this "certiorari" thing, which is a term I didn't know until I looked it up to confirm that they were one and the same. Given that information is organized intro chronological bullet points, rather than into topic narratives, I found this quite confusing. Once I figured out what is going on, I saw a flaw in the hook, which, as written now, suggests that Mr. El-Masri was appealing to be released and the Supreme Court denied this (or at least that seemed the most likely reading on first look). "The United States Supreme Court refuses an appeal against the dismissal, on the grounds of national security, of a lawsuit filed by Khalid El-Masri, who was taken to a secret prison in Afghanistan and allegedly tortured in a case of mistaken identity" seems to state it correctly, but is perhaps afflicted with overly torturous wording. That said, I found the flow of information in the relevant section of Khalid El-Masri so confusing that I won't support this item until the article section is reorganized. On a related topic, in an apparent first, a U.S. judge has just blocked the transfer of Lufti Bin Ali on the grounds of his fear of torture (BBC) if some energetic editor wants to update for an ITN 1-2 punch for a "War on Terror detention" hook. - BanyanTree 08:31, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

Not sure about this one. While the event may be of interest, the article written as bullet points isn't the best and may be lacking some of the information about the background of the case (about the state secrets provisions and stuff). Also, on first glance, it appeared to lack the necessary updates as all I learnt from it was what I learnt in the headline, that the Supreme Court denied his request. However it appears the only update that can be added is that it was without comment which I added. Since it was without comment I don't think there is much more to add. Arguably this means it should not be on ITN since even if the event was fairly significant, it's not going to have a big effect on the article as there's nothing to say i.e. we won't be highliting a significant update to the article. On the other hand, the Nobel Prizes don't tend to cause significant updates either Nil Einne 09:21, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

• Nearly 200 die in fierce fighting between pro-Taliban militants and the Pakistani Army in North Waziristan.

Posted. Thanks, BanyanTree 01:12, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

• Albert Fert and Peter Grünberg are awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of Giant Magnetoresistance.Ilvil 10:48, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

It's in already. Happily ever after 19:26, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

October 8

• Mario Capecchi, Martin Evans, and Oliver Smithies are awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for development of their gene targeting technique. --Jester 11:58, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

Fixed a typo and added a link. Thue | talk 16:58, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

Posted. Thue | talk 17:11, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

I appreciate that this apparently undecided title is the name given to the award, but when rendered in a headline, it looks like the good folk in Oslo decided to give them an award, but couldn't be bothered to decide what it is for. Maybe we could rewrite it as ...are awarded a Nobel prize for development...: the nature of the development establishes that we are talking about medical/physiological research. Kevin McE 22:03, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

Yes it looks a little odd, but the fact that it is wikilinked as a single item does tend to group it together and communicate that it is really the name of the award. Thue | talk 23:06, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

Also I think it will be confusing if we have 3 or 4 different prizes without specifying what they're for. Oh and a minor nitpick, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Laureates (as with all the Nobel Prizes bar the Peace Prize) is chosen by a committee selected by a Swedish organisation and is awarded in Stockholm. Oslo doesn't come into the equation Nil Einne 11:08, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

October 7

• Its a shame, and about time the "2007 Lebanon conflict" on the front page, listed as an "Ongoing conflict" has been hearing my outcry since the conflict ended! To who ever who has authority, and to who ever follows these things, I assure you that the Conflict finished over a month ago!! And the "Current" news on this Site is hard coded as print.--Yozef 00:05, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

I think you're in the wrong place. This page is for suggestions appearing on Template:In the news on the Main Page. You appear to be talking about something on Portal:Current events/Sidebar on Portal:Current events. That subpage is not protected and you may remove any stale listing. - BanyanTree 00:16, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

• In a day of record setting temperatures the 2007 Chicago Marathon shut downs after only three and a half hours and has a men's open division photo finish, a death, hundreds of heat-related hospitalizations, and sprint finishes in the women's open and men's wheelchair divisions.--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/tcfkaWCDbwincowtchatlotpsoplrttaDCLaM) 21:07, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

Comment This race, which is one of the 5 World Marathon Major marathons, had runners from all 50 United States and 120 countries.--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/tcfkaWCDbwincowtchatlotpsoplrttaDCLaM) 21:07, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

I would tend not to support this. IMO we should only post the absolute top sport events in ITN, and this doesn't qualify. (I posted the recent marathon world record and new chess champion items, so I don't categorically oppose all sport items) Thue | talk 21:49, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

If I recall the marathon you posted was a world record set at a minor marathon. This is a death, a photo finish, hundreds of heat-related hospitalizations, and two come from behind sprint finishes at one of the 5 major marathons. If the minor marathon you posted is a top sports event then this is.--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/tcfkaWCDbwincowtchatlotpsoplrttaDCLaM) 22:12, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

The news there was not the marathon itself, but the fact that Gebreselassie broke the world record. Where he did that doesn't matter. Regarding the Berlin Marathon, it is one of the largest marathons in the world, with London, Boston, New York and Chicago: together they form the World Marathon Majors. And finally, while a death at a marathon is news, I'm not sure it's encyclopedic enough for ITN. Aecis^Brievenbus 22:14, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

The death alone would not be news. However, an October heatwave that causes the partial cancellation of a major marathon is a different story.--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/tcfkaWCDbwincowtchatlotpsoplrttaDCLaM) 22:19, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

I know that what I'm about to say may sound very cruel, but from what I gather in the media, only the recreational marathon (for amateurs) was cancelled, not the competitive marathon for professional athletes. If the latter had been the case, it might have been something for ITN. I'm not sure it's suitable now. Aecis^Brievenbus 22:26, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

O.K. I see your point.--TonyTheTiger (t/c/bio/tcfkaWCDbwincowtchatlotpsoplrttaDCLaM) 23:23, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

October 6

• A plane crash in the Democratic Republic of the Congo kills over 50 people, and results in the country's transport minister being sacked. Re-nom now that I've fixed up the article a little. Blood Red Sandman ^{(Talk) (Contribs)} 22:24, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

Posted. ITN items should be posted for the date on the event hook, so this is currently posted as an October 4th event. I've changed "sacked" for "fired" as a mainly British-ism. Thanks for the update, BanyanTree 21:08, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

Firing is something that happens to guns: if admins are looking for a more encyclopaedic way of saying that the minister was dismissed, can I suggest dismised/dismissal. Kevin McE 23:19, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

Done. Thanks, BanyanTree 00:09, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

• Jason Lewis becomes the first person to circumnavigate the globe entirely under his own power. Blood Red Sandman ^{(Talk) (Contribs)} 14:07, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

Expedition 360 is well-sourced and updated, and the item is surely one of international significance, and so I support notwithstanding what might be seen as the shortishness of the article, although I think we'd also do well to link circumnavigation and perhaps to add "Briton" ahead of Lewis's name; we often, and properly, IMHO, append demonyms in items like this. Joe 18:24, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

I was ready to add this, but then I saw at Circumnavigation#Human-powered that there's apparently some dispute over whether he's really the first to do it, or whether it really counts (at least according to the definition used by Guinness, if that matters). I think that the wording should allow for this ambiguity. Suggestions? —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 04:13, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

There is currently a suggested merge of Jason Lewis (adventurer) and Expedition 360. - BanyanTree 08:33, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

October 5

Marion Jones

Marion Jones

• Sprinter Marion Jones pleads guilty to lying to federal investigators during the BALCO enquiry about the use of the steroid substance THG and announces in a press conference that she quits Track & Field.--   Avg    01:16, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

Support adding this, with a slight change to the wording ("...and announces her retirement from track and field" would be better). I've uploaded a crop of an image from Commons we could use if we want (although I suppose she won't be looking so happy now...). —Josiah Rowe (talk •contribs) 04:43, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

Oppose adding this: MJ has not been at the top of the sport for some years, nor is she the current holder of any title; the BALCO investigation is ongoing and will spawn many more potential headlines; and this comes very close to the sort of celebrity culture news that ITN has done an admirable job of avoiding thus far. If, however, it is included, it should be re-phrased, as ITN should avoid vocabulary specific to any one variant of English, and track and field is not used outside American English. Kevin McE 09:21, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

The big news is not that she has lied to federal investigators, the big news is that she appears to have admitted using doping in the run-up to the 2000 Summer Olympics. At these Olympics, she won three gold medals (100m, 200m, 4x400m) and two bronze medals (4x100m, long jump). The notability of the athlete, the event and the medals she won there make this highly fitting for ITN, imo. I agree with Kevin about the use of the term track and field, Wikipedia uses the term athletics for the sport. Aecis^Brievenbus 11:07, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

Peter Ueberroth, the head of the United States Olympic Committee, has told Marion Jones to return the medals she has won in the 2000 Olympics. If she is indeed stripped of her titles, this would be in the same category as Floyd Landis, who was stripped of the 2006 Tour victory for the use of doping. Aecis^Brievenbus 11:29, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

Support if she either returns the medals or the IOC/IAAF strips her of the medals. If either of those doesn't happen, don't add it. --Howard the Duck 05:36, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

According to several media reports, Jones has returned all Sydney 2000 medals (3 gold, 2 bronze). I can't find any confirmation of this on the main news sources (BBC, CNN, etc) yet, so I think it's better to wait. But if this is indeed confirmed, I see no reason not to add this item to ITN. Aecis^Brievenbus 21:16, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

It has been confirmed by the US ADA that she's handed them back now and has been retroactively disqualified. (BBC), though I can't find any other sources. Anyway, support from me as this could well be as damaging to athletics as Vinokourov/Landis were to cycling. AllynJ (talk | contribs) 00:11, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

(reindent) I suggest: "American athlete Marion Jones hands over the five medals she won at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, after admitting to the use of tetrahydrogestrinone." Aecis^Brievenbus 00:58, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

It might be a good idea to use THG instead of the full name. Sasha Callahan 01:24, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

• Although it is not final yet, a consortium of Royal Bank of Scotland, Banco Santander and Fortis is set to buy ABN Amro, following the withdrawal of the bid of Barclays Bank. This withdrawal appears to put an end a month-long legal and corporate fight over the takeover of one of Europe's largest and oldest banks. Iff the deal is finalised (which is expected around October 11), should this be put on ITN? Aec·is·away ^talk 13:33, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

I would support it, if ABN AMRO is updated. - BanyanTree 22:31, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

October 4

• At the Inter-Korean Summit, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il sign a joint declaration calling for a peace treaty formally ending the Korean War.

I don't know whether we can craft a headline that incorporates both this and the North's recent pledge to end their nuclear programs at the six-party talks; the article on the six-party talks doesn't seem to have been updated with the latest news, though (see [7]). —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 20:11, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

I see no reason not to put this up. This is major news, which in turn is going to lead to more major news. Much more important then anything else on the template right now. --Plasma Twa 2 21:22, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Added. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 22:03, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

• A plane crash in the Democratic Republic of the Congo kills over 50 people. Someone needs to phrase it better, though. Blood Red Sandman ^{(Talk) (Contribs)} 21:52, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

I hesitate. The extended quote in French forms a significant part of the still rather short article. - BanyanTree 22:34, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

October 3

• Blackwater USA, a private military company contracted by the United States government in the Iraq War, is probed by the United States Congress for possible arms smuggling charges and cover-ups. • Lawrence Cohen 19:25, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

I support the addition of this item, but won't put it up until others have a chance to comment. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 20:24, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

(edit conflict) Has there been any current event with which the article can be updated and an ITN hook formed? ITN usually avoids "a process is ongoing"-type hooks. - BanyanTree 20:44, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

There is the congressional investigation into whether a Bush appointee interfered with investigations into Blackwater. Add in that all this is coming to light right as Blackwater's CEO Erik Prince is pulled in front of the Senate yestertday for the recent shootings... the probe and US Attorney's investigation is the first government action 'against' Blackwater in light of the storm of recent activity and press for them, so it seemed like the better thing to nominate than the recent shootings, which are already not completely current news. • Lawrence Cohen 20:50, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

Would this be better? It's more all-encompassing for all their current news:

"Erik Prince, owner of Blackwater USA, a private military company contracted by the United States government in the Iraq War, is called to testify before the US Senate in the wake of arms smuggling and shooting investigations." • Lawrence Cohen 20:54, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

I created this small image of Erik Prince from the PD US government one to go with the latter suggestion:

File:Erik Prince small for ITN.jpg

Thanks! • Lawrence Cohen 21:05, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

Speaking for myself, something along the lines of "Erik Prince, owner of Blackwater USA, testifies before the US Senate as part investigations into recent shootings in Baghdad and allegations of arms smuggling to the Kurdistan Workers Party" would appear to be detailed enough. That said, it appears that Erik Prince doesn't have the appropriate updates. (It's always something on ITN/C, isn't it?) Alternatively, you could simply add a cited sentence about the testimony to the Blackwater USA article and make that the bolded item. Congressional testimony doesn't normally make it into ITN, but I think there is sufficient 'international interest' here. BanyanTree 22:13, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

Er, double check the Erik Prince page again? It's been under pretty heavy reworking and expansion today over his testimony. Alternately, as Blackwater USA is the central piece of it, we could always just bold that? Or, your version, above, is pretty darn good. I like it. • Lawrence Cohen 22:32, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

In particular, I noticed that the smuggling is not mentioned at all in Erik Prince except as a 'see also.' The bolded article should have at least a basic introduction to all of the topics introduced in the hook, and definitely not expect the reader to go looking for a relevant click-through. Similarly, Blackwater USA doesn't have any mention of the congressional testimony. No article on Wikipedia currently supports either of the hooks above, which is why I offered suggestions for updates above. - BanyanTree 22:51, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

Got it, I understand now what you meant. I'll update both articles in the next hour. • Lawrence Cohen 22:53, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

Alright, I've put basic mentions across both articles with linking back using the Main article template. • Lawrence Cohen 22:59, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

Posted. I've forgone the image as being overly grainy. Thanks, BanyanTree 23:31, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

Splendid! Thanks. Would you mind speedy deleting my small above image? • Lawrence Cohen 23:34, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

Sure. - BanyanTree 01:16, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Is this broad enough (relevant globally) to qualify for ITN? Surely someone just testifying before the US Congress is not ITN-worthy. I oppose this inclusion, and would propose holding off on an ITN item until something actionable has taken place, (i.e., "The Senate has found Blackwater USA performed wrong/didn't perform innappropriately." Terrible wording, but you get the gist.) Mahalo. --Ali'i 17:02, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

I agree with everything Ali'i said up above. --Plasma Twa 2 18:22, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Well, the Prime Minister of Iraq has called for the contractors to be expelled from the country, which makes it an international incident. Blackwater in general or the Congressional hearings in particular have been covered by lots of international sources, including RTÉ News (Ireland), the Der Spiegel (Germany), The Star (Toronto, Canada), The Scotsman, Xinhua News Agency (China), The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia), The Times (London), The Financial Times (also London), Al Jazeera, BBC News, Turkish Weekly, The Independent (Ireland), Radio New Zealand, etc. I'd think that shows that the Blackwater story is of "international significance, or at least interest". —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 19:48, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Yes, Blackwater itself might be of international interests (as would the shootings recently), however, look at the way the item is phrased and bolded. Prince tesitfying does not qualify. Thing is, big whoop. People testify before Congress all the time. It is only when Congress rules on something (such as if they judged that Blackwater acted inapporpriately, and sanctioned them) does it really qualify as significant. I wouldn't have an issue with something like, "Private security firm Blackwater USA is expelled from Iraq by the Iraqi Prime Minister", (or Parliament, whichever). That is something actually notable happening. It is the actual testifying that fails to pass muster in my glorious opinion. Mahalo. --Ali'i 20:19, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Hm. The problem is that al-Maliki called for Blackwater's expulsion some time ago; however, the investigation into the shootings is ongoing. Besides the Congressional testimony, the only recent development is the announcement that the FBI would be taking over the investigation into the incident. Would that work any better? Something like "The Federal Bureau of Investigation announces that it will be leading the investigation into a Baghdad shooting incident involving employees of Blackwater USA." Would that be better? —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 20:36, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

I'd be worried about excluding the arms smuggling issue, as that is international in scope (Iraq, US, Turkey). The Prince testimony was a good lead/cornerstone into the sentence on what was happening, I'd thought. • Lawrence Cohen 17:04, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

I'd thought so too, but since some editors had objected I was looking for another take which might gain a greater consensus. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 19:03, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

How about this for the remainder of days it stays on ITN, if Prince's testimony in and of itself isn't big enough:

"Blackwater USA, a United States contractor in the Iraq War, comes under international scrutiny due to recent shootings in Baghdad and allegations of arms smuggling to the Kurdistan Workers Party."

Yay, nay? Maybe? • Lawrence Cohen 19:10, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

I like that waaaaaay better than just some Senate hearing. I'd support. Mahalo for your help. --Ali'i 19:24, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

Anytime! • Lawrence Cohen 19:33, 5 October 2007 (UTC)

I can replace the current wording with Lawrence's new version, if we want — but should we consider mentioning the new rules issued by the State Department? (I just updated Blackwater USA with the details.) Perhaps something like "In the wake of shooting incidents in Baghdad and allegations of arms smuggling to the Kurdistan Workers Party, the U.S. State Department issues new rules for the private military company Blackwater USA." ?—Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 04:36, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

ITN has never done "election results are being counted", "the World Cup final halftime score is", "a decision will be announced" or any other sort of ongoing-process items. I believe the item, as currently worded, should simply be removed. - BanyanTree 09:50, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

Which I've gone ahead and done. If wording that links the hook to a specific event cannot be agreed upon, it should not be on ITN. - BanyanTree 12:37, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

• The Burmese Prime Minister Soe Win dies of leukemia. --Camptown 14:08, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

ITN generally avoids obituaries and I don't see much current-events effect of this death. Perhaps if a 2007 Burmese anti-government protests-focused hook related to this was created... - BanyanTree 20:44, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

Note that this is not an ordinary obituary - Prime Minister Soe Win died in office! --Camptown 07:13, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

This definitely should be added. Criteria five is the one normally used to discourage obituaries, but it makes a specific exemption for when "the deceased was in a high ranking office of power at the time of death". If Prime Minister doesn't qualify as a "high ranking office of power", I don't know what does.--Fyre2387 ^{(talk • contribs)} 15:42, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

I agree that this would meet the criteria, if confirmed; however, there are still conflicting reports about whether he's dead or not. We should wait until the uncertainty is resolved. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 20:13, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

I'll go ahead and suggest one: "Scores of Buddhist monks attempt to flee Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) amidst a crackdown on anti-government protests." Though it appears that the country page is in one of its periodic uproars about the correct name. - BanyanTree 01:16, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

• Polish Ambassador in Iraq General Edward Pietrzyk is wounded and three people are killed in an explosion in Baghdad. [8] [9] Mieciu K 13:29, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

Different sources give different number of wounded and killed Iraqis, so maybe we should leave that information out, and instead mention that one BOR officer was also killed. Mieciu K 13:36, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

The Edward Pietrzyk article has very little information on the bombing. A couple lines on the event and why anyone would bother trying to assassinate him in particular would be a sufficient update. The article would also have to include any information in the hook, such as the BOR officer and civilian deaths, which it currently does not. - BanyanTree 20:44, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

October 1

Yulia Tymoshenko

Yulia Tymoshenko

• Exit polls indicate that five parties won the 2007 parliamentary election in Ukraine: Party of Regions, Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc, Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc, Communist Party of Ukraine, and Lytvyn's People's Bloc.

Might need a slight reword, but a major event. Official results still to come. — Alex Khristov 00:20, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

I suggest we wait until the final results are in. Aecis^Brievenbus 00:22, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

The final result will probably be announced after the new PM has been sworned into office. --Camptown 13:28, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

Usually election results are posted on the main page when exit polls come out, and the exit poll numbers are final in this case. — Alex Khristov 00:27, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

I'm sure these are the final exit polls, but I was talking about the official results of the elections. I think it's best to wait for that. After all, Wikipedia is not a news ticker and we don't have a deadline to meet. Waiting is what we did with the last elections (Greece), and IIRC we did it with just about every election before that as well. Aecis^Brievenbus 00:33, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

Okay, I'll wait. — Alex Khristov 00:36, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

Time to post it. With 70% counted, Tymoshenko/Yushenko has a firm majority. Camptown 13:23, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

With 70 percent counted, Timoshenko's bloc and Yushchenko's Our Ukraine party had 48 percent of the vote. Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych's party and his Communist and Socialist allies had 36.8 percent. That sounds pretty invincible... --Camptown 13:25, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

If the vote counting is going this fast, we should be at 90 to 95 percent tonight. I think that would be a better indication of the final result. But I would suggest waiting until we have 100% of the results, as that will be a better indication (obviously) of the final result. Aecis^Brievenbus 13:27, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

At least we should post it before Yulia has resigned... ;D --Camptown 13:32, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

Comment We'd better wait as the vote counting has now - with 91.59% votes counted - entered a crucial stage with the Socialist Party only 0.01% (!) from Parliament. --Camptown 19:37, 1 October 2007 (UTC)

Another very important thing to keep in mind, when putting this up, is the fact that as it stands, Yanukovych's party appears to be winning a plurality in parliament. The blocs of Yushchenko and Tymoshenko have a higher combined total, but BBC reports tonight that "their slim lead has diminished as late votes come in, while Mr Yanukovych has had steady gains." So nothing is certain atm, let's not be too hasty. Aecis^Brievenbus 00:12, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

Glad to see a non-sports item coming in soon. We'll wait for official announcements. --PFHLai 02:39, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

Viktor Yuschenko, President of Ukraine; this image could be cropped for use on ITN, if we want

An argument could be made for making an ITN item out of Yuschenko's call for an investigation into the delay of results from pro-Yanukovich regions: something like "After the end of polling in the Ukranian parliamentary election, President Viktor Yuschenko calls for an investigation into the delay of election results from areas which support the Party of Regions." —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 04:03, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

If such a headline is used on MainPage, please make sure there is a good paragraph in the article about the delay and the investigation. --PFHLai 15:55, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

As Yulia is the pivotal figure of these elections, her picture should definitely be used. --Camptown 12:01, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

Well, she's quite pretty for a politician, so please craft a headline with her name in it. --PFHLai 15:55, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

Yulia Tymoshenko

Yulia Tymoshenko

• Parties representing the Orange Revolution headed by Yulia Tymoshenko (pictured) and Viktor Yushenko regains a slim majority in elections to the Ukraine Parliament. --Camptown 20:27, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

Comment: With 99% of votes counted, this seems indeed to be the final result. This hook also leaves open for the possibility that Tymoshenko and Yushenko might not be cabable of forming a working government coalition... --Camptown 20:37, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

Should the headline also reflect the fact that Yanukovich's party had more votes than either Tymoshenko's or Yushenko's? BBC News is presenting the election as having produced "no clear winner". —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 23:30, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

The New York Times is also saying it's too close to call — I suppose we should hold off until there's a definite winner. Russia's use of the gas pipeline as a blackmail tool may also complicate things. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 04:25, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

Sure, but the two organge parties have a majority now (the biggest party may not necessraily be the winner in a system with proportional representation). We can wait for week and months till a government is formed. This is like ignoring a U.S. presidential election just because some have contested the result. And that's why this item should be posted now. --Camptown 05:21, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

I wasn't trying to ignore the election, I just wanted to be sure that the headline reflected both the result and the article accurately. The problem I have now is that Ukrainian parliamentary election, 2007 doesn't have any content indicating that the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc and the Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc represent the Orange Revolution. You and I know that they do, but there really needs to be something explaining that in the article before it's added to ITN. Ideally, the article should also indicate why it's likely that these two blocs will form a coalition government; I've provided some possible sources at Talk:Ukrainian parliamentary election, 2007#Possible coalitions?, but an editor more familiar with the subject than I am suggested that we should wait for the official result before reporting on possible coalitions. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 07:54, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

Support: Should be posted now. If we say that the two parties in question at least represented the Orange Revolution, there is no room for speculations about who will form government with whom, and who will be the next Ukrainian PM and if some nutcases challenge the outcome in a court of law. The election is already recognized by the OSCE as fair, and as such quite unique in the post Soviet countries (the Baltic states exculded). The reference to the Orange Revolution is relevant, as the two party colations also represented the opposition. Bondkaka 09:58, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

OK, I've added a bit to the relevant article about the Orange parties, and added the item to ITN. —Josiah Rowe (talk • contribs) 20:21, 3 October 2007 (UTC)

• Though they're small articles, how about: Socialist/Democrat Mirko Tomassoni and Popular Democrat Alberto Selva become the new Captains Regent of San Marino. Therequiembellishere 23:30, 3 October 2007 (UTC)