Wikipedia:In the news/Candidates/1 January 2010

Judge drops Blackwater case

 * A US judge drops a case against Blackwater Worldwide contractors accused of killing 17 Iraqi civilians. Causing outrage in Iraq. (NY Times, The Independent).  Grsz 11  00:51, 4 January 2010 (UTC)
 * The shooting incident had big international ramifications: the UN ruled the contractors were the same as mercenaries, and as such, illegal under interntional law; Blackwater was kicked out of Iraq; they went into damage control, changing their name from Blackwater USA to Blackwater Internation, and now go by Xe Services; Congress passed laws making contractors liable in US court.  Grsz 11  00:57, 4 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Unfortunately, it's not unusual to have charges dropped over murders committed in wartime situations. I don't think there's anything special about this being a U.S. case, as the same thing could have happened (and has happened with depressing regularity) in other countries. A conviction would have been ITN-worthy, success in the civil case might still be ITN-worthy but, for the moment, oppose. Physchim62 (talk) 01:49, 4 January 2010 (UTC)

Devil facial tumour disease

 * Researchers announce that the likely origin of devil facial tumour disease, a transmissible cancer which has caused the population of Tasmanian devils to collapse by 60% in the past decade, is Schwann cells. (BBC) (Time) (New York Times) (Science) Interesting research on a rare disease, I think. Any comments? The article will have to be updated first, of course. --BorgQueen (talk) 02:00, 2 January 2010 (UTC)
 * I'll Support. That's very interesting, newsworthy (especially given the decline in population) and it would be nice to have a story that's not necessarily bad news on ITN! HJMitchell    You rang?   02:34, 2 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Strong support. I was thinking of this one myself, but I wondered if it were too obscure even for me to propose! :P If other people like it, I'm fine with it. I'll see if I can start an update before I have to fly back to Spain in a few hours. Physchim62 (talk) 02:38, 2 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Support. This sounds like a good discovery for all Tasmanian devils around the world, probably the best news they've had for some time. Hopefully they can go on from here to find a cure for them. -- can  dle &bull; wicke  05:05, 2 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Updated, posting soon. --BorgQueen (talk) 06:02, 2 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Support Yes a major discovery I think, it has already caused a large damage to this beautiful creature.-- '''yousaf465'  06:12, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Volleyball suicide bomb
88 people have been killed after a suspected suicide bomb attack at a volleyball match. I think this is particularly sad. Cargoking  talk  22:16, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Support. 88 is a lot of people and I honestly think we've been under-reporting the violence that's going in Pakistan/Afghanistan of late. I'll start an article- unless you want to, Cargoking? HJMitchell    You rang?   22:23, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Support. I have started the article January 2010 North-West Frontier Province bombing. Wikireader41 (talk) 22:30, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Support. The "20 houses destroyed" does it for me: this is a big attack, even by Pakistan/Afghanistan standards. Physchim62 (talk) 22:41, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Note. I'm suggesting moving the article to 2010 Lakki Marwat suicide bombing which I will mark as "db-move" in a moment. HJMitchell    You rang?   22:54, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Support. Yes definitely(!), if this many people died at once in Iraq it would probably be posted. -- can  dle &bull; wicke  23:17, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Oh how strange ("2010" attack/disaster articles). :P -- can  dle &bull; wicke  23:19, 1 January 2010 (UTC)


 * At least 95 people are killed, over 100 injured and 20 houses destroyed in a suicide bombing in Lakki Marwat District in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province.
 * The article now more than meets our minimum requirements for posting, but don't let that stop anyone from continuing to improve it! Physchim62 (talk) 23:34, 1 January 2010 (UTC)


 * Support; a significant attack; would be a much bigger news item on another day. Bradjamesbrown (talk) 02:32, 2 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Posting soon. --BorgQueen (talk) 05:56, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Death of Helen Lewis
Auschwitz survivor Helen Lewis dies Article needs improvement but is she well known? It says she was originally from Czechoslovakia and had a "widely acclaimed autobiography" about her time in camp. -- can  dle &bull; wicke  15:22, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Oppose. I don't think ITN/D are met here. --Tone 15:24, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Oppose. I don't want to diminish what this lady went through for so much as one moment but there were a lot of people in Auchwitz and other camps and, sadly, many of them are reaching old age and dying with it being 65 years ago and we can't and shouldn't report each and every one of them unless there's something particularly notable about the individual or their death. HJMitchell    You rang?   17:08, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Oppose per HJMitchell. Really can't say it any better.  Bradjamesbrown (talk) 02:25, 2 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Oppose per Bradjamesbrown ;) Physchim62 (talk) 03:07, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Michael Jackson's Thriller

 * Google News: Michael Jackson's Thriller video is added to the National Film Archive, the first ever music video. Cargoking   talk  12:35, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Oppose, not a big deal. sephia karta |  di mi  13:28, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Weak support if the article is updated and we have nothing better to put up. Physchim62 (talk) 14:47, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Support because it's the first music video so it wouldn't need to be posted every year. -- can  dle &bull; wicke  14:49, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Oppose. I don't find it that significant. --Tone 15:17, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * I did a small update under the awards heading. Cargoking   talk  16:10, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Interesting, but not of ITN significance imho. Oppose. It would sound good as a DYK hook though. HJMitchell    You rang?   16:42, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Oppose, not all that significant. If added, it needs tweaking, like "the first music video to be included."  Thriller was not the first music video ever, as the text seems to imply.  Bradjamesbrown (talk) 02:24, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

End of the Tenth Doctor era

 * " The End of Time ", the final episode of Doctor Who with David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor airs on BBC One. 23:05, 31 December 2009 (UTC)
 * Something on the lighter side amongst all this doom and gloom for the New Year. Hektor (talk) 23:05, 31 December 2009 (UTC)
 * Ah why not. Support. "The End of Time", Doctor Who and David Tennant seem to be in good condition and is broadcast in US and Canada too? The programme article says, √The programme is listed in Guinness World Records as the longest-running science fiction television show in the world, and as the "most successful" science fiction series of all time, in terms of its overall broadcast ratings, DVD sales, book sales and iTunes traffic, as well as "illegal downloads"√. -- can  dle &bull; wicke  23:13, 31 December 2009 (UTC)
 * Strong oppose it is just a TV show, albeit a popular one. It is not ending its run, it is merely replacing some of its actors, which is not notable IMO. As far as I know when Daniel Craig became 007, that didn't go up. -- Plasma Twa  2  00:41, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Oppose Just a change of actors - in no way worldly-significant. HonouraryMix (talk) 01:28, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Support. My favourite TV show if that is relevant. One of the most watched programmes on BBC, and has a very wide international fan base. Cargoking   talk  01:42, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Strong Oppose. Doctor Who changes actors every few series as a matter of course (that's how they've had 10 already). Really not significant. Modest Genius talk 02:04, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Oppose. I would support if this were really the last Doctor Who episode, as I think it is an iconic television series, but a well known online encyclopedia informs me that Matt Smith will be the Eleventh Doctor at some point in 2010. Physchim62 (talk) 02:10, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Oppose. I love the show, but I don't believe this change of actor rises to the level of something appropriate for ITN.  Dragons flight (talk) 05:26, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Oppose While I too will be watching, this is trivia more suited for DYK than ITN. By coincidence, DYK will be running a Doctor Who hook (Amy Pond) Saturday morning. Bradjamesbrown (talk) 07:58, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Strong oppose per Plasma's vey well put rationale. HJMitchell    You rang?   16:30, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

China-ASEAN FTA

 * The free trade area, the first of its kind between China and ASEAN, is scheduled to be officially launched on Jan. 1, 2010. Covering a total population of 1.9 billion, according to this. -- can  dle &bull; wicke  02:18, 29 December 2009 (UTC)
 * More information. -- can  dle &bull; wicke  22:23, 30 December 2009 (UTC)
 * Support Largest Free Trade Area in the world. Nirvana888 (talk) 23:12, 30 December 2009 (UTC)
 * Support sephia karta  |  di mi  13:29, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Comment Also ANZCERTA-ASEAN FTA Therequiembellishere (talk) 06:01, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * What is the article? Physchim62 (talk) 14:47, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * I have no idea but I was hoping that at least one of those 1.9 billion people might. :P -- can  dle &bull; wicke  16:45, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * The update could go under ASEAN Free Trade Area. Therequiembellishere (talk) 17:47, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Yeah, I don't see an article for it. Someone with time on their hands should probably create a new article or update an existing article. There should be plenty of reliable sources out there. Nirvana888 (talk) 18:01, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * WIP. ASEAN–China Free Trade Area will be created soon. It has been previously mentioned in the list of bilateral free trade agreements. Arsonal (talk) 18:10, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Ready now I think. Other contributors welcome. Arsonal (talk) 19:45, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Very nice! It's still a bit short but I believe it is ready to post. Can you give me an appropriate blurb, please? --Tone 20:05, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Yeah, that's OK by me: a few days on the Main Page should get it beefed out a bit! Physchim62 (talk) 20:15, 1 January 2010 (UTC) Suggest:
 * The ASEAN–China Free Trade Area, the world's largest free trade area in terms of population, comes into effect.
 * Yep, I was thinking of something like that. Posting. Do we have a map with the countries highlighted? Maybe we could use it as an image. --Tone 20:27, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * That would be helpful. I'm traveling, and the computer I'm using has no capability to produce such an image. Arsonal (talk) 20:45, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

Five countries assume UNSC seats

 * Five new countries take their non-permanent seats in the UNSC: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Gabon, Lebanon and Nigeria.
 * If I remember correctly, this has been posted before in previous years. Nirvana888 (talk) 23:12, 30 December 2009 (UTC)
 * Support when updated. --BorgQueen (talk) 11:43, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Support, United Nations Security Council looks good Modest Genius talk 12:38, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * That article has no prose update. We can feature United Nations Security Council election, 2009 instead. --BorgQueen (talk) 12:42, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Oppose as the nomination is based on a false premise. We haven't included this event in the past, see the template on 3 January 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006. We may well have posted the election of new UNSC members when the election happens, which would be more logical on ITN practice. Note as well that we don't include the January change in EU presidency (what I was checking for when I was looking at these historical revisions!), before anyone nominates the Spanish presidency. Physchim62 (talk) 14:26, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * I second that. This is annual cycling of the functions and it was well known in advance who will take the seats. --Tone 15:19, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Support. Even if it is recycled and it was known in advance, I think it's significant given the influence these countries will have on the UNSC and given Brazil's increasing significance in the world- 9th largest economy in the world by purchasing power. HJMitchell    You rang?   16:39, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Comment. This is by no means purely a rotation like the EU presidency which is done on a rotational basis every six month. Instead, its an annual election of UNSC seats. Your analogy would be more appropriate for the UNSC Presidency which is actually done on a rotatory monthly process, and which would not posted on ITN much like the EU presidency. I agree that it can be posted either when the election took place or now when they assume their seats - I honestly have no preference. But I updated the appropriate articles to reflect the new events. Nirvana888 (talk) 17:12, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * I think we've missed it. I'd probably support a story at the time of the election (I think we've done that in the past), but this simply isn't news any more. Thanks for the updates all the same (I've spent the afternoon updating articles that have fallen off the ITN timescale as well!). Just to say that this is geopolitically important so we should post it regardless of the news value is simply geopolitics creep, and there's more than enough of that on ITN as it is. Physchim62 (talk) 17:54, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Comment: This happens every year just like the knighthood nomination. -- can  dle &bull; wicke  18:14, 1 January 2010 (UTC)