Wikipedia:In the news/Candidates/February 2006

This page is an archive and its contents should be preserved in their current form; any comments regarding this page should be directed to Template talk:In the news. Thanks.

Archived discussion for February 2006 from In the news section on the Main Page/Candidates.

February 28, 2006

 * The last synagogue in Tajikistan (active and functioning) was destroyed by the government to make room for a presidential residence. http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/AntiSemi/7880.htm elizmr 02:31, 1 March 2006 (UTC)
 * FYI, items proposed for display on the main page require an article in Wikipedia updated with the information & referenced to an external link in the Wikipedia article. So if you want to do that, go for it! However, that would likely be fine as-is for Current events. Please note I'm still pretty new here, but I think I have the suggestion right. TransUtopian 05:19, 1 March 2006 (UTC)
 * You do. To be in ITN, an updated Wikipedia article is required. But yes, it'd be wonderful for CE. --Golbez 05:36, 1 March 2006 (UTC)


 * International Court of Justice (ICJ) began hearing landmark genocide case, Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Serbia and Montenegro. Bosnia filed a claim alleging violations of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide against the former Yugoslavia during the 1992-1995 Bosnian war.  Bosnian genocide case at the ICJ is a first ever genocide court case against a state in 60 year history of ICJ.
 * The article says the hearings are actually set to begin on May 9, so I can't post on ITN saying "The International Court of Justice begins hearing the Bosnian genocide case." The May 9th date was announced a while ago, so it's not news anymore. Can someone help with the drafting of the headline, please ? Thanks. -- PFHLai 23:29, 27 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The hearings have started today. They are scheduled to finish on May 9. I have corected the tense.  There a ton of articles on Google news with search key phrase "bosnia icj"--Dado 23:45, 27 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Whooops... somehow I missed the word "until"...  Anyway, it's posted. I need a picture that looks good at 100px.  Until then, this item sits on the second line. -- PFHLai 02:27, 28 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The case is taking place at the Peace palace at The Hague. Perhaps image of the court building is appropriate Image:Peace Palace.jpg.  The same image is on the article as well.  Thanks --Dado 02:32, 28 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Thanks for the suggestion. Peace Palace is also home to other organizations. So a picture of the building won't work that well, IMHO. A picture of the ICJ courtroom would be good, though. -- PFHLai 18:32, 28 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Somebody has finally found a practical use for the iPod. No! Really -No kidding! (and apart from that)--[Sourceforge]--Aspro 22:01, 28 February 2006 (UTC)
 * PFHLai, when many think of the Hague, they think of the ICJ though, don't they? It's home to other organizations too, but I think of the building's exterior is just as valid as having a map or flag illustrate a regional or national story. TransUtopian 23:51, 28 February 2006 (UTC)

February 26, 2006

 * The Olympic flag is passed to the mayor of Vancouver, home of the 2010 Winter Olympics, during the Closing Ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics. joturner 22:26, 26 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Posted. -Splash talk 23:23, 26 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The trapped miners in the Pasta de Conchos mine disaster in Mexico are presumed dead after rescuers encounter toxic levels of natural gas that halt search efforts. joturner 04:56, 26 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The current news item for the Pasta de Conchos mine disaster fails to mention the most important part of the story - that the miners are presumed dead. joturner 04:56, 26 February 2006 (UTC)
 * It says so now. (I didn't fix it.) -- PFHLai 06:07, 27 February 2006 (UTC)

February 24, 2006

 * NASA announced a gamma ray burst which is yet unexplained and may be a predecessor to a supernova. It was located 440 million light-years away and lasted for 33 minutes, closer and longer than any previous gamma ray burst.  Yahoo news
 * You mean GRB 060218 ? It seems too stubby to get featured on the MainPage. -- PFHLai 06:07, 27 February 2006 (UTC)


 * The porposed sale of the venerable British Company P & O to a UAE based company has sent jitters through the Congress and have also brought the debate out in public. P & O manages six American ports and the prospect of an Arab company managing the US ports has caused concern among the American public. The Arab Company is now delaying the US Port takeover. (Yahoo News)
 * What updated wikiarticle will be featured ? -- PFHLai 06:07, 27 February 2006 (UTC)
 * You mean Dubai Ports World controversy ? Is there a proposed headline for ITN ? Is it too late now ? -- PFHLai 23:12, 27 February 2006 (UTC)


 * The last synagogue in Tajikistan (active and functioning) was destroyed by the government to make room for a presidential residence. http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/AntiSemi/7880.htm elizmr 02:31, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

23 February, 2006
 Is this the bold new face of the War on Terror or intimidation of free speach in simple popstar?
 * Minor correction - you still list the mosque in Iraq as being (pictured), but the picture is of the flag of the Philippines... &mdash; QuantumEleven | (talk) 07:59, 24 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Singer Morrissey was quizzed by the FBI and British intelligence after speaking out against the American and British governments. Hauled in by authorities; Morrissey explains, "The FBI and the Special Branch have investigated me and I've been interviewed and taped and so forth. They were trying to determine if I was a threat to the government"


 * another roof collapse in moscow don't know if it has an article yet.
 * Then it could wait to be posted here til we have one. :) --Golbez 16:55, 23 February 2006 (UTC)


 * Three now arrested --Iceaxejuggler 13:08, 24 February 2006 (UTC)

22 February, 2006

 * a huge cave with new poison frogs is discovered in Venezuela. .  (Amazing photo--notice the size of the helicopters inside the cave). Phr 23:45, 22 February 2006 (UTC)
 * We need an article first, at the least.--Pharos 00:33, 23 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Wait, we already had an article :) Still, it's much too stubby as yet to put on the Main Page.--Pharos 00:38, 23 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The Securitas depot robbery is the United Kingdom's largest bank robbery involves Bank of England banknotes worth an estimated minimum of £25 million, and possibly over £40 million. (BBC)
 * Posted. --Golbez 22:54, 22 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The execution of Michael Morales in California was stayed last night because no doctor was willing to do the court ordered condition. Should this be noted given the current debate over lethal injection in the United States? -- NitroTalk 21:38, 22 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Hm... first, as always, I ask for an updated article, but this might be useful if, say, it becomes a permanent thing - doctors declaring en masse that they won't perform executions. --Golbez 22:05, 22 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The Al Askariya mosque, a shrine to Imam Ali al-Hadi and Imam Hasan al-Askari in Samarra, Iraq, is bombed and is partly destroyed. The Golden Dome has collapsed. (Photo needed) (BBC)
 * Perhaps the following: "In Iraq, insurgents bomb and partially destroy the Al Askariya Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam." Batmanand | Talk 11:53, 22 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Okay, I will go with this. Actually, I will modifiy it to "In Iraq, a bomb attack partially destroys the Al Askariya Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam." At the moment, I cannot find a source which identifies specifically that insurgents have taken responsibility for the bombing, so I have gone with the more conservative description that "a bomb attack" occurred, in deference to, for example, the news source here . --HappyCamper 12:40, 22 February 2006 (UTC)


 * How come there is no mention of the port security issue going on the United States?
 * Show me an updated article on the matter and I'll consider it. Personally I'm not sure if it's a good choice for here, maybe if Bush uses his first ever veto to protect it, then it might be good. --Golbez 20:46, 22 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Is there any current news regarding the Mexican mining disaster? There's next to no coverage of the events here in Britain, so are these kind of disasters very common in Mexico? Also, there should be an update of the disaster in a Moscow market.

20 February, 2006

 * Larry Summers to resign on February 21, 2006. The Wall Street Journal and the Harvard Crimson to break the news tomorrow morning.
 * A university president resigning is hardly major news. --Golbez 05:26, 21 February 2006 (UTC)
 * It's Harvard. He is bowing out because of a faculty rebellion. It should go on.  Lotsofissues 09:59, 22 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I disagree. --Golbez 15:21, 22 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The conviction of David Irving for denying the existance of the holocaust in Austria.
 * Can I suggest a form of words to the effect of "British historian David Irving is convicted in Austria of denying the Holocaust, and is sentenced to three years imprisonment." Batmanand | Talk 23:58, 20 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I've added the bit about the sentencing. I do think, though, that in the compressed space it makes more sense to say that he pleaded guilty than that he was convicted.--Pharos 05:28, 21 February 2006 (UTC)


 * Six teenagers killed in Mildura, Victoria, Australia when a car drives into a group at the roadside on Saturday night. The driver of the car, Thomas Graham Towle, who initially fled the scene but was arrested soon after, has appeared in court on twelve charges.  Initial Report Arrest Report on Sunday morning Sixth victim dies Report after court appearance Darcyj 07:43, 20 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Not of international significance, no updated article, no bolded article. Please read up on the ITN guidelines. --Golbez 08:29, 20 February 2006 (UTC)
 * You do realise that I would have to write a new article in order to have a bolded article? As for international significance, a motor vehicle accident which kills 6 teenagers is significant in anyone's language. Darcyj 17:08, 20 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Why yes, I do realize that. You make it sound as if you can't be bothered. --Golbez 02:52, 21 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Actually, I didn't really have the time. I may still write up a new article later in the year after the matter has been through the courts.  My inability - not unwillingness - to do more on this myself was why I quoted links to the relevant news stories. Darcyj 04:19, 21 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Yet that's not what ITN is for. It's for newsworthy updates to articles, or newsworthy new articles. Perhaps this would be more appropriate for a Current events page. --Golbez 05:26, 21 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Ah, well that makes things a bit clearer. Thanks. Darcyj 05:41, 21 February 2006 (UTC)
 * While it is certainly sad, there are more than 42,000 traffic fatalities in the United States alone (I don't know how many in Australia), every year.  I'm sure quite a number of these involve 6+ in one incident.  "In the news" must be limited to the most significant stories, which merit updating the relevant article.  So, yes you would need to write a new article.  However, this type of story you're suggesting would be more appropriate for Wikinews. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 17:41, 20 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Certainly, the degree of tragedy here is relative. I would not suggest otherwise.  I only asserted that it was newsworthy.  And it remains so, Wiki'd or not. Darcyj 04:19, 21 February 2006 (UTC)
 * It is newsworthy. Just not enough for this page. --Golbez 15:21, 22 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Cross country skiing: Italy takes the gold in the men's 4x10km relay, with Italian anchor Cristian Zorzi crossing the finish line 15 seconds ahead of silver medalist, Germany. Sweden takes the bronze.
 * Here's a suggestion from yesterday's Olympics events. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 16:02, 20 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Alpine skiing: Benjamin Raich of Austria comes from fifth place in the first run to win the men's giant slalom event after two runs. Two hours later Michaela Dorfmeister wins the women's super-g event and grabs her second gold medal of the Games and Austria's second gold of the day.
 * Here's something for today. In a few hours, we will also have the results of the Women's ice hockey gold medal game (Sweden vs. Canada), which I think will need to be added to the main page highlights. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 20:17, 20 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Ice hockey: Canada defeats Sweden 4-1 in the women's ice hockey gold medal game, winning its second straight Olympic gold medal in the event.
 * Here are the results of the women's ice hockey gold medal game. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 22:02, 20 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Perhaps to link to Canadian national women's hockey team ? They have succeeded in defending their Olympic title. -- 199.71.174.100 23:29, 20 February 2006 (UTC)

19 February, 2006

 * H5N1, the virus which causes bird flu, spreads across Europe to France and affects Egypt, India, and Iraq. --AySz88 ^ -  ^  00:05, 20 February 2006 (UTC) (Or something along these lines, feel free to modify this)
 * We're being loaded with H5N1 stuff lately. --Golbez 02:40, 20 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Ismail Haniya of Hamas succeeds Ahmed Qurei as Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority. -- 199.71.174.100 22:07, 19 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Posted. --Golbez 02:40, 20 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Thanks, Golbez. -- 199.71.174.100 23:30, 20 February 2006 (UTC)


 * Palestinian-Israeli conflict:
 * Interim Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert decides to impose sanctions against the Palestinian Authority beginning in March 2006. The measures include keeping Palestinian tax receipts amounting to about $50 million per month and increasing checkpoints; however, the Israeli cabinet finally decided against blocking Palestinians from traveling between the West Bank and Gaza or from prohibiting them to work in Israel. (New York Times)(Reuters). Tazmaniacs 22:21, 19 February 2006 (UTC)
 * No bolded article. --Golbez 02:40, 20 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Short track speed skating: Jin Sun-Yu and Choi Eun-Kyung of South Korea take gold and silver in the women's 1500m.
 * The Olympics needs updating. I suggest the South Korean's speed skating win, which is also posted at Current_sports_events.
 * Speed skating: The United States takes gold and silver in the men's 1000m with Shani Davis outskating Joey Cheek for first. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 14:41, 19 February 2006 (UTC)
 * For the other item, I suggest this speed skating item, which is also posted at Current sports events. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 14:41, 19 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Mention Davis as the first African American athlete to win an individual gold in Winter Games history ? -- 199.71.174.100 22:28, 19 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Posted. --Golbez 02:38, 20 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Cross country skiing: Russia wins the 20km women's relay handily, finishing 10 seconds ahead of silver medalists Germany and 11 seconds ahead of bronze winners Italy.
 * Possibly instead of the above (if you don't want two speed skating items), I would suggest this cross country ski event. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 14:41, 19 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Posted. Chose the Davis one because the other has redlinks. --Golbez 02:38, 20 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Thanks for updating this. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 02:49, 20 February 2006 (UTC)

18 February, 2006

 * World Firefighters Games 2006 kicks off in Hong Kong. . &mdash; Instantnood 21:15, 18 February 2006 (UTC)
 * It's definitely not of international appeal and the bolded article is in fact two different articles which don't even exist. joturner 21:21, 18 February 2006 (UTC)

February 16, 2006

 * 2006 Haitian elections:Former President Rene Preval is declared the winner of the presidential election in Haiti after several thousand blank votes were discounted, thereby giving him the majority needed to avoid a run-off election.  young  american  (talk) 14:35, 16 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Posted. --Golbez 15:52, 16 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Tokelau decides to remain a New Zealand territory after a referendum on independence. A 60 percent majority voted in favor of independence, but a two-thirds majority was required for the referendum to succeed.
 * Impressive that 60% voted for it, but maintaining the status quo ante bellum is not ITN worthy. --Golbez 09:07, 16 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I would say this IS ITN worthy, because it was a referendum about indepedence. A Quebec referendum result - even if it was a narrow "stay with Canada" result - would be ITN-worthy, so why not this one? Batmanand 12:05, 16 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Maybe not by my criteria it wouldn't. :) However, ITN isn't just about news - it's about the encyclopedia. And the vote has its own article. So, why the hell not, posting. --Golbez 15:52, 16 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Agreed, should be posted.  James  Kendall   [talk] 12:18, 16 February 2006 (UTC)


 * New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns, ONZM (pictured right) plays his final international cricket match against the West Indies in a Twenty20 at Auckland's Eden Park. -- HamedogTalk 12:52, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Please read the article on Cairns before you oppose this and look at some of the things he has done, not only for New Zealand cricket but World Cricket. - eg
 * unbeaten 102 to win the final of the 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy (now the Champions Trophy) for NZ against India in Kenya
 * holds the world record for most sixes in Tests (87), and shares the NZ record for fastest century in ODIs (75 balls).
 * New Zealand's second highest wicket taker in Tests, after Richard Hadlee. He is also one of only 6 players to have reached the all-rounder's double of 200 wickets and 3000 runs.
 * Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in June 2005 in recognition of his contribution to cricket.
 * Oppose on the grounds that the only retirements in sport I would deem noteworthy are of the undisputed giant of that sport. Cairns does not fit this criterion. Batmanand 14:24, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Doesn't "one of only 6 players to have reached the all-rounder's double of 200 wickets and 3000 runs" qualify for that? -- HamedogTalk 15:35, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
 * No. 5 others have done it! By giant of the sport, I am talking of the day that Bradman, Micahel Jordan, Wayne Gretzky or someone like that retires. Cairns is not even NZ's best player of today! Batmanand 15:53, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Yes five other players have done it, in the history of test cricket which started on March 15, 1877! -- HamedogTalk 23:24, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I'm afraid I agree with Batmanand, despite being a cricket fan. Stephen Turner (Talk) 15:03, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The New Zealand Herald calculated that if Cairns didn't pick up so many injuries over his career and played 100 tests, he would of ended up with similar figures to Ian Botham. He was also the 2nd fastest player to reach 200 wickets and 3000 runds, 3 tests slower than Botham and faster than other greats like Kapil Dev and Richard Hadlee. Surely this should qualify him for ITN, better than Dick Cheeny shooting a man? -- HamedogTalk 15:14, 15 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Also, although I'm not an expert, I think the fair use claim on the image could be dubious. Stephen Turner (Talk) 15:49, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Yep, have to agree here. Retirements don't count as international breaking news. Sam Vimes 18:14, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Just out of curiousity, when Tana Umaga retires from all rugby, will that count? Also would Daniel Vettori qualify? 202.74.165.162 07:32, 15 February 2006 (UTC)
 * For me, no and no. Neither is dominant enough; indeed, Vettori is probably not even NZ's best current player. Batmanand 09:37, 15 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The New Zealand Herald calculated that if Cairns didn't pick up so many injuries over his career and played 100 tests, he would of ended up with similar figures to Ian Botham. He was also the 2nd fastest player to reach 200 wickets and 3000 runds, 3 tests slower than Botham and faster than other greats like Kapil Dev and Richard Hadlee. Surely this should qualify him for ITN, better than Dick Cheeny shooting a man? -- HamedogTalk 15:14, 15 February 2006 (UTC)
 * An interesting news item, but not something that qualifies for ITN, I'm afraid. I wouldn't even say that the retirement of an "undisputed giant" of a sport warrants inclusion.  violet/riga (t) 15:20, 15 February 2006 (UTC)
 * If Cairns has a better page (See Pelé, Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan as examples), I might be more supportive. But then, the retirement was already announced last month, according to the Cairns article. So, this seems to be old news. -- PFHLai 17:17, 15 February 2006 (UTC)

February 15, 2006

 * Australian television broadcaster SBS releases more images of abused prisoners in Abu Ghraib.
 * Already posted (not by me). -- PFHLai 17:05, 15 February 2006 (UTC)

February 14, 2006

 * Pakistan: Two people killed in riots protesting the Muhammad cartoons in Peshawar and one in Lahore. (BBC) Current events. Is the "In the news" on the main page really the place for something like sport, and then for such trivial sport results as are currently there? -- Jeandré, 2006-02-15t11:59z
 * Posted. Finally something I can work with. Yes! Thanks. -- PFHLai 15:45, 15 February 2006 (UTC)


 * Corruption in Kenya: President Mwai Kibaki announces the resignation of two cabinet ministers implicated in the Anglo Leasing Scandal and the Goldenberg scandal. -- PFHLai 23:04, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Update: 80 MPs call for the resignation of Vice President Moody Awori over his role in the scandal.--Cherry blossom tree 23:21, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Posted this myself. Fellow admins more familiar with the topic are invited to review this. I didn't include Awori because he hasn't resigned yet. If he indeed resigns as demanded, this should be posted. I'll wait. -- PFHLai 16:04, 15 February 2006 (UTC)


 * Saddam Hussein goes on a hunger strike during his trial, as a protest against 'poor treatment'. BBC  James   Kendall   [talk] 12:08, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
 * NOT POSTED. The page Trials of Saddam Hussein makes no mention of this hunger strike in any edits in the past 2 weeks. Is this old news or does the article need more updates ? And the BBC link provided links to an article about some irrelevant cartoon. NOT POSTED. -- PFHLai 17:26, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Apologies, I had 2 articles open, and copied the wrong link. The correct source is this  James  Kendall   [talk] 21:55, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
 * There's still no updated Wikiarticle. --Golbez 22:10, 14 February 2006 (UTC)


 * Figure skating: Russian pair Totmianina and Marinin beat two Chinese pairs to take home the gold.
 * I suggest this, as Totmianina suffered major injuries and concussion during a 2004 skating event, and this is a comeback for the pair. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 14:39, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Posted. Please be reminded to post at Current sports events along with an external newslink next time. It would make my job easier. The ITN guidelines say this has to be done first, anyway. Thanks. -- PFHLai 17:20, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Thanks for the reminder. I've been looking at 2006_Winter_Olympics for items.  I'll make sure Current sports events is synched up with the highlights.  Maybe also add a reminder for people posting highlights, to also add them to Current sports events. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 18:01, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Great, thanks. Thanks for posting the reminder over there, too, Kmf164. -- PFHLai 23:18, 14 February 2006 (UTC)

February 12, 2006

 * Prince Lavaka Ata 'Ulukalala resigns suddenly as Prime Minister of Tonga. -- PFHLai 07:45, 13 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Posted; this is a partiicularly interesting item as his successor is the first non-noble to serve as PM.--Pharos 05:02, 14 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Vice President Dick Cheney accidently shoots and injures Harry Whittington while on a hunting trip in South Texas. Whittington's condition is described as "alert and doing fine". Andrew D.
 * As always, gimme an updated article, only then will I consider this. --Golbez 21:02, 12 February 2006 (UTC)
 * http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,184617,00.html . Andrew D.
 * ... No, you misunderstand. Please read the guidelines linked above as to what belongs on ITN. An updated article means an updated Wikipedia article. --Golbez 22:14, 12 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The information is now in Harry Whittington. So, we could use Vice President Dick Cheney accidently shoots and injures Harry Whittington while on a hunting trip in South Texas. Whittington's condition is described as "alert and doing fine".Johntex\talk 05:07, 13 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Now that an article is updated, I can actually render a judgment (I refuse to until people follow the guidelines) - Not really notable enough IMO. Other admins obviously disagree. --Golbez 05:15, 13 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I don't think it's notable, either. But it was a slow news day ..... sigh... -- PFHLai 07:46, 13 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The blizzard (below) is more notable than the Cheney story, though both may be too locally American. At least, it's CNN.com's top news story.  The biggest snowfall in nearly 60 years may be sufficiently notable to make it to the front page. -- Curps 08:33, 13 February 2006 (UTC)


 * The Blizzard of 2006 dumps 23 inches of snow on New York City, closes many major aiports, and leaves 200,000 without power in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland. Uris 17:32, 12 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Not internationally significant. Ck l o stsw o rd|queta! 17:37, 12 February 2006 (UTC)
 * It is more internationally significant than this: "A medium-sized earthquake, registering 4.9, shook central Chile, rattling buildings, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damages." And that's on the current events page. Uris 17:50, 12 February 2006 (UTC)
 * My bad, this is for the main page. I didn't know that anyone can add to the Current Events page. Uris 17:52, 12 February 2006 (UTC)

February 11, 2006

 * [[Image:Flag of Germany.svg|25px|Germany]] Biathlete Michael Greis of Germany wins the first gold medal of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy with a victory in the Individual 20km race. (Have we made up our minds how to post Olympic news on ITN yet?) -- PFHLai 21:51, 11 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The suggestion has also been made at Template talk:In the news. I've updated User:Kmf164/In the news with your suggestion, and one about Michelle Kwan (see discussion below), and tweaked the heading font size. Since I'm not an admin, the final decision on how to post Olympic news isn't one for me to make. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 00:50, 12 February 2006 (UTC)
 * One important consideration in posting any olympics results on the main page, is that we might want to wait until the events have been televised in North America (so we don't spoil the results for people). --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 04:34, 12 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Why the concern only for North America? Or are we the only ones getting it on tape delay? --Golbez 05:05, 12 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Not entirely sure, but probably since Torino is 6 hours behind the US east coast and 9 hours behind the west coast. Please correct me if I'm wrong and Asia/Australia/elsewhere are also on tape delay because of the time differences. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 05:23, 12 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I've lived in outside the U.S., where the Olympics events are shown live (even if it's 4am) were never packaged quite in the way they are by NBC. I'm not sure which other places get the events packaged like that, or when (how much delay). --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 05:35, 12 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I like the idea of dragging people away from the TV to become Wikipedians. :-) -- PFHLai 17:58, 12 February 2006 (UTC) I didn't post the line about Michelle Kwan as nothing seems definite with her now. More importantly, many other athletes have dropped out, too. Finland and Sweden, for example, are rather unhappy to lose several hockey stars on short notice. -- PFHLai 18:27, 12 February 2006 (UTC)


 * [[Image:LocationTokelau.png|120px|right|Location of Tokelau]]Tokelau begins voting in a referendum to determine whether it remains a New Zealand territory, or becomes a state in free association with New Zealand.
 * I know Tokelau is not the most prominent nation in the world, but how often does a nation get to vote on its own independence like this?-gadfium 05:19, 11 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I say put it up if they vote for it. --Golbez 05:39, 11 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like even if they approve it they wouldn't really become independent; i.e. they wouldn't be qualified to join the UN.--Pharos 06:02, 11 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Yes, there are different degrees of independence. The associated state article linked to explains it well.-gadfium 06:34, 11 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I suggest we wait a few days till the results of the referendum are available. -- PFHLai 20:44, 11 February 2006 (UTC)

February 10, 2006

 * A new tomb is discovered in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt. It is first such discovery since the excavation of the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. Batmanand 09:29, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Agreed. Such a development is surely of educational importance. James Kendall 23:00, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Agreed, posting.
 * Given that the super bowl was on ITN, the winner of the 2006 African Cup of Nations could be added after the match is played today.--nixie 03:09, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I'm not completely against it myself (although, that will give 3 Africa-related articles on top, we're getting Africa Biased here! ;-)). But my biggest gripe is that the 2006 African Cup of Nations article is basically just a listing of game results, and not particulary good. I'm thinking, would interested readers enjoy reading the article? But maybe that can be fixed by tomorrow. Shanes 03:30, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I agree with Shanes... the bolded article does not seem worthy of being linked from the home page. joturner 03:35, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I disagree. The 2006_Horn_of_Africa_food_crisis article was just a stub when it was added to the main page.  But then people saw the article (myself included) and improved it (though, it still needs more work).  Unfortunately, I think this is often the case for Africa topics. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 15:48, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Should be included. It's a continent's main sporting event. James Kendall 23:00, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Posted. The article's not quite all fleshed out, but the basics are there, and this is an important sporting event, certainly as notable as the Superbowl.--Pharos 05:56, 11 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Mannheim, Germany — Ernst Zundel, a German white supremacist extradited from Canada on accusations he repeatedly denied the Holocaust, returned to court Thursday to face charges of incitement, libel and disparaging the dead.
 * We don't ask much; if it's a subject of not obvious international use, and you can't be bothered to link the updated article, then really, what are we supposed to do, do your work for you? --Golbez 05:41, 11 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The Australian Senate approves a private member's bill to remove the Minister for Health's power to block the introduction of contraversial abortion drug RU486.
 * What's the updated article? --Golbez 16:15, 9 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Even if there was an article, I don't think a bill changing who can authorise the use of a class of drugs is international news.--nixie 03:09, 10 February 2006 (UTC)


 * The 2006 Winter Olympics open in Torino, Italy. It is the 20th winter games and the second hosted by an Italian city. -- HamedogTalk 12:14, 9 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Could be put under anniversities instead -- HamedogTalk 12:15, 9 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I disagree; this is the zeroth anniversary of the opening of the Torino Olympics? --Golbez 16:15, 9 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Superbowl was considered a news story, the winter olympics is more important in my opinion. James Kendall 22:27, 9 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I absolutely agree, I'd just rather til the opening ceremony to add it. --Golbez 23:14, 9 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The previous Olympics had a separate section on MainPage between ITN and DYK. I wonder if those sports enthusiasts in WP will be doing the same thing this time around. -- PFHLai 16:44, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
 * That seems like overkill for the oh-so-sophisticated Wikipedia of 2006. What if after the opening ceremony, we just kept Olympic developments as the bottom item on ITN for the duration of the competition?--Pharos 17:14, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Hmm... To see what was done for the 2004 Olympics, . I think the responsibility falls here (we can double check on the Village Pump, and/or Admins noticeboard).
 * I've been working on the 2006 Winter Olympics article (as well as the Main page redesign project). Here, I have mocked up something for ITN: User:Kmf164/In the news.  Tomorrow, there are three sports awarding medals.  We probably can't have more than 2-3 listed here. As Pharos says, this might be overkill, but what does everyone think? --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 17:21, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Okay. I plugged it into the current main page design, User:Kmf164/Main page draft2.  Right now it has four items (opening ceremonies), plus three events for tomorrow.  If we do this, I think it should be two highlights, maximum. (today, just opening ceremonies).  --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 17:26, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I cut it back to two on my mock-up. Though, today would still be just one item &mdash; opening ceremonies. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 17:28, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I like it, Kmf164. Just as Pharos suggested, we can keep "Olympic developments as the bottom item on ITN" this way. But I suggest keeping the links to Wikinews, Recent deaths and Current events at the very bottom. -- PFHLai 21:35, 11 February 2006 (UTC)


 * I've updated my mock-up with your suggestions. It would work, as people could just click on "2006 Winter Olympics" for more information.  Probably need to also add something to Current_events.  I can work on it later.
 * And my first news item suggestion is:
 * Figure skating: Michelle Kwan may withdraw from the Olympics, due to sore groin. (any other suggestions? I can think about it later) --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 21:58, 11 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The Opening Ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics is being held at the Torino Stadio Olimpico in Torino, Italy.
 * This has now posted. Why is the Opening Ceremony article bolded?  the article is one line?  I would recommend bolding the 2006 Winter Olympics article instead. --Aude ( talk | contribs )
 * Secondly, I don't think we're supposed to put fair use images on the front page. Image:Torino 2006 logo.gif is fair use. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 20:08, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
 * You're right of course, and I've fixed it accordingly. We can link to the opening ceremony article again when that looks halfway-decent.--Pharos 20:32, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
 * My mistake. I was not quite thinking clearly when I first added in. Sorry. Zzyzx11 (Talk) 21:01, 10 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Why not use the official logo used by the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino? Stry (Talk) 10:29, 11 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The official logo is copyrighted. While we can use it under Wikipedia's fair use guidelines in the 2006 Winter Olympics article, we can only use public domain or free licensed images on the main page. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 16:05, 11 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Ok, makes sense. But why not use the Olympic rings then instead? They can be used without copyright issues I belive. Stry (Talk) 18:16, 11 February 2006 (UTC)
 * You'd think so, but probably not. --Golbez 20:05, 11 February 2006 (UTC)

February 9, 2006
Congress made Wikipedia changes by Matthew Davis, BBC News, Washington
 * Following a second failed trial of the Billie-Jo Jenkins murder accused Sion Jenkins, the prosecution decided not to retry, and so Jenkins has been acquitted. Ck l o stsw o rd|queta! 13:07, 9 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I see no international notability here. --Golbez 16:17, 9 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Wikinews investigates Wikipedia usage by U.S. Senate staff members. http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Wikinews_investigates_Wikipedia_usage_by_U.S._Senate_staff_members
 * Do we have an updated Wikipedia article? --Golbez 16:17, 9 February 2006 (UTC)
 * It's a bit self-referential, and not international news.--nixie 03:10, 10 February 2006 (UTC)

February 8, 2006

 * The Tripoli Agreement is signed, ending the Chadian-Sudanese conflict. -- 199.71.174.100 07:22, 9 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Posted. --Golbez 19:29, 9 February 2006 (UTC)


 * On the evening of February 8, 2006, the Russell Senate Office Building was evacuated when its chemical and/or biological sensors were triggered by a powder in the attic. Eight senators and over 100 staffers are quarantined in a garage as of 8:00 p.m. EST.


 * Bob Marley's Jamaican home is to be turned into a national monument. (BBC) James Kendall 21:35, 8 February 2006 (UTC)


 * The first African case of Bird Flu is reported in Nigeria. (BBC)(CNN) (Yahoo via Reuters) (ITN) (FOX) James Kendall 21:33, 8 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Seconded, but I sugest linking it to the H5N1 article which is the virus we talk about here and which is a better (good actually) article and has been updated with the Nigeria bit. Shanes 01:42, 9 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Agreed. Looks like a much better article to use. James Kendall 10:13, 9 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Posted. Used a chicken image from commons, as I found the virus-images in the article too confusing for a lead image on this story. Shanes 18:03, 9 February 2006 (UTC)

February 7, 2006

 * Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri was found guilty in the United Kingdom of 11 counts of incitement to murder and incitement to racial hatred. He was also found guilty of possessing a terrorist manual, illegal under the Terrorism Act 2000. (BBC)(ITN News)(FOX)(CNN)
 * Posted.--Pharos 21:11, 7 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Condi Rice made some comments about the gov'ts of Syria and Iran stirring up controversy over the Muhammed cartoons. Might want to wait for more reaction ot those comments from the Middle East.  young  american  (talk) [[Image:Flag of West Virginia.svg|25px|  ]] [[Image:Flag of Wales (1959–present).svg|25px|  ]] 19:48, 8 February 2006 (UTC)

February 6, 2006
-- HamedogTalk 12:36, 6 February 2006 (UTC)
 * As Stephen Harper is sworn in as Canada's 25th Prime Minister, David Emerson crosses the floor from the Liberal Party to Join Harper's Conservative Party, and is appointed as Minister of International Trade.
 * Isabelle Dinoire, the first person to under go a face transplant, gives her first press conference since the operation. Her face contained tissue from a brain-dead persons nose.


 * Voting has just closed in the first round of the Costa Rica presidential elections and the race is turning out to be quite close.  young  american  (talk) [[Image:Flag of West Virginia.svg|25px|  ]] [[Image:Flag of Wales (1959–present).svg|25px|  ]]
 * Posted.--Pharos 20:56, 7 February 2006 (UTC)


 * Four Alabama churches are damaged or destroyed by fire, in addition to the previous five which were destroyed by arson.


 * Note: This isn't how I would like it to appear on the page, I'm just not that good at explaining things.

February 5, 2006

 * The Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Seattle Seahawks by a score of 21-10 in Super Bowl XL. joturner 03:06, 6 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The rare sports item for In the News? joturner 03:06, 6 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I would agree that this should be on Itn, but I would let it bump down quicker than more-important stories such as the cartoon-based rioting. That being said, I am more of a sports-inclusionist than most, especially for the various forms of football in the world.  young  american  (talk) [[Image:Flag of West Virginia.svg|25px|  ]] [[Image:Flag of Wales (1959–present).svg|25px|  ]] 03:38, 6 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Well it is not the Danish embassy in Lebanon but the Consulate General, not sure if this is the right place to post this -- Snailwalker | talk 12:45, 5 February 2006 (UTC)
 * In renewed violence by protestors against the Muhammad cartoons, the Danish embassy in Beirut is set ablaze, and two Jordanian newspaper editors are arrested after reproducing the drawings. BBC, BBC – Bruce, aka Agendum | Talk 11:35, 5 February 2006 (UTC)

February 4, 2006

 * Betty Friedan, author of The Feminine Mystique, and generally credited for sparking the modern feminist movement, dies of congestive heart failure at age 85.
 * Coretta Scott King lays in state at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, becoming the first woman and first African American to receive the honor from that state. --Kitch 21:22, 4 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Hm.. maybe if we had an article on her funeral, a la the Pope and Reagan. --Golbez 21:57, 4 February 2006 (UTC)
 * We are now ready for a news update in Current Events on the escalation of Muslim worldwide protests regarding the Muhammad cartoons, first printed in Jyllands-Posten but since reprinted in newspapers around Europe and in various places on the internet, especially since Kofi Annan's intervention. This is an important event, and I found it dficult to find the various news articles like te one at [] BBC Bruce, aka Agendum 11:50, 4 February 2006 (UTC)


 * Danish embassy in Damascus burns. --24.26.178.224 16:23, 4 February 2006 (UTC)


 * 27 out of 35 countries voted to report the Iranian nuclear program to the UN security council, following that nation's refusal to desist with its enrichment of nuclear materials, and to admit IAEA inspectors to observe the process. (BBC) Ck l o stsw o rd|queta! 11:47, 4 February 2006 (UTC)
 * No article has been updated with this. -Splash talk 16:37, 4 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Ok, I did it myself and added it to the template. -Splash talk 16:59, 4 February 2006 (UTC)


 * A stampede breaks out at ULTRA stadium, Pasig City in the Philippines when organizers of the first anniversary celebration of Wowowee begin handing out tickets, trampling at least 73 people to death, with more than 300 injured. --199.71.174.100 06:37, 4 February 2006 (UTC),
 * seconded by --Vsion (talk) 02:08, 5 February 2006 (UTC)


 * The Danish embassy is torched in Syria in response to the drawings of Muhammad -- It is a serious thing to burn down an embassy and the whole contreversial is still very relevant. -- Snailwalker | talk 16:09, 4 February 2006 (UTC)

February 3, 2006

 * (I know the article is not up to much yet, I just created it, but when we know a bit more): The Egyptian ferry Salam 98 disappears from radar, presumed sunk, in bad weather in the Red Sea. A rescue mission is underway. Batmanand 11:15, 3 February 2006 (UTC)


 * United States Congress extends the sunset provisions in Title II of the USA PATRIOT Act by another month to March 10, 2006. - Ta bu shi da yu 07:15, 4 February 2006 (UTC)

February 2, 2006
when they were so `low' (and they certainly aren't at the moment; in fact they seem to be increasing yet again). Please find a suitable image to show how exorbitant they are. Naturally I am assuming that the picture was taken in the U.K. and shows price in pence per litre. Please note that I couldn't find out how to append my comments to the offending image, otherwise I would have done.
 * It is announced that The Smashing Pumpkins, an american rock band from Chicago, Illinois, signed a management deal with Front Line Management on February 2, 2006 and will reunite this year.
 * I object to your picture showing petrol prices. I can't think of ANY point in the last year (or for a long time)
 * Indeed. Please head over to your nearest Shell petrol station, and take a pic and upload it and make a note here. If the story is still current, we can update the image, else we can update the image in the article. -Splash talk 01:22, 3 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Stopped for gas tonight and snapped a picture (see right). Feel free to use it. I added it to the article, where it mentions the record profits for Shell. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 04:36, 3 February 2006 (UTC)
 * An unprecedented mobile phone tapping case was made public in Greece (Athens News Agency) --Diomidis Spinellis 16:42, 2 February 2006 (UTC)
 * This Athens News Agency article has very little information. I wonder if there is a media source that include these assertion somewhere out there?
 * Re: Shell - I suggest cropping the photo (see right). --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 17:56, 2 February 2006 (UTC)
 * On my screen, the Shell image is spilling over into the Did you know... feature, because of the image proportions. I think the four features on the main page would look better, more balanced if the Shell image was cropped. --Aude ( talk | contribs ) 21:49, 2 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Done. -Splash talk 22:52, 2 February 2006 (UTC)
 * The story needs more time to develop, but the oil tanker that ran aground in Alaska just now might develop into something ITN-able. Admins, keep an eye on it. Cheers. Youngamerican 18:52, 2 February 2006 (UTC)
 * I noticed that. At present, it seems there is no particular story &mdash; there's no leak or such like. Yet. -Splash talk 20:49, 2 February 2006 (UTC)