Wikipedia:In the news/Candidates/February 2008

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Archived discussion for February 2008 from In the news section on the Main Page/Candidates.

Ricin in Vegas

 * Ricin is found in a Las Vegas, Nevada, hotel room, hospitalizing 7 people.
 * Oppose as nominator It's not exactly something you accidentally grow, but it's been ruled out as bio-terrorism. Perhaps it develops into something more interesting and someone writes a nice article about it... Madcoverboy (talk) 22:26, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The section needs to be updated in Ricin, as it is a single, vague sentence. Spencer  T♦C 22:30, 29 February 2008 (UTC)

USAF Tankers

 * The United States Air Force awards a $4000000000000000000 billion contract for the KC-45 aerial refueling tanker to EADS and Northrop Grumman's KC-30 platform over Boeing's KC-767 proposal.
 * Support as nominator So I'm sure a lot of people here aren't big fans of military largesse, much less American military contracts. However this is a major upset for Boeing and involves a European consortium, so it's sufficiently international. It's also tied into a major scandal from 2003 involving a pork-barrel leasing program. Madcoverboy (talk) 01:22, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
 * It appears that it will be designated the KC-45, even though there are other designations such as A330MRTT and KC-30A. Madcoverboy (talk) 01:32, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Alright - I think I have it. The system was to be called the KC-45 regardless of the platform. The A330MRTT was recoded as the KC30 by Northrop.Madcoverboy (talk) 01:51, 1 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Seems like interesting stuff, but I'm not sure its really all that important, price tag notwithstanding. Weak oppose. Random89 (talk) 09:18, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

William F. Buckleys death

 * One of the most important political thinkers of the last half century died early Wednesday morning at his desk in his Stamford, Connecticut home. Buckley was the founder of the conservative magazine The National Review, and was instrumental in the emergence of modern conservatism in the United States.
 * William F. Buckley, Jr., founder of The National Review and an influential conservative thinker, died in Stamford, Connecticut at the age of 83.
 * (This is my first time writing one of these, so your help would be welcome! :) Judgesurreal777 (talk) 02:00, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Sorry to say this won't be allowed on the main page as deaths have to be unexpected, it's to prevent the main page becoming a memorial -62.172.143.205 (talk) 02:59, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I follow my comments on the talk page when this was first suggested. We should not add any deaths until we resolve the death criteria, unless it is of major importance. This man's death isn't, it shouldn't go up. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 04:15, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support for 1 day I have no personal affinity for the man or his views, but per a thread we had on talk about increasing the churn on the template I think we should incorporate notable deaths like this for one day and then take them off. Madcoverboy (talk) 04:52, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Have we ever done that? Have something up for a day? Not including the contested items that were taken off cause they shouldn't have been on there in the first place? --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 04:58, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Short answer, no. But it was an idea that was brought upon on Talk as a compromise over what some people believe to be an unnecessarily high death criterion with others' concerns that the page isn't dynamic enough. Granted, there a many, many notable people die every day but a special few might warrant 24 hours in the ITN sun. Madcoverboy (talk) 05:06, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I would argue that he is notable enough to be mentioned; as George Will once noted, Buckley was instrumental in winning the Cold War, which was the defining conflict of the last half century, so his passing is quite significent. Judgesurreal777 (talk) 21:30, 29 February 2008 (UTC)

Praaance Harry

 * It is revealed by the Drudge Report that Prince Harry, the third in line to the British and Commonwealth throne, has been deployed with the Blues and Royals cavalry regiment in operations in Afghanistan since December 2007. Philip Stevens (talk) 19:31, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Hm... it's been two months since he left to there. Weak oppose. --Tone 20:06, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * It may have been two months since he got there, but the fact he was there was only announced today, following a media blackout. Support  Kaid100 (talk) 22:17, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose. If he gets shot, then that is ITN worthy.  But him arriving, two months ago, is not notable. ---CWY2190TC 22:36, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I agree, if something happened to him such as being injured in the line of duty or being captured, it would be newsworthy. A soldier fulfilling his duties is not news. Madcoverboy (talk) 12:45, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. It was notable news when he first enlisted, and later when it said he wasn't going. Now that it is revealed he is there, it is important, or at least interest, to the Commonwealth countries. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 04:16, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. He's been there 2 months, but it was just reported today. Calvin 1998   Talk   Contribs  04:26, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose This isn't news, it's just idle infotainment - "look at what someone famous is doing!" Go to Entertainment Weekly or your preferred blog if you want this kind of tripe. Madcoverboy (talk) 04:40, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I think this counts a little more then whatever Paris Hilton is doing at the moment. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 04:57, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Not infotainment, hes the first senior royal to fight on a battlefield since Queen Victoria’s grandson Prince Maurice in World War One Tgb25 (talk) 11:57, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support the fact that it was kept secret for 10 weeks adds to the notarity. In a time when the NYT exposes every tactic of the war on terror, British (and commonwealth) media are going out of the way making deals with the gov't to maintain the security. Especially poinent as his mother may have been killed due to overzealous paparazzi. And its far more notable than the Euro hitting an all time high. (Why it just might hit another high next month too.)--Lemmey (talk) 05:36, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * While I remain neutral on the story, your comment seems to be missing the point. This wasn't a tactic, simply a person who was serving on the frontline. Revealing that he was would have put his life and the life of those around him at excesive risk but would have seemingly served no other purpose, there is no reason why the fact that he is serving needs to be scrutinised. This is quite different from the NYT revealing the use of controversial tactics such as waterboarding, extraordinary rendition, wiretaps not sanctioned by the juridiciary etc. A better example would be if Jenna and whatever Bush were serving on the front line. Also, the media blackout was from what I can tell, only ever intended to remain while he was there. Once he had left, it was always fair game. If I'm not mistaken, many media outlets in the US do agree to blackouts for their embedded reporters for example. P.S. This is I guess OR but perhaps most significantly, it seems likely that the media's decision to maintain a blackout was at least partially motivated by selfinterest. Any decision to report on the story, would have likely drawn a large amount of very negative flak (as we've already seen with New Idea). It may have generated a few days of hot sales, but beyond that it's unlikely it would have continued while the negativity would have remained. And it's unlikely a great amount of people would be congratulating them for their revelation since there was nothing significant or important about it. Nil Einne (talk) 12:37, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support, third in line on the frontline is news worthy. --Hera1187 (talk) 08:22, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support, Tour has now come to an end, and he is the first senior royal to fight on a battlefield since Queen Victoria’s grandson Prince Maurice in World War One. Tgb25 (talk) 11:55, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * So why haven't we covered John McCain's son's tour of duty in Iraq? Surely the presumptive Republican presidential candidate/world-famous Vietnam POW/big-name Senator is just as notable as the Queen? Wouldn't then his son too warrant coverage? It's a strawman argument, but it exposes the banality of the argument "someone famous is doing/did something!" Madcoverboy (talk) 12:40, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * A WP:WAX argument is not a valid argument for non-inclusion. Tgb25 (talk) 16:09, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Comment It doesn't appear to be true that Drudge broke the story or that it was kept secret for 2 months. It had been previously published in New Idea in early January and at least one German media source at some other time, a fact the Drudge report story apparently previously acknowledged . However it does appear that the New Idea story didn't receive must attention and the Drudge report story was the one which forced it completely out into the open. Nil Einne (talk) 12:25, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Comment It's been announced in the last few hours that Harry is being withdrawn from Afghanistan. Could this make the story more notable and in-the-present?  How's this for the headline:
 * "After 10 weeks, Prince Harry is withdrawn from the frontline in Afghanistan by the Ministry of Defence following the leaking of his posting by The Drudge Report, a US-based news website." Kaid100 (talk) 13:45, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * It had already been leaked a month beforehand in other sources. The Drudge Report is mostly irrelevant. - Mark 14:07, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Often the leak and the break are the same, in this case they're different. New Idea is the leak, Drudge is the break.--Lemmey (talk) 14:11, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I can understand why nobody noticed when New Idea reported it; half of what they publish is made-up and nobody takes it seriously as a source of reputable information. - Mark 14:28, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Comment The only oppose, in multiple locations, is from Madcoverboy, an American Tgb25 (talk) 16:12, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Comment American votes count twice. :)--Lemmey (talk) 16:24, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * There are 3 opposes if you count - a skill some Americans still possess! :) Madcoverboy (talk) 20:20, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Yes yes, its a well sourced fact that children with all their fingers and toes are able to count to much higher numbers. Stupid land mines... --Lemmey (talk) 20:29, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. Major story deserves to be included.  I think its irrelevant which new outlet broke the story though.  Charles Stewart (talk) 18:40, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Now that it has been announced he will be leaving due to the leak, I definetely think that it should go up. Kaid100's proposed wording is good. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 18:43, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Weak Oppose I agree with CWY2190. Unless he's injured it doesn't matter. Maybe if several hundred troops were removed, but it just appears to be a celebrity story as now. Also, his life was never really on the line, (an 6-sentence blurb in The Plain Dealer said he'd never been in the line of fire.), though he contributed to the British effort. And yes, I am an American...typical that I oppose ;-). But really. I think this is a milked-out media story. He's been there 2 months.   Spencer  T♦C 22:36, 29 February 2008 (UTC)

Kenyan coalition gov't

 * "Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga agree to form a coalition government to resolve the political crisis." Koraki (talk) 15:09, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Any improvements on the wording are welcome. Koraki (talk) 15:19, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Perhaps "the country's political crisis" or "the country's post-election political crisis". This shouldn't go up yet though, as its not on Wikinews, and the article hasn't been sufficiently updated. Full support from me though once those conditions are met. Hammer Raccoon (talk) 15:38, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support when the article is upadted. The article is developing really nicely, full coverage so far. --Tone 20:06, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. I agree with Hammer Raccoon: It needs to be on wikinews and once article is updated. Spencer  T♦C 21:29, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Wikinews coverage has never been a pre-requisite for ITN. We just need an updated article, which I think this one has. --Stephen 23:06, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Sorry, I meant Portal:Current events. Hammer Raccoon (talk) 02:31, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support If after a month of Democrats/Republicans or Labor/Conservative hacking up each other's supporters, they finally announced a power-sharing compromise, you'd bet ITN would cover it. Madcoverboy (talk) 04:42, 29 February 2008 (UTC)


 * The item is on Current Events and the article has been well updated, so I've added this item. - Mark 14:17, 29 February 2008 (UTC)

One major thing left out is Odinga's assumed position of Prime Minister. Therequiembellishere (talk) 22:44, 2 March 2008 (UTC)

Microsoft fined

 * "The European Union fines Microsoft a record 899 million Euro for the amount it charges rivals for software information." --Bender235 (talk) 13:32, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Is an article updated to reflect this? Spencer  T♦C 13:48, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The blurb would have to make some assertion of notability like this being the largest EU antitrust fine ever or some such thing. Madcoverboy (talk) 14:43, 27 February 2008 (UTC) I haven't had my morning coffee yet, so my reading comprehension isn't up to snuff. I'll support pending a reword of the blurb and the article being updated. Madcoverboy (talk) 14:44, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Perhaps incorporating European Union v. Microsoft and European Community competition law somewhere? Madcoverboy (talk) 14:49, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Here's an amended version — "In its case against Microsoft, the European Union fines the company €899 million, the largest antitrust fine the EU has ever imposed on a single company." — Lovelac 7 15:51, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. If it is a record, it is definetely itn worthy. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 18:36, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Yup, I think this should go up. Hammer Raccoon (talk) 14:16, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. MikeZ (talk) 22:06, 28 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Question. We seem to have a "support" consensus for this news item. It's a record-breaking fine against an internationally-significant corporation, and it seems to meet all of the criteria, so why has no one added it to the main page? Lovelac 7 14:56, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Microsoft getting record fines is like reporting high gas prices as news. "And be sure to tune in next Tuesday for the highest prices ever, part II."--Lemmey (talk) 15:12, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I'm sorry, but I fail to see what fluctuating gas prices have to do with a one-time fine. In any case, we seem to have a lot items on this page that garner a consensus of support, but never make it to the main page. Any thoughts on the matter? Lovelac 7 16:23, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Is there some kind of WP:Playdumb policy going on here when it comes to metaphors? Microsoft gets finned by the EU every couple of months. This is just the latest in the biggest fine ever list.--Lemmey (talk) 18:26, 29 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Reiterate support. Bad faith version: The price of the euro is up there, surely the price of oil, wheat, palladium, and Microsoft monopoly costs should as well, no? Good faith version: Maybe we've just been dulled to the extent of it and certainly I am unfamiliar with the finality/appeals process for such a fine, but a fine of over a billion dollars indicates there is still significant market exploitations being exacted by this monopoly. While M$ may have billions in cash on hand, I doubt they're OMGLOLBBQ happy about the taking a billion dollar hit. There are a number of very good wikipedia articles on aspects related to MS, EU, antitrust, etc. that I mentioned above that should be featured. Madcoverboy (talk) 20:35, 29 February 2008 (UTC)


 * I've added (a rewritten version of) this to the Main Page for left-right Main Page balance. - Mark 01:41, 1 March 2008 (UTC)

Euro

 * Euro reaches 1.5 USD. Or Dollar falls to 2/3 of Euro... Since we had the price of barrel surpassing 100$, this may be interesting as well. I just have no idea which article to use as the main one. --Tone 12:21, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose Both of them strike me as psychological thresholds rather than actual news items. If the European or Federal Reserve announced they were shifting monetary policy from inflation targeting or some such thing... well I don't even know if that would make it either. Madcoverboy (talk) 14:42, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support I think it's useful enough to put this on ITN. We've covered the American economy before, with the housing bubble and the subprime mortgage crisis, and the way the dollar is slipping is mostly a result of these few storms colliding at once. While it's true it's only a psychological threshold, it's still quite a significant one. News agencies around the world are reporting this story. —msikma (user, talk) 14:55, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support We covered major drops and/or highs on stock exchanges several times in the past, the exchange rate between the two major currencies of international importance is for sure relevant as well. Cheers, MikeZ (talk) 15:34, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose While the exchange rate between the dollar and the Euro is certainly very important, the fact of the matter is that this is a highly impractical ITN item. What if the euro drops a bit tomorrow, and next week reaches 1.51 vs. the dollar? Should we include it then? If the exchange rate was adjusted only say 4 times per year then this would be fine, but the inherent nature of this item makes it highly flawed for ITN. Also i believe that some time ago after the Euro previously reached a record high it was proposed for ITN and rejected at the time. Thethinredline (talk) 17:36, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Indeed, it is changing all the time but this is the first time to cross a somehow rounded number. The same goes for oil barrels, we didn't report each record, just the one when it crossed 100$ for the first time. It is a psychological margin, nothing special otherwise. But being a margin makes it newsworthy, IMO. --Tone 18:29, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Well i was opposed to mentioning the crude oil price as well, and two wrongs (in my mind and opinion, of course) do not make a right. Should it ever come to it, will we mention if the Euro comes to $2, or if it drops back down $1? Perhaps i would accept mentioning this if it crossed a truly significant benchmark, like going from $0.99 to $1.01, however to me $1.50 is just five cents more than $1.45.
 * Isn't it ironic how the three people in support of this item are from Eurozone countries and the two who aren't are from the US. Who'd have thought that???? Thethinredline (talk) 19:58, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * However when we put up the oil barrel item, we got accused of American bias. Also User:JIP added it, so there were more then 3 people who supported it at the time Nil Einne (talk) 22:40, 27 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Thethinredline speaks wisdom. Get it off of there. Mike R (talk) 20:20, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Wow, now we're geing accused of anti-Europeanism. It never ends. Support. It involves the two most important currencies in the world, and the Euro being worth $1.5 is certainly newsworthy. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 21:37, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Since I'm Canadian do I get the tiebreaker? I'd say its significant, because in essence the largest effect of currency exchange rates are psychological, so breaking a psychological barrier is newsworthy. Random89 (talk) 21:42, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * By the way, that was a support. Random89 (talk) 21:43, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * There you go, redline. The two Canadians just supported it. That's just dandy. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 22:12, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * People never seem to recognize toungue-in-cheek humor when it's written online. I thought i insulated myself from people assuming i was being serious by also mentioning the that the people who wanted it censored were Americans, as well as my multiple question marks! If i was seriously alleging anti-American sentiment in the item i would only have used one. Thethinredline (talk) 22:49, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * And yet, you can't see mine. I said dandy, after all. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 01:22, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * It's a sad world, isn't it? Thethinredline (talk) 02:15, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I blame MTV. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 02:53, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I blame a small, insignificant political movement. Thethinredline (talk) 02:58, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I blame stupidity.--WaltCip (talk) 17:34, 28 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Oppose not a news item, but an arbitrary threshold decided by no one that has little fiscal significance. It's no more notable than the Euro trading at 1.49 to the dollar, assuming that was the new record. - Chardish (talk) 02:02, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I have rearranged this sentence, since its existing wording implied that the Euro was reaching stellar heights in the forex markets, when in fact the real news is the US dollar slumping very low. I'm not endorsing the inclusion of this in any way; just changing what is already there to be less misleading. - Mark 09:25, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The current text says "The euro reaches a record high closure exchange rate of US$1.5044." - I propose to change this sentence in a way to get rid of the arbitrary rate of 1.5044. The main point really is that the euro crossed for the first time the rate of $1.50. The exact exchange rate is volatile and not so much important. Therefore, my proposal is "The euro increased it's value against the US dollar and surpassed the exchange rate of US$1.50.". What's about it? Cheers, MikeZ (talk) 22:03, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Still doesn't change the fact that $1.50 is an undefined psychological threshold that has no particular notability and is not more important than the fact that it passed $1.48, for example. - Chardish (talk) 02:15, 29 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Isn't it that the US dollar decreased not that the Euro increased, most other currencies are well up on the US$ too...Shniken1 (talk) 03:28, 29 February 2008 (UTC)


 * The reason the difference is so severe is that it is to some extent, both, though mainly the dollar falling. The euro is near 52 week highs against the pound sterling (all time high hit in Jan) and some other currencies too. zoney &#09827; talk 10:23, 29 February 2008 (UTC)

Liechtenstein tax affair

 * The 2008 Liechtenstein tax affair widens to at least 13 countries, including the U.S. The United States targeting over 100 taxpayers in Liechtenstein probe --Bender235 (talk) 18:49, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * "A tax evasion scheme involving banks in Liechtenstein expands to include 13 countries."
 * The article looks promising. With some work on formulation, I support. --Tone 19:26, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I'd probably support it. It's almost there - the blurb needs some work though - see the revision above.  Madcoverboy (talk) 22:25, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose for now. Despite international implications, no mention of it on the network news in the US. Doesn't show up in top AP stories, world stories or business stories on Yahoo News. Only 327 "related articles" on Google News. I presume tax evasion through the use of offshore accounts is so common that this particular investigation is out of the ordinary only in that it involves so many countries simultaneously. Even then, it appears most people involved are German. The U.S. IRS says it is investigating "more than 100" taxpayers, according to The New York Times -- that's not that big of a deal. Will reconsider if the story gets more attention outside of Central Europe. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 00:22, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Since when was Wikipedia so America-centric? It's only news when it appears on the U.S. networks, huh? --Bender235 (talk) 13:27, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The point I'm trying to make is that it's primarily a regional news event rather than a global news event at the moment. The Google News article count is worldwide. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 23:37, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Quite frankly I think a tax affair involving 13 countries is more of a "global news event" than say the Cypriot presidential election. --Bender235 (talk) 01:49, 28 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I agree. Therequiembellishere (talk) 02:43, 28 February 2008 (UTC)


 * CRA investigating 100 Canadians for tax evasion A global event, finally? --Bender235 (talk) 23:51, 29 February 2008 (UTC)

Turkey Point blackout

 * A shutdown at the Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station causes a loss of electricity for millions in Florida. (Reuters) 131.94.247.156 (talk) 21:09, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The article is not updated. Please, post news like this to the portal first. After it's upadted, it is potentially interesting, depends on how long there was no electricity. --Tone 21:39, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The article says it was only 700,000 people affected. That's not millions. As it is now, I say it doesn't go up. This one will need loads of work before it is itn worthy. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 22:59, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose Hundreds of millions of people lose power every day from storms, failures, earthquakes, etc, etc. --Stephen 23:09, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * There was over 3 million without electicity at some point, there are muliple coverage of the outtage, including top story in CNN, FOX, and google news and it's world wide news like the BBC is currently covering it, it does need to be expanded, and split to a new subpage.
 * Oppose. Power was out for only a few hours and during the daytime. Not like the big blackout a few years ago. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 00:24, 27 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose. Not that widespread. Just hit a populated area. ---CWY2190TC 00:41, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

South Stream

 * Hungary agrees to join the controversial South Stream gas pipeline project. Beagel (talk) 21:45, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Provisional Support we had Sweden's rejection of Nord Stream, but the South Stream article may need a bit more on Hungary's acceptance to go on the main page. Charles Stewart (talk) 21:57, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose Ok, it's international but it's not as though the pipeline was approved by all countries or has even opened. The article also hasn't been updated. Madcoverboy (talk) 00:04, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Could you please specify what you mean by "the article also hasn't been updated"?? Beagel (talk) 20:34, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose Agree with Madcoverboy. We didn't mention Bulgaria, we didn't mention Serbia. I don't see any reason why Hungary is particularly noteable. From what I can tell, it isn't the last country to need approval for the northern route (the article is a bit unclear but I think we need either Croatia or Austria at least). And the EU regulatory authorities also need to agree according to the article Nil Einne (talk) 01:48, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support If nothing newsworthy happens for a few days, put it up as backup. Not the greatest/most important news but the South Stream article is half-decent. Hobartimus (talk) 10:20, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Philharmonic in North Korea

 * The New York Philharmonic Orchestra arrives in Pyongyang, North Korea to play an unprecedented concert there, which will be broadcast live. J. Van Meter (talk) 16:16, 25 February 2008 (UTC)


 * I think this is a good item that we would normally not support, but in the spirit of cycling through the list on ITN, I support this. grant.alpaugh 07:41, 4 March 2008 (UTC)
 * I'd support this if there were an updated article about the unprecedented concert, and not just two short paras in the main article. --Camptown (talk) 17:12, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
 * IMHO, the updates are quite extensive already when compared to other ITN items, and especially when no new article would be created, just an section on the article. -- Howard  the   Duck  17:38, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The "two short paragraphs" are actually not a bad sized update compared to other ITN updates. Support per Grant, to speed the rotation. Random89 (talk) 19:16, 25 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Here's a related photo -- New York Philharmonic Music Director Lorin Maazel -- if you'd like. J. Van Meter (talk) 20:05, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Let's wait until the concert occurs rather than the arrival, given the situation's sensitivity. And, for the record, we don't need a completely new article for ITN, just a significant update or new section somewhere. --Stephen 20:56, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support, after the concert. And the image is fine. --Tone 21:05, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support, once it happens. Nice image too.  Charles Stewart (talk) 21:57, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I think it would be best to keep the image of Raul on the template, but that's just me. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 22:04, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Actually I agree. But if theres a pic of the concert we could use on the main page, that should be added.  Charles Stewart (talk) 22:10, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
 * OK so then it'll be something like, "The New York Philharmonic, under the direction of Lorin Maazel (pictured), plays an unprecedented concert in North Korea which is broadcast live."  --- The concert is tomorrow. I don't need to repost it then, do I? J. Van Meter (talk) 22:18, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I think something along the lines of "The New York Philharmonic (director Lorin Maazel pictured) plays a concert in the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre in North Korea, becoming the first American/Western/another option orchestra to do so." would be better. A  ecis Brievenbus 00:43, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support after the concert(s) occur. Madcoverboy (talk) 00:00, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Wait for the concert before posting. Spencer  T♦C 01:36, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Concert has taken place. J. Van Meter (talk) 13:58, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Added. I used the term Western. The image can be added but it has to be uploaded here first. --Tone 14:41, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * hi - that photo is from wikimedia commons. not sure what you mean by uploading it. just let me know what i should do. J. Van Meter (talk) 15:07, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Any photo that appears on the Main Page must be uploaded from commons and protected by an admin to prevent vandalism. ---CWY2190TC 15:26, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * ok, thanks for the explanation, and the inclusion in the main page for that matter. i'll leave the photo work in your hands. J. Van Meter (talk) 16:02, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I don't like the dangling phrase "to do so" at the end of the sentence. I think should read: "The New York Philharmonic (director Lorin Maazel pictured) becomes the first Western orchestra to play a concert in North Korea." Yah yah, I know you all don't like easter eggs but having it read "to play at that (theater) in North Korea" trivializes the event by privileging the venue over the occasion. Madcoverboy (talk) 16:05, 26 February 2008 (UTC)
 * My mistake - it appears there isn't even an article for the theater, which is probably the reason why it's not in the blurb.Madcoverboy (talk) 16:06, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Link change
Maybe we can link to New York Philharmonic visit to North Korea instead of just "concert". Heroeswithmetaphors (talk) 08:36, 27 February 2008 (UTC)

Cuban succession

 * The National Assembly of People's Power unanimously selects Raúl Castro to succeed his brother Fidel as President of Cuba. Aille (talk) 20:14, 24 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. Raul goes on ITN as Fidel goes off.  It works out great. ---CWY2190TC 20:15, 24 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. --BorgQueen (talk) 20:23, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Election in Cyprus

 * Article hasn't been updated yet, but: "Dimitris Christofias of the Progressive Party of Working People is elected President of Cyprus, defeating Ioannis Kasoulidis (Democratic Rally) in the run-off." A  ecis Brievenbus 16:35, 24 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Update it, then it goes on ITN. --Tone 20:26, 24 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Article has been updated (not by me). A  ecis Brievenbus 20:32, 24 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Ok, added. I will place it under Castro as I beleive it was earlier. --Tone 20:57, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

80th Academy Awards

 * I just want to get this one out of the way early. What's the wording going to be like? Last year it was: 79th Academy Awards: The Departed wins four awards, including Best Picture and Directing, giving director Martin Scorsese his first Academy Award.

I don't like that wording, but it was acceptable considering it was Scorsese. However, this year I think it should simply be: "The 80th Academy Awards are held in Los Angeles, California. (insert movie here) wins Best Picture." --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 21:03, 23 February 2008 (UTC)


 * That's fine. In case of a multiple win, it should be: Movie ?? wins X (where X>3) awards, including Best Picture. --Tone 21:09, 23 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I think thats a good wording, especially since its rare that the movie that wins Best Picture only wins one award. Grant.alpaugh (talk) 06:59, 24 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I like the wording...also include any other notable award for same movie (e.g. Martin Scorsese his first Academy Award). Spencer  T♦C 22:12, 24 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Didn't we previously agree with the Grammys it should either be Los Angeles or Los Angeles, United States or Los Angeles, California, United States (or U.S. in either case) ? Nil Einne (talk) 07:54, 24 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Should it really be up right now? It's only being held. What's the difference between this and someone putting up "The Super Bowl is being played", something that no one would put up? It probably won't be taken down, but still, we should have waited till the end. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 02:58, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
 * You are comparing a sporting event to an awards ceremony, where, as of now, several categories like Best Actress have already been presented. Apples and oranges IMO. Zzyzx11 (Talk) 03:17, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Could someone change the end of the entry to 'No Country For Old Men wins three Academy Awards, including Best Picture'? --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 04:48, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
 * What about elections? We don't usually put them up until there is a clear result, no matter how many people have won seats/whatever Nil Einne (talk) 09:11, 25 February 2008 (UTC)

Santa Barbara Airlines Flight 508

 * "46 People are presumed dead after Santa Barbara Airlines Flight 508 518 crashes in Venezuela." A  ecis Brievenbus 15:15, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I'd prefer to wait until later today when more infomation is avaliable, but I support it then. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 16:10, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
 * An issue that needs to be addressed when this is put up, is the name of the flight. I have moved the article to Flight 508 based on information in the article, but the Spanish Wikipedia calls it Flight 518. A  ecis Brievenbus 16:24, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The article has been moved to 518. A  ecis Brievenbus 18:14, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Article probably good enough for ITN now IMHO Nil Einne (talk) 12:53, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Turkey in Iraq

 * Turkey launches a massive ground incursion against the PKK in northern Iraq. -- Joshdboz (talk) 12:27, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Article is listed for merger.--TheFE ARgod  (Ч) 12:46, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Turkey launches a massive ground incursion against the PKK in northern Iraq. - please proceed now, article well updated --TheFE ARgod  (Ч) 14:30, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. Will add if noone opposes. --Tone 15:04, 22 February 2008 (UTC)


 * support. Maork (talk) 15:19, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support also. Can we take away the abbreviation in PKK and make it "Kurdistan Workers Party"? Or "Kurdish terrorists (or separatists)"? Spencer  T♦C 21:56, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Remove the 'massive', not really encyclopedic. 85.81.126.123 (talk) 22:46, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Only reason I wrote massive was because reports indicated that it was, relatively speaking, massive, as in the biggest Turkish incursion in a decade. Other reports have now discounted that, so I'm completely in agreement with change. Joshdboz (talk) 15:10, 23 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Right. Removing and changing PKK to Kurdistan Workers Party. --Tone 22:48, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Kosovo recognition: State of play

 * Kosovo's (coat of arms pictured) parliament endorses a unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia; response from the international community is mixed. --Camptown (talk) 16:23, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The recognition process is entering a critical phase. I'd suggest that the item is recycled and the governmental respons article be highlighted. The article seems to be one of the most edited articles in Wikipedia. --Camptown (talk) 16:23, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

I would rather make a post about the mass protests taking place in Serbia at the moment, media say it's going to be a million people joining. An event as such is notable automatically (we just need an article update). --Tone 16:37, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The largest gathering in the history of Serbia as reported, over million people. Minor group of hooligans attackes US consulate but 50 football hooligans vs. one million people is not headline worthy, just to go into the article. --Avala (talk) 19:20, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Size of the gathering http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/8894/skupstinaiy4.jpg, http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/9466/rtssatfebruary21173245wf8.jpg
 * The article about the protest is very short, however.... --Camptown (talk) 22:32, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * At least it is a start. There's plenty of content to fill it. --Tone 22:35, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Suggestion: Replace the previous Kosovo entry with "After a mostly peaceful rally of 150,000 people against Kosovo's declaration of independence, rioters in Belgrade, Serbia, set fire to the American embassy, ransack a McDonald's and loot shops." -- Mwalcoff (talk) 03:47, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Looted McDonald's? That's not really what we put up on main page. I would also add that rioters were only about 100 in numbers when opposed to 150.000 protesters. --Avala (talk) 07:45, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Where are you getting the number of rioters? Anyway, I don't think the number of rioters is important; what's important is that the U.S. embassy, technically American territory, was invaded, ransacked and set ablaze. I mentioned the destruction of the McDonald's and the looting of shops to indicate the embassy was not the rioters' only target. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 08:44, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
 * CNN report. I wouldn't go into details because some other restaurants were attacked not only McDonald's. Also only one office of the US embassy was burned where they thrown flares not the whole building. Anyway I would suggest "A peaceful rally of 150,000 people against Kosovo's declaration of independence took place in Belgrade. At the same time smaller group of hooligans went on a riot looting shops and setting consular office of the US embassy on fire where body of one rioter was found." --Avala (talk) 11:18, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

2010 Youth Olympic Games

 * Singapore is elected by the International Olympic Committee as the first city to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2010. Hektor (talk) 10:42, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Interesting. I haven't heard about these games.  I'll support though. ---CWY2190TC 16:55, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose. The games aren't notable enough. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 17:35, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose, the games are to take place for the first time only in two years time. We can make a post then but now it seems prematurely. (Of course, choosing a venue of Olympic games is another story, they have a long tradition already). --Tone 17:39, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The first Games in a new cycle of Olympic Games are not notable ? Are you kidding ?Hektor (talk) 18:15, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Truthfully, the only games that should be put up are the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, in my opinion. These games will no doubt be overshadowed by the 2010 Olympics. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 21:36, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose, may be notable when the games open, in a couple years, not enough press now. 142.157.214.38 (talk) 01:44, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Shtokman Development Company
Beagel (talk) 22:08, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Gazprom, Total and StatoilHydro incorporated the Shtokman Development Company, a joint operating company to develop the Shtokman field—one of the world's largest natural gas fields.

Death of Yegor Letov
Yegor Letov, a major figure in Russian punk rock and a prominent Soviet dissident, died a few days ago in Siberia. Nutmegger (talk) 06:05, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I would say doesn't match the death guidelines, and considering our article is not notable enough for inclusion on ITN anyway. --Golbez (talk) 06:11, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose. Clearly doesn't meet criteria, although I'm sure he was an interesting fellow. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 06:13, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I just wish to note here that he was called the 'father of Russian punk' by the Canadian Press here. Nutmegger (talk) 06:15, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose it's simply not notable enough. Petepetepetepete (talk) 10:01, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

USA 193

 * The United States Navy destroys a spy satellite carrying hydrazine that was falling towards Earth with a SM-3 missile.
 * The article has not been updated enough yet as sources are just starting to come out, but within a few hours, or at least by morning (in the USA), the article should be updated enough. ---CWY2190TC 04:07, 21 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Support once enough details are out. Now we can stop looking up in fear. I think it should be an SM-3 missile, by the way, although the term "SM-3" won't mean much to most people anyway. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 04:09, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support there's international interest to this story. Spencer  T♦C 11:56, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The satellite going kablooey would've been significant enough, but there is very little notability to this as debris is still falling to Earth. Eventually it had to explode or disintegrate sooner or later.--WaltCip (talk) 15:25, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Lunar eclipse

 * A total lunar eclipse takes place in the Americas, Europe and Africa. Pruneautalk 23:40, 20 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I like this one. Lunar eclipses are not rare but this will be the only full one seen for next 3 years. When it happens, it would be nice to have a photo. --Tone 23:45, 20 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I support. This is a newsworthy item that, for once, isn't just sports or politics . --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 23:57, 20 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. Certainly has international interest and the article looks good and informative. ---CWY2190TC 00:30, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Posted, and waiting for a decent photo to be uploaded on the article... --Stephen 01:01, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I've removed this from ITN as this eclipse has not happened yet. BTW, it's already on OTD/SA beneath ITN on MainPage. --PFHLai (talk) 01:19, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Technically, the penumbral phase has started. If we wait for the eclipse to totally end, it won't go up until after 0617 UTC. ---CWY2190TC 01:22, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I've put it back. I don't recall a guideline that events must be complete before they can be posted. --Stephen 01:31, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Not sure why we can't wait till the moon gets dark before we post a line saying that a total eclipse takes place. It's like announcing who wins in an election known to be rigged while the votes are still being counted..... --PFHLai (talk) 02:55, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Well it's started, but I think it would be best to get a picture of the full eclipse, or at least half. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 01:44, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I tried, but sorry, it's too cold out there. My dinky camera is not good enough, anyway. :-( --PFHLai (talk) 02:55, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * BTW, I've just taken this off SA/OTD. This shouldn't be on MainPage twice. --PFHLai (talk) 03:01, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Yeah, I tried, too. Couldn't get a good shot. Sorry. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 03:09, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * (unindent) Ok! There's now plenty on the page. I don't know how to do pictures for itn, so this is just a heads up. I personally like the third on the second row. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 03:51, 21 February 2008 (UTC)

Armenian election

 * Prime Minister Serge Sarkisian wins the Armenian presdential election under allegations from rivals that the election was fraudulent -217.35.83.223 (talk) 16:34, 20 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Wait for more definitive results, but then support of course. Random89 (talk) 22:08, 20 February 2008 (UTC)


 * This is more accurate:
 * Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan is elected President of Armenia in a contest hailed as largely democratic by OSCE and Western monitors. (BBC) -- Aivazovsky (talk) 22:21, 20 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support, but wants to wait for definitive results like Random89. Spencer  T♦C 22:50, 20 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Posted without the commentary as we rarely mention that for other elections. BBC had the results as final, referenced in the article. --Stephen 01:03, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * [[Image:Serzh_Sargsyan_cropped.jpg|right|66px]]Here's a picture of Sargsyan. The Castro item is quite low in the list now. Pruneautalk 01:28, 21 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Shouldn't it be "Former Prime Minister..." instead of just "Prime Minister"? because it gave me the impression at first that he was holding both positions at once. Spencer  T♦C 11:57, 22 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Well, I suppose he'll have to step down as a prime minister and appoint a new one. The post could also be: ??? is appointed as the new Armenian PM after Serzh Sargsyan is elected president. But this would move the focus from the main event, the elections. --Tone 15:04, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

HD-DVD

 * After days of speculation, Toshiba officially announces discontinuation of HD-DVD, conceeding to rival high-definition disc format Blu-ray, ending the high definition format war. -137.222.107.59 (talk) 09:49, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * This is listed below FYI, but support. Charles Stewart (talk) 09:53, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The alternative wroding as previously discussed is better IMHO
 * *The high definition format war ends after Toshiba announces it is ceasing development of its HD DVD format after Warner Brothers, Wal-Mart, and other major distributors select the competing Blu-ray disc format exclusively.
 * Nil Einne (talk) 09:54, 19 February 2008 (UTC) (I proposed a new alternative below due to opposition to the above wording Nil Einne (talk) 11:12, 19 February 2008 (UTC))
 * Bit US-centric to mention "Wal-Mart" in my view. -137.222.107.59 (talk) 09:56, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * AFAIK, HD DVD only really took off somewhat in the US, so really once major US retailers had abandoned it it was SOL Nil Einne (talk) 09:57, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * You're completely wrong - HD-DVD is reasonably popular in Europe too, France and Britain especially. That blurb also doesn't explain what Blu-ray or HD-DVD is adequately (i.e. disc formats, not file formats). -137.222.107.59 (talk) 09:56, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I'm pretty sure the statistics I have seen suggest Blu Ray dominated overwhelimgly in Europe. Also, the sources seem to suggest Wal Mart was a major factor Nil Einne (talk) 10:00, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Blu-ray wasn't winning "overwhelmingly" in Europe - do consider I actually live in Britain, so I think I would know. -137.222.107.59 (talk) 10:01, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Well what do you mean HD DVD is reasonably popular in Europe and the UK? If HD DVD remains reasonably popular in Europe without any significant drops in support then this suggest even more strongly that it was the US that mattered, for whatever reason Nil Einne (talk) 10:02, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * That you'll find both formats on the shelves in pretty much equal numbers. French Studio Canal, for example, was HD-DVD exclusive for a time and supported both formats. It was Warner Bros switching to Blu-ray only was the primary cause of the format keeling over, but overly simplifying the reasons behind it seems a little speculative crappy for an ITN item (i.e. Blockbuster and Netflix both have large market shares and withdrew their US support long before Wal-Mart did). -137.222.107.59 (talk) 10:06, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Well we can only go with the sources and the sources suggest both Warner Bros and major US retailers especially Wal Mart was a significant factor. Also you seem to be missing the point. Undoutedly the loss of BB and Netflix was a big thing but Wal Mart was seemingly the final straw. Just the same as the loss of all other major studios other then WB was a big thing but WB was the final straw. Nil Einne (talk) 10:09, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Actually, no major studios were "lost" before WB pulled the plug - they just never released anything on HD-DVD in the first place. Hell, Paramount actually changed from dual-format to HD-DVD-exclusive, for example. Warner Bros was undoubtedly what killed HD-DVD, but I don't think it's the blurb's place to say so. -137.222.107.59 (talk) 10:15, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but your comment there is frankly dumb. It doesn't matter whether the studios pulled out of HD DVD or never went for it in the first place. All that matters is that the fact that they didn't support was a major problem for HD DVD and therefore the loss of the only one who did support it was a major blow. Also I'm pretty sure other studios did pull out like Paramount (sorry wrong studio, New Line is what I meant Nil Einne (talk)) Nil Einne (talk) 10:18, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * New Line is a part of Warner Brothers. If we're resorting to personal attacks, then at least get your facts right before you call someone an idiot. -10:26, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * It's also worth adding that Universal Studios, the biggest film studio in the world, have long been HD-DVD exclusive. Warner were the only major "dual-format" player, not the only HD-DVD supporter as you imply. -137.222.107.59 (talk) 10:28, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * BTW, here is an example of the statistics I've heard which suggest your impression may be wrong, for whatever reason & . I admit, I don't live in Europe or the US nor have I followed the format war that closely but it's my understanding it was only in the US that HD DVD had any chance in recent times and this has collapsed with nearly all major retailers pulling out. HD DVD had already collapsed in Europe, for whatever reason before it collapsed in the US Nil Einne (talk) 10:07, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Note that includes the PS3. Blu-ray has an even larger lead in the US if you take into account PS3 sales. I just don't think it's right for a blurb to simplify and speculate in such a way - it should largely be fact-orientated. -137.222.107.59 (talk) 10:08, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Now I'm really confused. What does the PS3 have to do with the number of Blu Ray movies sold versus the number of HD DVD movies sold? Ultimately the fact that Blu Ray majorly outsold HD DVD movies in Europe was a big thing and indicated that Blu Ray had already won in Europe for whatever reason. This may of may not have to do with the PS3, but that seems irrelevant to me Nil Einne (talk) 10:10, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Blu-ray discs have been included with PS3 bundles, pack-ins etc. The PS3 is a Blu-ray player. Blu-ray had not already 'won' in Europe, please stop saying things like that when you don't even live in the same continent as me to judge. And besides, it's WP:OR saying so, so your point is completely moot. -137.222.107.59 (talk) 10:14, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * On the contrary, I am a better judge then you. I am judging these matters on sources. You seem to be judging these matters on your personal experience which is by definition OR. On wikipedia, sources always wins over personal experience and whether you like it or not, people who don't live in Europe are perfectly entilted to form an opinion Nil Einne (talk) 10:16, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Show me a source that says "Blu-ray has already beat HD-DVD in Europe" then :) I can show you multiple shops selling HD-DVDs (Amazon, Play.com, Zavvi, HMV etc) -137.222.107.59 (talk) 10:18, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Also, please don't tell me how Wikipedia works considering I've been here for 4+ years. -137.222.107.59 (talk) 10:19, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * It is unfortunate then that a long term contributor thinks that they are able to dismiss another editor because they don't live in Europe. Perhaps you may want to re-read WP:NPA? I have already shown your multiple sources BTW. All you have shown me is OR Nil Einne (talk) 10:20, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * No, I'm dismissing you because _you're wrong_ and have shown no sources that actually disagree with what I've said yet continued to argue about it because "you know better" despite not living anywhere near Europe. Hell, a source from mere months ago claims that HD-DVD is beating Blu-ray in Europe!. "AFAIK, HD DVD only really took off somewhat in the US" - See, 'AFAIK' - blatant WP:NOR -137.222.107.59 (talk) 10:22, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * You explicitly stated that 'please stop saying things like that when you don't even live in the same continent as me to judge'. This comes awfully close to a personal attack but I don't intend to make a complaint. I've already shown some sources prior to this which IMHO support what I say. As I have stated from the beginning, I am basing my view on sources, you were always welcome to show sources which prove me wrong but have refused to show me anything other then to insist you were right. Or to put it a different way, you have shown absolutely NO sources and have insisted that I believe you because you live in the UK, which sorry I'm not willing to do. In any case you appear to have proven my original point. For whatever reason, Europe was NOT a major factor in the HD war. Things in Europe have not changed recently and it is only in the US where major retailers like Wal Mart and studios like WB have pulled out that things have changed and this was enough for Toshiba to end their support for HD DVD. Ultimately, it doesn't really matter whether HD DVD or Blu Ray were more popular in Europe, the only question is, was Wal Mart a major factor in Toshiba's decision? Most sources say yes Nil Einne (talk) 10:30, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Yes, because calling someones comment "dumb" is much further away from being a personal attack. Please stop wikilawyering. You're wrong, and have shown no sources that actually agree with you (simply that "Blu-ray was beating HD-DVD" which is true /worldwide/, not that "HD DVD only really took off somewhat in the US" or that it wasn't popular in Europe). You've shown one source and that has turned into "most sources" and you've never adequately proven your original point. I think your remarks have already shown you to be ignorant in this matter, so I'm not even going to bother replying. -137.222.107.59 (talk) 10:35, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Calling a comment dumb is not a personal attack. It may be a violation of civility but it is implicilty not a personal attack since it is a comment on what has been said, not a comment on the person. If I had called you dumb, that would be a personal attack but I did not call you dumb Nil Einne (talk) 10:39, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * How is saying you don't live on the same continent for you to make assertations on whether a format is popular in Europe a personal attack? "Person does not live in Europe" is now apparently a personal attack, I'll remember that in future. -137.222.107.59 (talk) 10:41, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

Since the WalMart/WB wording doesn't have support I propose either of these as alternatives: or I don't think the part about speculation is necessary. Nil Einne (talk) 11:11, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The high definition format war ends after Toshiba announces it is ceasing development of its HD DVD format.
 * Toshiba announces discontinuation of HD-DVD, conceeding to rival high-definition disc format Blu-ray, ending the high definition format war.

Castro

 * Castro resigns... (already added) but this should be the picture. Charles Stewart (talk) 08:17, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Yeah, it looks better than the Kosovar flag. Plus it is a story of comparable magnitude and the most recent news. Random89 (talk) 08:26, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I don't think there needs to be discussion about this since I doubt anyone disagrees with including it, provided the articles receive the appropriate updates Nil Einne (talk) 09:24, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Its more about changing the picture. Charles Stewart (talk) 09:25, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I do think this should be bigger news than Toshiba and HD-DVD.--Dandelions (talk) 16:57, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Who replaced Castro? Spencer  T♦C 21:23, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * You mean as president? I don't think they have announced it yet. Chances are it'll be Raul. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 02:19, 20 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Yeah, Today's Featured Article is being renamed Cuba's Featured Article. (sorry I couldn't resist.) Random89 (talk) 15:45, 20 February 2008 (UTC)

Pakistani elections

 * Musharraf concedes Pakistani general election, 2008 to Bhutto and Sharif.  212.179.71.70 (talk) 09:57, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * This and the current previous headline are inaccurate. Although his party may have lost, Musharraf was not up for election, thus he could not concede. There was already a consensus headline discussed below that a drive-by admin ignored. Madcoverboy (talk) 15:53, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I changed to the wording we agreed on. Next time, remind the drive-by admins to check this page first. What I don't like about the present formulation is that it says Pakistan twice. But it is still correct. --Tone 17:34, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Shouldn't the blurb mention that the Pakistan Peoples Party was in the opposition? Pruneautalk 18:33, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I'd argue "opposition" is an imprecise and POV term. There were many parties who opposed Musharaff, but each of these parties may have platforms in opposition to each other. Good thing we've provided a convenient link to the article describing the party's positions if readers want to learn more! Madcoverboy (talk) 19:18, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The consensus headline is problematic which is one of the reasons people need to be careful about developing headlines before the event. The PPP gained a plurality but it's questionable whether they 'won' the election. They are still very far from a majority Nil Einne (talk) 20:15, 19 February 2008 (UTC)


 * How did the state of emergency delay the general elections? If I'm correct the state of emergency was during the presidential elections and did not cause any delay to the General Elections for the National Assembly.--Always Ahead (talk) 21:35, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

Oil hits $100.
Petroleum passes $100 to reach an all-time high price (in nominal terms) of $101.01 per barrel.MrVoluntarist (talk) 23:30, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose, this was just up a little while ago. Grant.alpaugh (talk) 23:32, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Concur, we can't mention it every time it pops $100. --Golbez (talk) 23:43, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose. Not the first time, probably not the last time. ---CWY2190TC 23:45, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Like everyone else. Unless it hits around 125, I won't even consider a pricing thing. Spencer  T♦C 00:22, 20 February 2008 (UTC)
 * LOL, if oil hits $125 any time soon we'll all have bigger problems than ITN. Grant.alpaugh (talk) 01:49, 20 February 2008 (UTC)
 * That made my day, Grant. Good job. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 02:20, 20 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The last time, it was intra-day, by a trader who did it just to set the record. This is the first close over $100, a major psychological barrier.  I know, it's kind of irritating to see oil's price mentioned once a month, but then, it's also irritating to have running tallies of medals in the Olympics on the front page.  I'd hate to see trivial crap on the main ... MrVoluntarist (talk) 04:30, 20 February 2008 (UTC)
 * While you're right, as it turned out, the trader succeeded in taking all the attention away from what is arguably the more significant change. I heard about the $100 outside wikipedia a lot. I didn't even know it had hit $100 again. Perhaps this speaks more about me then anything else but even so, it seems the big pscyhological barrier was $100 and once it hit that, even though it turned out to be a false start it still passed the barrier, so no one really cared when it really passed the barrier. The current article doesn't even mention this second psychological barrier (closing) it only mentions the first. Indeed it only mentions February 2008 at all because of the all time high. Nil Einne (talk) 12:47, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Wikileaks

 * Bank Julius Baer secures a permanent injunction against the domain registrar of Wikileaks.org in the Northern California District Court, forcing the website offline.
 * This is a noteworthy news event that deals primarily with issues of censorship from the United States and the status of a highly controversial website that has been censored in China, Thailand and Russia. The case (as detailed in the article) stems from the unauthorized release of documents from Bank Julius Baer's anti-money laundering operations in the Cayman Islands, which proved them to be woefully inadequate. Cumulus Clouds (talk) 21:42, 18 February 2008 (UTC)
 * A slightly non-traditional ITN-subject, but i support posting because wikileaks seems to be central to the whole concept of whistleblowers in the internet age. Thue | talk 22:30, 18 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support in strongest possible terms This is a non-traditional ITN-subject but I think it warrants mention for several reasons. Obviously it meets the ITN criteria, I don't believe that is at issue. What is likely to be more controversial and should be determined by members of this forum, is do we eschew the informal " notability/impact/international international impact/balance" criteria to stand in solidarity with another notable and essential wikiproject? While it is clearly not the job of Wikipedia to report on news or take a POV on a news item - I am not advocating that this article be promoted on such a basis - I would argue that we all share a common interest and value in not only using but protecting this open and collaborative medium from neer-do-wells like vandals, spammers, and speech-chilling litigators. We now have a chance to leverage our medium to bring light on a topic that will likely be ignored by the mainstream press. Madcoverboy (talk) 23:47, 18 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I absolutely agree with your reasoning. The domain loss does have international significance, as Wikileaks has published leaked documents from the Kingdom of Thailand, the People's Republic of China and the Russian government, which has led to greater international media attention and, in the case of Daniel arap Moi and the elections in Kenya, actually changed the opinions of the voters. None of this can be included in the news link, of course, since it's far too long, but the signficance is there. Cumulus Clouds (talk) 00:07, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support, based on the importance of the blown whistles. Spencer  T♦C 01:24, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose Strongly, this event is nowhere near the noteworthiness of the kind of stories that generally appear on the frontpage. It will likely receive little to no media coverage and the only people that will know or care about it will be you and I that are on the internet often. I don't think the news of a website being shut down should be covered just above a nation declaring its independence.Charles 05:17, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * It's true that a very obscure story is sharing space with groundbreaking news, but the independence of a country is a hard act to follow. I share your concerns about the noteworthiness of this article, in fact I hadn't even heard about Wikileaks until I came across a forum post about the lawsuit. I feel that this is exactly why we should use the ITN template to involve editors in this story. The concerns presented by the shutdown of Wikileaks are important and, specifically, are important to us as users of a wiki. That a foreign corporation was successful in shuttering a domestic website established primarily as a wiki has very obvious overtones about the chilling effect on contributions to this encyclopedia. I've briefly gone over it's real world significance (this story was also covered by the BBC), so it does concern many people both in the United States and abroad in various countries whose information was leaked. I'm hoping it's placement here will encourage others to read the story, read about what the website is and maybe look into what's on it. Anyway, I appreciate it's promotion, even if it somewhat brief, since the article at Wikileaks is already being improved substantially so thanks. Cumulus Clouds (talk) 05:37, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose/Remove I couldn't find this on the websites for the NY Times, WSJ, or Times of London. Madcoverboy, we're not a newspaper who pushes what we find important. Charles Stewart (talk) 05:20, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Neutral. Sure I think it is a disturbing violation of the first amendment, but it is still available on dozens of mirror sites and doesn't seem that important.  But a site that is banned in China and other countries is not that rare, but a website being removed in the US is something I've never heard.  Another thing this brings up, is that when SCOTUS decides the D.C. Gun Case, will that be notable to be on ITN? ---CWY2190TC 05:55, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Comment This is a non-sequitur: If the criteria for ITN inclusion is coverage in the NYT, WSK, ToL, etc., then (for all intents and purposes) we are a newspaper. Because it is not in those sources, then it cannot be included in ITN. Obviously this condition and the contrapositive (it is covered extensive in the news, but not in ITN) are both not true. Earlier, I was arguing that because this news item concerns bedrock principles of wikipedia (openness, transparency, freedom), we as wikipedians have a stake in using our bully pulpit (of sorts) to highlight it. I'm not saying that we should have a special exemption for every wiki-related press release that comes down the pike, nor that we should assert a POV regarding the actions of either side. Rather, the mere occurrence of the event is of profound and specific import for this project and everyone who contributes, uses, even depends upon Wikipedia because of the issues at stake. In the end, the Streisand effect will prevail - this injunction is inevitably going to backfire and attract even more attention which means we're going to end up covering it in the end (Google News has 22 articles related to it posted in the last 12 hours). Madcoverboy (talk) 06:06, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I protest the removal of this item. China censoring a web site is insignificant.  The U.S. doing so is quite important.  —Nricardo (talk) 06:49, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * If this is not globally significant, why are the media in the UK, Australia, India, Germany, etc. covering it? (http://news.google.com/news?q=wikileaks) —Nricardo (talk) 06:52, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Are you telling me that Prescilla Presley's inclusion on Dancing with the Stars is globally significant? http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=priscilla+presley&ie=UTF-8 - hahnch e n 12:06, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

Support for 24-hour inclusion. I was just saying on the talk page that we should increase the number of stories we feature on the main page, but update the page more often. This is an interesting story that deserves to be on the main page for a day or so, but it shouldn't stay on the main page until it's "bumped off" the bottom of the list. Lovelac 7 06:59, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Remove. It's been up long enough. Lovelac 7 02:48, 20 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Disagree with time limit. Anything that deserves to be on ITN should be on until it gets bumped off.  This recent time frame thing on ITN is ridiculous.  If you want things to be turned over faster then support more items on ITN, but artificially increasing the turn over is just going to lead to unnoteworthy items being on ITN.  Grant.alpaugh (talk) 07:19, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * How is either fundamentally different with regards to "unnoteworthy" items being promoted? Different mechanisms for the same result: replacing old items with new items. Just a matter of definitions about what "old" is. Perhaps a discussion better had on talk than here.... Madcoverboy (talk) 05:00, 20 February 2008 (UTC)

Support Put it back in. This is the type of news story we've seen again and again, that swirls out of control. In 24-72 hours CNN will have it. Lawrence §  t / e  07:00, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support with no time limit. All that was said above, plus ITN has a (deserved) overload of political stories right now.Random89 (talk) 08:24, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

Weak oppose Arguments like 'standing in solidarity' etc are frankly dumb. This is ITN, not the village pump or wikipedia signpost. And ITN is always for our readers not our editors. It's also worth pointing out that this is hardly the first website to be shut down by the US, although most previous ones have been for copyright violation reasons. Also, I don't think we should be crystal balling 'this is going to swirl out of control'. There's no harm in leaving this out for now and including it if it 'swirls out of control'. The only justification for including this would be on its on merits as it stands now. It may very well have them, but I'm far from convinced from the arguments I've seen so far. Nil Einne (talk) 09:01, 19 February 2008 (UTC) Edit: After reading the article, the website seems to be fairly noteable so I'll change to Neutral Nil Einne (talk) 09:09, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Remove - Totally trivial wiki-incest news. More relevant and important news includes Toshiba killing off HD-DVD, Pakistan elections, another round of bank write downs.  Wikileaks is nothing. - hahnch e n 09:54, 19 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Remove as not having any international significance or at least correct the factual error of stating that wikileaks is forced offline. As our wikileaks article clearly states it can be accessed via as well as the IP so at most it's a bit harder to find (have to use google or wikipedia) but not offline at all. In addition too many items at once will clutter ITN. Hobartimus (talk) 11:47, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Correct the headline It is not offline. --Kitch (Talk : Contrib) 15:27, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Remove After reading what actually happened, this story is not noteable. Bank Julius Bär sued DynaDot. DynaDot chickened out and decided to negoiate with Bank Julius Bär and reached an agreement acceptable to both. Wikileaks for whatever reason didn't take part in the negotiations, I guess because they had decided to ignore the lawsuit. The judge signed off on the agreement. This isn't so much 'censorship by US courts' but the US courts approving an agreement between 2 parties. While technically, it would be within the court's pervue to void the agreement, in reality it was never going to happen particularly when there was no one there representing wikileaks. Nil Einne (talk) 22:48, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Strong Remove How is this notable at all? Some low level judge (not the US Federal government as a whole, not the executive branch) issues an injunction against a website and then changes his mind?  This isn't even censorship; it's just a judge being dumb.  128.208.6.193 (talk) 07:09, 20 February 2008 (UTC)
 * This was me. mkehrt (talk) 07:10, 20 February 2008 (UTC)

Kosovo

 * Serbia recalls ambassador to Washington over U.S. recognition of Kosovo - «The government has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the ambassador from Washington.   --Avala (talk) 20:53, 18 February 2008 (UTC)
 * This is important because US recognition of Kosovo led to breaking of diplomatic relations between Serbia and USA.

I suggest --Avala (talk) 20:57, 18 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Kosovo's parliament endorses a unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia and adopts a flag (pictured); response from the international community is mixed. Serbia breaks diplomatic relations with the United States.
 * Oppose Well, we already have a Kosovo thing, and its only affecting the US and Serbians in the US, and Serbia still has an office in the US (United Nations in New York). Maybe if Serbia breaks relations with many more countries, but otherwise, it's a no. Spencer  T♦C 21:02, 18 February 2008 (UTC)
 * UN office is not related to the US. All UN members have offices there. Government has announced that this will be done with all countries that recognize Kosovo. And yes we already have Kosovo, this is just the addition. --Avala (talk) 21:08, 18 February 2008 (UTC)


 * "The parliament of Kosovo (flag pictured) endorses a unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia, and official recognition by several nations strains international relations." Or something to that effect.  Grant.alpaugh (talk) 22:56, 18 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Note that recalling an ambassador is not nearly the same thing as breaking diplomatic relations! -- Mwalcoff (talk) 03:52, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Which, you'll notice, is why I said strained. Grant.alpaugh (talk) 05:20, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Would the US care even if Serbia completely broke off relations? I think this is completely insignificant on the other hand if the US was the one that broke off relations or recalled it's ambassador than it would be significant, the other way around, not so much. Hobartimus (talk) 11:52, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Serbia recalls ambassadors from Turkey and France. --Avala (talk) 15:43, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

Northern Rock

 * UK bank Northern Rock is to be nationalised after the financial problems caused by the subprime mortgage crisis -Halo (talk) 15:28, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I'd be inclined to support since it seems to be a rather drastic move and indicative of the extent of the credit/mortgage crises. However, I don't know if these Brits nationalise private entities often enough to diminish the impact of this instance. I would also be wary of reporting on the announcement versus the actual action - or are they, in effect, the same? Madcoverboy (talk) 16:24, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Nationalising private entities almost never happens in the UK, the BBC says its the first of its kind since the 70s and it's made national headlines. This is the announcement - the actual action requires several laws to be written and passed but I'd say now would be the best time to add it. -Halo (talk) 16:39, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I was about to add this, definently notable enough, but it had already been added by ChrisO. Thue | talk 17:10, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * How major is Northern Rock? I mean, is it a very substantial bank in the UK? If it is major, then yes, but if it's only in a certain area and only serves a minor percentage population, then no. Also use United Kingdom instead of UK.  Spencer  T♦C 18:58, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * It's the fifth biggest lender in Britain, and is a major bank. It's already up with different phrasing -Halo (talk) 20:25, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose. Not internationally significant. <span style="font-family:times new roman, times; color:#000064;">Lovelac <span style="font-family:times new roman, times; color:#AA0000;">7 05:06, 18 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. It is of international significance!  One of the UK's largest borrowers has been taken into public ownership!  A milestone in British political, and global economic history. Petepetepetepete (talk) 09:46, 18 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose. (As a Brit) I agree with Lovelac7 that, while very significant here, this is probably not significant outside the UK. AlmostReadytoFly (talk) 16:28, 18 February 2008 (UTC)
 * (undent) Support Per my comment above, the failure of private entities to support a failing bank is highly indicative of the weakness of the markets internationally. There are few stories to point to regarding the stunning avarice of these companies investments in shaky credit instruments and the on-going weakness/looming recession. Furthermore, nationalization seems to be a rare and drastic step. And a preemptive response to a predictable reply: no, promoting this does not mean we now "have to" cover every instance of government nationalizations worldwide. Madcoverboy (talk) 18:18, 18 February 2008 (UTC)

Pakistani Elections

 * General elections are held in Pakistan following delays and waves of pre-election violence.
 * General elections are held in Pakistan following delays after a state of emergency and waves of pre-election violence.
 * Support as nominator Given the violence preceding the election, there will be likely be even more surrounding the election. Thus, we should develop a consensus now on how to cover this.Madcoverboy (talk) 18:33, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support, extremely notable election. JACO  PLANE  &bull; 2008-02-16 22:02
 * Support. Just a question, do we put this on at the beginning of the day or only when there are some results known? --Tone 22:11, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * When the results are known. Also the hook above has too many "easter egg" links. --Stephen 22:16, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support second suggestion...How about delinking "waves of" and just linking pre-election violence at the end. Spencer  T♦C 23:33, 16 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Oppose without results There is defacto consensus to include elections when the results are known so there is no need to discuss that part. However I would oppose including this until and unless the results are known Nil Einne (talk) 08:50, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support, when the results are known of course. ---CWY2190TC 23:34, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support the second blurb, when the results are known. Might I suggest:


 * Party X wins the 2008 general elections held in Pakistan following delays caused by a state of emergency and waves of pre-election violence. Grant.alpaugh (talk) 02:27, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support re-wording, or original if others prefer. Random89 (talk) 08:28, 17 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Support wording There is no need to discuss including this since there is defacto consensus for including election results. The only issue to discuss is the wording Nil Einne (talk) 08:50, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Detailed results will likely become available here first. Madcoverboy (talk) 23:54, 18 February 2008 (UTC)


 * We need to remove the part about President Musharref because a) you really should be saying who is winning the election and b) Even if his party does leave, President Musharraf is still going to be there. It's basically comparable to saying that President George W. Bush's party is losing a house election. He doesn't own the party, and is not the parliamentary leader.


 * Yeah, I don't understand the reason we'd mention Musharref but not the name of the party itself... -Elmer Clark (talk) 08:01, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

No more HD DVD

 * Toshiba announces that it is ceasing support of the HD DVD format after major producers and distributors select the competing Blu-ray format, effectively ending the high definition format war.
 * The high definition format war ends after Toshiba announces it is ceasing development of its HD DVD format after Warner Brothers, Wal-Mart, and other major distributors select the competing Blu-ray disc format exclusively.
 * Support as nominator Linked from Current events. There will likely be an announcement on Monday about Toshiba, the major consumer electronics manufacturer backing HD DVD, ceasing promotion and development of the technology — effectively granting BluRay the win in this multibillion dollar industry. Madcoverboy (talk) 20:25, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I don't know if it's worth noting in the blurb - but since 11 Feb, NetFlix, Best Buy, and Wal-Mart all decidied to drop HDDVD/carry Bluray exclusively. Madcoverboy (talk) 03:11, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. This is really big news.  Bye-bye HD DVD.  We hardly knew ya. ---CWY2190TC 20:39, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support as well, iff the announcement is made. This is definitely notable, encyclopedic and relevant. I do think the easter egg links should be avoided though. A  ecis Brievenbus 22:00, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Yes, if announcement is made and easter egg links can be avoided. Spencer  T♦C 23:33, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support If the Tata Nano could get on the Main Page, this certainly can.--Jedravent (talk) 03:34, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Strong Oppose The story might be noteable, IF it happens. As it stands now, from what I can tell Toshiba haven't officially withdrawn support, it's just been widely speculated with the support of anonymous sources. Wide speculations should NOT get on ITN. If and when Toshiba announces they are withdrawing support then maybe we can reconsider but until then, no! Nil Einne (talk) 07:21, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I don't believe anyone believes this should go up now -- which is exactly why the article was nominated for 2 days from now. I think it is a good practice to develop a consensus on the appropriateness of an imminent event (like Kosovo independence, US primaries, etc.) beforehand so that we don't have to deal with drive-by POV warriors after it becomes official. Madcoverboy (talk) 07:35, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I agree with you, Madcoverboy, this practice is one of the best things to happen to ITN in a while. I think waiting til the last minute generally, rather than sports or primaries specifically, is what has created the most problems on ITN because everyone gets so heated in the moment that they can't think NPOV about these things.  Grant.alpaugh (talk) 07:43, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Even after the annoucement the articles will need the appropriate updates. Also, as it stands not this is still simply speculation unlike Kosovo and primaries which basically a guaranteed case. N.B. This practice isn't exactly new, we've been doing it for ages albeit primarily in the talk page and without generally discussing the wording. P.S. Perhaps I was a little unfair to editors here, I didn't really notice people had already agreed to wait for an annoucement. This is good, unfortunately editors of the HD-DVD and other appropriate articles don't seem to be following this line. Nil Einne (talk) 08:37, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * As Nil Einne pointed out on talk, I think the real problem isn't always drive-by editors, but many times drive-by admins who sometimes put up whatever suits their fancy despite the consensus we "mortal editors" have developed. Add to that confusion, the bifurcated debate between ITN talk and WP:ERRORS about correcting content and there are bound to be problems. In this respect, developing consensus ahead of time should mitigate some of more egregious errors implemented by drive-by admins. Madcoverboy (talk) 19:51, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support when announcement is made. Also, regarding the deciding in advance thing, I believ it's a great idea. There's a proposal (yeah, i started it, blatant advertising) to have a list of inclusion-worthy sports. Stop by WP:ITNSPORTS to let us know what you think. Random89 (talk) 08:32, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * A decision on this could be made as early as Tuesday according to AP. Madcoverboy (talk) 19:39, 18 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Comments it's now official but the articles still need a bit of work before being ITN worthy. For example the HD format war article has a section 'will Toshiba pull out of HD-DVD?' Nil Einne (talk) 09:37, 19 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support I've edited the article, should be enough I think Nil Einne (talk) 09:49, 19 February 2008 (UTC)

February 17
As it seems, Kosovo is going to declare independence on Sunday. Several things are likely to happen afterwards. How shall we put thin on ITN? Update as things evolve or put a more stable post with a link to Kosovo status process? I suppose we better discuss this now than later. --Tone 12:06, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The main link should be to Kosovo and update as things evolve it might be even worth more than 1 slot on ITN. It's a good idea to decide what to do now even if the event will not happen on the 17th it won't hurt to be prepared.  Hobartimus (talk) 12:42, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * On Sunday, we'll decide what happens. This could earn a slot, though. Spencer  T♦C 14:27, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Iff Kosovo declares independence, this should definitely be posted on ITN. So many organisations have been involved in this discussion, up to the EU and the UN Security Council, that the declaration of independence alone is newsworthy enough. A  ecis Brievenbus 14:57, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Let's start discussing the exact formulation, any proposals anyone? Could be "Kosovo declares itself an independent state, an act which is recognized by a number of countries. Hobartimus (talk) 23:11, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Maybe "Kosovo declares independence from Serbia and is recognised by ... and ..." The thing is that it's quite likely Russia will not recognise them, and saying who recognises them and who doesn't will be messy. - <font color="Blue">Shudde <font color="Blue">talk  00:15, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * How about: "Kosovo declares independence from Serbia, becoming the seventh state to separate from Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia since 1991." I'm not sure if this is the kind of idea we're looking for, but I'll give it a try. Spencer  T♦C 02:48, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * If you consider Serbia a successor to Yugoslavia, then it's the sixth state to separate. Shall we mention it's unilaterally? In any case, the post needs to reflect that the opinion of the international community is divided. --Tone 08:59, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Why not: "Kosovo unilaterally declares independence from Serbia, becoming the sixth or seventh state to separate from Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia since 1991." :D Hello32020 (talk) 13:33, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * "The parlaiment of Kosovo votes for the declaration of independence and this new state is recognized by 28* countries."
 * number then would have to be updated every few hours. It could also link to a list of the countries that recognized the act. Something should be agreed upon already the date is coming up fast. Also if we need new articles (list of countries, maybe one on the act of declaration itself) should be created now. Hobartimus (talk) 14:14, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I think it's the seventh to do so: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Monetenegro, Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and now Kosovo. Spencer  T♦C 18:35, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The problem seems to be the phrase "to separate from": Serbia has been successively separated from (excuse what may be an over simplistic reading of recent history): "Kosovo unilaterally declares independence, becoming the seventh country to emerge from the former Yugoslavia (Socialist republic of seems redundant: everyday usage omitted it), and is recognised by n United Member nation states." I would prefer UN members only, to avoid any debate about what is to be considered a country. Kevin McE (talk) 19:22, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I don't think we need to include how many or what countries recognized this. I think it should be "Kosovo declares independence from Serbia becoming the seventh state to be created out of the former Yugoslavia."
 * I propose removal of the "with the support of many Western governments but opposed by Serbia and Russia." Kosovo did not receive recognition from anyone (yet) and the second part is grossly misleading, insinuating as if only Russia supports Serbia's territorial integrity. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 16:48, 17 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Kosovo declares independence from Serbia becoming the seventh state to be created out of the former Yugoslavia.
 * Support. Madcoverboy (talk) 20:58, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I prefer the longer one since it's a complex situation: "The assembly of Kosovo unilaterally declares independence, becoming the seventh nation to emerge from the the former Yugoslavia and is recognised by (number goes here) United Nation member states." --Tone 21:43, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Yeah I like this one...I'll fix and wikilink the above for you...Note: Kosovo has an assembly, not a parliament. The word emerges fits the best. I'm going to say nation, not state, because the situation with Vojvodina may not work with the word "state". Spencer  T♦C 23:39, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I strongly advise against including any statement about "being recognized by x countries" because the concept of recognition is such a complicated one. I'd rather we not say anything at all than give such a dubious claim about recognition.  This isn't something just out of the whim, it's premeditated from the look of their leader's statments and this issue has been the subject of a UN-organized negotiation that has lasted almost a decade.  I think it's reasonable to believe they wouldn't have done this if the international community was going to abandon them if they declared independence.  From what I'm reading, the international community wants to see Kosovo remain in Serbia if possible, but after almost a decade of talks this has, in the eyes of the Kosovars, been proven unsatisfactory or unworkable, so they're declaring independence (probably encouraged by the success of montenegro's independence).  Also, it's wordy.  Grant.alpaugh (talk) 02:18, 17 February 2008 (UTC)


 * "The assembly of Kosovo declares independence from Serbia, becoming the seventh nation to emerge from the former Yugoslavia." Grant.alpaugh (talk) 02:22, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Two points: you omitted unilaterally, any reason for that? And second, you're right that the international recognition will take time so better not update the post with every new country recognizing. But the short formulation is too short since it does not reflect the complexity of the situation. Brainstorming: "The assembly of Kosovo unilaterally declares independence, becoming the seventh nation to emerge from the the former Yugoslavia. The move is criticized by Serbia and some other countries and greeted by some other countries." The international reaction needs to be reflected in the post. We have a couple of hours before this post goes on ITN, let's find a good formulation. --Tone 13:39, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Or maybe "The assembly of Kosovo unilaterally declares independence, causing mixed international reactions". I think this is neutral and short enough. Do we have a good article fot the redlink? --Tone 13:41, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * CNN speaks of an independence declaration, passed on to parliament (and not assembly) for the MPs to vote on it. Hobartimus (talk) 13:50, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * a move opposed by Serbia and Russia but supported by many western governments. from CNN, I guess we can put this on for starters and improve it when an article about recognition is created. --Tone 14:05, 17 February 2008 (UTC)

Ok, so, if no objections, The assembly of Kosovo unilaterally declares independence, a move opposed by Serbia and Russia but supported by many western governments. I am putting this on when the voting on declaration is finished. --Tone 14:45, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I'm a little wary of the second phrase wording since CNN is reporting: "Kosovo's parliament officially declared the province's independence from Serbia today, a move opposed by Serbia and Russia but supported by many western governments." I think we are reflecting media biases by priveliging some countries' responses - indeed, what of the other 5 post-Yugoslavia states? I always thought that a declaration of independence would necessarily be unilateral. Perhaps my understanding of history is too narrow, but I understand that many post-colonial countries achieved their independence via negotiated treaties with the colonial power and most post-Soviet countries were allegedly sovereign under byzantine Soviet rules. I still support Grant's wording over this: "The assembly of Kosovo declares independence from Serbia, becoming the seventh nation to emerge from the former Yugoslavia." Madcoverboy (talk) 16:33, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Maybe I'm being nitpicky, but I'm not sure about including the word unilaterally. First of all, isn't a declaration issued by a single party anyways, so it is by definition unilateral? Also it's not present in the linked article's lead and it's not mentioned in BBC's headline. Furthermore, this has been encouraged in semi-veiled manner by many EU countries and the US. Random89 (talk) 17:53, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support removing the word unilaterally as per above. Hobartimus (talk) 18:04, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * So no mention of becoming the seventh nation to emerge from the the former Yugoslavia? Spencer  T♦C 18:53, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The reason I removed unilaterally is because it is redundant. I don't really know of any declarations of independence that weren't unilaterally made.  Secondly, oversimplifying a complicated situation by lumping "Western nations" together is worse than simply omitting it.  It is a fact that this is the 7th nation to emerge from Yugoslavia, if indeed this shakes out that way.  The question of international recognition is more difficult to quantify.  I just think that it interjects unnecessary bias into the blurb.  Grant.alpaugh (talk) 18:58, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Precisely. Similar to what Grant.alpaugh says, it is more biased to add "with the support of many Western governments but opposed by Serbia and Russia." and less to put: "becoming the seventh nation to emerge from the the former Yugoslavia." It removes bias and is also informative at the same time. Spencer  T♦C 19:02, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * In response to the "unilateral" issue... "unilateral declaration of independence" is the widely-accepted and wholly uncontroversial academic term for the concept in international legal circles. The word "unilateral" does not in any way connote illegitimacy or unpopularity in those contexts.  While declarations of independence that aren't unilateral aren't particularly common, they can and do occur--for two examples, see the Velvet Divorce for one, or Montenegro's recent departure from the State Union framework it had with Serbia.  The Tom (talk) 23:10, 17 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Prime Minister Hashim Thaci declares national independence in Kosovo from Serbia in Parliament, making it the seventh state to come out of Former Yugoslavia.
 * I know it's been suggested before, but I'm putting it in again because it's actually happening today. Since events may start unfolding now, I thought it would be better to start a new section here.  æt<font color="#008000">'ə' rnal ðrAعon 11:02, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * It is still a unilateral self declaration. I don't think it should be classified as the seventh state until the UN recognizes it as such.--Avala (talk) 14:48, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * See the discussion on February 17. The item goes on when the voting's finished. --Tone 14:49, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Yes but adding that it is a seventh independent state from Yugoslavia is wrong as Kosovo is not recognized by international organizations. --Avala (talk) 14:56, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I did my best to make the post as neutral as possible. If you can improve it, please help. No mentioning of seventh state here. --Tone 14:57, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * It's fine the way it is. I would also add that the UN is not supportive either. --Avala (talk) 15:35, 17 February 2008 (UTC)
 * This should be discussed under the 17th section, on the 18th we could put up something more if more stuff happens (number of recognitions etc.)Hobartimus (talk) 15:37, 17 February 2008 (UTC)

February 16

 * The Wallraf-Richartz Museum in Cologne announces that its painting, On the Banks of the Seine by Port Villez, thought to be by Claude Monet, is actually a forgery. -- J. Van Meter (talk) 12:02, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose In addition to having little significance, there is no definitive conclusion concerning its status as a forgery. Madcoverboy (talk) 18:38, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * sorry, can you explain what you mean by "no definitive conclusion"? J. Van Meter (talk) 20:31, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Apologies, I had interpreted the blurb and the article to mean that the painting is believed to have been a forgery rather than a definitive conclusion that it actually is. AP/CNN is reporting that it is. I'm still not sure about the broader significance - perhaps if an several paintings within a collection were forgeries, it might merit mention, but this strikes me more as a novelty story. Moreover, there isn't an article about the painting itself. I'm still inclined to oppose. Madcoverboy (talk) 20:47, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Well, given the intrinsic and monetary value of a Monet, I thought it rather newsworthy that a museum would make such an announcement. Rather than being a novelty, it's really more of very, very rare occurence. J. Van Meter (talk) 22:12, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

February 15

 * Václav Klaus was re-elected as the President of the Czech Republic.--mikeshk (talk) 20:47, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Posted --Stephen 08:11, 16 February 2008 (UTC)


 * American aviator Steve Fossett is declared legally dead by the Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago, after having been missing for five months.
 * --Stephen 08:11, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * He's been missing for five months, this isn't unexpected. Charles Stewart (talk) 08:13, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I wasn't suggesting this for the notable death, per se, rather the end of the media attention, google maps searching, amateur spotters, etc, etc. --Stephen 08:15, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose While his disappearance was notable and unexpected, he has been missing and presumed dead for months - this is just a legal formality. Madcoverboy (talk) 18:35, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

February 14

 * The United States House of Representatives votes to hold Joshua Bolten and Harriet Miers in Contempt of Congress in its probe into the dismissal of of U.S. attorneys.
 * Support as nominator. Yes it involves the U.S. But this is a major action in an on-going major political scandal. Madcoverboy (talk) 05:20, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose I think the only circumstance under which this should be added is if they are in fact found to be in contempt of Congress. ~ UBeR (talk) 05:41, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Comment: Which article would be bolded? I don't think you can but both Josh Bolten and Harriet Miers in bold. The word "votes" would have to be...if there's an article. I don't think this is actually notable enough to go on the main page. Spencer  T♦C 14:26, 15 February 2008 (UTC)


 * The United States Navy will use an SM-3 missile (pictured) to destroy the broken USA 193 spy satellite (pictured) which contains unused toxic hydrazine fuel.
 * Ongoing, launch about four days to a week from now. Possibly third time in 20 years something like this happened Corrections welcome. -Susanlesch (talk) 02:19, 15 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Dang, I was going to suggest this one, but you beat me to it... Support. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 02:27, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Question: Did we have an ITN about the satellite going dead? If we did, it's a no, if we didn't, it's a yes. Spencer  T♦C 02:31, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I'm pretty sure we didn't. I don't even know if anyone suggested it. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 02:49, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Change "shoot down" to "destroy" or "engage" (the latter is the word used by the military). Shoot down implies it will fall from the sky the moment the missile hits it. Evil Monkey - Hello 02:47, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Thanks, changed to destroy. -Susanlesch (talk) 02:51, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I'm inclined to leave this until it actually happens. Also the emboldened article is a little unclear as to whether it is the satellite in question. --Stephen 03:09, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Agreed it would be a mistake to make a mistake. In case you need it, here is a safer statement maybe (Reuters says another name, which Wikipedia says is the same satellite, but I don't know). Up to you all. Best wishes. -Susanlesch (talk) 04:04, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * USA 193 is certainly NROL-21; any source that gives the launch details of either one always says Dec 14, 2006, from Vandenberg AFB at 1pm local or 9pm UTC - e.g. Air Force Space Command for "NROL-21" and The National Space Science Data Center for "USA 193", both of which are U.S. government websites and should be extremely reliable on this. And it's also true that numerous reputable sources name the satellite to be shot down as L-21 or USA 193. Evercat (talk) 04:35, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The United States will use an SM-3 missile to destroy its own malfunctioning National Reconnaissance Office spy satellite which is falling to Earth containing toxic hydrazine fuel.
 * Oppose. It's a proposed event involving secretive military operations and a classified satellite - are any of those topics actually going to have anything resembling encyclopedic coverage? Madcoverboy (talk) 05:13, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Comment Hydrazine is a B-class article! With neat diagrams too. I don't know about you but that is what first got me interested. Fair enough on classified information. -Susanlesch (talk) 05:23, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose until event takes place. When China did a similar thing, it was ITN if memory severs me right, and so should this (when it occurs). ~ UBeR (talk) 05:43, 15 February 2008 (UTC)

NIU shooting

 * The NIU Shootings. ~ UBeR (talk) 01:13, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Headline proposal: "A gunman kills five and wounds sixteen at Northern Illinois University before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound." Hello32020 (talk) 02:26, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * There's so many shootings now. I think there needs to be an ITN rule about this. I have to say no because there isn't anything any more notable with this than other shootings. However, the Vtech ITN was appropriate because there were more deaths... Spencer  T♦C 02:31, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * There was a comparatively high amount of casualties from this shooting then others and it seems notable enough for ITN. Hello32020 (talk) 02:38, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * (after edit conflict) Would nuclear wars suddenly become non-notable if a bunch started breaking out? It's unfortunately that so many shootings have happened lately, but they're still very much notable, and fit the ITN criteria as well as anything else. -Elmer Clark (talk) 02:39, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Proposed text looks right, well done. -Susanlesch (talk) 02:51, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Sure, based on the above comments, it's good. However, I must make a comment. How many similar shootings/suicide bombings like this occur in Iraq, Israel, Africa and other places, but don't recieve ITN coveage? We give shootings in the US undue weight. I suppose the lack of media coverage and a wikipedia article is the answer. I only wish other places had the same media coverage as the US. Spencer  T♦C 03:08, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * This is a tragic event, but one of many and of only passing interest outside of the US. A recent council shooting was rejected (see February 8, below) for just that reason; these are all too common, unfortunately.  --Stephen 03:11, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I hate to say this but this is not internationally significant enough to be on the Main Page - it can be in the Portal:Current events though. So I have to say Oppose-- JForget 03:55, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I've noticed that the Missouri shooting incident in which it happened at a council meeting did not make it to ITN and appeared to be more notable as this case, so I don't see how this event makes it in the Main Page. Agree on an article on it, although my concern is that it would open the door for many many articles on other and not notable deadly shootings in the US This happens something like once every 2-3 days on average lately. -- JForget 17:47, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. This is currently on the front page of the BBC News, the Guardian and El Mundo, just to name a few. I think that shows that it is "internationally significant", even though it happened in one town in the U.S. <span style="font-family:times new roman, times; color:#000064;">Lovelac <span style="font-family:times new roman, times; color:#AA0000;">7 04:12, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The BBC, Guardian, El Mundo and other mainstream sources have this on their front pages because that is what maximizes their revenue. If Wikipedia was in the same game, and I was a shareholder, I would expect nothing less.  However, we are not in the same business and editorial decisions made here need not (arguably, should not) follow their business logic.  mdf (talk) 21:02, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose Wikipedia is not a news feed. It does not matter how many outlets are covering a story - this is not cause for ITN to cover it as well. This forum is primarily intended to showcase articles whose topics are in the news, not to cover every breaking news event. We did not cover the Tinley Park shootings (5 dead), the Kirkwood shootings (5+1), or Louisiana Tech (2+1 dead). While it is easy to become emotional given the randomness and similarities to Virginia tech, and there will certainly be media saturation over this tragic event for the next few days, it is just "another" school shooting. Madcoverboy (talk) 05:09, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * WP:NOT does not say anything about Wikipedia not being a news feed. Maybe it should, but it doesn't right now. I agree that we shouldn't parrot every story coming down the wire, but I do think that a widely covered event should be on ITN. After all, the more media sources that cover an event, the more reliable sources we have to write an encyclopedia. <span style="font-family:times new roman, times; color:#000064;">Lovelac <span style="font-family:times new roman, times; color:#AA0000;">7 05:31, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * WP:NOT 132.206.33.56 (talk) 14:08, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support The examples of other shootings above are apples and oranges when compared to a shooting at a large university. This story meets the criteria set forth by ITN. Teemu08 (talk) 05:34, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support proposed headline. ~ UBeR (talk) 05:39, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support if that wasn't clear from my previous comment -Elmer Clark (talk) 06:56, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support! If shootings like Dawson College Shooting (Canada) & Erfurt Massacre (Germany) can make ITN, then the NIU shooting should too. -Rayne 07:12, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Comment Other stuff exists is never a sufficient argument. I would not be surprised that the shootings you mentioned were promoted owing to the unfortunate tendency here to overemphasize non-American events and diminish American events. Virginia Tech was notable with regard to both the scale of the massacre and breathtaking failure of its administration to lock-down the campus after the first shooting. Nevertheless, there have been several shootings of similar mortal magnitude that have not made it to ITN - for good reason. The NIU shooting has is (1) not important, insofar as the the shooting happened and will have no impact beyond media saturation and talking heads debating gun policy, (2 & 3) has no immediate, potential, or lasting international significance or importance, (4) involves an article undergoing rapid changes owing to the breaking nature of the event, and (5) involved the deaths of no notable people. I still continue to oppose its inclusion. Madcoverboy (talk) 18:44, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Can someone please verify that among shootings in the last 6 months - Louisiana Tech shooting, 2008 Lane Bryant shooting, Kirkwood City Council shooting, Westroads Mall shooting, Delaware State University shooting, SuccessTech Academy shooting - none were promoted to ITN? Madcoverboy (talk) 19:04, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * This will be tedious, unless someone has a magic bullet. The Westroads Mall clusterfuck was on ITN, but the Kirkwood City Council business wasn't (or I have missed it).  If it wasn't, I speculate it was probably usurped by the tornado story, not only here but elsewhere.  mdf (talk) 21:27, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Minor clarification: Louisiana Tech is not the same place as Louisiana Technical College. Either way, the shootings don't have a separate article. Boz <font color="FFCC00">nia  15:38, 16 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Comment (Edit conflict) I'm not opposing or supporting but shootings involving 5 deaths are AFAIK a lot more rare in Canada and Germany which is why they are much more likely to be seen as noteable events and make ITN. Shootings in the US involving 5 deaths sadly don't seem to be that rare which is one of the reasons why these don't tend to get as much attention on ITN. There may be additional factors to make this noteable but I don't think the inclusion of Dawson College and Erfurt should be taken as automatically suggesting we should include a US shooting of similar size on ITN. This is not to say we should never include US shootings, we did include Virginia Tech for example. Also before anyone accuses me of anti-American bias, a shooting in Iraq involving 10 deaths is sadly probably common enough that it may not even get an article let alone mention on ITN Nil Einne (talk) 18:45, 15 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Oppose "If it bleeds, it leads" is the credo of CNN, the NTY and other mainstream sources. Wikipedia should be better than this.  mdf (talk) 21:02, 15 February 2008 (UTC)

I understand where the opposition is coming from. I wasn't aiming at anyone for being bias against American shootings. I suppose I'm more than less supporting it since I live close to Dekalb (where NIU is). My bad. :/ -Rayne
 * Strong Support: 21 people were shot, that's alot for any mass murder, especially at a college. NIU has almost 1000 international students from 88 countries, so it has the international appeal required here.208.82.225.232 (talk) 07:34, 16 February 2008 (UTC)

Hypothetical
I realize this is a bit premature, but with Mitt Romney endorsing John McCain today and giving him his delegates McCain is now less than 100 delegates away from the nomination. Additionally, even if Mike Huckabee won all of the delegates for the rest of the race (an incredibly unlikely occurance) he would not be able to secure the nomination, so the best he can hope for is a brokered convention. Chances are good that by March 4th (Ohio and Texas primaries) McCain will have mathematically clinched the nomination or Huckabee will have seen the writing on the wall and dropped out. That said I want to build consensus ahead of time toward the following blurb:


 * Former POW and Senior Senator from Arizona John McCain secures the Republican nomination for the Presidency of the United States.

I realize it could be shortened a bit, but I think the POW inclusion is important because that is one of the major things McCain has built his career on. Thoughts? Grant.alpaugh (talk) 01:20, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I don't think the POW part is necessary. It should jsut be "Arizona Senior Senator John McCain secures the Republican nomination for the Presidency of the United States". The POW part doesn't really add anything, and it does make it unnecessarily long. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 01:42, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Agreed. It's not specifically relevant to this piece of news, and, to me at least, really seems more like "touting his qualifications" than anything else. -Elmer Clark (talk) 02:52, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * POW part is not needed, in my opinion. ---CWY2190TC 04:36, 15 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Okay, so we have consensus on "Senator John McCain of Arizona secures the Republican nomination for the Presidency of the United States." Thank you for the help.  Grant.alpaugh (talk) 04:58, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Would it be better to wait until the convention? Tito xd (?!? - cool stuff) 05:01, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * No, consensus is that that would be missing the story by several months, because barring a brokered convention we will have known who the nominee is for quite some time by the time the conventions roll around. See the discussion on the template talk page.  Grant.alpaugh (talk) 05:04, 15 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Oppose until convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. There have been similar discussions on the ITN talk page. I believe the consensus was to wait until nominations. ~ UBeR (talk) 05:45, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * You're wrong. See the discussion here to read about the consensus.  As soon as the candidates clinch the nomination through victory, endorsement, or drop-out, we're putting this up.  Waiting until the convention will miss the story by months.  Unless there is a brokered convention on the Democratic side the conventions have become nothing more than glorified coronations.  A lot has changed and the days of smoke filled rooms are long since gone.
 * OK, we wait until it's clinched then. A majority has not yet been won yet. (One needs 1,191 for GOP and 2,025 for Dems.) ~ UBeR (talk) 06:01, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Notice the header, "hypothetical" or read the preamble to my blurb? I'm just trying to get the language together because it is only going to be March 4 at the latest when McCain gets the nomination.  Grant.alpaugh (talk) 06:04, 15 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Very well. ~ UBeR (talk) 07:19, 15 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Comment This sort of discussion is generally best held in the talk page since a discussion here is likely to be quickly lost Nil Einne (talk) 18:46, 15 February 2008 (UTC)

February 13
Source.... I think the article Parliament of Malaysia needs to be expanded in this matter, though. Found better article to bold. Spencer T♦C 02:48, 14 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dissolves the parliament in an attempt to expedite the date of its elections.
 * Oppose Since the dissolution was predicated on forcing an election, I think this could be covered when the results of the election are know. Madcoverboy (talk) 04:58, 14 February 2008 (UTC)

February 12

 * The Swedish government rejects Nord Stream's application to build an underwater pipeline from Russia to Germany. --Camptown (talk) 22:40, 13 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support - Although maybe that info should be added to the articles' lead. - <font color="Blue">Shudde <font color="Blue">talk  22:46, 13 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Wouldn't the real news be if they accepted the application? ---CWY2190TC 23:30, 13 February 2008 (UTC)
 * See the proposal of "Yahoo rejects Microsoft's offer" Another rejected offer/application/etc. I don't think that it matters if its rejected, but only if its accepted. Spencer  T♦C 01:18, 14 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Well, the difference here is that six Baltic nations are directly involved or affected by the gigantic pipeline project. --Camptown (talk) 11:51, 14 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose. I read the article and the significance of the project (had it passed and been built) seems to be predicated on concerns that Russia could cease to deliver petroleum products to eastern european states. It just seems like a bunch of handwringing rather than a newsworthy event. Madcoverboy (talk) 04:56, 14 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Suppport Big dispute between governments that might now have been resolved. Narayanese (talk) 07:54, 14 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support This pipeline is a big thing over here, and the fact that Sweden opposes its construction is important. --Ouro (blah blah) 12:04, 14 February 2008 (UTC)


 * The European Space Agency's Columbus module is attached to the International Space Station. --Camptown (talk) 11:42, 13 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose we had the spacecraft being launched...isn't that enough? Spencer  T♦C 11:56, 13 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose. Agree with Spencer. Thue | talk 19:24, 13 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose Already covered before. Madcoverboy (talk) 04:56, 14 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The old blurb has returned for MainPage balance (long TFA), so I've updated it to mention the assembly. --PFHLai (talk) 05:33, 15 February 2008 (UTC)


 * The Writers Guilds of America end a three-month strike after approving a new revenue-sharing agreement with media producers.
 * Re-nominate again as mentioned below. Madcoverboy (talk) 08:51, 13 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support, added. --Tone 09:04, 13 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Hm, problems with browser, someone else please add it... --Tone 09:06, 13 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Sure, this looks good. Spencer  T♦C 11:56, 13 February 2008 (UTC)

February 11

 * Members of the Writers Guild of America overwhelmingly vote to end a three-month strike amidst a new contract currently pending approval by guild members.
 * Support. We had the strike mentioned when it was started, might as well wrap it up. Chardish (talk) 06:57, 13 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support per previous discussion below Nil Einne (talk) 08:51, 13 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Yahoo! (co-founders pictured) officially rejects Microsoft’s US$44.6 billion takeover offer.
 * No, thanks. I'd be more supportive if Yahoo! had said 'yes' to the proposal, forming a very, very large tech company. A 'no' means nothing notable has taken place. Just another rejected idea. --PFHLai (talk) 22:38, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Agree with the above. Charles Stewart (talk) 22:43, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose until something happens. Madcoverboy (talk) 22:50, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Not notable enough. If they said yes, as PFHLai says, then it would be notable, but this doesn't make the cut.  Spencer  T♦C 01:11, 12 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Not wanting to get too off-topic but I would argue a yes wouldn't be notable either. There would still be a lot to go through including shareholder approval from both sides, regulatory approval from the US etc which could have derailed the merger. Ultimately it would still have been a proposal with a long way to go. (Obviously looking a lot more likely to succeed then as things stand now) Nil Einne (talk) 07:14, 12 February 2008 (UTC)


 * The United States files charges against six alleged Al Qaeda operatives, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, in connection with the September 11, 2001 attacks, seeking the death penalty for war crimes and murder.
 * This is a major story currently the lead story on BBC, a top story on ABC (Australia), main page of Le Monde, and lead story on Al Jazeera English.  I have no idea if any article is updated enough to be bolded though.  Charles Stewart (talk) 21:31, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * No stubs for ITN, please. (Still good ofr Portal: current events, though.) --PFHLai (talk) 22:34, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * No problem, I've already listed it there. Charles Stewart (talk) 22:43, 11 February 2008 (UTC) Now if someone feels like adding more to it...
 * Classic catch-22. Madcoverboy (talk) 22:50, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * How so? Charles Stewart (talk) 22:51, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The article can't go on main until it expands from a stub, but the article won't expand from a stub quickly enough to be relevant for ITN. Or the contrapositive, the only way to expand it from a stub is to feature it on a prominent page, but no stubs can appear on prominent pages. However, wikipedia isn't a news feed, so we shouldn't be writing articles for every article news item. Madcoverboy (talk) 23:06, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Okay gotcha. Charles Stewart (talk) 23:15, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I think this would be better served being put on when the case ends, whenever that may be. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 23:36, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Bold Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in the meantime, in that case, support. Random89 (talk) 23:53, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Done Thanks. Charles Stewart (talk) 00:08, 12 February 2008 (UTC)
 * A lot of articles are able to achieve the necessary quality before being featured on ITN so clearly ITN isn't the only way an article can get the necessary attention. Also, while ITN must help, from my experience it doesn't help as much as people think particularly when the article is not related to the major developed anglophone nations (which doesn't apply in this case). For example I worked on getting the Korean oil spill article up to a resonable quality and it was featured on ITN but didn't really improve that much over the next few days beyond what me and another editor who was already editing the article before it came onto ITN did. In any case, ITN is only intended for readers not editors so if editors want to look for something to work on they should look are portal:current events or similar Nil Einne (talk) 07:19, 12 February 2008 (UTC)


 * U.S. v. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, et al. is currently a stub, and the update to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is problematic, for example, it states the the Pentagon has charged them. There needs to be a significant update to go on ITN.  --Stephen 01:10, 12 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Four paintings by Cezanne, Degas, van Gogh and Monet valued at CHF 180 million are stolen from the Buehrle Collection in Zurich, Switzerland.
 * Weak support as nominator. Notable artists and collection. Whodunit mysteries with expensive art are fun! Madcoverboy (talk) 15:17, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. Second story on Boston.com, Lead story on BBC's Europe page.  May be a good idea to include value of the paintings, something like " Paintings worth an estimated $160 million by Cezanne, Degas, van Gogh and Monet are stolen from the Buehrle Collection in Zurich, Switzerland."  Charles Stewart (talk) 15:25, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. Irregardless of its status on BBC or CNN, this is an interesting story that I think is perfect for itn. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 18:22, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. But it would be nice to expand the central article. --Tone 19:24, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Yes, high profile art thefts may be ITN material. Please first expand the collection's wiki article, and perhaps turn those redlinks blue, too. Right now I can't tell how notable the missing pieces of art are. Thanks. --PFHLai (talk) 22:52, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I agree with the above posters. The update about the theft is currently one sentence. This would need to be expanded. I would also recommend creating articles about the four paintings, so that they can be included in the ITN blurb. But this is definitely notable enough for ITN, so I support putting this up when the issues are met. A  ecis Brievenbus 01:01, 12 February 2008 (UTC)
 * This should go up if the article is expanded and there are less redlinks. Maybe as more information comes out on the theft then something could go up... Spencer  T♦C 01:09, 12 February 2008 (UTC)


 * The Korean landmark Sungnyemun Gate (pictured), the oldest wood-built structure remaining in Seoul, is destroyed in a suspicious fire. --Camptown (talk) 11:57, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I can already hear the "but we didn't do it for X!" arguments. This is a harder to decide on given the age/notability and possible intentionality of the event. However, the extent and intent of the damage is unknown. If it was clear that it was irrecoverably destroyed by some criminal/terrorist group it might make a better case than being partially burned by an anonymous arsonist. Madcoverboy (talk) 13:27, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Well, we did put up the burning of the Cutty Sark, so... - Mark 13:56, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The 600 year old Sungnyemun Gate (pictured), the oldest wood-built structure in Seoul, is partialy destroyed in a fire. Mieciu K (talk) 14:05, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. Seems like an interesting story. Not every day a 600-year old building burns down, mind you. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 18:22, 11 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Posted with a new pic of the burnt down Namdaemun (right). --PFHLai (talk) 22:34, 11 February 2008 (UTC)


 * The head of the worldwide Anglican Communion Archbishop Rowan Williams (pictured) suggests that some aspects of sharia would have to be incorporated into English law. --Camptown (talk) 12:09, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose. It's not news but a controversy that became newsworthy. He has no power to enact policy. I'd say if he gets sacked over it or Parliament enacted legislation to the same effect, it would warrant mention, however. Madcoverboy (talk) 13:16, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose. Media kerfluffle over misinterpretation of a highly convoluted speech, and little more. Might even be POV to not mention the media's role.  See  —Ed Cormany (talk) 13:39, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * If there are large scale protests and demonstrations, and there's a wikiarticle about the controversy, then may be we have sth for ITN. Just someone saying sth some people don't agree with isn't news material, IMO. --PFHLai (talk) 22:43, 11 February 2008 (UTC)

February 10

 * East Timor President and Nobel Peace Prize winner José Ramos Horta was wounded in a pre-dawn attack on his home Monday morning, an army spokesman said.  EAST Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta has been reportedly shot in the stomach at his home in an attack that left a guard and a notorious rebel leader dead.  --Avala (talk) 23:38, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * East Timor President José Ramos Horta was wounded in an attack at his home that left a guard and rebel leader Alfredo Reinhado dead.
 * This should definitely go up. The president of an independent country being shot and injured by rebels, amidst political tensions that have appeared on ITN before, is definitely notable, newsworthy and relevant. A  ecis Brievenbus 23:44, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * We've got an article on the gunman, btw: Alfredo Reinhado. He has been shot dead by security guards. A  ecis Brievenbus 23:46, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support pending more information. I'd wait a few hours for some more details on whether this was an assassination attempt or a coup or something else entirely. Madcoverboy (talk) 00:01, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I agree. I also suggest waiting for more news about Ramos Horta's current condition: is he in critical condition, slightly injured, etc.? A  ecis Brievenbus 00:15, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Regarding the proposed blurb: I think it should be made clear that Reinhado is currently believed to have been shot dead by Ramos Horta's security guards. Although it may be a bit too early to tell, he didn't simply appear to have been at the wrong spot at the wrong time. A  ecis Brievenbus 00:19, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Strong Support per everthing Aecis just said. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 01:15, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * We should definitely mention him but we need to take great care in how we mention him. From what I understand, he was involved in talks with Ramos Horta at the time so him being located at the scene wasn't surprising. It appears Ramos Horta's body guards shot him although why remains unclear. The timing may seem a bit odd but whether he was actually involved remains even more unclear. It's possible for example it may have been by someone else in the rebel group who didn't agree with Reinhado's attempts to make peace and wanted to kill all three people leaving a major power vacuum. Or maybe whoever it was didn't necessarily want to kill Reinhado but it was only while Reinhado was away that they were able to carry out their plans. Or it could even be a false flag attack to kill Reinhado. Whatever the case Reinhado's involvement remains completely unproven. The media in NZ which is hardly supportive of the rebels in general made this clear in most reports. The headline as is seems fine but anyone thinking of modifying it should bear this in mind Nil Einne (talk) 07:37, 11 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Can we replace the indistinct boat photo with Horta's photo? Madcoverboy (talk) 04:01, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * ✅. --PFHLai (talk) 04:54, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I suggest adding a link to 2008 East Timorese coup d'état attempt in the sentence. Joshdboz (talk) 17:44, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * ✅. --PFHLai (talk) 22:58, 11 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Egypt win the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, defeating Cameroon 1-0 in the final in Accra, Ghana.
 * In football, Egypt wins the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, defeating Cameroon 1-0 in the final in Accra, Ghana.
 * Support as nominator. The most significant event in African sport since the last Cup of Nations in 2006, and the second highest profile international football competition this year, after the upcoming Euro 2008. Football being the worlds most popular sport. Willy turner (talk) 19:48, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. This can repalce Super bowl that has been on ITN for a week. --Tone 19:59, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. Madcoverboy (talk) 20:07, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Strong support. Grant.alpaugh (talk) 20:24, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Strong Oppose: The South American tournament was not included.  The Asian tournament was not included.  The North and Central American tournament was not included.  This should not be included.  Asia and South America are both ranked as high or higher than the African region, but were not incuded. ---CWY2190TC 21:02, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * At the very least this needs to be reworded to indicate at least what sport this applies to for those who were unaware of the tournament --T-rex 21:47, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Strong Oppose I agree with User:CWY2190's comment. If none of the other cups were included, what makes this any different? Spencer  T♦C 21:51, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I looked through the nominations for the previous ones - I'd hardly say there was a consensus to exclude the other cups. In retrospect, they should have been included given importance and attendence. It also seems silly to oppose on the basis of a previous, possibly erroneous action rather than on a principle or rule. Madcoverboy (talk) 22:43, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * However if we made the correct decision last time then clearly we should be consistent. Clearly if you want this to go up and you don't think there is anything which makes this distinct from the other cases mentioned then you have to argue that the previous cases were a mistake Nil Einne (talk) 08:18, 11 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Strong oppose --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 01:17, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Note: The 2007 AFC Asian Cup was previously proposed but was denied, citing the nations competing in the final weren't the best footballing nations. -- Howard  the   Duck  03:35, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * So I guess it is staying up? I look forward to adding the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which the US or Mexico will have likely won to little disagreement then. ---CWY2190TC 06:24, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I really think the only soccer intercontinental championship that should go up is the European Championships. -- Howard  the   Duck  06:29, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I take it you meant intracontinental championships, Howard ;-) Grant.alpaugh (talk) 07:27, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I agree. ---CWY2190TC 06:30, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Not to mention the 2007 Asian Cup had a lot more coverage than this one. -- Howard  the   Duck  06:37, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I suppose it depends from where you're from, but this has been fairly big news in the UK - probably because there are a lot of players from the Premier League involved. Hammer Raccoon (talk) 19:32, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Actually, the news was on Iraq -- after their victory, suicide bombers celebrated too, which was big news, CNN even had a live coverage, on Late Edition, of all TV shows. -- Howard  the   Duck  05:55, 13 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Aren't we removing this already? -- Howard  the   Duck  11:48, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Two points, first of all I'm opposed to this addition, but secondly, and hopefully more important going forward, I'd encourage everyone to contribute to the Sports on ITN list at WP:ITNSPORTS to try and avoid this in the future. Random89 (talk) 16:19, 11 February 2008 (UTC)


 * The Writers Guilds of America end a three-month strike after approving a new revenue-sharing agreement with media producers.
 * Support as nominator. Still tentative and we won't know until the vote on Sunday. However, the strike has had a major impact on American media industries and popular culture (putting network shows on hiatus, sending late night comedians into reruns, and curtailing award ceremonies like the Golden Globes). Madcoverboy (talk) 00:58, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Wait until the vote passes to put it up, but of course it will go up. We had the start of the strike on, we need to pu the end. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 01:13, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * It appears this won't go to a vote until Tuesday (Feb 12). CNN Madcoverboy (talk) 22:46, 10 February 2008 (UTC)


 * The 50th Grammy Awards take place in Los Angeles, California.
 * Amy Winehouse wins in five categories at the 50th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California.
 * Support as nominator. Unfortunately another high-profile (American) media event on the same day. Obviously notable on its own and with regards to artists being recognized. I think it is enough to state the event occurred, and not emphasize any one artist. See related ITN'07 discussion. Madcoverboy (talk) 01:18, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Maybe combine the Grammy's and the strike ending so 5 of the 7 things aren't American, or American based? ---CWY2190TC 01:27, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I'd say it's safe to remove the Super Bowl, Somalian earthquake, and Serbian election as these are all over a week old. I'd say the Turkish headscarf ban or Pakistani suicide bombing (from the current events portal) should certainly replace these, but I haven't found any wikipedia articles describing these, so there's nothing to nominate. Madcoverboy (talk) 01:31, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I was bold. See nomination below. Madcoverboy (talk) 02:02, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Add em both (assuming the writers strike ends) as separate entries. And drop the Super Bowl if you feel theres too much American news. Charles Stewart (talk) 01:32, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The event has started and awarding is under way. Madcoverboy (talk) 01:03, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Smashing, but it should go up when it is finished. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 01:14, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I think Amy Winehouse's 5 trophies should be mentioned to avoid the cries of US bias. -- Howard  the   Duck  05:07, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * We did this with the Dixie Chicks last time, if I recall... Makes sense to mention Winehouse, otherwise it'd ust be "The 50th Grammys were held." --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 05:20, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * This may be nitpicky, but I just realized the wording of the blurb is problematic since Winehouse wasn't actually in LA for the awards show due to visa troubles. Ideas? Or leave it be? Madcoverboy (talk) 06:16, 11 February 2008 (UTC)

See also discussion at WP:ERRORS.


 * Just for the record, how common is it to list the country after a city with a 3.8M population? ---CWY2190TC 06:22, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I don't think the state needs to be there, but we usually put the country. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 06:38, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Screw California. Display it as "Los Angeles, United States. -- Howard  the   Duck  06:46, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Absolutely wrong. No one calls it Los Angeles, USA - that absolutist line of thinking the worst kind of fundamentalist wikilaywering. It's Los Angeles, California. Is there some other Los Angeles in the US we'd be confusing this with? The world? Oh right, the residents of a town in Chile and another in Nicaragua might be offended. And the unilaterally-added BAFTA blurb doesn't even need a country for London? It's not that it doesn't warrant inclusion, but I'm glad to see that some editors are more equal than others and don't need to bother with silly things like consensus. Madcoverboy (talk) 07:16, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * It's not really absolutely wrong... TIME Magazine (at least the edition I read) on their letters to the editor omits the state name, ergo it's routine to see "Palo Alto, U.S.". Of course the big cities have exceptions, like Karachi and Los Angeles{!} where the letters only have the city name. -- Howard  the   Duck  07:29, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * There's clearly nothing wrong with Palo Alto, U.S. or even Los Angeles, U.S. Both are in the U.S. For most international readers, what U.S. state these happen to be in are mostly irrelevant details. Whether it's necessary to specify the U.S. part for LA I don't know. But if we are going to specify California then I see no reason not to specify the U.S. Nil Einne (talk) 08:15, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * It seems silly to specify that level of detail for a Global city. I understand the need for consistency, however, it is not tenable in all cases (New York City, USA or Edinburgh, Scotland, UK?). The current template shows a glaring discrepancy between London mentioned alone and Los Angeles being fully categorized even though they are both Global cities of similar magnitude. Per Naming conventions on cities, I think it should be sufficient to say Los Angeles, California and London, England. Madcoverboy (talk) 08:29, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * You know what? L.A. is a big enough city to be named by itself. Screw "California" and "USA". -- Howard  the   Duck  08:46, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Same for London, don't add "England", "UK", or "United Kingdom". -- Howard  the   Duck  11:48, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * London is easily one of the best known and important cities in the world, moreso then LA, so I doubt you'll find anyone who will argue agaisnt just putting London. The only other London I know of is in Ontario. that said, Los Angeles probably doesn't need anything either, but I'm pretty sure we usually have California or USA behind it anyway. It's not that big of a deal, though. I don't see every resident of LA looking at this and getting offended. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 18:18, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Well Naming conventions on cities primary applies to article title names, which is quite different from what we are discussion here. As I've said, I personally have no problem with leaving out California or even the US. However if we are going to specify California then we should specify US. It makes no sense IMHO to put LA, California. Either LA, California, US; or LA, US or simply LA. Nil Einne (talk) 08:56, 13 February 2008 (UTC)


 * The image of the boat on fire isn't very striking for a main page image. How about putting Image:STS-122crew.jpg up there instead? Kingturtle (talk) 19:28, 10 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Question: How on earth did the BAFTAs get in? -- Howard  the   Duck  11:54, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I removed Bafta since there was no discussion. It's tricky to compare when we have Grammys and Bafta on the same day which one to put if put... --Tone 11:59, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Good... and before anyone even thinks of crying "US CENTRISMZ" the Grammys don't make distinction on nationalities, the BAFTAs and the Brit Awards do segregate British and non-British awards. -- Howard  the   Duck  12:02, 11 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I left a note for User:Zzyzx11 who unilaterally put up the BAFTAs.Madcoverboy (talk) 14:47, 11 February 2008 (UTC)

February 9

 * Is this ITN material? Too tired to think of a hook right now, someone take over. --Ouro (blah blah) 21:01, 9 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Is there even a Wikipedia article for it? ITN is not a news ticker. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 22:37, 9 February 2008 (UTC)
 * We've got Camden Market, which has been updated. A  ecis Brievenbus 23:56, 9 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose lacks international significance. If Downtown Crossing and Quincy Market it would never make ITN.  Charles Stewart (talk) 23:59, 9 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose. No broader significance, no significant loss of life. Madcoverboy (talk) 00:01, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I agree that this doesn't have much direct international significance, but this is an important historic structure in London, comparable to the Cutty Sark, whose fire was mentioned on ITN. A  ecis Brievenbus 00:03, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Even so, I don't think Camden Market has been updated enough. There's only a paragraph on the fire. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 00:09, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Understood. I didn't follow after I've posted the notice, I went to bed. Cheers, Ouro (blah blah) 06:29, 10 February 2008 (UTC)


 * A suicide bomber strikes an opposition political rally in Charsadda, Pakistan, killing 20.
 * Support as nominator. Still a stub, but it's significant with regard to the death toll and its proximity to the upcoming elections. (Plus it's not the US, since that seems to be a criteria.) Madcoverboy (talk) 01:47, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * "Still a stub, but it's significant with regard to the death toll". *sigh*. Oppose. The Tom (talk) 01:49, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose since it is still a stub. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 02:23, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * It's sort of comical that editors at once decry the Anglophone bias but also oppose articles/news events of international importance because they're not well-developed. While I understand a stub shouldn't go up on the main page, the justifications strike me as a catch-22. Madcoverboy (talk) 02:42, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * We actually decry more American bias then just Anglophone, but a stub is a stub. Once it get's bigger we'll talk. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 02:49, 10 February 2008 (UTC)

February 8

 * The fire on the freighter UND Adriyatik off the Croatian coast is under control, averting an oil spill. Narayanese (talk) 16:23, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * This was a pretty big news here, affecting 3 countries in the surroundings. The oil spill in Korea was in the ITN, luckily there was no catastrophe here but it came close to that. I think it fits the criteria. --Tone 23:01, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * On first glance, I think this is a case of something that could have been itn worthy, but was avoided and isn't. However, I think that with the large problems that come with an oil spill, averting one is big news. They avoided a disaster. Support. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 23:20, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * my support too (as the main editor) --<font color="#003399">TheFE ARgod  (Ч) 14:46, 9 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I'm not quite sure what tenses and whatnot ITN posts are supposed to be written in, but the blurb feels a little off. I think "The fire" should at least be changed to "A fire", and the "is under control" be changed to something else, but I'm not sure what. Hammer Raccoon (talk) 19:20, 9 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Change "is under control" to "is brought under control," and add that it is a Turkish freighter. Spencer  T♦C 20:12, 9 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose. I know this opposition comes after the fact, but this seems highly non-notable - nothing happened. Obviously a different matter is there was an oil spill. One might as well report President Bush was also not assassinated today, a meteorite likewise did not wipe out a city, nor was there a terrorist attack in New York. It just seems to me that this doesn't even come remotely close to the high bar of notability we set for news items simply because nothing happened besides a fire on a ship near a coastline. Madcoverboy (talk) 23:52, 9 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I would also add that it seems that this is a case of undue weight: "Look we're reporting on something that doesn't just affect the US or Commonwealth!" Madcoverboy (talk) 23:53, 9 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Even if tehre wasn't a oil spill, it's the fact that they stopped it before it got that far is very notable and news worthy. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 00:14, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Do you think that if Bush survived an assassination attempt we wouldn't report it?! Hammer Raccoon (talk) 01:09, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Who changed the wording? It doesn't make mention that the fire was put out - it makes it sound like it is currently happening. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 06:40, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * It needs to read: "The fire on the Turkish freighter UND Adriyatik (pictured) is brought under control, dispelling fears of an oil spill and environmental damage." or something like that. Spencer  T♦C 19:08, 10 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I agree with Spencer, although I'd prefer "is extinguished" instead of "is brought under control" since there doesn't seem to be any left of the fire by now. The current text misses what I think is most interesting about the incident: that they managed to douse such a great fire. Narayanese (talk) 20:06, 10 February 2008 (UTC)


 * A gunman kills five and wounds two people at city hall (pictured), before being shot and killed by police, in Kirkwood, Missouri.-- Camptown (talk) 09:56, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Among the killed are elected council members, police officers and a press reporter. --Camptown (talk) 09:59, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support, but rephrase as "A gunman in Kirkwood, Missouri kills five and wounds two people at city hall (pictured) before being shot and killed by police." Charles Stewart (talk) 10:06, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I agree, that's much better. --Camptown (talk) 10:08, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support, notable event that killed council members and police officers, and injured the mayor of Kirkwood, in addition to a press reporter. Hello32020 (talk) 12:09, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose. There was a shooting in southern Chicago over the weekend that left 5 people dead, that wasn't ITNed. While tragic, it's not notable enough to boost. Madcoverboy (talk) 15:38, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Not sure. International interest might be a stretch.  The deciding factor is if a mayor in serious condition and two council members and two police officers being killed because if we put up every 5+ death shooting in the US, there would be one up all the time. ---CWY2190TC 15:53, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Strong oppose, per above, this is not internationally significant enough to merit its a place on ITN although it can be at the Portal:Current Events depending on the condition of the mayor. And also there are already three US-related items on ITN at the moment. That would be too much US content if we add it there.-- JForget  15:58, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Case in point: there was a shooting at Louisiana Tech that left 3 dead. CNN Madcoverboy (talk) 16:07, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Is there even a article on that one? I'm on the fence about this one... Chances are if there was a school shooting that killed/injured as many it would go up, but a school shooting does have a bit more newsworthy feel to it, in my opinion. I'll support this, I guess. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 18:19, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * My point was that we have two (unrelated) "multiple-victim" shootings within a 24 hour period (3 if you count the Tinley Park shootings in Chicago). All are "notable" but neither are substantially newsworthy-enough to warrant ITN coverage. They're just "regular" or "routine" shootings/gun-violence deaths. Madcoverboy (talk) 18:54, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * When you put it that way, your right. Aside from the fact it took place in a government building, there isn't anything notable about this one.--Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 19:23, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Government officials, including the mayor, being shot also makes this event notable. Hello32020 (talk) 22:45, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Endorse. This is a question of a shooting inside an elected assembly; that's very different from "ordinary" shooting suggested by the opponents of this nomination. The article is also substantially updated. It should be posted. Bondkaka (talk) 21:08, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose -- not covered extensively. -- Howard  the   Duck  05:31, 9 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose -- clearly who got shot matters, whether people like it or not (e.g. if Bush or Gordon Brown had been shot we wouldn't even be debating this). But while the mayor and elected officials of a city are important, I don't think the mayor and officials of Kirkwood has anywhere near sufficient influence or effect on world affairs for this to qualify. If it were Michael Bloomberg or Ken Livingstone then perhaps, but Mike Swoboda who we don't even have an article for just doesn't cut it Nil Einne (talk) 07:42, 9 February 2008 (UTC)

February 7

 * Several news outlets are reporting that Mitt Romney is ending his presidential bid, essentially giving the Republican nomination to John McCain. Madcoverboy (talk) 18:15, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * No updates on ITN until the candidates are confirmed. Also, I would prefer adding it in one notice together, not one for each party when they have their final candidates (if they are chosen on different days). --Tone 18:21, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I've already put that breaking news on the Portal:Current events/2008 February 7 page with a link to the CNN article but it is not significant enough to put it on ITN. JForget  18:24, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Yea, even though nearly 2/3 of English speakers are from America, political events here just aren't important enough as say, elections in Belize or Georgia (not the state) Charles Stewart (talk) 18:33, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * This is a globally-focussed enyclopedia that happens to be expressed in the English language. It is not an American news service. The Tom (talk) 19:22, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * 2/3 of native English speakers. (You might want to change the caption on your userpage.) Regardless, this item shouldn't go up. Hammer Raccoon (talk) 23:13, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * An ignorant American? Why I never. 203.88.95.12 (talk) 10:35, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Absolutly not. ---CWY2190<font [color="darkgreen">TC 19:38, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Would confirmed be interpreted as presumptive as in all other (serious) competitors drop out, the candidate crosses the delegate threshold, all primaries are over, or waiting until the convention? Madcoverboy (talk) 19:55, 7 February 2008 (UTC)


 * How about "Mitt Romney pulls out of White House race, after spending more than $40 million of his money". One down one left (talk) 22:06, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * How bout no? The Tom said it best. This is world news. This isn't English news. It isn't American, Canadian, or British. It's world. A candidate dropping out of the race in a country does not matter. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 22:30, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * But wait a minute, refusing to acknowledge that this encyclopedia is designed more for English speakers than, say, Swahili speakers is just as ridiculous. I don't think this should be an "American news service," but to give preference to Anglophone stories isn't out of the question.  That doesn't change the POV of the encyclopedia, just what we choose to highlight in the encyclopedia.  It's a minute difference, but an important difference, I think.  Also, can we work on consensus for what constitutes "nomination?"  Waiting until the conventions will be silly since its likely to have been decided (at least on one side) well before that.  At the very least, when one candidate secures enough pledged delegates to get the nomination that should be when the blurb goes up.  Grant.alpaugh (talk) 02:12, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I never said it wasn't for English speakers, but if there was preference for English speakers, or, in what is being argued, Americans since there's alot of them is absurd. I'm not against an English bias when it comes to the news, but that's just it: It's English. Most of the things that come up here that are debated are American; news taht is big there was isn't elsewhere. In this case, this mioght be big news in America, but is it big in Canada? New Zealand? Australia? The UK? No, it isn't. I'm not even sure if the nominations are that important outside of America. They announce the nominees, but not the winner. If we did what you were asking, due to the large amount of Americans opposed to Australians or Britains, there would be alot more American things going up simply because "Most people who speak English live in America". The way I see it, there are five major English speaking countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. If something isn't important in at least three of them, it shouldn;t go up. And the nominations are when the parties officially announce the nominations. We don't put up sports stories early if a team is winning by 5. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 03:23, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * First off, the five countries you just named are so different politically, culturally, and economically that it is almost impossible for a story to effect three of those five countries you named without it having something to do with the UK and/or the Commonwealth. So, the argument you're making about removing US bias is a little faulty.  Second, here on ITN, elections have been treated as something of a sacred cow, so I don't think its outrageous for the most important, hotly-contested election in half a century in the most important military, dimplomatic, economic, political, and cultural force in the world to be given some extra (or even just rational) coverage on ITN.  Waiting for the conventions to put a blurb up about the nominees would be missing this story by months in most cases.  John McCain has the Republican nomination all but sewn up, so within a few weeks it should be announced that he's won the nomination because he will have mathematically clinched it, or all the other major candidates will have dropped out.  Even on the Democratic side, the last primary or caucus is a full 3 months before their convention in Denver, so by then we will know either that one candidate has won the nomination, or there will be a brokered convention for the first time in several decades, either of which are news.  The US Presidential elections are longer, more expensive, and frankly more important than those in any other country in the world, and for us to apply the same rules we do to those elections in Georgia, Serbia, Kenya, New Zealand, Bolivia, or anywhere else is absurd.  It's not biased to recognise the objective fact of something's importance.  Grant.alpaugh (talk) 05:21, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I would agree with the sentiment of Grant's statement as much as it might sound like American exceptionalism. I would propose that once a candidate crosses the delegate threshold for his/her party (either by direct endorsement or by election), that it should appear in ITN rather than waiting for the convention. When the conventions happen, perhaps they might mention an ITN notice or now... Certainly any scandal at the convention in which the candidate with the most delegates does not become the nominee would be immensely newsworthy if only because it is so improbable and controversial. Madcoverboy (talk) 06:04, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The differences between the countries means that something that effects the majority of them is really international news. Alot of things effect Canada and the US together, but they won't effect the UK. In reverse, something that effects Australia and New Zealand won't matter in Canada unless it's really important. But, anyway... The nominees is waht matters, and the winner is waht matters. Simple as that. It doesn't matter if America is so important, frankly, to put something from an election that only effects America - and don't tell me this doesn't, because no non-Americans were involved in this - is bias, plain and simple. I really can't put it any other way. By doing something like that for America, we have to do it for China, since it has the most people, or Asia, since it has over half the world's population. The only strictly Canadian thing I ahve ever seen on itn was about an election in Quebec, and taht was becuase something historic happened, and I think due to the overall difference between Quebec and the rest of North America makes that quite notable. Does anyone else in the world care that a man who apparently had no chance to win the nomination dropped out? No. Does it effect anyone? If McCain has it clinched like you say, then it only effects the people who voted for him. And, like it's been said countless upon countless of times when it comes to elections: We only say who wins when it is officially declared by the party or government. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 06:18, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * And, honestly, why are we even arguing about this? I don't think it's going to go up, anyway - I think if it would have it would have gone up already. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 06:19, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * (unindent) It shouldn't have gone up before now because there was nothing to report before. My point by bringing up American exceptionalism was that if Canada, UK, Australia, or New Zealand had a similarly large economy, population, or military, their elections might warrant mention as well. They don't and other countries, for better or worse, look to the US for leadership, thus its leader, on issues because its actions inevitably affect them. So we can split hairs about whether American football matches or baseball games should be covered if football matches and cricket tourneys aren't, but to delay reporting of the outcome out of some overformalized notion of geopolitical equality is incredibly naive. Nevertheless, discussing the matter of how INT will cover the nomination matters because we're going to have to address this issue as the nomination will be mathematically determined within the next few weeks and will saturate global media. The conventions when the nominees are "selected" won't be until August or September, months after the final primaries/caucuses in May. Again, I emphasize that when a candidate has passed the mathematical threshold for the nomination, it should be mentioned here with subsequent mention of the conventions themselves. Madcoverboy (talk) 07:21, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Here, here! Grant.alpaugh (talk) 07:47, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * How about Huckabee? Did he drop out already? Although this is one piece of national news, it's a pretty important country, in fact several nations may have already started studying these elections and how they'll go along with the new administration. -- Howard  the   Duck  07:02, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I think from you're arguments Plasma, it's clear you have no idea what you're talking about. Saying that the US presidential election only effects Americans is one of the dumbest things I've heard on here in a long time.  As to you're other point, I'm trying to develop a consensus ahead of time as to what constitutes someone "clinching" the nomination.  I don't think it should wait until the conventions because it will have missed the relevence of the story by months most likely.  Grant.alpaugh (talk) 07:09, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I didn't say the election didn't effect only Americans, don't twist my words. The actual election, between the Democrat and the Republican matters a hell of a lot, but deciding the candidates, I don't think so. I said Romney dropping out is not notable, just as Edwards dropping out was - try to read the whole thing next time instead of seeing what you jsut want to see.
 * (unindent)"If McCain has it clinched like you say, then it only effects the people who voted for him. And, like it's been said countless upon countless of times when it comes to elections: We only say who wins when it is officially declared by the party or government. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 06:18, 8 February 2008 (UTC) " I'm not just seeing what I want to see.  Acknowledging only the general election results is treating this like every other election in the world, which it clearly isn't.  There is a consensus that the US Presidential election is more important than any other election.  As a result, as I've said before, we should cover the nominations of both major parties as well as any significant third party announcements (i.e. Bloomburg, Gore, etc.).  What I'm trying to build consensus on is when someone "clinches" the nomination.  The consensus on this is that when someone either reaches the mathematical threshold with pledged delegates, or someone is the only remaining serious candidate, or someone is endorsed by another candidate giving them a mathematical victory, then we announce.  The only other alternative is to do a blurb during the conventions, which will miss the story by several months in all likelihood.  I don't care if we skip the conventions, as long as there is not an event of significance (i.e. brokered convention, scandal, etc.).  That's all I'm saying, and I apologize if I came off rudely before.  Grant.alpaugh (talk) 21:21, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I'm not sure what you mean by quoting me up there. I was just saying that, if McCain is almost guarenteed to be the Republican winner, then I don't think someone who apparently isn't going to win anyway dropping out is that big of news. I just felt like I needed to clarify that in case you missinterpreted it. I'm going to stop commenting on American politics till McCain gets the clincher - they give me a headache. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 22:43, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support I believe that as soon as the nomination is clinched (by either primary, sole candidacy, endorsement, etc.) it should be reported. Madcoverboy (talk) 21:30, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * On the topic about the party nominations, I think it'd be better served when McCain actually gets the clincher for it. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 18:16, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * IMHO, the reason why this won't be put up since this is GOP news. >:p -- Howard  the   Duck  07:23, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Here, here! Grant.alpaugh (talk) 07:47, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Well actually, no one even bothered to suggest John Edward IIRC Nil Einne (talk) 07:48, 9 February 2008 (UTC)
 * That's because when Edwards dropped out, there were still 2 contenders in the Democratic party. When Mitt left, McCain virtually clinched the nomination. -- Howard  the   Duck  08:02, 9 February 2008 (UTC)
 * If you want to develop a consensus ahead of time, then the talk page is probably a better place to do it. You might be interested in these discussions ( and ) where people seemed to agree that the announcement of the nominees and the eventuall winner of the election would be put up, but nothing else. Hammer Raccoon (talk) 14:04, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Right, I'm not saying more than that should go up, I'm trying to ask when we put it up, because that matters. Grant.alpaugh (talk) 21:13, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * (unindent) I think each party's nominee could probably be announced once they pass the minimum number of delegates required to win, and the national convention becomes a mere formality. In that case, there would then be no need to mention the actual convention if it is just confirming what is already known. But in the case of the Democrats, isn't there a chance it will come down to the wire and be decided at the Democratic convention itself? Anyway, someone dropping out of the race shouldn't go up unless it means the frontrunner is as a result automatically past the minimum number of delegates to secure the nomination, if that makes sense. That's my 5 cents. - Mark 10:11, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Agreed. 203.88.95.12 (talk) 12:36, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I have no problem with that, but if we're going to know that the Democrats will have a brokered convention by the time the primaries are over (beginning of June), that is also big news because it hasn't happened in more than 50 years. In that case that deserves a mention and then another mention when the nominee is eventually decided.  Treating this like any other race in any other country is ridiculous.  Grant.alpaugh (talk) 17:21, 8 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Space Shuttle Atlantis launched on mission STS-122 to the International Space Station. Madcoverboy (talk) 19:50, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Updated prompt from |previous shuttle ITN: Space Shuttle Mission STS-122 launches from Cape Canaveral to deliver the Columbus (ISS module) to the International Space Station.
 * Support. Was carrying a German, a Frenchman, and the new European laboratory.  ---CWY2190TC 20:06, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * No problem. I know I've been in that page mostly for the tornado outbreak, but I support this nomination for ITN since I have lots of occasions where space mission launches have been on ITN in the past.-- JForget 20:08, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support as nom. Pictures should become available from NASA multimedia at some point today.Madcoverboy (talk) 20:13, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Good idea. I was going to mention it. :( Anyway... perhaps a picture won't be needed.  <font color="#084C9E">Gl <font color="#4682b4">ac <font color="#6495ED">ier <font color="#4682b4">Wo <font color="#084C9E">lf   20:15, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I think the tornado outbreak should get the pic. ---CWY2190TC 20:15, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Added. Thue | talk 20:28, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Please, add the picture. --Camptown (talk) 21:17, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Also added. Thue | talk 22:20, 7 February 2008 (UTC)

February 6

 * The Serbian President elect has been on the main page since last Sunday... Time for a change to the Chad item? (President Déby pictured) --Camptown (talk) 10:08, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I do agree about a new picture to be placed, but the problem is that unless there is a new element related to the Chad situation, this is the oldest item (or less recent) on ITN at the moment and will be the next to be removed. The most likely candidate item that would have a picture on the ITN would be the tornado outbreak since there will likely be several possible pictures.-- JForget 01:42, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Perhaps a photo of a wall cloud ([[Image:Wall cloud 2008.jpg|100px]]) during the tornado outbreak ? --70.50.200.58 (talk) 07:46, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Dramatic, but poor quality (not surprising under the circumstances, of course) --Stephen 12:14, 7 February 2008 (UTC)


 * I've recently added in the article a picture of a home ripped off its foundation in Arkansas. The image is from the NWS Office in Little Rock during their survey.-- JForget 13:20, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * If reduced to the Main Page's thumbnail size the photo would be indiscernible. -- Howard  the   Duck  13:57, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Okay probably a photo with a wider shot would be needed for ITN then. The problem with that one is it the picture taken by the NWS team may have been too far to the left which means it didn't show the entire foundation of the home and it may have been too close to it. Although here some of the pictures with heavy damage may be more clear and discernible. Probably not the mall but the overhead shot of a business or the residential district may be good (unless someone found a NOAA picture from the Union University.-- JForget 18:03, 7 February 2008 (UTC)


 * I'd go with the one on the right. The Clinton tornado was one of, if not the strongest tornado. ---CWY2190TC 19:40, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Then there is also this overhead view on top of a warehouse/business in Memphis, possibly the one that killed three workers. But again maybe the Union University shot may be more dramatic, Unfortunetly it seems very difficult to have a perfect image of damage to be placed - either too far or too close. You can see the damage of the roof but for some it may be difficult to see-- JForget 20:02, 7 February 2008 (UTC)


 * A major tornado outbreak across the Southern United States leaves at least 27 people dead and more than 100 injured. - Running On  Brains  08:13, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * 45 dead now. Strong support. ---CWY2190TC 12:38, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I would strongly support the above, I had stopped for 9 hours editing and during those hours the toll rose from 13 to 47 deaths. Although since I'm among those who started it, I will let another admin promote it on ITN if it merits to be there.-- JForget 14:35, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The number continues to rise and it is still ongoing (at least 45, report compilation suggests 52), so I give my strong support. CrazyC83 (talk) 15:08, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Added. Thue | talk 16:39, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Please update to indicate 52 confirmed deaths. - Running On  Brains  17:47, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Tornadoes are tragic, but this is not notable international news.--WaltCip (talk) 23:25, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * But the winter storms in China were? ---CWY2190TC 23:38, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Looking on the the 2008 Chinese winter storms page, it seems that those had alot more impact then these tornadoes. Even if the fatalities aren't that much higher, it seems like there is more damage. So, yes. I'd say the winter storms in China were more notable. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 00:08, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Is the only reason the African earthquake is on because it happened near a border and effected multiple countries? This was the deadliest tornado outbreak since 1985 in the US. I find it hard to believe that it is not notable. ---CWY2190TC 00:17, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I don't know anything about the African earthquake. That shouldn't have went up, since it's a stub, regardless of what happened there. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 00:22, 7 February 2008 (UTC)


 * After the Super Tuesday United States presidential primary elections in twenty-four states, John McCain has a large lead in the contest for the Republican nomination, while Hillary Clinton has a minor lead over Barack Obama for the Democrat nomination.
 * No doubt this is in the news and has our readers' interest, so I think we should add an item. Thue | talk 16:51, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * This was discussed below, we are leaning towards waiting for the candidates to be confirmed. --Tone 16:54, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * As an American and as someone who participated yesterday, this was very big. But, 3 of the top 4 stories being strictly American might cause some problems. ---CWY2190TC 16:56, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Yes, but as a Canadian, and someone who read about the results with some interest, it wasn't major. It was of interest, sure, but was it important? Not really. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 18:30, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * As an American who was glued to the returns and staying up into the wee hours of the morning, I actually don't think this should be included. Maybe once the candidates are confirmed. Even I think including it now would be too US-centric to include now. --Siradia (talk) 23:04, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I don't think this should go. Only the final election results should go up, not primary elections. Spencer  T♦C 11:52, 7 February 2008 (UTC)

February 5

 * The largest presidential primary ever held in the United States, Super Tuesday (2008), begins with twenty-four states holding either caucuses or primary elections. --Kralizec! (talk) 01:27, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Yes, when the results come through. Even though a lot of people like harping on about US-centric or don't like the US, the same people will be glued to their sets with baited breath on every US political move.  Blnguyen  ( bananabucket ) 01:30, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I don't follow American politics, so will there be a winner coming out of Super Tuesday? If so, then I think it should go up. If all it does is produce a frontrunner or less, then there is no reason. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 01:35, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * No person can clinch enough delegates for the nomination. Oppose. ---CWY2190TC 02:03, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I think you would be hard pressed to find an admin willing to touch this with a bargepole until at least the Republican and Democrat presidential candidates are decided. --Stephen 03:25, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * If you know anything about Super Tuesday, you'll know that this day will almost certainly define who wins their parties' nomination for the presidency. Strong support. Therequiembellishere (talk) 06:10, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I do know about it. Which is why I'm saying nothing will be posted at least until the winners are announced.  All elections are treated the same way - No result, no posting on ITN. We don't post that an election is happening. --Stephen 06:56, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * That's . . . not what we're suggesting. This is just to make sure we get the wording right, like with the Superbowl. Therequiembellishere (talk) 06:59, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Well, that's . . . not what the suggested hook says --Stephen 08:47, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose. We don't need a running commentary on the primaries. Lets just announce the candidates when they're officially selected. Hammer Raccoon (talk) 17:14, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * We don't know that for sure, especially on the Democratic side. ---CWY2190TC 06:16, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Have to support. This is the biggest one until the Conventions. Lawrence  §  t / e  07:17, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Eventually, we can put this on ITN when the results are known. We never put news like "elections are going on in this country", always "this guy wins the elections". So if the elections produce a clear candidate, it's for ITN, otherwise we should wait to have the candidates confirmed. --Tone 08:28, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Please forgive the imprecise phrasing of my nomination, as I am rather new to ITN. My intention in this suggestion was not to list it because Super Tuesday (2008) is an election (big deal, those happen all the time), but because it is the largest primary election ever held in the U.S., with 52% of the Democratic and 41% of the Republican delegates awarded in one day ... a process that normally takes weeks or even months.  --Kralizec! (talk) 20:52, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I must concur. There seems to be a phobia of putting something that is even related to the current election.  True, it might only be happening in the US, but the whole world is watching.  To put up against a current ITN topic, yes, it is a tragedy that 39 people died in the Lake Kivu earthquake, but just because it happened to occur on the border between two countries doesn't make it more important than a huge event in one country.  Looking at BBC, the story isn't even appearing on their Africa page, let alone the main page.  However, the lead story pertains to the primaries.  I see above (and in other discussions) that because "we don't do it for other countries we shouldn't do it for the US."  However, I don't think anyone here would dispute that the elections in the United States have more of an impact on the world than say a small African country.  Why?  The US is simply bigger and the sole superpower.  Why should ITN have a phobia of a topic that, like I said, take place in one country yet is watched by and pertains to the entire world?  I wholeheartedly support the inclusion on Super Tuesday in ITN. American Patriot 1776 (talk) 06:00, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I agree, strong support. Grant.alpaugh (talk) 17:14, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Strong support. Overwhelming national importance, and significant international ramifications on this one. As it's now almost 11pm PST, and polls should be closed everywhere, please put it up on ITN. Lawrence  §  t / e  06:38, 6 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose. Since when are party leadership convention winners (or 'primaries', or whatever they are called around the world) covered on ITN? For the rest of the world, we usual only include the actual election (and resigning/death/etc) of Presidents and Prime Ministers. In the U.S. that won't happen until this fall. Kilrogg (talk) 07:34, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

Actually although it was extensively covered, there seems to be rather a boring conclusion - no candidate won the nomination outright, ergo no news. The weather disturbances above may even have a chance if it would be extensively covered by the media. -- Howard  the   Duck  12:14, 6 February 2008 (UTC)


 * A city-wide Low Emission Zone has been introduced in London, making this the largest scheme in Europe to reduce pollution and one of the largest schemes in the world.

I'm not really sure i have summarised this properly but this is a notable scheme. (Could someone make this better?) Simply south (talk) 00:22, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Even though it's London, and one of the main arguements will be "It's London", I don't think it should go up. Really, even if it's London it's still one city. If Sydney did this I oudln't see it going up. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 00:28, 5 February 2008 (UTC)


 * I'm not saying one of the reasons is "It's London", some reasons are it is one of the first of it kind and does not just cover the city centre but (mostly) Greater London. And i know i could have summarised the above a bit better. It will be an ongoing scheme and a pilot, if you like, gradually tightening to 2012 on restrictions of vehicles emissions etc. Simply south (talk) 00:36, 5 February 2008 (UTC)


 * If I'm not mistaken a German city did this before and it wasn't put up. -- Howard  the   Duck  03:13, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * There are quite a few according to Low Emission Zone. It may be the largest but it's not the first, so I don't see a impelling rationale for putting this up.  Perhaps a DYK?  --Stephen 03:23, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I support DYK if it is a relatively new article. --Tone 08:28, 5 February 2008 (UTC)

Serbian election

 * "According to preliminary results, Serbian President Boris Tadić secures reelection after winning the run-off election. Challenger Tomislav Nikolić concedes defeat." The results are unofficial, but have been confirmed . The significance of the event is that it reduces the risk of (postpones) a military conflict in Kosovo. --Cryout (talk) 22:42, 3 February 2008 (UTC)
 * This is ITN for sure. Let's just wait for some more votes counted, it will be done within hours. --Tone 22:52, 3 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Lets get the wording correct now, so if you have any ideas feel free to change them. ---CWY2190TC 15:36, 3 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Vote counting will be done soon and after repeated elections at some posts, final results shall be published on 16 February. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 20:01, 5 February 2008 (UTC)

Super Bowl XLII

 * The New England Patriots defeat the New York Giants < > in Super Bowl XLII to become the first NFL team to finish the season with a record of 19-0.
 * The New York Giants defeat the New England Patriots < > in Super Bowl XLII.
 * I assume Super Bowl is one of those few sport events that don't need long discussions whether to have them on ITN or not. I would prefer the short formulation, unless the statistic is really so important. --Tone 15:42, 3 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Actually it is not. There are a lot of people who feel it doesn't meet the criteria.  Also, the mention about the 19-0 is very very important. ---CWY2190TC 15:44, 3 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Since the admins included the 16-0 story means this should go in. Also, no matter what other people had or will say it will still be added so it's futile to complain... -- Howard   the   Duck  16:01, 3 February 2008 (UTC)

But, for the record: We are not putting in the Super Bowl XLII is being played in Arizona thing again. The game is only itn worthy when it is over. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 20:42, 3 February 2008 (UTC)
 * With one second left, I think it's safe to say the Giants have done the impossible. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 03:04, 4 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The New York Giants defeat the New England Patriots 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII. ---CWY2190TC 03:05, 4 February 2008 (UTC)

Proposed new wording
Right now, half the wording is about the stadium. I would change it to simply:
 * "The New York Giants defeat the previously undefeated New England Patriots, 17-14, to win Super Bowl XLII." -- Mwalcoff (talk) 03:46, 4 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Can you change "defeat" to "beat"? -- Howard  the   Duck  03:57, 4 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Yes. --Stephen 04:06, 4 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Good move. You might want to restore the commas around the score though -- it's Associated Press style, anyway, to set off a score with commas. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 04:11, 4 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Why the wording change? Is it an American thing? Personally I think defeat sounds alot more encyclopedic then beat. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 04:18, 4 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Because the way I had it had "defeat" and "undefeated" in succession. We could change "beat" to "defeat" and "undefeated" to "unbeaten." -- Mwalcoff (talk) 04:19, 4 February 2008 (UTC)
 * This assumes a lot of knowledge on the part of the reader who may not be interested in gridiron. Although I have no great desire for the headline to be lengthy, it should at least make clear what sport we are talking about, and avoid the reader wondering how many years or decades the Patriots had been unbeaten.  Kevin McE (talk) 16:10, 4 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Agreed - can't we just add "In American Football" at the start like we did when we had the Patriot's unbeaten record up there (see )? Hammer Raccoon (talk) 16:27, 4 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Better now? --Stephen 20:57, 4 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Yeah, thanks. Hammer Raccoon (talk) 17:19, 5 February 2008 (UTC)

Why has it been changed back to read "17 to 14?" This seems like extra letters to me. At the very least, "17 to 14" should be set off by commas. -- Mwalcoff (talk) 04:51, 4 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Changed to defeat|unbeaten and comma'ed the score. I've no opinion on "-" over "to." --Stephen 05:08, 4 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I would've favored the "to" convention if the score were single digits. -- Howard  the   Duck  06:23, 4 February 2008 (UTC)

Sorry, why is this important enough in the wider world to be the top story? American-centric or what? Could someone please adjust? --Deadly&forall;ssassin(talk) 10:13, 5 February 2008 (UTC)
 * See Talk:Main Page. -- Howard  the   Duck  05:20, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

Rwanda earthquake

 * An earthquake shakes Rwanda, killing at least 21 people. --Tone 13:19, 3 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Posted, with updated death toll, as
 * An earthquake kills at least 30 people in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
 * to displace old news from 10+ days ago. Please expand this stub. Thanks. --PFHLai (talk) 15:10, 3 February 2008 (UTC)

February 2

 * UFD rebels fight government troops (President Idriss Déby Itno pictured) in a battle for the Chadian capital, N'Djamena.--<font color="#003399">TheFE ARgod  (Ч) 15:42, 2 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Strongly support. The capitol of a sovereign state has been partially occupied by a rebel group, and the government may fall. This is highly, highly significant and notable, and should be on the main page immediately. We're talking about a revolution happening right now. It is the main story on the BBC world news website. If this story is not included it will only highlight again the fact that 'in the news' shows consistant systemic basis in favour of events that happen in the developed world. Please please add this very important event and save my faith in wiki! Willy turner (talk) 19:56, 2 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support, added a picture of the Chadian president. --Camptown (talk) 21:21, 2 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Strong support,needs to be added immediately. Editorofthewiki (talk) 21:53, 2 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Thank you very much. You HAVE saved my faith in Wiki! Willy turner (talk) 23:26, 2 February 2008 (UTC)


 * French President Nicolas Sarkozy marries Italian model and singer Carla Bruni at the Élysée Palace in Paris, France. --Philip Stevens (talk) 12:46, 2 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. For once, no killings, murders or terrorist attacks. Hektor (talk) 13:53, 2 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose, gossip--<font color="#003399">TheFE ARgod  (Ч) 14:15, 2 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose, none of the news on MP are about killings, murders or terrorist attacks. Sarkozy marrying someone is not notable enough. Hermant patel (talk) 15:21, 2 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Oppose. A little too tabloid-ish, IMO.  I might be more supportive if this is a royal wedding in some monarchy and the line of succession to a throne is altered, requiring changes in multiple relevant wikipages. --PFHLai (talk) 15:23, 3 February 2008 (UTC)

February 1

 * Microsoft makes an unsolicited takeover bid to buy Yahoo! for 44.6 billion U.S. dollars in cash and stock. <span style="font-family:times new roman, times; color:#000064;">Lovelac <span style="font-family:times new roman, times; color:#AA0000;">7 16:42, 1 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. Finally, some real news. --Plasma Twa 2 (talk) 18:18, 1 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Support. Two of the most important and largest computer/internet companies in the world. ---CWY2190TC 21:18, 1 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Strong oppose, until they actually buy it. A bid is still just a bid. --Tone 21:25, 1 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Agree with Tone. Will support the mention on ITN about the formation of the world's largest __(insert appropriate industry)___ company, but not when negotiations are still ongoing/incomplete. --PFHLai (talk) 23:25, 1 February 2008 (UTC)
 * I think that just the announcement of a merger will have major repercussions on the tech industry, and is thus newsworthy enough to make ITN. <span style="font-family:times new roman, times; color:#000064;">Lovelac <span style="font-family:times new roman, times; color:#AA0000;">7 00:13, 2 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Well, Yahoo! hasn't said "yes" to the proposal yet. We'll have to wait. --PFHLai (talk) 15:19, 3 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Who put up "Internet services are disrupted in parts of Asia and Africa after two undersea cables, including SEA-ME-WE 4, are damaged."? The article SEA-ME-WE 4 makes no apparent mention to this. I stand corrected...but still the article only has ~5 sentences mentioning this...shouldn't it be expanded more? Spencer  T♦C 02:45, 1 February 2008 (UTC)
 * 5 sentences and as many references is a reasonable update, and the impact of the event was widespread. Feel free to expand it more.  --Stephen 03:30, 1 February 2008 (UTC)
 * The FALCON (cable system) is apparently cut now too Mad031683 (talk) 16:57, 1 February 2008 (UTC)
 * A third cable loss, in as many days, is definitely notable. Support its addition to Main Page listing. Radagast (talk) 20:11, 1 February 2008 (UTC)
 * Please consider expanding (with some more background info) and re-formatting the FALCON (cable system) article. The stubby page doesn't appear ready to be featured on MainPage, IMO.  --PFHLai (talk) 23:27, 1 February 2008 (UTC)

February 2
Could any administrators add the following news if everyone agree ? :
 * Prince Harry just came back from Afghanistan 'cos the news spread away.
 * The US' Election news.

Thank you ! --125.24.200.196 (talk) 13:59, 2 March 2008 (UTC)