Wikipedia:In the news/Candidates

This page provides editors a forum to suggest items for inclusion in Template:In the news (ITN), a protected Main Page template, as well as the forum for discussion of candidates.

This candidates page is integrated with the daily pages of Portal:Current events. Under each daily section header below is the transcluded Portal:Current events items for that day (with a light green header). Each day's portal page is followed by a subsection for suggestions and discussion.

Suggesting an item

In order to suggest a candidate:

• Start, find or modify a blurb directly in the light green box for that day's Current events. Make sure that you include a reference from a verifiable, reliable source.
• Update an article linked to from the blurb to include the recent developments, or find an article that has already been updated.
• Nominate the blurb for ITN inclusion under that day's ITN Candidates subheading, emboldening the link to the updated article.

  For standard entry styles, please see WP:In the news section on the Main Page/Style.

Maia Sandu Maia Sandu (pictured) is re-elected President of Moldova. In baseball, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars defeat the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks to win the Japan Series. A canopy collapse at Serbia's Novi Sad railway station kills fourteen people. The ruins of a Maya city, dubbed Valeriana, are discovered in Campeche, Mexico. Duma Boko becomes the president of Botswana after the general election is won by the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change. Ongoing: Israel–Hamas war Israel–Hezbollah conflict Russian invasion of Ukraine timeline Sudanese civil war timeline Recent deaths: Paul Stephenson Peanut Dub Jones Janey Godley Edzard Reuter Jamshid Sharmahd view - page history - related changes - Edit (admins only)

There are criteria guiding the decision on whether or not to put a particular item on In the news, based largely on the extensiveness of the updated content and the perceived significance of the recent developments. Submissions that do not follow the guidelines at Wikipedia:In the news section on the Main Page will not be put into the live template.

Sample candidate discussion

• The item on widgets seem to have been adequately updated. --and sign & date your entry 12:00, 1 April 2007 (UTC)

It doesn't seem to have any references for the new content. --They've also signed their comment 12:06, 1 April 2007 (UTC)

I went ahead and added some citations. It should be ready now. --User's Name 12:07, 1 April 2007 (UTC)

Looks good. Posted. --Responding administrator 12:10, 1 April 2007 (UTC)

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

Please refrain from straight support or oppose votes; focus the discussion on the merits of the available candidate items.

Creating a new day header

Use the following box to create a new day at Portal:Current events. Follow the instructions in the editing pane to create a new day under the Suggestions header.

Suggestions

January 17

January 17, 2009 (2009-01-17) (Saturday)

• Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declares a unilateral ceasefire beginning January 18 at 2:00 am Israel Standard Time (UTC+2) in its conflict with Hamas. However, Israeli Defense Forces will remain in the Gaza Strip until further notice. (CNN)
• North Korea claims to have "weaponized" 30.8 kilograms of plutonium, enough for four to five nuclear warheads. (CNN)
• The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party defeats Barisan Nasional in Malaysia's Kuala Terengganu by-election. (Reuters)
• A suicide attack kills two Afghans and one United States Army soldier and wounds 30 other people in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Los Angeles Times)
• An Israeli Defense Forces airstrike kills 13 people in Gaza City. (MSNBC)

ITN candidates for January 17

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

January 16

January 16, 2009 (2009-01-16) (Friday)

• Panama officially recognizes Kosovo. (Balkan Insight) (Panama Ministry For Foreign Affairs)
• Computer worm Conficker infects more than eight million Microsoft Windows-based personal computers. (CNN)
• Lithuanian police disperse angry protesters mobbing Parliament as an anti-government demonstration turns violent. (International Herald Tribune)
• Trooper Mark Donaldson of the Australian Special Air Service Regiment is awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry during the War in Afghanistan. (The Australian)
• Palestinian medical sources report 1,010 people have died and 4,700 have been wounded during the conflict with Israel. (CNN)
• The trial of two accused murderers of Meredith Kercher begins in Perugia, Italy. (Sky News)
• Somali pirates release the Danish cargo ship CEC Future after receiving a ransom payment. (AP via Google News)

ITN candidates for January 16

2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 15

January 15, 2009 (2009-01-15) (Thursday)

• British Member of Parliament John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) is suspended after manhandling the ceremonial mace during House of Commons proceedings. (BBC News)
• President George W. Bush bids farewell to the United States in a 15-minute televised address, during which he touted his record and warned his successor, Barack Obama, to maintain an aggressive stance against terrorism. (AP via Google News)
• Sweden's National Bank announces that all 1-krona coins minted in 2009 will carry a new motif on their reverse to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Finland's separation from Sweden. (Riksbanken)
• The International Year of Astronomy's opening ceremony is held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. (France 24)
• US Airways Flight 1549, an Airbus A320 carrying 155 people, ditches into New York City's Hudson River. (CNN) (New York Times)
• A sprinkler incident at a Toronto, Ontario, Canada hydro power station sparks a major power outage in a huge swath in the City's west end affecting more than 250,000 people. (The Globe and Mail)
• NASA announces that methane in Mars' atmosphere "could be produced either by geological activity or by life." (BBC)
• China's gross domestic product grew 13 percent during 2007, overtaking Germany to become the world's third largest economy. (BBC)
• 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict:
  • Hamas 'in principle' accepts the United Nations' call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. (Jerusalem Post)
  • An Israeli airstrike kills Palestinian National Authority Interior Minister Said Seyam. (Sky News)
• Pakistan arrests 124 people in a crackdown on terrorism. (Sky News)
• Late 2000s recession:
  • Japanese machine orders decrease 16.2 percent from October, the largest percentage drop since April 1987 and more than twice the expected rate. (MarketWatch)
  • Jobless claims in the United States rise 54,000 to 524,000, the first increase in three weeks. (Wall Street Journal)
• Hawaii becomes the first U.S. state and the second media market after Wilmington, North Carolina, to convert to digital television. (Honolulu Star Bulletin)
• Despite the corruption scandal surrounding Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, the United States Senate confirms Roland Burris as a member. (Boston Globe)
• Indie 103.1 says farewell to radio listeners.

ITN candidates for January 15

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Strong oppose, please remove this immediately. Wikipedia's list of countries by GDP is made up of three reliable sources. None of them indicate that China is greater than Germany. I would support this if it was correct, but I'm afraid the source isn't reliable enough. Jolly Ω Janner 16:43, 16 January 2009 (UTC)
• Strong support Dozens of reliable mainstream sources have reported the new revised figures. It has also been covered by the World Bank. I, do however, agree that the list article should only be updated when IMF or World Bank issue new datasets.[[1]] 130.113.81.33 (talk) 23:57, 16 January 2009 (UTC)

• Nomination: US Airways Flight 1549

US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 14

January 14, 2009 (2009-01-14) (Wednesday)

• United Kingdom Opposition Leader David Cameron pledges to hold a referendum on the European Union's Lisbon Treaty if his Conservative Party is elected later this year. (Financial Times)
• Glen Roeder leaves his post at Norwich City amidst fears of dangerous times for FlyGlobespan. (Edinburgh Evening News)
• Steve Jobs takes a six-month medical leave of absence as CEO of Apple Inc. (CNN)
• Global financial crisis of 2008-2009:
  • United States Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and Philadelphia Fed Bank President Charles Plosser differ publicly on stabilizing the economy. (MarketWatch)
  • U.S. retail sales plunged a seasonally adjusted 2.7 percent in December 2008 from November, the Commerce Department estimates. (MarketWatch)
• 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict:
  • In an audio message, Osama bin Laden urges Muslims to launch a holy war on Israel. (BBC News)
  • Rockets are fired into Israel's North District from Lebanon. (Sky News)
• Ukraine says it cannot resume natural-gas transit because Russia's Gazprom has provided insufficient supplies. (Sky News)
• Somali pirates release two ships off the coast of East Africa. (CNN)
• U.S. Federal Judge Richard J. Leon orders the release of 21-year-old Guantánamo Bay detainee Muhammad Hamid Al Qarani, who was imprisoned in 2002. (Washington Post)

January 13

January 13, 2009 (2009-01-13) (Tuesday)

• Despite an agreement to resume delivery of natural gas from Russia to Europe, the European Union says that "very limited" amounts were transmitted. (BBC News)
• Israeli Defense Forces advance on Gaza City and engage in urban warfare with Hamas militants. (BBC News)
• The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee begins confirmation hearings for Hillary Clinton's nomination as Secretary of State. (CNN)
• Late 2000s recession:
  • German Chancellor Angela Merkel announces a €50-billion economic stimulus package. (BBC News)
  • The United States' trade deficit shrank by 28.7 percent in November 2008 to its lowest level in five years. (BBC News)
  • Anti-government protesters clash with Latvian riot police in Riga. (BBC)
• Yahoo! names Autodesk chairwoman Carol Bartz as its CEO. (BBC News)
• Citigroup announces a merger deal with Morgan Stanley. (Reuters)

ITN candidates for January 13

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 12

January 12, 2009 (2009-01-12) (Monday)

• Flooding caused by Tropical Depression 04F kills eight people and displaces more than 6,000 in Fiji. (AP)
• Urban warfare begins between Israeli Defense Forces and Hamas militants as the former push further into Gaza City. (Sky News)
• The Indonesian ferry MV Teratai Prima capsizes and sinks off Sulawesi, Indonesia, killing more than 230 people. (MSNBC)
• Iraqi Security Forces announce that they have captured Tha'ir Kadhim Sraiwi, the alleged leader of Salafi terrorist group Jamaat Ansar al-Sunna. (BBC)
• Bitcoins first transaction initiated by Satoshi Nakamoto [2]

ITN candidates for January 12

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 11

January 11, 2009 (2009-01-11) (Sunday)

• Russian President Dmitry Medvedev criticizes Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's government for not acting quickly enough to deal with the current financial crisis. (Reuters)
• European Union monitors arrive to ensure that Russia restarts its natural-gas delivery to Europe. (Reuters)
• Israeli Defense Forces and Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants battle in Sheikh Ajleen, a suburb of Gaza City. (MSNBC)

January 10

January 10, 2009 (2009-01-10) (Saturday)

• A boat carrying eight Somali pirates from the freed supertanker MV Sirius Star capsizes in the Gulf of Aden, causing the deaths of five and the loss of their portion of US$3 million in ransom. (Telegraph)
• Thirty-three people die and seventeen are injured when their coach plunges into a canyon in Cajamarca, Peru. (Radio Netherlands)
• Iraq's Interior Ministry arrests Ayesh Ali Hussein al-Harbi for his alleged role in the 2000 hijacking of a Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 777 and serial killings in the country. (AFP)

January 9

January 9, 2009 (2009-01-09) (Friday)

• Rob Gauntlett, the youngest Briton to have climbed Mount Everest died whilst climbing in the French Alps
• Israel and Hamas ignore the United Nations Security Council's call for a ceasefire in the conflict in the Gaza Strip. (UNNewsCentre)
• Microsoft Corporation releases the beta version of its Windows 7 operating system. (BusinessWeek)
• India faces a major shortage of petroleum products as a strike by employees of the Indian Oil Corporation and 14 other PSUs enters its third day. (CNN-IBN)
• The House of Representatives of the U.S. state of Illinois votes 114–1 to impeach embattled Governor Rod Blagojevich. (CNN)
• A 6.1-magnitude earthquake in northern Costa Rica kills 15 people and injures 32. (CNN)
• Piracy in Somalia:
  • The MV Sirius Star, a supertanker seized in the world's largest hijacking, is released with 2,000,000 barrels (320,000 m³) of oil and all 25 crew members unharmed after a US$3 million ransom is paid. (Guardian)
  • The Iranian-chartered wheat-carrying vessel MV Desire is released with 25 crew members unharmed. (Xinhua)

ITN candidates for January 9

This [3] looks like a good ITN item. I wonder if there is any good article on the topic. --Tone 13:58, 9 January 2009 (UTC)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

January 8

January 8, 2009 (2009-01-08) (Thursday)

• The United States Congress certifies the results of the 2008 presidential election, confirming Barack Obama as President-elect. (Fox News)
• Pakistan confirms that Ajmal Amir, the last surviving participant in the 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai, India, is a Pakistani citizen, but dismisses National Security Advisor Mahmud Ali Durrani for making the admission. (CNN-IBN)
• 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict:
  • Several rockets fired from Lebanon strike the Israeli city of Nahariya. Hezbollah denies responsibility for the attack. (Sky News)
  • The United Nations suspends humanitarian aid operations in Gaza after receiving fire from the Israel Defense Forces. (BBC)
  • The UN Security Council votes, with the United States abstaining, to adopt Resolution 1860, which calls for a ceasefire in the conflict. However, Israel and Hamas continue their actions. (UNNewsCentre) (Sky News)
• The Bank of England cuts interest rates to 1.5 percent, its lowest level in its 315-year history. (BBC)
• Russia and Ukraine agree to resend natural gas through pipelines to Europe. (AP)
• Lasantha Wickrematunge is assassinated in Sri Lanka (Guardian)
• The Sri Lankan Army recaptures the village of Pallai from the Tamil Tigers in an effort to reach the Jaffna Peninsula. (CNN)
• North Korea announces it will hold its delayed parliamentary election on March 8. (CNN)

ITN candidates for January 8

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

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

January 7

January 7, 2009 (2009-01-07) (Wednesday)

• The United States Congressional Budget Office estimates that the federal government will run a record $1.2 trillion budget deficit in fiscal year 2009, that the current recession will last well into this year, and that the enactment of an economic-stimulus plan would increase that deficit. (MarketWatch)
• Satyam Computer Services chairman Ramalinga Raju admits to accounting fraud and resigns. (CNN-IBN)
• Israel and Hamas resume hostilities after a three-hour respite to allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza. (Sky News)

ITN candidates for January 7

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

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

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

Israeli ground forces enter Gaza after a week of airstrikes over city, statedly against Hamas, resulted with high civillian and children casualties. A better wording may be suggested since I am not native English speaker, yet high civillian casualties should be stressed. Near 2700 people are wounded, 670 are dead already, while over 300 of them are civillians and at least 130 them are 16 year old or smaller children. Source AP [4] Kasaalan (talk) 01:02, 8 January 2009 (UTC)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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