text:
Virgin Atlantic jet fire investigation finds faulty wiring in A340 fleet

February 14, 2009 Investigators in Ireland have found wiring problems in several Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340s as part of their investigation into a fire on board one such aircraft that was forced to divert to Shannon Airport.

The Virgin jet was headed from London Heathrow Airport to Chicago with 143 passengers and thirteen crew on January 11 this year. A small fire was noticed in a waste bin storage area in the first class section's bar unit.

A damaged wiring loom could be seen sticking out of a hole in the compartments floor, and there was visible electrical arcing in the area. An attempt was made to control the situation by switching off electrical circuits, but both the fire and the arcing continued unchecked.

The aircraft's captain declared an emergency and diverted to Shannon, which the airliner reached thirty minutes later. During that time, the crew used five 1kg fire extinguishers upon the fire, but each time the arcing continued and after about five minutes the fire reignited. Witnesses described the fire as consisting of “licks of flame”.

After performing a safe emergency landing the airport's Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting department tackled the fire with a 5kg extinguisher but met with similar results. After consulting with the crew the jet's power was completely shut down, after which the fire was finally put out. Virgin initially claimed the fire had never occurred.

Investigators with Ireland's Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) inspected the loom and found it to be “completely severed” and exhibiting “strong evidence of burning/arcing” according to a preliminary report released on Friday. The loom was identified as providing power and dimming circuits for mood lighting in the bar.

The AAIU says that it seems the loom had contacted the metal waste bin in the compartment above. There should have been rails to hold up the bin and a protective metal cover, but “no evidence” of these was found and the report notes that “Initial inspection indicated the possibility that they were never fitted.”

The bar unit is a modification exclusive to Virgin. The AAIU ordered all 36 of the airline's A340s worldwide inspected, with both France and the United Kingdom assisting with this. The UK has identified four other aircraft with faulty wiring, it has now been revealed. Virgin says that “A few minor issues were found and were immediately rectified,” and adds that “The installation of the bar was carried out in accordance with all relevant regulations. Virgin Atlantic continues to assist the AAIU in their investigation and looks forward to the full report with interest.”

The AAIU says that "significant other issues are being examined by the investigation" in addition to the wiring defects. “These include the difficulties faced by the crew in isolating the damaged circuits, the emergency checklist, the design of the modification and the standards relating to such modifications,” said the report.

Virgin's Boeing 747-400 fleet also has a similar bar installed on it, but there was not considered to be a risk to the aircraft's wiring on that model. The fire involved a bar added three years ago, with the aircraft manufactured in 1998.


text: Talk:Virgin Atlantic jet fire investigation finds faulty wiring in A340 fleet

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/


text:
Germany's GUN Records closes

February 14, 2009

German rock and metal label GUN Records (Great Unlimited Noises) announced Friday that they were to close. No explanation has been given for the move.

Formed as a joint venture between BMG and Wolfgang Funk in 1992, the label had seen its parent merge with Sony in 2005 to form Sony BMG and Funk quit as president in December 2008. In the nineties the label worked with German metal bands such as U.D.O., Sodom and Running Wild.

GUN's current international acts - including Wales' Bullet for My Valentine, Finland's Lordi and the Netherlands' Within Tempatation - will now be handled out of Sony's Munich international division. National artists, such as Oomph! and The Donots, will also be Sony's direct responsibility via either Four Music or Columbia Germany in Berlin.

The label has also worked with Sturm und Drang, Apocalyptica and HIM. The closure will affect eight employees including Arno Hartfield, the managing director.

title: Germany's GUN Records closes


text: Talk:Germany's GUN Records closes

title: Talk:Germany's GUN Records closes


text:
Six killed in UK car crash

February 14, 2009 A car crash on the A614 road, in Nottinghamshire, England has killed six people, all of whom are believed to have lived near the scene of the crash.

All six victims died at the scene of the crash, which involved four young adults in a Peugeot 206 and two elderly people, possibly a male and female, who police believe to be in their 60s, in the other car said to be a Ford Fiesta. Rescue workers fought to save the one of the elderly individuals, but were unsuccessful. Both vehicles collided head-on and exploded upon colliding.

Two police officers on traffic patrol discovered the crash, which took place at 23:00 local time (UTC) yesterday. The officers involved were praised by Bruce Cameron, a superintendent for Nottinghamshire Police. "The bodies are very badly burnt and they will have to be identified using dental records. We want to make sure we are absolutely certain as to who was in both cars when the accident happened," he said.

Local residents say that the A614 has been the scene of a large number of accidents. One resident, Stuart Stonebridge, told The Daily Telegraph that "we only moved here three years ago and there have been a lot of accidents and some fatalities in that time," while another resident, Janice Gilbody said that "the people of Bilsthorpe will be in shock, horror and disbelief at the young lives lost."

Gilbody also said that this accident is "yet again another accident on this road." She then added that the road was dangerous, saying that "it’s a wonder it doesn’t happen more often."

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but police say weather was not a contributing factor.

title: Six killed in UK car crash


text:
Talk:Romanian president meets with EU officials in Bucharest

Please replace file:PICT1219.JPG with file:European_Parliament_in_Strassburg.jpg. Thanks, Finnrind (talk) 19:05, 14 February 2009 (UTC)
 * ✅. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 19:22, 14 February 2009 (UTC)


text:
User talk:Ms2ger

Welcome
--Anonymous101talk 19:09, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:Ms2ger


text: Talk:Six killed in UK car crash

title: Talk:Six killed in UK car crash


text:
Japanese tanker MV Chemstar Venus freed by Somali pirates

February 15, 2009

MV Chemstar Venus, a chemical tanker flagged in Panama and owned by a Japanese firm, has been freed by pirates in Somalia. The vessel has a crew of 23 and a cargo of chemicals that has not been identified.

The ship was seized on November 15 and has a crew of five South Koreans and eighteen Filipinos. She was released Thursday, with the news announced Friday by an anonymous diplomat in Nairobi, Kenya. It is unclear if a ransom was paid.

There has recently been a sharp rise in pirate attacks after a lull in January, thought to be a result of a combination of stormy weather finally subsiding and pirates seeking to replenish their stock of captive vessels after seven recent releases. Six ships were attacked across Wednesday and Thursday.

A Russian battlecruiser named after Peter the Great detained ten suspected pirates who were moving in on a fishing trawler registered in Iran. They seized drugs, rifles and a large amount of cash and military prosecutors are now interviewing the men.


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Comments:Virgin Atlantic jet fire investigation finds faulty wiring in A340 fleet

Another type
Interesting, but too much paragraphs. This 'accident' is, in my opinion, too old. As it happened, i'd read this with surprise and today create a 2nd article to this topic. The language is clearly and perspicuous, so it's easy to read. The heading is maybe too long, but with my English skill, I haven't got something shorter.

--Kai Burghardt (talk) 22:43, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

 * The article is not about the accident itself, but rather what the investigation has revealed. Almost everything there is new information from the report on Friday. In particular, there is the issues with wiring accross the fleet. I'm glad you found the article interesting and easily readable, though. Blood Red Sandman  (Talk)   (Contribs) 22:52, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

I think that this article should have more into it. it doesn't have enough detail--122.163.85.173 (talk) 02:51, 4 March 2011 (UTC)


text:
Comments:Six killed in UK car crash

== Verdict:- it is a very sad accident

Fine, nice picture, and was written expeditious. I don't know where the road runs so it's difficult for me, to understand the situation in UK. Ya, the headline: I was irritated, first I read 'UK car crash' and thought 'a car crash show in UK? Usual that's a part of america.' No, I know, it's hard, impossible to paraphrase that.

--Kai Burghardt (talk) 23:56, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

So by the sound of it 4 chavs crashed into some old people. Shouldn't it be 2 people killed in car crash then? --218.215.7.24 00:16, 15 February 2009 (UTC)
 * Six people have died, devaluing their life, even as a joke, seems disgusting to me Anonymous101talk 08:02, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

Car Crash
I'm not sure why this is in the news in the first place.. car crashes happen quite frequently.. but anyway what were the specifics of the crash? The road in the picture looks perfectly straight, how did they manage to collide? Did one cross the center line or something? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.42.211.4 (talk) 00:54, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

A614 accident
I am a driver and am always amazed at the use of the word accident. 99.9% of road "accidents" could be avoided if the drivers were being careful and attentive.

Then if you had been involved in a crash and neither driver could be said to be negligent in any way then it is an "accident" in this example head on crash where vehicles explode doesnt say to me it was an "accident" I am not such a great driver myself and sometimes am aware of incidents where I could have had a crash, and so on and so on. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 59.100.190.48 (talk) 05:11, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

 * The word 'accident' is defined by intent - if neither party has the intent to drive their car head-first into the other, then it is an accident; otherwise, it is a hit-and-run, or suicide, or so on and so forth. You are correct in stating that negligence has nothing to do with it. --128.243.253.112 16:23, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

to everyone
Nowadays more and more people were killed beacause of the car crash ,I have experienced one which made the families very sadness ,we should and must appraciate our life ,not only for ourselves ,but also for our families  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 222.243.161.45 (talk) 12:13, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

Victims
I hear that it was Thomas Hudson (16), Jay Thompson (18 from Rainworth), Joshua "Drinky" Drinkwater (18) and Ross Johnson (19 from Rainworth). I live close by and knew 3 of the 6 victims. RIP. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.9.83.174 (talk) 12:25, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

From Mansfield, United Kingdom - In response to the first comment made at the top of the page....
I think the boys who died in this crash were just genuine lads who were off to see a friend. They weren't drunk, they weren't high, and certainly not 'chavs' as you so eloquently put it.

It was a tragic accident. They died in the most horrific way possible, all the people involved, no matter how old or young they were. People die on that stretch of road alot - and these people, the poor things, were added to that number so far this year. Human error causes alot more problems than you think - whether putting something wrong into a till, or a car accident. It wasn't intentional so therefore, an accident.

I think that you judging them when they have only just died when you don't even know the story or them is sick pathetic and childish. How would you feel in that situation, where your friend or family member had just died in a pure accident like that?

You are totally unbelievable (this is aimed in response to the person who commented firs toff calling the people who died 'chavs'. Sorry, it's not fair) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.106.170.54 (talk) 20:04, 18 February 2009 (UTC)

Sad
Although I don't live in the UK.....I can speculate that 6 people dying in one car crash is pretty unusual.....certainly newsworthy in my opinion.Buddpaul (talk) 17:09, 15 December 2009 (UTC)

title: Comments:Six killed in UK car crash


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text:
US Congress passes $787 billion stimulus package

🇺🇸 February 16, 2009 The United States Congress passed a 787 billion stimulus package late Friday night, in an effort to curb the recession and boost the faltering US economy.

The bill was passed by a vote of 60&ndashp;38, barely reaching the minimum number of 60 votes needed to make the bill a law. Only three Republican senators voted for the measure. Shortly before the Senate vote, the US House of Representatives approved of the stimulus by a margin of 246–183, with all 176 Republicans and seven Democrats voting against the bill.

The Senate vote was delayed until night so that Democratic Senator could fly back from Ohio, where his mother had recently died. He cast the final and decisive sixtieth vote in favor of the stimulus bill.

Barack Obama is expected to sign the bill into law in, Colorado on Tuesday, February 17.

"This is a major milestone on our road to recovery, and I want to thank the members of Congress who came together in common purpose to make it happen," Obama said in his weekly address. "I will sign this legislation into law shortly, and we'll begin making the immediate investments necessary to put people back to work doing the work America needs done. This historic step won't be the end of what we do to turn our economy around, but the beginning."

64% of the stimulus package is intended for spending and money for social programmes, while another 34% is devoted to tax cuts. The plan also limits cash bonuses and incentive compensations for Wall Street executives. Over $48 billion of the stimulus has been reserved for transportation projects, such as high-speed rail, road, and bridge construction. Tens of billions more will be used for funding states to prevent any cuts that they would otherwise be forced to make to aid local governments and schools.

Democrats say that the plan will help create three and a half million jobs, and that the plan's tax cuts will help 95% of all US residents, mainly with the use of $800 breaks for couples and $400 for individuals. Those who do not earn enough money to pay income taxes will also be eligible for the breaks. Additionally, breaks will be given to first-time homebuyers and car buyers, in an effort to give a boost to two industries badly affected by the recession.

Senate Majority leader Harry Reid said that the stimulus package was the most important legislation that he had ever worked on. "The country is in trouble and we're so fortunate we were able to get it passed. It's going to give this country a shot in the arm."

Others, however, such as Senate Minority leader, are highly critical of the plan. "This isn't Monopoly money. It's real. It adds up, and it has to be paid back, by our children and by their children," he said, adding that it "is unlikely to have much stimulative effect."

"The bill that was about jobs, jobs, jobs has turned into a bill that's about spending, spending, spending," said House Republican leader John Boehner from Ohio, throwing a copy of the bill on the floor in protest.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed a stimulus package worth $825 billion with no support from Republicans. Shortly thereafter, the Senate passed a slightly different version of the bill worth $838 billion. The differences between the two bills had to be bridged in a Senate-House committee before it was voted upon in both houses.


text:
User:CnrFallon

This user is an Irish-American who is proud to be a US Citizen. Check out my user boxes for my interests, I'm planning on becoming a US Marine.

title: User:CnrFallon


text:
Thousands flee after volcano begins to erupt in Colombia

February 15, 2009 Thousands of people in Pastos, Colombia have been ordered to evacuate after the Galeras Volcano began to "explosively" erupt, according to reports. According to Colombia's Institute of Geology and Mines, the eruption began at about 7:10 p.m. local time (00:10 GMT). An estimated 8,000 people have been affected.

"[There is a] large amount of ash" falling from the sky, said Eduardo Alvarado, Pastos's provincial governor, adding that those "who live in urban areas, remain in their homes." The government in the area has been put on red alert and the Red Cross has also been called in to assist in aiding refugees. So far there are no reports of injuries damages, or deaths.

Galeras, which sits on the Colombian, Ecuador border, had recently erupted in 2008, but there were no injuries or deaths. In 1993, nine people were killed in an eruption. It's the most active volcano in Colombia and has been erupting regularly for at least a million years.


text: Talk:Thousands flee after volcano begins to erupt in Colombia


title: File:15February2009.pdf


text: User talk:90.208.246.200

title: User talk:90.208.246.200


text:
Woman with world's longest fingernails loses them in car crash

February 15, 2009 A woman who held the Guinness World Record for having the world's longest fingernails has lost them in a four-car accident in her hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah in the United States.

66-year-old Lee Redmond was seriously injured after she was ejected from the sports utility vehicle (SUV) she had been a passenger in. It had collided with one car, causing it to collide with two other cars on Tuesday February 10. She is expected to make a full recovery.

"[Her nails] were damaged beyond repair," reported the BBC, quoting Guinness World Records, who also said that Redmond's nails were "a fundamental part of her life and unique character". The cause of the crash is not yet known and an investigation is ongoing.

Redmond is credited by the Guinness Book for having a combined fingernail length of 28 feet, the longest on record. She has been growing all eight fingers and two thumbnails since 1979. Her longest of all nails was her right thumb, which was 2ft and eleven inches long.

Before Redmond was named as the record holder in 2006, Shridhar Chillal from India had the longest at a combined length of just over twenty feet.


text:
Eurovision '73 winner Anne Marie David discusses her four-decade career and the Contest, past and present

February 16, 2009 In the 1970s, she was one of the most popular female vocalists in France, and became well-known internationally. Anne Marie David, from Arles in the south of France, parlayed her initial success from playing Mary Magdalene in the French production of Jesus Christ Superstar into taking home the "grand prix" at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973. Her winning song, "Tu te reconnaîtras" (You will recognize yourself), became a Europe-wide hit that spring.

At the height of her popularity, David perfomed world tours, and even lived abroad in Turkey for a time. In 1979, she tried once again to win the Eurovision, and placed a respectable third. Her song "Je suis l'enfant soleil" (I'm a child of the sun) became similarly popular across France and in the Francophone nations.

As time went on, however, her place in the French music scene became less certain. Touring the world had taken a personal toll, and David decided to retire from music completely in 1987. However, with the help of her fan base, she was coaxed out of retirement in 2003 and is returning to a part of her life that she tried to leave, but never left her. Celebrating four decades in the music scene, David is looking forward to adventurous new projects and a newfound zest for life.

Anne Marie David corresponded with  Wikinews ' Mike Halterman about her eventful career, her personal anecdotes regarding living abroad, her successes in past Eurovision contests and her grievances with the way the show is produced today. This is the second in a series of interviews with past Eurovision contestants, which will be published sporadically in the lead-up to mid-May's next contest in Moscow.

Early career
''' I saw the photos on your website, and I must say, you hardly look older than when you did Eurovision 30 years ago. Has anyone told you that back then, you looked a lot like Marie Osmond?

Anne Marie David: Thank you for the compliment, but I don't recall anyone alluding to a resemblance with Marie Osmond. I would have taken that as a compliment, no?

''' When did you first start singing? Who were your musical inspirations while you were growing up?

AMD: I was already singing as a young child; my mother said that when she was pregnant with me, she sang lullabies to me... My [own] musical culture is very large. At home we listened to a lot of opera and operettas, but also French variété or the accordion. But my big revelation was my discovery of Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl. That changed everything for me... I absolutely wanted to approach [the level of] this great artist, the greatest in my opinion, and try to pull myself to the heights of her talent. Not by imitating her, but by succeeding in acquiring this vocal perfection she possesses, and by orienting all my efforts towards the acting that I could present by interpreting my songs whenever the [lyrics] allowed me to.

' You became very well-known in 1972 when you played Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar''. How did you get the part? If you had to audition, what were the auditions like, and were you nervous?

AMD: At the time I played in the musical comedy "The Me Nobody Knows," originating from the United States. Unfortunately the promotion for this presentation was not excellent and it remained confidential. My artistic director at the time, Pierre Hebrard, knew that the casting of Jesus Christ Superstar was finished but that the role of Mary Magdalene had not yet been definitively [cast]. He asked the production [company] to audition me. I practiced the beginning of the song for a quarter of an hour with Anthony Bowles, the musical director, then I sang the song. They asked me to learn the entire song for the next morning, and to come back to sing it. I did so... I sang the song the next day and in the end, they said OK, we'll take you... I learned that for this role the production auditioned 600 girls! I was stressed out after the audition... when I realized the challenge. Before I had not been very relaxed [or] comfortable, but I mostly wanted to [sell the song]... The show must go on, no?

''' You're from the south of France, and some of the French Wikipedians remarked, "But she doesn't have any accent when she's singing!" Did you have to take vocal classes or was it natural for you to sing without an accent?

AMD: I'm a big fan of accent imitations... accents are also music, and in private I often tell jokes with accents. It's the actress in me... but in fact singing in French for me is singing without an accent; it's a natural thing... I make no particular effort [to remove an accent].

''' After your success in the theatre, you were victorious at Eurovision in 1973. Luxembourg usually selected their entrants internally, so how did RTL [Editor's note: The state broadcaster of Luxembourg] become aware of you? How were you approached by them, and did you ever consider not participating in the Contest?

AMD: I had the opportunity to have the director of programs and the director of special programming for RTL [watching me] the night of the premiere of Jesus Christ Superstar. They saw me and were enthused by my performance. When they asked me that night if I would accept to represent Luxembourg in 1973, I only asked if it wasn't a problem [for them because] they'd won with Vicky Léandros that year (1972). They told me no, that for them winning several times in a row was not a problem... so I said yes with pleasure!

Eurovision '73 and initial mainstream success
''' When you competed for Luxembourg, one country winning twice in a row was still rare. Was there a lot of pressure for you to win the grand prize for Luxembourg? Did you also feel pressure to succeed from yourself?

AMD: There was no need to win the grand prize except in my head. I felt sure that an opportunity like that one was unique and that I would not have it a second time... I was incorrect... I got it twice! What I mean to say is that Eurovision remains for me a musical contest before all else, although of course a good song is worth nothing without a good [singer]. Thus the need to have both!

I've always had a taste for challenges... Eurovision is one. And among the challenges I like the competition, so when challenge and competition are combined, I think only of victory. I think it would be ridiculous and useless to go to Eurovision without wanting to win! I never participate in a contest, or anywhere for that matter, when it consists of singing with a tourist view of it. I prioritize my work and the result of my work. This has not allowed me to visit many things in all the countries where I have been in competition, but this allowed me to never find myself poorly ranked or last. One must know whether one wants victory or tourism...and I think it's a lack of respect to all those who count on us, and all those who spend a lot [of time] (production, television, etc...) to not take every chance to rank better or not put every chance of winning on our side.

''' You ended up in a three-way dead heat between Mocedades from Spain and Cliff Richard from the United Kingdom, who both performed songs some fans also consider worthy of the grand prize. What were your opinions of those songs? If, hypothetically, your song didn't win, do you think either of them were strong enough to be winner material?

AMD: 1973 was a year very rich in quality candidates... the proof: victory came to me with just a very few points ahead. The ranking of that year's other candidates was what I dreaded most. Mocedades was a pure moment of happiness and of a formidable effectiveness; Cliff Richard benefited from an exceptional notoriety and a mastery of the scene that I was far from having; so I needed to play everything I had... but I told you that I'd chosen victory, not tourism!

''' During the mid-1970s, you did many tours of Turkey and the Middle East, and won reporters' music awards there. What was the best thing you liked about being in Turkey? What experiences did you have that really stand out in your mind even today?

AMD: I had the immense joy of working a lot of time and also living over there, and for me it was the discovery of an immense culture, well beyond what I could have imagined. It was an encounter with a people, the Turkish people, whom we don't make the effort to know in depth. Most of the time there are too many clichés that are in no way reflections of what these people truly are... I am not talking about the leaders, I'm talking about the citizens of a country. I learned about them, to understand them, to exchange with them, in all their diversity, and God knows that in matters of diversity Turkey knows what it's talking about. I spent rare moments there surrounded by Turks, Armenians, Greeks, and Jews sitting at the same table and speaking the same language, the language of love and friendship... In all the whole world it's the same thing. All is well except when politics or religion intervene.

Eurovision '79
''' In 1979, you decided to compete for a spot at the Eurovision final again, this time for France. Why did you want to go back a second time? Considering your past success, were you fairly confident that you would end up being the French representative that year?

AMD: It was a taste for risk that guided me, but a measured risk, because 'Winner of the Grand Eurovision Prize 1973' is a lifetime title that one does not risk losing if one takes another chance. The place [you received] remains [that] place. When I accepted [the opportunity] to try representing France in 1979, I knew that the rules of the game were different than the ones in Luxembourg. Winner [from] 1973 or not, it didn't change [things] much since one needed to pass through a selection process. I played the game like everyone else and it was the public who voted for the 12 semi-finalists. Unfortunately television was on strike, and the finale could not be held as planned. The 12 semi-finalists were therefore viewed by a jury of professionals, and I was retained. But I respected the rule all the way to the end, and above all French television never modified the rule until the final candidate selection. I would have appreciated that France 3 [Editor's note: The current television station broadcasting Eurovision in France] respects the rule of the game the same way this year... and that all the candidates win or lose in loyal fashion, by respecting the rule. This will not be the case and I regret that... [Editor's note: After decades of public voting to select France's finalist, France 3 selected their artist internally this year despite originally calling for finalists.]

''' Competing at the Eurovision in 1979, you ended the voting on the wrong end of a close three-way finish, being beaten by the songs from Israel and Spain. Considering your victory helped Luxembourg win twice in a row, were you happy for Israel as they also achieved the same feat?

AMD: Of course! It's once again a rule fixed ahead of time, and which does not prohibit a country from winning several times in a row.

''' Many Eurovision fans on sites like YouTube feel the 1979 Contest was one of the strongest years ever for Eurovision. Apart from your own song, were there any songs you remember that you really liked? Also, which song do you feel was a stronger entry, "Je suis l'enfant soleil" or "Tu te reconnaîtras"?

AMD: I have indeed seen how much Internet users appreciate "Je suis l'enfant soleil"... let them be reassured, so do I! That year, in 1979, I particularly liked Milk and Honey and Gali Atari who won, and the German group who sang "Dschinghis Khan", which was a very strong title and sold well. With time, singing my songs from Eurovision continue to give me pleasure. "Je suis l'enfant soleil" tells a very beautiful tale and allows me to play comedy [Editor's note: "Comedy" in the theatrical sense, aiming to denounce the faults and vices of society using humor] a lot. But I adore "Tu te reconnaîtras" for what it has in singing, pulling in, being direct with the audience. In fact, each [song] brings me something different and to the public as well.

1980s: Retirement
''' During the 1980s, you competed in some more song festivals, including one in Norway and one in Chile. Anabela, the 1993 entrant from Portugal, felt she was eventually typecast as being "the song festival girl." Did you ever feel restricted in the same way? Were there ever any other facets to your musical repertoire that you would have liked to explore?

AMD: I always assumed the image of a competitor, maybe because I grew up in a place where I was very happy, but where we were not very rich; so I always had to make choices and needed to earn each thing that life gave me. Also, it's great to know that others count on you and think that you can bring them a victory; it's not given to everyone. As for the facets of my personality, for a long time I had to struggle (again!) against a face which refused to age, and which thus prevented me from being credible in certain repertoires.

Today time has passed, I am totally free in my choices, my voice has ripened well, and my silhouette too, my mastery of the scene is much more elaborated and thus I take on all the styles if the song touches or pleases me. And also I take on challenges like the song which I recorded with Jean Renard, [called] "Federico" which is totally "gypsy" and totally unlike my usual image. I am currently preparing a song for my English[-language] dance floor album (yep!) which is being [released] by Energise Records. [Dance music] is totally the opposite of what I do... but that amuses me and also the producers convinced me that I'd be great in it... so I hope not to disappoint them. [Here's a] scoop: it's called "You Came to Me."

''' In the late 1980s, you retired from music completely. Was this a difficult decision for you to make? What things did you want out of your life which required you to leave music? Where did you go, and what did you do in retirement?

AMD: Nothing is ever difficult when we accept to assume our choice. Those years were very disco, we were entering terrains I wasn't ready to tread, and I had been spoiled by my artist's life by going ever farther and farther from home. The French media ignored me after my victory for Luxembourg. Everyone wanted a second "Tu te reconnaîtras" and that is impossible.

And so I went where the public awaited me, by changing countries nearly daily, and this tired me. I told myself that my life was not made only of songs and glory, and that I was passionate [about] many other things. I would have had to sacrifice far too many things and people to recover a place in France, like going to live in France, living a life of popularity, etc... I told myself that I had already been spoiled, so I said stop! in 1987 after the [Song] Festival in Chile. I participated in [many] great projects [revolving] around the Lusitanian horses and the fighting bulls which I raised with passion and love, but [my] life [eventually] did not follow those paths... maybe because my life is the stage and life took charge [and reminded] me of that...

Return to music
''' You came out of retirement five years ago. How often did you think about returning to music while in retirement? Was music something you felt you couldn't just "let go"?

AMD: When I decide to do something, I do it. When I decide to stop something, I do that too. But that isn't taking into account that there are things which we want to do, and those which life decides for us! In 1987, I vowed never to return to the stage, but as I said, life sometimes serves you dishes that you didn't choose, and in 2003 it's chance that made me return to the stage, and it's my fans whom I never imagined [I had] in such numbers and whom, so many years later, had conserved their love, which made me stay. I owe them a lot and will never forget that.

''' Tell us about the CDs you have released since coming out of retirement. Are you experimenting with any new musical styles? I read you had a lot of input into your CD "Federico"; describe the direction you wanted to pursue with that disc.

AMD: It's thanks to the fans from my fan club that I could create a live CD, which I titled "Live à Charleroi" (Live at Charleroi). They sent me money via my fan club to allow me to be at the concert, and they bought my CD in advance even before it existed. [All of this was] just to help me, just to show me how much they wanted to find me [on stage] again [for that moment], in the space of 14 songs with a simple piano.

For "Federico" it's Jean Renard who had the idea. [It was] a task which was totally unlike [anything in] my experience, but he trusted me and I trusted him. I don't regret it. There is a little bit of me in "Federico." I have Iberian origins from my mother, and furthermore this allowed me to write two songs in Spanish. Nothing but happiness!

''' What new projects will you be doing in 2009? Are you doing any concerts?

AMD: Yes, I will be in some concerts but this time as an artisan. I will co-produce a large portion of them; I'm preparing an album of twelve new songs for 2010... and after if God wills it I'll celebrate my 40 years in [music] at Olympia if it's possible. I also continue [on] as a coach and the artistic director of the group "Caprice" ([who are] three of my students), who had hoped to represent France at Eurovision 2009, but whom France 3 discarded from the game in a pretty dishonest way (along with all the others, for that matter). They will record other songs this year and I'm sure they'll do great. I like talent and they have it. I already partially explained my point of view on the subject in my response to [an earlier question regarding the representative at Eurovision 2009].

Views about Eurovision today
''' In the past ten years or so, public interest in Eurovision has dwindled somewhat in France, a trend that has already been seen in countries like the Netherlands and Germany. Why do you feel that is? Is there anything France, or perhaps France Télévisions, can do to get French people watching the Contest again, especially in a television landscape populated by reality television?

AMD: The only solution would be to stop changing a game rule that has proven itself for years, not [to] mix the genres, [to] return to the fundamentals. Eurovision is a contest of songs, not of stars, or [a] dance floor, or Top Model... If this type of manifestation, which pleases the [current viewing] base had not been derived, all those who loved Eurovision would watch it still.

But the system of votes by SMS developed the youths' votes, against whom I bear no ill but few adults play that game (my grandmother or mother will never vote that way). To put the spotlight favourably on the operators who that night will swipe the wealth [Editor's note: A reference to Pactolus, in which King Midas washed his hands of the golden touch in the river there], they prefer to take from it an evening which was an international family party... And tell yourself that any economic power who wants to make his candidate win can afford the luxury of buying millions of portable cell phones, distribute them with unlimited plans for a night to kids who could not afford them and win! Anyway, when I say "win", [it nowadays] implies not really winning!

As for the jury, it must stay visible. Previously, each country sent its two judges and during the contest were kept apart from everyone... Tricking votes would be seen on the screens the night of the Contest and thus it almost never happened. What a strange idea also to distinguish between countries which are qualified for [the final] and the others! It's a total injustice.

You see [Eurovision today] is not neutral, and don't [anyone] tell me that it's reasoning from a different age... It's just a series of observations... Nobody can contest the fact that certain generations who were the success of Eurovision no longer find their satisfaction in it and are therefore disinterested. Nobody can contest, also, that for decades the great Eurovision [winners] were international hits that everyone still sings today. Who today is capable of singing the titles which win? And what will remain of [the contest] in the future?

''' Some viewers were not happy about last year's entrant, Sébastien Tellier. Singing his entry in essentially "franglais," [Editor's note: A mix of words and sentences interchanged between French and English] even a member of Parliament demanded that the next entry be purely in French. How did you feel about Tellier's performance, and do you feel every French entry must be sung in French? Do you feel not singing in English hinders France as an entrant in today's contest?

AMD: Once again, I think we must return to the fundamentals. Turn the problem however you'd like but in the end you will arrive at the same conclusions. Germany won in German, Spain won in Spanish, Holland won in Dutch, Norway won in Norwegian, etc... What else?

I see no reason to abandon everything to English; anyway I will fight that it not be the case with French! I sing in English, I speak English, I love the language of Shakespeare, but if I must represent my country in an international contest, I want to do it in French, and I also want it to be done in French. It's not an issue of chauvinism, it's an issue of respect with regards to all those who paid with their blood so that France is a full nation. It's the same for the national anthem of my country. And I would have the same reasoning whatever my nationality. I was born under the sun of France, it's normal that I love that sun.

''' In our first Eurovision interview, we asked the 1982 winner, Nicole, how she felt about the alleged "bloc voting" taking place between the nations of eastern Europe. She replied, "The eastern European countries obviously support each other with the so-called 'bloc voting.' It's now a political affair and no longer a 'song contest.'" Do you feel that way as well? What exactly are your feelings about the results from the past few years, which place countries like France, the United Kingdom and Germany at the bottom nearly every time?

AMD: You already have my analysis of the problem in my responses to [the last two questions]; but Nicole is right, she is defending her country and I find that very respectable. It's what is lacking today: people who have nothing to sell and who say what they think without being part of a political machine. Thank you, Nicole.

''' Do you ever see yourself returning to the Eurovision stage as the representative from France or any of the francophone nations?

AMD: I've been asked several times, including in 2009, to represent my country once more at Eurovision. But I've said and I repeat, it's not the place of confirmed artists to take that of young artists who need this springboard to be known by more people. And it is not the fear of losing my title of winner. I acquired it definitively for 1973, and I ranked third in 1979. Never can anything nor anyone change that. I prefer my position as coach, adviser... it's magnificent to rediscover one's twenties through someone who is 20, no? My emotions are unchanged... [I still get] the fear and stage fright as well, so can I ask for anything else [at this point]?

''' Will you be a part of the French delegation going to Moscow this year? If no decision has been made yet, would you like to go?

AMD: Too many things separate me from the French selection for 2009, which the essential [grievance] rests on the contempt of respect for the given word, contempt for the respect of the written word, transgressed precisely by those who have a duty and mission to ensure that [such rules] are not [transgressed]. Moreover I think that all the places in the delegation are reserved and distributed in advance based on a procedure that escapes me... I have nothing to add.

''' In closing, what would you like to say to all of your fans who have followed your career these past four decades?

AMD: Yes, I would like to simply say thank you and see you very soon to continue our beautiful love story.

Source
La gagnante de l'Eurovision 1973, Anne Marie David, évoque ses 40 ans de carrière ainsi que le passé et le présent du concours


text:
Talk:Eurovision '73 winner Anne Marie David discusses her four-decade career and the Contest, past and present

On the sixth question, did you mean prize instead of prix? (I don't like editing interviews as by there very nature, the entire thing is essentially a quote, and I don't want to be putting words in other people's mouths). Cheers, and good work. I enjoyed reading this.Bawolff ☺☻ 06:51, 15 February 2009 (UTC)
 * In French, the term is grand prix, but in English it's grand prize. You're right...it's a tough road with this interview, I wrote the questions in English, had them translated into French, she responded in French, and now we're translating her answers into English. :) Mike Halterman (talk) 06:54, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

Original reporting notes
Interview conducted via e-mail between Mike Halterman (in Tampa, Florida, USA) and Anne Marie David (in Toulouse, Midi-Pyrénées, France) in the second week of February, 2009. Interview conducted in French and translated to English. For verification purposes, the entire French transcript (unedited save for one spot) is in the French article. Thanks to Pathoschild, Shanel, Arria Belli, Anthere, DarkoNeko, guillom, and Schiste for translations. Mike Halterman (talk) 07:25, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

"Play comedy"
Are you absolutely sure "play comedy" is not simply a literal translation of the very banal French idiom jouer la comédie, that is, simply "act, feign, pretend playfully"? Circeus (talk) 04:22, 17 February 2009 (UTC)

Also, the "Pactolus" note is an entirely pointless translator's note, as there is no trace of it whatsoever in the English. "Pactole" is a word for "big sum of monney", it doesn't warrant a note and it just confusing without reason! Circeus (talk) 04:26, 17 February 2009 (UTC)
 * It's in the French so we're keeping the Pactolus note. And the other one, about comedy, I was advised to explain it from a French speaker, so I'm also keeping that too. Mike Halterman (talk) 05:01, 17 February 2009 (UTC)


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Class action launched by Australian bushfire survivors against SP AusNet

February 18, 2009 The largest class action in Victorian history was commenced at the Supreme Court of Victoria on Friday the 13th by Slidders Lawyers against electricity distribution company SP AusNet and the Brumby Government in relation to the Kilmore East fire that became part of the Kinglake complex.

Because of the lawsuit, SP AusNet SPN.AX's shares on Monday have dropped more than 13.36 per cent or 14.5 cents, to an intra-day low of 94 cents, was at 98.5 cents at 10:38 a.m. local time, before recovering slightly to be 7.5 cents lower at A$1.01 by 1144 AEDT (0003 GMT) or 6.9 percent in Sydney trading. Shares in SP AusNet closed 3.7 percent lower at A$1.045 on Monday.

Power supplier SP AusNet said it has asked the Victoria Court regarding the status of the class action proceedings saying the firm had insurance policies in place consistent with industry standards. "SP AusNet will continue to update the market as further information becomes available," the company said.

The claim has focused on alleged negligence by SP AusNet in its management of electricity infrastructure. It maintains most of the power lines in eastern Victoria. Its fallen power line is believed to have sparked the blaze that tore through Kinglake, Steels Creek, Strathewen, Humevale, and St Andrews. The plaintiffs include thousands of angry Kinglake farmers, small business owners, tourist operators and residents who lost homes.

Leo Keane, the lead plaintiff in the class action has alleged "SP AusNet owed a duty of care to landowners to operate and manage power lines in a way that limited the risk of damage from bushfires."

On Thursday Phoenix Taskforce had taken away a section of power line as well as a power pole from near Kilmore East, part of a two-kilometre section of line in Kilmore East that fell during strong winds and record heat about 11am last Saturday. It was believed to have started the fire there, since within minutes a nearby pine forest was ablaze, and within six hours the bushfire had almost obliterated nearly every building in the towns in its path.

"It is believed that the claim will be made on the basis of negligent management of power lines and infrastructure," Slidders Lawyers partner Daniel Oldham said. The law firm has announced it was helping landowners and leaseholders get compensation for the 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2009 bushfires. "If you have been burnt by the recent bushfires, please register your interest using the form below as soon as possible," the law firm's website stated.

The Insurance Council of Australia has placed the cost of the bushfires at about $500 million. "That means keeping electricity lines clear of trees and in a condition that won't cause fires. They must also have systems in place to identify and prevent risks occurring," Melbourne barrister Tim Tobin, QC, said. According to the 2006 census, Kinglake had a population of almost 1,500 people.

But SP AusNet's legal liability has been limited at $100 million under an agreement inked by the former Kennett government with private utility operators, when the former State Electricity Commission was privatized in 1995. Accordingly, the Brumby Government could be legally obliged to pay damages of the differences amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.

SP AusNet Ltd said some of its electricity assets have been damaged by the Victoria bushfire. "As a preliminary estimate, it is thought that damage has been sustained to approximately one per cent of SP AusNet’s electricity distribution network, mainly distribution poles, associated conductors and pole top transformers," SP AusNet said in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). It explained that up to 6,000 homes and businesses on its network were without power due to bushfires, including the Kinglake complex fire, Beechworth fire, and fires across Gippsland including Churchill and Bunyip.

SP AusNet said the firm will cooperate fully and will assist in any fire probe. "We stand ready to assist the relevant authorities with their inquiries if it is necessary for us to do so now and in the coming months," SP Ausnet spokeswoman Louisa Graham said in a statement.

"Our priority is to restore power to fire-affected areas as quickly as possible. We believe the claim is premature and inappropriate ... SP AusNet will vigorously defend the claim. If the claim is pursued, SP AusNet advises that it has liability insurance which provides cover for bushfire liability. The company's bushfire mitigation and vegetation management programmes comply with state regulations and were audited annually by state agencies," Grahams explained.

Victorian Auditor-General Rob Hulls said "there was an 'unseemly rush' by some lawyers to sue before the cause of the fires had been fully investigated."

"The government body had audited the network's bushfire risk to make sure required distances between power lines and vegetation were maintained. Power companies had been given a clean bill of health, and electricity firms were judged to be 'well prepared for the 2008-09 bushfire season.' There were no regulations applying to the distances between poles supporting electricity lines and spans of one kilometre were not unusual," a spokesman for Energy Safe Victoria explained.

Christine Nixon, the 19th and current Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police said investigations into the cause of the bushfires were ongoing. "I know people are angry, and so are all of us in this community. But we need to kind of have a sense that the proper processes are in place and we need to go through the investigation and through the court case," Nixon said. "At this stage we are not able to confirm how it started. I understand there is some legal action that people are taking, but at this stage we're still investigating its cause. But the whole circumstances of that fire are part of our Taskforce Phoenix, and as we move through that we'll be able to tell the community more once we're able to confirm or deny what we think is the cause of these fires," Nixon added.

On Thursday, two people were arrested in connection with the fires, having been observed by members of the public acting suspiciously in areas between Yea and Seymour; although they were both released without charges laid.

Brendan Sokaluk, age 39, from Churchill in the Gippsland region, was arrested by police at 4pm on Thursday, in relation to the Churchill fires, and was questioned at the Morwell police station. He was charged on Friday with one count each of arson, intentionally lighting a bushfire and possession of child pornography. The arson case relates to 11 of the 21 deaths in the dire Gippsland fire, which devastated 39,000 hectares in the Latrobe Valley, Calignee, Hazelwood Koornalla and Jeeralang. Two teams of Churchill firefighters were almost lost in the inferno that remains out of control.

Mr Sokaluk joined the CFA Churchill brigade in the late 1980s as a volunteer fire fighter, left in the 1990s and attempted to rejoin twice, but was rejected. He failed to appear in Melbourne Magistrate's Court Monday for a scheduled hearing, since the court reset the committal hearing on May 25. He is represented by lawyer Julian McMahon.

Magistrate John Klestadt has lifted the suppression order which kept the suspect's identity a secret but identifying photographs were barred from being released. Mr Sokaluk was remanded in protective custody from Morwell to a cell in Melbourne for his own safety amid fears angry prisoners will target him and real risk of vigilante attacks. He faces a maximum sentence of 25 years imprisonment if convicted on the arson charge.

"This is an extraordinary case. The level of emotion and anger and disgust that the alleged offenses have aroused in the community is unprecedented." Mr Sokaluk's defense lawyer Helen Spowart argued. The prosecution has moved the Court for more time to prepare its case, saying there would be up to 200 witnesses to interview.

Slater & Gordon has indicated that they were awaiting the report of the to-be-established Royal Commission, expected in late 2010, before initiating any claims.

Armed with a $40 million budget, the Royal Commission's Chair Justice Bernard Teague will be assisted by former Commonwealth ombudsman Ron McLeod, who led the inquiry into the 2003 Canberra bushfires, and State Services Authority Commissioner Susan Pascoe. The Commission has said its interim report is due on August 17 while the final report will be submitted by July 31, 2010.

Judge Bernard Teague has announced Tuesday he will meet with fire victims and fire authorities within the next two weeks. "We want to do that as soon as possible - probably not next week but starting to have these discussions the week after," he said.

Julia Eileen Gillard, the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and deputy leader of the federal Australian Labor Party (ALP) said the federal and Victorian governments would respond quickly to the royal commission's report. "Everybody who has lived through this experience in Victoria and around the nation has asked the question: 'Why? What can we do better?'. No one wanted to see the report "as a book on a shelf gathering dust," she said.

Victoria bushfire experts, led by Forest Fire Victoria - a group of scientists and forestry experts - have condemned the government's "Living with Fire" policy and the state's failure to initiate serious fuel-reduction programs. The Victoria government had failed to seriously act on bushfire safety recommendations submitted last June by the Victorian Parliamentary Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

As death toll rises, evidence mounts of lack of planning prior to Australia’s worst bushfire. "Living with Fire" policy means Kinglake fire trucks were dispatched to an earlier fire in Kilmore, leaving Kinglake undefended. "Kinglake was left with no fire brigade and no police. The trucks had been sent to Kilmore. I've been in the fire brigade for 10 years. There was always a law—the trucks had to be on the hill. Because of the government we got gutted at Kinglake. They should have been getting generators ahead of the fire—so people would have had a chance of fighting it. As soon as the power went, I couldn't keep fighting the fire at my place," Rick and Lauren Watts, and their friend Neil Rao, spoke to the WSWS.

Rick has also criticized the lack of early warning communications systems, since emergency siren warnings in the town had been stopped some years earlier. Humevale resident Sina Imbriano who has six children was angry about the failure of state and federal governments to set up a recommended telephone warning system amid its "stay and defend or go" policy. Bald Spur Road residents Greg Jackson and his wife Fotini said the government's "stay and defend or go" policy was "fruitless" since the critical issue was early warnings, but "they [the government] just won't spend the money."

Also on Friday, five law firms from Victoria's Western Districts, including Warrnambool-based Maddens Lawyers and Brown & Proudfoot, held a meeting to discuss a potential class action in relation to the Horsham fire, which was also thought to have been started by fallen power pole that burnt vast swathes of land in Mudgegonga and Dederang, Victoria. The lawsuit will also focus on the fire that blackened about 1750 hectares at Coleraine.

Maddens senior attorney Brendan Pendergast said: "We don't know who the defendant is at this stage. We are unsure who the electrical supplier is for that area but we should know in a few days. There were people who had their homes burnt to the ground and they will need to reconstruct, replace their contents," he said. Maddens has initiated a register of affected landowners for the recent bushfires, saying the firm has included victims of the Pomborneit fire that burnt almost 1300 hectares in the proposed class action amid the CFA's statement the blaze could have been deliberately lit.

Frances Esther "Fran" Bailey, Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives (1990-93 and 1996-present), representing the electorate of McEwen in Victoria said the Country Fire Authority (CFA) had told her one of the power lines had broken before the fire.

"The local CFA [Country Fire Authority] told me on that Saturday, with those very high winds, one of the lines had broken and was whipping against the ground and sparked," she said. "Whether or not that is the cause of that terrible fire that actually took out Kinglake and maybe Marysville, the investigations will prove that, but we've got to do better," she added.

Victorian Premier John Brumby said the power line claim would be examined as part of the Royal Commission into the bushfire. "No stone will be left unturned. So, I think it's important the Royal Commission does its work. And, the Royal Commission will, of course, look at all of the factors with the fires," Mr Brumby said. At least 550 houses were incinerated and 100 people have been killed, leaving more than 1,000 homeless in the Kinglake bushfire and surrounding areas.

SP AusNet - Singapore Power International Pte Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Power Limited (51% interest in SP AusNet). SP AusNet's electricity transmission and distribution networks, along with the gas distribution assets, enable it to deliver a full range of energy-related products and services to industrial and domestic customers in Victoria, Australia.

Singapore Power ( 新加坡能源有限公司) is a company which provides electricity and gas transmission, distribution services, and market support services to more than a million customers in Singapore. As the only electricity company in Singapore, and also one of its largest corporation, SP was incorporated as a commercial entity in October 1995 to take over the electricity and gas businesses of the state provider, the Public Utilities Board. Since 1995, Temasek Holdings controls the entire company with a 100% stake. SP is involved in a major investment in Australia's Alinta in partnership with Babcock & Brown, after putting up a bid of A$13.9 billion (S$17 billion), beating out a rival bid by Macquarie Bank.

The devastating 2009 Victorian Black Saturday bushfires, a series of more than 400 bushfires across Victoria on February 7 2009, is Australia's worst-ever bushfire disaster, claiming at least 200 deaths, including many young children, and is expected to pass 300. 100 victims have been admitted to hospitals across Victoria with burns, at least 20 in a critical condition, and 9 on life support or in intensive care. The fires have destroyed at least 1,834 homes and damaged many thousands more. Many towns north-east of Melbourne have been badly damaged or almost completely destroyed, including Kinglake, Marysville, Narbethong, Strathewen and Flowerdale. Over 500 people suffered fire-related injuries and more than 7,000 are homeless. It has scorched more than 1,500 square miles (3,900 square kilometers) of farms, forests and towns.

The Supreme Court of Victoria is the superior court for the State of Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1852, it is a superior court of common law and equity, with unlimited jurisdiction within the state. Those courts lying below it include the County Court of Victoria, the Magistrates' Court of Victoria and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (which is technically not a court, but serves a judicial function). Above it lies the High Court of Australia. This places it around the middle of the Australian court hierarchy.


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Talk:Class action launched by Australian bushfire survivors against SP AusNet

I CREATED this interesting news article on huge class action against an energy firm in Singapore. I am Philippines Judge Florentino Floro, having registered with Wikinews on December 3, 2008, and is a Editor as of January 12, 2009.
 * In having written more than "62 articles" (here - User:Florentino Floro/MyList and in Wikipedia Encyclopedia User:Florentino Floro/MyList2), I live with my Philosophy and hope to elevate Wikinwews to the phenomenal success of Wikipedia encyclopedia, by writing very comprehensive, detailed and fully synthesized news, amid collaboration of editors and the final touch of the reviewer. Please do not be annoyed if sometimes, (due to stress and human factor - plus the fact that as lawyer and judge, I never ever had enrolled in any journalism subject), I would tend to relax the copyright rules and style guide, but, without however, violating the SPIRIT AND INTENT of both international law of copyright, and Wikinews rules on style guide. REST ASSURED, that in writing every news article, I VALUE fairness, justice, integrity and honesty. This is what NEWS WRITING is all about. Please help in publishing this news. Ambulance chasing, this is legal term, maybe, for this (when we studied legal ethics - lawyers are damn hungry for big fees, strike it rich fast) Cheers.--Florentino Floro (talk) 07:08, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo times 3
WOAH man...the title is like an article in itself. When up for review it needs to be like 20 miles shorter. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 07:39, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

Synthesis-Satire

 * Well, I deeply understand, that when I put in this wacky long title, I had in mind not the in depth synthesis I am doing, but the REALITY: What's the difference between: a) here in the Philippines, in the 1990s, when there are less death plans, insurance and mortuary firms surround the ICU and the hospital suites even before God has decided to say FINIS, and b) amid the pains and sorrows of the Aussies, law firms turn into wolves called ambulance chasers, unethically being so GREEDY to have a big chunk of the legal Victoria Court bacon. I don't know how to describe it, but the long BUFFALO may. I just love long titles, so that journalists will pay attention to our Wiki weird or wacky news. I will shorten it don't worry. Cheers.--Florentino Floro (talk) 07:38, 16 February 2009 (UTC)

 * Additional minor sources Feb 17:

Singapore firm to fight Australia fires suit Fears grow for suspected arsonist, Aus fires toll hits 200 SP AusNet sued ocver Kilmore, Beechworth bushfires--Florentino Floro (talk) 11:25, 17 February 2009 (UTC)

Cat please
Done editprotected

Please add --InfantGorilla (talk) 08:51, 24 June 2010 (UTC)


text: Talk:Woman with world's longest fingernails loses them in car crash


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Comments:Australia's Queensland Roar through to A-League football preliminary final

It is NOT Queenslands first preliminary final! Last year was!


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Comments:Woman with world's longest fingernails loses them in car crash

It's never a good thing when someone gets into a car accident, but my Lord, maybe she'll keep her nails at human length now. Mike Halterman (talk) 10:00, 15 February 2009 (UTC)
 * I can only conclude that this woman was an utter waste of space. The BBC had a photo of her with the nails; it was apparent she wasn't overweight because there is no way on Earth she could have opened the fridge - let alone been a good little wifey and got out a beer and opened it for you. :-P --Brian McNeil / talk 16:01, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

this "news" is clearly unfit to be one of two items for a day. Reminds me of the concluding remark of the old spectator in Muppet shows Mana Mana clip "The question is: who cares?" AFloros (talk) 12:34, 15 February 2009 (UTC)
 * Wikinews is written by volunteers, who write about what they want. If you see a more important news event somewhere, why not help Wikinews by contributing an article about it. Thanks, Anonymous101talk 15:06, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

I'm not really too sad about this... Having the longest fingernails is really more a lack of personal hygiene than it is a "world record". —69.70.245.76 23:06, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

I feel sorry for her
She really loved her nails. They were her life, but now she feels like she's missing a body part, so I feel for her. --96.232.61.192 22:25, 17 February 2009 (UTC)

why the heck didnt this frieken lady cut her darn nails since 1979 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.148.29.167 (talk) 23:22, 18 February 2009 (UTC)

Was she driving the car with her finger nails in her way of the steering wheel?

the in
The Indians sabotaged the nails as they did not want to be beaten by a lady they staged the crash.


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User:Omega933

My name is Artur. I am with plWikinews. On enWikinews often complement interwiki.

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User:NickK

I am mostly active in Ukrainian Wikipedia.

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title: User:NickK


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"The Simpsons" announces change in title sequence and move to HD

February 15, 2009

The American cartoon series "The Simpsons" will today be broadcast for the first time in high definition (HD). Today's show will also introduce a new title sequence.

Today's episode, named "Take My Life, Please" (20x10), also makes references to HDTV in the Chalkboard gag when Bart Simpson writes "HDTV is worth every cent" on the chalkboard.

This will be the first major permanent change to the show's introduction since its launch in 1989; previous changes have included variations in the duration of the intro, and special one-shot introductions for the Treehouse of Horror Halloween episodes. This new intro also includes some 3D animation when the camera pans over Springfield.

This episode is not quite the first time The Simpsons has appeared in HD, as The Simpsons Movie was rendered in HD.

Fox will broadcast The Simpsons in 720p and will now letterbox the show on their standard definition feed.


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Talk:"The Simpsons" announces change in title sequence and move to HD

licence
I'm the creator of this text, which was done for www.hdtvtotal.com and released the text under CC-3.0-By. greets, --Andreas -horn- Hornig (talk) 15:15, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

review
please review this news. last time, it took too long and the news had to be deleted. I hope, this time, it will be reviewd faster. please keep in mind that english is not my native tongue, so please check grammar. greets, --Andreas -horn- Hornig (talk) 15:15, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

Title sequence
There's only one slight omission in the article. The title sequence was changed slightly at the debut of the 2nd season (1990-1991), and it's that sequence which has been in use until this first HD episode. If we really want to nit-pick, there was only one episode to actually air in 1989, "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire", which had virtually no title sequence at all. The first episode to air with a real sequence was already in 1990, "Bart the Genius". (My Wikipedia talk page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Ericdn) --83.149.3.63 20:34, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

 * Is the change you're talking about that time they took out the 'bus stop' part? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 169.229.109.115 (talk) 21:53, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

real news?
Honestly this can't be considered real news. I'm glad of course The Simpsons is in high definition (hoping Family Guy follows in the same direction!) but really, I don't get how this can be group in the same news caliber as Thousands fleeing after a volcano erupts in Colombia or a japanese tanker MV Chemstar Venus freed by Somali pirates —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.99.50.238 (talk) 22:03, 15 February 2009 (UTC)
 * It's not "headline" news, but it is real, the kind of entertainment news you might find later in the news broadcast. Google news shows a number of news outlets carrying the story. GeorgeII (talk) 22:37, 15 February 2009 (UTC)


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Template:Television

An infobox for Television and its news. ''Are newer articles not showing? [ Refresh]''

Customize this infobox .

title: Template:Television


text: Talk:Japanese tanker MV Chemstar Venus freed by Somali pirates


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File:Simpsons new title sequence screenshot.png

{{Non-free use rationale
 * Description = Source: Fox Broadcasting Company video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZGz1Ajg7QU

Fair Use rational for "The Simpsons" announces change in title sequence and move to HD
}}
 * 1) The screenshot is of lower resolution and quality than the broadcast video (copies made from it will be of inferior quality).
 * 2) No free or public domain images can been produced for this content.
 * 3) The screenshot does not limit the copyright owners' rights to distribute the video
 * 4) The screenshot is intended to represent the new title sequence. Its inclusion in the article is important as it illustrate the topic of the article
 * 5) The screenshot is being used for informational purposes only, and its use is not believed to detract from the simpsons episode.
 * 6) There is no free alternative.
 * 7) TV show owners want screenshots of their programme to be spread as it gives the product greater attention
 * Source =
 * Article =
 * Portion =
 * Low_resolution =
 * Purpose =
 * Replaceability =


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Comments:Australian football: Melbourne through to A-League Grand Final, Adelaide to play Queensland in preliminary final

Can't we just sort out this soccer/football nonsense once and for all? Outside the United States of America the game is called football. This is eminently sensible, because the rules say you have to use your feet - not your hands. Inside the USA they call it soccer, to distinguish it from the so-called sport they have called "American Football". All it needs is for American to accept that "football" involves kicking a round ball and not touching it with your hands. After that, they can rename "American Football" to whatever they like and get on with the rest of the world; I suggest "Testosterone-fuelled retards on steroids". --Brian McNeil / talk 17:34, 15 February 2009 (UTC)


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Burning debris from satellites spotted over several US cities

February 15, 2009

On Tuesday, February 10, the American civilian communications satellite Iridium 33, launched in 1997, and the defunct Russian military communications satellite Kosmos-2251, launched in 1993, collided over Siberia. Five days after the collision, reports have surfaced that burning debris from the collision has been spotted over several U.S. cities from New Mexico to Kentucky.

Calls to 9-1-1 began to come in to Williamson County, Texas sheriff's office around 12:30 p.m. (CT) that burning debris and fireballs were seen falling from the sky onto parts of Austin, Houston, Waco and San Antonio. Residents reported their homes and windows shaking and large explosions. After a search of several areas, the Williamson county sheriff's office reported that no debris or impact sites were found. Earlier unconfirmed reports had said the debris could have been the result of a small plane exploding. Steve Thornton, a resident in Austin told KEYE-TV that he "saw something burn up in the atmosphere going east to west at 40 degrees in the horizon looking north" which was "about the size of a half moon and as bright as a welders torch". Other residents reported to KEYE-TV that they saw an "egg-shape with an orange center and bluish outer aura; a silvery-white tail." Some report the incident lasting about 10 minutes.

On February 13, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued an alert following reports of "explosions and earthquakes" along with "flashes in the sky" in Jackson and Louisville, Kentucky. There were no injures and authorities could not locate any damage.

"The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported to local law enforcement on Friday that these events are being caused by falling satellite debris. These pieces of debris have been causing sonic booms, resulting in vibrations felt by some residents, as well as flashes of light across the sky," said the NOAA in a public information statement on February 13. The FAA also warns that the debris could cause damage to aircraft in areas reporting falling debris.

"Aircraft are advised that a potential hazard may occur due to reentry of satellite debris into the Earth's atmosphere. It is critical that all pilots/crew members report any observed falling space debris," said the FAA on February 13. Both the NOAA and FAA alerts are in place until further notice and cover an area from New Mexico to Kentucky.

However, Dr. Marco Ciocca, a professor at Eastern Kentucky University told WKYT in Kentucky it would "be months" before any of the satellite wreckage enters the Earth's atmosphere. "The debris doesn't simply fall out of its orbit. It will either vaporize or stay in orbit for some time before falling into Earth's atmosphere."

The satellites, both of which weighed in excess of 1,000 pounds, and traveling at approximately 17,500 miles per hour, collided 491 miles above the Earth. Scientists say the explosion caused by the collision was massive. They are still trying to determine just how large the crash was and how the Earth will be affected. The United States Strategic Command of the U.S. Department of Defense office is tracking the debris. The result of plotting analysis will be posted to a public website.


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Talk:Burning debris from satellites spotted over several US cities

Not Iridium
It is not representative of the facts as known to attribute the source of the debris over Texas to the Iridium 33 collision.
 * Although FAA spokesman Roland Herwig initially said the debris was likely from satellites, this was never confirmed. Indeed, he clarifies: "The notice to airmen says we suspect, we don't know, that this debris is from the two satellites that collided last week." Furthermore, the provenance of even this is suspect: 'He said he was not certain where the information that sparked the FAA notification came from, but it was "probably from NORAD," or the North American Aerospace Defense Command, which tracks man-made objects in space. Calls to NORAD headquarters in Colorado were not immediately returned.'
 * This article already cites Dr Marco Ciocca saying that this event is too soon to be from the Iridium collision. Paul Lewis of the University of Tennessee Space Outreach Center makes the same argument about a similar event over Tennessee on the 14th. So does Dr Phil Plait; while that link points to Dr Plait's blog (for Discover Magazine), he's also a PhD in astronomy who's written a book which in part deals with this. I agree with the reasoning as I understand it; consider in particular this description of the debris clouds: most of the material continues mostly along the orbits of the satellites.

So with the government report of satellite debris based on uncertain information and not pointing toward Iridium; and with scientific consensus agreeing that the debris is almost certainly not from Iridium; it is inaccurate to say that the facts point toward the Iridium collision being the source of the fireball. It could have been another satellite; in light of Dr Plait's argument regarding the relative velocities of orbiting matter, though, as well as the sightings of events in Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and now Massachusetts, I'm inclined to think that the overwhelming probability is that this was a particularly large chunk of space rock. --Killing Vector (talk) 02:52, 16 February 2009 (UTC)

It seems like other experts agree that this is likely not from the satelite. Should we correct/update the article? JoshuaZ (talk) 03:26, 16 February 2009 (UTC)
 * There are warnings, alerts that say there is debris. Since Feb. 13. I don't know how much clearer that can be honestly. There is also a good report from the Union of Concerned Scientists; Citizens and Scientists for Environmental Solutions - The debris cloud created by this week’s collision, which took place at an altitude of 500 miles (800 kilometers), is akin to a shotgun blast that threatens other satellites in the region.
 * The two satellites were both orbiting Earth at a speed of nearly 17,000 miles per hour (7.5 km/s), and they collided at a speed of more than 22,000 mph (10 km/s). If the two satellites hit head-on, rather than a glancing blow, the energy of the collision would completely disintegrate both satellites into clouds of debris. Within 24 hours of the collision, the U.S. space tracking system had identified 600 pieces of debris. This large number suggests that the collision must have been relatively head-on. More debris is expected to be identified in the coming days and weeks. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 03:36, 16 February 2009 (UTC)
 * They have some nice charts and such to go along with their report, including diagrams of the debris could. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 03:37, 16 February 2009 (UTC)

 * You're conflating two different things. The collision produced debris; nobody disagrees with that. But, whatever burned up over Texas, whether satellite debris or space rock, wasn't the same debris as the collision debris. --Killing Vector (talk) 12:52, 16 February 2009 (UTC)

dead links?

yields no page and google does not find it. Could this NOAA report be intended? 84user (talk) 03:56, 16 February 2009 (UTC)
 * Yes. Though the 'dead link' link works for some people, and not for others. Will change it though. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 12:54, 16 February 2009 (UTC)


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File talk:Simpsons new title sequence screenshot.png

OMG UNFREE! DELETE!!! UNFREE!!!! DELEEETEE!!!!!11111!1q111111 OMG on wheels!!! 21:41, 15 February 2009 (UTC)
 * How is the FUR unacceptable? --Brian McNeil / talk 21:44, 15 February 2009 (UTC)


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Comments:"The Simpsons" announces change in title sequence and move to HD

Honestly this can't be considered real news. I'm glad of course The Simpsons is in high definition (hoping Family Guy follows in the same direction!) but really, I don't get how this can be group in the same news caliber as Thousands fleeing after a volcano erupts in Colombia or a japanese tanker MV Chemstar Venus freed by Somali pirates
 * It sounds like you're as enthusiastic about Family Guy as this person may be about the Simpsons. I find that hypocritical. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.166.175.146 (talk) 02:27, 16 February 2009 (UTC)
 * Anyone can write articles on Wikinews. People write about things that interest them. Sometimes that is a natural disaster, and sometimes it is a fluff piece like this one. If you think there is a type of story that we should be covering and we aren't, please feel free to pitch in and help out:). Any help is welcome. Gopher65talk 23:07, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

Thanks WikiNews
Not news? Are you kidding me?! I don't normally watch TV; I know I will be today. -- Poe Joe (talk) 22:37, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

This is news?
Why is this worthy of a news entry? Does Wiki News plan to cover a change like this in every televised program now? Why should anyone care?
 * I think one of the longest running TV shows in history is newsworthy when for decades it changes its introduction. The HD part, not so much, but it is nonetheless 'culture and entertainment' news. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 12:57, 16 February 2009 (UTC)

Wikinews ROCK, just like any wiki for that matter.

Stop wikibashing, it's democratic. You don't like it, add the stuff you want. Better to add stuff than remove wouldn't you say. It pleases a maximum of people.

--Z E U S (talk) 12:54, 16 February 2009 (UTC)

 * hi, if you don't like this kind of news, so don't read it. I don't give a cent about sport news, I don't care which rugby team on the other site of the planet kicked whatever butt. I just stop reading after the headline, or after the abstract, if it's not my kind of news. IT'S SO EASY! like ZEUS said, do your own news that interests you and stopwaisting your time by repeating yourself saing this. this will not change a thing! greets, --Andreas -horn- Hornig (talk) 09:55, 17 February 2009 (UTC)

PS: are you sure you aren't german? we're so great in critizising others just because of peanuts! ;) seeing this everyday in our german news-sites. ;)


text:
Airplane that crashed near Buffalo, New York 'was on autopilot'

February 16, 2009

Investigators have stated that Continental Connection Flight 3407, which crashed in icy weather near Buffalo, New York on February 12, was on autopilot when it went down, and that the pilot flying the aircraft might have violated the airline's policy and federal safety recommendations.

The plane involved in the incident was a Bombardier Dash 8, which crashed into a home located at 6038 Long Street in Clarence Center, a suburb of Buffalo. It went down at approximately 10:17 p.m. EST (03:20 UTC), February 12. 44 passengers, an off-duty pilot, and four crew members died in the accident, as well as one person on the ground.

When the plane crashed, it was carrying over 2.5 tonnes (5,000 pounds) of fuel. Amid rain and sleet, the aircraft exploded into a huge orange fireball, sparking a large fire which emergency crews had to contain. Twelve houses near the crash site were evacuated.

Steve Chealander, an investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), said that the company which operated the flight suggests the pilot to fly manually when conditions are icy, saying that "you may be able in a manual mode to sense something sooner than the autopilot can sense it."

"If the autopilot is left on while the ice is building up, the pilot may suddenly be confronted with a very difficult situation," said William Voss, president of the Flight Safety Foundation, speaking to the Toronto Star. "Ice actually changes the shape of the wing. If you don't keep the wings clean you could find yourself in a situation where [...] suddenly the aircraft decides to quit flying."

The airplane's data recorders suggest that there was a significant accumulation of ice on the aircraft's wings and windshield before it crashed. Shortly before the crash, according to the flight voice recorder, the pilots were talking about the poor weather and ask the traffic controller for permission to descend. The airplane's de-icing system had been turned on before the crew had discussed the ice. Recordings of communications seemed to be normal until soon before impact, and the flight crew did not notify air traffic control of any problems.

Investigations have suggested that the aircraft was headed away from its destination airport when it went down.


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Talk:Airplane that crashed near Buffalo, New York 'was on autopilot'

Category
Please add Category:Bombardier DeHavilland Canada Dash 8 64.229.100.45 (talk) 05:14, 14 April 2011 (UTC)

 * Declined on the grounds that this is an encyclopedic category. --SVTCobra 00:19, 25 April 2011 (UTC)


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Australian football: Adelaide United defeat Queensland Roar, through to A-League Grand Final

February 22, 2009

Adelaide United will play in the A-League football preliminary final Queensland Roar in Adelaide on Saturday night. In a top four finals series, which the A-League uses, the preliminary final is a final played between the qualifying Semi Final (1st vs. 2nd) and the winner of the elimination Semi Final (3rd vs. 4th) for the remaining spot in the Grand Final.

Adelaide qualified after losing to Melbourne Victory in the major semi final. Queensland qualified after winning the minor semi final against the Central Coast Mariners.

Adelaide United opened the scoring at the 25 minute mark through midfielder Fabian Barbiero. Barbiero's shot, which sailed into the top lefthand corner of goal, came from just outside the 18 yard box off to the right of the goals.

"I thought we were most probably the better team but we were beaten by a wonder strike, it was a fantastic strike," said Queensland coach Frank Farina.

Queensland rallied in the second half and continually took shots on goal. However, an indifferent Adelaide kept them out. Serginho Van Dijk fired some inaccurate shots while Mitch Nichols had a low trajectory shot saved by Adelaide keeper Eugene Galekovic.

"That's the biggest disappointment. The grand final's not a disappointment, to be totally honest," Farina said. "It's not qualifying for Asia, that was the biggest prize tonight. It's disappointing, but if we keep this current squad together it'll happen. We'll get to Asia and we'll get to a grand final."

Adelaide will now play Melbourne Victory in the Grand Final at the Telstra Dome.


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Japan's economy sees biggest decline since 1974

February 16, 2009 Official figures show that has shrunk by 3.3% in the last quarter of 2008—or an annualized 12.7%, the fastest decline since 1974, when the economy contracted by 3.4% in a quarter. The decline in Japan has been sharper than in either Europe or North America, mostly because global demand for the country's products, such as automobiles and electronics, has fallen.

The contraction was also larger than the 3.1% decline that was predicted by economists, the worst decline of any major economic power in the same quarter.

In comparison, the  contracted 1.5% in the same quarter, and the United States GDP shrank by an annualized 3.8%.

"The data showed a severe picture of the Japanese economy and highlighted the weakness in exports. The January-March quarter is likely to show another minus figure [annualized] in double digits or something close to double digits," said the chief economist at Norinchukin Research Institute, Takeshi Minami.

There have been reports that Japanese prime minister Taro Aso is considering launching a 20 trillion (approximately 218 billion) stimulus plan in response to the recession, but he is hindered by a divided parliament, and an approval rating which concurrently fell below ten percent.


text: Talk:Japan's economy sees biggest decline since 1974


text:
User talk:Herb143~enwikinews

Welcome
DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 03:53, 16 February 2009 (UTC)

Reviewing
Reviewing is supposed to only be done by contributors with 'editor' status. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 06:36, 16 February 2009 (UTC)
 * Although really all the policy says is that pages can be sighted by editors. It doesn't say that a non-editor can't review something and than an editor can double-check the review and sight, or something like that. (Although the policy does kind of imply that reviewers should be editors). Just a thought. Bawolff ☺☻ 08:35, 16 February 2009 (UTC)
 * Well only a contributor with 'editor' status can 'sight' the edits for it to appear on the front page. If it gets reviewed by someone without that, then it has the possibility of being buried. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 17:36, 16 February 2009 (UTC)

Your account will be renamed
Hello,

The developer team at Wikimedia is making some changes to how accounts work, as part of our on-going efforts to provide new and better tools for our users like cross-wiki notifications. These changes will mean you have the same account name everywhere. This will let us give you new features that will help you edit and discuss better, and allow more flexible user permissions for tools. One of the side-effects of this is that user accounts will now have to be unique across all 900 Wikimedia wikis. See the announcement for more information.

Unfortunately, your account clashes with another account also called Herb143. To make sure that both of you can use all Wikimedia projects in future, we have reserved the name Herb143~enwikinews that only you will have. If you like it, you don't have to do anything. If you do not like it, you can pick out a different name.

Your account will still work as before, and you will be credited for all your edits made so far, but you will have to use the new account name when you log in.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Yours, Keegan Peterzell Community Liaison, Wikimedia Foundation 23:18, 17 March 2015 (UTC)

Renamed
 This account has been renamed as part of single-user login finalisation. If you own this account you can |log in using your previous username and password for more information. If you do not like this account's new name, you can choose your own using this form after logging in: . -- Keegan (WMF) (talk) 06:32, 21 April 2015 (UTC)

title: User talk:Herb143~enwikinews