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Talk:MTR

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Spinning off the section Modified Initial System according to summary style
The previous edits to spin off #Modified Initial System as its own article (and to expand with more, encyclopaedic details; considering the length of this main article, and, the existing practice for other sections) and to downsize that section according to summary style had met with unexplained edit warring and extensive simple vandalism/overdone reverts by Citobun, among others. No discussion had ever been launched on either talk pages (neither here nor Talk:Modified Initial System). Please state here your concern and valid reason to oppose such an operation, if there's any. Otherwise BOLD will be adhered to and all such disruptive edits will be reported. Thanks. 219.73.29.243 (talk) 02:25, 1 October 2021 (UTC)

 * I didn't carry out any vandalism. Please do not make false accusations. I don't think splitting off Modified Initial System is necessary unless you intend to significantly expand the coverage of that subject. Secondly you need to stop adding links to a so-called "Harbour Crossing Tunnel" unless you can provide evidence that this is a well-established name, as I have asked of you repeatedly – per WP:BURDEN. I also don't understand why you keep adding circular redirects to this nonexistent article. Citobun (talk) 06:13, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

 * BTW I already suggested the alternative names "Tsuen Wan Line immersed tube" or "Modified Initial System immersed tube" since "Harbour Crossing Tunnel" is not an official name nor is it widely used. It also looks clumsy and ungrammatical. Citobun (talk) 06:18, 4 October 2021 (UTC)

 * I would concur but these are like neologisms invented by the Wikipedian community. The existing name appears at least in scholastic publications. 124.217.188.171 (talk) 06:38, 11 October 2021 (UTC)
 * @Citobun: These names don't exist anywhere else apart from this talk page. 203.218.155.184 (talk) 13:06, 13 October 2021 (UTC)
 * Where have you been? 203.218.155.184 (talk) 13:25, 25 November 2021 (UTC)

 * Where did you find these names? 220.246.91.139 (talk) 05:52, 25 October 2021 (UTC)
 * I went through the edit history and found that you actually did. Meanwhile that article on the MIS has been expanded quite considerably and I would suppose you too would consider it necessary to have a separate article on that, given your precondition has been fulfilled. 124.217.188.171 (talk) 06:38, 11 October 2021 (UTC)
 * Given your precondition has been fulfilled there's so far clear consensus to spin off the section. On the other hand it isn't uncommon for former lines of rapid transit system to have their own articles, e.g., Branch MRT Line of Singapore, the District Railway in London or the IRT Trunk Line and the Fulton Street Line in the NYC. 124.217.188.171 (talk) 07:19, 11 October 2021 (UTC)
 * I found no reason that this shouldn't be carried out. The name of that tunnel isn't quite a relevant point and should be settled separately. 124.217.188.171 (talk) 06:38, 11 October 2021 (UTC)
 * Agree. Go to an appropriate venue to discuss the naming issue around the article for that immersed tube tunnel. Its name got nothing directly to do with whether the MIS section warrants a split. Meanwhile would anyone request to unprotect that page? 203.218.155.184 (talk) 13:31, 13 October 2021 (UTC)
 * Is this getting anywhere? 203.218.155.184 (talk) 11:14, 7 November 2021 (UTC)

 * Please stop jumping from IP to IP, it makes this discussion extremely hard to follow and probably constitutes Sockpuppetry. Citobun (talk) 05:06, 8 November 2021 (UTC)

 * What? 203.218.155.184 (talk) 13:11, 8 November 2021 (UTC)

The expanded article
Now that while there's no longer by logical deduction any opposition towards spinning off the section MTR § MIS and given the spun-off article has been considerably expanded JalenFolf has gone way further to argue not even the redirect is printworthy and removed the R with possibilities tag. The page has also been locked upon their request. They've also proceeded to de-link the redirect to the article section MTR § MIS from as many as ten articles which amounted to disrupting Wikipedia to illustrate a point. The question would be that whether such disruptions (including, but not limited to Citobun's blanket reverts mentioned above) should be tolerated, and whether the new materials in the expanded article should be incorporated for the being under the MTR § MIS section or should that expanded article be restored. 124.217.188.171 (talk) 11:39, 12 October 2021 (UTC)
 * I did wonder why JalenFolf had removed the link to the MIS section of the MTR article from the Wilfrid Newton article. Also 124.217.188.171, I recommend you sign up for an actual wikipedia account. Turini2 (talk) 12:46, 12 October 2021 (UTC)
 * Are those edits reverted already? 203.218.155.184 (talk) 11:14, 7 November 2021 (UTC)

 * Please stop jumping from IP to IP, it makes this discussion extremely hard to follow and probably constitutes Sockpuppetry. Citobun (talk) 05:06, 8 November 2021 (UTC)
 * What are you talking about? 203.218.155.184 (talk) 08:43, 21 November 2021 (UTC)
 * This is simply counterproductive. The content of the enriched article isn't incorporated anywhere. It's like simply scraped. 220.246.91.139 (talk) 05:52, 25 October 2021 (UTC)
 * Cant agree more. 203.218.155.184 (talk) 08:43, 21 November 2021 (UTC)

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"Rail Merger" listed at Redirects for discussion
The redirect [//en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rail_Merger&redirect=no Rail Merger] has been listed at redirects for discussion to determine whether its use and function meets the redirect guidelines. Readers of this page are welcome to comment on this redirect at  until a consensus is reached. Fork99 (talk) 09:18, 24 August 2023 (UTC)

Art culture inspired by MTR
Hi, I believe we should also touch the topic of Mosaic Tiles in each MTR station (and provide local photos) as it plays a significant role on some of the artworks and inspiration for artists. We should also touch base on other temporary art exhibition in the MTR station.

How Hong Kong's MTR stations got their colours | Cathay (cathaypacific.com)

Hong Kong Secret Art: MTR Artworks You've Never Noticed (thebeat.asia) Clcherry (talk) 18:41, 23 May 2024 (UTC)

title: Talk:MTR


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Peijaiset

Peijaiset (in dialectal forms peijahaiset, peijaat or peijaajaiset) is a Finnish concept, dating to pre-Christian times, denoting a memorial feast (akin to a wake) that was held to honour a slain animal, particularly the bear, the animal most sacred to ancient Finns. In modern-day usage, it often refers to the celebrations following a successful elk hunt, or a feast at the end of a hunting season. It may also be used in a figurative sense, denoting any memorial held for things that have come to an end ("peijaiset" over e.g. bankrupt companies). Traditionally, it referred to wakes for humans and animals, but also other celebrations, depending on the region in question.

Karhunpeijaiset (lit. a bear wake) is a celebration held for the soul of a slain bear after a successful bear hunt. Traditionally, a bear was never "hunted" but was merely "brought down". A single man could claim to have hunted and killed a bear, but when the entire community was involved, the bear was simply said to have died. The bear's spirit had to be told that it had fallen into a pit or that it had otherwise killed itself by accident, not by the hunters, to appease the bear's spirit so that it would not be offended, and possibly exact revenge upon the hunters. The ceremony was always a much more elaborate affair than what the most influential member of the community would have merited. In eastern Finland, it would have copious mourners and wailers, and the people would address the bear as a relative, or the son of a god. Its flesh was not eaten, which would have been cannibalism, or, if it was, an elaborate show was made to symbolically render the meat into that of another animal such as venison. The bear's head was usually mounted on the top of a young tree, or on a pike, so as to help the bear's spirit climb up into the stars (specifically, the constellation of the Great Bear), where it was believed bears' souls had come from. Carrion-eaters would then eat it, leaving only the skull, which would then become an object of veneration. A courtyard would also be cleared around the skull. Traditionally, only bears were honoured thus.

Sometimes, the ceremony was performed in the fashion of a sacred marriage rather than a wake. In such cases, the bear was either propped up inside of a frame or strapped to a cross. With all due ceremony, the chosen bride or groom would symbolically marry the bear.

In the present day, peijaiset usually refers to a celebration at the end of a successful hunt or the end of a hunting season, and they are usually only held for moose and bears. On many occasions, it involves a festive evening meal for the hunters, made from the latest kill.

Similar customs have been reported from many other northern people who share their habitat with bears.

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

title: Peijaiset


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André Claveau

André Claveau (, 29 December 1911 – 4 July 2003) was a popular singer in France from the 1940s to the 1960s. He won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1958 singing "Dors, mon amour" (Sleep, My Love), with music composed by Pierre Delanoë and lyrics by Hubert Giraud. Winning at the age of 46 years and 76 days, Claveau was the oldest winner of the contest until 1990, being the first and only winner prior to 1990 to triumph in their forties.

Discography

 * "Dors mon amour"

Filmography

 * Destiny Has Fun (1947)
 * Les Vagabonds du rêve (1949)
 * Coeur-sur-Mer (1951)
 * No Vacation for Mr. Mayor (1951)
 * Le Huitième Art et la Manière (1952)
 * Les Surprises d'une nuit de noces (1952)
 * Un jour avec vous (1952)
 * Sins of Paris (1953)
 * Saluti e baci (1953)
 * French Cancan (1955)
 * Prisonniers de la brousse (1960)

title: André Claveau


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Super Rugby

Super Rugby is a men's professional rugby union club competition involving teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. It has previously included teams from Argentina, Japan, and South Africa. Super Rugby started as the Super 12 in the 1996 season with 12 teams from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, building on competitions dating back to the South Pacific Championship in 1986. The Super 12 was established by SANZAR after the sport became professional in 1995. After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the competition to split into three, the reformed competition in 2021 only included teams from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands.

The name was changed to Super 14 with the addition of two teams for the 2006 season, and with expansion to 15 teams for the 2011 season, the competition was rebranded as Super Rugby (with no number). In 2016 two new teams, the Jaguares from Argentina and Sunwolves from Japan, joined the competition, playing in two newly separated African groups. In 2018, the Cheetahs, Kings and Western Force were dropped, leaving 15 teams. The Sunwolves left the competition before the end of the 2020 season.

The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to international travel restrictions relating to the pandemic, Rugby Australia and New Zealand Rugby held domestic tournaments, Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Aotearoa respectively. Both these tournaments continued in 2021, to be followed by Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, a crossover tournament. In September 2020, the South African Rugby Union withdrew their four franchises from the competition, with plans for them to join the PRO14. The Argentine Jaguares also left the competition.

In August 2021 a 12-team format was confirmed, with the addition of the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika, a team representing the Pacific islands. The tournament for 2022 and 2023 was named Super Rugby Pacific.

The competition has been dominated by New Zealand teams, who have won 19 times in 26 years. The have won most often, with 12 titles.

SANZAAR
SANZAAR is the body that administers Super Rugby, and has the Australian, New Zealand, South African and Argentine rugby unions as its members. SANZAAR also runs the Rugby Championship tournament that is contested by Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa following the conclusion of the Super Rugby tournament; the Tri-Nations preceded the Rugby Championship before Argentina joined the competition. The organisation was formed in 1996 to establish and run the Super 12, and Tri-Nations Tournament.

Competition format

Prior to 2011, Super Rugby was a round-robin competition where each team played every other team once; a team had six or seven home games, and six or seven away games each. The winner received four competition points; if the game was a draw two points were awarded to each team. The bonus points system was also used, where any team scoring four or more tries, and/or losing by seven points or less, receives an extra competition point. In 2016, the try bonus changed. A team now has to score three more tries than their opponents. The top four teams at the end of the round-robin phase then played semi-finals – the first placed team hosting the fourth placed team, and the second placed team hosting the third placed team. The two winners then played the final at the home ground of the top surviving seed. There were 91 regular season games in total. Games were held over 14 weekends with each team receiving one bye.

From 2011 – 2015 the format changed, with each country forming its own conference. Each team within a conference played each of the other teams in its conference twice, once at home and once away. Each team then played four out of the five teams from each of the other conferences once. Competition points were awarded on a similar basis as before. The format of the finals also changed; it involved six teams: the top team in each of the three conferences plus the three next teams with the highest total number of points, regardless of conference. The four lower ranking teams were paired in two sudden death games; the winners of those two games each played one of the two top ranked teams (which received a bye at the start of the finals). Those winners played for the championship.

For the 2016 and 2017 seasons the format changed again, with three more teams joining, one each from Argentina, Japan and South Africa. There were four conferences, with Africa getting two conferences. The finals had eight teams with each conference winner getting a home quarter final. They were joined by four wild card teams, three from the Australasian group and one from the South African group.

From the 2018 season the format changed again, with two South African teams and an Australian team being dropped. There were three conferences, one containing the five New Zealand teams, a South African one including Argentina's team and an Australian one including Japan's team.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the competition had to undergo a change in structure and be split into regionalised tournaments. There were two national competitions, Australia's Super Rugby AU and New Zealand's Super Rugby Aotearoa, and those were followed by Super Rugby Trans-Tasman in 2021, a crossover competition involving the five Australian sides playing the five New Zealand sides. Super Rugby currently only consists of Australian and New Zealand sides, with the Japanese Sunwolves departing the competition after the 2020 season, the South African sides voting to leave to join an expanded PRO14 (Later known as the United Rugby Championship), and the Argentine Jaguares not set to compete in any Super Rugby tournament in 2021.

From 2022, the tournament reverted to round robin format featuring 12 teams, with the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika joining the competition. There are no divisions from 2022 onwards, with one main log being used instead, and top 8 teams qualifying for the playoffs.

Since 2022, each Super Rugby season has featured a "Super Round", where an entire round of Super Rugby matches is played over a weekend at a single stadium; both the 2022 and 2023 Super Rounds were played at AAMI Park in Melbourne, with the 2024 Super Round set to be played there as well.

Background
Before 1996, a number of transnational competitions involving regional and provincial rugby union teams had taken shape in the southern hemisphere. The earliest of these was the South Pacific Championship, which was launched in 1986 and continued until 1990.

Super 6
After the demise of the South Pacific Championship, with no tournament played in 1991, the competition was relaunched as the Super 6 in 1992. The original Super 6 competition consisted of three provincial teams from New Zealand: Auckland, Canterbury, Wellington; along with two Australian state teams: Queensland and New South Wales; and also the Fiji national team.

Super 10
In 1993, the Super Six competition was revamped and expanded into the Super 10 tournament. With South Africa being readmitted into international sport following the dismantling of apartheid, there was an opportunity to launch an expanded competition which would also feature South Africa's top provincial teams. The inaugural competition featured the following teams: Waikato, Auckland, Otago and North Harbour (New Zealand); Natal, Northern Transvaal and Transvaal (South Africa); Queensland and New South Wales (Australia) and Western Samoa (Pacific Tri-Nations winner). The Super 10 was won by Transvaal (South Africa) in 1993, and by Queensland (Australia) in 1994 and 1995.

Super 12 (1995–2005)
The official declaration of professionalism in rugby union in August 1995 led to a restructuring of the Super 10 competition. Following the success of the 1995 World Cup, the rugby boards of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa formed SANZAR (South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby) to administer an annual 12-team provincial/franchise based competition pitting regional teams from the three nations against each other. In addition it was decided to hold an annual Tri-Nations Test Series between the three countries. A significant reason for the development of the Super 12 was the threat to rugby union from rival football code rugby league: part of the business model for the Foxtel pay TV network in Australia was to attract subscribers by offering an exclusive product (such as rugby union) which could not be seen on free-to-air broadcast television. By setting up the Super 12, the Unions had a product that was in demand from viewers, enabling them to sell a 10-year contract for exclusive television rights to News Corp for US$555 million, giving them both coverage and financial support to kickstart the new competition.

With significant sponsorship, and rugby turning a professional sport in August 1995, the Super 12 competition successfully kicked off in 1996 with five New Zealand franchises, four South African provinces and three domestic Australian teams competing. New Zealand's dominance of the competition began in the first year when the Auckland Blues won the inaugural competition defeating South African side the 45–21 in a home final. The Blues would repeat the success of 1996 beating Australian side the ACT Brumbies 23–7 in the 1997 final.

The Blues then reached their third successive final in 1998 but went down to fellow countrymen the Canterbury Crusaders 13–20. This would mark the beginning of the Crusaders' three-year dominance as they went on to win the 1999 and 2000 finals over the Otago Highlanders and ACT Brumbies respectively. The 2001 season was the first in which no New Zealand franchise reached the final, being contested between the ACT Brumbies and with the Brumbies convincing winners, with a 36–6 scoreline.

The Crusaders won their 4th final in 2002 winning all 11 matches and missed out on their 5th in 2003 with a four-point loss to fellow countrymen the Blues. In 2004 the Brumbies took revenge on their 2000 final loss to the Crusaders defeating them 47–38 in front of a home crowd. The Crusaders would bounce back to win the 2005 final 35–25 against the Australian side the New South Wales Waratahs who reached their first-ever final. This was the last year of the 12 team format.

From the early 2000s Australia had started to push for the inclusion of a fourth Australian team, and South Africa for another team from its country. There was also speculation of including a team from the South Pacific Island nations, such as Fiji; or a combined Pacific Islanders team from Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga. Argentina was also pushing for inclusion in the Super 12. In the early 2000s the provincial names from the New Zealand franchises were dropped, so, for example, the Canterbury Crusaders became The Crusaders. Also South Africa followed the New Zealand franchise model, where previously South African participation was decided by the previous year's Currie Cup placings.

Super 14 (2006–2010)
SANZAR announced in December 2004 that a new five-year television deal had been signed that would cover 2006 to 2010, with News Corporation winning the rights for the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and SuperSport winning rights for South Africa. The contract was worth US$323 million over five years, a 16% annual increase compared to the previous deal. It covers international fixtures as well as the Super 14. SANZAR remained free to negotiate separate deals for other markets, such as France, Japan and the Americas.

The TriNations is the "cash cow" for the SANZAR partners as it provides nearly 60 per cent of the money from News Ltd. The Super 14 made up about 30 per cent of the deal. Under the new deal, Australia and South Africa each got one extra team in the competition, and a third round of fixtures was added to the Tri Nations Series. The new Australian team in the competition was based in Perth and was named the Western Force.

The addition of the new South African team led to considerable controversy, including government involvement. Finally, the five teams for 2006 were confirmed to be the country's existing four teams plus the Cheetahs, which draws its players from the Free State and Northern Cape Provinces. For the 2007 season, the Southern Spears, based in Port Elizabeth, were originally intended to replace the lowest-finishing South African team from the 2006 competition. However, the existing South African Super 14 franchises opposed the plan, which was pushed through by controversial president of the South African Rugby Union, Brian van Rooyen. After van Rooyen was ousted as president, SARU announced that the Spears would not enter the competition. SARU investigated the viability of the Spears after discovering serious financial irregularities. A High Court of South Africa ruling stated that the Spears had a valid contract to compete in the Super 14 and Currie Cup. However, because of the organisation's financial and administrative troubles, in November 2006 a settlement was reached. The Spears abandoned their legal case, and will continue to exist, but not compete in the Super 14.

SANZAR rejected a proposal to split the Super 14 into two seven-team divisions, and decided to keep the competition in its traditional single-table format. Argentina and the Pacific Islands remained shut out of the competition.

The two new teams didn't perform all that well, the South African franchise the Cheetahs did the better of the two teams finishing 10th on the ladder notching up 5 season wins. The Australian franchise the Western Force only managed one victory and ended winning the wooden spoon as last placed 14th. The highlight for the Force was a 23-all draw against eventual champions the Crusaders, who defeated first-time finalists the Hurricanes 19–12.

During the 2007 season, 22 All Blacks missed the competition's first seven rounds as part of an All Black "conditioning programme" that was a part of the All Blacks' 2007 Rugby World Cup preparations, and every New Zealand franchise was without players for the first seven rounds. At the end of the regular season, for the first time since 1998, no Australian franchise had made the semi-finals. Although the Brumbies were strong and the Western Force experienced vast improvement, it was a poor season for the Queensland Reds and Waratahs who finished last and second last respectively. Also, the competition featured the first all-South African final as the Sharks and Bulls, who finished 1–2 on the season ladder, both won their respective semi-finals. The final, held in Durban, saw the visiting Bulls win 20–19.

During the time the competition was branded as the Super 14, only two teams won the tournament. The Crusaders winning the 2006 and 2008 tournaments; while the Bulls ended victorious in 2007, 2009, and 2010 respectively.

Super Rugby: 15 teams (2011–2015)
SANZAR unveiled in 2009 its model for an expanded season that would begin in 2011. This model was based around the original ARU proposal for three national conferences: each side were to have played the other four teams from their own country twice and the other ten teams once each; the season has to end with a six-team finals series.

There were four major compromises, however, designed to accommodate certain wishes of each country, that somewhat complicated the model:
 * Each team would only play four, instead of all five, teams in each of the other two national conferences, making sixteen regular season games for each team instead of eighteen, and allowing for a late February start, somewhat placating the ARU and NZRU who wanted a March start.
 * There would be a three-week gap for the June test (international) matches favoured by the SARU.
 * The season would finish in early August so as not to overlap new streamlined versions of New Zealand's and South Africa's domestic competitions.
 * The three conference winners and the three best performers of the remaining teams would qualify for a three-week finals series, with seedings deciding the match-ups. This system is a hybrid of the conference-based qualification system favoured by the SARU and the 'top six' model favoured by the ARU and NZRU.

SANZAR announced in 2009 the addition of a fifth Australian team that would play in the expanded "Super Rugby" competition in 2011. The licence was awarded to Victoria, Australia, and the team's name announced as the Melbourne Rebels. The Australian start-up franchise was given the nod ahead of South Africa's Southern Kings. Brian Waldron, former CEO of the NRL club the Melbourne Storm, was confirmed as the new CEO of the Rebels on 11 January 2010, but resigned on 23 April after a salary cap breach was uncovered at the Storm.

Expansion: 18 teams (2016–2017)
In February 2012, SANZAR chief executive Greg Peters announced that the organisation was considering adding franchises in Argentina, Japan and the United States in 2016, the first year of SANZAR's next television contract. This was also the year that rugby sevens entered the Olympics, which contributed towards increased interest in the sport in many countries, including Japan and the US.

Australian sports broadcasting analyst Colin Smith noted that the addition of Japanese and American teams could result in a TV deal worth more than A$1 billion beyond 2020. Specifically, he stated, "You could have a deal comparable to the other major sports in Australia. Rugby is a college (university) sport in the US, if soccer can create its own league there and sell teams for $40 million, imagine what you could do in 10–12 years with rugby in that market." By comparison, the largest TV deal in Australian sport, that of the Australian Football League (Australian rules), is worth A$1.26 billion from 2012 to 2016. Even that figure was dwarfed by the TV contracts of the NFL, for which contracts at the time were worth more than US$4 billion annually.

Peters added that the conference-based structure was ideal for expanding the competition to new territories, either by adding new conferences or by adding teams to the current conferences. He also discussed the possibility that offshore Super Rugby teams could be a home for surplus players from the SANZAR countries, keeping them in the SANZAR fold and away from European clubs.

Prior to Super Rugby's broadcast contracts expiring after the 2015 season, SANZAR considered several alternatives for the competition's future organisation:
 * Retention of the conference system that was in place for 2011–15.
 * Expansion of the structure to include teams from Asia, the United States and/or Canada.
 * A split of the competition, with South Africa forming one competition with the likely addition of at least one Argentine side, and Australia and New Zealand forming another, with the possibility of including Asian teams.

The last proposal, made by the SARU, was reportedly driven by internal union politics. With only five guaranteed places in Super Rugby but six active franchises, the bottom team in the South African Conference faced a promotion/relegation playoff with the sixth franchise for a place in the next season's competition. Australia and New Zealand warmed to the SARU proposal, as a trans-Tasman competition would potentially allow for more regional derbies, fewer time zone complications and less player travel. However, NZRU chief executive Steve Tew indicated that a competition that did not include South African teams was a commercial non-starter because of large broadcast revenues from that country and because the NZRU considered Super Rugby matches in South Africa to be critical for national team development.

SANZAR announced on 4 September 2013 that South Africa would be granted a sixth franchise starting in the 2016 season, negating the need for relegation play-offs involving the sixth South African franchise. SANZAR then announced on 20 November 2014 that Japan and Argentina would each be allocated a team from the 2016 season onwards.

In 2017, the Australian Rugby Union was rebranded to Rugby Australia.

Contraction: 15 teams (2018–2020)
In April 2017, SANZAAR confirmed the competition would be reduced to 15 teams in 2018 with two South African and one Australian team to have their franchises withdrawn. Subsequently, four South African teams took part: the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers, with the Cheetahs and Kings losing their spots. The Cheetahs and Kings joined the Pro 12, which became the Pro14 from the 2017–2018 season onwards. On 11 August 2017, Australia announced that the Western Force had lost their licence. On 21 March 2019, SANZAAR confirmed that 2020 will be the Sunwolves last season of competition in Super Rugby.

COVID-19: Separate competitions and South African departure (2020–2021)
The global COVID-19 pandemic caused the 2020 Super Rugby competition to be cut short. As health concerns eased, other professional sports returned to play. The Super Rugby season was unable to resumed, however, due to border restrictions and the need for teams to be placed into quarantine upon arrival in each country. This resulted in New Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia forming their own Super Rugby tournaments starting in June and July respectively, so that their teams could compete domestically. South African Rugby subsequently launched its own domestic Super Rugby competition which started play in October 2020.

The three competitions formed were:

Super Rugby Aotearoa featured all five New Zealand teams from Super Rugby: the Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders and Hurricanes. Super Rugby AU included Australia's four teams, the Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies and Rebels, as well as former Super Rugby side, the Western Force. The Force had continued as a franchise after their 2017 post-season exclusion from Super Rugby and were playing in Global Rapid Rugby, also suspended due to COVID-19. The Australian and New Zealand competitions each scheduled a 20-game home and away season in 2020 but Super Rugby AU played two additional knockout matches to decide the Australian title.
 * Super Rugby Aotearoa (5 teams, New Zealand)
 * Super Rugby AU (5 teams, Australia)
 * Super Rugby Unlocked (7 teams, South Africa)

Super Rugby Unlocked featured South Africa's four Super Rugby teams (the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers) plus former franchise the as well as the Currie Cup sides  and. These seven teams competed in a single round-robin domestic format in 2020.

In September 2020, SA Rugby announced the withdrawal from Super Rugby of all of their teams, with plans for the four sides to join an expanded Pro14/United Rugby Championship competition. Super Rugby Aotearoa and Super Rugby AU continued in 2021, Super Rugby Trans-Tasman would also take place in 2021, a crossover competition featuring the Australian sides playing the New Zealand sides.

Super Rugby Pacific: Fiji and the Pacific Islands join the competition (2022–)
In the longer term, a new 12-team tournament from 2022 onwards had been mooted, with the current five Australian and five New Zealand sides to be joined by Moana Pasifika, and a Fijian side. New Zealand Rugby has confirmed that it intends to partner with Fiji Rugby and Moana Pasifika, along with Australia going forward. In April 2021, it was announced that licences had been offered to the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika ahead of joining Super Rugby in 2022. The new format was confirmed in August 2021, with the tournament branded as Super Rugby Pacific, with the competition returning to a round robin format, although the divisions will be replaced by one main log instead.

Current franchises
There are eleven franchises currently in Super Rugby; four from Australia, one from Fiji, five from New Zealand, and one representing the Pacific Islands. Each franchise is representing a franchise area, with each franchise in New Zealand representing a collection of unions, compared to the Australian model of one franchise per union. This model differs from the traditional club-based model of other Australian sports; with 4 Super Rugby teams in Australia compared to the 16 Australian-based National Rugby League teams and the 18 teams of the Australian Football League. The Pacific Islands franchise, Moana Pasifika, played mainly in New Zealand during the 2022 season.

 * Notes:

Former franchises

 * 🇿🇦 Bulls – Pretoria, Gauteng (withdrawn by the South African Rugby Union in 2020)
 * 🇿🇦 Cats – Johannesburg, Gauteng (renamed as the Lions in 2005)
 * 🇿🇦 Cheetahs – Bloemfontein, Free State (withdrawn by Super Rugby and moved to Pro14 in 2017, participated in Super Rugby Unlocked in 2020)
 * 🇿🇦 Griquas – Kimberley, Northern Cape (participated in Super Rugby Unlocked in 2020)
 * 🇦🇷 Jaguares – Buenos Aires, Argentina (not named in a Super Rugby competition for 2021)
 * 🇿🇦 Lions – Johannesburg, Gauteng (renamed the Cats 1998, returned to Lions name 2006; withdrawn by the South African Rugby Union in 2012, returned to Super Rugby in 2014; withdrawn by the South African Rugby Union in 2020)
 * 🇿🇦 Pumas – Mbombela, Mpumalanga (participated in Super Rugby Unlocked in 2020)
 * 🇿🇦 Sharks – Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (withdrawn by the South African Rugby Union in 2020)
 * 🇿🇦 Southern Kings – Gqeberha, Eastern Cape (withdrawn by Super Rugby and moved to Pro14 in 2017)
 * 🇿🇦 Stormers – Cape Town, Western Cape (withdrawn by the South African Rugby Union in 2020)
 * 🇯🇵 Sunwolves – Tokyo, Japan (withdrawn by the Japan Rugby Football Union in 2020)
 * 🇦🇺 Melbourne Rebels - Melbourne, Australia (withdrawn by Rugby Australia in 2024)

Champions
The following sides have won Super Rugby titles since the competition's inception in 1996.

 * 2011 Super Rugby Crusaders vs Waratahs 40.jpg and Waratahs, 2011.]]Notes:

Regionalised Competition winners
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, regionalised tournaments were played for the remainder of the 2020 Super Rugby season and the 2021 Super Rugby season. Those competitions were: Super Rugby AU (Australia), Super Rugby Aotearoa (New Zealand), Super Rugby Unlocked (South Africa) and Super Rugby Trans-Tasman (Australia and New Zealand).

 * South Africa withdrew from all Super Rugby competitions at the end of the 2020 Super Rugby season.

Final appearances, victories by country
In the sortable table below, teams are ordered first by number of appearances, then by number of wins, and finally by victorious seasons.

Semi-final appearances by team

 * 21 🇳🇿 Crusaders (16 wins, 5 losses)
 * 12 🇦🇺 Brumbies (6 wins, 6 losses)
 * 12 🇳🇿 Hurricanes (3 wins, 9 losses)
 * 9 🇳🇿 Blues (6 wins, 3 losses)
 * 9 🇳🇿 Chiefs (5 wins, 4 losses)
 * 8 Sharks (4 wins, 4 losses)
 * 8 🇦🇺 Waratahs (3 wins, 5 losses)
 * 7 Bulls (3 wins, 4 losses)
 * 5 Lions (3 wins, 2 losses) (2 losses as the Cats)
 * 5 🇳🇿 Highlanders (2 wins, 3 losses)
 * 4 🇦🇺 Reds (1 win, 3 losses)
 * 4 Stormers (1 win, 3 losses)
 * 1 🇦🇷 Jaguares (1 win)

Conference winners by team
Between 2011 and 2019, teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have played in 3 separate conferences. With teams playing each team in their own conference twice (home and away) and in the other conferences playing four of the five teams. The winner of each conference is awarded a home final and their region specific conference trophy. In 2016, the South Africa conference was split in two, with Japan's Sunwolves and Argentina's Jaguares added to South Africa 1 and 2, respectively. In 2018, the South African conferences re-integrated, with Argentina's Jaguares remaining in the South Africa conference, and Japan's Sunwolves joining the Australia conference.

Australia
The five Australian teams playing in the competition are subjected to a A$5.5 million salary cap for a squad of up to 40 players per Australian team. The Australian Rugby Union decided in 2011 to introduce the salary cap because of financial pressures. Originally starting in 2012 as a cap of A$4.1 million, it was later raised to A$4.5 million for the 2013 and 2014 seasons to take pressure off the teams' ability to recruit and retain players. The salary cap is a key component of the negotiation between the ARU and the Rugby Union Players Association over the collective bargaining agreement. The fact that the Australian teams in Super Rugby face a salary cap has been attributed as a factor that makes it more difficult for Australian teams to win the title.

The cap regulations have some small concessions:
 * Five players on each team may be paid A$30,000 each per season by team sponsors; this amount is not included in the team cap.
 * The maximum cap charge for a non-Australian player is A$137,000, regardless of his actual wages.

Compared to other Australian 'rival' sporting leagues, such as the NRL and AFL, the salary cap is considerably lower. Two times lower than the AFL and only makes up 55% of the NRL salary cap. However the Australian Super Rugby salary cap stands greater than the A-League, the BBL and the NBL.

Trophies

There have been several iterations of the trophy awarded to the winner of the Super Rugby competitions.

The Super 14 trophy, unveiled in New Zealand ahead of the 2006 season, was made of sterling silver with the competition logo on a globe sitting atop of a four-sided twisted spiral. Jens Hansen Gold and Silversmith in Nelson, New Zealand hand-made the trophy which took over two months to complete.

On 30 June 2011, SANZAR unveiled the new trophy that will be presented to the winners of the Super Rugby final from 2011 and beyond, was crafted from solid stainless steel and polished to a mirror finish. It has a height of 65 cm and a mass of 18 kilograms. The trophy was designed by Blue Sky Design of Sydney. The trophy was manufactured by Box and Dice Pty Ltd also based in Sydney.

SANZAR CEO Greg Peters said "The shape of the trophy is centred around three curved legs, each representing the Conferences involved in the Super Rugby competition . . . The champions trophy is the 'big one', and will become the ultimate symbol of Super Rugby supremacy in the years to come."

The colour on each leg corresponds to the Conferences with gold for Australia, black for New Zealand, and green for South Africa.

There are several other trophies contested during the competition; the Charles Anderson VC Memorial Cup between the Brumbies and Stormers, the Bob Templeton Cup between the Reds and Waratahs, the Ganbattle Trophy between Sunwolves and Rebels and the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy between the Blues and Highlanders. Every year the Super Rugby player of the year is awarded.

Logo
During the last season of the Super 12, Coast Design of Sydney was commissioned to design a new logo for the Super 14. The Super 14 logo broke away from the traditional shield formats, common to many sporting codes, and used Roman numerals (XIV), which is unique for sport in the region. The game's dynamism and speed are suggested by the orbiting football which has three distinct stitches, a subtle reference to the three countries of the tournament.

The Super Rugby logo dispenses with numbers, featuring a large blue "S" with a white rugby ball in the centre and "SRY" below the "S". The three stitches of the previous ball are retained.

Before the expansion to the Super 14, the Super 12 used a logo in the shape of a shield, which had the sponsors name at the top, and then the words "Rugby" and "Super 12". The lower half of the logo used three different coloured stripes, green, black and gold, the respective colours of the national teams of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Naming rights
The naming rights for the competition are different in the five countries:
 * In New Zealand, Investec Bank has naming rights starting with the 2011 season, and the competition is referred to as Investec Super Rugby. During the Super 14 era, sporting goods retailer Rebel Sport had naming rights and the Super 14 competition was referred to as the Rebel Sport Super 14. Previously the naming rights holders were U-Bix and then Telecom New Zealand (TNZ). Telecom used its ISP brand Xtra as the label in their last year of holding naming rights.
 * In Australia, telecommunications company Vodafone has been the title sponsor of Super Rugby since 2017 As a result, the competition is officially referred to as Vodafone Super Rugby. Prior to this, Super Rugby in Australia was sponsored by Suncorp Group through their life insurance brand Asteron Life. Vodafone were also the title sponsor of the competition during the Super 12 era. In the first season of Super Rugby, Australia had no naming rights partner. Previous to that, Investec acquired naming rights in the middle of the Super 14 era from Lion Nathan, who had named the competition the Tooheys New Super 14, after its Tooheys New beer brand.
 * In South Africa, telecommunications carrier Vodacom has naming rights, and the expanded competition is referred to as Vodacom Super Rugby. Before 1999, when cigarette advertising was banned in South Africa, the competition was sponsored by Winfield.
 * In Argentina, telecommunications carrier Personal has naming rights, and the expanded competition is referred to as Personal Super Rugby.
 * In Japan, real estate developer Mitsubishi Estate acquired naming rights in 2018, the competition referred to as Mitsubishi Estate Super Rugby. The competition had no title sponsor in Japan during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Single match

 * Highest score: 96 points – Crusaders defeated Waratahs 96–19, 2002
 * Lowest score: 0 points –  Reds defeated Hurricanes 11–0, 1999; Brumbies defeated Bulls 15–0, 1999; Sharks defeated Bulls 29–0, 1999; Brumbies defeated Cats 64–0, 2000; Highlanders defeated Bulls 23–0, 2005; Blues defeated Brumbies 17–0, 2006; Brumbies defeated Reds 36–0, 2007; Crusaders defeated Western Force 53–0, 2008; Crusaders defeated Stormers 22–0, 2009; Highlanders defeated Crusaders 6–0, 2009; Stormers defeated Highlanders 33–0, 2011; Waratahs defeated Rebels 43–0, 2011; Crusaders defeated Bulls 27–0, 2011; Brumbies defeated Reds 29–0, 2015; Sharks defeated Kings 53–0, 2016; Hurricanes defeated Sharks 41–0, 2016; Crusaders defeated Highlanders 17–0, 2017; Lions defeated Waratahs 29–0, 2018; Highlanders defeated Sunwolves 52–0, 2019; Brumbies defeated Sunwolves 33–0, 2019; Crusaders defeated Rebels 66–0, 2019; Stormers defeated Hurricanes 27–0, 2020; Stormers defeated Bulls 13–0, 2020
 * Highest combined score: 137 points – Chiefs defeated Lions 72–65, 2010
 * Lowest combined score: 6 points – Highlanders defeated Crusaders 6–0, 2009
 * Highest winning margin: 89 points – Bulls defeated Reds 92–3, 2007
 * Highest score away: 83 points – Hurricanes defeated Sunwolves 83–17, 2017
 * Most tries in a match by one team: 14 by Crusaders (v Waratahs), 2002; 14 by Lions (v Sunwolves), 2017
 * Most tries in a match by both teams: 18 by Lions and Chiefs, 2010

Season or streak

 * Most consecutive wins: 16 wins – Crusaders, 2018–19
 * Most consecutive losses in a season: 13 losses – Lions, 2010
 * Most consecutive losses: 17 losses – Lions, 15 May 2009 to 12 March 2011
 * Most tries in a season: 97 tries – Hurricanes, 2017
 * Fewest tries in a season: 13 tries – Lions, 2007
 * Most wins in the regular season: 14 wins – Stormers (2012); Hurricanes (2015); Crusaders (2017); Lions (2017)
 * Most wins in a full season: 17 wins – Crusaders (2017)
 * Fewest wins in a season: 0 wins – Bulls, 2002, Lions, 2010 regular season
 * Fewest losses in a season: 0 losses – Blues, 1997; Crusaders, 2002
 * Most wins in a row at home: 36 wins – Crusaders 2018–2020
 * Most points conceded in a season: 684 – Kings, 2016
 * Largest points difference conceded in a season: 402 – Kings, 2016

Career

 * Points: 1,708 – Dan Carter, Crusaders
 * Tries: 61 – Julian Savea, Hurricanes & Moana Pasifika
 * Conversions: 317 – Richie Mo'unga, Crusaders
 * Penalties: 307 – Dan Carter, Crusaders
 * Quickest Try: 8 seconds – Bryan Habana, Stormers
 * Consecutive Games: 104 – Caleb Ralph, Crusaders
 * Most Caps: 202 – Wyatt Crockett, Crusaders

Season

 * Points: 263 – Morné Steyn, Bulls, 2010
 * Tries: 16 – Ben Lam, Hurricanes, 2018
 * Conversions: 57 – Richie Mo'unga, Crusaders, 2023
 * Penalties: 58 – Christian Leali'ifano, Brumbies, 2013
 * Drop Goals: 11 – Morné Steyn, Bulls, 2009

Match

 * Points: 50 – Gavin Lawless, Sharks
 * Tries: 5 – Sean Wainui, Chiefs
 * Conversions: 13 – Andrew Mehrtens, Crusaders
 * Penalties: 9 – Elton Jantjies, Lions
 * Drop Goals: 4 – Morné Steyn, Bulls

Domestic competitions
Each respective country competing in Super Rugby has a number of their own domestic leagues, which feed into Super Rugby teams.

South Africa actually used their Currie Cup teams as opposed to creating new teams during the earlier years of the Super 12. However, the Currie Cup is now the third tier of rugby in South Africa, below Test and Super Rugby; it is played after the Super Rugby season, and all unions are aligned to a Super Rugby team, though it is mainly the big six, Blue Bulls, Golden Lions,, Free State Cheetahs, Western Province and Eastern Province Elephants which contribute the most to the Super Rugby sides.

In New Zealand, the National Provincial Championship is the most prominent domestic competition below the Super Rugby, in which all the respective Unions are also aligned with Super Rugby sides.

In Australia, the National Rugby Championship (NRC) was launched in 2014. Several teams that played in the former Australian Rugby Championship in 2007, were revived for the NRC.

Argentina, until 2018, like South Africa and New Zealand, had a national championship where several provincial unions competed, the Campeonato Argentino. Another national championship, but for clubs, is Nacional de Clubes.

Japan's main domestic competition was the Japan Rugby League One (formerly Top League), featuring 16 clubs, while the second division, the Top Challenge League, featured 8 clubs.

Fiji's domestic competition is the Skipper Cup, featuring the countries top 12 provincial sides.

Media
Until 2020, in Australia, pay TV station Fox Sports showed every match live and beginning in 2016, free-to-air station Network Ten started showing a full match replay every Sunday morning of the 'Match of the Round' featuring at least one Australian team. Network Ten also showed full match replays of all finals matches featuring Australian teams. From 2021 onwards, Nine Network possesses the broadcasting rights, and any future Super Rugby seasons will have games aired live on streaming service Stan, with the potential for a number of games to be simulcast live on either Nine's flagship free-to-air channel or a multichannel, similar to the current situation with Super Rugby AU.

Super Rugby is broadcast on Supersport in South Africa and is simulcast terrestrially on M-Net. Sky Sport is the official broadcaster in New Zealand. Super Rugby was broadcast in over 40 countries – in the UK on Sky Sports; in Spain it is broadcast by Digital+, and in the United States by ESPN+, which has confirmed all matches will be broadcast live or on demand. In Canada, TSN broadcasts all matches only on TSN GO, their online SD streaming platform. Following the 2020 season though, broadcasting deals with European broadcasters ended, and no new deal had been arranged for the start of the 2021 season.

On 24 February 2021, RugbyPass announced streaming rights for the Super Rugby Aotearoa competition, to be streamed in all territories in the UK & Ireland, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, totalling 100 territories.

On 6 March 2021, World Rugby announced streaming for the Super Rugby AU competition, to be streamed in all territories in the UK & Ireland, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, totalling over 100 territories.

On 19 March 2021, further broadcasters were announced for both competitions, with ESPN and ESPN International being announced as covering North and South America, Digicel covering the Pacific Islands and Papua New Guinea, Telefónica covering Spain and Wowow covering Japan.

On 13 May 2021, further broadcasters were announced for Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, with RugbyPass picking up streaming services in European territories again for the tournament. Canal+ was announced as covering France, ESPN Argentina covering the United States, Premier Sports covering Southeast Asia, Sky Italia covering Italy and TSN covering Canada.

On 14 February 2022, SANZAAR announced the launch of Sanzaarrugby.tv, a global streaming service for the Super Rugby competition to territories that don't have right holder broadcasters in place.

The current broadcasters ahead of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season are:

title: Super Rugby


text:
Hong Kong Tramways

Hong Kong Tramways (HKT) is a narrow-gauge tram system in Hong Kong. Owned and operated by RATP Dev, the tramway runs on Hong Kong Island between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan, with a branch circulating through Happy Valley.

Hong Kong's tram system is one of the earliest forms of public transport in the metropolis, having opened in 1904 under British rule. It has used electric trams since its inauguration, and has never used horse or steam power. It owns the world's largest operational double-decker tram fleet, and is a very rare example of a tram system that uses them exclusively. In addition to being used by commuters, the system is popular with tourists, and is one of the most environmentally friendly ways of travelling in the city.

Timeline

 * 1881: the Bill for construction of Tramway system Hong Kong proposed by Hon F. Bulkeley Johnson, supported by Ng Choy.
 * 1882: The Hong Kong Government published the preliminary Tramways Ordinance with six tramlines (Nos. 1–5 are island tramways and No.6 is Peak tramway). However, the focus was on the Peak Tram, which was of more interest to the government and business interests that largely resided on Victoria Peak. Hence, the tram proposal along Hong Kong Island was neglected.
 * 1883–1888: The population increased between 1883 and 1888, from 173,475 to 215,800. The government hoped the tram system would give quick access to all areas of Victoria and reduce dependence on the chair coolies.
 * 1901–1902: The Bill has processed several readings and finally passed on 23 May 1902 as Tramways Ordinance (No. 10 of 1902).
 * 1902: Hongkong Tramway Electric Company Limited (香港電線車公司) founded in London. By end of 1902 under control of "Electric Traction Company of Hongkong Limited (香港電車局)".
 * 1903: Tracks construction began in stages from Happy Valley, Causeway Bay to Shaukeiwan by September 1903; then connected westbound to Arsenal Street by August 1904.
 * 1904: Trams commenced running on 30 July 1904. Twenty-six single-deck cars were delivered in sections and assembled in the depot. Ten cars had an enclosed saloon, but open ends and platforms (combination cars), with 32-seats for 1st class passengers, and the remaining 16 were cross-bench cars, 48-seats for third-class passengers. Fares for first and third class were ten cents and five cents respectively. Preferential fares for workers on workmen's cars from 1904 to 1909. Originally it had been intended to have three classes of passenger accommodation but two were finally applied, 1st and 3rd.
 * 1910: Company name changed to "Hongkong Tramway Company Limited".
 * 1912: Ten double-deckers introduced in 1912 due to increasing ridership. Open-top design fitted with destination boxes and reversible seats on the upper deck.
 * 1913: Open-top cars fitted with canvas roofs for wet weather protection. First dividend was paid by HKT for the year 1912. Happy Valley track was extended 600 yards.
 * 1914: The London Board was disbanded and replaced by Hong Kong Board with local Directors.
 * 1922: HKT stopped generating its own electricity and obtained its supply from Hong Kong Electric Company. Company name changed to "Hongkong Tramways Limited" (HKT).
 * 1923: Wooden roof progressively fitted on tramcars.
 * 1924: Double track between Causeway Bay and Shaukeiwan was commenced.
 * 1925: Enclosed double-decker trams brought new green livery in service. Waiting room for 1st class passengers in use.
 * 1927: Sided indicators fitted on tramcars.
 * 1928: HKT commenced operation on island and Kowloon buses.
 * 1929: Shaukeiwan loop in service.
 * 1932: North Point Depot under construction and completed in 1938.
 * 1934: Refuge islands began to be introduced at some busy tram stops to increase passenger safety.
 * 1936: Tram fares reduced for competing with the buses.
 * 1937: Coronation week with a million ridership carried.
 * 1939: Air brake fitted on tramcars.
 * 1941: Japanese occupation begins. Limited service was provided. One single-decker was used for freight transport. Service suspended in 1944 due to fuel shortage.
 * 1945: After Japanese occupation, only 15 tramcars were operational out of 112. By October 1945, 40 tramcars were back in daytime service only.
 * 1945: Tram service gradually resumed. Flat fares with 1st class 20 cents and 3rd class 10 cents.
 * 1948: Relaying of double-track at Causeway Bay.
 * 1949: Car 120, first new designed and constructed by HKT, entered service. The last single-track was replaced by double-track. Annual ridership exceeded 100 million.
 * 1950: HKT rebuilt the entire fleet jointly worked with Taikoo Dockyard.
 * 1951: Rebuilding of Russell Street Depot and renamed Sharp Street Depot.
 * 1953: Causeway Bay loop closed and new North Point terminus in use.
 * 1954: First official route map printed for passengers.
 * 1955: North Point Depot closed.
 * 1956: New resilient wheel from Sweden introduced for improving riding quality.
 * 1959: All cars had half-drop windows for the driver.
 * 1961: Tram service suspended under typhoon Ellen.
 * 1964: First single-deck prototype trailer introduced. First tram overturned accident.
 * 1965: 10 additional trailers ordered from UK. Trailers were attached to the backs of tramcars and designed to serve first class passengers only. Service limited to North Point only due to gradient at Taikoo Hill.
 * 1966: Trolley reverser installed at Causeway Road for emergency purpose.
 * 1967: Last trailer built by HKT and withdrawn in 1978.
 * 1969: Few experimental liveries tested on tramcars.
 * 1971: Introduction of female conductors.
 * 1972: Class distinction abolished. Passengers aboard rear and pay-as-you-leave (PAYL).
 * 1974: HKT acquired by The Wharf (Holdings)
 * 1975: First full-body adverts applied on trams
 * 1976: fareboxes installed at each tram front exit, and rotating turnstiles fitted at the rear entrance. Trams in one-man-operation (OMO) and conductors were no longer needed and shifted to become motormen.
 * 1979: Tram no.163 (rebuilt from trailer 1) in service.
 * 1982: Trailers withdrawn from service.
 * 1983: Introduction of route map on tramstops.
 * 1985: Car 12 exported for Expo' 86
 * 1986: Tram refurbishment began. First tour tram No.28 launched.
 * 1987: 2nd tour tram No. 128 launched.
 * 1989: Sharp Street Depot closed and new depots relocated at Whitty Street and Sai Wan Ho.
 * 1990: Trial runs on overnight service.
 * 1991: New built tram 120 in place of 1949 prototype.
 * 1992: Two HKT-built double-decker tramcars exported to the Wirral Tramway in Birkenhead, England. Points automation introduced in place of pointsmen's cabins.
 * 1993: HKT built two maximum traction bogies for testing.
 * 1994: Testing of pantograph on tram
 * 1995: Double platforms at Happy Valley terminus
 * 1997: Final year of The Most Attractive Tram Ads Competition
 * 1998: Introduction of coloured destination blinds
 * 2000: HKT launches new "Millennium" trams designed and manufactured by its own engineering team on 24 October.
 * 2001: Octopus electronic smart card payment system introduced on trams.
 * 2004: HKT celebrates 100 years of service.
 * 2007: Route maps reinstalled at each tram stop. New tram driving panels introduced on 7 November.
 * 2008: Air conditioning installed on tour tram 128.
 * 2009: 50% stake and operating rights obtained by Veolia Transport RATP Asia (now RATP Dev Transdev Asia), followed by full ownership in 2010.
 * 2011: HKT launched Signature trams on 28 November 2011. It features combination of a modern interior design and a traditional outlook with LED displays, stops reporting and AC motors.
 * 2012: HKT launched "NexTram" passenger info system.
 * 2013: HKT proposed a modern light rail system for East Kowloon as a cheaper alternative to monorail.
 * 2014: HKT celebrates 110 years of service.
 * 2015: Following the opening of the West Island line of the MTR, daily tramway ridership drops 10% to 180,000.
 * 2016: HKT gives real-time estimated time of arrival data to Citymapper, becoming the first transport operator in Hong Kong to do so. Launched first sightseeing car in January and first air-conditioned car in June.
 * 2017: Rebrand with new logo, new livery, and new map.
 * 2018: HKT launched fourth party tram
 * 2019: HKT celebrates 115 years of service with series of events. Introduction of Bright Ring Tram
 * 2020: Introduction of day running lights on trams for better night service. Employed Ding Ding Cat as tram ambassador
 * 2021: HKT achieved Guinness World Records as "Largest double-decker tram fleet in service"
 * 2022: A total of 10 Free Ride Days were organised with favorable responses. New fares applied on 11 July.

Practical information

 * Fare – $3.00 (aged 12 or above), $1.5 (children aged 3 to 11), $1.3 (elderly aged 65 or above)
 * Operating hours – 5:30 am to 12:30 am
 * Total length – 13 km (Track length 30 km)

On average, the headway between each tram departure is approximately 1.5 minutes during peak hours. The maximum capacity of each tram is 115 people. Previously, the average tram speed was around 30 kph. Since early 2008, the speed of the trams was increased. The tram's general speed is currently around 40 kph. Most of the trams have a maximum speed of more than 50 kph, while some have a maximum speed of 60 kph. Hong Kong people informally call the tramway the "Ding Ding" and the trams as "Ding Dings", in reference to the double-bell ring used by the trams to warn pedestrians of their approach. Relative to buses and the subway system, trams are often the cheapest public transportation option.

Tickets
As of 31 July 2022, HKT fares are $3.0 for adults, $1.5 for children, and $1.3 for senior citizens. Unlike most forms of public transport in Hong Kong, HKT fares are uniform regardless of the distance travelled. Monthly tickets costing $260 are sold at the Shek Tong Tsui, Causeway Bay, and North Point termini at the end of each month.

Passengers pay upon alighting by either depositing the exact fare in coins into the farebox, with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, JCB and UnionPay), mobile wallet e.g. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay or using an Octopus card. Turnstiles at the tram entrances and closed circuit television prevent fare evasion by passengers.

Tourist services
Sightseeing tours are available on antique-style tramcar No. 68, which has an open balcony and a historical exhibit on board. Sightseeing tram boarding and alighting take place at the sightseeing tour termini: Western Market and Causeway Bay.

Standard tramcars and antique-style, open-balcony tramcars No. 18, No. 28, No. 68, and No. 128 are available for private charter. Charter tram boarding and alighting take place at Whitty Street Depot, except for premium charter tramcar No. 18; its boarding and alighting takes place at Western Market Terminus.

Routes and stops
The trams run on a double-track tram line built parallel to the northern coastline of Hong Kong Island from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan, with a single clockwise-running track of about 3 km around the Happy Valley Racecourse.

There are six overlapping routes:
 * Kennedy Town ↔ Happy Valley
 * Kennedy Town ↔ Shau Kei Wan
 * Shek Tong Tsui ↔ Causeway Bay
 * Shek Tong Tsui ↔ North Point
 * Western Market ↔ Shau Kei Wan
 * Happy Valley ↔ Shau Kei Wan

HKT currently has around 120 tram stops, including its seven termini. The termini, from west to east, are Kennedy Town, Shek Tong Tsui, Western Market, Happy Valley, Causeway Bay, North Point, and Shau Kei Wan. The stops are densely located, with an average interval of 250 m between them. Several tram stops are located in the middle of the road on sheltered refugee islands, which are accessed by pedestrian crossings or footbridges. Track crossovers near the Davis Street, Eastern Street, Pedder Street, Admiralty MTR station, Gresson Street, Victoria Park, North Point Road, and Mount Parker Road stops are used in emergency situations, such as en-route traffic accidents. The majority of HKT stops have remained unchanged since their establishment, but some have had name changes. The Pedder Street stop was previously named Shu Shun Kwun, which referred to a now-demolished former General Post Office building.

Most of the tram stops have dedicated platforms, albeit narrow, for passengers to wait for trams. However, 6 stops, namely Kennedy Town Praya, Hong Kong Cemetery, Wong Nai Chung Road, Nam Hong Street, Chai Wan Road, and the alighting stop of Shau Kei Wan Terminus, have no dedicated platforms and are instead located in the middle of the roadway. Passengers need to cross lanes for motor vehicles to board or alight from trams. Drivers of motor vehicles must stop behind the yellow 'stop' line at such stations and give way to pedestrians crossing to or from the tram, and must wait until there are no more passengers getting on or off the tram.

Interchanges
The Island line of the MTR is roughly parallel to the tram line between the Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan termini. Some sections of MTR tunnels are built directly under roads with tram tracks. Many HKT stops are near MTR stations.

Ferry terminals can be accessed from the tram line via footbridges, such as the Hong Kong–Macau Ferry Terminal and the Central Ferry Piers. The latter contains Star Ferry Pier, which is one of the stops for the Star Ferry.

Fleet
HKT has a rare fully double-decker tram fleet. As of 2014, HKT owned 165 double-axle, double-decker trams. There are three maintenance-only trams (No. 200, No. 300, and No. 400) that operate after regular tram service has stopped. The trams are equipped with sliding windows and almost all have full-body advertisements.

Note: Generally, there are no specific/official generation categories on tramcars. Many of the trams in one generation were simply modifications of the previous, such as open-balcony tramcars fitted with canvas roofs and then wooden roofs. The term "generation" should only apply to the new designs.

Service fleet

 * Mitsubishi Fuso Canter overhead cable maintenance vehicle No. 6016.
 * Temporary truck stand used for raising tram bodies and frames when trucks are removed for maintenance; it has small wheels that allow it to move around the depot.

Current depots
Whitty Street Depot, which opened on 27 May 1989 and is located in Shek Tong Tsui, is the main depot for current operations and trams overhaul. It previously operated as a terminus. When the Sharp Street Depot was closed in 1989, the site was expanded by 1.28 ha. It has a two-storey workshop with capacity of over 100 trams.

Sai Wan Ho Depot opened on 28 April 1989 and occupies a site of 0.7 ha leased from the government on a 5-year renewable tenancy. It lies beneath the Island Eastern Corridor near Shau Kei Wan Road and Hoi Foo Street. It has a capacity of over 60 trams and is for parking purpose only.

Defunct depots
A single, comprehensive depot at Russell Street in Causeway Bay was the only depot of the system in its early days. It was able to house the whole tram fleet (approximately 120 tramcars). By 1932, Russell Street Depot became overcrowded due to an upsurge in the number of trams, prompting HKT to build North Point Depot at King's Road for tram parking purposes (storage for 30 tramcars). Russell Street Depot was later expanded and renamed Sharp Street Depot. North Point Depot closed in 1951; its former location is now the site of the Healthy Gardens complex. In July 1986, the Executive Council approved HKT's plan to establish new depots at Shek Tong Tsui and Sai Wan Ho. HKT claimed that $3.5 million in operating costs would be saved. HKT promised that fares would be unchanged until the end of 1988. Sharp Street Depot was closed on 20 March 1989. The site is now occupied by the Times Square complex.

Current projects
In 2010, HKT appointed a consultancy firm to investigate the feasibility of constructing a 12 km modern tramway system in the Kai Tak Development, built on the vacated site of the former Kai Tak Airport, in place of the Environmentally Friendly Linkage System monorail proposed by the Hong Kong Government. A proposal was submitted to the Development Bureau on 29 April 2013. HKT pointed out that the cost of constructing the proposed tram system is $2.8 billion, which is less than the $12 billion needed for a monorail system. Possible extensions to neighbouring places such as To Kwa Wan, Kowloon City, and Kwun Tong were suggested. Bruno Charrade, managing director of HKT, said that the new system's tramcars could be designed to resemble their Hong Kong Island counterparts or have a totally new design, depending on the government's discretion.

Beginning in 2011, the entire HKT fleet will be refurbished over a period of seven years at a cost of $75 million. The trams will keep their original exterior design, but the outer teak structures will be replaced with aluminium structures. The benches on the lower decks of the trams will be replaced with modern-looking single seats. Digital broadcasts will be placed inside the trams to inform passengers of the next stop, and LED lighting will be installed. AC motors will replace the current DC motors and a new magnetic emergency braking system will be added.

Abandoned projects
During the 1910s, HKT proposed the Kowloon Tramways Project. However, the completion of KCR Railway caused the government to veto the plan.

In 1970, Chai Wan on the east side of Hong Kong Island was developed into a residential and industrial area, which greatly increased traffic demand to Central. Extending the tram line from Shau Kei Wan to Chai Wan was considered, but was ultimately rejected. This was due to low cost effectiveness associated with the need to tunnel through the hills between Shau Kei Wan and Chai Wan to maintain level track. The Island line of the MTR was built instead, and its first phase, between Chai Wan and Admiralty, opened on 31 May 1985.

During the development of Tuen Mun New Town in the 1970s, the government reserved space for the construction of a rail transportation system. In 1982, the government invited HKT to construct and operate a tram system in the area. HKT initially expressed interest in the construction of the railway and intended to operate it with double-decker trams, but later withdrew. The government then invited Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation to construct and operate a light rail system. That system, now known as the Light Rail, opened to the public on 18 September 1988.

April 2017 accident
During the early hours of Thursday, 6 April 2017, a tram tipped over in Central, injuring 14 people. Soon after, it was suggested that the tram was travelling too fast into a turn. The driver was later arrested for allegedly causing grievous bodily harm due to dangerous driving. Two days later, it was reported that HKT suspended a speed monitoring programme intended to discourage drivers from travelling too slowly.

title: Hong Kong Tramways


text:
User:D W Walker

.

title: User:D W Walker


text:
Victoria Peak

Victoria Peak is a hill on the western half of Hong Kong Island. It is also known as Mount Austin, and locally as The Peak only generally. With an elevation of 552 m, it is the tallest hill on Hong Kong Island, and the 29th tallest in the territory of Hong Kong. It is a major tourist attraction offering views of Central, Victoria Harbour, Lamma Island and the surrounding islands.

The summit of Victoria Peak is occupied by a radio telecommunications facility and is closed to the public. The surrounding area of public parks, tourist facilities and high-value residential land is the area that is normally meant by the name The Peak. The Peak also refers to Victoria Peak itself and its nearby areas, including Victoria Gap, Mount Kellett and Mount Gough. Sometimes Bowen Hill may also be included.

The Peak is also known as a residential area consisting of different neighbourhoods. It is one of the most expensive residential areas in Hong Kong and internationally.

History of Victoria Peak
As early as the 19th century, the Peak attracted prominent European residents because of its panoramic view over the city and its temperate climate compared to the sub-tropical climate in the rest of Hong Kong. The sixth Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Richard MacDonnell had a summer residence built on the Peak circa 1868. Those that built houses named them whimsically, such as The Eyrie, and the Austin Arms.

These original residents reached their homes by sedan chairs, which were carried up and down the steep slope of Victoria Peak. This limited development of the Peak until the opening of the Peak Tram funicular in 1888.

The boost to accessibility caused by the opening of the Peak Tram created demand for residences on the Peak. Between 1904 and 1930, the Peak Reservation Ordinance designated the Peak as an exclusive residential area reserved for non-Chinese. They also reserved the Peak Tram for the use of such passengers during peak periods. The Peak remains an upmarket residential area, although residency today is based on wealth.

In 1905, construction of the Pinewood Battery was completed on the western side of the Peak. Harlech Road was constructed around the Peak as a means of resupply to this artillery and later anti-aircraft battery.

During 1904 and 1947, Chinese people were not allowed to live on the Peak according to the Peak District Reservation Ordinance when Hong Kong was a colony. In the 1920s Robert Hotung was the first Chinese person to live on the Peak because at the time he was considered mixed-race. Ho Tung Gardens located at 75 Peak Road, was owned by Robert Hotung for decades, until it was sold in 2015 for HK$5.1 billion or HK$82,258 per sq.ft.

Historically, apart from houses owned by the government, banks and corporations and lived on by their officials and chairmen, the Peak also had some multi-block estates, with medium-sized flats used as housing for more junior staff. These are located on less prestigious streets, such as Guildford Road and Mount Kellett Road, which face Southside instead of Victoria Harbour.

In November 1996 businessman Wong Yuk Kwan paid HK$540 million for a house at 23 Severn Road called 'Genesis,' which was built in the 1980s by Heung Chi-kau. Another house Wong bought was 10-18 Pollock's Path, known as 'Skyhigh.' Owned by HSBC and lived in by the bank's Chairmen, Skyhigh was sold to Kazuo Wada, the president of Yaohan, for HK$85 million in early 1990s. Because Yaohan went bankrupt, Kazuo Wada sold to businessman Wong Yuk Kwan for HK$370 million. In 2004, after SARS, actor Stephen Chow bought Skyhigh, and brought in Ryoden Development as a joint venture partner to rebuild the land into four houses. Genesis was sold by creditors in 2001 for HK$240m, less than 50% of what Wong Kwan paid.

These property transactions at the Peak were desperate sales by cash-strapped businessmen during an economic crisis.

Changes in neighbourhood
Some large houses on The Peak with historic values, including homes of consulates, and government buildings were demolished over the decades and redeveloped into smaller houses within managed complexes. In 2006, Sun Hung Kai Properties paid HK$1.8b, or 42,196 per sq.ft. through a government auction for a plot at 12 Mount Kellett Road, where there were blocks of flats as housing for medium-grade officials. In 2022, a house at the complex 'Twelve Peaks' at 12 Mount Kellett Road was sold by the creditors of HNA Chairman Chen Feng, whose business in mainland China was bankrupt, for HK$390m, or HK$91,959 per sq. ft. Chen Feng paid HK$506m in 2016 or HK$119,323 per sq.ft.

Despite record-breaking transactions reported by international news, In fact, The Peak is not the most expensive residential area in Hong Kong. Deep Water Bay and Jardine's Lookout are also one of the most expensive residential areas. A house at 75 Deep Water Bay Road, near Li Ka-shing's home, was sold by Pan Sutong for HK$3.3b, or HK$240,000 per sq.ft., Cheung Chung-kiu, Chairman of CC Land, purchased 1 Purves Road, Jardine's Lookout for about HK$760 million, or around HK$100,000 per square foot. In 2018, a site on Perkins Road, Jardine's Lookout, was sold for HK$145,000 per sq.ft. Transactions of these two houses that do not face harbour views indicate a few with harbour views in Jardine's Lookout are valued at

Another benchmark for measuring values is the annual published figures by the government's rating and valuation department, based on estimated rental values, although such properties are not rented out to third parties. Figures published in 2021 included 35 Barker Road, owned by Lee Shau-kee, to be among the top five most valuable houses. However, 35 Barker Road consists of three houses, and so it should not be compared to other houses.

The Peak has a diverse mix of apartment buildings and houses, and as a tourist destination, also has hospitals, schools and malls. Many properties are also owned for rental purposes typically occupied by expatriate. The Mount Austin is a complex owned by Nan Fung Group with apartments of sizes ranging from 696 sq.ft. Plantation Road has a property with many purpose-built blocks for rent, temporary staff housing of small units and facilities for staff.

Barker Road is one of the most desirable streets because it is located below the level where harbour views are affected during foggy seasons. In 2010, Lee Shau Kee, Chairman of Henderson Land Development, bought a site at 35 Barker Road for HK$1.82b and rebuilt into three houses as his family's dwellings after originally living in a penthouse on Mid-levels. In 2015, Alibaba's founder Jack Ma bought a house on Barker Road for HK$1.5b or HK$150,000 per sq.ft.

In 2020, developer The Wharf (Holdings) bought a plot at Mansfield Road on the Peak for HK$12b or HK$46,300 per sq. ft. through government auction. This site is one of the last plots of sites owned by the Hong Kong Government used previously as accommodation for civil servants.

In July 2024, the owner of 46 Plantation Road sold four houses with the plot for HK$ 11 billion which represented around HK$ 65,000 per sq.ft. The property faces Victoria Harbour on a long road that has many properties of different types. The price per sq.ft. represents a decrease of around 50% compared to the level in the late-2010s.

Ecology
The Peak is home to many species of birds, most prominently the black kite, and numerous species of butterflies. Wild boar and porcupines are also seen on Peak, along with a variety of snakes.

Tourism
With some seven million visitors every year, the Peak is a major tourist attraction of Hong Kong. It has views of the city and its waterfront. The viewing deck also has coin-operated telescopes that the visitors can use to enjoy the cityscape. The number of visitors led to the construction of two major leisure and shopping centres, the Peak Tower and the Peak Galleria, situated adjacent to each other.

The Peak Tower incorporates the upper station of the Peak Tram, the funicular railway that brings passengers up from the St. John's Anglican Cathedral in Hong Kong's Central district, whilst the Peak Galleria incorporates the bus station used by the Hong Kong public buses and green minibuses on the Peak. The Peak is also accessible by taxi and private car via the circuitous Peak Road, or by walking up the steep Old Peak Road from near the Zoological Botanical Gardens or the Central Green Trail from Hong Kong Park. The nearest MTR station is Central.

Victoria Peak Garden is located on the site of Mountain Lodge, the Governor's old summer residence, and is the closest publicly accessible point to the summit. It can be reached from Victoria Gap by walking up Mount Austin Road, a climb of about 150 m. Another popular walk is the level loop along Lugard and Harlech Roads, giving good views of the entire Hong Kong Harbour and Kowloon, as well as Lantau and Lamma Islands, encircling the summit at the level of the Peak Tower.

There are several restaurants on Victoria Peak, most of which are located in the two shopping centres. However, the Peak Lookout Restaurant, is housed in an older and more traditional building which was originally a spacious house for engineers working on the Peak Tramway. It was rebuilt in 1901 as a stop area for sedan chairs, but was re-opened as a restaurant in 1947.

Official residences in Victoria Peak
The Peak is home to a few other key officials in Hong Kong:
 * 19 Severn Road – residence of the Secretary for Justice
 * Victoria House and Victoria Flats at 15 Barker Road – residence of the Chief Secretary for Administration
 * Headquarters House 11 Barker Road – residence of the Commander of PLA Forces in Hong Kong and former home of the Commander-in-Chief of British Forces
 * Chief Justice's House 18 Gough Hill Road – residence of the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal

Education
Victoria Peak is in Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 11. Within the school net are multiple aided schools (operated independently but funded with government money) and the following government schools: Bonham Road Government Primary School and Li Sing Primary School (李陞小學).

German Swiss International School maintains a campus on Victoria Peak.

title: Victoria Peak


text:
Talk:Pfizer

Reasons for Removal of "with no severe side effects"
I just removed that from the description of the Pfizer vaccine trial because not only does the source never even mention anything about side effects the Pfizer trial did list 13 serious side effects The most common serious adverse events in the vaccine group which were numerically higher than in the placebo group were appendicitis (7 in vaccine vs 2 in placebo), acute myocardial infarction (3 vs 0), and cerebrovascular accident (3 vs 1).

is The BMJ censored on WP?
The change https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pfizer&type=revision&diff=1053300922&oldid=1053250071 is deleting text from the article with the summary stating "it needs first a classification by other experts". Since when WP has introduced the terms "experts" and maybe "non-experts"? The BMJ is not authoritative enough? The very fact there is an article in WP on The BMJ is adding some credibility, and reading the said article ought to provide enough trust in its integrity.

Even if a text is deleted from the article, a note to the talk page is expected, isn't it? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 151.251.252.1 (talk) 14:23, 1 February 2022 (UTC)

Quick thanks
Thank you Liaton9000 for finding better references for the transmission controversy paragraph.

Blessings, 2600:4040:780C:6F00:D60:19E6:BF70:BEF3 (talk) 17:46, 15 October 2022 (UTC)

Project Veritas
Shouldn't there be a mention of the video published on Twitter by Project Veritas in late January 2023, in which a high-level employee revealed that Pfizer was secretly carrying out gain-of-function research in its labs ? Oclupak (talk) 07:22, 28 January 2023 (UTC)

 * Wikipedia is aggregator of selected corporate media (aka reliable sources). As long as they are silent, you can't really do anything. They will revert all of your changes. It's rigged game Mintus590 (talk) 08:57, 28 January 2023 (UTC)
 * Rigged game indeed. Am quite aware of that. I also believe it is good practice to point it out, once in a while, as you so eloquently did. Oclupak (talk) 21:00, 28 January 2023 (UTC)
 * These are WP:NOTFORUM and WP:RECENTISM comments - keep your attention on the talk page to improving the article with WP:RS sources, which the PV Twitter video is not. Pfizer has responded, denying any gain-of-function research. In vaccine development, it is an obligation to study the virus and its variants to safely engineer future successful vaccines. The forum for judging Pfizer's (and Moderna's) vaccine performance is in the peer-reviewed literature, not via Twitter, news reports or conspiracy theories. Zefr (talk) 21:26, 28 January 2023 (UTC)
 * Point well taken. It's just that I feel an enormous responsibility to bring to the attention of others information they do not have, which has the potential of causing them to rethink long-held ideas, even if those ideas are totally ignored or outrightly rejected by the Main Stream Media (MSM), and for good reason as this one-minute YouTube video clearly demonstrates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR5C1gtaBl4
 * The point I'm trying to make is that relying exclusively on what often-corrupt MSM considers newsworthy deprives us of an enormous quantity of diverging viewpoints.
 * My aim here is to broaden the spectrum of knowledge available to Wikipedia users who rely too heavily on what is erroneously described as Reliable Sources (RS). It's fine to allow Pfizer to publish its rebuttal, but the initial part of the controversy should also be made readily available. Oclupak (talk) 22:22, 28 January 2023 (UTC)

Even if this story has yet to be reported on by "reliable sources", it probably should still get a mention considering the sheer size of the story itself and has the potential to bring down the monolith that is Pfizer Inc. if stories from the likes of Atlas Shrugged are to believed. I know that The Epoch Times is no longer considered a "reliable source" since ~2019/2020 but still this is a good article: https://www.theepochtimes.com/pfizer-responds-after-director-says-company-is-developing-ways-to-mutate-covid-19_5017297.html and a free version is offered on ZeroHedge here: https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/pfizer-responds-after-director-says-company-developing-ways-mutate-covid-19 which of note is also not a "reliable source" (although they should both be considered "reliable" since they're only "unreliable" on left-wing political terms with top communists on WP like User:Slatersteven just to unfortunately name names who are obviously biased. And although Pfizer has "rebutted" the claims in the Project Veritas video, it does not mean that PV is wrong (or lying) and one could certainly make the claim that Pfizer is just trying to cover their butts with this one. The Project Veritas video should be put into the main WP article and once Mainstream Media outlets start covering the story (because many journos just copy from WP), they can be added as citations afterwards wether Pfizer Inc. likes it or not. 2A02:C7C:5C36:1100:7994:ED7:CDBA:68B4 (talk) 01:22, 29 January 2023 (UTC) https://www.minds.com/wclifton968 (not logged in because of a perma account ban)
 * No, it won't be going in. If you keep making personal attacks like that which is a violation of WP:NPA, you will be bloked.   scope_creep Talk  01:29, 29 January 2023 (UTC)
 * Its not a good article if it is not an RS, and we judge weight by wp:rs not "some crappy websites". Slatersteven (talk) 10:05, 29 January 2023 (UTC)
 * Problem is that in this instance most, if not all, ‘’Reliable Sources’’ seem to have been bought and paid for by Pfizer:
 * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR5C1gtaBl4
 * Can we really trust those media to report a news item that may prove detrimental to one of their sponsors, and a most generous one at that?
 * Therefore, what is the proper course of action in those circumstances? Aren't Wikipedia users entitled to know what is going on about this controversy? Oclupak (talk) 13:15, 29 January 2023 (UTC)
 * Wikipedia's goal is to accurately represent what Reliable Sources say. We are not here to WP:RIGHTGREATWRONGS or represent what individual editors think is the WP:TRUTH. If you have a problem with that, you will need to change some of the core foundations of Wikipedia, and this certainly is not the place for such a discussion. Cakelot1 (talk) 08:05, 30 January 2023 (UTC)
 * Eureka! I have found a rather lenghty article relating what has been going on in the Veritas/Pfizer caper at https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11678281/Undercover-footage-reveals-Pfizer-exploring-manipulating-COVID-make-potent.html
 * The Daily Mail qualifies as a Reliable Source, right? Can we therefore extract a few items from this publication and append them to the Pfizer article for the benefit of all Wikipedia users who might be interested to know what the fuss is all about? Oclupak (talk) 03:50, 31 January 2023 (UTC)
 * No. — SamX [talk • contribs] 03:52, 31 January 2023 (UTC)
 * The Daily Mail is not WP:RS - it is WP:DEPS. Zefr (talk) 04:06, 31 January 2023 (UTC)

Collaborations / Acquisitions
Pfizer collaborated with a company called ArQule that was falsley claiming to be "automating" chemistry when the VP of chemistry was so computer illiterate he didn't even have one on his desk, adamant it was a waste of time and to do things by hand despite telling investors and clients otherwise. Pfizer eventually "acquired" this so called technology. Pfizer acquired RGO Biosciences anyway despite the fact they'd been falsely claiming to have activity with their TCPC. RGO key scientists were people who had only ever worked for temp agencies prior despite there being many qualified people available. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Steve Brackett (talk • contribs) 06:44, 6 August 2023 (UTC)

Wiki Education assignment: NAS 348 Global Climate Change
— Assignment last updated by TotalSolarEclipse (talk) 16:55, 24 February 2024 (UTC)

title: Talk:Pfizer


text:
List of newspapers in Hong Kong

This is a list of newspapers in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is home to many of Asia's biggest English and Chinese language newspapers. The territory has one of the world's largest press industries and is a major centre for print journalism.

Popularity
The Chinese language newspapers Headline Daily and Oriental Daily News have the highest shares in the Hong Kong newspaper market, while the Hong Kong Economic Times is the best-selling financial newspaper. The Standard, a free tabloid with a mass market strategy, is the most widely circulated English newspaper by a significant margin. Its rival, South China Morning Post, has the most paid subscribers among English-language papers in Hong Kong.

Apple Daily had one of the highest circulations before its closure in 2021. It had a feisty, tabloid style, concentrating on celebrity gossip and paparazzi photography, with sensationalist news reportage and a noted anti-government political position. The Chinese language publications were written to some degree with colloquial Cantonese phrases.

Media landscape and pricing
The number of newspapers in the market has been stable for a long time. Occasional attempts to establish new types of newspaper and themed papers generally cannot compete with the established brands. However, the entry into the market of free newspapers Metropolis Daily, Headline Daily, am730, and The Epoch Times spurred competition. In September 2007, The Standard changed its business model from a traditional daily into a free-sheet, distributed in commercial districts like Central and Admiralty.

Most papers sell at a cover price of HK$9-10, except South China Morning Post (HK$9, while the Sunday edition, Sunday Morning Post, costs HK$10). The economic recession brought about by SARS in 2003 led to some resellers pricing at $1 below the recommended price. According to the HK Newspaper Hawkers Association, the situation lasted through to 2008, when around 10% of sellers maintained the cut price despite the change in the prevailing economic climate. The Association urged a return to resale price maintenance.

Chinese-language newspapers
Newspapers in Hong Kong are considered to follow a particular political stance, with most being either pro-Beijing or pro-democracy. A few are neutral, or are oriented towards finance or religion. There has long been a lively tabloid sector, including Oriental Daily, The Sun and (formerly) Apple Daily.

English-language newspapers
Hong Kong is also the base of regional editions of foreign English-language newspapers. The International New York Times and Financial Times are published in Hong Kong.

From 10 September 2007, The Standard switched to free, advertising-supported distribution. The South China Morning Post announced on 11 December 2015 that the Alibaba Group would acquire the South China Morning Post from Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok, who had owned it since 1993. As of 5 April 2016, the South China Morning Post's online content became free to read.

Online only

 * Hong Kong Free Press
 * Asia Times

Newspapers in other languages

 * Hong Kong Post (香港ポスト) (Japanese)
 * Wednesday Journal (홍콩수요저널) (Korean)
 * Suara (Indonesian)
 * Filipino Globe (Filipino)
 * The SUN (Filipino)
 * Hong Kong News (Filipino)
 * Everest Weekly (Nepalese)

title: List of newspapers in Hong Kong


text:
Talk:Scientology beliefs and practices

"Flag Land Base Day" listed at Redirects for discussion
The redirect [//en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Flag_Land_Base_Day&redirect=no Flag Land Base Day] has been listed at redirects for discussion to determine whether its use and function meets the redirect guidelines. Readers of this page are welcome to comment on this redirect at  until a consensus is reached. Grorp (talk) 06:04, 23 June 2023 (UTC)

"Narconon Day" listed at Redirects for discussion
The redirect [//en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Narconon_Day&redirect=no Narconon Day] has been listed at redirects for discussion to determine whether its use and function meets the redirect guidelines. Readers of this page are welcome to comment on this redirect at  until a consensus is reached. Grorp (talk) 00:36, 25 July 2023 (UTC)

Infinity is God of Scientology
The eight dynamics informed that ♾ infinity is god of Scientology. 0 to ♾. 124.123.172.124 (talk) 19:12, 13 August 2023 (UTC)

 * That is already covered in Scientology beliefs and practices. Grorp (talk) 03:24, 14 August 2023 (UTC)

Wiki Education assignment: ENG 21011 Research Writing
— Assignment last updated by Wordnerd104 (talk) 14:26, 10 October 2023 (UTC)

 * Thank you for your good faith edits in Scientology beliefs and practices . I don't want to discourage you, a student, so I'm writing this explanation. I have removed your edits because history and side stories about Scientology belong in some other articles, not in 'beliefs and practices'. History of the movement should go in History of Dianetics and Scientology, and there are several Hubbard biography/history articles listed in Template:L. Ron Hubbard life sidebar. The Haggis information is covered in Paul Haggis. Your original edits are recorded in the edit history of the Scientology beliefs and practices article. ▶ I am Grorp ◀  06:23, 21 October 2023 (UTC)

title: Talk:Scientology beliefs and practices


text:
Talk:Ley line/Ley lines and probability

An estimate of the probability of ley lines existing by chance
For those interested in the mathematics, the following is a very approximate estimate of the probability of "ley line"-like alignements, assuming a plane covered with uniformly distributed "significant" points.

Consider a set of n points in an area with approximate diameter d. Consider a valid line to be one where every point is within distance w/2 of the line (that is, lies on a straight track of width w).

Consider all the unordered sets (known as combinations) of k points from the n points, of which there are (see factorial for the notation used):

 * $$ \frac {n!} {(n-k)!k!} $$

What is the probability that any given set of points fits a ley line? Let's very roughly consider the line drawn through the "leftmost" and "rightmost" two points of the k selected points (for some arbitary left/right axis: we can choose top and bottom for the exceptional vertical case). These two points are by definition on this line. For each of the remaining k-2 points, the probability that the point is "near enough" to the line is roughly w/d.

So, the expected number of k-point ley lines is very roughly

 * $$ \frac {n!} {(n-k)!k!} \left({\frac{w}{d}}\right)^{k-2}$$

Proportionality in d
Now let's investigate the variation of value of the formula above in terms of d. For n >> k the formula above is very approximately

 * $$ \frac {n^k} {k!} \left({\frac{w}{d}}\right)^{k-2}$$

Now assume that area is equal to $$d^2$$, and say there is a density α of points such that $$n = \alpha d^2$$.

Then we have the expected number of lines equal to:

 * $$ \frac {\alpha^k d^{2k}} {k!} \left( {\frac{w}{d}} \right)^{k-2}$$

Gathering the terms in k we have an expected number of k-point lines in the area $$d^2$$ of:

 * $$d^{k+2} \frac {\alpha^k} {k!} w^{k-2}$$

Thus, contrary to intuition, the number of k-point lines expected from random chance increases much more than linearly with the size of the area considered.

Numerical results
Plugging in some typical values for the variables, and using the exact formula for combinations, rather than the approximation:
 * w = 50m, the width corresponding to a 1mm pencil line on a 50000:1 map
 * d = 100km
 * α = 5.5 × 10-8m-2 (50 points in a 30km square area)
 * k = 5

we get expected values of 942.83 4-point leys 51.48 5-point leys 2.34 6-point leys 0.09 7-point leys for this 100 km diameter area. Note that longer leys should in general include shorter leys as subsets.

Doubling the width of the area under consideration to 200km causes the number of expected lines for each value of k to explode:

60837.93 4-point leys 6680.00 5-point leys 610.94 6-point leys 47.87 7-point leys 3.28 8-point leys

Hence, the existence of long-distance ley line alignments in the English landscape should not surprise us. This result is even more extreme if scaled up to 400 km, the characteristic scale of the entire United Kingdom.

title: Talk:Ley line/Ley lines and probability