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• Islamist protests in Egypt (July 2013–present):
  • A huge explosion hits the Dakahlia security directorate in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura, killing 16 and injuring at least 134. (Al Ahram) (Reuters)
• 2013 South Sudanese political crisis:
  • The United Nations says that they have discovered a mass grave containing 75 bodies in Unity State, and two other mass graves have been reported in Juba. (Irish Times)
  • South Sudan's government says its military has recaptured the key town of Bor, days after it was seized by rebels. (Channel 4 News)
• A Palestinian sniper kills a Bedouin laborer who was repairing the Israeli fence surrounding Gaza; following this, the Israeli Military attacked targets in Gaza with airstrikes and ground forces, killing at least one Palestinian three-year-old child and wounding several others.(The New York Times) (The Times of Israel)
• The New People's Army, the armed branch of the Communist Party of the Philippines, torches 3 taxis in Panabo, Davao del Norte, just before a Christmas 'truce'. (GMA News)

• Pope Francis visits Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI before celebrating his first Christmas Mass. (Slate)

• American Express is ordered to pay US$75.7 million in restitution and fines to customers and federal regulators over billing people for services they never received. (Bloomberg)

• The United Kingdom pledges US$1 billion for the Philippines to help with the reconstruction due to the destruction of Typhoon Haiyan. (The Philippine Star)
• Heavy winds and rain disrupt transportation and cut power in parts of France and the United Kingdom, bringing the death toll of the last two days of storms to 6. (Reuters)
• Two NASA astronauts at the International Space Station complete a series of spacewalks to replace a faulty ammonia coolant pump. (FOX News) (NASA)

• A Cryptolocker ransomware has infected about 250,000 computers around the world. (BBC)

• Today is the deadline for U.S. residents to sign up without penalty for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. (Fox News)

South Sudan bump (again)

During ongoing fighting in South Sudan, a mass grave containing around 75 bodies is discovered.

Mass grave of at around 75 bodies discovered. BBC. The Rambling Man (talk) 15:28, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Could support. You have a suggested blurp? μηδείς (talk) 15:34, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Blurb above. The Rambling Man (talk) 15:47, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• Unopposed I won't support this outright, since the current item is two days from the bottom of the ticker, and we might get more, even worse news in the meantime. Perhaps updating the blurb but leaving it in place instead of putting it to the top will be better? A south sudan unrest sticky might also be good. μηδείς (talk) 15:59, 24 December 2013 (UTC)
• Comment. There appears to be three mass graves in total. We also have Salva Kiir claiming his forces have recaptured the key town of Bor. Since we posted the story when the rebels first captured it, it makes sense to post it now as well, along with the unfortunate mass graves discovery. I think a blurb along these lines can work: Following the discovery of dozens of bodies in mass graves, the South Sudan army announces recapturing the key town of Bor. Mohamed CJ (talk) 18:38, 24 December 2013 (UTC)
• This will be the third posting/bump about this direct subject in about a week. I propose, given this, that we sticky the subject. Sticky posts are designed for subjects which remain in the news so we don't have to keep bumping every little development. This seems to apply. --Jayron32 19:11, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

oppose blurb but support towns changing Hands. or just wait..Lihaas (talk) 19:29, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Oh sweet irony. The Rambling Man (talk) 19:42, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Another useful comment piling up hereLihaas (talk) 19:52, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Ditto. Happy Christmas Lihaas. Please try to remember that this is English language Misplaced Pages. The Rambling Man (talk) 19:59, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• Support bump (with MohamedCJ's blurb), oppose sticky Stickies work best when they concern a matter which almost everyone will have some familiarity with. The Syrian Civil War is an example - it would be hard for anyone to have missed all the news about it. However, if a substantial number of readers may not have heard about the situation, then a blurb that provides some explanation is preferable. I think that, at the present time, the situation in South Sudan falls into the latter category. I'm not convinced that three posts/bumps require a sticky when a blurb would be better in explaining the matter to our readers, especially give that we are at what is usually a slow news time of year.

P.S. Merry Christmas everyone! (It's Christmas morning now here in New Zealand.) Neljack (talk) 19:45, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• Please note, "dozens" isn't appropriate. The inspectors are saying "around 75" so we should keep it as that. The Rambling Man (talk) 19:46, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

comment bperhaps combing this with CAR as both are neighbours and instability continues.Lihaas (talk) 19:52, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• Comment. The article is lagging the very quickly evolving events. One of the lead UN officials on the ground is stating that the death toll is in the thousands, with displaced populations up to the hundreds of thousands. (BBC) Aid professionals are beginning to mutter comparisons to Rwanda in the early 90s. - BanyanTree 19:54, 24 December 2013 (UTC)
  • Quite so. Sounds like sticky territory. The Rambling Man (talk) 20:00, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

This is what I was alluding to above with my unopposed vote. 75 bodies being found doesn't mean they were just killed, or that is all there is. If we moved this to the top for the 75, would we move it to the top again for 2,000? I think updating, but not yet bumping is a reasonable solution, we can always bump later or sticky or whatever when the item is about to fall off the ticker. μηδείς (talk) 20:45, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• Support: 75 killed in a single action is not insignificant. Not a huge fan of the phrasing of the blurb in its current form though.Brigade Piron (talk) 20:55, 24 December 2013 (UTC)
• Comment now just announcing an increase to 12,500 peacekeepers for the UN. Sticky seems to be the only answer given this scenario is ITN every few days. The Rambling Man (talk) 21:51, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

comment to add the new UNSC resultion would be notable. I came here to suggest that.

And the mention of the housands is on the article but the source explicitly says that there is no confirmation and this was a "likely" figure. So far, 500 seems universally recongised.Lihaas (talk) 21:54, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Sources for your claim? The Rambling Man (talk) 23:25, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

For what? The source is not mine/.

What the source is quoted as saying as this is likely thereis also explicit mention that there is no verifiability. Ive made zero claims, I just analyse the source for fact.

Where there is absolute certainty and no doubt is that all sources agree on at least 500 deaths.Lihaas (talk) 00:09, 25 December 2013 (UTC)

• Support - definitly newsworthy.--BabbaQ (talk) 18:53, 25 December 2013 (UTC)

comment: blurb proposal Amidst fears of civil war, the UNSC agrees to send more UNMISS soldiers to South Sudan. Lihaas (talk) 20:31, 25 December 2013 (UTC)

Looks like a good blurb Lihaas.--BabbaQ (talk) 20:41, 25 December 2013 (UTC)

• Whatever blurb is chosen, I think we should make sure this doesn't fall off the board. A sticky might be best. μηδείς (talk) 00:51, 26 December 2013 (UTC)

Lihaas marked this ready, I fixed his format. I support a shorter version of his blurb, the UN Security Council agrees to send more UNMISS soldiers to South Sudan. μηδείς (talk) 04:05, 26 December 2013 (UTC)

• Posted. Spencer 06:34, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

Alan Turing posthumously pardoned

• Nominated by hydrox (talk · give credit)
• Updated by Bleeter (talk · give credit) and Readro (talk · give credit)

• Support I'm sure there will be plenty of media coverage and reader interest, considering Turing's fame and the campaign there's been. It's interesting considering that the same government refused a pardon last year, on the basis that Turing was properly convicted of an offence under the law as it then stood. Neljack (talk) 23:53, 23 December 2013 (UTC)

Indeed, and as the article points out there has since been a campaign to grant the pardon nevertheless, which now seems to have born fruit. The bill for the pardon was initiated by a LibDem life peer in the House of Lords, which I understand to be somewhat unusual as well. --hydrox (talk) 00:27, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Also, I wonder if there's a recent precedent for a royal pardon in respect of a crime that a person definitely committed and for which many other people remain convicted. Little to do with ITN status, but its all a bit meaningless. Formerip (talk) 01:57, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• Support but oppose reference to the Queen, who probably has no idea who he is. Let's just say he got a Royal Pardon. Also the altblurb makes it sound like there is some particular sort of Royal Prerogative called "mercy for homosexuality". Formerip (talk) 00:01, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Why should the Queen not know who he is? (Genuine question.) HiLo48 (talk) 00:12, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Queen dropped from blurb, you're right. --hydrox (talk) 00:29, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• Support and suggest "Alan Turing, the father of computer science, is granted a posthumous royal pardon for his conviction for gross indecency". Black Kite (talk) 00:08, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Support this, and am taking the liberty of copying to the altblurb space. Formerip (talk) 00:23, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

As the nominator I fully endorse this blurb and I am setting it as the blurb nomination to ease discussion. --hydrox (talk) 00:29, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• Inquiry on what basis are we assuming the Queen is a nitwit who doesn't know who Turing is? If a pardon is still formally the prerogative of the Queen then she should be mentioned as granting it. μηδείς (talk) 00:13, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• Whether she knows about it or not, a royal pardon is automatically granted by the monarch, so naming her is redundant, I think. Black Kite (talk) 00:18, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Yes, the misleading impression given by the proposed blurb is that she has any real say in the matter. Formerip (talk) 00:23, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• Support I'd like to see his contribution to the war effort get into the blurb. HiLo48 (talk) 00:14, 24 December 2013 (UTC)
• Support. Notable pardon of a historical figure. The Queen should be mentioned in the blurb as the one granting the pardon; we're not talking about some garden variety criminal that she might not know. Even if she didn't know of him, I'm sure she still received information about him or other forms of advice. 331dot (talk) 00:24, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

The "royal pardon" already implies it was granted by the monarch. --hydrox (talk) 00:32, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Yes, I think FormerIP's formulation was poor, but saying "royal" with a link to royal prerogative of mercy seems plenty to indicate the Queen's official involvement. Political matters are not actually decided by the monarch in a constitutional monarchy. The government just gives her a paper and politely asks/tells he to sign it, or something like that (don't lecture me on the details). It's also usually the monarch who officially appoints prime ministers, signs laws into effect (Royal Assent hasn't been refused in the UK since 1708), and other things we rarely credit monarchs for in ITN. We just say somebody won an election, formed a government, passed a law, and so on. PrimeHunter (talk) 00:42, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

My formulation was excellent. But, that aside, yes. Formerip (talk) 00:46, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• Comment I don't recall posting even the highest-level posthumous recognition, a royal pardon for homosexuality seems waaaay below that bar. If that happened during Turing's lifetime, then probably yes, but now... Brandmeister 01:35, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

This will be at least the eighth time Turing will go on the main page in some guise. I am not opposed, but I do think we can be a bit less over ourselves tripping to do this. μηδείς (talk) 01:52, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• Inquiry is there a direct link to the proclamation? I'd like to read something that isn't filtered through a hostile POV. μηδείς (talk) 01:44, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

The nomination box says HM's warrant. Isn't that what you want? PrimeHunter (talk) 01:53, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Yes, thanks. μηδείς (talk) 03:37, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

I saw that too, but he did ask for a direct link, presumably to e.g. Buckingham Palace. MonumentallyIncompetent (talk) 01:57, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

It's not a government or royal site but the official website of The Daily Telegraph displays page 2 at . PrimeHunter (talk) 02:44, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• Comment I would have opposed this on the simple basis that it has no practical impact on anything whatsoever, and is purely a symbolic gesture. However, there's clearly an appetite for posting so can we at least drop this "father of computer science" bit from the blurb? It screams of popular science coverage and is very difficult to defend on any rational analysis: he basically wrote two papers that have stood the test of time - on computable numbers and the halting problem. Both are important but essentially narrow, academic topics. Juxtapose this with his work actually building early machines where there are several instances (e.g. on the use of instruction decoding) where history has shown he backed the wrong horse. MonumentallyIncompetent (talk) 01:57, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

No problem with dropping "father of computer science". Shorter, more objective blurb. Everyone's a winner. Formerip (talk) 02:04, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• Support. Afaik, this is an extremely unusual move in the UK. Few enough royal pardons are issued and for one to be for an "crime" where no-one argues the subject was wrongly convicted seems unprecedented. This will be of interest both to those who campaign for LBGT rights and those interested in computing/cryptography. Agree the blurb needs to be toned down. Espresso Addict (talk) 02:11, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• It is unusual. NBC (citing The Independent) states it is only the third time since 1945 this power was used; NBC also had a statement from The Queen herself, saying she was "Graciously pleased to extend Our Grace and Mercy unto the said Alan Mathison Turing and to grant him Our Free Pardon posthumously in respect of the said convictions". 331dot (talk) 02:14, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Who were the other two? HiLo48 (talk) 04:06, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

One of the sources in the nomination says: "Since 1945, only three high-profile pardons have been granted in England and Wales under the Royal Prerogative: to Timothy Evans, Derek Bentley and Michael Shields." PrimeHunter (talk) 04:18, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• Support original blurb it reflects the documented act, opposition is based on the undocumented and presumably political assumption that the Queen either does not support or understand an act in her own name. μηδείς (talk) 03:37, 24 December 2013 (UTC)
• Support Piling on the support - highly significant decision and quite the landmark to place in history. And at Christmas too, everyone wins. doktorb _words 03:42, 24 December 2013 (UTC)
• Altblurb I have restored the original (now alt) blurb, which reflects that this is an act QEII has voluntarily supported with a public decree, and is only the third such pardon since WWII--also support adding Turing is a war hero. μηδείς (talk) 03:50, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Has it ever occurred that QEII didn't "voluntarily support" an act the government asked her to? In the case of Royal Assent it apparently hasn't occurred since 1708. See also British monarchy#Constitutional role. PrimeHunter (talk) 04:29, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• I've posted this, not to let perfect be the enemy of good. I took out "gross indecency" because that's vague. He was plainly convicted of being a homosexual. The article linked to explains this quite nicely, that the act was mainly used to prosecute male homosexuals. Please continue discussing best wording, and especially the commendable suggestion that is war service be mentioned, as it is integral to why he was pardoned. Jehochman 04:51, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• His "war service" WAS his early code breaking and computing work during WWII. Some have suggested that he and his colleagues won the war for Britain. His story has always suffered because the work was naturally top secret at the the time, and for a considerable period after the war. In fact, we can't be certain that we have the full story yet. And I'm not sure that "gross indecency" is actually vague. It's precisely the crime he was charged with. It's certainly not legally vague. But it would be unclear to readers without further explanation. HiLo48 (talk) 05:20, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Note, from BBC linked article: "His later life was overshadowed by his conviction for homosexual activity, a sentence we would now consider unjust and discriminatory and which has now been repealed," said Mr Grayling.

• Presidential? I am not so much worried about the war service and homosexuality as I am the fact that we would never publish the fact that someone got a "presidential" pardon without saying it was an American presidential pardon, or mentioning the president. Publishing "royal" without the country or queen is the hight of jingoist bigotry. μηδείς (talk) 05:50, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

• I agree this is a problem. I've added "by the British government". The pardon was initiated and appears to have been signed by Chris Grayling, looking at the Telegraph facsimile, so I'm not sure explicitly naming Elizabeth II is accurate. But it's not ideal, if anyone has any better ideas. Perhaps rephrase altogether as "Pioneering British computer scientist and code breaker..." to get the nationality in, the over-egged "father of computer science" out, and mention the code-breaking war service? Espresso Addict (talk) 10:04, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

I like that idea, Espresso Addict. I don't think it's quite right to say that the "British Government" pardoned him - he was pardoned by the Queen, on the advice of the British Government. Formal royal documents are usually counter-signed by a government minister, and he better have got the Queen's signature (either on the document itself or by warrant under the Queen's sign-manual because otherwise the pardon will be invalid and he will have committed a criminal offence! Neljack (talk) 11:47, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Medeis complaining about jingoism on ITN? Loving the irony! Anyway, no need to mention the British government, he was British, his conviction was in a British court, so obviously the pardoning will be done by the British government. Makes more sense to say 'Alan Turing, the British father off (etc)' if we must have the nationality in there. Fgf10 (talk) 11:52, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

I that's some sort of serious accusation, and not a baseless smear, some examples of my supposed jingoism would be helpful. μηδείς (talk) 15:33, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

I've gone with the revised formulation I mentioned; 'British father of computer science' reads badly to me. Espresso Addict (talk) 16:03, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Current blurb barely addresses Medeis' concerns (unless the inclusion of the word British makes it clear to all that either Queen Elizabeth the Second, David Cameron, Grayling, "the government" etc pardoned Turing) although I don't share them. However, it's too long. Can we refine it to something like "British computer scientist and code breaker Alan Turing, convicted for homosexual activity in 1952, is granted a posthumous royal pardon."? The Rambling Man (talk) 23:14, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

I'm just surprised that nobody's come along yet to insist that he was English. HiLo48 (talk) 23:25, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Heh. I'm surprised that any admin would post "father of computer science", but perhaps we've become a red top all of a sudden. The Rambling Man (talk) 23:29, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Oooh, what's occurin' Rambler! As if you'd ever shoot down another ITN contributor! Martinevans123 (talk) 23:33, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Perhaps the festive period, but we're all acting like mad men. The Rambling Man (talk) 23:38, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

I'm sure many of us have checked in just to get a short break from Wiki. I know I have! Martinevans123 (talk) 23:43, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

Be careful. There are viperous creatures ready to snack on your humor.... The Rambling Man (talk) 23:45, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

ain't got wings

It don't need wings, it has teeth... The Rambling Man (talk) 23:57, 24 December 2013 (UTC)

My concerns have been addressed, but not by the addition of "convicted of gross indecency for homosexual activity in 1952", which is at least six words too long. μηδείς (talk) 04:28, 25 December 2013 (UTC)

It's better than that weird "in respect of" concoction. Abductive (reasoning) 04:50, 25 December 2013 (UTC)

Wull, yeah. And a black widow bite is better than a rattlesnake bite. μηδείς (talk) 04:57, 25 December 2013 (UTC)

December 23

Portal:Current events/2013 December 23

December 23, 2013 (2013-12-23) (Monday) edit history watch Armed conflicts and attacks War in North-West Pakistan: The Pakistani army launches a military offensive against Taliban insurgents near the Afghan border. There are accusations that dozens of civilians are killed. (Reuters) Iraqi insurgency (post-U.S. withdrawal): A mortar attack kills four Iraq army officers and two soldiers in an army base west of Baghdad. (Al Arabiya) A terrorist attack on a news complex in Tikrit, Iraq kills 5 people. (CNN) Syrian Civil War: Russia sends 25 armored trucks and 50 other vehicles to Syria to help transport toxins that are to be destroyed under an international agreement to rid the nation of its chemical arsenal. (Reuters) Palestinian militants fire a Kassam rocket from Gaza which lands next to a bus stop used by schoolchildren in the Ashkelon area in southern Israel; no injuries are reported. (The Times of Israel) Arts and culture The Russian designer of the AK-47 assault rifle, Mikhail Kalashnikov, dies at the age of 94. (The Irish Times) Law and crime Political activists Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, of the Russian band Pussy Riot, are given amnesty less than three months before the end of their sentences. They had been convicted of "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred". (The Guardian) (BBC) (The New York Times) Former UK MP Denis MacShane is sentenced to six months in jail for expenses fraud after he admitted to submitting 19 false receipts totaling £12,900. (BBC) In Tupelo, Mississippi two or three armed bank robbery suspects, fleeing police following a holdup at a Bancorp South, shoot dead one policeman and injure another. (NBC) British World War II computer pioneer and codebreaker Alan Turing, who had been chemically castrated in 1952 following his conviction for homosexuality, is given a posthumous royal pardon. (The Guardian) Politics and elections Former Philippine President Joseph Estrada visits former President Gloria Arroyo in the hospital where she is currently detained. (The Philippine Star) RD:Mikhail Kalashnikov Article: Mikhail Kalashnikov (talk · history · tag) Recent deaths nomination Blurb:  Russian small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, inventor of AK-47, dies at the age of 94. (Post) News source(s): BBC, RIA Novosti Credits: Nominated by Kiril Simeonovski (talk · give credit) Recent deaths of any person, animal or organism with a Misplaced Pages article are always presumed to be important enough to post (see this RFC and further discussion). Comments should focus on whether the quality of the article meets WP:ITNRD. Support No brainer in my opinion. CaptRik (talk) 16:51, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Support Straight forward yes I think. Miyagawa (talk) 17:03, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Support as clearly top of his field for his time. Although, now we have lasers, perhaps we should compare it to that? Nah, only facebooking. The Rambling Man (talk) 17:12, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Support and surprisingly "..also wrote poetry, dreaming of becoming a poet". Martinevans123 (talk) 17:19, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Support It would be mention him. Kevin Rutherford (talk) 17:30, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Support, definitely. Ruby 2010/2013 17:31, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Comment I was thinking to nominate this for a full blurb as well, but let first to see some comments from the others on it. Kalashnikov was definitely one of the most prominent weapon designers and his invention AK-47 has been massively produced worldwide for decades. In the article's intro it's even mentioned that "more AK-rifles have been produced than all other rifles combined". Now that this received a swift support with convincing arguments, it's maybe worth considering for a full blurb.--Kiril Simeonovski (talk) 17:35, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Well, if you're supporting, we can RD it first, and then see if it meets the quality requirements of a full blurb? The Rambling Man (talk) 17:37, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Definitely. Let it go first in RD and than see if we can post a blurb.--Kiril Simeonovski (talk) 17:41, 23 December 2013 (UTC) I'm more than happy to post to RD but lately, if I dare to express an opinion, I get bitched at for assessing a community consensus. Would post immediately. The Rambling Man (talk) 17:44, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Posted to RD. This was marked as RD in the nomination header, so I posted there, presuming the supports were for that. If people generally say that a blurb is what they'd like, I can move this up to a full blurb too. Spencer 17:52, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Support full blurb - very notable weapon designer, name known worldwise. Mjroots (talk) 19:14, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Oppose full blurb. Although a name many will recognise, we're talking about the death of a ninety-four year old man, after a prolonged illness, who did his most significant work more than sixty years ago. This is not news that is going to make a difference in the world today. 79.75.95.135 (talk) 19:23, 23 December 2013 (UTC) It seems the name of his inventions will long outlive him (even a nonogenerian) ... the very reason he deserves a blurb? Martinevans123 (talk) 19:40, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Quite. Not sure how many other people in the past century have had so many weapons built in his name, many millions of which are still in use today. The Rambling Man (talk) 21:03, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Support full blurb - very notable person. - EugεnS¡m¡on(14) ® 20:16, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Oppose blurb Not quite at the very high threshold I require before supporting a blurb in obituary cases. Getting plenty of media coverage, but not leading the world news. Neljack (talk) 20:41, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Oppose blurb - This is exactly the sort of death that RD was designed for. Very notable in his field and worthy of a listing, but blurb candidates should almost always be blindingly obvious (think Thatcher/Mandela). This falls far, far short of what we would usually require for a blurb. --Bongwarrior (talk) 22:46, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Hmm, I guess they're the really big guns. Martinevans123 (talk) 22:52, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Sorry, what? --Bongwarrior (talk) 01:00, 24 December 2013 (UTC) Sorry Bong, I meant something a little less saucy. Martinevans123 (talk) 12:19, 24 December 2013 (UTC) Oppose blurb Although the importance of Mr. Kalashnikov in his own field is clearly unquestionable (he is quite probably the world's most recognized firearm designer), this is exactly the type for which RD was established. His passing is important, but not world-shattering, like some of those names already mentioned that were rightfully posted as full blurbs. --hydrox (talk) 23:52, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Pussy Rioters released Article: Pussy Riot (talk · history · tag) Blurb: ​ Two members of Pussy Riot, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina, are released from prison under an amnesty bill. (Post) Alternative blurb: ​ Following Mikhail Khodorkovsky's presidential pardon, Pussy Riot members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina are released under an amnesty bill. Alternative blurb 2 After the pardoning of businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky, thousands of Russian prisoners are given amnesty, including two members of the rock band Pussy Riot News source(s): BBC, USA Today, Telegraph, Reuters Article updatedNominator's comments: All 3 articles updated. Fortunately, I didn't make such bets. Brandmeister 11:41, 23 December 2013 (UTC) .. tasty slice of pussy hat, anyone? Martinevans123 (talk) 12:09, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Two down one to go? Casper's looking shifty... The Rambling Man (talk) 12:16, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Oppose publicity stunt to make everyone feel better about holding the W'Olympics in Sochi with all the anti-gay laws. The Rambling Man (talk) 12:21, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Are you opposing the nomination for political/human rights reasons? Mohamed CJ (talk) 13:29, 23 December 2013 (UTC) No, opposing it as a publicity stunt, a little like when Second World War prisoners of war were given blankets just before the Red Cross visited, only to have them removed when the Red Cross had left. Wonder what'll happen as soon as eyes are off Sochi...? The Rambling Man (talk) 15:26, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Bump We already posted the release of the former Yukos oligarch. This is more or less part of the same story. We could just amend the existing blurb with " and two members of Pussy Riot" and bump. --hydrox (talk) 12:45, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Agree with bump rather than new blurb, but the amnesty apparently covers 25,000 people - wouldn't that be a better focus? Formerip (talk) 13:15, 23 December 2013 (UTC) That sounds far more important, although BBC cites 20,000. --hydrox (talk) 13:23, 23 December 2013 (UTC) I agree that bumping the blurb is more sensible. Russian President Vladimir Putin pardons thousands of prisoners, including businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky and two members of Pussy Riot. Mohamed CJ (talk) 13:27, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Support Mohamed CJ's proposed bump and rewrite. A big story, but not an entirely new one. AlexTiefling (talk) 13:51, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Support Mohamed CJ's updated blurb hook, since this is essentially all part of the same PR move leading up to Sochi. Pussy Riot has gotten substantial news coverage over the course of their, well, situation, so their release should be posted, but there's no reason to have two separate blurbs. – Muboshgu (talk) 14:09, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Support but it should be mentioned that it is all done for Putin to get better relations before Sochi.--BabbaQ (talk) 14:20, 23 December 2013 (UTC) .. yes, quite - is this a demonstration of democracy in action, or simply the PR machine of an individual benevolent despot? (.. or should we even care?) Martinevans123 (talk) 14:22, 23 December 2013 (UTC) I think most of us can agree that Putin is to be considered a joke....:)--BabbaQ (talk) 14:27, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Even the Pussy Rioter said she thought it was a publicity stunt. The Rambling Man (talk) 14:29, 23 December 2013 (UTC) .. but the Misplaced Pages front page has to be seen to be politically impartial? Martinevans123 (talk) 14:33, 23 December 2013 (UTC) I don't think analysis about the motive(s) behind the releases should be featured on the main page (since we don't have enough space to cover different POVs, including giving due weight to the PR stunt analysis). They definitely belong to the articles, perhaps including their lead. Mohamed CJ (talk) 14:48, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Support for Mohamed CJ's combined blurb. For what it's worth, this is what German Wiki does (with pic of Tolokonnikova) in its version of ITN. Sca (talk) 15:22, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Hmm, wonder why that picture made it. The Rambling Man (talk) 15:23, 23 December 2013 (UTC) And a far moore sober picture at ru.wiki front page too... Martinevans123 (talk) 15:29, 23 December 2013 (UTC) I suggest this one (was thinking about it while writing the blurb). Brandmeister 15:44, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Alt Blurb Thousands of Russian prisoners are released, including businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky and two members of Pussy Riot under an amnesty bill. Suggest this to remove focus from Putin and place on prisoners. μηδείς (talk) 15:40, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Sounds good. I'd only remove the last four words, since Khodorkovsky was released before the bill, but I could be wrong. Mohamed CJ (talk) 16:11, 23 December 2013 (UTC) I think you are right about that. Also, defendants in the badly-capitalised Bolotnaya square case are being released. Formerip (talk) 16:18, 23 December 2013 (UTC) I'd rather oppose bump. Khodorkovsky seems to be pardoned under a separate presidential decree, reportedly after secret German-Russian negotiations. On Dec 9 it was announced that the amnesty bill will not concern Khodorkovsky. Brandmeister 17:04, 23 December 2013 (UTC) I'm not sure that Putin signing two separate pieces of paper means we need to have two separate blurbs. Formerip (talk) 17:26, 23 December 2013 (UTC) I've added altblurb for possible bump without implying that both cases are interconnected (could be changed if it happens to be to the contrary). Brandmeister 20:00, 23 December 2013 (UTC) (edit conflict)*Alt Blurb Over 20,000 Russian prisoners are pardoned and released under an amnesty bill, including Mikhail Khodorkovsky and two members of Pussy Riot. Support for any kind of blurb about this event. Shearonink (talk) 16:13, 23 December 2013 (UTC) comment the difficulty I see is we have no link to the general amnesty, just to the three individuals. I am not sure what article would be used. μηδείς (talk) 17:00, 23 December 2013 (UTC) comment - Khodorkovsky was pardoned by the president personally, whereas the Pussy Riot members were among 25.000 prisoners released under a general amnesty issued by the Parliament as it celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Constitution. Saying that Khodorkovsky was included in the general amnesty is not correct. -- Bruzaholm (talk) 20:22, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Support Medeis's proposed blurb, subject to the amendment suggested by MohamedCJ. Reasons: (1) while we can probably all agree on what Putin's motives are here, there are NPOV issues with referring to them, at least absent a close examination of the sources showing that sources overwhelmingly agree that they are his motives (which I'm not sure they do); (2) the general amnesty is the more significant thing, so it should definitely be included along with the highest profile cases; (3) best not to refer to the amnesty bill, since it seems not all the releases are under it; (4) best not to refer to Putin, since many of them seem to be under legislation (the amnesty bill) rather than just by a unilateral act of President Putin, as a reference to him might suggest. Neljack (talk) 20:36, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Comment No, unlike the president's pardon of the businessman, Putin is, at least technically, not behind the general amnesty. Implying that is NPVO. And therefore the general amnesty should have its own blurb. The problem, though, is that there is not yet any specific article covering the general amnesty... Bruzaholm (talk) 20:48, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Yes, the amnesty bill was passed by Duma, unlike Khodorkovsky's pardon which just coincided with the ongoing amnesty process that Duma sanctioned by the bill earlier on 17 December. Brandmeister 21:05, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Altblurb2 This: After the pardoning of businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky, thousands of Russian prisoners are given amnesty, including two members of Pussy Riot fixes the issue of not confusing the pardon and amnesty, and is shorter than the current altblurb. μηδείς (talk) 22:19, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Fine, except add 'rock band' after 'Riot.' Sca (talk) 23:19, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Before "Pussy" would be better, but let's keep a lean blurb. We could instead lose "businessman". Formerip (talk) 23:33, 23 December 2013 (UTC) I have added rock band and kept business man. Marked ready as well. μηδείς (talk) 00:17, 24 December 2013 (UTC) (PS, obviously this is a bump of the Khodorovsky blurb.μηδείς (talk) 01:46, 24 December 2013 (UTC)) Posted. I used Medeis' combined blurb with Khodorkovsky. Espresso Addict (talk) 01:57, 24 December 2013 (UTC) Comment now the Greenpeace Arctic 30 protestors are starting to be released, surely that should be included in this publicity stunt? The Rambling Man (talk) 15:01, 24 December 2013 (UTC) still hungry? Martinevans123 (talk) 15:04, 24 December 2013 (UTC) In for a penny, in for a pound.... I'm still hungry anyway... The Rambling Man (talk) 15:23, 24 December 2013 (UTC) Now an unsigned note at Talk:Main_Page#Errors_in_In_the_news asserts that Pussy Riot is "not a rock band." Our entry identifies it as a "Russian feminist punk rock protest group." Perhaps the phrase "rock protest group" should be substituted for "rock band"? Sca (talk) 16:17, 24 December 2013 (UTC) Well... you decide. I'm sure St John of Holloway would be proud. Martinevans123 (talk) 16:28, 24 December 2013 (UTC) Punk band will make more sense, given their protest prayer video at youtube. μηδείς (talk) 16:39, 24 December 2013 (UTC) .. and their article. Else how about Riot grrrl!? Martinevans123 (talk) 17:05, 24 December 2013 (UTC) Well, "group" seems to have the virtue of not identifying PR as a "band" or more specifically a "rock band" — so perhaps "protest group" would be sufficiently vague not to violate anyone's definition but accurate enough to make clear its raison dêtre and to at least imply music (of a sort) as its medium. Sca (talk) 17:17, 24 December 2013 (UTC) I think punk group is fine, since that's the way the press usually describes them. Protest group goes too far into being vague out of caution. μηδείς (talk) 17:48, 24 December 2013 (UTC) ... although Misplaced Pages insists on calling it punk rock, of course.. Martinevans123 (talk) After viewing their youtube I would be inclined to call them a "protest artists"...if you saw it you would probably feel ashamed granting them such revered real estate as ITN other than the whole jail/pardon thing.— Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.23.25.59 (talk) We aren't here to judge stories in that manner, only to decide if something is in the news enough to be posted. 331dot (talk) 11:57, 27 December 2013 (UTC) Comment now the "Greenpeace Arctic 30" are being released as part of this stunt, the blurb should be updated. The Rambling Man (talk) 19:44, 24 December 2013 (UTC) It is Greenpeace Arctic Sunrise ship case, but it needs an update. Brandmeister 00:47, 25 December 2013 (UTC) Comment 2 massive blurb, probably best to lose "the feminist punk rock protest group " as Pussy Riot is already linked, so we don't need to "interpret" their style, method, aim etc in the short ITN blurb. The Rambling Man (talk) 23:15, 24 December 2013 (UTC) Yeah, I also favor dropping that and leaving just Pussy Riot. Brandmeister 00:47, 25 December 2013 (UTC) Maybe "the members of the band Pussy Riot", but we can't assume our readers will have any idea what they are without some description, and links are not supposed to be obscure according to mos. If there's any complaint to be had on length it's the three-page description of patron saint Alan's sex crime. μηδείς (talk) 01:30, 25 December 2013 (UTC) Known as "Alan of the Rock", allegedly. Martinevans123 (talk) 11:58, 25 December 2013 (UTC) I think it's time to update the picture with Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Khodorkovsky's face has been hanging there for some time already and isn't that recent. Brandmeister 11:45, 25 December 2013 (UTC) Looks like ITN got sexed up. The Rambling Man (talk) 21:47, 25 December 2013 (UTC) December 22 Portal:Current events/2013 December 22 December 22, 2013 (2013-12-22) (Sunday) edit history watch Armed conflicts and attacks Syrian Civil War: Syrian government warplanes drop barrel bombs on the city of Aleppo killing 63 people, including civilians. (World Bulletin) Post-civil war violence in Libya: 13 people are killed and 10 injured in a suicide car bomb attack at a military checkpoint near the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi. (Financial Times) (Los Angeles Times) An alert passenger averts a mass casualty bus bombing A bomb explodes on a bus in Bat Yam, Israel, but an alert passenger averts a mass casualty incident after noticing the device and the bus driver orders the vehicle evacuated. (The Times of Israel) Business and economy Blackmarket sales begin of credit and debit card data which was compromised due to a Target Corporation data breach. (Fox News) Disasters and accidents At least ten people are injured but no deaths after a cargo train crashed into the Nairobi slum of Kibera. (BBC) (Standard Media)(Zegabi) International relations Euromaidan: Ukraine's opposition vows to continue the pro-EU protests over the holiday period, despite an economic deal signed with Russia a few days ago. (BBC) 2013 World Women's Handball Championship Article: 2013 World Women's Handball Championship (talk · history · tag) Blurb: ​ In handball, the World Women's Championship concludes with Brazil defeating Serbia in the final. (Post) Credits: Updated and nominated by Kiril Simeonovski (talk · give credit) Article updatedNominator's comments: Brazil become the first South American country ever to win the World Championship title. Most of the handball stories were sharply opposed in the past just because the sport was played on a high level only in continental Europe, East Asia and some African countries, but this tournament showed that its popularity grows in the other parts of the world as well. --Kiril Simeonovski (talk) 17:58, 22 December 2013 (UTC) Comment loving the alt blurb. The Rambling Man (talk) 18:25, 22 December 2013 (UTC) Sorry for the inconvenient altblurb. I was engaged with updating the article and did not pay attention what remained in the box after copying its content from one of the previous nominations.--Kiril Simeonovski (talk) 18:50, 22 December 2013 (UTC)--Kiril Simeonovski (talk) 18:50, 22 December 2013 (UTC) No worries, was just a gentle tease, I know how easily copy-and-paste errors can occur. The Rambling Man (talk) 20:36, 22 December 2013 (UTC) Support - the handball blurb as it is the firs time a South American team wins. Dont know why the alt is in the same nomination. Strange.--BabbaQ (talk) 18:28, 22 December 2013 (UTC) Comment I've updated the article with more prose, especially the section on the final.--Kiril Simeonovski (talk) 18:49, 22 December 2013 (UTC) Support The top women's event of big international sport. We posted the men in 2013 when Europe took the whole top-10. Not happy about "In handball" when the bold link also says Handball. Either omit "In handball" or remove "Handball" from the next link. PrimeHunter (talk) 20:33, 22 December 2013 (UTC) Removed from the bolded article.--Kiril Simeonovski (talk) 22:50, 22 December 2013 (UTC) Support Handball is the most popular women's team sport in Europe. Neljack (talk) 20:44, 22 December 2013 (UTC) Weak support only weak because the "final" section seems referenced by only one (primary?) source. Can you find some further refs? The Rambling Man (talk) 20:48, 22 December 2013 (UTC) That's because at the time of updating the section it was less than an hour after the conclusion of the final and there were not so many articles documenting it. I'll try to find some more and bring them into the article.--Kiril Simeonovski (talk) 22:48, 22 December 2013 (UTC) More refs added in the section on the final.--Kiril Simeonovski (talk) 23:35, 22 December 2013 (UTC) Posted. Espresso Addict (talk) 02:23, 23 December 2013 (UTC) Abortion restrictions in Spain no support for posting. μηδείς (talk) 02:59, 23 December 2013 (UTC) The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion. It seems that Spain is doing something that totally contrary to what the developed world (which does not include the Midwest in the US) has been moving to. Nergaal (talk) 15:48, 22 December 2013 (UTC) oppose Catholic country no biggie (though with their homosexual laws its very confusing where they stand). Western or not, the Schism occurred a long time ago. (and for the record, the DEVELOPED USA has a strong debate on this. Its hardly universal in the west. (oxymoron I know))Lihaas (talk) 15:54, 22 December 2013 (UTC) Oppose it was only made legal in 2010, no doubt it will change again if/when the current conservative administration is ousted by the left-wing parties. Black Kite (talk) 16:53, 22 December 2013 (UTC) Oppose. New government reversing the loosening of abortion laws by the last government, in a Catholic country. Purely a domestic law change. 331dot (talk) 17:20, 22 December 2013 (UTC) Oppose I think most of the key points are made above. The Rambling Man (talk) 21:17, 22 December 2013 (UTC) Oppose It's only a draft bill announced by the government - it hasn't been passed yet. Neljack (talk) 01:05, 23 December 2013 (UTC) The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion. References Nominators often include links to external websites and other references in discussions on this page. It is usually best to provide such links using the inline URL syntax rather than using <ref></ref> tags, because that keeps all the relevant information in the same place as the nomination without having to jump to this section, and facilitates the archiving process. For the times when <ref></ref> tags are being used, here are their contents: