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Monday, October 12, 2015
Wikinews interviewed Australian painter Pricasso on his unique artwork created using his penis, and how his art relates to freedom of expression and issues of censorship. He is to be featured at the upcoming adult entertainment event Sexpo Australia in Melbourne this November 5 to November 8.
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Monday, October 1, 2007
Robert (Bob) Innes is running for the Family Coalition Party in the Ontario provincial election, in the Hamilton East—Stoney Creek riding. Wikinews’ Nick Moreau interviewed him regarding his values, his experience, and his campaign.
Stay tuned for further interviews; every candidate from every party is eligible, and will be contacted. Expect interviews from Liberals, Progressive Conservatives, New Democratic Party members, Ontario Greens, as well as members from the Family Coalition, Freedom, Communist, Libertarian, and Confederation of Regions parties, as well as independents.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
A jewel that once belonged to King Tutankhamen of ancient Egypt is believed to have been created by an exploding meteorite entering Earth’s atmosphere “hugely bigger in energy than the atomic [bomb] tests,” said geophysicist John Wasson. The explosion was “Ten thousand times more powerful,” added Wasson.
The Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority says the jewel is composed of 98% silica or glass, making it the purest jewel of its kind on the planet and can only be found in a certain area of the Sahara Desert.
Wasson also says the impact that created the jewel can be compared to the “Tunguska event” that occurred in Tunguska, Siberia in 1908 causing at least 80 million trees to be flattened, but left no visible impact crater.
“When the thought came to me that it required a hot sky, I thought immediately of the Tunguska event,” said Wasson.
The event was recreated by a computer simulation. The results of the simulation reveal that the impact of a meteorite or an event similar to Tunguska could have been the cause of theformation and heating the ground up to nearly 1,800 degrees Celsius causing a thin layer of glass to form on the Earth’s surface at the site of an impact.
Researchers also added that events like this are likely to happen at least every 100 years or so. Wasson says there are likely to be more impacts; it’s “just a matter of when.”
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Dutch financial institution ING Group reported today in its quarterly results an impairment charge of €194 million euros (approximately US$285.6 million). However, as a result of selling an equity stake in rival ABN AMRO, the net profit of €2.48 billion, was 18% higher than last year.
The impairment charge is a result of risky investments, including RBMS (mortgage) investments backed by subprime loans and Alt-A loans, which are made to borrowers with a slightly better credit profile than those in the subprime category, as well as from collateral debt obligations (CDOs).
CEO Michel Tilmant said that “solid risk management” shields ING from the worst effects of the financial crisis. “ING’s exposure to the riskiest assets is limited, and the RMBS investments we selected have a high level of structural credit protection to absorb significant losses as the U.S. housing crisis deepens,” added Tilmant.
Read An Opinion On:
By Kenneth Robert
Mostly, credit checks are done to verify the default history of a borrower. A large number of people hesitate to disclose their credit history to the lenders. As regular defaults are a barrier towards availing the loan facility, borrowers usually avoid them. The frequent credit checks are avoided by the lenders as they are flexible in this case. The risk factor is greatest for the lenders in this case, as the past records of the borrower aren’t known by the lender. No credit check secured loans are therefore designed for the borrowers who have an irregular payback schedule since a long time. As collateral isn’t required in this case, the borrowers have to be extra careful while sanctioning the loan amount to the borrower. This explains the need for strict conditions imposed upon the borrowers by the lenders.
A bad credit report can be improved if the borrower is willing to go that extra mile to pay back the borrowed amount on time. A proof of job stability needs to be put forward by the borrower with a salary that is sufficient to pay back the amount. No credit check secured loans sanctioned are lesser in comparison with other loan packages and it depends upon the salary of the borrower. In case the borrower isn’t able to convince the lenders about his repayment ability then collateral should be offered. In this way, the borrower ensures that the lender is able to cover some of his risks. No credit check secured loans have been designed by the lenders for those borrowers who are unemployed. Important details like identity of the person concerned and his account information are verified by the lender before the loan amount is sanctioned.
The process of loan approval is time-consuming and therefore the borrowers usually shy away from approaching the lenders. And with a bad credit report it is nearly impossible for the lenders to grant the amount because of the lack of trust. Any lender is willing to offer the amount by getting somehow convinced that the borrower will return the amount within agreed time frame. Higher interest rates accrue on the no credit check secured loans because of the presence of collateral. Since credit history of the borrower is hazy one, the lenders hike the rates of interest. The lenders provide no credit loan amount up to 70% of the collateral’s value and the borrower should be ready to pay back the loan amounts in higher monthly installments. The amount sanctioned is usually lesser in case of no credit check than what could have been if credit check would have been done.
No credit check secured loans are used for a variety of purposes. These range from career, repairing the house, medical emergencies and so on. It pays to look for the lender who understands your requirements very well and customizes the loan packages accordingly. This has to be done to ensure that you secure the best deal package around which saves you from unavoidable worries. It is important to go ahead with the same to avoid debt mess which can occur once again if the borrower isn’t careful. Because of the higher risks involved, the lenders proceed cautiously and any default renders the borrower unfit for any loan package. Therefore, one should always try to maintain a perfect repayment record as this helps the borrower to get in the good books of the lender.
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Wednesday, October 13, 2010
The rescue of the Chilean miners trapped in the San José Mine in Copiapó, codenamed Operación San Lorenzo (San Lorenzo Operation), began on Tuesday night, at around 20:00 local time (23:00 UTC).
Florencio Ávalos was the first miner to be rescued, at 00:12 local time (03:12 UTC) on Wednesday. He was wearing a shirt signed by all his fellow miners. “The first miner is already with us. We saw it all, him hugging his wife Monica and his son Byron,” said President Piñera shortly after the first rescue. “We still have a long journey.”
“This will be recorded on every single Chilean heart forever,” Piñera added. “I hope the miners’ hope stay with us, just like the [February] earthquake victims’ [hope] and what the earthquake took off. We know that the disasters unite us all.”
All the 33 miners were rescued. The last miner, Luis Urzúa, was rescued at 21:55 Chile time (00:55 UTC). “It is a pleasure to be Chilean, [I’m] proud,” said Luis Urzúa to President Piñera. “In honour of the miners, their families, the rescuers […] let’s sing our national anthem. Viva Chile Mierda!,” said Piñera. Urzúa thanked Mining Minister Golborne and the First Lady Cecilia Morel for “fighting for their lives.” “I’m proud of my fellow miners,” Urzúa added.
Six rescuers, including a miner and a paramedic, descended to the miners’ shelter using the Fénix 3 capsule which was specially constructed for the rescue. They performed check-ups and talk with the miners before taking them back to the surface. The rescuers still don’t leave the mine.
The Fénix 3 capsules are 3.95 metres in height and weigh about 460 kilograms. They have an armour, an oxygen tube and a microphone. The occupants helmets contain an intercom to keep them in contact with the rescue team on the surface.
President of Chile Piñera assisted to the rescue. Bolivian President Evo Morales could not attend Carlos Mamani’s rescue. Mamani is the only Bolivian miner in the group.
A mass for the miners was conducted at 18:00 local time (21:00 UTC). The rescue takes between 15 and 20 minutes for each miner.
On Tuesday, Mayor of Copiapó Maglio Cicardini announced that the municipal schools in the city will have no classes this Wednesday “to transform the rescue of the Atacama’s 33 in a familiar meeting,” Radio Cooperativa reported.
“The miners will be taken to the Copiapó Regional Hospital for medical checkup, where they will have to stay for 48 hours,” Health Minister Mañalich said to Televisión Nacional de Chile.
Celebrations are taking place in several Chilean cities. In Santiago de Chile, people gathered in one of the most important points of the city, Plaza Italia. In Pichilemu, tens of cars are passing over its most important streets. In Copiapó, people gathered in its main square to assist a massive concert.
On August 5, 33 miners were trapped more than 700 meters (2,300 ft) underground, in the San José copper–gold mine, located about 40 kilometers north of Copiapó, Chile.
The youngest trapped miner is 19 years old, and the oldest is 63. There were several rescue attempts before reaching the miners’ shelter on August 22. The National Emergencies Office of Chile (ONEMI) released a list of the trapped miners on August 6, which included Franklin Lobos Ramírez, a retired footballer.
Chile is the worlds top producer of copper, according to The Economist. The San José Mine is owned by the San Esteban Mining Company (Empresa Minera San Esteban). The mine was closed down in 2007, after relatives of a miner who had died sued the company executives, but the mine was re–opened in 2008.
It was originally estimated that “it would take three to four months to complete the rescue of the trapped miners”. There were three plans to reach the miners: “Plan A” using a Strata 950 drill, “Plan B” using a Schramm T130XD drill, and “Plan C” using a RIG-422 drill. The first to reach the miners was “Plan B”, early on Saturday 9.
The last step of their rescue, announced by Health Minister Jaime Mañalich, was originally due to begin on Tuesday. Laurence Golborne, Minery Minister said “If it is possible, and the cement sets before and we don’t have any impediments to doing it, it would be wonderful,” in a press conference on Monday. The men will be extracted in a steel rescue capsule 54 cm (21 inches) in diameter.
On September 4, Chilean filmmaker Rodrigo Ortúzar announced plans to film a movie about the accident, called “Los 33” (“The 33”). The film will be released in 2011.
One miner is Bolivian, and the other 32 are Chilean.
Raúl Bustos, 40 years old, is an hydraulics engineer. He left his job in Talcahuano after the February 27 earthquake to work in the mine.
Daniel Herrera, 27 years old, is a lorry driver. He has acted as paramedic assistant in the mine. He said to La Tercera “the miners were unhappy with the psychologist in the rescue team.”
Claudio Acuña, miner, is fan of the Colo-Colo football club. The BBC reports he is aged 56, but El Comercio says he is 44.
Pedro Cortez is aged 24. He joined the mine with his friend Carlos Bugueño. Cortez is an electrician, and lost a finger in the mine a year ago.
File:Juan Aguilar with President Piñera.jpg
A native of Los Lagos, Juan Aguilar is 49 years old. Aguilar is married to Cristy Coronado, according to El Comercio. Aguilar works as a supervisor.
Mario Sepúlveda is a 39 years old electrician native of Parral; he is married. He has been the spokesman of the most of the miners’ videos. Mario Sepúlveda was the second miner to be rescued, on Wednesday at 01:10 local time (04:10 UTC).
Víctor Zamora is a 33 years old auto mechanic. Zamora is married to Jéssica Cortez, who confirmed she was pregnant while he was in the mine.
Osman Araya is 30 years old, and married. He began working as miner four months before the accident.
Florencio Ávalos is 31 years old. He is the brother of Renán Ávalos, who is also trapped in the mine. He worked as driver in San José. Ávalos filmed videos, sent later to his relatives.
Ávalos was the first miner to be rescued, on Wednesday at 00:10 local time (03:10 UTC).
Jorge Galleguillos, 56 years old, has worked all his life in the mine. He said in one video he was feeling unwell; he takes medication for hypertension.
Carlos Barrios is a 27 years old miner. His father, Antenor Barrios, told Agence France-Presse: “I find he’s very strong and has enthusiasm. He spoke loud and clear. I was excited.”
Franklin Lobos Ramírez is a 53 years old retired footballer. He played for Cobresal, Deportes Antofagasta, Club de Deportes Santiago Wanderers and Unión La Calera, and briefly for the Chile national football team. Lobos had worked as a truck driver in the mine.
Yonni Barrios, called “The Doctor”, is a 50 years old electrician. He has knowledge of first aid, and was given responsibility for monitoring the health of his colleagues. “I felt I was in hell,” Barrios said in a letter to his wife.
Carlos Bugueño, 27 years old, joined the mine with Pedro Cortez. Previously, he worked as a watchman.
Alex Vega Salazar is a 31 years old heavy machinery mechanic. He is married to Jessica Salgado, and celebrated his birthday in the mine on September 22.
Ariel Ticona is a 29 years old miner. His wife, Margarita gave birth to his daughter on September 14. She was named Esperanza (Hope), at Ticona’s request.
Richard Villarroel is a 27 years old mechanic from Coyhaique.
Edison Peña is a 34 years old miner. “I want to go out soon,” he said on his first contact with his relatives. “I want to be free, I want to see the sun,” he added. He is a fan of Elvis Presley.
Claudio Yáñez is 34 years old, and works as drill operator.
José Ojeda, 46 years old, is the master driller. Ojeda is widowed and diabetic.
Luis Urzúa is a 54 year old topographer. He is the shift-leader, and was the first miner to talk with authorities. He is known as Don Lucho among the miners. He draw plans of the area of the mine where they are trapped.
Urzúa will be the last miner to leave the mine.
José Henríquez is a 54 years old drill master. He is also an evangelical preacher, and has worked in mines for 33 years.
Víctor Segovia is a 48 years old electrician. He is in charge of writing down everything that happens in the mine.
Pablo Rojas is a 45 years old explosives loader. Married, he had been working less than six months in the mine.
Juan Illanes is a 51 year old miner. He was a sergeant in the Beagle border conflict between Chile and Argentina in 1978, the incident which almost provoked a war between the countries.
Illanes was rescued on Wednesday, at 02:07 local time (05:07 UTC).
Jimmy Sánchez, 19, is the youngest miner. He had been working in the mine for five months before the accident. His role is to check the temperature and humidity in the mine.
Samuel Ávalos is a 43 years miner. His wife Ruth said “he was addicted to the cocaine.” His role in the rescue is to check air quality in the area the miners are living. According to the BBC, “Ávalos has worked in the mine for five months.”
Mario Gómez, aged 63, is the oldest of the miners. He has worked 51 years as miner. His father was also a miner, and is nicknamed “El Navegao” (“The Sailed One”). He was thinking of retiring in November.
Gómez also wrote the message “Estamos bien en el refugio los 33” (“We are fine in the shelter the 33 [of us]”).
Segovia is 48 years old. He is married to Jessica Chille, who said “To hear his voice was a confort to my heart,” after talking with him for the first time in 24 days. His sister María, was nicknamed “La Alcaldesa” (“The Mayoress”) for her leading role at Campamento Esperanza. His father, Darío Senior, was trapped in a mine for a week, and suffered serious injuries after two other mining accidents, according to the BBC.
Carlos Mamani is a 23 years old heavy equipment operator. He is also the only non-Chilean miner; Mamani is Bolivian. He began working in the mine just five days before the accident.
He was rescued at 03:11 local time (06:11 UTC) on Wednesday.
Renán Ávalos is a 29 years old miner, single, who had been working for five months in the mine before the accident. Florencio Ávalos is his brother.
Omar Reygadas is a 56 year old electrician. He began working in the mine shortly before the accident.
Esteban Rojas is a 44 years old miner. Rojas is married to Jessica Yáñez.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Penny Lucas is running for the Progressive Conservative in the Ontario provincial election, in the Kenora-Rainy River riding. Wikinews’ Nick Moreau interviewed regarding her values, her experience, and her campaign.
Stay tuned for further interviews; every candidate from every party is eligible, and will be contacted. Expect interviews from Liberals, Progressive Conservatives, New Democratic Party members, Ontario Greens, as well as members from the Family Coalition, Freedom, Communist, Libertarian, and Confederation of Regions parties, as well as independents.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
The World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has today announced in Christchurch, New Zealand that the Sydney Opera House has been added to the World Heritage List of culturally significant sites.
It is the third time that a bid has been made to include the Opera House in the list, after failing to receive enough votes in 1981 and 1996. Roni Amelan, UNESCO spokesman said the decision to list the Opera House was unanimous.
“There was consensus that it was a truly outstanding, iconic building that was a defining moment in 20 century architecture,” said Mr Amelan.
The committee described the Opera House as daring and influential. “It is a daring and visionary experiment that has had an enduring influence on the emergent architecture of the late 20th-century,” claimed the committee. “The building is a great artistic monument and an icon.”
The Sydney Opera House becomes the youngest building to be listed on the register, being built in October 1973. It joins other landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, Statue of Liberty and the Egyptian Pyramids. The Opera House becomes only the second Australian building on the list, joining the Melbourne Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, which were added in 2004.
As a result of the listing, a 2.5 kilometre buffer will be enforced around the Opera House to protect views to and from the building. If the World Heritage values of the site are breached, the site can be placed on an endangered list and removed from the register.
Australian Prime Minister, John Howard said the Opera House is treasured throughout the world. “The Opera House, and its setting at Bennelong Point on Sydney Harbour, is an iconic and treasured place, not just for Australians but also internationally,” he said.
An excited NSW Premier, Morris Iemma informed state parliament of the UNESCO’s decision.
Jorn Utzon, the architect of the Opera House gave a statement from his home in Denmark expressing the honour of having one of his buildings listed on the register.
“World Heritage listing gives the building … a completely new value,” Mr Utzon said. “It is a gift to the city of Sydney.” Mr Utzon said it was the vision of those who worked on the construction of the Opera House for it to be Sydney’s greatest landmark.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
An Internet outage in New Zealand has left tens of thousands of people without Internet access for over five hours after a planned upgrade crashed Telecom’s servers.
Telecom, New Zealand’s telecommunications monopolistic company, had planned for an upgrade to its network overnight but it didn’t quite go to plan as their network crashed at around 4.00 a.m. (NZST) until around 11.00 a.m., when it was restored. Telecom has said that either customers lost their connection altogether, or could not access some websites.
The network outage also affected other ISP’s who purchase their services off Telecom. Vodafone’s ihug, TelstraClear, Slingshot, Callplus, Quicksilver, MaxNet, Woosh, World Exchange, ICONZ, and, of course, Xtra were all the affected ISPs.
Another network outage, again, left broadband subscribers without Internet for around 20 minutes, from 11.20 a.m. to 11.40 a.m..
The outage affected international and national websites, and e-mail services of both residential and some corporate customers.
Telecom says that they are still investigating the full reason for why the outage occurred, but they do know it was related to a problem with a broadband router in Auckland.
Spokesperson, Sarah Berry has said that Telecom will consider compensation case by case for affected customers.
Some people still had limited Internet access though, including Wikinews reporter, Gabriel Pollard. Gabriel Pollard has said that he was able to access his Gmail account, some pages of Wikinews, and some pages would start to load but never finish. He described it as “painfully slow.” Mr Pollard says that it took a while to log onto his work e-mail as their TelstraClear Internet connection wasn’t working.
The network is still being monitored for any other problems that may arise.