Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Also try the 2008 World News Quiz of the year.
What would you tell your grandchildren about 2008 if they asked you about it in, let’s say, 20 years’ time? If the answer to a quiz question was 2008, what would the question be? The year that markets collapsed, or perhaps the year that Obama became US president? Or the year Heath Ledger died?
Let’s take a look at some of the important stories of 2008. Links to the original Wikinews articles are in all the titles.
byAlma Abell
You spend a considerable amount of your time in your bed (about a third of your life), so it only makes sense that you invest in the area where you sleep. It is never a good idea to skimp on your mattress. Choosing the right mattress means that you are able to wake up with more energy to face the day. In addition to this, the right mattress will be beneficial to your overall health. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to afford the high-end mattresses that promise all these benefits and more. With the right tips however, you can be able to a good mattress from a retailer that gets their products directly from a Mattress Factory in Denver.
The first step is to come up with a budget and use this as your guide when doing your research. This will help you make a purchase that you can actually afford, as well as make it easier to narrow down the choices to get the best one. Try to find out which one will best suit your needs, and visit different retailers and try to get a good deal on your purchase. Some retailers offer great discounts especially on as-is mattresses, overstock and discontinued mattresses. You don’t always have to spend top dollar to get a high quality mattress.
Finally, work your way down by first trying the high-end mattresses. Even when you have no intention of buying, it is important that you get a sense of what the high-end mattresses are like. This will give you a good idea of the level of comfort that you should expect from the option that you purchase. You can then slowly work your way down the chain and try a few different options until you find one that is comfortable enough and is within your price range.
You should never rush the process of finding the right mattress. Take your time to test the different mattresses in the same position that you usually sleep in. You can always be able to get some great deals by knowing where to shop.
You do not always have to break bank to be able to get a high-quality mattress that fits your needs. Some retailers are able to offer great deals on high-end products simply because they purchase directly from a Mattress Factory in Denver. Visit peakdiscountmattress.com for more details.
Friday, June 1, 2007
In an unannounced vote yesterday, the Philadelphia City Council in the United States voted 16-1 to endorse the eviction of, and end their lease held in perpetuity with, the local council of the Boy Scouts in Philadelphia. The Scouts must pay market rent or leave the building. The Cradle of Liberty Council has more than 60,000 members in Philadelphia and Delaware and Montgomery Counties.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The president of Egypt has suffered a “devastating blow” after the country’s army announced they would not use force against their own people, who continue to protest against the government tonight. The news came hours after six journalists who reported on the protests were released from custody.
Hosni Mubarak yesterday announced a new cabinet, which does not include several figures who protesters largely do not approve of. Analysts have, however, suggested little had changed within the government; many positions, they say, are filled with military figures.
| To the great people of Egypt, your armed forces, acknowledging the legitimate rights of the people … have not and will not use force against the Egyptian people. | ||
In a statement broadcast on state media in Egypt, the army said: “To the great people of Egypt, your armed forces, acknowledging the legitimate rights of the people … have not and will not use force against the Egyptian people.” A BBC correspondent in Cairo said the announcement meant it “now seems increasingly likely that the 30-year rule of Mr Mubarak is drawing to a close.”
“The presence of the army in the streets is for your sake and to ensure your safety and wellbeing. The armed forces will not resort to use of force against our great people,” the statement added. “Your armed forces, who are aware of the legitimacy of your demands and are keen to assume their responsibility in protecting the nation and the citizens, affirms that freedom of expression through peaceful means is guaranteed to everybody.”
Earlier today, six journalists from the independent news network Al-Jazeera were released from custody after being detained by police. The U.S. State Department criticized the arrests; equipment was reportedly confiscated from the journalists.
|
HAVE YOUR SAY
|
|
|
Have you been affected in some way by this unrest? Tell us your thoughts.
|
|
|
Add or view comments
|
|
Egyptian officials yesterday ordered the satellite channel to stop broadcasting in the country. Al-Jazeera said they were “appalled” by the government’s decision to close its Egyptian offices, which they described as the “latest attack by the Egyptian regime to strike at its freedom to report independently on the unprecedented events in Egypt.”
In a statement, the news agency added: “Al-Jazeera sees this as an act designed to stifle and repress the freedom of reporting by the network and its journalists. In this time of deep turmoil and unrest in Egyptian society it is imperative that voices from all sides be heard; the closing of our bureau by the Egyptian government is aimed at censoring and silencing the voices of the Egyptian people.”
On Friday, Wikinews reported the government had shut off practically all Internet traffic both out of and into the nation, as well as disrupting cellphone usage. A spokesperson for the social networking website Facebook said “limiting Internet access for millions of people is a matter of concern for the global community.”
A reported 50,000 campaigners, who are demanding the long-time leader step down and complaining of poverty, corruption, and oppression, filled Tahrir Square in Cairo today, chanting “We will stay until the coward leaves.” It is thought 100 people have so far died in the demonstrations. Today there have been protests in Suez, Mansoura, Damanhour, and Alexandria.
Speaking to news media in the area, many protesters said the new cabinet did little to quell their anger. “We want a complete change of government, with a civilian authority,” one said. Another added: “This is not a new government. This is the same regime—this is the same bluff. [Mubarak] has been bluffing us for 30 years.”
In Tahrir Square today, protesters played music as strings of barbed wire and army tanks stood nearby. Demonstrators scaled light poles, hanging Egyptian flags and calling for an end to Mubarak’s rule. “One poster featured Mubarak’s face plastered with a Hitler mustache, a sign of the deep resentment toward the 82-year-old leader they blame for widespread poverty, inflation and official indifference and brutality during his 30 years in power,” one journalist in the square reported this evening.
byadmin
Making a choice to install an indoor or outdoor fireplace can substantially raise the property value of your home or establishment while also providing an enjoyable, functional space you can use for decades to come. If you are looking for a quality fireplace installation in West Michigan, consider the following factors when selecting a vendor.
Choose a vendor who is able to provide a wide variety of fireplace options. From wood burning and traditional masonry fireplaces to more specialized installations such as outdoor and alternative fuel fireplaces that utilize corn, coal or pellets as fuel, expert installers with access to a wide variety of vendors and building types are likely to be able to provide quality prices at the most competitive prices.
Find a provider with both online and physical showroom locations. While online only options may feel like the most convenient route, pictures can be deceiving. An attractive, well-designed fireplace may very well become the most memorable and cherished aspect of your home. It is worth doing the extra in-person research to make sure you are making the right choice in your quality fireplace installation in West Michigan. This also gives you the additional opportunity to ask any questions you may have directly to the specialists. In addition, installers who are willing to showcase their products in person are far less likely to be hiding shoddy products behind strategic angles and glossy lighting.
If you are able to visit a showroom, make sure you bring a picture of the space where you would like to have your fireplace installed along with the dimensions of the space. This will allow installation professionals to help you to select the model ideally suited to your space while staying within your budget constraints.
Finding the right quality fireplace installation in West Michigan can mean the difference between an expensive-to-run, lackluster product and the fireplace of your dreams. Work with true professionals, and begin making your fireplace fantasies come to life today. Visit the website http://www.vanderwallbros.com/ for more information.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
AUSTRALIA —Following hospitalisation for pancreatitis and ongoing speculation about his leadership, Mark Latham has resigned from his roles as leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and also the Federal Member for Werriwa. He cited as reasons the media harassment, and a desire to put his family and health first.
Mr Latham became leader of the ALP just over a year ago, on 2 December, 2003, leading the party during the October 2004 federal election. He was hospitalised in the run-up to that election, also for treatment of pancreatitis. Following the defeat of his party, his leadership increasingly came under question.
He fell ill a second time almost simultaneously with last year’s Indian Ocean tsunami disaster. His failure to issue a statement on the tsunami drew criticism from the media and calls for his resignation from within his own party, even after it was revealed that he had been incapacitated at the time.
Mr Latham’s resignation sidesteps the possibility of a leadership challenge by other members of the party and leaves no clear successor.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Yesterday, UK singer Ed Sheeran won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year for his song Thinking Out Loud from his album × ahead of Kendrick Lamar’s Alright; Wiz Khalifa’s, featuring Charlie Puth, See You Again; Little Big Town’s Girl Crush; and Taylor Swift’s Blank Space. Girl Crush won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song.
Welsh singer Amy Wadge co-wrote the song. Sheeran during the ceremony said they wrote the song on a couch in his house. In remarks to the Western Mail, Wadge said the album was already complete when they wrote the song.
Thinking out Loud remained #2 on Billboard Hot 100 for almost two months, and topped the UK rankings last year. Its video song has 969 Million YouTube views and has more than four million likes. The song also won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance.
US singer Stevie Wonder announced the winner for the Song of the Year, and the envelope was written in Braille script. He joked about it saying “You can’t read it, you can’t read Braille!”
Along with Ed Sheeran’s first Grammy, Canadians The Weeknd and Justin Bieber won Grammy awards for the first time.
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
In February 2017, the Iranian Chess Federation announced two teenage chess players, Dorsa Derakhshani and her younger brother Borna Derakhshani, were banned from representing the national team. The federation announced their decision although Dorsa Derakhshani had previously decided and informed the chess federation she did not wish to play for Iran.
Dorsa Derakhshani is currently 21 years old and holds the International Master (IM) as well as Woman Grand Master (WGM) titles. Her brother, Borna, plays for the English Federation and holds the FIDE Master title.
Dorsa Derakhshani was banned since she did not wear a hijab, an Islamic headscarf, while competing at the Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival in January 2017. Under the laws of Islamic Republic of Iran, hijab is a mandatory dress code. Her brother Borna Deraskhsani was banned for playing against Israeli Grand Master (GM) Alexander Huzman at the same tournament. Iran does not recognise the existence of Israel, and previously, Irani athletes have avoided playing against Israeli athletes.
Mehrdad Pahlavanzadeh, the president of the country’s chess federation, explained the decision to ban the players saying, “As a first step, these two will be denied entry to all tournaments taking place in Iran and in the name of Iran, they will no longer be allowed the opportunity to be present on the national team.” ((fa))Farsi language: ?????? ????? ?? ??? ??? ?? ??? ????? ?? ?? ???? ???????? ?? ?? ????? ? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ????? ??????? ? ???? ???? ???? ?? ??? ??? ?? ??????? ????. He further stated, “Unfortunately, something that should not have happened has happened and our national interest is paramount and we have reported this position to the Ministry of Sports.” ((fa))Farsi language: ????????? ?????? ?? ????? ????????? ?????? ??? ? ????? ??? ?? ?? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ? ?? ??? ???? ?? ?? ????? ???? ?? ????? ?????.
IM Dorsa Derakhshani, who currently studies at Saint Louis University in the United States and plays for the United States Chess Federation, discussed her chess career, time in Iran and the 2017 controversy, and her life in Saint Louis with a Wikinews correspondent.
CAT scan, otherwise known as the Computerized Axial Tomography scan, is among the most common diagnostic procedures in the medical field. It is beneficial in helping health care providers diagnose and detect abnormalities in the human body. This post talks about the basic questions that most people ask about it.
Does it cause pain?
No. The procedure is painless and non-invasive.
When is it often prescribed?
This diagnostic method is prescribed for the following reasons:
How does it provide doctors with images?
It combines various X-ray images with the aid of the computer to give various cross-sectional views that could not be seen through plain X-ray alone. It may also give three-dimensional images of internal organs and structures.
What does the machine look like?
The machine looks like a large donut-shaped scanner. When a person is inside, the body is scanned at different angles so that various pictures may be produced. Each image taken is referred to as a slice. The slice is recorded on film and is later referred to as a tomogram.
What are the usual parts visualized?
Usually, this diagnostic procedure is done on:
Is contrast material necessary?
Contrast material or dyes are sometimes used to enhance the scanning. For example, it may be added to the spinal fluid so that a better image of the spine, spinal cord, and the nerves may be seen. The dye is usually administered via the veins.
What are the risks involved?
This is a very low-risk procedure. The most adverse reaction is hypersensitivity to the intravenous contrast material. Clients are often asked if they are allergic to seafood since the dyes are iodine-based. Pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy are also not advised to have scans due to the danger of radiation on the fetus.
What preparations are needed?
Food and fluids are restricted several hours before the scanning. Physical exams and history-taking is also done. All metallic objects and certain pieces of clothing should be removed so that the clarity of the diagnostic imaging may be good.