Wikinews’ overview of the year 2007

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Wikinews’ overview of the year 2007

Monday, December 31, 2007

What would you tell your grandchildren about 2007 if they asked you about it in, let’s say, 20 year’s time? If the answer to a quiz question was 2007, what would the question be? The year that you first signed on to Facebook? The year Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse fell apart? The year author Kurt Vonnegut or mime Marcel Marceau died, both at 84?

Let’s take a look at some of the international stories of 2007. Links to the original Wikinews articles are in bold.

Anthrocon 2007 draws thousands to Pittsburgh for furry weekend

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Anthrocon 2007 draws thousands to Pittsburgh for furry weekend

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — Local caterers get ready for big business, as almost three thousand fans converge on the David L. Lawrence Convention Center over the Independence Day weekend for the world’s largest ever furry convention, Anthrocon 2007.

Many hope to renew acquaintances, or meet new friends. Others look to buy from dealers and artists, or show off new artwork or costumes. Some attend to make money, or even learn a thing or two. But one thing unites them: They’re all there to have fun.

Contents

  • 1 Costly expansion
  • 2 Programming and entertainment
  • 3 Audience
  • 4 Art show and dealers
  • 5 Charity and volunteers
  • 6 Local impact
  • 7 Related news
  • 8 Sources

Benefits Of Choosing Home Heating Oil In Norwich, Ct

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byAlma Abell

We all heat our homes differently. Today, there are many heating options, from gas to water heating systems. Prior to these kinds of systems, most homes relied on coal and wood burning fires to keep their homes and businesses warm during the colder months of the year. Over the years, options have expanded even further as we discover more and more about energy and science technologies. One of the best ways to heat your home efficiently is through heating oil. This method has been around for a long time, but it is making a comeback in recent years due to the benefits and advantages of choosing to heat your home with oil.

Clean

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS1Rq12Ev1E[/youtube]

Oil heating has its reduced greenhouse gas by over 30% in the past forty years. Which means it’s better for the environment. Also, the sulfur content of heating oil has also been reduced from 1% to less than 0.25%. That means that you can look forward to home heating oil in Norwich, CT being a cleaner resource for heating.

Efficient

If you have a large home, you may face high-cost heating bills each year in the colder months of winter. However, if you choose home heating oil, you can look forward to more efficient heating. New oil heating systems are more efficient than they’ve ever been! To heat your home, turn to Norwich home heating oil.

Versatile

Home heating oil can be used for more than just heating your home. It can be used to heat water, too! You can even have an oil heating system for your pool.

Provides Abundant Hot Water

Do you ever struggle with not having enough hot water? Home heating oil can be used to heat water up and provide enough hot water for your whole family more efficiently than ever before.

Airborne sedan smashes into dental office in Santa Ana, California, US

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Airborne sedan smashes into dental office in Santa Ana, California, US

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

A car accident involving the car occupants and a dentist’s office happened on Sunday night in Santa Ana, California. A white Nissan sedan which was apparently driving too fast hit the raised concrete median on the road, after which it was launched into the air, slamming straight into the wall of the second floor of a two-story dental practice building, where the car got wedged.

According to the police, the car approached from a side street. The room of the dental office penetrated by the sedan was used as a storage space. A fire department crane was used to extract the vehicle from the building, which took several hours.

There were two people in the sedan. One of them managed to escape from the hanging vehicle on his own, while the other one remained trapped inside it for over an hour. They were both hospitalized with minor injuries, according to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). According to the police, the driver of the car admitted narcotics use, and after toxicology tests the case is to be submitted to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

The moment of the accident was captured by surveillance video from a bus which the car narrowly missed when becoming airborne.

According to OCFA spokesperson Captain Stephen Horner, there was a small fire after the crash, which was extinguished quickly.

Australian health workers to close intensive care units in Victoria next week

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Australian health workers to close intensive care units in Victoria next week
April 6th, 2018 in Uncategorized | No Comments

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Members of Australia’s Health Services Union (HSU) will go on strike in Victoria next week in a dispute over stalled wage and career structure negotiations. Over 5000 physiotherapists, speech pathologists and radiation therapists will walk off the job next week, effectively closing the state’s 68 largest health services.

The strike will force the closure of intensive care units and emergency departments across the state.

It is feared the strike could continue into Easter.

National secretary of the HSU, Kathy Jackson said admissions would be crippled, while intensive care patients would have to be evacuated to New South Wales, Tasmania and South Australia as hospitals will not be able to perform tests or administer treatment.

“When an ambulance shows up you can’t admit a patient without an X-ray being available, you can’t intubate them and you can’t operate on them,” she said.

“If something goes wrong in an ICU you need to be able to X-ray, use nuclear medicine or any diagnostic procedure,” said Ms Jackson.

Ms Jackson said the HSU offered arbitration last year, but the state government refused. “They’re not interested in settling disputes, they hope that we are just going to go away.”

“We’re not going away, we’ve gone back and balloted the whole public health workforce in Victoria, those ballots were successful, 97 percent approval rating,” she said.

The HSU is urging the government to commence serious negotiations to resolve the dispute before industrial action commenced.

The government has offered the union a 3.25 per cent pay increase, in line with other public sector workers but the union has demanded more, but stopped short of specifying a figure.

Victorian Premier John Brumby said the claim would be settled according to the government’s wages policy. “The Government is always willing and wanting to sit down and negotiate with the relevant organisations . . . we have a wages policy based around an increase of 3.25 per cent and, above that, productivity offset,” he told parliament.

The union claims it is also arguing against a lack of career structure, which has caused many professionals to leave the health service. Ms Jackson said wages and career structures in Victoria were behind other states.

Victorian Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said he was not in support of the proposed strike and called on the government to meet with unions. “There could not be a more serious threat to our health system than has been announced today.”

“We now have to do whatever is possible to stop this strike from proceeding,” he said.

The opposition leader will meet with the union at 11:30 AM today.

Victorian Hospitals Industry Association industrial relations services manager Simon Chant said hospitals were looking at the possible impact and warned that patients may have to be evacuated interstate if the strike goes ahead.

Tips For Choosing Your Engagement Cz Cocktail Ring

April 6th, 2018 in Jewellery | No Comments

Submitted by: Alina Ong

The existence of Cubic Zirconia (CZ) make our dreams of owning fashion bling-bling ring all possible due to its reasonable and lower price compare to diamond. The popularity of CZ make way for those who wish to buy an engagement CZ cocktail ring at an affordable price without breaking your pocket. If you re planning on getting married especially for a young couple and on a tight budget, CZ ring is the good alternative for you. There are synthetically lab made to look like diamond and you can t tell a difference easily. With that saving, you ll have more resources for other things such as wedding, honeymoon or even your new home. The most important thing is not to start a marriage with credit. These are the tips to assist you in purchasing your CZ engagement ring.

Find out your budget and be objective about it.

Do some survey to understand your spouse preference, style and not to forget her ring size. Is there any celebrity or designer ring that she admired? You can also get some information from her friends or relatives. This is crucial if you intend to surprise her.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atko80Gy2VU[/youtube]

Determine color preference. CZ gemstone comes colorless or with color. Colorless gemstone is the traditional style but yet it still remains popular today. Up in demand is color gemstone if you prefer something out of convention. It can be made to color like blue sapphires, green emerald, pink, champagne, etc.

Determine the shape of the ring. Popular shapes are round shape, princess shape, emerald shapes, marquise shape and oval shape.

CZ comes with various grades. They are graded from A through AAAAA with AAAAA being the highest grade. Grade AAA is the popular grade used for engagement ring. Avoid those glass based look as it look cheap and chances are your partner will feel the same as well. High quality cubic zirconia has their greatest clarity and brilliance thus it looks as similar as a diamond.

The focus of the ring is always at the center and so is best to give more attention to it. Having said that, you can also add more design and sparkle on the band instead of the traditional plain single band.

Decide on your ring metal type. It can be sterling silver but if you have more budget aim for gold or white gold. Platinum are lovely but more expensive.

Survey around to get best value or purchase online as they provide great sale at a reasonable price compare to store as they have lower operating cost thus grant them the privilege in giving you a special rate. Take your time and don t rush into buying if you re not sure. Find out from customer feedback or review on their products and service.

These tips will help make your journey in sourcing for your engagement CZ cocktail ring much easier. Finally, do be honest with your spouse that it is a CZ ring. Next is to come out with creative idea for your engagement proposal.

About the Author: Alina is the founder of

1CocktailRings.com

, a website on CZ cocktail rings. She offers other tips on CZ cocktail ring such as Why CZ cocktail rings, Tips for Accessorizing your Bling Cocktail Rings

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=946224&ca=Marriage

Swiss reject single health insurance

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Swiss reject single health insurance
April 6th, 2018 in Uncategorized | No Comments

Monday, March 12, 2007

24 of 26 Swiss Cantons rejected the proposal for a single health insurance system, in which premiums would be based on income and wealth. The vote on Sunday was the latest in a series of attempts to cut rising costs and ease the financial burden on citizens.

Around 71% of voters rejected the reform. Turnout was at about 46%, slightly above the Swiss average.

As expected, voters in the main German-speaking part of the country turned down the planned reform, which was supported by the centre-left but opposed by the centre-right as well as the business community, parliament and the government.

Opposition in the French and Italian speaking regions was less pronounced. The cantons Jura and Neuchâtel in the French speaking regions voted in favor of the proposed reforms.

Health insurance premiums are higher in southern and western Swiss cantons than in German-speaking areas.

The Swiss Interior Minister Pascal Couchepin said an important part of the Swiss Population appeared to be opposed to “a revolution” in health insurance but he said that he wanted current reforms currently under discussion in the Swiss Parliament to go ahead. He called on all sides, especially health insurers and the cantonal authorities, to make efforts to reduce spending on health insurance and aim for a greater cost efficiency. Currently Switzerland has 87 private insurers providing mandatory basic health care coverage for Swiss residents under a 1996 law. But costs have sky-rocketed. Over 100,000 people are not covered by health insurance due to non payment.

To win the battle of the cost of health care, everyone must place his or her private interests behind the interests of the general public. -Pascal Couchepin at a news conference

Opponents to the initiative argued that a single insurance system would lead to complacency and create a two-tier system, in which the wealthy would be the only ones available to afford to have additional private insurance coverage.

Supporters of the initiative said a single health insurer would increase the system’s efficiency and allow for annual savings of at least 300 million Swiss Francs (about $245 million) in administrative costs. Currently, the funding system is unbalanced, since many clients on low incomes use state subsidies to pay their premiums, according to the Green Party and the Social Democrats.

The initiative to unite all the insurance companies and introduce premiums based on wealth and income was the most recent in a series of attempts over the past ten years to reduce the public spending on health care. A proposal, similar to this recent proposal, to modify the funding system of the health insurance companies was rejected by 73% of voters in 2003.

Switzerland has the most expensive health system in Europe. Switzerland’s expenditure on health care was 11.6% in 2005, in front of Germany and France but behind the United States.

Learn more about Swiss Federal Council and Voting in Switzerland on Wikipedia.

SpaceX scrubs Falcon I rocket launch

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SpaceX scrubs Falcon I rocket launch
April 5th, 2018 in Uncategorized | No Comments

Monday, November 28, 2005

SpaceX called off the much-delayed inaugural launch of their new Falcon 1 rocket on Saturday from Kwajalein’s Omelek Island launch site. The intent was to launch the U.S. Air Force Academy’s FalconSat 2 satellite, which will monitor plasma interactions with the Earth’s upper atmosphere and magnetosphere.

The launch was delayed, then finally cancelled after an oxygen boil-off vent had accidentally been left open. The oxygen was unable to cool the helium pressurant, which then proceeded to evaporate faster than it could be replenished. A main computer issue, probably serious enough to cause a scrub on its own, was also discovered.

This long-anticipated flight was originally expected to be launched in January 2005, however a series of setbacks forced a series of delays, with the flight most recently scheduled to be in early 2006. It was intended to be launched from the Kwajalein atoll in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

The maiden voyage was originally intended to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California with a Naval Research Laboratory satellite and a Space Services Incorporated space burial payload.

2008 Canadian Championship: Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact

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2008 Canadian Championship: Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact
April 5th, 2018 in Uncategorized | No Comments

Thursday, May 29, 2008

May 27, 20087:30 PM (EDT)
Toronto FC 1–0 Montreal Impact Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec Attendance: 12,083 Referee: Paul Ward
Brennan 32’Wynne 37’Dichio 41’Smith 41’Valez 72′ (1) 24′ Di Lorenzo 24′ Ribeiro 37′ Pesoli 53′ Pesoli

Toronto FC opened up the Nutrilite Canadian Championship with a 1-0 win against Montreal Impact at Saputo Stadium on Tuesday night.

Reds defender Marco Velez scored the only goal of the game, 1st in tournament history. Velez jumped to head home a cross from Laurent Robert. The goal came in the 72nd minute.

Montreal played for much of the 2nd half with 10 men after defender Stefano Pesoli was sent off for a second yellow card.

Toronto FC striker Danny Dichio has been struggling with a groin strain in recent weeks and was forced to leave the game before half time. He was replaced by Jarrod Smith.

Toronto FC now prepare to face Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at BMO Field. Toronto FC play their next Nutrilite Canadian Championship game on July 1st against Vancouver Whitecaps at BMO Field. The Impact’s next game is on Friday against the Portland Timbers at Saputo Stadium.

Understanding Your Rights Through The Help Of A Pedestrian Lawyer In King George, Va

April 4th, 2018 in Car Parts | No Comments

byAlma Abell

In Virginia, it’s essential to understand the correlations between pedestrian’s rights and the laws of the road. By understanding these connections, you understand that while it is the responsibility of drivers to yield the right of way, it is equally the pedestrian’s responsibility to refrain from crossing illegally. According to pedestrian laws, walkers are required to cross via crosswalks and remain on the sidewalk. A deviation of these rules that causes an accident could deem them responsible partially for their resulting injuries.

Interpreting Pedestrian LawsAccording to Virginia’s laws, pedestrians cannot cross intersections of the highway in which they aren’t visible clearly. This could include areas that experience higher than average traffic. Areas within the highway in which curbs could obstruct the field of view for oncoming drivers could also fall within the parameters of non-crossing zones. For clarity regarding these laws, you should contact a pedestrian lawyer in King George VA area.

Understanding Shared FaultAfter an accident occurs, highway patrol investigates to identify an exact cause. By reviewing the scene, he or she can determine whether the pedestrian followed applicable laws for crossing highways. Equally, they determine if the motorist exceeded the posted speed limit. However, if the pedestrian fails to comply with laws by remaining responsible when walking through these areas, the court could indicate that a shared fault existed. To review the potential for shared fault, discuss your case with a Pedestrian Lawyer.

Alternately, the laws outline the rights of pedestrians in areas such as bus stops primarily. An accident involving a pedestrian who is boarding a school or city bus indicates that the motorist is at fault in most cases. Applicable laws require traffic to stop for school buses that are loading or unloading to prevent accident or injury. Equally, the laws protect pedestrians who utilize city-based transportation services.

Pedestrians and motorists alike should review the correlating laws in Virginia. By understanding these requirements, they could reduce the amount of accidents that occur each year. For pedestrians who sustain injuries due to non-compliance of these laws, they should contact a pedestrian lawyer in King George VA to secure their right to damages.