Media
Wikimedia is a global movement whose mission is to bring free educational content to the world. Through various projects, chapters, and the support structure of the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation, Wikimedia strives to bring about a world in which every single human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. 1)
Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a project to build free encyclopedias in all languages of the world.
Wiktionary
Wiktionary is a project to create a multilingual free content dictionary in every language.
Wikiquote
Wikiquote is a repository of quotations taken from famous people, books, speeches, films or any intellectually interesting materials. Proverbs, mnemonics or slogans are also included in Wikiquote.
Wikibooks
Wikibooks aims to build a collection of free e-book resources, including textbooks, language courses, manuals, and annotated public domain books. It aims to help both (self-)instruction of students and teachers in high schools and universities.
Wikisource
Wikisource is a multilingual project to archive a collection of free and open content texts.
Wikispecies
Wikispecies is an open, wiki-based project to provide a central, more extensive species database for taxonomy. It covers living and fossil representatives of Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Bacteria, Archaea, Protista and all other forms of life.
Wikinews
The Wikinews project was launched with the mission to report the news on a wide variety of subjects. Contributors from around the world write news articles collaboratively. Reports range from original reporting and interviews to summaries of news from external sources. All reports are required to be written from a neutral point of view.
- US Representative Elijah Cummings dies at age 68 (2019/10/19 02:07)
Friday, October 18, 2019
Early yesterday morning, United States Representative Elijah Cummings died while in hospice care. Cummings, the Democratic chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, was 68.
Elijah Eugene Cummings, first elected to Congress in 1996, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1951. His parents, Robert Cummings Sr. and Ruth Elma Cummings, were sharecroppers. In grade school, Cummings expressed intent to become a lawyer. After receiving a bachelor's degree in political science from Howard University, he attended law school at the University of Maryland. Cummings passed the state bar exam in 1976, and went on to start his own law practice.
In 1982 Cummings successfully ran to be a state delegate, joining the Maryland General Assembly in 1983. He remained there for fourteen years, eventually serving as the speaker pro tem of the chamber. Cummings was the first African American to hold that office.
When Representative Kweisi Mfume of Maryland's seventh Congressional District announced his resignation in 1995, Cummings joined the race to replace him, winning the election. He went on to serve in the House of Representatives for twenty three years. He was among the Representatives who voted against the Iraq War in 2002, and in 2003 and 2004 served as the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. He was also a member of the United States House Select Committee on Benghazi.
Following Democratic victories in the 2018 midterm elections, Cummings became the chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee. In that role, Cummings oversaw the committee's impeachment inquiry into President Trump, alongside the House Foreign Affairs and Intelligence committees.
The Baltimore Sun reported Cummings had been sick and was missing from Capitol Hill; his last roll call vote was on September 11. At 2:45 a.m. local time (0645 UTC), his office said, he died at Gilchrist Hospice Care. In a statement, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, his wife and the current chairwoman of the Maryland Democratic Party, said Cummings "worked until his last breath".
In response to Cummings's death, Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, ordered the Capitol's flags be lowered to half staff. Flags at the White House were reportedly similarly lowered.
Politicians from across the political spectrum publicly mourned Cummings's death. Democrat Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, told MSNBC Cummings "was a great man," while Republican President Trump noted his "strength, passion and wisdom" on Twitter.
Representative Carolyn Maloney, the most senior Democrat on the Oversight and Reform Committee, has stepped into Cummings's role as the committee's acting chair. As of yesterday evening, the process to select the next permanent chair had not yet been announced, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Under Maryland state law, Republican Larry Hogan, the current governor, has until October 28 to release plans for a special election to fill Cummings's congressional seat.
Sources[modifier]
- Jeff Baker. "Rep. Elijah Cummings rose from segregated childhood to powerful political voice in Baltimore, Washington" — Baltimore Sun, October 17, 2019
- CBS/AP. "Elijah Cummings, esteemed longtime Baltimore congressman, has died at 68" — CBS News, October 17, 2019
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Brooke Singman. "What Elijah Cummings' death means for impeachment" — Fox News, October 17, 2019
- Hundreds arrested for 'dark web' child porn by international task force (2019/10/17 07:10)
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Yesterday, authorities in the United Kingdom and the United States announced that 337 suspected users in 38 countries were arrested following an investigation of a dark web child pornography site. The website was based in South Korea and accepted cryptocurrency as payment. Law enforcement agencies from Germany, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States were part of the international task force. The current phase of investigation and arrests began in 2018.
At the center of the case was a website known as "Welcome To Video" and its alleged operator Jong Woo Son from South Korea. According to authorities, the site hosted a quarter million video clips containing sexual abuse of children, including toddlers and infants. The site was said to have begun operations in June 2015. Authorities shuttered and seized the site in March 2018.
Jong Woo Son is already in prison in South Korea, but yesterday the United States Department of Justice unsealed further charges against him. United States Attorney Jessie K. Liu said, "Children around the world are safer because of the actions taken by U.S. and foreign law enforcement to prosecute this case and recover funds for victims […] We will continue to pursue such criminals on and off the darknet in the United States and abroad, to ensure they receive the punishment their terrible crimes deserve."
Nikki Holland of the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) said, "Dark web child sex offenders — some of whom are the very worst offenders — cannot hide from law enforcement. They're not as cloaked as they think they are, they're not as safe as they think they are." It was the NCA's investigation of Matthew Falder which led to the discovery of the South Korean website.
Jong was arrested in March, 2018, but South Korea's National Police Agency when announcing the arrest in May, 2018 identified him only as "Mr. A" as the international investigation continued. Some of the site's users already pleaded guilty or were convicted before yesterday's announcements. Allegedly, Jong processed ₿7300 in membership fees and video purchases. As of this writing, one bitcoin is worth approximately US$8000 or €7000. The site also allegedly made use of Tor, a layered network designed to keep users anonymous.
US authorities claimed the site was the largest child pornography site in the world and that more than twenty active victims were rescued. Listed US states as having members from the site were: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Washington, D.C. They also stated arrests were made in Australia, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
Despite the lengthy lists provided, neither US nor British authorities delivered a complete list of the 38 countries they said were involved.
Sources[modifier]
- "Dark web child abuse: Hundreds arrested across 38 countries" — BBC News Online, October 16, 2019
- Cyrus Farivar and Andrew Blankstein. "Feds take down the world's 'largest dark web child porn marketplace'" — NBC News, October 16, 2019
- "South Korean National and Hundreds of Others Charged Worldwide in the Takedown of the Largest Darknet Child Pornography Website, Which was Funded by Bitcoin" — United States Department of Justice, October 16, 2019
- "337 arrested after takedown of horrific dark web child abuse site Welcome To Video" — National Crime Agency, October 16, 2019
External links[modifier]
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"United States v. Jong Woo Son (Indictment)" — United States Department of Justice, May 3, 2019 (unsealed and accessed on October 16, 2019) (PDF)
- Hong Kong's Carrie Lam delivers speech on video after protests in legislature (2019/10/16 20:44)
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Today, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam delivered her annual policy speech. Speaking in the Legislative Council, Lam was interrupted by protesting legislators. The council was adjourned and Lam later delivered the speech via video. This was reportedly the first such occurrence.
Lawmakers from the pro-democracy camp shouted at Lam and projected slogans onto the walls of the council chambers. A number of legislators were removed. Council President Andrew Leung adjourned the session mere minutes into the speech as Lam left.
In the subsequent video broadcast of the speech, Lam said, "any acts that advocate Hong Kong’s independence and threaten the country’s sovereignty, security and development interests will not be tolerated." She further stated, "So long as Hong Kong remains impeded by unresolved disputes, ongoing violence, confrontation and discord, our city cannot embark on the road to reconciliation and people will lose faith in the future […] We have to put aside differences and stop attacking each other".
Lam also spoke on the economy. "The Hong Kong economy has already slipped into a technical recession since the third quarter. In mid-August, the government lowered the economic growth forecast for 2019 to 0 – 1%", she said, noting it was the worst their economy had performed since 2009. Lam also introduced housing and property initiatives to address concerns about rising prices.
Legislator Tanya Chan spoke to the press after the speech: "I really urge [Lam], if she can’t govern Hong Kong, and has no determination to govern Hong Kong, and no ability or even capability of administrating Hong Kong, to please step down. This is the only way we can have a good future, the only way Hong Kong can go forward. Please, please Carrie Lam, please don’t let us suffer anymore. Please go."
Regina Ip from the pro-Beijing camp said in a press conference: "The behavior of my colleagues in disrupting the delivery of the policy address by the chief executive is anti-democratic and oppressive of the rights of the chief executive, and the rights and freedoms of myself and colleagues who want to listen to the policy address".
Sources[modifier]
- "Hong Kong Leader's Annual Policy Speech Adjourned After Rowdy Lawmakers Disrupt Proceedings" — Time, October 16, 2019
- Verna Yu. "Hong Kong leader forced to deliver key speech via video after protests" — The Guardian, October 16, 2019
External links[modifier]
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Carrie Lam. "Treasure Hong Kong: Our Home" — Chief Executive of Hong Kong, October 16, 2019 (PDF)
- Kurds announce deal with Assad's government as Turkey invades Syria's northeast (2019/10/16 00:01)
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
Late on Sunday, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced it had entered into an agreement with the government of Syria after Turkey began a military offensive into north-eastern Syria on Wednesday. According to Syrian state media, government forces began deploying into previously SDF controlled territory yesterday. Also on Sunday, the United States announced a complete withdrawal from the region, beyond the withdrawal from the "immediate area" first announced seven days earlier on October 6.
In a statement, the SDF said, "An agreement has been reached with the Syrian government — whose duty it is to protect the country's borders and preserve Syrian sovereignty — for the Syrian Army to enter and deploy along the Syrian-Turkish border to help the [SDF] stop [the Turkish] aggression".
The Syrian Army — whose commander-in-chief is President Bashar al-Assad — entered Tell Tamer and Ain Issa yesterday according to state media. The SDF said hundreds of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) fighters escaped following Turkish airstrikes from a camp at Ain Issa.
On October 6, US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke on the phone. Then both nations issued statements speaking of an imminent incursion into northeast Syria, and the US statement spoke of Turkey assuming the duty of guarding captured ISIS militants.
On Wednesday, Turkey began a military offensive with airstrikes followed by a ground invasion. Erdoğan said the invasion was "to prevent the creation of a terror corridor across our southern border, and to bring peace to the area." He named it "Operation Peace Spring" and named both the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and People's Protection Units (YPG) as terrorists. PKK is a banned militant organization in Turkey; YPG is the main fighting force of the SDF, largely Kurdish and, according to Turkey, supportive of the PKK.
The operation was condemned by members of the European Union. Erdoğan cited Article 5 of the NATO treaty and said, "They need to stand by us", while addressing the press yesterday. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg wrote, "I count on Turkey to act with restraint & ensure that the gains we have made in the fight against ISIS are not jeopardised."
Related news[modifier]
- "US President Trump announces troop withdrawal from Syria" — Wikinews, October 8, 2019
Sources[modifier]
- Ellen Francis, Tuvan Gumrukcu, and Phil Stewart. "Russia-backed Syrian army sweeps in after U.S. announces abrupt exit" — Reuters, October 14, 2019
- Edmund DeMarche. "Kurdish forces announce deal with Damascus after US pullout" — Fox News, October 14, 2019
- "‘Are you with us or with terrorists?’ Erdogan lashes out at NATO allies for failure to back Turkey’s Syria op" — RT, October 14, 2019
- Nicole Darrah. "Hundreds of ISIS supporters escape camp in Syria as Turkish troops approach, Kurds say" — Fox News, October 13, 2019
- Bethan McKernan, Julian Borger, and Dan Sabbagh. "Turkish troops advance into Syria as Trump washes his hands of the Kurds" — The Guardian, October 10, 2019
- Bill Chappell, Scott Neuman and Merrit Kennedy. "Turkish Forces Launch Military Attack Against Kurds At Syrian Border" — NPR, October 9, 2019
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Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. "@RTErdogan on Twitter" — Twitter, October 9, 2019
- Kenya's Brigid Kosgei sets new world record at Chicago Marathon (2019/10/14 22:47)
Monday, October 14, 2019
Yesterday, Brigid Kosgei of Kenya won the 2019 Chicago Marathon and broke the long-standing marathon world record for women competing in mixed-sex marathons. Kosgei was the Chicago Marathon defending champion. Countryman Lawrence Cherono won the men's division. The race was held in the United States city of Chicago, Illinois.
In setting the new record, Kosgei finished more than six minutes ahead of her competition, completing the race in 2:14:04. This was 81 seconds faster than Paula Radcliffe's mixed-sex mark set at the 2003 London Marathon. The women-only record of 2:17:01, held by Mary Jepkosgei Keitany also from Kenya, remained intact. The distinction between the two records is the use of male pacesetters.
"I was not expecting this", said Kosgei after the race. "But I felt my body was moving, moving, moving so I went for it. This is amazing for me." Kosgei was joined by Paula Radcliffe at the finish line. "[...] I always knew this time would come — and when I saw how fast Brigid was running I knew the record would go if she could maintain her pace", Radcliffe said.
Second and third place went to Ababel Yeshaneh and Gelete Burka, both from Ethiopia, with times of 2:20:51 and 2:20:55, respectively. Winner of the men's division, Cherono, posted a time of 2:05:45. He was followed closely by Ethiopians Dejene Debela, 2:05:46, and Asefa Mengstu, 2:05:48.
Just the previous day, Kosgei's countryman Eliud Kipchoge became the first person to run a marathon in under two hours, setting the mark in Vienna, Austria at a special event; though Kipchoge's time was not considered an official world record, as it was not an open race sanctioned under IAAF rules.
Related news[modifier]
- "Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya runs marathon under two hours" — Wikinews, October 13, 2019
Sources[modifier]
- Wynne Davis. "Kenyan Brigid Kosgei Smashes Women's World Record At Chicago Marathon" — NPR, October 13, 2019
- Sean Ingle. "I can go quicker, says Brigid Kosgei after smashing Paula Radcliffe’s world record" — The Guardian, October 13, 2019
- AFP. "Kenya's Kosgei crushes Radcliffe world record in Chicago Marathon" — Yahoo! Sports, October 13, 2019
External links[modifier]
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"Race Results" — Chicago Marathon, October 14, 2019 (date of access)
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Wikiversity
Wikiversity is a project dedicated to learning materials and learning communities, as well as research. Wikiversity is not limited to university (or tertiary) level materials, but is open to materials and communities of all learner levels. The way it can facilitate learning activities and communities is still being explored, but is centered around the model of 'learning by doing', or 'experiential learning'.
Wikivoyage
Wikivoyage aims to create the world's largest free, complete and up-to-date world-wide travel guide.
Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons provide a central repository for free photographs, diagrams, maps, videos, animations, music, sounds, spoken texts, and other free media. It is a multilingual project with contributors speaking dozens of languages, that serves as a central repository for all Wikimedia projects.
- Wikimedia Commons picture of the day for October 19 (2019/10/19 03:00)
Picture of the day 
Valley of Tasman River in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park in Canterbury Region, South Island of New Zealand. - Wikimedia Commons picture of the day for October 18 (2019/10/18 03:00)
Picture of the day 
Cathedral-Basilica of Mary, Queen of the World, Montreal, Canada. The construction of the cathedral, ordered by Ignace Bourget, began in 1875 in order to replace the former Saint-Jacques Cathedral which had burned in 1852. The building is a scale model of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome and the new church was consecrated in 1894. In 2000 the cathedral was designated a National Historic Site of Canada. - Wikimedia Commons picture of the day for October 17 (2019/10/17 03:00)
Picture of the day 
Today is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which on its first commemeration in 1987, had 100,000 people gathering on Human Rights and Liberties Plaza in Trocadéro to honour victims of poverty, hunger, violence and fear. This photo shows a female beggar in Guanajuato, Mexico. - Wikimedia Commons picture of the day for October 16 (2019/10/16 03:00)
Picture of the day 
Garden locust (Acanthacris ruficornis). In the 1870s, the largest locust swarm in history was recorded in the USA and was estimated to contain over 12 trillion (12,000,000,000,000) locusts. - Wikimedia Commons picture of the day for October 15 (2019/10/15 03:00)
- Wikimedia Commons picture of the day for October 14 (2019/10/14 03:00)
Picture of the day 
Hochschwab (2,277 metres (7,470 ft) – view from Hochanger mountain (1,682 metres (5,518 ft)) near Turnau, Styria, Austria - Wikimedia Commons picture of the day for October 13 (2019/10/13 03:00)
Picture of the day 
Humpback whale () near its whale calf, breaching off to keep away males. Taken offshore (Tahiti, French Polynesia). - Wikimedia Commons picture of the day for October 12 (2019/10/12 03:00)
Picture of the day 
War memorial monument ("Kriegerdenkmal"), Hofgarten, in front of the Bayerische Staatskanzlei, Munich, Germany. The monument is composed of an open crypt, that consist of 12 stone blocks, located in the middle of a rectangular pit. The crypt just contains the statue of a dead soldier, a work of Bernhard Bleeker. The monument was inaugurated in 1924. The original statue was replaced by a bronze cast in 1972, and is now exhibited in the Bavarian Army museum in Ingolstadt. - Wikimedia Commons picture of the day for October 11 (2019/10/11 03:00)
- Wikimedia Commons picture of the day for October 10 (2019/10/10 03:00)
Picture of the day 
Helophilus pendulus in France
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Wikidata
Wikidata aims to create a free knowledge base about the world that can be read and edited by humans and machines alike. The data available in Wikidata is licensed under the Creative Commons CC0 License to allow third-party users to freely reuse the data available, unlike other Wikimedia projects.
MediaWiki
The MediaWiki open source community maintains several software projects.
Meta-Wiki
Meta-Wiki is a project used as a central hub for various coordination and organization tasks, such as discussions affecting multiple wikis or planning upcoming events.
Wikimedia Incubator
The Wikimedia Incubator is a wiki used for developing new wikis.
Wikimedia Labs
Wikimedia Labs 2) is a project aimed to help volunteers get involved in Wikimedia operations and software development, and to make it easier for system administrators and developers to try out improvements to Wikimedia infrastructure, including MediaWiki.