SKY TV had problems earlier with some viewers unable to tune into certain channels.
It was caused by a streamlining issue not related to satellite problems.
The problem caused the following channels unable to be seen: Sky Movies, J2, Cartoon Network, Sky News, pay-per-view movie channels, radio channels including; National Radio, Concert FM and George FM.Most of the free-to-air channels, however, were working, along with the sport channels, some channels did suffer from picture pixelation.
The Internet group ‘Anonymous’ held protests outside Scientology centers in cities around the world on Sunday.Image: David Shankbone.Video report from BostonVideo: TUFKAAP.
The Internet group Project Chanology today held protests critical of the Church of Scientology. The protests marked what would have been the 49th birthday of Lisa McPherson, who is claimed to be a victim of the Church of Scientology’s practices. Lisa died in 1995 during a running of what Scientologists refer to as an Introspection Rundown, a procedure intended to help Church members deal with a psychotic or deeply traumatic event.
Protests were planned throughout the day in 14 countries and over 50 different cities. The estimation of total protesters world wide for Feb. 10, 2008 is 9,250 people.
Wikinews had correspondents at a number of protest locations to report on the events. This article was updated throughout the day with reports from around the globe.
Rooftop solar is amazing, both from an environmental standpoint and the hundreds of dollars a year you stand to save. Choice Magazine reckons that your payback period for a 5kw solar panel system should be between 2-7 years in Aussie capital cities (depending on where you live, and how much you export back to the grid). After that, it’s pretty much pure profit for the rest of the decade (as your solar panels should come with a 10-year industry-standard warranty). CanStar Blue customer research finds that the average electricity bills of solar customers nationwide are just over $1.2k a year, compared to an average of $1.6k for non-solar customers. There’s not many investments where you’re virtually guaranteed to save hundreds a year; no wonder Australia is leading the way in rooftop solar, with 1 in 5 Aussie homes having solar panels!
Bokashi Bins
Peat compost is a common sight in Aussie hardware and gardening stores, but did you know that even though peat is good for plants, it’s bad for the planet?
“Peatlands store a third of the world’s soil carbon, and their harvesting and use releases carbon dioxide, the major greenhouse gas driving climate change. The biggest environmental risk from peatlands is if they catch fire, which happened spectacularly in 2015 in Indonesia on land cleared for plantations. Peatland fires account for up to 5 percent of human-caused carbon emissions, according to the United Nations.” – Washington Post
If you’d rather leave that peat where it belongs and not contribute to greenhouse gases, bokashi composting is a great solution, and Bokashi bins can be small enough to easily place on your kitchen bench. Check out Bunning’s guide to turning your food scraps into “liquid gold”with Bokashi composting!
Water Tanks
These aren’t just for idyllic rural sheep farms anymore; they’re actually increasingly common in urban settings, too; in fact, current plumbing regulations in Victoria make it mandatory for new homes to come with either a rainwater tank or a solar hot water system.
“A case study of a model home in Melbourne shows that the use of rainwater tanks to supply water for laundry, dishwashing, toilets and an outside garden reduces the reliance on municipal water by 40%.” – Melbourne Water
Water tanks don’t have to be huge, chunky, or unattractive, either. Slimline water tanks are a great choice for city-dwellers, narrow lots or people who want the same advantages provided by a round water tank, but with a more subtle look. They’re mounted onto the side of your house, and their rectangular shape means they make more efficient use of the space on your property – while significantly reducing your water bills, and helping our dams stay full. It also means that when mains water restrictions are in full swing, you can still have a thriving, healthy garden. Win-win!
So, if you’re ready to save hundreds on your water and electricity while keeping your garden green, exploring these three fixes will help you on your journey to a healthier planet and a healthier wallet to boot.
Having worked as an aide, advisor, and Executive Assistant to municipal and provincial politicians, Sheila White is running for the Ontario New Democratic Party in the Ontario provincial election, in the Scarborough-Rouge River riding. Wikinews’ Nick Moreau interviewed her 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.
The Greek Parliament passed contentious legislation on Thursday allowing for the creation of a campus police force and disciplinary council to end the tradition of violence at Greek universities. The decision, passed 166–132 in a parliament of 300, was opposed by many students and professors, who claim it would stifle freedom of expression.
Changes proposed included establishment of a campus police division, restriction of entry into university grounds, and formation of a “disciplinary council” empowered to suspend or expel students.
A Ministry for Citizen Protection spokesperson called university campus violence “timeless”; and said “[t]he police will drive out extremist political groups and guard the infrastructure, finally making the university a safe place”.
Prior to the vote, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of the centre-right New Democracy political party which first introduced the legislation, told lawmakers “[n]owhere in the world do we see images […] of historical buildings being vandalised”.
Many incidents of unrest have occurred at Greek universities, including a 1973 student revolt at Athens Polytechnic against the 1967–1974 military junta. The government forcefully repressed the uprising, resulting in the death of at least 26. Due to another protest in 1990–91 against high school reform pushed by Mitsotakis’ father Konstantinos, one teacher died. In October, a rector was taken hostage by hooded anarchists.
In 2019, the government repealed a restriction in place since 1982 that had effectively prevented police from entering university grounds.Opponents of the introduction of police at universities have described it as stifling freedom of expression, which the government claimed is “ridiculous”. At recent demonstrations, protestors have chanted “Bread, education and freedom”, a common anti-junta slogan of the 1973 uprising. In January, Athenian police used tear gas to break up a protest which was defying lockdown restrictions.
Many Greek professors have also opposed the idea, with Professor of State Theory and Law at Panteion University Dimitris Kaltsonis claiming, in remarks to Euronews, “there is no need for special police to control the campuses”. Oxford University’s University and College Union (UCU) stated on Twitter “its solidarity to Greek colleagues […] opposing the creation of such a special university police force, which is unlikely to respond to the most pertinent problems of Greek higher education institutions”, and that the then-proposal was “alarming and not in line with best practice.”
Some recent demonstrators have called for “more doctors, fewer police”. Eurostat data from 2016–2018, which a spokesperson for the Ministry for Citizen Protection called “inaccurate”, showed Greece had the second most police officers per capita of any country in the European Union. The spokesperson said the government is “investing in the quality of education as well”, but emphasised “[p]olice on campuses is not a choice, but a necessary move”.
€23 million was recently budgeted for Greek law enforcement to better “face contemporary challenges, such as COVID-19 and external threats”.
Left-wing opposition party Syriza has criticised the legislation as an attempt to make universities “sterile and unfree”.
If you are in the market for a loan or credit card, you need to be aware of payment protection insurance plans. These are often sold to the consumer along with a mortgage, car loan, credit line or card, or other financial products. The purpose of the payment protection plan is to ensure the fulfilment of the loan payments even if the borrower is sick or has an accident resulting in a disability. On the surface, this sounds great. After all, who wouldn t want to keep from defaulting on their loans in the event of something tragic? However, claims advice from professionals often reveals a darker side to these insurance products.
Payment protection insurance, or PPI, is typically exorbitant in price. The borrower pays a very high price for a promise of coverage that may or may not apply to them. For example, if you are self-employed, you cannot make claims on the insurance. The same is true if you are retired. In addition, some illnesses are not covered. If your problem is a result of pregnancy, drugs, or alcohol, you don t qualify. Back pain that prevents working is not considered a valid claim by many insurance companies either. Pre-existing conditions are excluded as well. The insurance company can be contacted for claims advice to determine if a plan is a good fit for you.
If you still think that a payment protection insurance plan is right for you, claims advice from a professional can help guide you through the shopping process. Payment protection insurance does not have to be provided through the loan or credit card company. Insurance businesses sell this product individually. Borrowers can shop around for the best price and provisions on a specific type of plan. Taking control of the situation can save you thousands during the life of the loan.
The FSA, or Financial Services Authority, has rules for payment protection insurance plans. They should be offered, and signed for, separately from the loan product. Single policies should not be sold for unsecured debt. Consumers who have been mis-sold payment protection insurance plans in the past ten years are entitled to reclaiming money from premiums for PPI. Claims advice groups estimate that this reclaim money is in the range of two billion pounds. There are over twenty million PPI policies are in force in the United Kingdom currently. Most households have one, and many are entitled to some of this reclaim money.
Michael Cronin is a claim expert who is currently researching websites that offer payment protection insurance including
Fluoride is added to drinking water in many regions in order to help prevent tooth decay.Image: Jenny Downing.
Calgary city council voted 10 to 3 on Wednesday to stop fluoridating their water supply. This overturns a previous plebiscite from 1989 to add the fluoride in an attempt to reduce tooth decay.
Opponents of water fluoridation claim that there could be unknown health effects of fluoride, and question its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay. They also claim that individuals should be able to decide for themselves whether or not to use fluoride. However, Alberta Health Services maintains that current evidence shows that fluoride is both safe, and beneficial to dental health.
It is estimated that no longer fluoridating the water supply could save Calgary’s city council C$750 thousand (€550 thousand) annually, as well as cutting a C$6 million (€4.3 million) upgrade to the fluoridation system.
Sometimes we remember these dreams while sometimes we also immediately forget about them.
But if you are left wondering what your nightmares mean. Here are some of the common scenarios and the meanings they have.
1. Dreaming about being lost or trapped. Many people experience this. When you dream about getting lost in the forest or in a big city, you are struggling in making a direction in your life.
2. Missing a flight or a trip. The common scenarios other than this are being left by a bus, plane, train, or any public transport. This usually means that in real life, you have missed out on an opportunity and that you are feeling remorseful about it.
3. Getting chased. In your dream, you are being chased by a man, a monster, or an animal. In real life, you may feel that you are being threatened. If such is the case, it is important for you to assess your own life and try to identify the kind of threat that you are facing.
4. Failing your test. In this dream, you may not have finished a test due to time constraints, answered with all wrong answers, or have not found the testing room. This may mean that you are being tested in some way and you are not ready as to how you are going to answer it.
5. You are naked. Variations of this dream may include being totally naked, exposed, half-naked or partially naked. It may mean that you are either feeling embarrassed about something or that you are also feeling freedom. You may also be afraid that you have divulged too much about yourself to someone you barely know. This is more common among people who are getting married in real life.
6. Death. We are usually afraid of death occurring in dreams. However, it does not necessarily mean the actual death. It can mean that you are just going to be sick or that you are afraid of getting hurt by someone. If it is not you who is dying in your dream, that means that you are feeling some kind of hurt towards this other person.
7. Problems with cars. If you find yourself dreaming about driving your car and it starts to lose control, this may reflect that you are having problems and are losing control over your life.
8. Losing your teeth. Your teeth are a very important part of your face. But when you dream about losing them or finding them decayed, then this may mean that you are afraid of being considered unattractive by other people.
9. Falling or drowning. Falling or drowning in your dream may mean that you are having some insecurity and are lacking in support. You may be feeling that you are ready to give up in real life. It would help to assess how you think you are doing in everyday.
10. Failing gadgets and machinery. When you have some gadgets and they don t work in your dream, this may mean that some part of your life, body or mind is not functioning the way it should be.
These are only dream interpretations. It may also be possible that your nightmares do not have any meaning at all. But just the same, it is always better to be knowledgeable to be able to prepare for the worst.
About the Author: Jackson Swift is the author of this article for Universal Psychic Guild that gives solution and analysis on your dream problem thru email dream interpretation readings by our insightful dream interpreter with years of expertise and experience in this field. For Further Information visit our website at
This article mentions the Wikimedia Foundation, one of its projects, or people related to it. Wikinews is a project of the Wikimedia Foundation.
The implosion of a relationship between Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales and journalist Rachel Marsden has resulted in controversy and international headlines. Associated Press and ABC News have also reported on questionable activity by Wales involving Wikimedia Foundation expenses. The Wikimedia Foundation is a donor-supported non-profit organization which runs Wikipedia.
Marsden had contacted Wales two years ago about concerns she had over the article about her on Wikipedia, and Wales determined the article was not compliant with Wikipedia’s standards. The tech blog Valleywag revealed Wales had a personal relationship with Marsden, and posted supposed transcripts of their instant message conversations on its site, www.valleywag.com. Wales and Marsden met in February, and The Times reported that “An apparent transcript of their conversations before that meeting suggests that, although Mr Wales had withdrawn from the editing process, he was still influencing the editors.” The Times quoted Wales from the chat logs as having stated to Marsden “The truth is of course a much worse conflict of interest than that; but that will do.” — in reference to his conflict of interest regarding Marsden’s article on Wikipedia.
Wales posted a public statement on Saturday on Wikipedia addressing the matter, and stated that his relationship with Marsden was over: “First, while I find it hard to imagine that anyone really cares about my sex life, the facts are: I am separated from my wife. I considered myself single at the time of my one meeting with Rachel Marsden on Feb. 9, 2008 … I am no longer involved with Rachel Marsden. Gossipy stories suggesting that I have been in a relationship with her ‘since last fall’ are completely false … I care deeply about the integrity of Wikipedia, and take very seriously my responsibilities as a member of the board and as a member of the Wikipedia community. I would never knowingly do anything to compromise that trust.” With regard to the conflict of interest in Marsden’s article, Wales had acknowledged to a team of Wikipedia editors in February 2008 that he and Marsden “became friends … and that we would be meeting about that,” and stated “I recused myself from any further official action with respect to her biography.”
On Sunday, The Canadian Press reported that Marsden had posted photos of herself on Ebay, and was selling items that Wales had left at her New York City apartment. In her Ebay posting, Marsden stated: “Hi, my name is Rachel and my (now ex-) boyfriend, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, just broke up with me via an announcement on Wikipedia … It was such a classy move that I was inspired to do something equally classy myself, so I’m selling a couple of items of clothing he left behind, here in my NYC apartment, on eBay. Jimbo was supposed to come visit me in a couple of weeks and pick up some of his stuff, but obviously that won’t be happening now.” Marsden told The Canadian Press “It didn’t really help matters that Jimmy chose to announce the breakup to the entire world via Wikipedia (which apparently now is an online encyclopedia that doubles as a personal soapbox?) rather than to me directly (which he did much later, in an instant message discussion).”
I care deeply about the integrity of Wikipedia, and take very seriously my responsibilities as a member of the board and as a member of the Wikipedia community. I would never knowingly do anything to compromise that trust.
Marsden placed a t-shirt and sweater which she said were left at her apartment by Wales up on Ebay, and started the bidding for each at ninety-nine cents, with the auctions set to end on March 12. By Monday, bidding on the t-shirt had reached US$300, and by Tuesday the highest bid had reached $12,200. In an email to The Globe and Mail, Marsden stated “My only focus right now, to be really honest, is on my career and finding a way to get back into print, TV, or radio here in NYC,” she wrote. “All of this other personal stuff is just an unfortunate distraction.”
Jay Walsh, the Wikimedia Foundation’s head of communications, told the San Jose Mercury News that Wales’ actions in relaying Marsden’s concerns about her Wikipedia article to a team of trusted editors was within his “routine” role. When asked by the San Jose Mercury News if Wales’ actions regarding the Marsden article could compromise his role with the Wikimedia Foundation and Wikipedia, Walsh responded “No, absolutely not.”
On Tuesday, ABC News carried a story by Wired News reporter Megan McCarthy regarding allegations of “excessive spending” by Wales, and Associated Press also reported on questions involving Wikimedia Foundation expenses. McCarthy reported that former Wikimedia executive Danny Wool, who had left the foundation last year, criticized Wales’ use of Wikimedia Foundation expenses in a blog post. Wool stated that Wales had tried to expense $300 bottles of wine, a $1,300 dinner for four at a Florida steakhouse, and visits to Moscow massage parlors to the foundation, and that the foundation rescinded Wales’ corporate credit card in 2006. Wool also stated that Wales paid the foundation $7,000, after being short $30,000 on receipts for expenses.
Wool told EPICENTER that “There were occasions where he used [the Wikimedia Foundation] for personal advancement under the guide [sic] of the mission. And, as someone who was in there for the mission part of it, I found that rather distressful.” Wool commented in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle: “Originally, it was carelessness … But as things developed, it became more apparent and obvious that he was taking advantage of the foundation credit card. It was almost like his personal piggy bank.”
Florence Devouard in 2006. Image: Gus Freedman/Wikimedia Foundation.
Jimmy has never used Wikimedia money to subsidize his personal expenditures. Indeed, he has consistently put the foundation’s interests ahead of his own.
In an instant message exchange with Associated Press, Wales denied that the Wikimedia Foundation had taken away his corporate credit card, and asserted that he had made the decision to stop expensing business travel for the foundation. Wales highlighted a statement by the foundation’s executive director Sue Gardner: “Jimmy has never used Wikimedia money to subsidize his personal expenditures. Indeed, he has consistently put the foundation’s interests ahead of his own.” In an email to Associated Press, Brad Patrick, a former attorney for the Wikimedia Foundation, stated “Danny seems interested in blogging his way straight to a lawsuit”.
Florence Devouard, who chairs the Wikimedia Foundation, told Associated Press that Wales had been “slow in submitting receipts,” and that the foundation had rejected Wales’ expense at the Florida steakhouse. Devouard told fellow foundation board members in a private email that she had convinced Associated Press that “the money story was a no story,” and told Wales “I find (it) tiring to see how you are constantly trying to rewrite the past. Get a grip!” Wales told Associated Press: “The board, the current executive director, the previous executive director, and independent auditors have reviewed our books and publicly agree that all of my expenses were appropriate and fully accounted for.”
Media reports speculated on how the controversy would end up being represented in Wikipedia itself. On Wednesday, the St. Petersburg Times wrote: “Wales’ Wikipedia page said only this about Marsden: ‘Wales had a brief relationship with Canadian journalist Rachel Marsden.'” An article in The Australian surmised: “History will decide whether Mr Wales broke his own principles, but before that happens there may well be a Wikipedia page devoted to the controversy.”
Khan in November after an assassination attempt. Image: Voice of America.
On Tuesday, the High Court of Islamabad, Pakistan suspended for five days a non-bailable arrest warrant for Imran Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party and a former prime minister.
The court ordered Khan, 70, to appear in the Islamabad District and Sessions Court on March 13, denying a request by his attorney, Ali Bukhari, for a four-week moratorium on the warrant.
According to authorities, during his premiership Khan purchased discount items, including a Graff wristwatch, from the Toshakhana government depository, resold them for profit, and failed to mention these activities in his asset declaration.
Khan has repeatedly skipped hearings, citing security and health concerns.
On Twitter Tuesday, Khan accused now-prime minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government of arranging the 76 charges he faces: “This is what happens when a bunch of criminals are imposed on a nation by those who are devoid of intelligence, morality & ethics.”
On Monday, the District and Sessions Court declined Khan’s plea to revoke the warrant. The previous day, Islamabad Police had unsuccessfully attempted to arrest the former cricketer at his house in Lahore, clashing with PTI supporters outside the building.
In October, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) found Khan issued “false statements and incorrect declarations” on the Toshakhana transactions, advising authorities to file a criminal complaint.
