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The explosion of the "ongoing" section is a part of precedent creep that has probably stretched that section to more than what it was originally intended for - that is, to cover topics that remain in the news for an extended period of time. The section clearly serves a useful purpose, not just for truly "ongoing" events, but also for events in which a single blurb is not adequate to capture the nuances and consequences of what is taking place. Hence, I propose again that we take after the approach at the German Wikipedia to simply convert the ongoing section as a repository for "topics of recent interest" - and modify the existing rules to allow for items of notability to appear on the front page of Wikipedia even if it is not itself a discrete event. For example, today one might have links to the List of Middle East peace proposals, Huawei, and Harvey Weinstein. In other words, not every ITN nomination must be "blurbed", topics or articles can be nominated as a standalone link. Point is, not everything that is important that is currently happening can be captured in a "blurb", nor should it be necessary. We are an encyclopedia, we are not a news ticker, the point of ITN is to showcase articles related to things "in the news", not just specific "events" that are in the news. For those interested in discussion please DO NOT simply respond to this proposal with "oppose" or "support", which despite being a proud ITN tradition is needlessly adversarial. The point is to come to a community consensus on this - since one seems to be emerging organically anyway. Colipon+(Talk) 23:09, 29 January 2020 (UTC)
this needs a link on the main page, in section, "In the News"[edit]
hi. I noticed that the section on the Main Page labeled "In the News" does not link to this page. can we please add a link there? thanks. --Sm8900 (talk) 02:54, 8 March 2020 (UTC)
Already doneIzno (talk) 01:03, 10 March 2020 (UTC)
Potentially adding a new category for coronavirus related news?[edit]
A large quantity of this portal is coronavirus related issues. Perhaps we should consider creating a Coronavirus related section to collate all of this information. Chess(talk) Ping when replying 03:21, 12 March 2020 (UTC)
It's getting a little overwhelming. Its not front page news that whatever town in Lithuania cancelled school for a couple weeks or that country X has diagnosed its Nth case. PoangSitter (talk) 03:43, 13 March 2020 (UTC)
I agree... we need to either create a subsection of daily coronavirus related issues or just include milestone events. - Knowledgekid87 (talk) 00:59, 14 March 2020 (UTC)
@Chess: Unless a centralized discussion is held someplace, nothing will be done. - Knowledgekid87 (talk) 01:25, 14 March 2020 (UTC)
Hiding "bad" news is totally counterproductive and unhelpful. That's what they do in dictatorships. TomCat4680 (talk) 01:50, 14 March 2020 (UTC)
Who is mentioning "bad news" here? We should be providing balanced coverage here as we already have a section for ongoing events. - Knowledgekid87 (talk) 02:25, 14 March 2020 (UTC)
Almost anything having to do with a pandemic is by definition "bad" news. Until they develop a helpful treatment, vaccine, or cure, there's not going be any "good" news. Either way you shouldn't hide a huge section of the most important news of the day. TomCat4680 (talk)
I think you're missing the point Tom. We're not trying to "hide" this news because it's bad, no one has said that. But I don't think we need to flood the current event daily palette with line items about literally every individual country, especially when the events often aren't individually significant. Drailing56 —Preceding undated comment added 17:01, 14 March 2020 (UTC)
Yeah go tell the thousands of people infected that they're not significant. Tell the news people on TV/radio/print that have been talking about it nonstop all week it's insignificant. Tell governors that have closed schools and banned large crowds/events its insignificant. Tell the kids who can't get school meals they're insignificant. Tell the sports leagues, TV series, and Broadway plays that have ended/postponed their seasons/productions its insignificant. Tell the people who can't go to work and pay their bills they're insignificant. TomCat4680 (talk) 21:15, 14 March 2020 (UTC)
Tom cat, we can list GENERAL effects, that large crowds have been banned, schools have been close, events have been cancelled under many jurisdictions, etc, and we are in agreement that by all means all of that's very significant; however, we must NOT be nit-picky about the little details, like which jurisdictions have taken these actions (e.g. listing that country X has banned travel for this many weeks, state Y has shut down schools until so-and-so date, etc.). Do you understand the difference between general and specific outcomes? Victionarier (talk) 22:01, 14 March 2020 (UTC)
No, I don't because they haven't been defined. What's the consensus on what's "general" enough (just federal or also state/province?) and what's too "specific" (county and/or city?) Until there is one, nothing should be hidden/deleted. TomCat4680 (talk) 22:06, 14 March 2020 (UTC)
The consensus appears to be against you here, we have to provide balanced coverage around the world. Reporting on coronavirus related issues should be limited to the most important breakthroughs. There is a reason for example, on why we are not filling up the current events section with daily updates on the war in Donbass. - Knowledgekid87 (talk) 23:15, 14 March 2020 (UTC)
What consensus? You didn't answer any of my questions. How am I supposed to follow the "rules" if I don't know what they are? What's "important" and what isn't? TomCat4680 (talk) 23:30, 14 March 2020 (UTC)
I also want to add that many of the unfolding events are becoming WP:ROUTINE coverage which is already being collected in separate articles. - Knowledgekid87 (talk) 23:20, 14 March 2020 (UTC)
So people looking for news updates have to read every article instead of seeing them all in one place? You know it's affected 140 countries right? Plus several industries (business/finance, television, cinema, sports, special events, etc.) What should be included and excluded? You're being too "general", you need to be more "specific". Don't link to or quote from a guideline either. I want your own words. This is a special instance since worldwide pandemics are pretty rare. TomCat4680 (talk) 23:35, 14 March 2020 (UTC)
I think that President Trump's declaration of a national emergency should be important enough to be mentioned on In the News. ArmageddonAviation (talk) 21:27, 13 March 2020 (UTC)
I added it to today's current events section. Isn't big enough news for the main page imo. TomCat4680 (talk) 02:54, 14 March 2020 (UTC)
On Thursday in the U.S, the stock market dropped to historic levels we haven't seen since 1987. However, when President Donald Trump declared a state of national emergency yesterday, the stock market suddenly began to recover. Is this why the stock market crash is no longer listed under this portal anymore? Victionarier (talk) 21:52, 14 March 2020 (UTC)
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Done — Martin (
Already done 
