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Context. GRB060614 observations by VLT and by Swift have infringed the traditionally accepted gamma-ray burst (GRB) collapsar scenario that purports the origin of all long duration GRBs from supernovae (SN). GRB060614 is the first nearby long duration GRB clearly not associated with a bright Ib/c SN. Moreover, its duration (T90~ 100 s) makes it hardly classifiable as a short GRB. It presents strong similarities with GRB970228, the prototype of a new class of “fake” short GRBs that appear to originate from the coalescence of binary neutron stars or white dwarfs spiraled out into the galactic halo.

Context. The cosmological origin of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) has been firmly established, with redshifts up to $z = 6.29$. They are possible candidates for use as “distance indicators” for testing cosmological models in a redshift range hardly achievable by other cosmological probes. Asserting the validity of the empirical relations among GRB observables is now crucial for their calibration.

Context.The discovery by Swiftand HETE-2 of an afterglow emission associated possibly with short GRBs opened the new problematic of their nature and classification. This issue has been further enhanced by the observation of GRB 060614 and by a new analysis of the BATSE catalog which led to the identification of a new class of GRBs with “an occasional softer extended emission lasting tenths of seconds after an initial spikelike emission”.

Context.The Swiftsatellite has given continuous data in the range 0.3–150 keV from 0 s to 106s for GRB 060218 associated with SN2006aj. This Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) which has an unusually long duration ($T_{90}\sim 2100$s) fulfills the Amati relation. These data offer the opportunity to probe theoretical models for GRBs connected with Supernovae (SNe).