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4043518

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slackness%20%28album%29

Slackness (album)

Slackness is a collaborative album between acoustic ska vocalist Chris Murray and the New York City ska band The Slackers. Two songs (Running From Safety, Rastaman Rock) also appear on The Slackers and Friends, as different versions. "Rastaman Rock" is renamed to "I Am a Rasta Man" on The Slackers and Friends. The track "Janie Jones" is a cover of a Clash song. Track listing "Janie Jones" – 3:21 "Running from Safety" – 2:46 "The Real Ska" – 2:06 "Dangerous Hearts" – 3:28 "The World's About Me" – 2:07 "Rastaman Rock" – 2:14 "The Promise" – 5:01 "Home" – 2:54 "One Everything" – 3:30 "Rastaman Reggae" – 2:31 "Mountain of Sorrows" – 3:34 "Why We Go to War" - 3:11 2005 albums The Slackers albums Collaborative albums

4043519

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladue%20School%20District

Ladue School District

The Ladue School District is a public school district in Ladue, Missouri, with four elementary, one middle, and one high school, with a special Fifth Grade Center. The district serves 4,180 total students, and employs 280 full-time classroom teachers. The total operating revenue is $49.9 mil. with $50.2 mil. operating expenses. Ladue spends $11,903 per student, and pays an average of $62,697 per teacher ($41,000-$101,542). According to Newsweek (June 19, 2011 issue), Ladue ranks in the top 2% of public schools in the nation. It serves an area encompassing 19 sq. mi. with more than 27,000 residents. It includes all or part of 10 communities including Ladue, Creve Coeur, Crystal Lake Park, Frontenac, Huntleigh, Olivette, Richmond Heights, Town and Country, Unincorporated St. Louis County, and Westwood. History As the City of Ladue was incorporated in 1936, Spoede Elementary and Ross Elementary were built in the 1930s. The Ladue School District was first organized in 1939. In U.S. v Ladue School District, a case the U.S. Department of Justice brought in 1978, the federal government charged Ladue with discrimination in hiring of faculty and staff. In 1999, Ladue exited the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation (VICC), a city-county school desegregation program. Ladue High School Ladue High School had 1,306 students in the 2013–14 school year. Ladue High School has a 99% graduation rate, of which 92% continue on to higher education in 2-4 year institutions. In standardized testing, Ladue scores above both the state and national average. Newsweek in 2013, ranked the public school 166th best in the nation (up from 188th in 2011-12), and first in Missouri (up from fourth). Administration Superintendent: Dr. Jim Wipke Principal: Brad Griffith (effective July 1, 2013) Ladue Middle School Originally called "East Ladue Junior High School," Ladue Middle School teaches children from sixth through eighth grades, total of 976 students in 2013–14. In May 2014 it was named National School of Character. Ladue Fifth Grade Center Built on property bought by the district in 1959 and used as a secondary middle school until 1980, when it was sold to the Westminster Christian Academy. In 2010, the property was re-purchased by the district to construct the Fifth Grade Center. Construction ended in time for its first semester in Fall 2013. In the 2015–2016 school year, there were 342 students enrolled. Elementary schools All four Ladue Elementary Schools teach children in kindergarten through fourth grades. Conway Elementary Conway Elementary is located in Ladue, MO, at 9900 Conway Road. In 2013–14 Conway Elementary had 339 students. This school has the smallest number of students throughout the district. Conway enrolled its first black students in 1965; those students were subjected to racial slurs by several other children. Old Bonhomme Elementary Old Bonhomme School is an elementary school in Olivette, Missouri, with a total of 383 students in 2013–14. Reed Elementary Located in the middle of Ladue near the intersection of Ladue Road and McKnight Road, with a total of 421 students in 2013–14. Spoede Elementary Spoede Elementary is located in Creve Coeur, on the west side of Spoede Road, with a total of 430 students in 2013–14. This school's mascot is a turtle. References External links Ladue Schools Ladue High School Ladue School District Ladue High School Alumni Association Ladue Schools - Overview 2012 Ladue Schools Annual Report School districts in Missouri Education in St. Louis County, Missouri School districts established in 1939

4043539

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubert%20Patch

Hubert Patch

Air Chief Marshal Sir Hubert Leonard Patch, (16 December 1904 – 18 November 1987) was a senior Royal Air Force commander. RAF career Patch joined the Royal Air Force as a flight cadet in 1923 and served in the Second World War. After the war he became Director of Armament Requirements and then Air Officer Commanding No. 44 Group in 1946. He went on to be Commandant of the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment in 1948, Air Officer for Administration at Headquarters Far East Air Force in 1951 and Senior Air Staff Officer, Far East Air Force in 1952. After that he was made Air Officer Commanding No. 11 Group in 1953, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Fighter Command in January 1956 and Commander-in-Chief of the RAF Middle East Air Force in September 1956. His final appointments were as Air Member for Personnel in April 1959 and as Commander, British Forces Arabian Peninsula in September 1959, where he established a unified tri-service command in Aden, before he retired in May 1961. From 1961 to 1963 he was the BAC Representative to NATO Countries. References |- |- |- |- |- 1904 births 1987 deaths Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Graduates of the Royal Air Force College Cranwell Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath Royal Air Force air marshals Royal Air Force personnel of World War II Place of birth missing Place of death missing

4043540

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The%20Silverado%20Squatters

The Silverado Squatters

The Silverado Squatters (1883) is a travel memoir by Robert Louis Stevenson of his two-month honeymoon trip with Fanny Vandegrift (and her son Lloyd Osbourne) to Napa Valley, California, in 1880. Background In July 1879, Stevenson received word that his future American wife's divorce was almost complete, but that she was seriously ill. He left Scotland right away and travelled to meet her in Monterey, California, (his trip detailed in The Amateur Emigrant (1894) and Across the Plains (1892)). Broken financially, suffering from a lifelong fibrinous bronchitis condition, and with his writing career at a dead end, he was nursed back to health by his doctor, his nurse, and his future wife, while living briefly in Monterey, San Francisco, and Oakland. His father having provided money to help, on May 19, 1880, he married the Indianapolis native, whom he had first met in France in 1875, soon after the events of An Inland Voyage. Still too weak to undertake the journey back to Scotland, friends suggested Calistoga, in the upper Napa Valley, with its healthy mountain air. Summary The couple first went to the Hot Springs Hotel in Calistoga, but unable to afford the 10 dollars a week fee, they spent an unconventional honeymoon in an abandoned three-story bunkhouse at a derelict mining camp called "Silverado" on the shoulder of Mount Saint Helena in the Mayacamas Mountains. There they squatted for two months during summer, putting up makeshift cloth windows and hauling water in by hand from a nearby stream while dodging rattlesnakes and the occasional fog banks so detrimental to Stevenson's health. The Silverado Squatters provides some views of California during the late 19th century. Stevenson uses the first telephone of his life. He meets a number of wine growers in Napa Valley, an enterprise he deems "experimental", with growers sometimes even mislabeling the bottles as originating from Spain in order to sell their product to skeptical Americans. He visits the oldest wine grower in the valley, Jacob Schram, who had been experimenting for 18 years at his Schramsberg Winery, and had recently expanded the wine cellar in his backyard. Stevenson also visits a petrified forest owned by an old Swedish ex-sailor who had stumbled upon it while clearing farmland—the precise nature of the petrified forest remained for everyone a source of curiosity. Stevenson also details his encounters with a local Jewish merchant, whom he compares to a character in a Charles Dickens novel (probably Fagin from Oliver Twist), and portrays as happy-go-lucky but always scheming to earn a dollar. Like Dickens in American Notes (1842), Stevenson found the American habit of spitting on the floor hard to get used to. His experiences at Silverado were recorded in a journal he called "Silverado Sketches", parts of which he incorporated into Silverado Squatters in 1883 while living in Bournemouth, England, with other tales appearing in "Essays of Travel" and "Across the Plains". Many of his notes on the scenery around him later provided much of the descriptive detail for Treasure Island (1883). Legacy The Robert Louis Stevenson State Park now encompasses the area where the Stevensons stayed. The entrance to the park is at the summit of State Route 29. A new trail has been constructed in recent years. The Robert Louis Stevenson Museum in St. Helena, California, is dedicated to Stevenson. Resources and editions Editions Full text at Project Gutenberg HTML version from the University of Virginia. HTML version with scanned images, from the Library of Congress Version from William Ernest Henley's The Novels and Tales of Robert Louis Stevenson, volume 15. Published by Scriber's and Sons in 1905. Scanned online via Google Books. Version published by Scribner's and Sons in 1905 with a preface by Fanny Stevenson. Scanned online via Google Books. The Silverado Squatters (New York: Scribner's, 1923) Limited edition of 380 copies printed by John Henry Nash with portrait and decorated headbands by Howard Whitford Willard The Silverado Squatters, audiobook, Blue Pylon Creative (2005). The Silverado Squatters, reprint, Tauris Parke Paperbacks (2009). Resources Silverado Museum in St. Helena, California, devoted to Robert Louis Stevenson. 1883 non-fiction books American travel books Books by Robert Louis Stevenson History of Napa County, California History of California Chatto & Windus books

4043545

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint%20Fergus

Saint Fergus

Saint Fergus (also Fergustian) (died c. 730 AD) was a bishop who worked in Scotland as a missionary. Life Ten saints of this name are mentioned in the martyrology of Donegal. No one knows for certain when Fergus was born or where. He was a contemporary of St. Drostan and St. Donevaldus. The name is of Pictish origin and he is recorded as Fergus, a Pictish bishop, so it is generally considered he was from the north east of what is now called Scotland. In the Aberdeen Breviary he is called Fergustian and "he occupied himself in converting the barbarous people." He is thought to have trained in Ireland or the south of Scotland, possibly both. Known in the Irish martyrologies as St. Fergus Cruithneach, or the Pict, the Breviary of Aberdeen states that he had been a bishop for many years in Ireland when he went on a mission to Alba with some chosen priests and other clerics. He settled first near Strageath, in Upper Strathearn, in Upper Perth, and erected three churches in that district. The churches of Strageath, Blackford, and Dolpatrick are found there dedicated to St. Patrick. He next evangelized Caithness and established there the churches of Wick and Halkirk. The church Fergus built at Glamis would have been in the Celtic "mud and wattle" style, not far from the present kirk. He may have been the Fergustus Pictus who went to Rome in 721, but such a contention relies solely on the similarity of a common name. He died about 730 and was buried at Glamis, Angus, where the recently restored St Fergus' Well can be visited. The village church at Eassie is dedicated to Saint Fergus; the noted Pictish Eassie Stone has been moved to that church. Veneration During the time of James IV, the Abbot of Scone removed his head to Scone church and build an expensive shrine for it. Aberdeen was able to obtain an arm of the saint. Saint Fergus is the patron saint of Glamis and Wick. The Martyrology of Tallaght mentions his festival on 8 September, but in Scotland it was previously on 18 November. See also Eassie Stone References 730 deaths Medieval Scottish saints Pictish people 8th-century Christian saints Medieval Irish saints 8th-century Irish bishops Year of birth unknown

4043548

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John%20Talbot%2C%201st%20Viscount%20Lisle

John Talbot, 1st Viscount Lisle

John Talbot, 1st Baron Lisle and 1st Viscount Lisle ( 1426 – 17 July 1453), English nobleman and medieval soldier, was the son of John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, and his second wife Margaret Beauchamp. Titles Talbot was already a knight when, on 26 July 1444, he was created Lord and Baron Lisle of Kingston Lisle in Berkshire by Henry VI, his mother being one of the co-heirs to the previous creation of the barony. He stood to inherit much of her estates in Wales on the Welsh Marches, and in Gloucestershire at Painswick. She had fought long and hard to enfranchise her son for the duration of the Berkeley feud, in which the young nobleman's manor house was raided by Lord Berkeley's brothers. After 1449, his mother was one of three co-heiresses to her father, and through her, he possessed a claim on Berkeley Castle. In 1451, already a veteran of the fight at St Barnets Green, he was created Viscount Lisle. In prosecution of the claim against James Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley, the heir-male, he stormed Berkeley Castle in 1452 and took the Baron and his sons prisoner. Ordered to recruit reinforcements for the English army in France, he found 2325 men at Dartmouth and Plymouth before embarkation on 5 March 1453. He was joined by the Lords Moleyns and Camoys, as he led troops into Guyenne to reinforce his father. They sailed to Bordeaux but still the English army numbered only 8,000, facing an enemy force of 10,000. They were still awaiting reinforcements when they marched out, capturing an outpost at St Laurent on 17 July 1453. That day they fought the last pitched battle of the Hundred Years' War at Castillon. Both father and son were killed during the battle. Some chroniclers assert that when his wounded and unhorsed father begged him to quit the field and save himself, he refused, preferring death to dishonour; a scene memorialized by William Shakespeare in Henry VI, Part I, Act IV, Scene VI. Marriage and issue He married Joan Cheddar (b. c. 1425), the daughter of Thomas Chedder, Esquire and the widow of Richard Stafford in 1443 and had three children: Elizabeth Talbot (d. 1487), married Edward Grey, Baron Ferrers of Groby. Grey later inherited the title of Baron Lisle, through Elizabeth. Thomas Talbot, 2nd Viscount Lisle (c. 1449–1470) Margaret Talbot (d. 1475), 1st wife of Sir George Vere (d. 1503), son of John de Vere, 12th Earl of Oxford Ancestry References Sources History of Berkeley, rotwang.co.uk. Accessed 31 December 2022. 1426 births 1453 deaths People of the Hundred Years' War English knights English soldiers Talbot, John English military personnel killed in action John 1 Barons Lisle (Peerage of England)

4043549

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadena%20Salsoul

Cadena Salsoul

Cadena Salsoul is an entertainment-focused salsa radio network in Puerto Rico. The SalSoul Network, made up of two simulcast FM facilities, has been top rated in every significant demographic since 1986. In the important age groups, the network often doubled the audience of the number two station in this market of 125 stations and 3.5 million persons. The WPRM-FM and WIVA-FM network made up the first instance in the U.S. of using two FM signals to cover all of a large market. WPRM covers San Juan and Ponce; WIVA covers Mayagüez and Arecibo. They also added WRIO Ponce to the network. Together, they cover the "consolidated" market favored by advertising agencies. In a survey conducted in 2015, listeners ranked them the third best station, after KQ 105 FM and Z-93 FM. Through use of parallel clustering, spots could be sold locally on either signal for smaller retail accounts. Since June 24, 2013 and after 58 years broadcasting on the frequency of 98.5 FM, the radio station, with the approval of the Federal Communications Commission in the United States, has changed to 99.1 FM for the best coverage. Programming La Perrera Móntala con Salsoul El Show de Jesse y Bebe El Bollete SalSoul en la Noche References External links Propulsor de una radio revolucionaria (Spanish) Radio stations in San Juan, Puerto Rico Radio stations in Ponce, Puerto Rico Radio stations established in 1959 1959 establishments in Puerto Rico

4043551

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas%20Macdonough

Thomas Macdonough

Thomas Macdonough, Jr. (December 31, 1783 – November 10, 1825) was an early-19th-century Irish-American naval officer noted for his roles in the first Barbary War and the War of 1812. He was the son of a revolutionary officer, Thomas Macdonough, Sr. who lived near Middletown, Delaware. He was the sixth child from a family of ten siblings and was raised in the countryside. He entered naval life at an early age, receiving a midshipman's commission at the age of sixteen. Serving with Stephen Decatur at Tripoli, he was a member of "Preble's Boys", a select group of U.S. naval officers who served under the command of Commodore Preble during the First Barbary War. Macdonough achieved fame during the War of 1812, commanding the American naval forces that defeated the British navy at the Battle of Lake Champlain, part of the larger Battle of Plattsburgh, which helped lead to an end to that war. Early life Major Thomas Macdonough Senior, Captain Thomas Macdonough's father, lived at a farm referred to as "The Trap" (also spelled 'Trapp'), in the county of New Castle, Delaware. He received a contemporary education here but it remains uncertain if he attended any sort of formal schools or was taught by family members or a tutor. He was a major in the Continental Army. Macdonough's great-grandfather, also named Thomas Macdonough, lived in Ireland in the Salmon Leap district not far from Dublin. He was of the Protestant faith and succeeding generations were connected with the Episcopal Church in the United States, Thomas Macdonough Jr. was born in a small town near Odessa, which later was named MacDonough, Delaware, in his honor. He was employed in Middletown as a clerk upon the return of his brother James, who lost a leg in a naval battle with a French vessel in 1799 during the Quasi-War with France. Shortly after, Macdonough requested a commission with the United States Navy with the assistance of Senator Latimer from the state of Delaware. Macdonough was a tall, dignified man with a commanding character which suited him well for military service. He was a devoutly religious man of Episcopal faith, as were his parents and greater family. He was known to adhere to a set of steadfast principles in his personal and military life. Before joining the Navy, Thomas, Jr., for unknown reasons, changed the spelling of his last name from "McDonough" to "Macdonough. On May 27, 1800, at the age of sixteen, Macdonough secured a warrant and served as a midshipman aboard the 24-gun , a corvette class ship, converted over from a merchantman vessel and outfitted as a man-of-war. Under the command of Captain John Mullowny, Ganges then set sail for the West Indies. During operations there she captured three French merchant ships between May and September. When hostilities between the United States and France had finally ended the following year on October 20, 1801, Macdonough was assigned to , a 38-gun frigate. Commanded by Alexander Murray, Constellation was about to embark on its mission in the Mediterranean sea. While serving aboard Constellation he received a thorough education from Murray in seamanship, navigation, gunnery, and other nautical sciences towards improving his service as a junior officer. First Barbary War Aboard Constellation in January 1802, Macdonough served with distinction in naval operations against Tripoli during the First Barbary War. This was the same ship that his brother James had served on a few years earlier. In 1803, Navy Secretary Robert Smith selected Macdonough to serve aboard , a 38-gun frigate, commanded by William Bainbridge. Macdonough was aboard this ship when it captured the Moroccan ship Mirboka on August 26, 1803. Shortly before Philadelphia ran aground and was consequently captured by the Tripolitans, Macdonough had gone ashore on leave. He was reassigned on October 31 to the 12-gun sloop under the command of Lieutenant Stephen Decatur. Macdonough volunteered to join Decatur's successful raid into the harbor of Tripoli. On February 6, 1804, they succeeded in burning and destroying Philadelphia. Having just served on Philadelphia, Macdonough's familiarity made his role in the operation a crucial one. For his heroic actions he was promoted to acting lieutenant. Macdonough also accompanied Decatur when they hunted down the murderer of Decatur's brother, James Decatur, who was killed by the commander when he boarded a Tripolitan ship that had pretended to be surrendering. After catching up with and pulling alongside the ship involved, Decatur was the first to board the enemy vessel with Midshipman Macdonough at his heels along with nine volunteer crew members. Decatur, Macdonough and the rest of the crew were outnumbered 5 to 1 but were determined, organized and kept their form, fighting furiously side by side, killing the commander and most of the crew along with capturing the Tripolitan ship. Other service After winning promotion to Lieutenant for his participation in the raid on Philadelphia, Macdonough served aboard the 18-gun brig , the same vessel assisting at Tripoli. Assisting Isaac Hull, he then supervised the construction of several gunboats in Middletown, Connecticut. In January 1806, Macdonough was promoted to a commission of Lieutenant. As commander of the 18-gun , Macdonough served patrolling waters near Great Britain and various points in the Mediterranean. He returned to America and enforced the Embargo Act, and the Atlantic blockade, from 1807 and 1808. In 1809, he served with Captain Smith aboard , but later requested reassignment. Macdonough returned to Middletown, Connecticut, and was placed in charge of the several gunboats there. In Middletown Macdonough met his future wife, Ann Shaler. With the repeal of the Embargo Act, the role of the navy became less active, with a fifth of its officers away on furlough at half pay. Macdonough remained in Middleton for only eight months before requesting a furlough in June 1810. From 1810 to 1812, Macdonough took a leave of absence for two years as the captain of a British merchantman that was en route to India. War of 1812 At the beginning of the War of 1812 American naval forces were very small, allowing the British to make many advances into the Great Lakes and northern New York waterways. The roles played by commanders like Oliver Hazard Perry at Lake Erie and Isaac Chauncey at Lake Ontario and Thomas Macdonough at Lake Champlain all proved vital to the naval effort on the lakes that was largely responsible for preserving American territory during that war. Assigned to USS Constellation, as First Lieutenant, Macdonough returned to active service just prior to the outbreak of the war in June 1812. The ship at this time was being outfitted and supplied in Washington, DC, for its next mission, but was still months away from being ready. Moreover, it did not escape from the British blockade at the Chesapeake Bay until 1814. Requesting transfer to a more active front, Macdonough was assigned the command of a squadron of gunboats defending Portland, Maine. His stay there was brief when he received new orders from Secretary of the Navy Hamilton. Macdonough was reassigned to Burlington, Vermont to command U.S. naval forces in Lake Champlain in October 1812. Taking leave from his assignment at Lake Champlain Macdonough married Lucy Anne Shaler on December 12, 1812, at the Christ Church in Middletown by Bishop Abraham Jarvis. On June 2, 1813, Macdonough sent Lieutenant Sidney Smith with , along with Sailing Master Loomis with , to guard against British advances at the Canada–US border at the Richelieu River. The impatient Smith sailed into British waters, an action which was contrary to his orders, and at once found himself overpowered by the British squadron. After enduring four hours of battle, Smith was finally forced into surrendering. Lake Champlain Campaign On July 24, 1813, Macdonough was promoted to the rank of master commandant. When the war began in 1812, there were only two American naval vessels on Lake Champlain, and , each carrying ten guns with a crew of fifty. On June 3, 1813, the two vessels were pursuing a British gunboat but were caught up in a strong current that prevented them from maintaining their heading and position, giving the advantage to British forces, resulting in their capture. The loss of the two and only American vessels on the lake gave undisputed control of this strategic waterway to the British. This prompted Macdonough to begin the construction of the corvette and new sloop and several gunboats at the shipyard in Otter Creek at Vergennes, Vermont. While construction was underway, , a schooner, was being converted to a warship carrying seventeen guns. In 1814 the ice covering Lake Champlain, which usually lasted well into May, began melting and breaking up early in April. Macdonough feared that the British, who he assumed by now knew of the ship construction going on there, would use the opportunity to capture or destroy the vessels being built. Having learned of Macdonough's ship building activity, the British constructed a heavily armed brig and five large gunboats at 'Isle Aux Noix' over the winter. As Macdonough had predicted, British forces attempted to navigate the lake. Because of unfavorable winds, the British commander Daniel Pring, whose forces were based at Isle Aux Noix in upper Lake Champlain, didn't complete the 65-mile journey to Otter Creek until May 14. Upon arrival, Pring situated his squadron in the lake just off Otter Creek with eight galleys and a bomb sloop, preventing the American forces' passage north and to the sea. For one hour, Commander Pring maintained a heavy fire. However, Macdonough had learned of the attack beforehand from his observers on land and had prepared a defense in anticipation of this likely event. Using the guns of his ships, he had them landed on shore at the mouth of Otter Creek. Macdonough constructed an artillery battery with which he repelled the attack and drove the Royal Navy back to Isle Aux Noix in Canadian waters by autumn. With the way now clear, Macdonough's squadron sailed out of Otter Creek and made its way to Plattsburgh, New York, where it anchored just off shore in anticipation of the next and inevitable British advance. Battle of Plattsburgh By late August 1814, approximately 10,000 British troops under the command of George Prevost had assembled near Montreal at the Canada–US border. Many of these soldiers were well-trained, regular troops who served under Wellington, already battle hardened from their recent defeat of Napoleon in Europe. Macdonough had little naval combat experience. His service in the Barbary wars was limited to gunboat actions and the capture and destruction of Philadelphia. He had yet to experience a ship-to-ship action, being on a vessel that was receiving broadsides, surrounded by dead and wounded men. Regardless of this lack in experience, Macdonough well understood that defending and holding Plattsburgh, thus not allowing General Macomb's troops to be surrounded by British forces on land and water, was vital to winning the war. On September 3, Prevost's army crossed the border and marched into northern New York State, advancing on Plattsburgh. The city was held by General Macomb with less than 2,000 regular troops, with the support of the New York militia, under the command of General Mooers and the Vermont volunteers, under the command of General Strong. However, Prevost who had arrived in earnest was yet aware of enemy strength and positions and refused to march on the city itself without adequate naval support to divert the American forces. A squadron under the command of Commodore George Downie sailed southward into the open lake to engage the American fleet commanded by Macdonough. In anticipation of the British fleet, Macdonough strategically positioned and anchored his fleet a short distance off shore from Plattsburgh and made further preparations for Downie's advance. On September 11, Downie's forces departed from Isle-aux-Noix and sailed southward along the Richelieu River into Lake Champlain. Upon encountering Macdonough's fleet waiting in Plattsburgh harbor, Downie immediately attacked, achieving the upper hand early in the battle, largely because of the great firepower of the 36-gun British flagship . As the battle unfolded, the British squadron incurred considerable damage from close-range cannon fire. In the process an American cannon shot blasted a British cannon off its mount, crushing and killing Downie. Through use of anchor and cable tactics, Macdonough in command of was able to swing his ship around the undamaged side of the British flagship, gaining firepower superiority over the British fleet. As the poorly and hurriedly equipped Confiance with its inexperienced crew attempted the same tactic, Macdonough seized the opportunity and fired a broadside, severely damaging the British vessel and forcing its surrender. Having removed the British flagship from action, the American forces captured or destroyed the remaining larger ships in the fleet. Both commanders would have seen the parallels of Macdonough's anchorage on Lake Champlain to that of the French under Vice Admiral Francois-Paul Brueys, opposing British Rear Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, at the Battle of the Nile in Aboukir Bay on August 1, 1798. A study of Nelson's battles was part of the professional knowledge expected of naval commanders. But Macdonough did all that Brueys did not. He expected to take advantage of the prevailing winds on Lake Champlain that constrained Downie's axis of approach. "Because nearly every circumstance that worked to Nelson's advantage proved disadvantageous to Downie, the Battle of Lake Champlain is sometimes called the False Nile" by the English. The British naval historian William Laird Clowes regarded Macdonough's False Nile victory as "a most notable feat, one which, on the whole, surpassed that of any other captain of either navy in this war." Clowes echoed Roosevelt's view, "The British sailors on the lakes were as good as our own, but no better. None of their commanders compare with Macdonough." After the battle, Macdonough returned to the British officers their swords. Captain Pring wrote: Upon wresting control of Lake Champlain from the British, Macdonough's victory forced the British forces to retire to Canada, the actions of which left no grounds for any claims by the British for any territory when the Ghent peace conference convened on December 24. For his success in forcing the retreat of Prevost into Canada, Macdonough was duly promoted to the rank of captain. He was also awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at this time. He was also awarded by the State of New York a thousand acres of land in Cayuga county, with another hundred acres awarded to him from the State of Vermont, making the once modest commodore a wealthy man. Later days Macdonough relieved Isaac Hull of command of the Portsmouth Navy Yard on July 1, 1815. In command there for three years, he returned to the Mediterranean Squadron in 1818 and was appointed commander of , a frigate of 44 guns and later transported Hon. G.W. Campbell to the Court of St. Petersburg in Russia stopping in ports in England, Elsineur and Copenhagen along the way. In April Macdonough was stricken with tuberculosis but he still remained on duty for as long as possible. After returning to America later in the year, he was given command of a ship of the line, bearing 74 guns under construction in New York harbor. From 1818 to 1823 Macdonough served as her captain. In the fall of 1822 Macdonough toured western New York State visiting Niagara Falls and then battling the rapids sailed down the St. Lawrence River to Quebec in a batteaux After submitting several requests for active sea duty, Macdonough received command of the 44-gun frigate in 1824. However, his health continued to worsen. On October 14, 1825, Macdonough had to relieve himself of his command. On October 14 he turned command of Constitution over to Captain Daniel T. Patterson at Gibraltar. Intending to return to New York, Macdonough departed the Mediterranean in the merchant brig . The day before his death, in the presence of Dr. Turk, Macdonough drew up and signed a will leaving a small sum of money to his servant, his wife having died several months beforehand. On November 10, 1825, Thomas Macdonough died aboard ship while it was passing Gibraltar. Macdonough's body was returned to the United States and was buried in Middletown, Connecticut. He was laid to rest alongside his wife Ann Shaler, a lady of a prominent family in Middletown, she having died just a few months earlier. Legacy Several U.S. Navy ships have been named in his honor. In 1937, at the urging of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the U.S. Post Office issued a series of five postage stamps honoring the U.S. Navy and various naval heroes in American history. Stephen Decatur and Thomas Macdonough (right) appearing on the two-cent denomination, were among the few chosen to appear in this commemorative series. The annual Commodore Macdonough sailboat race (a nonstop overnight event sponsored by the Lake Champlain Yacht Club of Shelburne, Vermont) has been held on the lake every September since 1968. The New York State University of New York located at Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, N.Y. has a dormitory with the name Macdonough Hall; the hall being the oldest dormitory, and the initial dorm building. McDonough, NY and East McDonough, NY, and the greater Town of McDonough, Chenango County, NY are named after the war hero. Macdonough Hall, at the United States Naval Academy, is home to the boxing, sprint football, water polo, and gymnastics programs, as well as housing a gymnasium, racquetball courts, a swimming pool, and recreational weight rooms for Midshipmen. There is a obelisk that is located across from City Hall in Plattsburgh, N.Y. known as the Macdonough Monument which honors the victory of American soldiers and sailors in the Battle of Plattsburgh. In 1925, a Macdonough Monument was erected in the city green in Vergennes, Vermont to commemorate the building of the USS Saratoga and other ships at Otter Creek that were used in the Battle of Plattsburgh. Camano Island (formerly known as Macdonough Island), Washington. Charles Wilkes, during the Wilkes Expedition of 1838–1842, named the island in honor of Macdonough in tribute to his victory at the Battle of Plattsburgh (aka Battle of Lake Champlain) that ended the War of 1812. McDonough County, Illinois is named after Thomas Macdonough, its seat being Macomb. Two elementary schools, one in St. Georges, Delaware and one in Middletown, Connecticut are named in honor of Macdonough. MacDonough Street in the Stuyvesant Heights section of Brooklyn, New York is named after Thomas Macdonough. MacDonough Street runs parallel to Decatur Street, one block away, named after Stephen Decatur, with whom Macdonough served during the Barbary War. McDonough, the county seat of Henry County, Georgia, is named in honor of Macdonough. McDonough Street in Montgomery, Alabama is named for Macdonough. It runs parallel to streets named after other Barbary War/War of 1812 naval Heroes: Bainbridge Street, named for William Bainbridge; Decatur Street, named for Stephen Decatur; Hull Street, named for Isaac Hull; Lawrence Street, named for James Lawrence and Perry Street, named for Oliver Hazard Perry. The Comdr. Thomas MacDonough House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. In October 1814 a fort was constructed on Westport Island, Maine near Clough Point and named after Thomas MacDonough (McDonough) the fort was actiive till the end of the war of 1812. See also Other notable naval commanders of the time :  John Paul Jones  Commodore John Barry  Commodore Stephen Decatur  Commodore John Hazelwood Admiral David Farragut  Admiral Richard Howe  Admiral Horatio Nelson Bibliography of early American naval history: Thomas Macdonough Bibliography of early American naval history: War of 1812 List of sailing frigates of the United States Navy History of the United States Navy Naval tactics in the Age of Sail Naval artillery in the Age of Sail References Bibliography Further reading Dean, Leon W. Guns over Champlain (1948) – New York Forester, C. S. Victory on Lake Champlain, American Heritage, Vol. 15, 1963. Muller, Charles G. The Proudest Day: Victory on Lake Champlain, New York, 1960. External links Commodore Thomas Macdonough – Delmarva Heritage Series 1783 births 1825 deaths People from New Castle County, Delaware American people of Irish descent American military personnel of the First Barbary War United States Navy personnel of the War of 1812 American military personnel of the Quasi-War Congressional Gold Medal recipients 19th-century American naval officers People who died at sea Commanders of the USS Constitution

4043553

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice%20hockey%20at%20the%202006%20Winter%20Olympics%20%E2%80%93%20Men%27s%20team%20rosters

Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics – Men's team rosters

These are the team rosters of the nations that participated in the men's ice hockey tournament of the 2006 Winter Olympics. Each team was permitted a roster of 20 skaters and three goaltenders. Participating teams Canada The following is the Canadian roster for the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Head coach: Pat Quinn Assistant coaches: Wayne Fleming, Marc Habscheid, Ken Hitchcock, Jacques Martin Defencemen Scott Niedermayer and Ed Jovanovski were originally selected, but due to injuries were replaced by Jay Bouwmeester and Bryan McCabe, respectively. Dan Boyle took McCabe's previous spot as a reserve. Defenceman Dan Boyle and forwards Jason Spezza and Eric Staal were selected as "reserves" in case of injury before the tournament began. Czech Republic The following is the Czech roster for the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Head coach: Alois Hadamczik Assistant coaches: Mojmír Trličík, Ondrej Weissmann Finland The following is the Finnish roster for the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Head coach: Erkka Westerlund Assistant coaches: Risto Dufva, Hannu Virta Germany The following is the German roster for the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Head coach: Uwe Krupp Assistant coach: Ernst Höfner Italy The following is the Italian roster for the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Head coach: Michel Goulet Assistant coaches: Ron Ivany, Fabio Polloni Kazakhstan The following is the Kazakh roster for the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Head coach: Nikolai Myshagin Assistant coach: Gennadi Tsygurov Latvia The following is the Latvian roster for the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Head coach: Leonīds Beresņevs Assistant coach: Harijs Vītoliņš, Oļegs Znaroks Russia The following is the Russian roster for the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Head coach: Vladimir Krikunov Assistant coaches: Vladimir Yurzinov, Sergei Nemchinov, Boris Mikhailov Forwards Alexander Frolov and Alexander Korolyuk were replaced due to injuries by Andrei Taratukhin and Ivan Nepryaev, respectively. Slovakia The following is the Slovak roster for the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Head coach: František Hossa Assistant coaches: Jerguš Bača, Lubomir Pokovic, Róbert Švehla Sweden The following is the Swedish roster for the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Head coach: Bengt-Åke Gustafsson Assistant coaches: Anders Eldebrink, Janne Karlsson Forward Markus Näslund was initially selected, but due to a groin injury he was replaced by Tomas Holmstrom Switzerland The following is the Swiss roster for the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Head coach: / Ralph Krueger Assistant coaches: Jakob Kölliker, Peter John Lee United States The following is the American roster for the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Head coach: Peter Laviolette Assistant Coaches: Keith Allain, Mike Sullivan See also Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics rosters (women) References roster 2006

4043560

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinal%20dysplasia

Retinal dysplasia

Retinal dysplasia is an eye disease affecting the retina of animals and, less commonly, humans. It is usually a nonprogressive disease and can be caused by viral infections, drugs, vitamin A deficiency, or genetic defects. Retinal dysplasia is characterized by folds or rosettes (round clumps) of the retinal tissue. Retinal dysplasia in dogs Most cases of retinal dysplasia in dogs are hereditary. It can involve one or both retinas. Retinal dysplasia can be focal, multifocal, geographic, or accompanied by retinal detachment. Focal and multifocal retinal dysplasia appears as streaks and dots in the central retina. Geographic retinal dysplasia appears as an irregular or horseshoe-shaped area of mixed hyper or hyporeflectivity in the central retina. Retinal detachment occurs with complete retinal dysplasia, and is accompanied by blindness in that eye. Cataracts or glaucoma can also occur secondary to retinal dysplasia. Other causes of retinal dysplasia in dogs include infection with canine adenovirus or canine herpesvirus, or radiation of the eye in newborns. Commonly affected breeds Bedlington Terrier - complete retinal dysplasia. Sealyham Terrier - complete retinal dysplasia. Rottweiler - focal or multifocal. English Springer Spaniel - focal, multifocal, or geographic. American Cocker Spaniel - focal or multifocal. Beagle - focal or multifocal. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - retinal folds, geographic, or retinal detachment. Labrador Retriever - focal, multifocal, geographic, or complete retinal dysplasia. It can also be seen in combination with a congenital skeletal disorder. Australian Shepherd - retinal dysplasia occurs with other eye disorders, such as an oval pupil, microcornea (small cornea), cataracts, and retinal detachment. Retinal dysplasia in other animals Cats - Retinal dysplasia occurs in utero or in newborns infected with feline leukemia virus or feline panleukopenia, which cause necrosis and disorganization of the retina. It appears as folds and rosettes. Cattle - Retinal dysplasia occurs in utero through infection with bovine viral diarrhea. It is also inherited in Shorthorns and Herefords. Both forms often cause retinal detachment. Sheep - Retinal dysplasia occurs by in utero infection with bluetongue disease. Horses - Retinal dysplasia is bilateral, not inherited, and appears as multifocal or geographic disease. It is usually accompanied by other eye problems. Chickens See also Progressive retinal atrophy References Dog diseases Eye diseases

4043564

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice%20W.%20Means

Rice W. Means

Rice William Means (November 16, 1877January 30, 1949) was an American war hero who became a Ku Klux Klan leader and a Republican United States Senator from Colorado. Early life, education, and military service Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, he moved with his parents to Yuma County, Colorado in 1887. He settled in Denver in 1889, and attended the public schools and Sacred Heart College of Denver (now called Regis University). During the Spanish–American War, he commanded a company in the Philippine campaign of 1899, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Means "distinguished himself before the fall of Manila by swimming the Singalon river to reconnoiter the Spanish works", escaping capture when he was spotted. Returning from the war, he expressed a desire for the United States to permanently incorporate the Philippines, envisioning Manila surpassing Hong Kong as a trading center. In 1901, he graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Denver. From 1902 to 1904, he was county judge of Adams County, and in 1908 was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the Sixty-first United States Congress. Following this defeat, he was appointed deputy district attorney for Adams County, Colorado. Means was elected commander-in-chief of the Army of the Philippines in 1913, and of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1914. He served during the First World War as a lieutenant colonel and commandant of the Fortieth Division School of Arms. He commanded the 4th Infantry in the Meuse–Argonne offensive. Means ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1920, losing the Republican nomination to Samuel D. Nicholson, who would go on to win the seat. He was attorney for the City and County of Denver in 1923 and 1924. Political career and later life Means was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate on November 4, 1924, in a special election to fill the vacancy caused by Nicholson's death. During the campaign, his Democratic opponent nicknamed him "Puffed Rice", but this did not hinder Means' election. Means was one of several candidates reported to have benefited from the support of the state's Ku Klux Klan organization. He served in the Senate from December 1, 1924, to March 3, 1927, chairing the Committee on Claims (Sixty-ninth Congress). During his tenure, he authored legislation deeming Armistice Day (later called Veterans Day) a national holiday in the United States. During this time, Means also became directing head of the Ku Klux Klan in Colorado. In 1926 he was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection, as he was again defeated in the Republican primary, this time by Charles W. Waterman, who "rode to victory on the wave of anti-klan sentiment". In 1926 and 1927, Means was commander in chief of the United Spanish War Veterans, and in 1927 he became president of the National Tribune Corporation and publisher of the National Tribune and Stars and Stripes in Washington, D.C. Means fiercely criticized the FDR administration in response to the enactment of the initial New Deal measures in 1933, declaring them to be the product of "ruthless, vicious propaganda" and "a stain upon the honor of the United States". Means retired in 1937, and died in Denver on January 30, 1949, following a six-month bout with heart problems. He was interred in Denver's Fairmount Cemetery. References External links Retrieved on 2009-02-25 1877 births 1949 deaths American military personnel of the Spanish–American War American military personnel of World War I Colorado Republicans Former Ku Klux Klan members Politicians from St. Joseph, Missouri Regis University alumni Republican Party United States senators from Colorado United States Army officers University of Michigan Law School alumni National Commanders of the Veterans of Foreign Wars

4043570

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David%20Garza%20%28musician%29

David Garza (musician)

David Garza (pronounced Dah-veed; born February 4, 1971) is a Grammy winning Los Angeles based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, and visual artist. Biography A third-generation Mexican-American and Dallas-area native David Garza came to Austin in the fall of 1989 to attend the University of Texas. With his first band, The Happy Farmers, he opened shows for such Dallas Deep Ellum faves of the era as the New Bohemians, Ten Hands, and Fever in the Funkhouse at Club Dada. But by age 18, he won a classical guitar scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin. Garza had met Austinites Chris Searles and Jeff Haley through scholastic music events in high school. They christened themselves Twang Twang Shock-A-Boom and headed to the West Mall of the UT campus, armed with acoustic guitar, upright bass and bongos. The acoustic three-piece band “went from playing the West Mall on the University of Texas campus for fun and tips to packing a thousand or so fans into Liberty Lunch and showcasing at the headquarters of CBS Records (now Sony Music)”. After leaving the group Twang Twang Shock A Boom to go solo, Garza formed a new band and gigged continually around and outside the Texas area, billed as David Garza & The Lovebeads and later as DAH-VEED. In the mid-1990s he had his brush with the major-label world, signing with Lava/Atlantic, but eventually returned to his street-performer roots, releasing nearly an album a year since. Garza released a flurry of solo cassettes and CDs, selling them for $5 and $10, respectively. He called this the “Single Bill Theory,” one he maintains to the present day. Garza performed tirelessly on the regional club and college circuit, ultimately striking a major-label deal, in 1996. Initially, Garza rebuffed various major label recording offers, choosing instead to record and distribute music on his own label, Wide Open Records. After independently releasing nine records and selling 30,000 copies on his own, he eventually signed with Lava/Atlantic and was featured on the Great Expectations soundtrack. His major-label debut, This Euphoria, followed in April 1998. He took over production duties for his second Lava/Atlantic record, 2001's Overdub, and brought in Will Calhoun and Doug Wimbish, the drummer and bassist of Living Colour as his backup band for the sessions. Juliana Hatfield contributed backing vocals on the song "Keep On Crying." In 1999, at the height of his touring popularity, Garza was voted 2nd behind Stevie Ray Vaughan as Austin Musician of the Decade (Austin Chronicle). In 2011, the City of Austin, TX declared May 12 “David Garza Day.” Soon after, to celebrate what would've been Elliott Smith's 44th birthday on August 6, 2013, Smith’s family entrusted Garza to “host a bicoastal tribute to the late pop mystic.” In subsequent years, Garza has returned to releasing his music independently and plays frequently in Texas and in Los Angeles. A series of residency shows at L.A.'s Club Largo showcased his skill as a solo performer on both piano and guitar. During Garza's live shows, artists as highly regarded as producer/soundtrack icon Jon Brion, Nickel Creek, Grant Lee Phillips and Fiona Apple regularly sat in with him. Garza has shared the stage with the likes of Jackson Browne, John Paul Jones, Los Lobos, Pearl Jam, St. Vincent, Meshell Ndegeocello, Andrew Bird, Natalia LaFourcade, Chris Thile, Ben Harper. He has also done extensive work as a producer and session musician, composer, and visual artist. In 2020 he was a musician on, co-produced and created the album artwork for the 2-time Grammy award winning Fiona Apple release Fetch The Bolt Cutters. Collaborations Throughout his career, David Garza has done studio and live session work for a number of artists. He contributed guitar and production to Juliana Hatfield's Beautiful Creature in 2000, and toured as keyboardist for Alejandro Escovedo in 2001. The same year, he played on the soundtrack for the film Spy Kids. In 2002, he worked with Rhett Miller on The Instigator, and in 2004 he appeared on Hanson's record Underneath. In 2005, he toured with Fiona Apple on her Extraordinary Machine tour, performing both as the opening act and as a guitarist in her backing band. In 2006, Garza played baritone guitar on the Revolting Cocks Cocked and Loaded LP, and Al Jourgensen later added vocals to “Minority Boys Got $” on Garza’s 2008 album Dream Delay. Garza played guitar and sang back-up vocals on the 2007 John Legend single “Sun Comes Up”. Since 2008, Garza has regularly toured and recorded with Gaby Moreno. David performed the music on comedian, actress, and singer-songwriter Marget Cho’s 2016 album American Myth. In 2020, Garza was a guest vocalist and piano player on the Watkins Family Hour studio album entitled Brother Sister, joining Gaby Moreno and John C. Reilly on a cover of Charley Jordan’s "Keep It Clean". Composing and production Garza contributed music on film scores for Wretches & Jabberers (2011), Garnet’s Gold (2014) and Racing Extinction (2015). In 2016, Garza produced Nina Diaz (of Girl in a Coma) first solo record The Beat is Dead. In 2019, Garza composed the original score for the HBO film Running with Beto In 2020, Garza co-produced, played multiple instruments on and made the album artwork for Fiona Apple's Fetch The Bolt Cutters Discography Just Say Love (1991) Summer Songs 1 (1991) Summer Songs 2 (1992) Eyes Wide Open (1992) Culture Vulture (1993) Conmigo (1994) Blind Hips In Motion (1995) 1000 Copies (1996) 4-Track Manifesto EP (1997) This Euphoria (1998) Kingdom Come and Go (1999) Summer Songs 3 (2000) Overdub (2001) Alarm/Alarm Spring (2002) Summer Songs 4 (2002) Secret Album (2003) Amorea (2003) Covers/Colcha (2003) Summer Songs 5 (2003) A Strange Mess of Flowers (box set) (2004) Oh Dread EP (download) (2005) May Ides EP (download)(2005) Chuy Chuy Yall EP (download) (2005) Summer Songs 6 (2005) Sound of Music EP (download) (2005) David Garza (2005 Tour CD) (2005) Slaughterhouse Jive (download)(2008) filmusic (download) (2008) Dream Delay (2008) Summer Songs 7 (2009) AD HOC (2009) Dream Demos (2009) The Road To ACL (2010) Oversea (2011) Sleep (2012) Human Tattoo (2013) Ballad of Crybear (2016) Lost Rhyme (2019) Notes External links David Garza official site David Garza on Myspace David Garza Profile on RollingStone.com 1971 births Living people Musicians from Austin, Texas People from Irving, Texas American male singer-songwriters American musicians of Mexican descent Hispanic and Latino American musicians University of Texas at Austin alumni Singer-songwriters from Texas 21st-century American singers 21st-century American male singers Lava Records artists Atlantic Records artists

4043572

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kearny%20Street

Kearny Street

Kearny Street () in San Francisco, California runs north from Market Street to The Embarcadero. Toward its south end, it separates the Financial District from the Union Square and Chinatown districts. Further north, it passes over Telegraph Hill, interrupted by a gap near Coit Tower. History Kearny Street was originally named "La Calle de la Fundacion" by the Spanish, meaning "street of the founding". The origin of the present name, Kearny Street, is generally assumed to be Stephen Watts Kearny, the first military governor of California under U.S. rule. Another possible namesake is General Philip Kearny. It is sometimes erroneously assumed to be named after the (differently spelled) labor leader Denis Kearney, known for his racist anti-Chinese agitation. At Kearny and Clay was the lower end of the first cable car line in America, launched by Andrew S. Hallidie on August 2, 1873, climbing five blocks up Clay Street hill toward Nob Hill. During the early 20th century, "running north from Market Street to the Barbary Coast, Kearny Street was an avenue of honky-tonks and saloons frequented by racetrack tipsters and other shady professionals. On election nights it was the scene of torch-light parades and brass bands", as summarized in the 1940 WPA guide to San Francisco. From the turn of the twentieth century until 1977, the area around the intersection of Kearny and Jackson Streets was home to a large Filipino population, and earned the nickname Manilatown. Located at 848 Kearny Street, the International Hotel served as the heart of Manilatown. In its heyday of the 1920s and 1930s the estimated population of Manilatown was between 20,000 and 40,000 people. In 1968 the hotel was sold to developers intending to replace it with more profitable commercial property. After a protracted court battle, the remaining two hundred odd tenants were forcibly evicted on 4 August 1977. The hotel and other buildings to the south of it on that block were quickly torn down, after which the land lay vacant for over a quarter of a century. On 27 July 2004, a two block stretch of Kearny Street was officially declared to be Manilatown. The San Francisco Chronicle's urban design critic John King observed in 2006 that while Kearny Street's "architectural mish-mash" includes a number of skyscrapers, "several blocks survive ramshackle and low, delightful blurs of pre-World War II architecture that mix their styles but maintain sturdy-looking masonry facades [...] These low blocks exist because of city efforts in the 1970s and '80s to preserve older buildings and keep the Financial District from devouring everything around it. That protective foresight is what good planning is all about." Landmarks Landmarks along Kearny Street include Lotta's Fountain at Market Street, where 1906 earthquake commemorations are held; One Montgomery Tower (an office building located on Kearny and Post streets, despite the name); 555 California Street, the city's fourth tallest skyscraper; the location of the old Hall of Justice at Kearny and Clay Streets now occupied by the Hilton San Francisco Financial District; the Lusty Lady, the nation's first worker-owned peep show; Portsmouth Square, the original Plaza of the pueblo of Yerba Buena; and Coit Tower, at the top of Telegraph Hill. Other uses "Kearny Street" is a song by American composer Rod McKuen. References Further reading O'Brien, Robert, This is San Francisco. 1948. 1994 Chronicle Books Streets in San Francisco History of San Francisco Chinatown, San Francisco Financial District, San Francisco

4043584

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thespesia%20grandiflora

Thespesia grandiflora

Thespesia grandiflora is a tree in the family Malvaceae of the rosids clade. Its common name is maga. This tree is widely distributed throughout Puerto Rico where it is endemic. Although originally endemic to the humid mountains of limestone in the western and north-central portions of the Island, today it grows everywhere in Puerto Rico due to its extensive cultivation. It is also grown as an ornamental tree in Florida, Hawaii, Honduras and in various Caribbean islands. The maga is mostly used as an ornamental plant, but like the related Thespesia populnea its wood is also valued for its durable timber. The flower was declared the national symbol of Puerto Rico on August 7, 2019. Flower The flower of the tree, known as Flor de Maga, is the official national flower of Puerto Rico. It is sometimes called a hibiscus in English, although it belongs to a different genus and species from the true hibiscus, and is more closely related to Cotton. Growth The maga tree usually grows no larger than 20 meters. It is grown for timber and as an ornamental plant. References Bibliography Bailey, L.H. 1941. The standard cyclopedia of horticulture. New York: Macmillan. 3,639 p. Calvesbert, Robert, Jr. 1970. Climate of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. Climatology of the United States 60-52. Silver Spring, MD: U.S. Department of Commerce, Environmental Science Service Administration, Environmental Data Service. 29 p. Holdridge, L.R. 1942. Trees of Puerto Rico. Occasional Paper 1. Río Piedras, PR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Tropical Forest Experiment Station. 105 p. Vol. 1. Holdridge, L.R. 1967. Life zone ecology. San José, Costa Rica: Tropical Science Center. 206 p. Joland, S.D.; Wiedhopt, R.M.; Cole, J.R. 1975. Tumor inhibitory agent from Montezuma speciosissima (Malvaceae). Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 64(11): 1889-1890. Liogier, Henri A.; Martorell, Luis F. 1982. Flora of Puerto Rico and adjacent islands: a systematic synopsis. Río Piedras, PR: Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. 342 p. Little, Elbert L., Jr.; Wadsworth, Frank H. 1964. Common trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Agric. Handb. 249. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture. 548 p. Marrero, José. 1942. A seed storage study of maga. Caribbean Forester. 3(4): 173-184. Marrero, José. 1947. A survey of the forest plantations in the Caribbean National Forest. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan. 167 p. Tesis de M.S. Marrero, José. 1948. Forest planting in the Caribbean National Forest: past experience as a guide for the future. Caribbean Forester. 1: 85-213. Martorell, Luis F. 1975. Annotated food plant catalog of the insects of Puerto Rico. Río Piedras, PR: Agricultural Experiment Station. 303 p. Neal, Marie C. 1965. In gardens of Hawaii. Special Publication 50. Honolulú: Bernice P. Bishop Press. 924 p. Sapath, D.S.; Balaram, P. 1986. Resolution of racemic gossypol and interaction of individual enantiomers with serum albumins and model peptides. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. 882(2): 183-186. Schubert, Thomas H. 1979. Trees for urban use in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Gen. Tech. Rep. SO-27. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 91 p. Weaver, Peter L. 1987. Tree growth in several tropical forests of Puerto Rico. Res. Pap. SO-152. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 15 p. Wolcott, George N. 1939. The entomologist looks at maga. Caribbean Forester. 1(1): 29-30. Wolcott, George N. 1940. A list of woods arranged according to their resistance to the attack of the “polilla”, the dry-wood termite of the West Indies. Caribbean Forester. 1(4): 1-10. External links Flor de maga at elboricua.com grandiflora Endemic flora of Puerto Rico Flora without expected TNC conservation status

4043590

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur%20Steere

Arthur Steere

Arthur Wallace Steere (1865–1943) was a Rhode Island politician and prominent businessman and landowner. Biography Steere (known as "A.W.") was born in Glocester, Rhode Island, on September 3, 1865, to Seth Hunt Steere and Lucy L. Smith. Steere was a direct descendant of Rhode Island founder, Roger Williams, William Wickenden, General William West, and Pilgrim George Soule. As a youth he worked on his family's farm in Glocester and then went to Scituate, Rhode Island, where he engaged in the teaming business for three years. In 1889 Steere inherited a bequest from his relative Henry J. Steere, a prominent manufacturer, upon the latter's death. In 1887, Steere married into the Brayton family when he married Sarah Jeanette Brayton (daughter of David and Phebe Brayton) in a Congregational service; she who died in 1892. Next, Steere married Mamie Farrar (daughter of Miles and Annie (Allen) Farrar) in 1894. They had five children together: Seth, Arthur, Nelson, Nettie and Henry. Eventually, Arthur Steere became the owner of over one thousand acres (4 km²) of property in the Rhode Island towns of Johnston, Burrillville, Foster, Scituate, Smithfield, and Glocester, making him one of the state's largest landowners. Steere sold hundreds of acres to the state of Rhode Island for the creation of the Scituate Reservoir in the 1920s. He owned various businesses on this land, including lumber yards, which produced railroad ties and telegraph poles, and also dairy farms, fruit orchards, refrigeration facilities, and a teaming business that first paved the majority of the roads in northern Rhode Island. Steere had over one hundred and fifty employees at the start of the 20th century. Senator Steere was a lifelong Republican, and in 1907 he was elected to the Rhode Island Senate representing Greenville, Rhode Island. As a senator, Steere was extremely active in property issues, serving on the property committee. Steere was also a member of the Freemasons of Greenville and Scituate and an attendant of Greenville's Free Will Baptist Church. After Steere died in January 1943, his sons Seth Hunt Steere and Henry J. Steere took over the bulk of his businesses and landholdings. Steere Orchards on Austin Avenue in Greenville is still owned by his descendants and is the largest orchard in Rhode Island. Steere was buried at Harmony Chapel Cemetery in Glocester. Images References Further reading "Arthur Wallace Steere," The History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: Biographical,(NY: The American Historical Society, 1920) 121-122. "Arthur Wallace Steere," Representative men and old families of Rhode Island : genealogical records and historical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the old families. (Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co., 1908). James Root, Steere Genealogy, (Providence: Riverside Press, 1890). The Providence Journal, "The Will of Mr. Henry J. Steere in Detail," November 1, 1889, pg. 3. The Providence Journal, "Obituary: Henry J. Steere," October 29, 1889, pg. 8. External links Steere's House (PDF) Rhode Island state senators 1865 births 1943 deaths People from Smithfield, Rhode Island People from Glocester, Rhode Island Burials in Rhode Island 19th-century American businesspeople

4043596

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashy%20Bull

Flashy Bull

Flashy Bull (foaled March 13, 2003) by Jerry and Liz Squyres at Crowning Point Farm in Paris, Kentucky is an American thoroughbred racehorse. He was sired by the 1994 U.S. Horse of the Year Holy Bull out of the mare, Iridescence. He was a contender for the Triple Crown in 2006. As of July, 2007, he had started 19 times, winning 5, placing in 5, and showing in three and had lifetime earnings of $844,313. In August, 2007, he was retired to stud due to a cracked sesamoid bone in his left ankle, believed to have happened in the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga Race Course on July 28 where he was unplaced. Connections Flashy Bull was owned by West Point Thoroughbreds and was trained by Kiaran McLaughlin. His rider in the Kentucky Derby was Mike E. Smith. He was ridden to a third-place finish in the Ohio Derby by Luis Antonio Gonzalez. Races References Flashy Bull's pedigree 2006 Derby Contenders Flashy Bull NTRA Flashy Bull Retired Racehorses bred in Kentucky 2003 racehorse births Racehorses trained in the United States Thoroughbred family 9-f

4043603

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina%20Nordstr%C3%B6m

Tina Nordström

Maria Kristina "Tina" Nordström Holmqvist (born 6 August 1973) is a Swedish celebrity chef and television personality from Helsingborg, Sweden. She hosted the second season of New Scandinavian Cooking on PBS stations on American television, replacing Andreas Viestad as host of the show; she was succeeded by Claus Meyer. She also appeared in a subsequent series featuring the same cast in rotation called "Perfect Day", produced by Tellusworks/Anagram Produktion and directed by Andreas Lindergard. Besides the cookery show Mat ("Food"), which she made together with Tomas Tengby, she has written cookbooks—Tinas mat ("Tina's food"), Tina and Jättegott Tina ("Delicious, Tina"). Nordström won the Swedish Let's Dance television show in 2008. In 2009, she produced Tinas cookalong, with Gordon Ramsay as a guest cook. From 2014, she is part of the jury in Sveriges yngsta mästerkock, the Swedish version of Masterchef Junior. References External links New Scandinavian Cooking: New Scandinavian Cooking - Meet Tina Nordström Tina Nordström at the Internet Movie Database See Tina's dance performance in the Swedish Let's dance 2008 television show, where she won. (Web page in Swedish). Swedish food writers Swedish television chefs Swedish women television personalities American women television personalities Salespeople American television chefs 1973 births Living people Dancing with the Stars winners Infomercials Women cookbook writers American women chefs 21st-century Swedish women writers 21st-century American women writers

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandst%C3%A4tter%20Group

Brandstätter Group

Brandstätter Group (geobra Brandstätter GmbH & Co. KG) is a German company, headquartered in Zirndorf, Bavaria. The group is composed of toy company Playmobil, Playmobil 1.2.3 Ltd, Inmold Ltd, Hob Electronics Ltd, Hob Components Ltd, HOB Inc., HOB GmbH & Co KG, and Hob Software Ltd. In 1876, the company was founded by Andreas Brandstätter in Fürth, Bavaria and produced ornamental fittings and locks. By 1921, the company mainly was producing metal toys such as piggy banks, telephones, cash registers, and scales. In 1954, production shifted to plastics and in the following years produced toys such as the Multi-Worker play-set. The Playmobil line of products was introduced in 1970 under Horst Brandstätter and marketed worldwide in 1975. The Brandstätter Group produces exclusively in Europe, chiefly at its main factory in Dietenhofen, 25 km from Zirndorf, with a workforce of 750 people. Although Playmobil also has factories in Malta (700 employees), Spain and the Czech Republic, Horst Brandstätter expanded production in Germany, and invested heavily in the Dietenhofen factory. New products included the Lechuza self-watering planters. References External links Playmobil Companies based in Bavaria Playmobil German companies established in 1876 Toy companies of Germany Toy companies established in the 19th century Manufacturing companies established in 1876

4043609

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John%20Underhill

John Underhill

John Underhill may refer to: Sir John Underhill (died 1679), courtier to Elizabeth I of England John Underhill (bishop) (1545–1592), English academic and bishop of Oxford John Edward Underhill (1574–1608) John Underhill (captain) (1597–1672), English colonist and soldier John Q. Underhill (1848–1907), U.S. Representative from New York John R. Underhill (born 1961), British professor of stratigraphy and former Scottish Premier League football referee John Garrett Underhill (1876–1946), author and stage producer John Garrett Underhill Jr. (1915–1964), U.S. Army officer

4043610

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicol%C3%A1s%20Leoz

Nicolás Leoz

Nicolás Leoz Almirón (10 September 1928 – 28 August 2019) was President of CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) from 1986 to 2013. Leoz assumed the presidency in 1986 (succeeding Teófilo Salinas Fuller) and in February 2006, he was reelected as President for a sixth term. He was Paraguayan and received Colombian citizenship in 2008. On April 23, 2013, Leoz resigned from both the FIFA Executive Committee and the CONMEBOL presidency, citing health issues. Before his position as President of CONMEBOL, Leoz was President of the Justice Department of the Paraguayan Basketball Confederation (1957–1959), President of Paraguayan soccer Club Libertad (1969–1970 and 1974–1977), President of the Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol (1971–1973 and 1979–1985) and Vice President of CONMEBOL (1972–1974 and 1980–1986). In November 2010 he was alleged by the BBC to have taken bribes in the 1990s regarding the awarding of World Cup television rights. In May 2015, Leoz was banned by the FIFA Ethics Committee for accepting bribes, money laundering, wire fraud and racketeering. Youth and early career Leoz was born in Pirizal, Chaco Paraguayo, Paraguay. His childhood was spent in Pirizal, 78 km. in the industrial complex of Carlos Casado, near the Paraguay River, Puerto Casado today is known as Puerto La Victoria. From 1940 to 1950, Leoz was a sports journalist in radio and newspapers. In 1957, he studied law at the School of Law and Social Sciences of the UNA (National University of Asunción) and as a student took office in Judiciary as a scribe in interrogations; he graduated on December 24th 1957, at 29 years age. From 1950 to 1962, he was a history teacher at the Colegio Nacional de la Capital, Nacional de Niñas and Comercio. He was also a director for an aluminum enterprise and in agricultural livestock. From 1957 to 1977, he was president of the Tribunal de Justicia de la Confederación Paraguaya de Básquetbol. Doctor “Honoris causa” from Universidade of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Member of Honor of the Universidad Nacional of San Agustín of Arequipa, Perú. Timeline of football career Corruption allegations In November 2010, Andrew Jennings, the presenter of FIFA's Dirty Secrets, an edition of BBC's flagship current affairs programme Panorama alleged that Leoz had taken bribes in the 1990s regarding the awarding of contracts for the sale of television rights to the football World Cup. Panorama claimed to have obtained a confidential document from a company called ISL which showed that Leoz was paid $730,000 by the company. ISL won the contract to distribute the television rights. Leoz has not responded to the allegations. In May 2011, Lord Triesman named Leoz while giving evidence at a Parliamentary inquiry into football governance in London. Nicolas Leoz has been accused of requesting an honorary knighthood in reward for supporting a World Cup bid for England. It was later revealed in email exchanges involving his aide that Leoz would consider visiting England if the FA Cup, the oldest association football competition in the world, were to be named after him. On April 23, 2013, Leoz announced his resignation of CONMEBOL presidency to take place on April 30, 2013. On June 3, 2015, Leoz was named on an INTERPOL Red Notice. In 2018, his extradition was approved by a Paraguayan court. Leoz appealed the decision. At the time of his death the case was pending before the Supreme Court of Paraguay. Family Leoz was the son of Gregory Leoz Latorre (born in Navarre, Spain) and Petrona Almirón Bogarín (born in Luque, Paraguay). His brothers were Guillermo, Pomposa, Sara, Eusebio, Cesar, Modesto and Maria Teresa. He also had two brothers, Isidoro and Cesareo from his father when he married Eudosia Carmen Zorrilla. His paternal grandparents were Cesareo Leoz Guinda and Miguela Latorre. His paternal great-grandparents were Manuel Leoz Ramon and Manuela Guinda Baztam. Notes News media as a scandal involving within the FIFA together with Julio Grondona who is vice president of FIFA, CSF vice-president and president of the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino. (Andrew Jennings). References Bibliography Leoz, Nicholas, Pido la palabra. MZ Editions S.R.L., Ladino 3729. Buenos Aires-Argentina, 2001 External links FIFA.COM 1928 births 2019 deaths Naturalized citizens of Colombia Presidents of CONMEBOL Association football executives Paraguayan emigrants to Colombia Paraguayan people of Basque descent Paraguayan people of Spanish descent FIFA officials People named in the Panama Papers Paraguayan schoolteachers

4043615

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churchill%20Barriers

Churchill Barriers

The Churchill Barriers are four causeways in the Orkney islands with a total length of . They link the Orkney Mainland in the north to the island of South Ronaldsay via Burray and the two smaller islands of Lamb Holm and Glimps Holm. The barriers were built between May 1940 and September 1944, primarily as naval defences to protect the anchorage at Scapa Flow, but since 12 May 1945, serve as road links between the islands. The two southern barriers, Glimps Holm to Burray and Burray to South Ronaldsay, are Category A listed. History On 14 October 1939, the Royal Navy battleship HMS Royal Oak was sunk at her moorings within the natural harbour of Scapa Flow, by the under the command of Günther Prien. U-47 had entered Scapa Flow through Holm Sound, one of several eastern entrances to Scapa Flow. The eastern passages were protected by measures including sunken block ships, booms and anti-submarine nets, but U-47 entered at night at high tide by navigating between the block ships. To prevent further attacks, the First Lord of The Admiralty Winston Churchill ordered the construction of permanent barriers. Work began in May 1940 and the barriers were completed in September 1944 but were not officially opened until 12 May 1945, four days after Victory in Europe Day. Construction The contract for building the barriers was awarded to Balfour Beatty, although part of the southernmost barrier (between Burray and South Ronaldsay) was sub-contracted to William Tawse & Co. The first Resident Superintending Civil Engineer was E K Adamson, succeeded in 1942 by G Gordon Nicol. Preparatory work on the site began in May 1940, while experiments on models for the design were undertaken at Whitworth Engineering Laboratories at the University of Manchester. The bases of the barriers were built from gabions enclosing 250,000 tonnes of broken rock, from quarries on Orkney. The gabions were dropped into place from overhead cableways into waters up to deep. The bases were then covered with 66,000 locally cast concrete blocks in five-tonne and ten-tonne sizes. The five-tonne blocks were laid on the core, and the ten-tonne blocks were arranged on the sides in a random pattern to act as wave-breaks. Labour A project of this size required a substantial labour force, which peaked in 1943 at over 2,000. Much of the labour was provided by over 1,300 Italian prisoners of war who had been captured in the desert war in North Africa; they were transported to Orkney from early 1942 onwards. The prisoners were accommodated in three camps, 600 at Camp 60 on Little Holm and the remaining 700 at two camps on Burray. In 1943, those at Camp 60 built an ornate Italian Chapel, which still survives and has become a tourist attraction. Ecological impact Research by the University of York published in 2012 showed significant changes to the ecology of the area, and that behind the barriers an eutrophic environment dominated due to the loss of the natural throughflow of water. Deterioration In October 2011, the Orkney Islands Council took control of the barriers from the Ministry of Defence. Since then, with increasingly erratic weather events and rising sea levels as a result of global climate change, the barriers have begun to deteriorate. Of the four barriers, only Barrier No. 2, from Lamb Holm to Glimps Holm, is at high risk for needing to be replaced, according to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Replacing even one of the causeways is extremely unpopular in Orkney due to their historical significance. The Council was as of February 2021 exploring options that would preserve all of the causeways. Gallery References External links Burray and The Barriers Undiscovered Scotland: The Churchill Barriers Our Past History: The Churchill Barriers Okneypics.com: photos of the barrier Orkney Buildings and structures in Scotland Civil engineering Category A listed buildings in Orkney Causeways in Europe

4043616

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhang%20Dan

Zhang Dan

Zhang Dan (; born 4 October 1985) is a Chinese former pair skater. With Zhang Hao, she is the 2006 Olympic silver medalist, a four-time (2005 bronze, 2006, 2008, 2009 silver) World medalist, and a two-time (2005, 2010) Four Continents champion. Zhang Dan retired from competition on May 6, 2012. Career Early career Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao (no relation) teamed up in 1997. In 1998–99 Junior Grand Prix (JGP), the pair competed in one event and won the gold medal. They continued the season with a bronze medal at the 1999 Chinese National Championships. The following season, they competed in two 1999–2000 JGP events, medaling in both. They qualified for the final, where they finished fifth. That year, they were second at nationals and finished fourth at Junior Worlds. The following three seasons, they were very successful at the junior level. They won all their Junior Grand Prix events, including the 2000–01 JGP Final and the 2001–02 JGP Final. They also competed in the 2001 Junior Worlds and the 2003 Junior Worlds, winning gold both times. At the Chinese National Championships, they placed third in both 2001 and 2002, before winning their first national title in 2003. Their first senior international was the 2002 Four Continents Championships, where they won the bronze medal. The same season they competed in the 2002 Olympics, placing 11th, and the 2002 Worlds, placing 9th. The following season they competed in their first two senior Grand Prix events, placing fourth at both events. They repeated with a bronze medal at the 2003 Four Continents Championships and improved their placement at the 2003 Worlds, finishing sixth. For the next two seasons, they consistently medaled at their Grand Prix events. They won gold at the 2005 Four Continents Championships and bronze at the 2005 Worlds. 2005–06 season: Olympic medalists Zhang and Zhang went into the 2006 Olympics as medal contenders. They had planned a throw quadruple salchow jump for the free skate, a jump which had not yet been landed in competition. Zhang Dan fell on it during the free skate and suffered an injury, but chose to finish the program. There was a minor controversy about finishing the program because while Zhang Dan had been lying on the ice from the fall, the referee had stopped the music, and the Zhangs took a certain amount of time to restart the program. ISU rules say that the program can be continued if the referee agrees the stoppage was due to a valid reason, such as injuries or equipment failures. Once the referee has approved a continuation, the skaters are given two minutes to continue the program from the point where the music stopped. Zhang regrouped within this period and was able to finish the program. They won the silver medal, placing ahead of defending Olympic medalists Shen Xue and Hongbo Zhao. At the Worlds, they won the silver, behind Pang Qing and Tong Jian. Later career In the 2006–07 season, Zhang and Zhang placed first at Skate Canada, second at the NHK Trophy, and would go on to win the bronze medal at the Grand Prix Final. They placed 5th at the 2007 World Figure Skating Championships later that season. In the 2007–08 and the 2008–09 seasons, they won silver medals at both the Grand Prix Final and the World Championships. They also set the world record score in the short program twice: 71.60 points at the 2007 Trophée Éric Bompard and 74.36 points at the 2008 World Championships. At the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Zhangs placed fifth. They also finished fifth at 2010 World Championships. Before the 2010–11 season began, Zhang Hao broke his finger, forcing the team to pull out of their two Grand Prix assignments. He also dealt with some shoulder and cervical vertebra problems. The Zhangs returned to competition during the 2011–12 season, winning silver medals at the 2011 Skate America and the 2011 Cup of China. They finished 4th at the 2011–12 Grand Prix Final. Zhang Dan eventually became the tallest competing female pair skater. In 2008, she was 1.63 m and in October 2009, she reached 1.675 m. In August 2011, she was the tallest female in elite pair skating, being 1.695 m in height. Zhang Dan's height proved to be a challenge for the pair, and on May 6, 2012, it was announced that their partnership had ended and she was retiring from competition. Zhang Hao formed a new partnership, while Zhang Dan stated that she would focus on her university studies. Age controversy On February 14, 2011, the Zhangs' ages became the subject of controversy. Although her International Skating Union bio lists Zhang Dan as born on October 4, 1985, a Chinese skating association website suggested she was born on that day in 1987. This would mean that during the 2001-02 season she was 14 and too young to compete in senior events such as the Four Continents where they won bronze, as well as the Olympics and World Championships. Her partner's age also came under scrutiny. His ISU bio states that he was born on July 6, 1984 but the Chinese website suggested he was born on February 6, 1982, making him too old to compete in junior events during the 2002-03 season, such as the 2003 World Junior Championships where they won gold. The dates disappeared from the website by February 15. On February 17, the ISU said there were no discrepancies for the Zhangs in terms of the birthdates listed on their passports, ISU registration forms and the Chinese Olympic Committee's website. Programs (with Zhang Hao) Competitive highlights GP: Grand Prix; JGP: Junior Grand Prix With Zhang Hao References External links 1985 births Living people Chinese female pair skaters Figure skaters at the 2002 Winter Olympics Figure skaters at the 2006 Winter Olympics Figure skaters at the 2010 Winter Olympics Figure skaters at the 2007 Winter Universiade Olympic figure skaters of China Olympic silver medalists for China Medalists at the 2007 Winter Universiade Figure skaters from Harbin Olympic medalists in figure skating World Figure Skating Championships medalists Four Continents Figure Skating Championships medalists World Junior Figure Skating Championships medalists Medalists at the 2006 Winter Olympics Universiade medalists in figure skating Season-end world number one figure skaters Universiade gold medalists for China

4043627

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%B6yksopp%27s%20Night%20Out

Röyksopp's Night Out

Röyksopp's Night Out is an extended play (EP) by Norwegian electronic music duo Röyksopp. It contains live recordings from the duo's concert at Rockefeller Music Hall in Oslo, Norway, in November 2005. Background The EP was released domestically on 27 January 2006. Röyksopp has stated that the EP was originally meant for the Japanese fans, the most enthusiastic Röyksopp fans, according to the band members. All of the vocalists who contributed on Röyksopp's second studio album, The Understanding (2005), except Karin Dreijer (who was replaced by Norwegian singer Anneli Drecker) were present at the concert. The EP also includes a remixed cover version of the Queens of the Stone Age song "Go with the Flow". The EP was named after a song from their debut album, Melody A.M. (2001), though the song was not performed. Track listing Personnel Credits adapted from the liner notes of Röyksopp's Night Out. Röyksopp Röyksopp – arrangements, production ; vocals Svein Berge – vocals Additional personnel Ronald Hernes – recording Tim Summerhayes – mixing Dave O'Carrol – mastering Kate Havnevik – creative input, vocals Kristian Stockhaus – guitar Ole Vegard Skauge – bass guitar Anneli Drecker – vocals Chelonis R. Jones – vocals Stian Andersen – photos Jean-Louis Duralek – artwork Charts References 2006 debut EPs 2006 live albums Live EPs Röyksopp albums Wall of Sound (record label) albums

4043646

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20%20Y.O.

20 Y.O.

20 Y.O. is the ninth studio album by American singer Janet Jackson. It was released on September 26, 2006, by Virgin Records. Its title makes reference to her third studio album Control (1986), and is a commemoration to its twentieth anniversary. 20 Y.O. represents the "celebration of the joyful liberation and history-making musical style" of Control. An R&B and dance album, Jackson enlisted a range of producers to work on material with, including LRoc, Manuel Seal, The Avila Brothers and No I.D., in addition to her longtime partners Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and then-boyfriend Jermaine Dupri. 20 Y.O. received mixed reviews from music critics, with some of them questioning the involvement of Dupri. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, making it Jackson's eighth consecutive top-three debut and second consecutive number-two album debut. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it platinum, becoming Jackson's eighth consecutive platinum album. Worldwide, the album has sold 1.5 million copies. 20 Y.O. earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album in 2007. To promote 20 Y.O., the singer appeared in various magazines, and performed on Today and the 2006 Billboard Music Awards. To further promote the release online, Jackson launched the "Design Me" cover contest, giving fans an opportunity to create the artwork for the album by downloading images of her and creating proposed covers for the album. Jackson hand-picked dozens of images to be used in the contest and selected her top four favorites, which were used for the standard edition's cover on American pressings of 20 Y.O. Three singles were released from the album–"Call on Me", "So Excited", and "With U". Background and development In 2004, Jackson performed at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show with guest artist Justin Timberlake, who accidentally exposed her right breast at the end of their performance. A month later, she released her eighth studio album, Damita Jo. The album debuted at number two on Billboard 200, was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and sold over three million copies worldwide. However, its singles received minimal airplay due to a blacklist of Jackson's music and videos on many music channels and radio formats caused by legalities surrounding the incident. At the end of 2004, Jackson announced that she intended to start work on a new album project in the coming year. It would involve her then boyfriend—record producer Jermaine Dupri, who was commissioned to executive produce the project—in addition to a roster of other producers. Dupri said at the time, "For this record, it's gonna be all dance, though. It's gonna be straight 'Control', 'Nasty', hard-ass beats, memorable melodies. It's directed to her fans, people who miss dancing, people who miss seeing videos with dancing. These [younger artists] are sloppy, they don't take it as serious as she do. They don't rehearse for the hours she do. It's serious business for her and her family and her brothers. It's important for kids to see that and bring that back to life". 20 Y.O. became Jackson's final album with Virgin Records, and marked the end of a thirteen-year recording history with the label. Following the album's release Kwamé Holland, a producer who worked on the original 20 Y.O. concept prior to Dupri's involvement, stated, "the finished project we had before Jermaine took everything over is crazy. Ask Jimmy & Terry how they felt when Jermaine came in and changed almost everything." In 2005, Jackson initially worked with various producers, including The Neptunes, Dr. Dre, Kwamé, and Polow Da Don, but the concept was changed when Dupri was selected to manage the project after becoming a division president at Virgin Records. After the album's release, Dupri was condemned for his production and misguidance of the album, and subsequently was removed from his position at Virgin Records. Recording and production For the album, Jackson reunited with longtime collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to work with her and Dupri. Conversations between the group began before December 2005, when they elaborated the first themes, and songwriting and recording began in earnest in February. The discussion turned to how Jackson was feeling during the recording of her third studio album Control in 1986. "I started asking questions like, 'What was the feeling of life when you were 20?' I was so intrigued with what was going on in her life then that I just thought her album should be called that", Dupri said. Jam agreed, saying it made sense as a concept because it meant a sense of rejuvenation for her, adding: "A sense of that excitement that people have when they are 20 years old, when their life are beginning." He finished by saying Jackson had that same sense of "hunger and excitement" she had when she was younger. Jackson wanted to create an R&B and dance album, but with an emphasis on dance. Rather than contribute to separate songs for the album, Dupri, Jam and Lewis decided to collaborate. According to the group, the process caused ego and procedural conflicts, but they complemented each other. Jam said: "The great thing about working with Jermaine, he came in with total respect for us, we had total respect for him. The fact is that we were fans of each other and for Janet". Jackson stated: "This time it was four of us collaborating – Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Jermaine and myself. But it was the same process: Everyone getting all of their thoughts and ideas out on the table, then talking about which ideas to keep or throw out. Johntá Austin also played a part in the album. It was really a collaborative effort, and that's what made it so nice. Jermaine would run into the studio and talk about the songs Jimmy and Terry had done on someone's album. Then Jimmy would start playing the song, and Jermaine would say, 'You know what? Let's do something kind of along those lines as a bas'e. He understood them, he understood me and vice versa". 20 Y.O. was recorded chiefly at Jam and Lewis' Flyte Tyme Studios in Los Angeles and Dupri's Southside Studios in Atlanta, with some sections undertaken at The Village in Los Angeles and the Hit Factory in Miami. The concept of 20 Y.O. is a celebration of what was happening musically when Control was released. The addition of Dupri, quotes Jackson as saying, "It's an edge, an attitude, an exciting vibe that's assertive. It's about taking charge. It says, 'Here I am. I'm coming on. Musically, I have it. You want it. And I'm giving it to you.'" With the album Dupri wanted to reconnect Jackson with her urban fan base without losing her pop and dance audience she had built during the last two decades before the album's release. "Times have changed from when Michael and Janet were out in the '80s", he noted, pointing to the fact that urban artists no longer had to cross over to pop genres before achieving maximum exposure and sales. "Janet shouldn't be changing or trying to change to get on pop radio", the producer completed. Dupri also demonstrated the possibility for a duet with Jackson and American singer Mariah Carey for the album. Carey commented in April 2006, "He never talked to me about that, but if Jermaine has a concept, we should go and write something. I love Janet. I’ve been a big fan of Janet since 'Con-tro-ol!'". Later, Dupri said that the closer he got to Jackson and Mariah's duet, the more he knew where it should be at, elaborating that he felt it was going to happen. "It depends on how quick my mind moves. We’re mixing records for [20 Years Old]. We’re not done yet. When I did Usher's My Way album, the last record I created was 'You Make Me Wanna...'. I'm thinking I might go back in, and I might tamper with it. [...] We gotta try to figure it out", he commented. However, the duet never came to fruition. Music and lyrics 20 Y.O. is composed by eleven songs, an introduction, three interludes and an outro. It starts off with Jackson stating "There's something to be said for not saying anything. I've covered a lot in my 20 years. And I've uncovered a lot" in its intro. The opening song, second single "So Excited" featuring rapper Khia, is a hip hop track which samples the drum break and turntable scratches from Herbie Hancock's 1983 song "Rockit". In the song, Jackson promises submission for her lover, singing, "If you like it then I’ll do it/I’ll go head to toe" and "I'm-a keep your body thumping, baby". "Show Me" follows, with Jackson spelling its title throughout the song. The fourth song, "Get It Out Me", is a dance song which was noted to feature Jackson's vocals sounding like her brother Michael's ones. The following song is "Do It 2 Me". It marks a return to Jackson's conversational style; in the song, She is searching for her lover: "My first and only call is to you, time after time, babe, throughout my life". Its music is punctuated by handclaps and by low swoops of a string section. Sixth song "This Body" lyrically is about men who have appreciation with Jackson's appearances in magazines. She addresses her fans in the line "Just had to buy me, had to try me, oooh, you're in love with the hottest girl in the magazine". The song brings sinuous and dark beats incorporating a rhythmic pattern of heavy breathing and the sound of a jet taking off, which was noted to be a metaphor. An interlude is the opening for eighth track "With U", which was described as "the follow-up to 1986's 'Let's Wait Awhile'", where a couple postpone intimacy. "With U" takes place after the act, which results in romantic confusion. In it, she sings, "I wish you were the one the one I could be with forever". "Call on Me" is the ninth song and lead single from 20 Y.O. It features Nelly, and samples The SOS Band's 1983 song "Tell Me If You Still Care". It includes whispered vocals from both Jackson and Nelly. Second interlude finds Jackson remembering her Good Times days as Penny. "Daybreak", the eleventh song, begins with fairy tale infused chimes before introducing electronic soul handclaps before Jackson starts singing. It has a few lyrics which deal about sex. The following track, "Enjoy", is composed by piano and bass. In the song, Jackson's vocals were heavily treated. Both songs have additional carnival charms, sing-along melodies, and a children's chorus at its end of the latter. An interlude follows, with Jackson calling her lover, asking him to come home. Fourteenth song "Take Care" is a love song which finds the singer pleasuring herself while she waits for her lover. The last song from the album, "Love 2 Love" was recorded by Jackson with her brother Michael in mind. She sings, "We are a couple / Which love knows no bounds". An outro closes the album. Title and artwork In February 2006, Dupri revealed the album's title as 20 Years Old, making reference to her third studio album, Control (1986), which commemorated its twentieth release anniversary in 2006. The singer, who at that date was 40 years old, confessed she felt half her age. However, Jackson changed the title to 20 Y.O. after a fan suggestion. Eric Henderson from Slant Magazine heavily criticized the title, saying it did not "let on whether the first letter is plural or singular, whether it's a noun or an adjective. And it would make all the difference". He declared that if it was supposed to stand for "years", it was a forgivable conceit. However, the reviewer feared the acronym was for 20-Year-Old, which would mean a "misguided" move from a woman who was 40, and would illustrate everything wrong with Jackson's direction with the album. He later joked that his third interpretation and his personal favorite was the title to be read phonetically "I'm 20, yo". A contest for fans to create an album cover image for 20 Y.O. was announced on July 18, 2006, through Yahoo!. Fans were able to create and submit their own album-cover design, with four winners being chosen by Jackson herself. The first million copies of the album would be published with these fan-created covers. The concept of the contest was to create an image that best celebrated Jackson's past twenty years. The singer hand-picked dozens of images that span over twenty years of Jackson's career were made available for download for use in creating the design. "They told me that I should pick maybe 20, 30 photos, but I think I went a little crazy. I picked way more than that. I gave them some of the new stuff I just shot for the album cover shoot. So they have some really recent photos as well as some stuff from 20 years ago", Jackson confessed. For the official artwork for the album, Jackson appears sporting big hair and a wrist full of bracelets. Release and promotion 20 Y.O. was released on September 26, 2006 by Virgin Records; its deluxe edition, which included a bonus DVD, was released simultaneously. On May 1, 2006, a web-only song called "Weekend" was made available as a "gift" to fans to download via Jackson's official website. The song is a remake of "Lookout Weekend", a 1984 single by Debbie Deb. It was soon removed from the site and although not included on the album, footage of Jackson recording the track can be seen in the 20 Y.O. The Project piece on the deluxe edition bonus DVD. A MySpace account for Jackson was also set up with new music and videos to promote 20 Y.O. In the lead up to the album's release, Jackson shot covers for Us Weekly, Vibe, Billboard, FHM, GIANT, W, Jezebel, OK!, Ebony, King, Sophisticates Black Hair, Movieline's Hollywood Life, Hype Hair, Men's Fitness, Unleashed, Upscale, and In Touch. Her Us Weekly cover became the biggest-selling issue in the magazine's history, selling 1.4 million copies. Jackson's Vibe issue also received attention from the media after she appeared topless on the August cover. On September 9, 2006, Jackson went to France to perform "So Excited" at NRJ's Back to School concert, along with past single "Nasty". While on The Oprah Winfrey Show, she was interviewed and performed both tracks again. The show aired on September 25. Jackson held an album signing in Times Square at the Virgin Megastore on September 26, the album's release date. Jackson performed live on the Today show — as part of their Concert Series — three days later. In October, she traveled to Japan to promote the album and wore a red kimono during a press conference there. In November, Jackson performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, while she was interviewed on The Tyra Banks Show to further promote the album. On December 4, the singer opened the 2006 Billboard Music Awards with a medley of "The Pleasure Principle" and "So Excited". During rehearsals for the awards two days prior, she taped a performance featuring two classic singles from her catalog, "Nasty" and "Let's Wait Awhile", which was streamed on American Express' website. Jackson planned to embark on a tour to promote 20 Y.O. around March 2007, with rehearsals beginning in the end of the previous year. According to a Billboard report in September 2006, she and her choreographers were working on ideas for a world tour, but the singer was still not prepared to share those ideas. However, the untitled tour was canceled after she signed a record deal with Island Records, and company executives asked her to record a new album instead, which became 2008's Discipline. Jackson stated: "I was supposed to go on tour with the last album [...] We were actually in full-blown tour rehearsals at that point ... learning numbers, getting everything together, set designs [...] I had to kind of shut everything down and go into the studio." Singles The album's first single, "Call on Me", was released to US radio on June 19, 2006. It received mixed reviews from critics. The song was a success on the charts, becoming her most successful single in some countries since "All for You" in 2001. It peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, it spent two non-consecutive weeks at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, making it Jackson's sixteenth R&B chart-topper and thirtieth top ten single. Internationally, the song peaked inside the top-twenty in Italy, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The music video for "Call on Me" was directed by Hype Williams and took ten days to be completed. The music video incorporates Indian, Asian, and African styles, with a mixture of outfits and hairstyles, with a total of five wardrobe changes. "Call on Me" is one of the most expensive music videos of all time, with a production cost of over US$1,000,000. Following its release, it was reported that the video was blacklisted by MTV following her incident at the Super Bowl halftime show, which was co-produced by the network. The second single, "So Excited", was released on August 28, 2006. Like the previous single, the song also was met with mixed reviews from music commentators, with some considering the song the highlight from 20 Y.O. while others found it disappointing. "So Excited" peaked at number 90 on the Hot 100, and also became her 39th top forty single on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, reaching number 34. Additionally, on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, "So Excited" became Jackson's 22nd consecutive top ten single and her 17th number-one hit on the chart. It was well also received in Europe. In Finland, "So Excited" peaked at number nine and peaking at number 13 in Spain. Director Joseph Kahn directed its accompanying music video. It depicts Jackson's clothes disappearing through a complex dance routine with female dancers. Also, occasional skeleton people appear in an X-ray effect, and images of Khia appearing in a small TV in an empty room. Due to her diminished role in the music video, she criticized Jackson online. The third single in North America was "With U", which was released to radio on December 11, 2006. Well received by critics, the song managed to reach number 65 on the region's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. "Enjoy" was released only as a promotional single in Japan and received no commercial release. Critical reception 20 Y.O. received generally mixed reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating, out of 100, to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 52, based on 14 reviews, which indicates "mixed or average reviews". Andy Kellman of AllMusic gave the album a three-and-half out of five-star rating, writing that "with only a few exceptions, 20 Y.O. provides further refinements of the fun, flirtatious, midtempo songs of her past several albums. This is not a problem." The New York Times music critic Jon Pareles had mixed feelings, saying "Janet is as crafty and poised as ever. Her flirtations are still a pleasure, but an overly familiar one. She's done these same slinky moves too often to surprise listeners now." Newsdays Glenn Gamboa gave the album a grade of A−, and said that Jackson "may not want to dwell in that past, either. After all, 20 Y.O. shows that her future could be even better." Richard Cromelin from Los Angeles Times was positive saying that 20 Y.O.s sex themes were slightly toned down from its predecessor, Damita Jo, and, "In the opening set of songs alone, Jackson promises to do it all [...] And she manages to do this without sounding especially raunchy." Eric Henderson from Slant Magazine said that the saddest thing about 20 Y.O. was Jackson's decision to make a terrible R&B instead of great dance music, which would likely pay off. He also referred to Jam and Lewis's production as "ice-cold beats [that] have melted into a lugubrious, lukewarm pudding—at under an hour, it still feels almost twice as long as Janet. and The Velvet Rope." With a C+ rating, Thomas Inskeep from Stylus Magazine called it "half-decent" and went to say, "there's precious little to get, well, excited about here. Janet commits the ultimate sin of making an album that’s thoroughly mediocre. Apart from the sticky ear-candy of "So Excited," there's little I'd miss here if I went six months without it. This doesn't sound like rejuvenation—it sounds like the beginning of the end." The Village Voices music critic Miles Marshall Lewis commented that Jackson's last two albums also talked excessively about sex, and with the new release, it was getting tired. Evan Serpick from Rolling Stone disagreed with the album's reference to Control, saying "If we were her, we wouldn't make the comparison." Angus Batey, writing for Yahoo! Music UK, remarked that in Jackson's producers desire to take Jackson back to her roots, they made not a great album for Jackson, but a facsimile of one; correct in all the details, but lacking substance and soul. Robert Christgau gave it a "dud" score (). Accolades Commercial performance 20 Y.O. debuted on the US Billboard 200 at number two with 296,000 copies sold at its first week, behind Ludacris' album Release Therapy. This was considerably lower than Jackson's previous album Damita Jo, which also opened at number two with 381,000 copies sold across the United States in 2004. 20 Y.O. became her smallest first week sales since The Velvet Rope (1997), which reached number one with 202,000 copies. However, the effort debuted at the top on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. In its second week, the album fell to number nine, selling 77,000 units, representing a 74% drop in sales. It additionally reached number two and number three on Top Digital Albums and Top Tastemaker Albums charts, respectively. On November 13, 2006, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of one million copies within the country. As of January 2008, the estimated sales of the album in the US were 679,000 copies. On the Australian Albums Chart, it peaked at number 55. It became her lowest-peaking album in the region since Control in 1986, which reached number 25. In Japan, the album debuted at the number 12 on the Oricon Albums Chart selling 20,380 copies in its first week. It ultimately peaked at number seven in the region. A few weeks after, the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) certified 20 Y.O. gold for shipments of 100,000 copies. In the Flemish region of Belgium, 20 Y.O. debuted at number 67 on October 7, 2006, moving to its peak of number 58 the next week, and staying on the charts for five weeks. In contrast, it reached number 22 in the Walloon region of that country. The album entered the French Albums Chart at number 32 in the week dated September 30, 2006, this being its peak. It lasted on the chart for four weeks, felling off the chart on October 21, 2006, at number 175. 20 Y.O. debuted and peaked at number 46 on October 6, 2006 in Germany, next week the album fell to number 96 before falling off the charts. On the Italian Albums Chart it fared better, reaching number 21. In Switzerland, the album debuted and peaked at number 35 on the Swiss Albums Chart and stayed on the charts for four weeks. In the United Kingdom, the album peaked at number 63 on its album chart. In the Netherlands, 20 Y.O. debuted and peaked at number 34, the issue dated September 30, 2006. Almost one month after, it fell out of the chart at number 93. On the European Top 100 Albums, the record reached number 43. The album had sold an estimated 1.5 million copies worldwide. Track listing Notes "This Body" features an uncredited rap by Jermaine Durpi, under the alias "Cocaine J". Sample credits "So Excited" contains a sample of "Rock It" by Herbie Hancock. "Do It 2 Me" contains a sample of "If Only for One Night" by Brenda Russell. Personnel Johntá Austin – composer (Tracks 2–6, 8–9, 11, 15) Bobby Ross Avila – bass, composer, drums, keyboards, producer (Track 12) Issiah "IZ" Avila – percussion, drums, producer (Track 12) Khia Chambers – composer (Track 2) Fran Cooper – make-up Larry Corbett – cello (Track 14) Kenneth Crear – management Ian Cross – recording engineer (Tracks 2–6, 8–9, 11–12, 14–15), audio mixing (15) Jermaine Dupri – composer (Tracks 2–6, 8–9), producer (2–6, 8), executive producer, audio mixing (2–6, 8–9) Liliana Filipovic – violin (Track 8) Bernie Grundman – mastering Terrance "T-Love" Harris – personal assistant Gerardo Hilera – violin (Track 8) John Horesco IV – recording engineer (Tracks 2–6, 8–9) Josh Houghkirk – audio mixing assistant (Tracks 2–6, 8–9, 11–12, 14–15) Janet Jackson – composer (Tracks 1–8, 10–16), producer (All Tracks), liner notes, executive producer Paul Jackson, Jr. – guitar (Tracks 6, 8, 14) Jimmy Jam – keyboards (Tracks 8, 11–12, 14–15), producer (All Tracks), additional music (2–4, 6, 9), executive producer, drum programming (11, 14–15), audio mixing (11–12, 14–15) Suzie Katayama – string arrangements (Tracks 8, 14) Cheryl Kohfeld – viola (Track 8) Terry Lewis – composer (Tracks 1–4, 6–16), producer, additional music (2–4, 6, 9), audio mixing (11–12, 14–15) Andrea Liberman – stylist Matt Marrin – recording engineer (Tracks 8, 12, 14) Diane McDonald – coordination Tadd Mingo – assistant engineer No I.D. – producer (Track 5) Sara Parkins – violin (Track 14) Robert Peterson – violin (Track 8) James Phillips – composer (Tracks 2, 6, 9) Michele Richards – violin (Track 14) Steve Richards – cello (Track 14) Brenda Russell – composer (Track 5) Manuel Seal, Jr. – composer, producer (Tracks 3–4, 8) Vida Sparks – project coordinator Rudolph Stein – cello (Track 8) Phil Tan – audio mixing (Tracks 2–6, 8–9, 11–12, 14–15) Josephina Vergara – violin (Track 14) Benjamin Ward – art direction, packaging James White – photography Chuck Wilson – assistant recording engineer (Tracks 3–5, 8, 11) Ghian Wright – assistant recording engineer (Tracks 12, 14–15) Johnny Wright – executive producer, management Janet Zeitoun – hair stylist Yang-Qin Zhao – cello (Track 8) Danny Zook – sample clearance Charts Weekly charts Year-end charts Certifications Release history See also List of Billboard number-one R&B albums of 2006 References External links 20 Y.O. video page at janetjackson.com 2006 albums Albums produced by Jermaine Dupri Albums produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Albums produced by No I.D. Janet Jackson albums Virgin Records albums Albums produced by LRoc Albums produced by Manuel Seal

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Developmental%20state

Developmental state

Developmental state, or hard state, is a term used by international political economy scholars to refer to the phenomenon of state-led macroeconomic planning in East Asia in the late 20th century. In this model of capitalism (sometimes referred to as state development capitalism), the state has more independent, or autonomous, political power, as well as more control over the economy. A developmental state is characterized by having strong state intervention, as well as extensive regulation and planning. The term has subsequently been used to describe countries outside East Asia that satisfy the criteria of a developmental state. The developmental state is sometimes contrasted with a predatory state or weak state. The first person to seriously conceptualize the developmental state was Chalmers Johnson. Johnson defined the developmental state as a state that is focused on economic development and takes necessary policy measures to accomplish that objective. He argued that Japan's economic development had much to do with far-sighted intervention by bureaucrats, particularly those in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI). He wrote in his book MITI and the Japanese Miracle: In states that were late to industrialize, the state itself led the industrialization drive, that is, it took on developmental functions. These two differing orientations toward private economic activities, the regulatory orientation and the developmental orientation, produced two different kinds of business-government relationships. The United States is a good example of a state in which the regulatory orientation predominates, whereas Japan is a good example of a state in which the developmental orientation predominates. A regulatory state governs the economy mainly through regulatory agencies that are empowered to enforce a variety of standards of behavior to protect the public against market failures of various sorts, including monopolistic pricing, predation, and other abuses of market power, and by providing collective goods (such as national defense or public education) that otherwise would be undersupplied by the market. In contrast, a developmental state intervenes more directly in the economy through a variety of means to promote the growth of new industries and to reduce the dislocations caused by shifts in investment and profits from old to new industries. In other words, developmental states can pursue industrial policies, while regulatory states generally cannot. Governments in developmental states invest and mobilize the majority of capital into the most promising industrial sector that will have the maximum spillover effect for the society. Cooperation between state and major industries is crucial for maintaining stable macroeconomy. According to Alice Amsden's Getting the Price Wrong, the intervention of state in the market system such as grant of subsidy to improve competitiveness of firm, control of exchange rate, wage level and manipulation of inflation to lowered production cost for industries caused economic growth, that is mostly found in late industrializers countries but foreign to early developed countries. As in the case of Japan, there is little government ownership of industry, but the private sector is rigidly guided and restricted by bureaucratic government elites. These bureaucratic government elites are not elected officials and are thus less subject to influence by either the corporate-class or working-class through the political process. The argument from this perspective is that a government ministry can have the freedom to plan the economy and look to long-term national interests without having their economic policies disrupted by either corporate-class or working-class short-term or narrow interests. Examples in East and Southeast Asia Some of the best prospects for economic growth in the last few decades have been found in East and Southeast Asia. Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, and Indonesia are developing at high to moderate levels. Thailand, for example, has grown at double-digit rates most years since the early 1980s. China had been the world leader in economic growth from 2001 to 2015. It is estimated that it took England around 60 years to double its economy when the Industrial Revolution began. It took the United States around 50 years to double its economy during the American economic take-off in the late nineteenth century. Several East and Southeast Asian countries today have been doubling their economies every 10 years. It is important to note that in most of these Asian countries, it is not just that the rich are getting richer, but the poor are becoming less poor. For example, poverty has dropped dramatically in Thailand. Research in the 1960s showed that 60 percent of the people in Thailand lived below a poverty level estimated with cost of basic necessities. By 2004, however, similar estimates showed that poverty there was around 13 to 15 percent. Thailand has been shown by some World Bank figures to have had the best record for reducing poverty per increase in GNP of any nation in the world. When viewed through the lens of dependency theory, developmentalism is about countries such as Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and increasingly Vietnam, where the governments are able and willing to protect their people from the negative consequences of foreign corporate exploitation. They tend to have a strong government, also called a "developmental state" or "hard state", and have leaders who can confront multinationals and demand that they operate to protect their people's interests. These "development states" have the will and authority to create and maintain policies that lead to long-term development that helps all their citizens, not just the wealthy. Multinational corporations are regulated so that they may follow domestically mandated standards for pay and labor conditions, pay reasonable taxes, and by extension leave some profits within the country. Specifically, what is meant by a developmental state is a government with sufficient organization and power to achieve its development goals. There must be a state with the ability to prove consistent economic guidance and rational and efficient organization, and the power to back up its long-range economic policies. All of this is important because the state must be able to resist external demands from outside multinational corporations to do things for their short-term gain, overcome internal resistance from strong groups trying to protect short-term narrow interests, and control infighting within the nation pertaining to who will most benefit from development projects. Thailand In the late 1990s a study was conducted in which the researchers interviewed people from 24 large factories in Thailand owned by Japanese and American corporations. They found that most of the employees in these corporations made more than the average in Thailand, and substantially more than the $4.40 a day minimum wage in the country at the time. The researchers’ analysis of over 1,000 detailed questionnaires indicated that the employees rate their income and benefits significantly above average compared to Thai-owned factories. They found the working conditions in all 24 companies far from conditions reported about Nike in Southeast Asia. One answer to the discrepancies found between multinational corporations in Thailand and the conditions described for Nike workers is that companies such as Wal-Mart, The Gap, or Nike subcontract work to small local factories. These subcontractors remain more invisible, making it more easy to bribe local officials to maintain poor working conditions. When multinational corporations set up business in countries like Malaysia, Taiwan, or Thailand, their visibility makes much less likely employees will have wages and conditions below the standards of living of the country. Thailand is said to fall between the U.S. model where government has little involvement in economic policy, and Japan which has governed with a very heavy hand for more than 100 years. One focus of Thai development policies was on import substitution. Here, a development state must be able to tell multinational corporations that goods will be imported, if at all, with tariffs as high as 80 to 150 percent to prevent these goods from competing with goods made in (at least at first) less efficient infant factories in the poorer country. Only a development state can have the influence to enforce such a policy on rich multinational corporations (and their governments), and only a development state can have the influence to enforce such a policy against the demands of their own rich citizens who want the imported goods and want them then at a cheaper price, not waiting for infant industries to produce suitable products. Thailand began placing tariffs of 150 percent on important automobiles, but at the same time telling the foreign auto industries that if they came to Thailand to create joint ventures with a Thai company to build cars—and thus hire Thai employees, pay Thai taxes, and keep some profits within Thailand—the auto company would get many forms of government assistance. Thailand continued to protect its economy during the 1980s and 1990s despite the flood of foreign investment the nation had attracted. Thai bureaucrats started rules such as those demanding a sufficient percentage of domestic content in goods manufactured by foreign companies in Thailand and the 51 percent rule. Under the 51 percent rule, a multinational corporation starting operations in Thailand must form a joint venture with a Thai company. The result is that a Thai company with 51 percent control is better able to keep jobs and profits in the country. Countries such as Thailand have been able to keep foreign investors from leaving because the government has maintained more infrastructure investment to provide good transportation and a rather educated labor force, enhancing productivity. Singapore Singapore is a relatively young city-state and it obtains a title of developed country. Despite the fact that it has a lack of natural resources and an intensely competitive geographical environment, it has been growing its nation as a developmental state. In 1965, Singapore successfully became independent from Malaysian Federation, and later it changed its Fordism production oriented city state to a developmental city state in less than half a century. It was claimed by the People's Action Party (PAP), the governing party since 1965, that adopting the developmental state strategy is in Singapore's best interests due to its unique feature of social, political, geographical, and economic conditions. At first, PAP's economic strategy was to provide cheap and disciplined labor and it provides a stable political system; Singapore has only one labor union that is directed by the PAP government. As a result, many multinational corporations (MNCs) invested in Singapore and soon Singapore came to be a solid manufacturing base. However, the PAP soon realized that if Singapore was to move forward to industrialization then it needed to improve its national education. In the 1960s, Singapore's education was fragmented basically by race, language and habitat lines. Therefore, a series of education projects were launched in the hope of helping Singapore to obtain industrialization. For example, in 1970, the Vocational and Industrial Training Board (VITB) was launched to provide technical education for workers who dropped out of secondary school. Singapore's training programs has a different function from other neoliberal cities; these programs match workers’ skills to the market of economic development. The economy is planned by the government; it arranges the market demand of labor on one hand and provides the supply of labor on the other hand. The Singapore government has noticed the country's weakness and its special geographical location. It is because that the population of Singapore was much less than other surrounding countries, so soon its manufacturing status would be replaced by other Asian countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, China, etc. Also, other Asian countries could provide relatively cheaper and greater labor force and more raw materials of production could be exploited. Therefore, Singapore was vulnerable of facing such surrounding threats. However, the Singapore government has adopted a special view of new international division of labor; it has placed itself as a global city in the Southeast Asian region. According to Saskia Sassen's "global cities", they are cities where headquarters which are committed in participating of globalization networks and they are the result of strong integration of urbanization and globalization. South Korea South Korea has undergone rapid economic development since the 1961 Military coup which brought Park Chung-Hee to power. Park, a Japanophile who studied at the Imperial Japanese Army Academy during WWII as a Manchukuo Army Officer, viewed Japan's development model, in particular the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Keiretsu, as an example for Korea. Park emulated MITI by establishing the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and the Economic Planning Board (EPB) that controlled and manipulated the market system, while organizing the private enterprises into massive export oriented conglomerates which came to be known as the Chaebol's. Korean government implemented various economic measures in order to pursue export oriented growth. Korea at the early 60s was lacking capital and technological basis, so the only competitive advantage the country had was the low wage. Therefore, Korea first penetrated the global market with cheap labor in the light industry sector such as wigs and cotton spinning in 50s~60s. Korean industrial policy moved towards the heavy and chemical industries in the 70s and 80s, mobilizing the state's financial resources for the rapid growth of industries such as steel and shipbuilding. During those developmental periods, the government granted various forms of subsidies to the industries. Long-term loans and credits were given for higher competence in global market, thereby increasing export. Foreign exchange rates were often manipulated to stimulate export or import the raw materials at lower cost. Due to such subsidies on exports and manipulation by the government, the relative prices in Korean industry diverged from the free market equilibriums. Such interventions by the state are termed as "deliberately getting relative prices wrong"(Amsden, 1989), which means that the prices are intentionally deviated from the ‘right’ prices, the market equilibrium. Big business groups in chosen industries were supported and invested by the government, thereby forming intimate economic and political ties. Such groups grew to account for a large portion of GNP and became the Chaebols. South Korea's GDP per capita grew from $876 in 1950 to $22,151 in 2010. Industrial production in South Korea was 9% in 1953 but reached 38% in 2013. Korea first adopted an ISI but followed a developmental state growth strategy. Korea after their independence in 1945 lead to end of economic ties with Japan which they were heavily relied upon. During the Korean war, the country was devastated both physically and mentally. After the Korean war, South Korea focused on exporting primary products such as crops, minerals while imported manufactured goods from US. In the beginning of ISI era, Korean industries were successful in textile and light consumer good industries (Charles, 1975). South Korea eventually focused on an export oriented industries through direct government involvement. South Korean state has more autonomy over the regulation of economy, the state created conditions favorable for rapid economic growth, for example, the state provided long-term loans for industries with higher competence in global market which eventually increased the exporting sector (Chibber, 2014). Under Park Chung Hee's leadership, South Korea in 1960's created Economic Planning Board (EPB) which unified previously divided industries and created a centralized decision making state. Korea has been called one of "Asia's four little dragons" or Four Asian Tigers with its prominent economic growth (The other three being Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore). Korea's GDP per capita in 1980 was $1,778.5, which was only a fraction of Japan's per capita ($9,307.8). In 2014, Korea's GDP was $25,977.0, having shown dramatic growth in the past decade. Local developmental state While the developmental state is associated with East Asia, it has been argued that after 30 years of many negative experiences with the Washington Consensus, similar structures began to appear in Latin America. The "Latin American" approach is different, however, as it often takes place at a city/municipal level, rather than at a state level and places a great emphasis on tackling social exclusion. One pioneer in this experience has been Medellin, whose experience with a local development state has been highly praised by researchers at the Overseas Development Institute. Medellin's city administration used its ownership of city's main energy provider Empresas Publicas de Medellín (EPM) and diverted 30% of EPM's profits to fund municipal spending. The spending went partly on a variety of infrastructure projects, such as the city's metro, bus network and a cable car system connecting the poorer barrio communities to the city centre. However, the city also developed a program of cash grants called 'the Medellín Solidaria' programme that are very similar to Brazil's highly successful Bolsa Familia that provide support for poor families. Additionally, the city developed the Cultura E programme that established a network of 14 publicly funded business support centres known as CEDEZO, Centros de Desarrollo Empresarial Zonal. The CEDEZOs are found in the poorest areas of Medellin and support the poor in developing business by providing free-of-charge business support services and technical advice. Also, as part of Cultura E, there is Banco de las Opportunidades that provides microloans (up to $2,500 at a cheap interest rates 0.91% monthly). This has helped create more equal opportunities for all and overcome the barriers to entry to business for poor entrepreneurs with good ideas, but lacking capital, skills and connections. It has also helped develop the local economy with new micro-enterprises. However, several mayoral candidates for the October 2011 elections have argued the Banco de las Opportunidades's interest rates are too high, loan maturity is too short and it should have grace periods. They therefore suggest a new small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development bank to complement the Banco de las Opportunidades. Difficulties There are difficulties with the local development state model. Despite claims at the end of the 1980s by some, such as Hernando de Soto (1989) that micro-enterprises would lead economic growth, this has not come to pass. For instance, in Medellín the informal sector has seen a huge growth in micro-enterprises, but the impact on poverty and development has been minimal. Almost none of these microenterprises have evolved into informal small or medium businesses, as the demand does not exist to absorb increased production. In other words, a successful ice-cream producer producing 30 ice-creams per day at home may sell all their product and make a livelihood out of it, but transforming it into a business, incurring the costs of mechanisation in order to produce perhaps 300, may not be worthwhile if there is no demand for so many ice-creams. Failure rates are very high and the debt incurred by owners becomes unmanageable. Recognising which micro-enterprises have a high potential is extremely difficult and the costs involved in providing business support and advise are very high. There is a great difficulty in identifying demand, especially on a global level and demand patterns are constantly changing. The limited ability of city administrations to gather enough resources to support businesses and make sound investments can be problematic. Public recognition Despite all the evidence of the importance of a development state, some international aid agencies have just recently publicly recognized the fact. The United Nations Development Program, for example, published a report in April 2000 which focused on good governance in poor countries as a key to economic development and overcoming the selfish interests of wealthy elites often behind state actions in developing nations. The report concludes that “Without good governance, reliance on trickle-down economic development and a host of other strategies will not work.” See also Dirigisme East Asian model of capitalism Economic development Economic interventionism Flying geese paradigm Four Asian Tigers Good governance International political economy Japanese post-war economic miracle Poverty reduction State capitalism References Sources Meredith Woo-Cumings. (1999). The Developmental State. Cornell University Press. Peter Evans. (1995). Embedded Autonomy: States and Industrial Transformation. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Ch. 1. Polidano C. (2001). Don't Discard State Autonomy: Revisiting the East Asia Experience of Development. Political Studies. Vol. 49. No.3. 1: 513–527. Ziya Onis. (1991). The Logic of the Developmental State. Comparative Politics. 24. no. 1. pp. 109–26. Mark Thompson. (1996). Late industrialisers, late democratisers: developmental states in the Asia-Pacific. Third World Quarterly. 17(4): 625–647. John Minns. (2001). Of miracles and models: the rise and decline of the developmental state in South Korea. Third World Quarterly. 22(6): 1025–1043. Joseph Wong. (2004). The adaptive developmental state in East Asia. Journal of East Asian Studies. 4: 345–362. Yun Tae Kim. (1999). Neoliberalism and the decline of the developmental state. Journal of Contemporary Asia. 29(4): 441–461. Linda Weiss. (2000). Developmental States in Transition: adapting, dismantling, innovating, not 'normalising'. Pacific Review. 13(1): 21–55. Robert Wade. (2003). What strategies are viable for developing countries today? The World Trade Organization and the shrinking of 'development space'. Review of International Political Economy. 10 (4). pp. 621–644. Daniel Maman and Zeev Rosenhak.(2011). The Institutional Dynamics of a Developmental State: Change and Continuity in State Economy Relations in Israel. Working paper No. 5–2011 of the Research Institute for Policy, Political Economy and Society. Raanana: The Open university of Israel. Ming Wan. (2008). "The Political Economy of East Asia". CQ Press. Rajiv Kumar. (2021). Bringing the developmental state back in: explaining South Korea’s successful management of COVID-19. Third World Quarterly. 42(7):1397-1416. Further reading External links Zaibatsu Dissolution, Reparations and Administrative Guidance. Comparative politics International development Industrial policy International relations

4043650

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half%20Ours

Half Ours

Half Ours (foaled March 27, 2003 in Kentucky) is a Thoroughbred race horse. A striking grey roan like his sire, he is a son of Unbridled's Song out of the winning mare Zing by Storm Cat. Zing is a full sister to stakes winner Yankee Gentleman. Grade 1 winner Key Phrase is the second dam of Half Ours. After a workout on June 21, 2007 at Belmont Park, Half Ours suffered a fracture to a hind cannon bone and had surgery to insert two screws in the leg. Beginning in 2008, Half Ours stood at Taylor Made farm as a stallion. In 2010 he was transferred to Clear Creek Stud, Folsom, Louisiana. Connections Half Ours, originally owned by Aaron and Marie Jones in partnership with Barry K. Schwartz, was sold in November 2006 for a record 6.1 million dollars at Keeneland November breeding stock sale. In a dissolution of the partnership, Aaron Jones outbid Schwartz for the colt. Laid off for nineteen months due a fractured ankle incurred in the Three Chimney's Juvenile, Half Ours returned to the races in December 2006. Trained by Todd Pletcher, in his seven lifetime starts Half Ours was ridden by John Velazquez. Races 7th, Metropolitan Handicap - G1, May 28, 2007 2nd, The Alysheba Stakes - G3, May 4, 2007 1st, Richter Scale Breeders' Cup Sprint Championship Handicap - G2, March 3, 2007 1st, Optional Claiming, Gulfstream Park, February 4, 2007 1st, Optional Claiming, Aqueduct Race Track, December 14, 2006 1st, Three Chimneys Juvenile, Churchill Downs, May 7, 2005, by over four lengths. 1st, Maiden, Keeneland Race Course, April 17, 2005. References Half Ours pedigree and photo 2003 racehorse births Thoroughbred family 19 Racehorses bred in Kentucky Racehorses trained in the United States

4043651

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsui%20family

Mitsui family

The is one of the most powerful families of merchants and industrialists in Japan. The Mitsui enterprise (present-day Mitsui Group) was established in 1673 when Mitsui Takatoshi (1622–1694), the son of merchant parents, established Echigoya, a dry goods department store in both Edo and Kyoto, which later became the Mitsukoshi department store chain. Meeting with great success, Takatoshi extended his services to moneylending and exchange. In the late Edo period, the Mitsuis were the richest and most eminent family in Japan, their business being thoroughly encouraged by the shogunal government of the time. After the Meiji Restoration, the family switched allegiance to the Meiji government. In 1909, a Mitsui controlled holding company took over the business, with Mitsui thus becoming a zaibatsu (business conglomerate) of more than 150 companies, and in modern times the group counts dozens of multinational companies in fields such as trade, banking, shipping, construction, mining, oil and gas, insurance, chemicals and real estate development. History Origins Originally a samurai family, Governor of Echigo Province Mitsui Takayasu was exiled to Matsusaka after being defeated by Oda Nobunaga, and his son Takatoshi renounced his status as a samurai and established himself as a sake and miso merchant and a pawnbroker. The business was named "Lord Echigo's Sake" (Echigo-dono no sakaya) to commemorate Takayasu's office. Takatoshi's wife Shuhō was a skilled merchant and practically in charge of the business. She grew the business by introducing many business methods that were ground-breaking at the time, such as forfeited pawn and low-margin high-turnover. Her son Takatoshi (1622-1694), the founder of the Mitsui family, is said to have inherited his business skills mostly from his mother. Edo period Takatoshi moved to Edo at the age of 14, and became the manager of his elder brother Toshitsugu's kimono store. In 1674, he established the Echigoya Drapery, which later became the head company of the Mitsukoshi retail shopping chain. In contrast to most drapery merchants, who catered to feudal houses and wealthy merchants, trading on credit with no fixed prices, Takatoshi introduced an innovatory system of cash based purchase based on fixed prices for wares and targeted consumers in the emerging middle class. He subsequently started a money exchange in 1683, with a new system for inter-city loans: he extended the family business by opening an outlet in Osaka, and was appointed official purveyor of dry goods to the Tokugawa shogunate in 1687. In 1686, he relocated the headquarters of the family business from Matsusaka to Kyoto. In 1691 the Mitsuis were officially chartered as merchants of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled during that time. Three years later the family members set up their first constitution, which included details about the amount of property due to each branch as well as the duties of the family council, a periodical assembly that controlled business and other personal matters. Meiji era After the Meiji Restoration, the family switched allegiance to the Meiji government. In 1909, a Mitsui controlled holding company took over the business, with Mitsui thus becoming a zaibatsu of more than 150 companies operating financial, industrial and commercial industries. Modern times Today the Mitsui Group counts dozens of multinational companies in fields such as trade, banking, shipping, construction, mining, oil and gas, insurance, chemicals and real estate development. The three main branches are: Mitsui & Company (a trading company) Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (the first private bank in Japan) Mitsui Mining Company (formerly the largest coal producer in Japan) Controversy As part of the Japanese plans for the exploitation of China, during the 1930s and 1940s the subsidiary tobacco industry of Mitsui zaibatsu had started production of special "Golden Bat" cigarettes using the then-popular in the Far East trademark. Their circulation was prohibited in Japan and was used only for export. Local Japanese secret service under the controversial Imperial Japanese Army General Kenji Doihara had the control of their distribution in China and Manchuria where the full production was exported. In the mouthpiece of each cigarette a small dose of opium was concealed, and by this subterfuge millions of unsuspecting consumers became drug addicted simultaneously creating huge profits. The mastermind of the plan, Doihara, was prosecuted and convicted for war crimes before the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, sentenced to death in "pursued a systematic policy of weakening the native inhabitants' will to resist ... by directly and indirectly encouraging the increased production and importation of opium and other narcotics and by promoting the sale and consumption of such drugs among such people"; but no actions ever took place against the company which profited from their production. According to testimony presented at the Tokyo War Crimes trials in 1948, the revenue from the narcotization policy in China, including Manchukuo, was estimated in 20 to 30 million yen per year, while another authority stated during the trial that the annual revenue was estimated by the Japanese military at US$300 million a year, a colossal amount for the time. During World War II several of the Mitsui group companies, including Mitsui-Miike mining, used Allied prisoners of war as slave labor, during which the prisoners were subjected to brutal treatment and torture, while some of them were permanently maimed by Mitsui employees. One of the surviving prisoners, United States citizen Lester Tenney, sued Mitsui in 1999 for punitive damages and compensation. Federal judge dismissed the case, citing the 1951 peace treaty between the U.S. and Japan that barred private claims against Japan. By the end of the war the Mitsui group included more than 270 companies. After the group was dissolved by the occupation forces at the end of war, the companies started to reassociate again in 1950, creating a corporate grouping, or keiretsu. References External links Mitsui & Company official website Mitsui Mining Company official website Banking families Japanese bankers Japanese business families Japanese clans Mitsui

4043658

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhang%20Hao%20%28figure%20skater%29

Zhang Hao (figure skater)

Zhang Hao (; ; born July 6, 1984) is a Chinese retired pair skater. With current partner Yu Xiaoyu, he is the 2016–17 Grand Prix Final silver medalist, 2017 Asian Winter Games champion and 2018 Chinese national champion. With former partner Peng Cheng, he is the 2015 Four Continents silver medalist. With former partner Zhang Dan, he is the 2006 Olympic silver medalist, a four-time (2005 bronze, 2006, 2008, 2009 silver) World medalist, and a two-time (2005, 2010) Four Continents champion. Personal life Zhang married his girlfriend, Ju Chi, in May 2014. On May 8, 2015, the couple welcomed their first child, a son. Career Early in his career, Zhang Hao competed with Zhang Liyun. Partnership with Zhang Dan Zhang teamed up with Zhang Dan, to whom he is not related, in 1997. In 1998–99 Junior Grand Prix (JGP), the pair competed in one event and won the gold medal. They continued the season with a bronze medal at the 1999 Chinese National Championships. The following season, they competed in two 1999–2000 JGP events, medaling in both. They qualified for the final, where they finished fifth. That year, they were second at nationals and finished fourth at Junior Worlds. The following three seasons, they were very successful at the junior level. They won all their Junior Grand Prix events, including the 2000–01 JGP Final and the 2001–02 JGP Final. They also competed in the 2001 Junior Worlds and the 2003 Junior Worlds, winning gold both times. At the Chinese National Championships, they placed third in both 2001 and 2002, before winning their first national title in 2003. Their first senior international was the 2002 Four Continents Championships, where they won the bronze medal. The same season they competed in the 2002 Olympics, placing 11th, and the 2002 Worlds, placing 9th. The following season they competed in their first two senior Grand Prix events, placing fourth at both events. They repeated with a bronze medal at the 2003 Four Continents Championships and improved their placement at the 2003 Worlds, finishing sixth. In the 2003–04 and 2004–05 seasons, they consistently medaled at their Grand Prix events. They won gold at the 2005 Four Continents Championships and bronze at the 2005 Worlds. Zhang and Zhang went into the 2006 Olympics as medal contenders. During their free skate, Zhang Dan had a bad fall on their attempted throw quadruple salchow, a jump that was not consistent. Zhang Dan suffered a bad injury, but chose to finish the program. Although the delay between the fall and the continuation of the program was longer than the ISU-proscribed 2 minutes, they were not automatically withdrawn because the referee waited before stopping the music and beginning the official 2 minute wait. Zhang regrouped and was able to finish the program. They won the silver medal, placing ahead of defending Olympic medalists Shen Xue and Hongbo Zhao. At Worlds they won the silver, behind Pang Qing and Tong Jian. In the 2006–07 season, Zhang and Zhang placed first at Skate Canada, second at the NHK Trophy, and would go on to win the bronze medal at the Grand Prix Final. They placed 5th at the 2007 World Championships later that season. In the 2007–08 and the 2008–09 seasons, they won silver medals at both the Grand Prix Final and the World Championships. At the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Zhangs placed 5th. They also finished fifth at 2010 World Championships. Before the 2010–11 season began, Zhang Hao broke his finger, forcing the team to pull out of their two Grand Prix assignments. He also dealt with some shoulder and cervical vertebra problems. The Zhangs returned to competition during the 2011–12 season, winning silver medals at the 2011 Skate America and the 2011 Cup of China. They finished 4th at the 2011–12 Grand Prix Final. Zhang Dan eventually became the tallest competing female pair skater. Her height proved to be a challenge for the pair, and in May 2012, it was announced that their partnership had ended and she was retiring from competition. Partnership with Peng Cheng In May 2012, Zhang Hao confirmed he had formed a new partnership with Peng Cheng. The pair made their international debut at the 2012 Cup of China. They placed 11th at their first World Championships. In the 2013–14 season, Peng/Zhang won their first Grand Prix medals, bronze at the 2013 Cup of China and silver at the 2013 NHK Trophy, and qualified for the Grand Prix Final, where they came in fourth. They were selected for the 2014 Winter Olympics and finished eighth in Sochi. Ending their season, they placed fifth at the 2014 World Championships in Saitama. For the 2014–15 Grand Prix season, Peng/Zhang were assigned to Skate America and Cup of China, where they placed 3rd and 1st, respectively, qualifying for the 2015 Grand Prix Final. They finished 4th at that competition after placing 5th in the short program and 3rd in the free skate. They won the silver medal at the 2015 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships. At the 2015 World Figure Skating Championships, they earned personal best scores in the free skate and combined total to finish in 4th place overall. Partnership with Yu Xiaoyu On April 14, 2016, International Figure Skating magazine broke the news of Zhang's new partnership with Yu Xiaoyu. The Chinese Skating Association decided to switch partners between the two pairs of Peng/Zhang and Yu/Jin. They took the silver medal at the 2016 Skate Canada and won gold at the 2016 Cup of China. At the 2016–17 Grand Prix Final in Marseille they won the silver medal behind Evgenia Tarasova / Vladimir Morozov. Yu/Zhang began their season at the 2017 Cup of Nice where they placed first. In their first Grand Prix event of the season, Yu/Zhang placed second at the 2017 Cup of China after ranking second in both the short program and free skate. In their second Grand Prix event at 2017 Skate America, Yu/Zhang again placed second after ranking second in both programs. Their scores in both Grand Prix events have qualified Yu/Zhang for the 2017-18 Grand Prix Final, where they placed sixth. They won the Chinese National Championship and were named to the Chinese Olympic and World teams. They placed eighth at the Olympics, and seventh at Worlds. Due to injury, they withdrew from both of their 2018-19 Grand Prix events and did not compete at Nationals. They did not compete again until the 2019-20 Nationals, where they placed fourth. In September of 2020, it was reported that Yu and Zhang had split. Age controversy On February 14, 2011, the Zhangs' ages became the subject of controversy. Although his International Skating Union bio lists Zhang Hao as born on July 6, 1984, a Chinese skating association website suggested he was born on February 6, 1982. This would mean he was too old to compete in junior events during the 2002–03 season, such as the 2003 World Junior Championships where they won gold. His partner's age also came under scrutiny. Her ISU bio states that she was born on October 4, 1985 but the Chinese website suggested she was born on that day in 1987, meaning she was 14 and too young to compete in senior events during the 2001–02 season, such as the Four Continents where they won bronze, as well as the Olympics and World Championships. The dates disappeared from the website by February 15. On February 17, the ISU said there were no discrepancies for the Zhangs in terms of the birthdates listed on their passports, ISU registration forms and the Chinese Olympic Committee's website. Programs With Yu Xiaoyu With Peng Cheng With Zhang Dan Competitive highlights GP: Grand Prix; JGP: Junior Grand Prix With Yu Xiaoyu With Peng Cheng With Zhang Dan Detailed results With Peng Cheng References External links 1984 births Living people Chinese male pair skaters Figure skaters at the 2002 Winter Olympics Figure skaters at the 2006 Winter Olympics Figure skaters at the 2010 Winter Olympics Figure skaters at the 2014 Winter Olympics Figure skaters at the 2018 Winter Olympics Figure skaters at the 2007 Winter Universiade Medalists at the 2007 Winter Universiade Olympic figure skaters of China Olympic silver medalists for China Figure skaters from Harbin Olympic medalists in figure skating World Figure Skating Championships medalists Four Continents Figure Skating Championships medalists World Junior Figure Skating Championships medalists Medalists at the 2006 Winter Olympics Figure skaters at the 2017 Asian Winter Games Medalists at the 2017 Asian Winter Games Asian Games gold medalists for China Universiade medalists in figure skating Asian Games medalists in figure skating Season-end world number one figure skaters Universiade gold medalists for China

4043660

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela%20Bofill

Angela Bofill

Angela Tomasa Bofill (born May 2, 1954) is an American singer-songwriter of Cuban-Puerto Rican origins. A New York native, Bofill began her professional career in the mid-1970s. Bofill is most known for singles such as, "This Time I'll Be Sweeter", "Angel of the Night", and "I Try". Bofill's career spans over four decades. Biography Early life and education Bofill was born on May 2, 1954, in the Brooklyn area of New York City to a Cuban father and a Puerto Rican mother. Raised in The Bronx, Bofill grew up listening to Latin music and was also inspired by African-American performers. During Bofill's childhood, her weekends were taken up studying classical music and singing in New York City's All City Chorus, which featured the best singers from all of the high schools in the five boroughs. For high school, Bofill attended Hunter College High School; graduating in 1972. Bofill later studied at the Manhattan School of Music, receiving a Bachelor of Music degree in 1976. Career Bofill began her professional career, singing during her teenage years. Bofill performed with Ricardo Marrero & the Group and Dance Theater of Harlem chorus before being introduced to Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen of the jazz label GRP Records by Dave Valentin, her friend and jazz flutist. Grusin and Rosen signed Bofill and produced her first album, Angie, in 1978. Angie was well received both critically and commercially and included the chart single "This Time I'll Be Sweeter" (co-written by Gwen Guthrie and Haras Fyre), and Bofill's sprawling jazz composition, "Under the Moon and Over the Sky". Less than a year later, a second album, Angel of the Night was released and outperformed its predecessor. The album included the chart singles "What I Wouldn't Do (For the Love of You)" and the up tempo title track, as well as the song "I Try", written by Bofill and covered by Will Downing in 1991. The reception of these albums positioned Bofill as one of the first Latina singers to find success in the R&B and jazz markets. Bofill performed a sold-out concert at Avery Fisher Hall as part of the Newport Jazz Festival on June 20, 1980.  Her musical director was Onaje Allen Gumbs, keyboards, Sammy Figueroa, percussion, a 9-piece band and guests including Steve Khan, guitar, Eddie Daniels, tenor sax and flute, and a 24-voice choir. Clive Davis, the head of Arista Records, showed interest in Bofill. Arista had a distribution deal with GRP. Bofill switched labels for her next album, Something About You (1981). Produced by Narada Michael Walden, the album was an attempt to move Bofill into mainstream R&B and pop music. It didn't perform as well as previous releases, despite the singles "Holdin' Out for Love" and the title track, which both reached the R&B Top 40. The following year, Bofill and Walden reunited for Too Tough. The title song reached No. 5 on the R&B chart and spent four weeks at No. 2 on the Dance chart. A follow-up single, "Tonight I Give In", reached the Top 20. Several months later, Bofill released her final collaboration with Walden, Teaser. The album failed to match the success of Too Tough but did produce one Top 20 R&B hit, "I'm On Your Side", which has been covered by several artists, most notably Jennifer Holliday, who had a Top 10 hit with it in 1991. Bofill recorded two more albums for Arista with the help of The System and George Duke before leaving the label in the mid-1980s. Following the birth of her daughter, she moved to Capitol Records and the producer Norman Connors for Intuition (1988), which produced her last significant chart success, a cover of Gino Vannelli's "I Just Wanna Stop", which reached No. 11 on the R&B chart. She recorded three more albums over the next eight years and provided backing vocals on albums for Diana Ross and Kirk Whalum and for Connors's Eternity (2000). She performed live (with a sizable audience internationally, particularly in Asia) and appeared in the stage plays God Don't Like Ugly and What a Man Wants, What a Man Needs. She also toured the US and Europe in multi-artist jazz shows. Bofill returned to the stage, at the suggestion of Engel, for "The Angela Bofill Experience" after losing her ability to sing after her second stroke in 2007. In the show, Bofill recounted her life and career and was joined by Maysa Leak, Phil Perry, and Melba Moore, who performed her biggest hits and signature songs. In 2012, Bofill was profiled and interviewed for the TVOne documentary series, Unsung. Personal life Bofill was married to a country music artist Rick Vincent from 1984 until 1994 and together they have a daughter, Shauna. Health problems Bofill suffered a stroke on January 10, 2006, and was paralyzed on her left side. She convalesced at Sutter Hospital in Santa Rosa, California, and was released from intensive care on January 15, requiring speech and physical therapy. She lacked health insurance, and a benefit concert was organized to pay her hospital bills. The show was planned by Rich Engel, her manager, and the New York radio stations Kiss FM and WFAN-FM,. It took place on March 11, 2006, at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey. Similar events followed, and other aid was sought from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. Her album Live from Manila (recorded in September 2004) was released during this time. Bofill suffered a second stroke in July 2007 which required therapy and left both her speech and mobility impaired. Discography Studio albums Live albums Compilation albums Singles Awards American Music Awards: 1984 – Best R&B/Soul Female Artist (nominated) Bay Area Music Awards (Bammies): 1984 Outstanding Black Contemporary Artist/Group Television Soul Train Saturday May 28, 1983 The Pat Sajak Show January 26, 1989 References External links Biography on Yahoo! Music Angel Bofill on SoulMusic.com Artist profile on GospelCity Artist biography on High Stakes Entertainment Watch: Unsung Full Exclusive Angela Bofill 1954 births Living people American women singer-songwriters American contemporary R&B singers American soul singers American dance musicians American contraltos American musicians of Cuban descent American musicians of Puerto Rican descent Contraltos GRP Records artists 21st-century American women singers 21st-century American singers 20th-century American women singers Ballad musicians People from East Harlem 20th-century American singers People of Afro–Puerto Rican descent People of Afro–Cuban descent American people of Puerto Rican descent African-American women musicians Hispanic and Latino American women singers 20th-century African-American women singers 21st-century African-American women singers Singer-songwriters from New York (state)

4043673

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannah%20Kearney

Hannah Kearney

Hannah Angela Kearney (born February 26, 1986) is an American mogul skier who won a gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Personal life Kearney was born in Norwich, Vermont to Jill (née Gass) and Tom Kearney. They met while attending McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. She grew up and still lives in Norwich, Vermont. Kearney graduated from Hanover High School. Her mother is active in promoting youth sports as the director of the Town of Norwich Recreation Department. Kearney studied at Dartmouth College as a member of the class of 2015. In her free time, Kearney likes to ride horses, knit, play soccer, read, and watch her brother Denny play hockey. She considers herself "half-Canadian" because her mother grew up in Montreal and she has relatives living in Vancouver and Montreal. Career 2006 Winter Olympics A gold medal favorite entering her first Olympics, Kearney had a poor first run and did not make it out of the qualification round. She stumbled after landing her first jump. Her score of 20.80 points put her in 10th at that point, with 20 skiers left to compete. After the second-to-last skier, she was officially bumped out of the top 20, the ranking she would have needed to advance to the final. 2010 Winter Olympics In December 2009, Kearney won the US Olympic trial event at Steamboat, earning a spot on the US Team. At the 2010 Winter Olympics, Kearney entered the final round with a qualification score of 25.96. As a result of having the best qualifying score, Kearney would be the last skier to ski in the final round. Fellow teammate Shannon Bahrke was in second place, and Canadian Jennifer Heil was in first, with scores of 25.43 and 25.69 respectively. Kearney skied a clean run, earning a score of 26.63 and winning the gold medal. 2014 Winter Olympics At the 2014 Winter Olympics, Kearney entered the final round with a qualification score of 21.93 As a result of having the best qualifying score, Kearney would be the last skier to ski in the final round. Canadian sisters Chloé Dufour-Lapointe was in second place and Justine Dufour-Lapointe was in third, with scores of 21.70 and 21.64 respectively. Kearney faltered slightly after the first jump, earning a score of 21.49 to win the bronze medal. World Cup results Season titles 10 titles (4 overall freestyle, 6 moguls) References Vancouver Olympic Games profile: Hannah Kearney External links 1986 births American female freestyle skiers American people of Canadian descent Freestyle skiers at the 2006 Winter Olympics Freestyle skiers at the 2010 Winter Olympics Freestyle skiers at the 2014 Winter Olympics Living people Medalists at the 2010 Winter Olympics Medalists at the 2014 Winter Olympics Olympic bronze medalists for the United States in freestyle skiing Olympic freestyle skiers of the United States Olympic gold medalists for the United States in freestyle skiing People from Hanover, New Hampshire People from Norwich, Vermont Sportspeople from New Hampshire Sportspeople from Vermont 21st-century American women

4043692

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim%20Cuddy

Jim Cuddy

James Gordon Cuddy, (born December 2, 1955) is a Canadian singer-songwriter primarily associated with the band Blue Rodeo. Early life and education Cuddy was born in Toronto, Ontario. His Mother Jean Cuddy was an English teacher at Monarch Park Secondary School. He attended North Toronto Collegiate Institute, where he met and befriended Greg Keelor, his future bandmate. He also went to Upper Canada College and Queen's University. Musical career The Hi-Fis After graduating from university, Cuddy and Keelor formed a band called the Hi-Fis along with Jim Sublett on drums and Malcolm Schell playing bass. The band released a single in 1980 featuring "Look What You've Done" and on the B side "I Don't Know Why (You Love Me)". The record was not a commercial success, and when they couldn't get a record deal in Toronto, they headed off to New York City. In New York they met keyboardist Bob Wiseman, but were still unable to arrange a recording contract. They later moved back to Toronto. Blue Rodeo In 1984 Cuddy and Keelor formed a new band, Blue Rodeo, with Wiseman, and recruited Bazil Donovan on bass and Cleave Anderson on drums as backup. Since that time, Cuddy has continued to lead the band, which has toured extensively and released 16 studio albums. Jim Cuddy Band Cuddy has recorded five solo albums and performs live with the Jim Cuddy Band, featuring musicians such as Bazil Donovan, Colin Cripps, Joel Anderson, Steve O'Connor, Anne Lindsay and Gavin Brown. Guest performers on his solo albums have included Kathleen Edwards, former Weeping Tile member Sarah Harmer, and Wilco's Jeff Tweedy. Other endeavors Jim Cuddy's song "Whistler" from the All in Time album was featured in the 2002 documentary Ski Bums by John Zaritsky.  In 2016, Cuddy participated in a benefit concert in Edmonton, Alberta and another in Toronto, Ontario for the citizens of Fort McMurray, whose town was destroyed by fire. On March 19, 2020, he performed the first concert in the National Arts Centre's #CanadaPerforms series of livestreamed home concerts by Canadian musicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. He narrates the TVOntario documentary series Striking Balance. Awards Cuddy won Best Male Vocalist at The 1999 JUNO Awards and Adult Alternative Album of the Year for The Light That Guides You Home at The 2007 JUNO Awards In 2000, Cuddy and Blue Rodeo bandmate Greg Keelor were the recipients of the National Achievement Award at the annual SOCAN Awards held in Toronto. In 2013, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada along with Greg Keelor, "for their contributions to Canadian music and for their support of various charitable causes". Personal life Cuddy is married to Canadian actress Rena Polley. They have three children, their daughter Emma, and their two sons, Devin and Sam, who are also musicians. His brother Loftus Cuddy was a Conservative candidate for the riding of Toronto—Danforth in the 2004 Canadian federal election. In the 2004 edition of Canada Reads, Cuddy advocated for Guy Vanderhaeghe's novel The Last Crossing, which won the competition. In the 2007 edition of Canada Reads, an "all-star" competition pitting the five winning advocates from previous years against each other, Cuddy returned to champion Timothy Taylor's novel Stanley Park. In 2016, Cuddy collaborated with Tawse Winery in Niagara to launch a new wine brand, Cuddy by Tawse. In 2017, Cuddy narrated the documentary TV series Striking Balance. Discography Albums Singles Notes A^ "Too Many Hands" peaked at number 13 on the Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks chart and number 34 on the RPM Country Tracks chart. Guest singles Music videos References External links JimCuddy.com – The Official Website of Jim Cuddy BlueRodeo.com – The Official Website of Blue Rodeo GregKeelor.com – The Official Website of Greg Keelor Entry at canadianbands.com Canadian rock singers Canadian country singer-songwriters Canadian male singer-songwriters Canadian rock guitarists Canadian country guitarists Canadian male guitarists Juno Award for Adult Alternative Album of the Year winners Living people Musicians from Toronto Officers of the Order of Canada Upper Canada College alumni 1955 births Canadian country rock musicians Blue Rodeo members Juno Award for Artist of the Year winners 20th-century Canadian male singers 21st-century Canadian male singers 20th-century Canadian guitarists 21st-century Canadian guitarists

4043698

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan%20Crowley

Ryan Crowley

Ryan Crowley (born 5 March 1984) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Fremantle Football Club and the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He played as a midfielder and specialised in a tagging role. AFL career Crowley was first drafted by Fremantle in 2002 with selection 55 at the national draft. At the end of 2004, having only played WAFL football for Subiaco, he was delisted. However the club gave Crowley a second chance and re-selected him with their 3rd pick in the rookie draft. Good form with Subiaco in 2005 led to his elevation to the senior list when both Robert Haddrill and his replacement Michael Warren were placed on the long term injury list. His debut was notable in that he became only the third Fremantle player to kick three goals on debut (along with Leigh Wardell-Johnson and Paul Medhurst), and these goals helped Fremantle to an upset nine-point victory over at Skilled Stadium. His continued good form in the second half of the 2005 season including 4 goals against Carlton at the MCG saw Ryan elevated to the senior list for the 2006 season. Early in the 2006 season, Ryan got a heavy blow to the face during a shepherd from Byron Pickett, and received a broken cheekbone. Crowley continued to improve throughout the 2007 season, having gathered 319 disposals in 19 games and earning a regular spot in the Fremantle midfield as a winger/onballer who can kick goals. Conversion to a tagger In 2008, however, he developed into a defensive midfielder or tagger and notoriously played on opposition stars such as Gary Ablett, Jr. and Daniel Kerr. He finished the year well, coming equal fifth in Fremantle's fairest and best award, the Doig Medal. In 2009 Crowley injured his foot in the Round 6 Western Derby and was ruled out for between three months and the entire season. He didn't return to the Fremantle side until the first round of 2010. He played the first 16 games of the season, before injuring his knee against Melbourne, missing the next six games. He returned for Fremantle's two finals, after proving his fitness in a dominant display in the WAFL for Subiaco, kicking seven goals. He continued to nullify the opponent's best midfielder each week and won the Doig Medal in 2012 as Fremantle's best and fairest player. In 2013 he was suggested as being worthy of selection in the All-Australian team, but was overlooked. He was one of Fremantle's best-performing players in their Grand Final loss to , limiting Sam Mitchell's influence on the game. Suspension for taking banned substance In March 2015, it was revealed that Crowley had tested positive to a banned substance after Fremantle's Round 17, 2014 match against Greater Western Sydney. Crowley had accepted a provisional suspension in September 2014. The banned substance has not been named, but is thought to be from a painkiller that was not prescribed by the club doctor. In June 2015, the AFL Tribunal suspended Crowley for twelve months; the suspension was backdated to the start of his provisional suspension, and he became eligible to play again on 25 September 2015. He was subsequently delisted in October. Essendon In January 2016, he signed with as one of their top-up players due to the supplements controversy. Statistics |- style="background-color: #EAEAEA" ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2005 | | 15 || 12 || 10 || 4 || 98 || 45 || 143 || 53 || 19 || 0.8 || 0.3 || 8.2 || 3.8 || 11.9 || 4.4 || 1.6 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2006 | | 15 || 19 || 20 || 8 || 179 || 104 || 283 || 103 || 29 || 1.0 || 0.4 || 9.4 || 5.5 || 14.9 || 5.4 || 1.5 |- style="background-color: #EAEAEA" ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2007 | | 15 || 19 || 13 || 11 || 189 || 130 || 319 || 85 || 44 || 0.7 || 0.6 || 10.0 || 6.8 || 16.8 || 4.5 || 2.3 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2008 | | 15 || 22 || 11 || 10 || 216 || 135 || 351 || 106 || 77 || 0.5 || 0.4 || 9.8 || 6.1 || 16.0 || 4.8 || 3.5 |- style="background-color: #EAEAEA" ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2009 | | 15 || 6 || 4 || 3 || 47 || 23 || 70 || 23 || 16 || 0.7 || 0.5 || 7.8 || 3.8 || 11.7 || 3.8 || 2.7 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2010 | | 15 || 18 || 15 || 8 || 106 || 133 || 239 || 49 || 75 || 0.8 || 0.4 || 5.9 || 7.4 || 13.3 || 2.7 || 4.2 |- style="background-color: #EAEAEA" ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2011 | | 15 || 19 || 13 || 10 || 129 || 115 || 244 || 60 || 57 || 0.7 || 0.5 || 6.8 || 6.0 || 12.8 || 3.2 || 3.0 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2012 | | 15 || 24 || 12 || 16 || 208 || 147 || 355 || 78 || 88 || 0.5 || 0.7 || 8.7 || 6.1 || 14.8 || 3.2 || 3.7 |- style="background-color: #EAEAEA" ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2013 | | 15 || 25 || 9 || 10 || 192 || 178 || 370 || 80 || 74 || 0.4 || 0.4 || 7.7 || 7.1 || 14.8 || 3.2 || 3.0 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2014 | | 15 || 24 || 9 || 5 || 198 || 151 || 349 || 74 || 66 || 0.4 || 0.2 || 8.2 || 6.3 || 14.5 || 3.1 || 2.8 |- style="background-color: #EAEAEA" ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2015 | | 15 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2016 | | 51 || 8 || 2 || 3 || 74 || 67 || 141 || 36 || 14 || 0.3 || 0.4 || 9.3 || 8.4 || 17.6 || 4.5 || 1.8 |- class="sortbottom" ! colspan=3| Career ! 196 ! 118 ! 88 ! 1636 ! 1228 ! 2864 ! 747 ! 559 ! 0.6 ! 0.4 ! 8.3 ! 6.3 ! 14.6 ! 3.8 ! 2.9 |} References External links Ryan Crowley's profile page on the Official WAFL Website 1984 births Living people Essendon Football Club players Fremantle Football Club players Australian rules footballers from Victoria (Australia) Calder Cannons players Subiaco Football Club players Doig Medal winners Doping cases in Australian rules football Swan Districts Football Club players Australia international rules football team players

4043703

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henny%20Hughes

Henny Hughes

Henny Hughes is a thoroughbred race horse. A foal of 2003, he was a contender for the Triple Crown in 2006. He was taken off the Triple Crown trail in March 2006, then recorded three sprint victories in stakes races before failing in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, finishing 14th and last. He was retired to stud at the end of the 2006 racing season. His best-known offspring is the champion mare Beholder. Connections Henny Hughes is owned by Zabeel Racing International and was originally trained by Patrick Biancone but was later transferred to Kiaran McLaughlin. He has been ridden by Gary Stevens, Edgar Prado, Joe Bravo, and John Velazquez. The horse was bred in Kentucky by Liberation Farm, Trackside Farm & CHO, LLC. Breeding Henny Hughes is the son of Hennessy out of the mare Meadow Flyer. His sire is a son of Storm Cat. His pedigree includes such notable horses as Secretariat and Bold Ruler. Retirement It was announced on November 6, 2006, that Henny Hughes would not race as a four-year-old and would be retired to stud. He stood at Darley Stable at an initial stud fee of $40,000. Racing career References Henny Hughes' pedigree NTRA bio 2003 racehorse births Racehorses trained in the United States Racehorses bred in Kentucky Thoroughbred family 25

4043715

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faroese%20art

Faroese art

Faroese art is art by artists living in the Faroe Islands and art by Faroese nationals living abroad. In the Faroe Islands, art is an important part of everyday life and in the public debate. It may be the special light in the Faroes which causes so many to express themselves in painting. The ever-changing Faroese weather and light provide opportunities for endless nuances, something which has fascinated both foreign and local artists over the years. However, the history of Faroese art is short, and can only be dated a couple of hundred years back. Lack of time, light and materiel may have caused the late appearance of painting. But despite this, the islands have a very active art scene. A great many of the Faroese artists of today resent being reminded that Faroese art is a comparatively recent phenomenon. They find such an observation annoying as regards their artistic work, and they claim that such a statement has no bearing whatsoever on them as artists as their frame of reference is both local and global. With the first Faroese painters the landscape became a national icon and it has remained the central topic in Faroese visual art. The grip that Faroese art, motifically speaking, takes on the Faroese landscape might seem to be a rather old-fashioned approach to visual art. The interest in installations, minimalism and conceptual art, has so far not affected Faroese art much. The village by the ocean is probably the motif which has been repeated the most. Danish art critic Ole Nørlyng concludes that nature, the wild landscape, is the driving force behind Faroese artists, but except for a close affinity with the landscape and culture of the islands, there has always been great diversity in Faroese art. Pioneers The first paintings art historians are familiar with are those by Díðrikur í Kárastovu. He was a farmer who commonly was known as Díðrikur á Skarvanesi (1802–1865). Díðrikur was settled in a small village, Skarvanes, on the island Sandoy. His subjects were real and imaginary birds in vivid colours. Although not in perfect condition, five of his paintings have been preserved. They are a feature in the permanent exhibition at the national Faroese art museum, Listasavn Føroya. One of his better paintings is entitled Moon Doves. Niels Kruse (1871–1951) was the first Faroese landscape painter, a theme which was to become a most common motif in Faroese art. Kruse lived in the village Eiði on the island Eysturoy. Kruse was almost completely self-taught. He was fortunate enough to receive some help and advice from an American explorer, Elizabeth Taylor, who stayed in the Faroes in 1895. In 1924 one of his works was accepted by a gallery in Denmark. This marked a turning point in Faroese art history, as this was the first time ever a painter had succeeded outside of the Islands. Kruse even managed to make a living from his painting, again something which earlier had been unheard of. There were some other painters from this early generation. Both Kristin í Geil and Jógvan Waagstein are worth mentioning. Both of them were well settled in Tórshavn. And again, these two were self-taught landscape painters. As was the case with Kruse, Waagstein received knowledge and advice from Elizabeth Taylor. Later on í Geil received some schooling from Kruse. These two latter, however, never made their living exclusively from painting. These painters were all pioneers in the field of visual art in the Faroes, and they helped to make their fellow countrymen aware of the art of painting. The late 19th century marks the beginning of a Faroese art tradition slowly developing for the first time. There are several reasons for this being so. The arrival of Elizabeth Taylor with her knowledge of art helped to inspired several to start painting. And most importantly the late 19th century sparked the beginning of the national movement. The national revival brought with it the love of the landscape - a brand new theme which was to become a national icon, more so than anywhere in visual art. The theme came to dominate all through the 20th century. With the first painters, the love and affection of the homeland was obvious, and still in the 21st Century the theme is being treated by a new generation of artists. However, several painters contributed to Faroese artists developing a passion for many different styles and subjects. Mothers and fathers of Faroese art The real history of Faroese art starts in 1927, when three young artists held an exhibition in Tórshavn. Two of these were Sámal Joensen-Mikines (1906–1979) and William Heinesen (1900–1990). The first, Mikines, came to be known as the father of Faroese art and the first Faroese artist to become internationally recognised. More importantly he was the very first Faroese artist to acquire an artistic degree. Mikines began his education at the Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen in 1928 with Aksel Jørgensen and Ejnar Nielsen as his teachers. Mikines was artistically highly inspired by the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, and had a great admiration for El Greco and Delacroix. His early paintings are naturalistic, but later he became an expressive figurative painter. He was very original in his choice of colour and design. Mikines demonstrated a new approach to substance and form in painting which had a profound influence on Faroese art. He painted funerals, steep mountains and landscapes. His paintings of pilot whaling became important to future artists. He introduced the possibility of allowing the landscape to mirror the painter's inner life. William Heinesen was a very different type of artist. Literature was his vocation. Although he considered himself an amateur in visual art, he created some very important works in Faroese art. His imagery doesn't evolve around the landscape. Folktale, satire and everyday life are Heinesen's subjects. After World War II During this period a new era had begun in Faroese visual art. Mikines wasn't the only one from his generation who received his formal training in Copenhagen. Faroese art experienced a virtual blossoming after World War II, when several talented and productive artists returned to the Faroe Islands after finishing their studies in Denmark. The range of motifs and styles were greatly expanded. A new generation of artists, who had acquired artistic degrees didn't want to use their art for the sole purpose of expressing their love for their country. The ones who followed included the classical modernist Janus Kamban (1913–2009), the colourist Ruth Smith (1913–1958), the graphical artist Elinborg Lützen (1915–1995) and the great abstract painter Ingálvur av Reyni (1920–2005). Together with Mikines and Heinesen, these are the mothers and fathers of Faroese art. Kamban was the first Faroese sculptor. In style he ranges from the strictly naturalistic to the classically simple. His subjects are usually people, and he uses clay, bronze and basaltic rock for his sculptures. As a graphic artist, Kamban mostly portrays the Faroese landscape. Smith was one of the most talented Faroese artists. Her subjects were scenery and faces. She worked very consciously with colour. Over a period of twenty years she painted numerous self-portraits, one has been held as one of the finest portraits in Scandinavian art. Lützen's work is full of creatures from the world of myth, legend and folktale. With Lützen the graphic arts became an independent art form which enriched the artistic milieu through her all-absorbing interest in the technique of linocut, and the result of her artistic work is of high quality and intensity measured by any standard. Av Reyni has been the most influential of them all. The dynamic lines and the temperamental pastose brushwork has become a vital part the Faroese painting tradition. Av Reyni introduced cubism, abstract expressionism and suprematism to the Faroes. His early works were rather naturalistic landscapes, but in the early 1960s he dissolved the romantic and impressionist landscape, when he started to paint more and more abstract. His paintings usually contain a figurative core, which is described by the title of his paintings. As a black-and-white artist, he has drawn many portraits as well as landscapes. He is ranked as one of the great modernists in Scandinavia. Landscape expressionists The common denomination “landscape expressionist” comprises a group of diverse artists, solely because the nature and landscape are central themes in their work. Zacharias Heinesen (1936), Thomas Arge (1942–1978), Tróndur Patursson (1943), Torbjørn Olsen (1956), Barður Jákupsson (1943) and Amariel Norðoy (1945) all belong to this group, as do many others. This large generation of painters from the 1930s to 1960's has been able to find common stylistic expressions. They exploit the full spectrum of the formal possibilities painting has to offer. They work with the unified whole and detail. Sometimes the subject matter almost disappears in the pure abstraction of the colours and forms, but rarely completely. A reminiscence of the landscape always remains. Not as a true-to-life reproduction, but as a landscape experience which is communicated via a variety of temperaments. So great has their contribution to Faroese art been that for a long time a genuine Faroese painting should preferably be a highly colouristic, expressive and semi abstract landscape, filled with North-Atlantic drama. It is not an unusual criticism that Faroese art relies too heavily on nature as a motif. But when the variety of expression is taken into account, the criticism doesn't seem fair. Zacharias Heinesen has in his paintings explored the light and colours of the landscape and tried to render the ephemeral moment. In Thomas Arge's paintings we get a glimpse of the inner structures, shapes and colours of the landscape. Bárður Jákupsson has found shapes and colours that others probably do not notice in Faroese Nature. In Tróndur Patursson's work it is the sense of immensity of nature that gains significance. The village by the ocean is probably the motif which has been repeated the most in Faroese art. In Countless paintings Amariel Norðoy has repeated the motif and shown it contains unlimited possibilities. But despite the light and distinct colours of nature and scenery, Faroese art is not exclusively landscape. Contemporary Faroese art The landscape has been the national theme of Faroese painting, arguably as a collectively chosen shell around the core of modern painting. In recent years, however, other subjects have emerged and appear to be edging out the landscape. The common denominator for the younger generation of Faroese artists is that they all have managed to outline new directions for Faroese art, while at the same time, relating with insight to the Faroese landscape tradition. The interest in the human mind, existential or philosophical questions or the internal landscapes seems to rise. The postmodern interest in contemporary philosophy, mass media and politics has begun to appear in Faroese art, and has emerged concomitantly with its appearance in other countries. One of the artist working in this field is Ole Wich (1953), who has worked with cross media art on the internet connected to present political and culturel issues in the faroese society, as well as conceptuel pieces places between visual expression and science. The Faroese visual art has hardly ever been as manifold as it is today, although the genre remains traditional painting. There is a lot of pessimism among the artists themselves. They are doubtful of the future of Faroese art and they fear that the small-scaled nature and isolation of Faroese art may prove to be insurmountable handicaps. In the long run, they say 50,000 people and a couple of dozen artists will not be able to sustain a living artistic culture. Naturally, there is a danger that it might stagnate and die from lack of nourishment. At the same time, it is difficult to see how things could go so wrong while the need is so great. There are many young artists who are currently identifying new paths for Faroese art. The younger generation of Faroese artists has mainly chosen to reside abroad as has Hansina Iversen, who is based in Copenhagen and Hanni Bjartalíð in Helsinki. Hansina Iversen (1966) ostensibly distances herself from nature as a motif. Her pictures are non-figurative and pure, seemingly purified of motif. The smooth fluency of her works are an exploration of the absolute and, thus, nature. Iversen has created a new philosophical approach to the Faroese Landscape tradition. Hanni Bjartalíð (1968) uses humour to describe man's relation to nature. His imagery is primarily of the modern world. Modern man's alienation from nature is a natural theme in his art. Bjartalíð demonstrates great freedom regarding Faroese and Nordic art landscape traditions, which are associated with romantic conception of a unique Nordic soul characterised by a close relation to nature. Edward Fuglø (1965) avoids landscapes; his symbolism concerns people. He creates surreal-comic and ironic paintings. Fuglø observes and mocks people – mostly men – in their absurd activities. The images are always pointed at political or perhaps art-political commentary. His imagery is in many ways innovative in the Faroese tradition. Fuglø is also one of the best illustrators in the Faroes. Art galleries In the Faroe Islands there is a great interest in buying Faroese art to decorate your home with. This appreciation means that it is easy to find art galleries round about the islands. Some galleries are dedicated to local artists, while others have regular exhibitions. But the number of art galleries is highest in Tórshavn. In Tórshavn you will find the national art museum Listasavn Føroya. The Art Museum was founded in 1989. The present gallery was opened in 1993. The exhibition building is faced with black tarred wood, and has elements of traditional Faroese building. It is surrounded by trees, as it is situated next to a park. The permanent collection displays some of the best works by William Heinesen, Ingálvur av Reyni and Sámal Mikines. Each year two exhibitions take place that focus exclusively on Faroese artists. The first one is the spring exhibition in May; the second is the annual Saint Olav's Day exhibition in late July. Whereas the first one exclusively features professional artists, the latter one mainly features amateurs. Listahøllin is situated in a green concrete building at Tórshavn Shipyard. In Vágur located in the island Suðuroy the southernmost island, there is a Ruth Smith Art Museum. The art museum has artworks (paintings and drawings) made by Ruth Smith. In Sandur, the main village on Sandoy, there is an art museum "Listasavnið á Sandi" with artworks (paintings, sculptures etc.) by various Faroese artists. The art collection and the museum building was donated to the village in 2005 by a Sofus Olsen, who grew up in Sandur, but lived in Tórshavn for many years. The museum opened on his 92nd birthday. Art on stamps Several paintings by Faroese artists have been featured on stamps. All Faroese stamp editions are about items relating to the Faroes and most of them are designed by Faroese artists. Faroese art is among the main motifs, both in reproductions of important paintings and in involving the artists in drawing stamps. See also Faroese literature List of Notable Faroese Music of the Faroe Islands Nordic House in the Faroe Islands References Notes Bibliography Marnersdóttir, Malan, Faroese Art, 2005. The Faroe Islands - Schei, Kjørsvik Liv and Moberg, Gunnie. 1991. The Faroe Islands - Sørensen, Inger Smærup. 2007. Faroese Art. The Faroe Islands - Warming, Dagmar : Ruth Smith : Lív og verk, 2007. Tórshavn - Michael Fuhr and Dagmar Warming, Modern Art from the Faroe Islands, 2006. Leopold Museum, Vienna, and Faroe Islands Art Museum, Tórshavn - Further reading Heinesen, William. The Art of the Faroe Islands. Tórshavn: E. Thomsen, 1983. Irve, Bent. Føroysk list = Färöisk konst = Art from the Faroes. Helsinki: Nordiskt konstcentrum, 1983. Wivel, Mikael Sekel - Færøsk kunst i hundrede år. Færøernes Kunstmuseum, 2011. External links The Faroe Islands National Art Museum - The Faroe Islands National Art Museum The Faroese Society of Visual Arts - The Faroese Society of Visual Arts BryggenArt - Art from the North Atlantic GudrunogGudrun - Faroese designer duo The Ruth Smith Art Museum in Vágur, Suðuroy Faroese culture

4043718

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andreas%20Brandst%C3%A4tter

Andreas Brandstätter

Andreas Brandstätter (1959–2006) was a German diplomat. He was born in Kiel in 1959. At the age of 21 he became a United Nations worker. After living in Kiel during 20 years, he graduated at Harward. He traveled to many countries like Senegal, Sudan, and Libya. When he got to Libya he married a Bosnian woman who had escaped from the Yugoslav Wars. Then they went both to live in Switzerland; Brandstätter's wife was a doctor but he still worked for the UN. In 1997, his first was born in Geneva. When the decade started, he went to help the poor people in Sierra Leone. In 2004, he went to Port-au-Prince to help the poor kids who were fighting for the president in Haiti. In January 2006 while playing tennis, he died from a heart attack. German diplomats 1959 births 2006 deaths German officials of the United Nations

4043728

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyubov%20Yegorova%20%28cross-country%20skier%29

Lyubov Yegorova (cross-country skier)

Lyubov Ivanovna Yegorova (; born 5 May 1966, Seversk), name also spelled Ljubov Jegorova, is a Russian former cross-country Olympic ski champion, multiple world champion (first time in 1991), winner of the World Cup (1993) and Hero of Russia. Lyubov Yegorova is an honorary citizen of Seversk (1992), Saint Petersburg (1994), and Tomsk Oblast (2005). Career Yegorova won several medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships with three golds (4 × 5 km relay: 1991, 1993; 30 km: 1991), one silver (5 km: 1993), and two bronzes (5 km + 10 km combined pursuit, 30 km: 1993). She also won the women's 15 km event at the Holmenkollen ski festival in 1994. Additionally, Yegorova won a total of nine medals at the Winter Olympics, earning six golds and three silver. She was the most successful athlete at both the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics. She won the Holmenkollen medal in 1994 (shared with Vladimir Smirnov and Espen Bredesen). Doping case Yegorova made a decision to retire after the 1997 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim when she was disqualified for doping on bromantan, a stimulant drug. She was disqualified on 26 February 1997, three days after winning gold in the women's 5 km event, and stripped of that medal. Return She returned after the suspension to compete at the 2002 Winter Olympics but did not win a medal there. Cross-country skiing results All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS). Olympic Games 9 medals – (6 gold, 3 silver) World Championships 6 medals – (3 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze) World Cup Season titles 1 titles – (1 overall) Season standings Individual podiums 13 victories 41 podiums Team podiums 12 victories 21 podiums Note: Until the 1999 World Championships and the 1994 Olympics, World Championship and Olympic races were included in the World Cup scoring system. Personal life She is the mother of Viktor Sysoyev. See also List of multiple Olympic gold medalists List of multiple Winter Olympic medalists References External links Holmenkollen medalists – click Holmenkollmedaljen for downloadable pdf file Holmenkollen winners since 1892 – click Vinnere for downloadable pdf file Information on Yegorova's doping disqualification Lyubov Yegorova 1966 births Living people People from Seversk Cross-country skiers at the 1992 Winter Olympics Cross-country skiers at the 1994 Winter Olympics Cross-country skiers at the 2002 Winter Olympics Doping cases in cross-country skiing Heroes of the Russian Federation Holmenkollen medalists Holmenkollen Ski Festival winners Russian female cross-country skiers Olympic cross-country skiers of the Unified Team Olympic cross-country skiers of Russia Olympic gold medalists for Russia Olympic gold medalists for the Unified Team Olympic silver medalists for Russia Olympic silver medalists for the Unified Team Russian sportspeople in doping cases Olympic medalists in cross-country skiing FIS Nordic World Ski Championships medalists in cross-country skiing FIS Cross-Country World Cup champions Medalists at the 1992 Winter Olympics Medalists at the 1994 Winter Olympics Tomsk State Pedagogical University alumni Russian sportsperson-politicians Recipients of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 4th class Herzen University alumni Members of Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg

4043729

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernsey%20Post

Guernsey Post

Guernsey Post is the postal service for the island of Guernsey, Channel Islands. It includes a Philatelic bureau, and regularly issues both definitive and commemorative stamps. It also provides postal services for Sark. In contrast to the United Kingdom, Guernsey Post pillar boxes can be identified by their distinctive blue colour. History The first pillar boxes in Britain were introduced in the Channel Islands as an experiment in 1852. Anthony Trollope, the novelist, who was employed by the General Post Office, trialled pillar boxes in the Channel Islands before introducing them into mainland Britain. He was influenced by roadside letter-receiving pillars used in France. Before the use of pillar boxes, on the mainland, individual letters would be taken by hand to a letter receiving house or post office, which was often a coaching inn, a postage stamp purchased and the letter handed to the receiver or postmaster, to connect with the mail coach and later the railway. In the Channel Islands, people took their letters to the mail steamer when it was awaiting the tide in the harbour – the particular problem of an island mail service then. Pillar boxes allowed letters to be posted at any time and they could then be collected when a steamer was due. They were convenient and immediately successful. However, as with many innovations, the first boxes were introduced into Jersey. One of these original pillar boxes can be seen in Union Street, St Peter Port and has been maintained by Guernsey Post in its traditional red livery. Guernsey stamps were first issued in the island during the German Occupation of 1940–1945, when there was a great shortage of British stamps, as all ties with mainland Britain had been severed by the German authorities. Guernsey's government, the States of Guernsey, took over the running of postal services from the British Government in October 1969 (as did Jersey, forming Jersey Post). Since then on it has regularly issued Guernsey stamps. Guernsey is postcoded as the GY postcode area, established in 1993 as an extension of the United Kingdom postcode system. In 2001, the States of Guernsey commercialised the Post Office, and it became Guernsey Post Ltd and was awarded the licence to operate the reserved sector postal operation and meet the Universal Service Obligation (USO). To monitor Guernsey Post and either encourage competition in the market or where it is missing provide a controlling force the Office of Utility Regulation, otherwise known as the OUR, was created. Guernsey Post is a member of the Small European Postal Administration Cooperation. Postage stamps of Guernsey Guernsey and Alderney Stamps are world-renowned for their beauty and quality. The first Guernsey Postage Stamps were designed and printed during the occupation in 1941 when supplies of British stamps ran out. Over the years many aspects of island life have been commemorated and depicted on Guernsey and Alderney stamps. Topics of past philatelic issues include the sea, the natural world, agriculture and horticulture, transport, sport, Christmas, military, art and entertainment. Guernsey Stamps are produced by Guernsey Post. References External links Guernsey Philatelic Bureau website Guernsey Post Ltd website Office of Utility regulation website Swift – Postal Automation System Communications in Guernsey Postal organizations Postal system of the United Kingdom Members of the Small European Postal Administration Cooperation

4043730

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross%20Lander%20244X

Cross Lander 244X

The Cross Lander 244X was a basic, rugged 4x4 SUV built under license from ARO of Romania, in Manaus, Brazil, and based on the ARO 244. ARO was to supply CKD kits to Brazil for assembly by Cross Lander Industria e Comercio. Sales in the United States were expected to begin in 2005, with targets of 6,000 units per year but the launch has been cancelled. The American Cross Lander used Ford's 4.0 L Cologne V6 engine and an Eaton transmission. The engine produces 207 hp (154 kW) and 238 ft·lbf (323 N·m) of torque. See also ARO 24 Series ARO References ARO vehicles Sport utility vehicles Cars of Romania

4043734

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A1bado%20Al%20Mediod%C3%ADa

Sábado Al Mediodía

Sábado Al Mediodía (Saturday at Noon), Hosted by Celines Toribio, Jimmy Nieves, Luis Velasco and later Birmania Rios. Sabado Al Mediodia, a variety and entertainment show that was the number-one-rated local Spanish TV program on Univision's New York affiliate, WXTV-41, from March 27, 1993 to June 30, 2001. Almost every major Latino celebrity and personality — Ricky Martin, Luis Miguel, Celia Cruz, Daddy Yankee, Shakira, Juanes — has been a regular television guest. External links New York Metro Radio Notas El Diario NY Variety television series

4043742

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics%20beyond%20the%20Standard%20Model

Physics beyond the Standard Model

Physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM) refers to the theoretical developments needed to explain the deficiencies of the Standard Model, such as the inability to explain the fundamental parameters of the standard model, the strong CP problem, neutrino oscillations, matter–antimatter asymmetry, and the nature of dark matter and dark energy. Another problem lies within the mathematical framework of the Standard Model itself: the Standard Model is inconsistent with that of general relativity, and one or both theories break down under certain conditions, such as spacetime singularities like the Big Bang and black hole event horizons. Theories that lie beyond the Standard Model include various extensions of the standard model through supersymmetry, such as the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) and Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (NMSSM), and entirely novel explanations, such as string theory, M-theory, and extra dimensions. As these theories tend to reproduce the entirety of current phenomena, the question of which theory is the right one, or at least the "best step" towards a Theory of Everything, can only be settled via experiments, and is one of the most active areas of research in both theoretical and experimental physics. Problems with the Standard Model Despite being the most successful theory of particle physics to date, the Standard Model is not perfect. A large share of the published output of theoretical physicists consists of proposals for various forms of "Beyond the Standard Model" new physics proposals that would modify the Standard Model in ways subtle enough to be consistent with existing data, yet address its imperfections materially enough to predict non-Standard Model outcomes of new experiments that can be proposed. Phenomena not explained The Standard Model is inherently an incomplete theory. There are fundamental physical phenomena in nature that the Standard Model does not adequately explain: Gravity. The standard model does not explain gravity. The approach of simply adding a graviton to the Standard Model does not recreate what is observed experimentally without other modifications, as yet undiscovered, to the Standard Model. Moreover, the Standard Model is widely considered to be incompatible with the most successful theory of gravity to date, general relativity. Dark matter. Cosmological observations tell us the standard model explains about 5% of the mass-energy present in the universe. About 26% should be dark matter (the remaining 69% being dark energy) which would behave just like other matter, but which only interacts weakly (if at all) with the Standard Model fields. Yet, the Standard Model does not supply any fundamental particles that are good dark matter candidates. Dark energy. As mentioned, the remaining 69% of the universe's energy should consist of the so-called dark energy, a constant energy density for the vacuum. Attempts to explain dark energy in terms of vacuum energy of the standard model lead to a mismatch of 120 orders of magnitude. Neutrino masses. According to the standard model, neutrinos are massless particles. However, neutrino oscillation experiments have shown that neutrinos do have mass. Mass terms for the neutrinos can be added to the standard model by hand, but these lead to new theoretical problems. For example, the mass terms need to be extraordinarily small and it is not clear if the neutrino masses would arise in the same way that the masses of other fundamental particles do in the Standard Model. Matter–antimatter asymmetry. The universe is made out of mostly matter. However, the standard model predicts that matter and antimatter should have been created in (almost) equal amounts if the initial conditions of the universe did not involve disproportionate matter relative to antimatter. Yet, there is no mechanism in the Standard Model to sufficiently explain this asymmetry. Experimental results not explained No experimental result is accepted as definitively contradicting the Standard Model at the 5 level, widely considered to be the threshold of a discovery in particle physics. Because every experiment contains some degree of statistical and systemic uncertainty, and the theoretical predictions themselves are also almost never calculated exactly and are subject to uncertainties in measurements of the fundamental constants of the Standard Model (some of which are tiny and others of which are substantial), it is to be expected that some of the hundreds of experimental tests of the Standard Model will deviate from it to some extent, even if there were no new physics to be discovered. At any given moment there are several experimental results standing that significantly differ from a Standard Model-based prediction. In the past, many of these discrepancies have been found to be statistical flukes or experimental errors that vanish as more data has been collected, or when the same experiments were conducted more carefully. On the other hand, any physics beyond the Standard Model would necessarily first appear in experiments as a statistically significant difference between an experiment and the theoretical prediction. The task is to determine which is the case. In each case, physicists seek to determine if a result is merely a statistical fluke or experimental error on the one hand, or a sign of new physics on the other. More statistically significant results cannot be mere statistical flukes but can still result from experimental error or inaccurate estimates of experimental precision. Frequently, experiments are tailored to be more sensitive to experimental results that would distinguish the Standard Model from theoretical alternatives. Some of the most notable examples include the following: Anomalous magnetic dipole moment of the muon – the experimentally measured value of the muon's anomalous magnetic dipole moment (muon ) is significantly different from the Standard Model prediction. Initial results from Fermilab's Muon g-2 experiment with a standard deviation σ of 4.2 "strengthen evidence of new physics". B meson decay etc. – results from a BaBar experiment may suggest a surplus over Standard Model predictions of a type of particle decay . In this, an electron and positron collide, resulting in a B meson and an antimatter meson, which then decays into a D meson and a tau lepton as well as a tau antineutrino. While the level of certainty of the excess (3.4  in statistical jargon) is not enough to declare a break from the Standard Model, the results are a potential sign of something amiss and are likely to affect existing theories, including those attempting to deduce the properties of Higgs bosons. In 2015, LHCb reported observing a 2.1 excess in the same ratio of branching fractions. The Belle experiment also reported an excess. In 2017 a meta analysis of all available data reported a 5 deviation from SM. Anomalous mass of the W boson - results from the CDF Collaboration, reported in April 2022, indicate that the mass of a W boson exceeds the mass predicted by the Standard Model with a significance of 7 Theoretical predictions not observed Observation at particle colliders of all of the fundamental particles predicted by the Standard Model has been confirmed. The Higgs boson is predicted by the Standard Model's explanation of the Higgs mechanism, which describes how the weak SU(2) gauge symmetry is broken and how fundamental particles obtain mass; it was the last particle predicted by the Standard Model to be observed. On July 4, 2012, CERN scientists using the Large Hadron Collider announced the discovery of a particle consistent with the Higgs boson, with a mass of about . A Higgs boson was confirmed to exist on March 14, 2013, although efforts to confirm that it has all of the properties predicted by the Standard Model are ongoing. A few hadrons (i.e. composite particles made of quarks) whose existence is predicted by the Standard Model, which can be produced only at very high energies in very low frequencies have not yet been definitively observed, and "glueballs" (i.e. composite particles made of gluons) have also not yet been definitively observed. Some very low frequency particle decays predicted by the Standard Model have also not yet been definitively observed because insufficient data is available to make a statistically significant observation. Unexplained relations Koide formula - an unexplained empirical equation remarked upon by Yoshio Koide in 1981, and later by others. It relates the masses of the three charged leptons: . The Standard Model does not predict lepton masses (they are free parameters of the theory). However, the value of the Koide formula being equal to 2/3 within experimental errors of the measured lepton masses suggests the existence of a theory which is able to predict lepton masses. The CKM matrix, if interpreted as a rotation matrix in a 3-dimensional vector space, "rotates" a vector composed of square roots of down-type quark masses into a vector of square roots of up-type quark masses , up to vector lengths, a result due to Kohzo Nishida. The sum of squares of the Yukawa couplings of all Standard Model fermions is approximately 0.98, which is very close to 1. It is unclear if these empirical relationships represent any underlying physics; according to Koide, they "may be an accidental coincidence". Theoretical problems Some features of the standard model are added in an ad hoc way. These are not problems per se (i.e. the theory works fine with these ad hoc features), but they imply a lack of understanding. These ad hoc features have motivated theorists to look for more fundamental theories with fewer parameters. Some of the ad hoc features are: Hierarchy problem – the standard model introduces particle masses through a process known as spontaneous symmetry breaking caused by the Higgs field. Within the standard model, the mass of the Higgs gets some very large quantum corrections due to the presence of virtual particles (mostly virtual top quarks). These corrections are much larger than the actual mass of the Higgs. This means that the bare mass parameter of the Higgs in the standard model must be fine tuned in such a way that almost completely cancels the quantum corrections. This level of fine-tuning is deemed unnatural by many theorists. Number of parameters – the standard model depends on 19 numerical parameters. Their values are known from experiment, but the origin of the values is unknown. Some theorists have tried to find relations between different parameters, for example, between the masses of particles in different generations or calculating particle masses, such as in asymptotic safety scenarios. Quantum triviality – suggests that it may not be possible to create a consistent quantum field theory involving elementary scalar Higgs particles. This is sometimes called the Landau pole problem. Strong CP problem – theoretically it can be argued that the standard model should contain a term that breaks CP symmetry—relating matter to antimatter—in the strong interaction sector. Experimentally, however, no such violation has been found, implying that the coefficient of this term is very close to zero. Grand unified theories The standard model has three gauge symmetries; the colour SU(3), the weak isospin SU(2), and the weak hypercharge U(1) symmetry, corresponding to the three fundamental forces. Due to renormalization the coupling constants of each of these symmetries vary with the energy at which they are measured. Around these couplings become approximately equal. This has led to speculation that above this energy the three gauge symmetries of the standard model are unified in one single gauge symmetry with a simple gauge group, and just one coupling constant. Below this energy the symmetry is spontaneously broken to the standard model symmetries. Popular choices for the unifying group are the special unitary group in five dimensions SU(5) and the special orthogonal group in ten dimensions SO(10). Theories that unify the standard model symmetries in this way are called Grand Unified Theories (or GUTs), and the energy scale at which the unified symmetry is broken is called the GUT scale. Generically, grand unified theories predict the creation of magnetic monopoles in the early universe, and instability of the proton. Neither of these have been observed, and this absence of observation puts limits on the possible GUTs. Supersymmetry Supersymmetry extends the Standard Model by adding another class of symmetries to the Lagrangian. These symmetries exchange fermionic particles with bosonic ones. Such a symmetry predicts the existence of supersymmetric particles, abbreviated as sparticles, which include the sleptons, squarks, neutralinos and charginos. Each particle in the Standard Model would have a superpartner whose spin differs by 1/2 from the ordinary particle. Due to the breaking of supersymmetry, the sparticles are much heavier than their ordinary counterparts; they are so heavy that existing particle colliders may not be powerful enough to produce them. Neutrinos In the standard model, neutrinos have exactly zero mass. This is a consequence of the standard model containing only left-handed neutrinos. With no suitable right-handed partner, it is impossible to add a renormalizable mass term to the standard model. Measurements however indicated that neutrinos spontaneously change flavour, which implies that neutrinos have a mass. These measurements only give the mass differences between the different flavours. The best constraint on the absolute mass of the neutrinos comes from precision measurements of tritium decay, providing an upper limit 2 eV, which makes them at least five orders of magnitude lighter than the other particles in the standard model. This necessitates an extension of the standard model, which not only needs to explain how neutrinos get their mass, but also why the mass is so small. One approach to add masses to the neutrinos, the so-called seesaw mechanism, is to add right-handed neutrinos and have these couple to left-handed neutrinos with a Dirac mass term. The right-handed neutrinos have to be sterile, meaning that they do not participate in any of the standard model interactions. Because they have no charges, the right-handed neutrinos can act as their own anti-particles, and have a Majorana mass term. Like the other Dirac masses in the standard model, the neutrino Dirac mass is expected to be generated through the Higgs mechanism, and is therefore unpredictable. The standard model fermion masses differ by many orders of magnitude; the Dirac neutrino mass has at least the same uncertainty. On the other hand, the Majorana mass for the right-handed neutrinos does not arise from the Higgs mechanism, and is therefore expected to be tied to some energy scale of new physics beyond the standard model, for example the Planck scale. Therefore, any process involving right-handed neutrinos will be suppressed at low energies. The correction due to these suppressed processes effectively gives the left-handed neutrinos a mass that is inversely proportional to the right-handed Majorana mass, a mechanism known as the see-saw. The presence of heavy right-handed neutrinos thereby explains both the small mass of the left-handed neutrinos and the absence of the right-handed neutrinos in observations. However, due to the uncertainty in the Dirac neutrino masses, the right-handed neutrino masses can lie anywhere. For example, they could be as light as keV and be dark matter, they can have a mass in the LHC energy range and lead to observable lepton number violation, or they can be near the GUT scale, linking the right-handed neutrinos to the possibility of a grand unified theory. The mass terms mix neutrinos of different generations. This mixing is parameterized by the PMNS matrix, which is the neutrino analogue of the CKM quark mixing matrix. Unlike the quark mixing, which is almost minimal, the mixing of the neutrinos appears to be almost maximal. This has led to various speculations of symmetries between the various generations that could explain the mixing patterns. The mixing matrix could also contain several complex phases that break CP invariance, although there has been no experimental probe of these. These phases could potentially create a surplus of leptons over anti-leptons in the early universe, a process known as leptogenesis. This asymmetry could then at a later stage be converted in an excess of baryons over anti-baryons, and explain the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe. The light neutrinos are disfavored as an explanation for the observation of dark matter, due to considerations of large-scale structure formation in the early universe. Simulations of structure formation show that they are too hot—i.e. their kinetic energy is large compared to their mass—while formation of structures similar to the galaxies in our universe requires cold dark matter. The simulations show that neutrinos can at best explain a few percent of the missing dark matter. However, the heavy sterile right-handed neutrinos are a possible candidate for a dark matter WIMP. Preon models Several preon models have been proposed to address the unsolved problem concerning the fact that there are three generations of quarks and leptons. Preon models generally postulate some additional new particles which are further postulated to be able to combine to form the quarks and leptons of the standard model. One of the earliest preon models was the Rishon model. To date, no preon model is widely accepted or fully verified. Theories of everything Theoretical physics continues to strive toward a theory of everything, a theory that fully explains and links together all known physical phenomena, and predicts the outcome of any experiment that could be carried out in principle. In practical terms the immediate goal in this regard is to develop a theory which would unify the Standard Model with General Relativity in a theory of quantum gravity. Additional features, such as overcoming conceptual flaws in either theory or accurate prediction of particle masses, would be desired. The challenges in putting together such a theory are not just conceptual - they include the experimental aspects of the very high energies needed to probe exotic realms. Several notable attempts in this direction are supersymmetry, loop quantum gravity, and String theory. Supersymmetry Loop quantum gravity Theories of quantum gravity such as loop quantum gravity and others are thought by some to be promising candidates to the mathematical unification of quantum field theory and general relativity, requiring less drastic changes to existing theories. However recent work places stringent limits on the putative effects of quantum gravity on the speed of light, and disfavours some current models of quantum gravity. String theory Extensions, revisions, replacements, and reorganizations of the Standard Model exist in attempt to correct for these and other issues. String theory is one such reinvention, and many theoretical physicists think that such theories are the next theoretical step toward a true Theory of Everything. Among the numerous variants of string theory, M-theory, whose mathematical existence was first proposed at a String Conference in 1995 by Edward Witten, is believed by many to be a proper "ToE" candidate, notably by physicists Brian Greene and Stephen Hawking. Though a full mathematical description is not yet known, solutions to the theory exist for specific cases. Recent works have also proposed alternate string models, some of which lack the various harder-to-test features of M-theory (e.g. the existence of Calabi–Yau manifolds, many extra dimensions, etc.) including works by well-published physicists such as Lisa Randall. See also Antimatter tests of Lorentz violation Beyond black holes Fundamental physical constants in the standard model Higgsless model Holographic principle Little Higgs Lorentz-violating neutrino oscillations Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model Neutrino Minimal Standard Model Peccei–Quinn theory Preon Standard-Model Extension Supergravity Seesaw mechanism Supersymmetry Superfluid vacuum theory String theory Technicolor (physics) Theory of everything Unsolved problems in physics Unparticle physics References Further reading External resources Standard Model Theory @ SLAC Scientific American Apr 2006 LHC. Nature July 2007 Les Houches Conference, Summer 2005 Particle physics Physical cosmology Unsolved problems in physics

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City%20of%20Cape%20Town

City of Cape Town

The City of Cape Town (; ) is the metropolitan municipality which governs the city of Cape Town, South Africa and its suburbs and exurbs. As of the 2011 census, it had a population of 3,740,026. The remote Prince Edward Islands are deemed to be part of the City of Cape Town, specifically of ward 115. Cllr. Ian McMahon is the current ward councilor of ward 115. History Cape Town first received local self-government in 1839, with the promulgation of a municipal ordinance by the government of the Cape Colony. When it was created, the Cape Town municipality governed only the central part of the city known as the City Bowl, and as the city expanded, new suburbs became new municipalities, until by 1902 there were 10 separate municipalities in the Cape Peninsula. During the 20th century, many of the inner suburban municipalities became unsustainable; in 1913 the first major unification took place when the municipalities of Cape Town, Green Point and Sea Point, Woodstock, Mowbray, Rondebosch, Claremont, Maitland, and Kalk Bay were unified to create the first City of Cape Town. In 1927 the municipality of Wynberg was also merged with Cape Town, with the result that all of the Southern Suburbs were incorporated into the City. Many new municipalities were established during the 20th century. Durbanville achieved municipal status in 1901, Goodwood in 1938, Parow in 1939, Bellville and Fish Hoek in 1940, Pinelands in 1948, Kuils River in 1950, Milnerton in 1955, Kraaifontein in 1957, Gordon's Bay in 1961, Brackenfell in 1970. In 1979 Bellville was upgraded to city status. The areas not included in a municipality were governed by divisional councils. Most of the Cape metropolitan area fell under the Divisional Council of the Cape, while the eastern parts around Brackenfell, Kuils River and the Helderberg area formed part of the Divisional Council of Stellenbosch, and an area in the northeast around Kraaifontein formed part of the Divisional Council of Paarl. In earlier years the right to vote in local elections was not restricted by race (see Cape Qualified Franchise), but the policies of the apartheid government aimed for complete segregation of local government. A 1962 amendment to the Group Areas Act introduced management committees for the areas designated for coloured and Indian residents. These management committees were subordinate to the existing local authorityeither a municipality or the divisional council. From 1972 no new non-white voters could be registered as voters for municipal or divisional councils, and existing non-white voters lost their voting rights when a management committee was established for the area where they lived. In 1982 the Black Local Authorities Act created elected town councils for black communities. Five such councils were established in the Cape metropolitan areas. They were generally regarded as under-resourced and unsustainable, and were opposed by the United Democratic Front and other civic organisations. Turnout in BLA elections was very low. In 1987 the divisional councils of the Cape, Paarl and Stellenbosch were dissolved and the Western Cape Regional Services Council (RSC) was created in their place. The RSC councils were indirectly elected, consisting of representatives nominated by all the local authorities within its area, including municipalities, management committees and town councils. The Cape Rural Council represented the rural areas of the RSC that were not included in any local authority. Also in 1987, an act of the House of Assembly allowed the creation of local councils for white communities in peri-urban areas. Thus at the end of apartheid in 1994, there were over 50 different local authorities in existence in the metropolitan area, listed below. Western Cape Regional Services Council (RSC) Cape Rural Council Cities City of Cape Town City of Bellville Municipalities Brackenfell Municipality Durbanville Municipality Fish Hoek Municipality Goodwood Municipality Gordon's Bay Municipality Kraaifontein Municipality Kuils River Municipality Milnerton Municipality Parow Municipality Pinelands Municipality Simon's Town Municipality Somerset West Municipality Strand Municipality Management Committees (indicating in brackets the local authority to which they were subordinated) Athlone and District MC (City of Cape Town) Atlantis MC (RSC) Belhar MC (RSC) Cravenby MC (RSC) Elsie's River MC (RSC) Grassy Park MC (RSC) Kensington MC (City of Cape Town) Kraaifontein MC (Kraaifontein Municipality) Macassar MC (RSC) Matroosfontein/Nooitgedacht MC (RSC) Melton Rose/Blue Downs/Delft MC (RSC) Mitchells Plain MC (City of Cape Town) Morningstar MC (Durbanville Municipality) Ocean View MC (RSC) Proteaville MC (City of Bellville) Ravensmead MC (Parow Municipality) Retreat/Steenberg MC (City of Cape Town) Rylands Estate MC (City of Cape Town) Sarepta MC (Kuils River Municipality) Schotschekloof MC (City of Cape Town) Scottsdene MC (RSC) Sir Lowry's Pass MC (RSC) Strand MC (Strand Municipality) Strandfontein MC (City of Cape Town) Temperance Town MC (Gordon's Bay Municipality) Wittebome/Wynberg MC (City of Cape Town) Woodstock/Walmer Estate/Salt River MC (City of Cape Town) Town Councils Crossroads Town Council iKapa Town Council (Langa, Gugulethu and Nyanga) Lingelethu West Town Council (Khayelitsha) Lwandle Town Council Mfuleni Town Council Local Councils Atlantis Industria LC Bloubergstrand LC Constantia LC Kommetjie LC Llandudno LC Melkbosstrand LC Noordhoek LC Ottery East LC Scarborough LC Mamre Board of Management As part of the post-1994 reforms, municipal government experienced a complete overhaul. The existing local authorities, political parties, ratepayers' organisations, and community organisations were brought together into a negotiating forum. This forum agreed on the creation of a two-level local government system consisting of multiple transitional metropolitan substructures (TMSs), brought together in a transitional metropolitan council named the Cape Metropolitan Council (CMC). The CMC would replace the Regional Services Council and take over its responsibilities; it would also be responsible for metro-level planning and co-ordination, improving service delivery in disadvantaged areas, and cross-subsidization of poorer areas with revenue from affluent areas. Initially, in a period called the "pre-interim phase", the existing local authorities would become TMSs but their councils would be replaced by councillors nominated by the members of the negotiating forum. This agreement came into effect, and the pre-interim phase began, on 1 February 1995. The second phase of the transformation, known as the "interim phase" began on 29 May 1996 when local elections were held. The pre-interim TMSs were dissolved, and six new TMSs were established covering the whole metropolitan area: City of Cape Town (Central), City of Tygerberg, South Peninsula Municipality, Blaauwberg Municipality, Oostenberg Municipality, and Helderberg Municipality. The Cape Metropolitan Council continued with its coordinating functions. In 1998 Parliament enacted legislation (the Municipal Structures Act) determining the final form of local government in post-apartheid South Africa. This legislation determined that metropolitan areas would be governed by unified metropolitan municipalities. Local elections were held on 5 December 2000; the Cape Metropolitan Council and the six interim TMSs were dissolved and replaced by the unified City of Cape Town. It is for this reason that the City of Cape Town is sometimes referred to as the "Unicity". At the time of the 2000 election the northern boundary of the metropolitan area was also extended to include Philadelphia, Klipheuwel, and the surrounding farmland. The current municipality covers Cape Point in the south-west, Gordon's Bay in the south-east, and Atlantis in the north, and includes Robben Island. Politics and government Council Cape Town is governed by a 231-member city council elected in a system of mixed-member proportional representation. The city is divided into 116 wards, each of which elects a councillor by first-past-the-post voting. The remaining 115 councillors are elected from party lists so that the total number of councillors for each party is proportional to the number of votes received by that party. The makeup of the council after the 2021 election is shown in the following table. The speaker of the council is Felicity Purchase of the Democratic Alliance. The council is divided into 24 subcouncils which deal with local functions for between three and six wards. A subcouncil consists of the ward councillors and a similar number of proportionally-elected councillors assigned to the subcouncil. A subcounil is chaired by one of the councillors and appoints a manager to run its day-to-day business. A subcouncil does not have any inherent responsibilities in law, but it is entitled to make recommendations to the City Council about anything that affects its area. The City Council may also delegate responsibilities to the subcouncils. Executive The executive authority for the city is vested in an Executive Mayor who is elected by the council. The mayor appoints a mayoral committee whose members oversee various portfolios. A City Manager is appointed as the non-political head of the city's administration. With the Democratic Alliance (DA) having won an absolute majority of council seats in the election of 1 November 2021, its mayoral candidate Geordin Hill-Lewis, who had been a Member of Parliament since 2011, was elected. The Mayoral Committee consists of 10 members who are appointed by the Executive Mayor. Each member manages a different area of the local government. The current city manager is Lungelo Mbandazayo. He had been the acting city manager since the former city manager Achmat Ebrahim, who was appointed in April 2006, resigned in January 2018 amid misconduct allegations. He was formally appointed city manager in April 2018. The local municipality was one of the four to have passed the 2009-10 audit by the Auditor-General of South Africa, who deemed it to have a clean administration. Electoral history The City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality in its present form took shape after the 2000 municipal elections. The old Central Cape Town MLC council had been governed by the New National Party (NNP), but they were losing support to the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Party (DP). Fearing further losses, the NNP agreed to contest the upcoming local election in December 2000 together with the DP by forming the Democratic Alliance (DA), with DP and NNP members running as DA candidates. The DA won Cape Town with an outright majority, and Peter Marais, also a senior member of the provincial NNP, became mayor of the unicity. However, DA leader Tony Leon's attempt to remove Marais from his position in 2001 caused the disintegration of the alliance, and NNP came to ally with the ANC. Marais was replaced as mayor by Gerald Morkel, but Morkel was himself soon ousted during the October 2002 local floor crossing period after a large number of DA councillors had defected to the NNP. Nomaindia Mfeketo of the ANC became mayor supported by an ANC-NNP coalition. In 2004, after a dismal showing in the general elections that year, the NNP prepared for dissolution and merger with the ANC, and most of its councillors joined the governing party. This gave the ANC an outright majority on the council, which lasted until the next election. In the 2006 local government election, the DA was the largest single party, ahead of the ANC, but with no party holding a majority. The new Independent Democrats (ID) led by Patricia de Lille was in third place. The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) initiated negotiations with five other smaller parties who together formed a kingmaker block of fifteen councillors, collectively known as the Multi-Party Forum parties. Despite the ID voting with the ANC, Helen Zille of the DA was elected executive mayor on 15 March 2006 by a very narrow margin with the support of the Multi-Party Forum. Andrew Arnolds of the ACDP was elected executive deputy mayor and Jacob "Dirk" Smit of the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) was elected speaker. The initially fragile position of this new DA-led coalition, also known as the Multi-Party Government, was improved in January 2007 with the introduction of the ID following the expulsion of the small Africa Muslim Party for conspiring with the ANC. As a result of the ID's support, the coalition significantly increased its majority, resulting in a much more stable city government. The ID's Charlotte Williams became executive deputy mayor. However, she resigned just a few months later, and the post then went to Grant Haskin of the ACDP in late 2007. The DA would also bolster its position through by-election victories and floor crossing defections. With the ID and DA together holding a firm council majority, several of the smaller coalition partners were dropped from the city government by the time of the 2009 general elections, including the ACDP and FF+. The DA's Ian Neilson became deputy mayor, while Dirk Smit, who had defected to the DA, retained the position of speaker. Helen Zille left the mayorship the same year to take up the position of premier of the Western Cape, and Dan Plato became mayor. In 2010, the DA and ID formalized an agreement in which the ID would merge into the DA by 2014. This was prompted in part by the ID's disappointing result in the 2009 general election. As per the agreement, ID ceased to exist at the local level after the 2011 municipal elections with ID members running as DA candidates. DA won a large outright majority in the election, and ID leader Patricia de Lille, who had defeated Plato in an earlier internal election, became the new mayor. The party extended its lead even further to win a two-thirds majority of the seats on the City of Cape Town council in the 2016 municipal elections, and De Lille was thus sworn in to serve a second term. It was however cut short following her resignation on 31 October 2018 after an extended battle with her party over accusations of covering up corruption, accusations she strongly denied. The previous mayor Dan Plato was chosen as her successor. The DA's Geordin Hill-Lewis was voted in as mayor after the 2021 local government elections. The following table shows the results of the 2021 election. By-elections from November 2021 The following by-elections were held to fill vacant ward seats in the period since the election in November 2021. Demographics Geography The municipality has a total area of 2455 km2. Subdivision varies according to purpose. Main places for census purposes may differ from planning districts. Main places The 2001 census divided the municipality into the following main places: Planning districts The planning districts are: Blaauwberg, which includes subdistricts: Atlantis, Blouberg, Mamre, Melkboschstrand, Table View, and parts of Cape Farms, Goodwood, Milnerton, and Maitland. Cape Flats, which includes subdistricts: Athlone, False Bay Coastal Park, Grassy Park, Guguletu, Hanover Park, Manenberg, Ottery, Pelican Park, and parts of Muizenberg, Retreat, and Rondebosch. Helderberg, which includes subdistricts: Gordon's Bay, Macassar, Sir Lowry's Pass ,Somerset West, Stellenbosch Farms and Strand. Khayelitsha/Mitchells Plain, which includes subdistricts: Blackheath, Blue Downs, Eerste River, Khayelitsha, Mitchell's Plain, and part of Guguletu Northern, which includes subdistricts: Brackenfell, Durbanville, Eversdal, Joostenbergvlakte, Kenridge, Kraaifontein, Malmesbury Farms, Vredekloof, and Welgemoed. Southern, which includes subdistricts: Bergvliet, Cape Point, Constantia, Fish Hoek, Hout Bay, Kalk Bay, Kommetjie, Newlands, Noordhoek, Ocean View, Plumstead, Simon's Town, Tokai, Wynberg, parts of Muizenberg, Retreat, Rondebosch, and Table Mountain. Table Bay, which includes subdistricts: Camps Bay, Cape Town, Observatory, Pinelands, Robben Island, Sea Point, Signal Hill/Lion's Head, and parts of Epping, Goodwood, Langa, Maitland, and Table Mountain, Tygerberg, which includes subdistricts: Airport, Bellville, Bishop Lavis, Delft, Elsies River, Kalsteenfontein, Kuils River, Parow, Plattekloof, and parts of Epping, Goodwood, and Milnerton. Adjacent municipalities Swartland Local Municipality, West Coast District Municipality (north) Drakenstein Local Municipality, Cape Winelands District Municipality (northeast) Stellenbosch Local Municipality, Cape Winelands District Municipality (northeast) Theewaterskloof Local Municipality, Overberg District Municipality (east) Overstrand Local Municipality, Overberg District Municipality (southeast) The City of Cape Town is also bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west. See also References External links City of Cape Town official website City of Cape Town on the Western Cape Government website City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipalities of South Africa Municipalities of the Western Cape Districts of the Western Cape

4043755

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old%20Town%20Square

Old Town Square

Old Town Square ( or colloquially ) is a historic square in the Old Town quarter of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. It is located between Wenceslas Square and Charles Bridge. Buildings The square features buildings belonging to various architectural styles, including the Gothic Church of Our Lady before Týn, which has been the main church of this part of the city since the 14th century. Its characteristic towers are 80 m high. The Baroque St. Nicholas Church is another church located in the square. Prague Orloj is a medieval astronomical clock mounted on the Old Town Hall. The clock was first installed in 1410, making it the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still in operation. The tower of the Old Town Hall is open to the public and offers panoramic views of the Old Town. An art museum of the Czech National Gallery is located in the Kinský Palace. Statues and memorials The square's centre is home to a statue of religious reformer Jan Hus, who was burned at the stake in Konstanz for his beliefs. This led to the Hussite Wars. The statue known as the Jan Hus Memorial was erected on 6 July 1915 to mark the 500th anniversary of his death. In front of the Old Town Hall, there is also a memorial to the "martyrs" (including Jan Jesenius and Maxmilián Hošťálek) beheaded on that spot during the Old Town Square execution by Habsburgs, after the Battle of White Mountain. Twenty-seven crosses mark the pavement in their honour. The crosses were installed during the repairs of the Old Town Hall after the Second World War, while a nearby plaque which lists the names of all 27 victims dates from 1911. Orthodox Czechs do not trample these crosses out of respect. On 3 November 1918, a Marian Column that had been erected in the square shortly after the Thirty Years' War was demolished in celebration of independence from the Habsburg empire. The column was re-erected in 2020. Markets At Christmas and Easter, markets are held on the square; they resemble medieval markets. A tall decorated tree and a musical stage are set up. The Christmas Markets in Old Town Square are the largest Christmas markets in the Czech Republic and are visited by hundreds of thousands of visitors from the Czech Republic and abroad, primarily Germans, Russians, Italians and Britons. In 2016, CNN ranked Prague's Christmas Markets among the 10 best ones worldwide. See also Old Town Square execution References External links Photos of Old Town Square and Background Information Old Town Square Live WebCam Execution sites National Cultural Monuments of the Czech Republic Squares in Prague

4043780

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tong%20Jian

Tong Jian

Tong Jian (; born August 15, 1979 in Harbin, Heilongjiang) is a Chinese retired pair skater. With his wife Pang Qing, he is the 2010 Olympic silver medalist, 2006 and 2010 World Champion, a five-time Four Continents champion (2002, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2011) and the 2008 Grand Prix Final Champion. Career Tong was born into a Manchurian family in the city of Harbin, China, the home of Chinese pair skating. He began skating at age six. He originally competed as a single skater. He then competed as an ice dancer for two years because of his weak jumps. After his short ice dancing career, Tong switched to pairs. He previously competed with Zhang Xiwen. In 1993, coach Yao Bin teamed him up with Qing and they have been skating together ever since. When Yao moved to Beijing, Pang and Tong trained without a coach until 1997, when they began training under Yao again. Pang and Tong did not have a strong junior career, perhaps due to the fact that the Junior Grand Prix did not exist when they were skating at the junior level. They placed 14th, 9th, and 8th at the World Junior Championships between 1997 and 1999. After that, they went senior. Pang and Tong won the silver medal at the 1997 Chinese national championships, but did not represent China at the World Championships until 1999. They are the 2000 Chinese national champions. At their first major senior international, the 1999 Four Continents Championships (the first Four Continents ever held), they placed 5th. They then went to their first Worlds, where they placed 14th. In the 1999–2000 season, Pang and Tong made their Grand Prix debut. They placed 4th at Skate Canada and 5th at Cup of Russia. They slowly moved up the ranks over the years. At the 2002 Winter Olympics, coming in as the Four Continents Champions, they placed 9th. Following the 2001–2002 season, Pang and Tong began to be contenders. They consistently placed on the podium at their Grand Prix events. They won their first World medal (a bronze) at the 2004 World Championships. After their first world medal, they had a rough 2004–2005 season and a shaky start at the beginning of the 2005–2006 season. They recovered with consistency by the 2006 Olympics, where they placed a controversial 4th behind teammates Shen Xue & Hongbo Zhao and Zhang Dan & Zhang Hao. They went to the 2006 Worlds and won it. In the 2006–2007 season, Pang and Tong were unable to defend their World title. They were forced to withdraw from Skate America due to injury. They won the silver medal at the Cup of China, the Asian Winter Games, and the Four Continents Championships. At Worlds, they placed second. During the 2007–2008 season, Pang and Tong had a rough start, losing two out of their three Grand Prix events. They came back strong midseason by winning the bronze at the Grand Prix Final and their third Four Continents title. They ended their season with a disappointing 5th at the World Championships. During the 2008–2009 season, Pang and Tong had another rough outing at their first event, the Cup of China. Despite this, they went on the two win their next Grand Prix events and the final. During that season, they made history, when they went on to win a record setting fourth Four Continents title and have now won more Four Continent titles than any other person. Despite the momentum they had built, they had another disappointing World Championships, where they were once again finished the podium. During the 2009–2010 season, Pang and Tong won both of their Grand Prix events and a silver at the Grand Prix Final, defeating all the world medalists at the previous world championship. In the 2010 Winter Olympics, Pang and Tong set a new World Record for the free skate with a score of 141.81 points. They placed second place behind Shen Xue and Hongbo Zhao thanks to their teammates world record-setting short program. The People's Republic of China broke Russia's 46-year twelve Olympic gold medal streak in pairs skating, sweeping gold and silver places. Pang and Tong became the 2010 World Champions in Turin, Italy. For the 2010–2011 ISU Grand Prix season, Pang and Tong were assigned to the 2010 NHK Trophy and to the 2010 Cup of China. They won both of their Grand Prix assignments to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where they won silver. They won the bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships. Pang and Tong withdrew from their assigned 2011–12 Grand Prix events, however, returned to competition in January 2012, where they won gold at the Chinese National Winter Games. They earned first-place marks in the short program (70.24) and free skate (126.31). They competed at and finished fourth at the 2012 World Championships in what was their only ISU international event of the season. For the 2012–13 season, Pang and Tong medaled at both their Grand Prix events, taking second at 2012 Skate America and first at 2012 Cup of China. They went on to win the bronze at the 2012–13 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. They were fifth at the 2013 World Figure Skating Championships. During the 2013–14 season, Pang and Tong finished second at 2013 Cup of China and first at 2013 Trophée Éric Bompard before winning bronze again at the 2013–14 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. They went on to finish fourth at the 2014 Winter Olympics, their fourth consecutive Olympic Games. For the 2014–15 season, Pang and Tong competed at the 2015 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships and 2015 World Figure Skating Championships, placing third at both events. Personal life Although they had not spoken about their personal lives, Pang and Tong revealed publicly in an issue of Vanity Fair during the 2010 Winter Olympics that they were romantically involved. In June 2011, the pair became engaged after Tong proposed on-ice to Pang at a show in Shanghai. They got married on June 18, 2016. Programs Competitive highlights (with Pang) Detailed results References External links Official website 1979 births Chinese male pair skaters Olympic figure skaters of China Figure skaters at the 2002 Winter Olympics Figure skaters at the 2006 Winter Olympics Figure skaters at the 2010 Winter Olympics Figure skaters at the 2014 Winter Olympics Living people Olympic silver medalists for China Figure skaters from Harbin Olympic medalists in figure skating World Figure Skating Championships medalists Four Continents Figure Skating Championships medalists Medalists at the 2010 Winter Olympics Asian Games medalists in figure skating Figure skaters at the 2003 Asian Winter Games Figure skaters at the 2007 Asian Winter Games Figure skaters at the 2011 Asian Winter Games Asian Games gold medalists for China Asian Games silver medalists for China Medalists at the 2003 Asian Winter Games Medalists at the 2007 Asian Winter Games Medalists at the 2011 Asian Winter Games Universiade medalists in figure skating Manchu sportspeople Universiade silver medalists for China Competitors at the 1999 Winter Universiade

4043787

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingua%20%28journal%29

Lingua (journal)

Lingua: An International Review of General Linguistics is a peer-reviewed academic journal of general linguistics that was established in 1949 and is published by Elsevier. Its editor-in-chief is Marta Dynel (University of Lodz). In October 2015 the editors and editorial board of Lingua resigned en masse to protest their inability to come to an agreement with Elsevier regarding fair pricing models for open access publishing. They subsequently started a new journal, Glossa. Since then, the majority of the linguistics community has supported Glossa and boycotted Lingua. As part of the boycott, the journal got the pejorative nickname Zombie Lingua. References External links Linguistics journals Elsevier academic journals Publications established in 1949 English-language journals Journals published between 13 and 25 times per year Hybrid open access journals

4043790

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skydiggers/Cash%20Brothers

Skydiggers/Cash Brothers

Skydiggers/Cash Brothers is a CD by the Canadian bands Skydiggers and The Cash Brothers, released in 2006. The CD evolved from a series of collaborative shows played by the two bands in the fall and winter of 2005 and 2006. The bands have had a long and extensive shared history — Peter Cash is a former member of Skydiggers, and Andrew Cash was a frequent collaborator with the band in their early years of performing. Track listing I Know You Lie Awake (A. Cash/P. Cash) Smile Me Down (A. Cash) Overcast and Grey (Finlayson/Maize/Jamieson) Maybe Some Day (A. Cash/P. Cash) I'm Coming Home (A. Cash/P. Cash) Heart-a-Pounding (A. Cash/P. Cash) Barely Made it Through (A. Cash/P. Cash) Only Now (Finlayson/Maize) Falling Down (A. Cash/P. Cash) From Down the Line (Finlayson/Maize) Nowhere to Go But Up (A. Cash/P. Cash) An Honest Day's Work (Finlayson/Maize) 2006 albums Skydiggers albums The Cash Brothers albums

4043791

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahar%20Zoughari%20Stadium

Tahar Zoughari Stadium

Tahar Zoughari Stadium () is a multi-use stadium in Relizane, Algeria. It is mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 30,000 people. RC Relizane are tenants. The stadium was opened on 18 March 1987. References Tahar Zoughari Buildings and structures in Relizane Province

4043799

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linguistic%20history%20of%20India

Linguistic history of India

Since the Iron Age in India, the native languages of the Indian subcontinent are divided into various language families, of which the Indo-Aryan and the Dravidian are the most widely spoken. There are also many languages belonging to unrelated language families such as Austroasiatic and Sino-Tibetan, spoken by smaller groups. Indo-Aryan languages Proto-Indo-Aryan Proto-Indo-Aryan is a proto-language hypothesized to have been the direct ancestor of all Indo-Aryan languages. It would have had similarities to Proto-Indo-Iranian, but would ultimately have used Sanskritized phonemes and morphemes. Old Indo-Aryan Vedic Sanskrit Vedic Sanskrit is the language of the Vedas, a large collection of hymns, incantations, and religio-philosophical discussions which form the earliest religious texts in India and the basis for much of the Hindu religion. Modern linguists consider the metrical hymns of the Rigveda to be the earliest. The hymns preserved in the Rigveda were preserved by oral tradition alone over several centuries before the introduction of writing, the oldest Aryan language among them predating the introduction of Brahmi by as much as a millennium. The end of the Vedic period is marked by the composition of the Upanishads, which form the concluding part of the Vedic corpus in the traditional compilations, dated to roughly 500 BCE. It is around this time that Sanskrit began the transition from a first language to a second language of religion and learning, marking the beginning of Classical India. Classical Sanskrit The oldest language surviving Sanskrit grammar is Pāṇini's Aṣṭādhyāyī ("Eight-Chapter Grammar") dating to c. the 5th century BCE. It is essentially a prescriptive grammar, i.e., an authority that defines (rather than describes) correct Sanskrit, although it contains descriptive parts, mostly to account for Vedic forms that had already passed out of use in Pāṇini's time. Knowledge of Sanskrit was a marker of social class and educational attainment. Vedic Sanskrit and Classical or "Paninian" Sanskrit, while broadly similar, are separate varieties, which differ in a number of points of phonology, vocabulary, and grammar. Middle Indo-Aryan Prakrits Prakrit (Sanskrit prākṛta प्राकृत, the past participle of प्राकृ, meaning "original, natural, artless, normal, ordinary, usual", i.e. "vernacular", in contrast to samskrta "excellently made", both adjectives elliptically referring to vak "speech") is the broad family of Indo-Aryan languages and dialects spoken in ancient India. Some modern scholars include all Middle Indo-Aryan languages under the rubric of "Prakrits", while others emphasise the independent development of these languages, often separated from the history of Sanskrit by wide divisions of caste, religion, and geography. The Prakrits became literary languages, generally patronized by kings identified with the kshatriya caste. The earliest inscriptions in Prakrit are those of Ashoka, emperor of the Maurya Empire, and while the various Prakrit languages are associated with different patron dynasties, with different religions and different literary traditions. In Sanskrit drama, kings speak in Prakrit when addressing women or servants, in contrast to the Sanskrit used in reciting more formal poetic monologues. The three Dramatic Prakrits – Sauraseni, Magadhi, Maharashtri, as well as Jain Prakrit each represent a distinct tradition of literature within the history of India. Other Prakrits are reported in historical sources, but have no extant corpus (e.g., Paisaci). Pali Pali is the Middle Indo-Aryan language in which the Theravada Buddhist scriptures and commentaries are preserved. Pali is believed by the Theravada tradition to be the same language as Magadhi, but modern scholars believe this to be unlikely. Pali shows signs of development from several underlying Prakrits as well as some Sanskritisation. The Prakrit of the North-western area of India known as Gāndhāra has come to be called Gāndhārī. A few documents are written in the Kharoṣṭhi script survive including a version of the Dhammapada. Apabhraṃśa/Apasabda The Prakrits (which includes Pali) were gradually transformed into Apabhraṃśas (अपभ्रंश) which were used until about the 13th century CE. The term apabhraṃśa, meaning "fallen away", refers to the dialects of Northern India before the rise of modern Northern Indian languages, and implies a corrupt or non-standard language. A significant amount of apabhraṃśa literature has been found in Jain libraries. While Amir Khusro and Kabir were writing in a language quite similar to modern Hindi-Urdu, many poets, especially in regions that were still ruled by Hindu kings, continued to write in Apabhraṃśa. Apabhraṃśa authors include Sarahapad of Kamarupa, Devasena of Dhar (9th century CE), Pushpadanta of Manikhet (9th century CE), Dhanapal, Muni Ramsimha, Hemachandra of Patan, Raighu of Gwalior (15th century CE). An early example of the use of Apabhraṃśa is in Vikramōrvaśīyam of Kalidasa, when Pururava asks the animals in the forest about his beloved who had disappeared. Modern Indo-Aryan Hindustani Hindustani is right now the most spoken language in the Indian subcontinent and the fourth most spoken language in the world. The development of Hindustani revolves around the various Hindi dialects originating mainly from Sauraseni Apabhramsha. A Jain text Shravakachar written in 933AD is considered the first Hindi book. Modern Hindi is based on the prestigious Khariboli dialect which started to take Persian and Arabic words too with the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate; however, the Arabic-Persian influence was profound mainly on Urdu and to a lesser extent on Hindi.Khadiboli also started to spread across North India as a vernacular form previously commonly known as Hindustani. Amir Khusrow wrote poems in Khariboli and Brajbhasha and referred that language as Hindavi. During the Bhakti era, many poems were composed in Khariboli, Brajbhasa, and Awadhi. One such classic is Ramcharitmanas, written by Tulsidas in Awadhi. In 1623 Jatmal wrote a book in Khariboli with the name 'Gora Badal ki Katha'. The establishment of British rule in the subcontinent saw the clear division of Hindi and Urdu registers. This period also saw the rise of modern Hindi literature starting with Bharatendu Harishchandra. This period also shows further Sanskritization of the Hindi language in literature. Hindi is right now the official language in nine states of India— Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh—and the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Post-independence Hindi became the official language of the Central Government of India along with English. Urdu has been the national and official language of Pakistan as well as the lingua franca of the country. Outside the India, Hindustani is widely understood in other parts of the Indian subcontinent and also used as a lingua franca, and is the main language of Bollywood. Marathi Marathi is one of several languages that further descend from Maharashtri Prakrit. Further change led to the Apabhraṃśa languages like Old Marathi, however, this is challenged by Bloch (1970), who states that Apabhraṃśa was formed after Marathi had already separated from the Middle Indian dialect. The earliest example of Maharashtri as a separate language dates to approximately 3rd century BCE: a stone inscription found in a cave at Naneghat, Junnar in Pune district had been written in Maharashtri using Brahmi script. A committee appointed by the Maharashtra State Government to get the Classical status for Marathi has claimed that Marathi existed at least 2300 years ago alongside Sanskrit as a sister language. Marathi, a derivative of Maharashtri, is probably first attested in a 739 CE copper-plate inscription found in Satara After 1187 CE, the use of Marathi grew substantially in the inscriptions of the Seuna (Yadava) kings, who earlier used Kannada and Sanskrit in their inscriptions. Marathi became the dominant language of epigraphy during the last half century of the dynasty's rule (14th century), and may have been a result of the Yadava attempts to connect with their Marathi-speaking subjects and to distinguish themselves from the Kannada-speaking Hoysalas. Marathi gained prominence with the rise of the Maratha Empire beginning with the reign of Shivaji (1630–1680). Under him, the language used in administrative documents became less persianised. Whereas in 1630, 80% of the vocabulary was Persian, it dropped to 37% by 1677 The British colonial period starting in early 1800s saw standardisation of Marathi grammar through the efforts of the Christian missionary William Carey. Carey's dictionary had fewer entries and Marathi words were in Devanagari. Translations of the Bible were first books to be printed in Marathi. These translations by William Carey, the American Marathi mission and the Scottish missionaries led to the development of a peculiar pidginized Marathi called "Missionary Marathi” in the early 1800s. After Indian independence, Marathi was accorded the status of a scheduled language on the national level. In 1956, the then Bombay state was reorganized which brought most Marathi and Gujarati speaking areas under one state. Further re-organization of the Bombay state on 1 May 1960, created the Marathi speaking Maharashtra and Gujarati speaking Gujarat state respectively. With state and cultural protection, Marathi made great strides by the 1990s. Dravidian languages The Dravidian family of languages includes approximately 73 languages that are mainly spoken in southern India and northeastern Sri Lanka, as well as certain areas in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and eastern and central India, as well as in parts of southern Afghanistan, and overseas in other countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Malaysia and Singapore. The origins of the Dravidian languages, as well as their subsequent development and the period of their differentiation, are unclear, and the situation is not helped by the lack of comparative linguistic research into the Dravidian languages. Many linguists, however, tend to favor the theory that speakers of Dravidian languages spread southwards and eastwards through the Indian subcontinent, based on the fact that the southern Dravidian languages show some signs of contact with linguistic groups which the northern Dravidian languages do not. Proto-Dravidian is thought to have differentiated into Proto-North Dravidian, Proto-Central Dravidian and Proto-South Dravidian around 1500 BCE, although some linguists have argued that the degree of differentiation between the sub-families points to an earlier split. It was not until 1856 that Robert Caldwell published his Comparative grammar of the Dravidian or South-Indian family of languages, which considerably expanded the Dravidian umbrella and established it as one of the major language groups of the world. Caldwell coined the term "Dravidian" from the Sanskrit drāvida, related to the word 'Tamil' or 'Tamilan', which is seen in such forms as into 'Dramila', 'Drami˜a', 'Dramida' and 'Dravida' which was used in a 7th-century text to refer to the languages of the southern India. The Dravidian Etymological Dictionary was published by T. Burrow and M. B. Emeneau. History of Tamil Linguistic reconstruction suggests that Proto-Dravidian was spoken around the 6th millennium BCE. The material evidence suggests that the speakers of Proto-Dravidian were the culture associated with the Neolithic complexes of South India. The next phase in the reconstructed proto-history of Tamil is Proto-South Dravidian. The linguistic evidence suggests that Proto-South Dravidian was spoken around the middle of the 2nd millennium BCE and Old Tamil emerged around the 6th century BCE. The earliest epigraphic attestations of Tamil are generally taken to have been written shortly thereafter. Among Indian languages, Tamil has one of the ancient Indian literature besides others. Scholars categorise the attested history of the language into three periods, Old Tamil (400 BCE – 700 CE), Middle Tamil (700–1600) and Modern Tamil (1600–present). Old Tamil The earliest records in Old Tamil are short inscriptions from around the 6th century BCE in caves and on pottery. These inscriptions are written in a variant of the Brahmi script called Tamil Brahmi. The earliest long text in Old Tamil is the Tolkāppiyam, an early work on Tamil grammar and poetics, whose oldest layers could be as old as the 2nd century BCE. A large number of literary works in Old Tamil have also survived. These include a corpus of 2,381 poems collectively known as Sangam literature. These poems are usually dated to between the 1st and 5th centuries CE, which makes them the oldest extant body of secular literature in India. Other literary works in Old Tamil include two long epics, Cilappatikaram and Manimekalai, and a number of ethical and didactic texts, written between the 5th and 8th centuries. Old Tamil preserved some features of Proto-Dravidian, including the inventory of consonants, the syllable structure, and various grammatical features. Amongst these was the absence of a distinct present tense – like Proto-Dravidian, Old Tamil only had two tenses, the past and the "non-past". Old Tamil verbs also had a distinct negative conjugation (e.g. (காணேன்) "I do not see", (காணோம்) "we do not see"). Nouns could take pronominal suffixes like verbs to express ideas: e.g. (பெண்டிரேம்) "we are women" formed from (பெண்டிர்) "women" + - (ஏம்) and the first person plural marker. Despite the significant amount of grammatical and syntactical change between Old, Middle and Modern Tamil, Tamil demonstrates grammatical continuity across these stages: many characteristics of the later stages of the language have their roots in features of Old Tamil. Middle Tamil The evolution of Old Tamil into Middle Tamil, which is generally taken to have been completed by the 8th century, was characterised by a number of phonological and grammatical changes. In phonological terms, the most important shifts were the virtual disappearance of the aytam (ஃ), an old phoneme, the coalescence of the alveolar and dental nasals, and the transformation of the alveolar plosive into a rhotic. In grammar, the most important change was the emergence of the present tense. The present tense evolved out of the verb (கில்), meaning "to be possible" or "to befall". In Old Tamil, this verb was used as an aspect marker to indicate that an action was micro-durative, non-sustained or non-lasting, usually in combination with a time marker such as (ன்). In Middle Tamil, this usage evolved into a present tense marker – (கின்ற) – which combined the old aspect and time markers. Middle Tamil also saw a significant increase in the Sanskritisation of Tamil. From the period of the Pallava dynasty onwards, a number of Sanskrit loan-words entered Tamil, particularly in relation to political, religious and philosophical concepts. Sanskrit also influenced Tamil grammar, in the increased use of cases and in declined nouns becoming adjuncts of verbs, and phonology. The Tamil script also changed in the period of Middle Tamil. Tamil Brahmi and Vaṭṭeḻuttu, into which it evolved, were the main scripts used in Old Tamil inscriptions. From the 8th century onwards, however, the Pallavas began using a new script, derived from the Pallava Grantha script which was used to write Sanskrit, which eventually replaced Vaṭṭeḻuttu. Middle Tamil is attested in a large number of inscriptions, and in a significant body of secular and religious literature. These include the religious poems and songs of the Bhakthi poets, such as the Tēvāram verses on Saivism and Nālāyira Tivya Pirapantam on Vaishnavism, and adaptations of religious legends such as the 12th-century Tamil Ramayana composed by Kamban and the story of 63 shaivite devotees known as Periyapurāṇam. Iraiyaṉār Akapporuḷ, an early treatise on love poetics, and Naṉṉūl, a 12th-century grammar that became the standard grammar of literary Tamil, are also from the Middle Tamil period. Modern Tamil The Nannul remains the standard normative grammar for modern literary Tamil, which therefore continues to be based on Middle Tamil of the 13th century rather than on Modern Tamil. Colloquial spoken Tamil, in contrast, shows a number of changes. The negative conjugation of verbs, for example, has fallen out of use in Modern Tamil – negation is, instead, expressed either morphologically or syntactically. Modern spoken Tamil also shows a number of sound changes, in particular, a tendency to lower high vowels in initial and medial positions, and the disappearance of vowels between plosives and between a plosive and rhotic. Contact with European languages also affected both written and spoken Tamil. Changes in written Tamil include the use of European-style punctuation and the use of consonant clusters that were not permitted in Middle Tamil. The syntax of written Tamil has also changed, with the introduction of new aspectual auxiliaries and more complex sentence structures, and with the emergence of a more rigid word order that resembles the syntactic argument structure of English. Simultaneously, a strong strain of linguistic purism emerged in the early 20th century, culminating in the Pure Tamil Movement which called for removal of all Sanskritic and other foreign elements from Tamil. It received some support from Dravidian parties and nationalists who supported Tamil independence. This led to the replacement of a significant number of Sanskrit loanwords by Tamil equivalents, though many others remain. Literature Tamil literature has a rich and long literary tradition spanning more than two thousand years. The oldest extant works show signs of maturity indicating an even longer period of evolution. Contributors to the Tamil literature are mainly from Tamil people from Tamil Nadu, Sri Lankan Tamils from Sri Lanka, and from Tamil diaspora. Also, there have been notable contributions from European authors. The history of Tamil literature follows the history of Tamil Nadu, closely following the social and political trends of various periods. The secular nature of the early Sangam poetry gave way to works of religious and didactic nature during the Middle Ages. Jain and Buddhist authors during the medieval period and Muslim and European authors later, contributed to the growth of Tamil literature. A revival of Tamil literature took place from the late 19th century when works of religious and philosophical nature were written in a style that made it easier for the common people to enjoy. Nationalist poets began to utilize the power of poetry in influencing the masses. With the growth of literacy, Tamil prose began to blossom and mature. Short stories and novels began to appear. The popularity of Tamil Cinema has also provided opportunities for modern Tamil poets to emerge. History of Kannada Kannada is one of oldest languages in South India. The spoken language is said to have separated from its proto-language source earlier than Tamil and about the same time as Tulu. However, archaeological evidence would indicate a written tradition for this language of around 1600–1650 years. The initial development of the Kannada language is similar to that of other south Indian languages. Stages of development By the time Halmidi shasana (stone inscription) Kannada had become an official language. Some of the linguistics suggest that Tamil & HaLegannada are very similar or might have same roots. Ex: For milk in both languages it is 'Haalu', the postfix to the names of elders to show respect is 'avar / avargaL'. 600 – 1200 AD During this era, language underwent a lot of changes as seen from the literary works of great poets of the era viz Pampa, Ranna, Ponna. 1400 – 1600 AD Vijayanagar Empire which is called the Golden era in the history of medieval India saw a lot of development in all literary form of both Kannada and Telugu. During the ruling of the King Krishnadevaraya many wonderful works. Poet Kumaravyasa wrote Mahabharata in Kannada in a unique style called "shatpadi" (six lines is a stanza of the poem). This era also saw the origin of Dasa Sahitya, the Carnatic music. Purandaradasa and Kanakadasa wrote several songs praising Lord Krishna. This gave a new dimension to Kannada literature. Stone inscriptions The first written record in the Kannada language is traced to Emperor Ashoka's Brahmagiri edict dated 200 BCE. The first example of a full-length Kannada language stone inscription (shilashaasana) containing Brahmi characters with characteristics attributed to those of protokannada in Hale Kannada (Old Kannada) script can be found in the Halmidi inscription, dated c. 450, indicating that Kannada had become an administrative language by this time. Over 30,000 inscriptions written in the Kannada language have been discovered so far. The Chikkamagaluru inscription of 500 CE is another example. Prior to the Halmidi inscription, there is an abundance of inscriptions containing Kannada words, phrases and sentences, proving its antiquity. Badami cliff shilashaasana of Pulakeshin I is an example of a Sanskrit inscription in Hale Kannada script. Copper plates and manuscripts Examples of early Sanskrit-Kannada bilingual copper plate inscriptions (tamarashaasana) are the Tumbula inscriptions of the Western Ganga Dynasty dated 444 AD The earliest full-length Kannada tamarashaasana in Old Kannada script (early 8th century) belongs to Alupa King Aluvarasa II from Belmannu, South Kanara district and displays the double crested fish, his royal emblem. The oldest well-preserved palm leaf manuscript is in Old Kannada and is that of Dhavala, dated to around the 9th century, preserved in the Jain Bhandar, Mudbidri, Dakshina Kannada district. The manuscript contains 1478 leaves written in ink. History of Telugu Origins Telugu is hypothesised to have originated from a reconstructed Proto-Dravidian language. It is a highly Sanskritised language; as Telugu scholar C.P Brown states in page 266 of his book A Grammar of the Telugu language: "if we ever make any real progress in the language the student will require the aid of the Sanskrit Dictionary". Prakrit Inscriptions containing Telugu words dated around 400–100 BCE were discovered in Bhattiprolu in District of Guntur. English translation of one inscription as reads: "Gift of the slab by venerable Midikilayakha". Stages From 575 CE, we begin to find traces of Telugu in inscriptions and literature, it is possible to broadly define four stages in the linguistic history of the Telugu language: 575 –1100 The first inscription that is entirely in Telugu corresponds to the second phase of Telugu history. This inscription, dated 575, was found in the districts of Kadapa and Kurnool and is attributed to the Renati Cholas, who broke with the prevailing practice of using Prakrit and began writing royal proclamations in the local language. During the next fifty years, Telugu inscriptions appeared in Anantapuram and other neighboring regions. The earliest dated Telugu inscription from coastal Andhra Pradesh comes from about 633 . Around the same time, the Chalukya kings of Telangana also began using Telugu for inscriptions. Telugu was more influenced by Sanskrit than Prakrit during this period, which corresponded to the advent of Telugu literature. One of the oldest Telugu stone inscriptions containing literature was the 11-line inscription dated between 946 and 968 found on a hillock known as Bommalagutta in Kurikyala village of Karimnagar district, Telangana. The sing-song Telugu rhyme was the work of Jinavallabha, the younger brother of Pampa who was the court poet of Vemulavada Chalukya king Arikesari III. This literature was initially found in inscriptions and poetry in the courts of the rulers, and later in written works such as Nannayya's Mahabharatam (1022 ). During the time of Nannayya, the literary language diverged from the popular language. This was also a period of phonetic changes in the spoken language. 1100 – 1400 The third phase is marked by further stylization and sophistication of the literary language. Ketana (13th century CE) in fact prohibited the use of the vernacular in poetic works. During this period the divergence of the Telugu script from the common Telugu-Kannada script took place. Tikkana wrote his works in this script. 1400–1900 Telugu underwent a great deal of change (as did other Indian languages), progressing from medieval to modern. The language of the Telangana region started to split into a distinct dialect due to Muslim influence: Sultanate rule under the Tughlaq dynasty had been established earlier in the northern Deccan during the 14th century CE. South of the Krishna River (in the Rayalaseema region), however, the Vijayanagara Empire gained dominance from 1336 CE until the late 17th century, reaching its peak during the rule of Krishnadevaraya in the 16th century, when Telugu literature experienced what is considered to be its golden age. Padakavithapithamaha, Annamayya, contributed many atcha (pristine) Telugu Padaalu to this great language. In the latter half of the 17th century, Muslim rule extended further south, culminating in the establishment of the princely state of Hyderabad by the Asaf Jah dynasty in 1724 CE. This heralded an era of Persian/Arabic influence on the Telugu language, especially on that spoken by the inhabitants of Hyderabad. The effect is also felt in the prose of the early 19th century, as in the Kaifiyats. 1900 to date The period of the late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the influence of the English language and modern communication/printing press as an effect of the British rule, especially in the areas that were part of the Madras Presidency. Literature from this time had a mix of classical and modern traditions and included works by scholars like Kandukuri Viresalingam, Gurazada Apparao, and Panuganti Lakshminarasimha Rao. Since the 1930s, what was considered an elite literary form of the Telugu language has now spread to the common people with the introduction of mass media like movies, television, radio and newspapers. This form of the language is also taught in schools as a standard. In the current decade the Telugu language, like other Indian languages, has undergone globalization due to the increasing settlement of Telugu-speaking people abroad. Modern Telugu movies, although still retaining their dramatic quality, are linguistically separate from post-Independence films. At present, a committee of scholars have approved a classical language tag for Telugu based on its antiquity. The Indian government has also officially designated it as a classical language. Carnatic music Though Carnatic music, one of two main subgenres of Indian classical music that evolved from ancient Hindu traditions, has a profound cultural influence on all of the South Indian states and their respective languages, most songs (Kirtanas) are in Kannada and Telugu. Purandara Dasa, said to have composed at least a quarter million songs and known as the "father" of Carnatic music composed in Kannada. The region to the east of Tamil Nadu stretching from Tanjore in the south to Andhra Pradesh in the north was known as the Carnatic region during 17th and 18th centuries. The Carnatic war in which Robert Clive annexed Trichirapali is relevant. The music that prevailed in this region during the 18th century onwards was known as Carnatic music. This is because the existing tradition is to a great extent an outgrowth of the musical life of the principality of Thanjavur in the Kaveri delta. Thanjavur was the heart of the Chola dynasty (from the 9th century to the 13th), but in the second quarter of the 16th century a Telugu Nayak viceroy (Raghunatha Nayaka) was appointed by the emperor of Vijayanagara, thus establishing a court whose language was Telugu. The Nayaks acted as governors of what is present-day Tamil Nadu with their headquarters at Thanjavur (1530–1674 CE) and Madurai(1530–1781 CE). After the collapse of Vijayanagar, Thanjavur and Madurai Nayaks became independent and ruled for the next 150 years until they were replaced by Marathas. This was the period when several Telugu families migrated from Andhra and settled down in Thanjavur and Madurai. Most great composers of Carnatic music belonged to these Telugu families. Telugu words end in vowels which many consider a mellifluous quality and thus suitable for musical expression. Of the trinity of Carnatic music composers, Tyagaraja's and Syama Sastri's compositions were largely in Telugu, while Muttuswami Dikshitar is noted for his Sanskrit texts. Tyagaraja is remembered both for his devotion and the bhava of his krithi, a song form consisting of pallavi, (the first section of a song) anupallavi (a rhyming section that follows the pallavi) and charanam (a sung stanza which serves as a refrain for several passages in the composition). The texts of his kritis are almost all in Sanskrit, in Telugu (the contemporary language of the court). This use of a living language, as opposed to Sanskrit, the language of ritual, is in keeping with the bhakti ideal of the immediacy of devotion. Sri Syama Sastri, the oldest of the trinity, was taught Telugu and Sanskrit by his father, who was the pujari (Hindu priest) at the Meenakshi temple in Madurai. Syama Sastri's texts were largely composed in Telugu, widening their popular appeal. Some of his most famous compositions include the nine krithis, Navaratnamaalikā, in praise of the goddess Meenakshi at Madurai, and his eighteen krithi in praise of Kamakshi. As well as composing krithi, he is credited with turning the svarajati, originally used for dance, into a purely musical form. History of Malayalam Malayalam is thought to have diverged from Middle Tamil approximately the 6th century in the region coinciding with modern Kerala. The development of Malayalam as a separate language was characterized by a moderate influence from Sanskrit, both in lexicon and grammar, which culminated in the Aadhyaathma Ramayanam, a version of the Ramayana by Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan which marked the beginning of modern Malayalam. Ezhuthachan's works also cemented the use of the Malayalam script, an alphabet blending the Tamil Vatteluttu alphabet with elements of the Grantha script resulting in a large number of letters capable of representing both Indo-Aryan and Dravidian sounds. Today, it is considered one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and was declared a classical language by the Government of India in 2013. Sino-Tibetan languages Sino-Tibetan languages are spoken in the western Himalayas (Himachal Pradesh) and in the highlands of Northeast India. The Sino-Tibetan family includes such languages as Meitei (officially known as Manipuri), Tripuri, Bodo, Garo and various groups of Naga languages. Some of the languages traditionally included in Sino-Tibetan may actually be language isolates or part of small independent language families. Meitei Meitei language (officially known as Manipuri language) was the ancient court language of Manipur Kingdom (), which was used with honour before and during the kingdom's Durbar (court) sessions, until Manipur was merged into the Republic of India on 21 September 1949. Besides being the native tongue of the Meiteis, Meitei language was and is the lingua franca of all the ethnic groups living in Manipur. The ancestor of the present day Meitei language is the Ancient Meitei (also called Old Manipuri). Classical Meitei (also called Classical Manipuri) is the standardised form of Meitei and is also the liturgical language of Sanamahism (traditional Meitei religion), serving as the medium of thoughts on the Puya (Meitei texts). Padma Vibhushan awardee Indian Bengali scholar Suniti Kumar Chatterji wrote about Meitei language: "The beginning of this old Manipuri literature (as in the case of Newari) may go back to 1500 years, or even 2000 years, from now." Meitei language has its own script, the Meitei script (), often but not officially referred to as the Manipuri script. The earliest known coin, having the script engraved on it, dated back to the 6th century CE. Renowned Indian scholar Kalidas Nag, after observing the Meitei writings on the handmade papers and agar pieces, opined that the Manipuri script belongs to the pre-Ashokan period. Ancient and medieval Meitei literature are written in this script. According to the "Report on the Archaeological Studies in Manipur, Bulletin No-1", a Meitei language copper plate inscription was found to be dated back to the 8th century CE. It is one of the preserved earliest known written records of Meitei language. In the 18th century CE, the usage of Meitei script was officially replaced by the Bengali script for any forms of writings in Meitei language right from the era of Meitei King Gharib Niwaj () (1690–1751), the Maharaja of Manipur kingdom. It was during his time Kangleipak, the Meitei name of the kingdom, was renamed with the Sanskrit name Manipur, thereby creating the mythical connecting legends with that of the Manipur (Mahabharata), which is clarified by the modern Indian Hindu scholars as a coastal region in Odisha, though eponymous with the Meitei kingdom. In modern era, the "Manipur State Constitution Act 1947" of the once independent Manipur Kingdom accords Meitei language as the court language of the kingdom (before merging into the Indian Republic). In the year 1972, Meitei language was given the recognition by the National Sahitya Akademi, the highest Indian body of language and literature, as one of the major Indian languages. On the 20th August 1992, Meitei language was included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India and made one of the languages with official status in India. The event was commemorated every year as the Meitei Language Day (officially called Manipuri Language Day). Starting from the year 2021, Meitei script (officially known as Meetei Mayek) was officially used, along with the Bengali script, to write the Meitei language, as per "The Manipur Official Language (Amendment) Act, 2021". It was declared by the Government of Manipur on 10 March 2021. In September 2021, the Central Government of India released as the first instalment for the development and the promotion of the Meitei language and the Meitei script in Manipur. Languages of other families in India Austroasiatic languages The Austroasiatic family spoken in East and North-east India. Austroasiatic languages include the Santal and Munda languages of eastern India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, and the Mon–Khmer languages spoken by the Khasi and Nicobarese in India and in Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and southern China. The Austroasiatic languages arrived in east India around 4000-3500 ago from Southeast Asia. Great Andamanese and Ongan languages On the Andaman Islands, language from at least two families have spoken: the Great Andamanese languages and the Ongan languages. The Sentinelese language is spoken on North Sentinel Island, but contact has not been made with the Sentinelis; thus, its language affiliation is unknown. While Joseph Greenberg considered the Great Andamanese languages to be part of a larger Indo-Pacific family, it was not established through the comparative method but considered spurious by historical linguists. Stephen Wurm suggests similarities with Trans-New Guinea languages and others are caused by a linguistic substrate. Juliette Blevins has suggested that the Ongan languages are the sister branch to the Austronesian languages in an Austronesian-Ongan family because of sound correspondences between protolanguages. Isolates The Nihali language is a language isolate spoken in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Affiliations have been suggested to the Munda languages but they have yet to be demonstrated. Scripts Indus The Indus script is the short strings of symbols associated with the Harappan civilization of ancient India (most of the Indus sites are distributed in present-day Pakistan and northwest India) used between 2600 and 1900 BCE, which evolved from an early Indus script attested from around 3500–3300 BCE. Found in at least a dozen types of context, the symbols are most commonly associated with flat, rectangular stone tablets called seals. The first publication of a Harappan seal was a drawing by Alexander Cunningham in 1875. Since then, well over 4000 symbol-bearing objects have been discovered, some as far afield as Mesopotamia. After 1500 BCE, coinciding with the final stage of Harappan civilization, use of the symbols ends. There are over 400 distinct signs, but many are thought to be slight modifications or combinations of perhaps 200 'basic' signs. The symbols remain undeciphered (in spite of numerous attempts that did not find favour with the academic community), and some scholars classify them as proto-writing rather than writing proper. Brāhmī The best-known inscriptions in Brāhmī are the rock-cut Edicts of Ashoka, dating to the 3rd century BCE. These were long considered the earliest examples of Brāhmī writing, but recent archaeological evidence in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu suggest the dates for the earliest use of Tamil Brāhmī to be around the 6th century BCE, dated using radiocarbon and thermoluminescence dating methods. This script is ancestral to the Brahmic family of scripts, most of which are used in South and Southeast Asia, but which have wider historical use elsewhere, even as far as Mongolia and perhaps even Korea, according to one theory of the origin of Hangul. The Brāhmī numeral system is the ancestor of the Hindu-Arabic numerals, which are now used worldwide. Brāhmī is generally believed to be derived from a Semitic script such as the Imperial Aramaic alphabet, as was clearly the case for the contemporary Kharosthi alphabet that arose in a part of northwest Indian under the control of the Achaemenid Empire. Rhys Davids suggests that writing may have been introduced to India from the Middle East by traders. Another possibility is with the Achaemenid conquest in the late 6th century BCE. It was often assumed that it was a planned invention under Ashoka as a prerequisite for his edicts. Compare the much better-documented parallel of the Hangul script. Older examples of the Brahmi script appear to be on fragments of pottery from the trading town of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka, which have been dated to the early 400 BCE. Even earlier evidence of the Tamil -Brahmi script has been discovered on pieces of pottery in Adichanallur, Tamil Nadu. Radio-carbon dating has established that they belonged to the 6th-century BCE. The origin of the script is still much debated, with most scholars stating that Brahmi was derived from or at least influenced by one or more contemporary Semitic scripts, while others favor the idea of an indigenous origin or connection to the much older and as yet undeciphered Indus script of the Indus Valley civilisation. Kharosthi The Kharoṣṭhī script, also known as the Gāndhārī script, is an ancient abugida (a kind of alphabetic script) used by the Gandhara culture of ancient northwest India to write the Gāndhārī and Sanskrit languages. It was in use from the 4th century BCE until it died out in its homeland around the 3rd century CE. It was also in use along the Silk Road where there is some evidence it may have survived until the 7th century CE in the remote way stations of Khotan and Niya. Scholars are not in agreement as to whether the Kharoṣṭhī script evolved gradually, or was the work of a mindful inventor. An analysis of the script forms shows a clear dependency on the Aramaic alphabet but with extensive modifications to support the sounds found in Indian languages. One model is that the Aramaic script arrived with the Achaemenid conquest of the region in 500 BCE and evolved over the next 200+ years to reach its final form by the 3rd century BCE. However, no Aramaic documents of any kind have survived from this period. Also intermediate forms have yet been found to confirm this evolutionary model, and rock and coins inscriptions from the 3rd century BCE onward show a unified and mature form. The study of the Kharoṣṭhī script was recently invigorated by the discovery of the Gandhāran Buddhist texts, a set of birch-bark manuscripts written in Kharoṣṭhī, discovered near the Afghan city of Haḍḍā (compare Panjabi HAḌḌ ਹੱਡ s. m. "A bone, especially a big bone of dead cattle" referring to the famous mortuary grounds if the area): just west of the Khyber Pass. The manuscripts were donated to the British Library in 1994. The entire set of manuscripts are dated to the 1st century CE making them the oldest Buddhist manuscripts in existence. Gupta The Gupta script was used for writing Sanskrit and is associated with the Gupta Empire of India which was a period of material prosperity and great religious and scientific developments. The Gupta script was descended from Brahmi and gave rise to the Siddham script and then Bengali–Assamese script. Siddhaṃ Siddhaṃ (Sanskrit, accomplished or perfected), descended from the Brahmi script via the Gupta script, which also gave rise to the Devanagari script as well as a number of other Asian scripts such as Tibetan script. Siddhaṃ is an abugida or alphasyllabary rather than an alphabet because each character indicates a syllable. If no other mark occurs then the short 'a' is assumed. Diacritic marks indicate the other vowels, the pure nasal (anusvara), and the aspirated vowel (visarga). A special mark (virama), can be used to indicate that the letter stands alone with no vowel which sometimes happens at the end of Sanskrit words. See links below for examples. The writing of mantras and copying of Sutras using the Siddhaṃ script is still practiced in Shingon Buddhism in Japan but has died out in other places. It was Kūkai who introduced the Siddham script to Japan when he returned from China in 806, where he studied Sanskrit with Nalanda trained monks including one known as Prajñā. Sutras that were taken to China from India were written in a variety of scripts, but Siddham was one of the most important. By the time Kūkai learned this script the trading and pilgrimage routes overland to India, part of the Silk Road, were closed by the expanding Islamic empire of the Abbasids. Then in the middle of the 9th century, there were a series of purges of "foreign religions" in China. This meant that Japan was cut off from the sources of Siddham texts. In time other scripts, particularly Devanagari replaced it in India, and so Japan was left as the only place where Siddham was preserved, although it was, and is only used for writing mantras and copying sutras. Siddhaṃ was influential in the development of the Kana writing system, which is also associated with Kūkaiwhile the Kana shapes derive from Chinese characters, the principle of a syllable-based script and their systematic ordering was taken over from Siddham. Nagari Descended from the Siddham script around the 11th century. See also Substratum in Vedic Sanskrit Persian language in the Indian subcontinent Indo-Aryan loanwords in Tamil Linguistic Survey of India Notes References Sources Steve Farmer, Richard Sproat, and Michael Witzel, The Collapse of the Indus-Script Thesis: The Myth of a Literate Harappan Civilization, EVJS, vol. 11 (2004), issue 2 (Dec) Scharfe, Harmut. Kharoṣṭhī and Brāhmī. Journal of the American Oriental Society. 122 (2) 2002, p. 391–3. Stevens, John. Sacred Calligraphy of the East. [3rd ed. Rev.] (Boston : Shambala, 1995) Further reading A Database of G.A. Grierson's Linguistic Survey of India (1904–1928, Calcutta). Gramophone recordings from the Linguistic Survey of India (1913–1929), Digital South Asia Library External links Omniglot alphabets for Kharoṣṭhī, Brahmi, Siddham, Devanāgarī. Indian Scripts and Languages Linguistic history of Pakistan

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somhlolo%20National%20Stadium

Somhlolo National Stadium

Somhlolo National Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Lobamba, Eswatini. Built in 1968, it has artificial turf and holds 20,000 fans (all standing). It is used for football and rugby matches. The stadium is named for King Somhlolo, who had moved his people into the region that is now Eswatini (Swaziland) about 200 years ago, and is considered the father of the country. References External links Stadium Pictures Photos of the stadium Football venues in Eswatini Athletics (track and field) venues in Eswatini Eswatini Multi-purpose stadiums

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stade%20de%20K%C3%A9gu%C3%A9

Stade de Kégué

Stade de Kégué is a multi-use stadium in Lomé, Togo. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 40,000 people and opened in 2000. It was designed by Chinese architect Yang Zhou. The stadium was the main host of the 2007 African U-17 Championship, in March 2007. History In 2004, the stadium saw an incident following a match between Togo and Mali in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The lights on Stade de Kégué went down, and while the panicking crowd tried to leave the stadium, three people were killed and eight injured in the ensuing stampede. On 19 October 2007 the Confederation of African Football placed an indefinite ban on the stadium after an African Nations Cup qualifier between ended in violence which saw Malian players and fans injured. Over 118 million CFA francs were spent in renovations aiming for a higher security during the ban. Kégué went back to hosting international games in 2009, where Togo lost 2-1 to Morocco in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. References External links Photo at cafe.daum.net/stade Photo at worldstadiums.com Football venues in Togo Athletics (track and field) venues in Togo Togo Buildings and structures in Lomé

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence%20Stadium%20%28Zambia%29

Independence Stadium (Zambia)

Independence Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Lusaka, Zambia. It was originally built in the mid-1960s for use in hosting the country's independence celebrations. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 30,000 people. It is located adjacent to the National Heroes Stadium. In 2004, the stadium was closed by the then national sports minister citing safety concerns due to the age and status of the building. The order was repealed in 2005, though safety concerns remained. As of 2007, the aging stadium is slated to undergo renovations to bring its structure and facilities up to internationally accepted standards as well as deal with its various safety issues. The stadium's west grandstand was demolished in late 2007. A new 70,000-seat stadium, currently referred to as New Lusaka Stadium, would have been built next to the Independence Stadium for Lusaka's hosting of the 2011 All-Africa Games before Lusaka withdrew its hosting duties due to lack of funds. The games were given to Maputo. References Football venues in Zambia Zambia Multi-purpose stadiums in Zambia Buildings and structures in Lusaka Sport in Lusaka Sports venues completed in 1964 1964 establishments in Zambia

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler%20RFE%20transmission

Chrysler RFE transmission

The RFE is an automatic transmission family from Chrysler. The name refers to its Rear wheel drive design and Full Electronic control system. 45RFE and 545RFE The 45RFE was introduced in the Jeep Grand Cherokee in 1999, it is notable for including three planetary gearsets rather than the two normally used in a 4-speed automatic. It also features three multiple disc input clutches, three multiple disc holding clutches, and a dual internal filter system (one primary filter for transmission sump, one for the fluid cooler return system). In the 45RFE applications four gears are utilized. In the 545RFE four gears are used on the upshift and a new "gear", 2nd Prime, was used with a different (1.50:1 rather than 1.67:1) ratio to increase versatility when downshifting. Although, with some tuning, you can get the 545RFE to upshift into 2nd Prime. The 45RFE was produced at the Indiana Transmission plant in Kokomo, Indiana. It was normally paired with the 4.7 L PowerTech V8. The 45RFE later became the 5-speed 545RFE. Gear Ratios: 1st 3.00:1 2nd 1.67:1 2nd Prime 1.50:1 (Only used when a kickdown acceleration) 3rd 1.00:1 4th 0.75:1 5th 0.67:1 (545RFE only and 45RFE reprogrammed) Reverse 3.00:1 Applications: 45RFE 1999–2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee (4.7L) 2002–early 2003 Jeep Liberty (3.7L) 2000–2002 Dodge Dakota (4.7L) and "(3.9L) Sport Edition Dakota" 2000–2002 Dodge Durango (4.7L) 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 (3.7L and 4.7) 545RFE 2001–2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (4.7L, 4.7L H.O.,5.7L Hemi) 2005–2006 Jeep Liberty (Diesel applications) 2003–2011 Dodge Ram (4.7L, 5.7L Hemi) 2005–2011 Dodge Power Wagon 2003–2011 Dodge Dakota (4.7L, 4.7L H.O.) 2003–2011 Dodge Durango (4.7L, 5.7L) 2006–2010 Jeep Commander (4.7L, 5.7L Hemi) 2007–2010 Jeep Wrangler (2.8 L CRD) 2007–present LTI/London Taxi Company TX4 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen (4.7L, 5.7L Hemi) 68RFE The 68RFE was introduced in 2007 Ram 2500 and 3500 Pickups with the 6.7L Cummins ISB Diesel engine. The basic design and operation is the same or similar to the 45 and 545RFE counterparts with the following exceptions: larger bellhousing with different bolt pattern and cutout to accommodate diesel engine modified internal components to handle increased torque of diesel engine revised gear ratios and Transmission Controller programming for larger application no 2nd gear prime for downshifting like the 45RFE and 545RFE transmissions Gear Ratios: 1st 3.23:1 2nd 1.83:1 3rd 1.41:1 4th 1.00:1 5th 0.81:1 6th 0.62:1 Reverse 4.44:1 Applications: 2007–present Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Pickup (6.7L Cummins ISB Diesel) 65RFE and 66RFE For the 2012 model year, the 545RFE was recalibrated and introduced as the 65RFE in 1500 Ram models. With the exception of an improved torque converter, it is physically the same as its predecessor. The key difference in the 65RFE is the ability to use all six forward gears in sequence when using Electronic Range Select mode. In normal drive mode, however, the 65RFE uses the shift pattern of the 545RFE; thus never using 2nd and 3rd gears in succession. 2500 and 3500 models with gas engines received the 66RFE, a hybrid of 68RFE internals (including the gearset) packaged in a 545RFE case. Gear Ratios: 65RFE 1st 3.00:1 2nd 1.67:1 3rd 1.50:1 4th 1.00:1 5th 0.75:1 6th 0.67:1 Reverse 3.00:1 66RFE 1st 3.231:1 2nd 1.837:1 3rd 1.410:1 4th 1.000:1 5th 0.816:1 6th 0.625:1 Reverse 4.444:1 Applications: 65RFE 2012 Dodge Durango (5.7L) 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee (5.7L) 2012 Ram 1500 (4.7L, 5.7L) 66RFE 2012-2018 Ram 2500 (5.7L) 2012-2018 Ram Chassis Cab 3500 (5.7L) 2012-2018 Dodge Power Wagon 2014-2018 Ram 2500 (6.4L) Basic RFE operation The fully electronic control is accomplished by the Transmission Control Module (TCM). Depending on year and application, it can either be a stand-alone module or integrated with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The TCM uses data from various transmission and engine sensors to control transmission shifting. The TCM operates the solenoid pack to change hydraulic flow through the valve body to various clutches in the transmission. The solenoid pack is mounted directly to the valve body; its connector protrudes from a hole on the left side of the transmission. On the 45 and 545RFE the hydraulic control system design (without electronic assist) provides the transmission with PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, SECOND, and THIRD gears, based solely on driver shift lever selection. This design allows the vehicle to be driven (in “limp-in” mode) in the event of an electronic control system failure, or a situation that the Transmission Control Module (TCM) recognizes as potentially damaging to the transmission. On the 68RFE, fourth gear is used for limp-in instead of second and third. All RFE transmissions use Mopar ATF +4. Service fill is 6–8 quarts + transmission filter. References http://hotrodlane.cc/New%20HEMI%20Tech/2004%2057%20hemi%20trans.pdf See also List of Chrysler transmissions 45RFE

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List%20of%20Chrysler%20transmissions

List of Chrysler transmissions

Chrysler produces a number of automobile transmissions in-house. Semi-automatic 1941–1942 M4 Vacamatic — 4-speed (2-range manual control with automatic 2-speed shift vacuum operated) with clutch and fluid coupling (Fluid Drive); also known as Simplimatic, Powermatic 1946–1953 M5/M6 Presto-Matic — 4-speed (2 gear manual with electric overdrive) with clutch and fluid coupling (Fluid Drive) or torque converter (Fluid Torque Drive); also known as Tip-Toe Shift, Gyro-Matic, Fluid-Matic, Gyro-Torque 1953–1954 Hy-Drive — 3-speed manual transmission behind a torque converter Automatic 1954–1961 PowerFlite — 2-speed automatic 1956–2007 TorqueFlite 1956–1961 A466 — 3-speed automatic 1962–1994 A727 (36RH/37RH) — 3-speed automatic 1960–2002 A904 (30RH) — 3-speed automatic A998 (31RH) — 3-speed automatic A999 (32RH) — 3-speed automatic 1988–2004 A500 (40RH/42RH/40RE/42RE/44RE) — 4-speed automatic 1992–2003 A518 (46RH/46RE) — 4-speed automatic 1994–2003 A618 (47RH/47RE) — 4-speed heavy-duty automatic 2003–2007 A818 (48RE) — 4-speed heavy-duty automatic 1978–1983 A404 — 3-speed front-wheel drive transaxle 1981–2001 A413 (31TH) 1981–1987 A470 1987–2000 A670 1989–present Ultradrive 1989–2010 A604 (40TE/41TE) — 4-speed transverse front-wheel drive automatic 1991–2004 A604 (41AE) — 4-speed transverse all-wheel drive automatic 1993–2004 A606 (42LE) — 4-speed longitudinal front-wheel drive automatic 2003–2012 42RLE — 4-speed longitudinal rear-wheel drive automatic 2007–present 40TES/41TES — 4-speed transverse front-wheel drive automatic 2007–present 62TE — 6-speed transverse front-wheel drive automatic 2007–present 62TEA — 6-speed transverse all-wheel drive automatic 1999–present RFE — longitudinal rear-wheel drive 1999–2003 45RFE — 4-speed (5 gear) automatic 2001–2011 545RFE — 5-speed (6 gear) automatic 2012–2017 65RFE — 6-speed automatic 2012–present 66RFE — 6-speed heavy-duty automatic 2007–present 68RFE — 6-speed heavy-duty automatic 2005-2019 Chrysler A580 / W5A580, 5-speed automatic. This was a Chrysler adaptation of the Mercedes (known as 722.6) 5G-Tronic assembly, which was first labelled as the NAG1. Commonly found in the 300, Magnum, Charger, Challenger, Wrangler, and some Dodge Ram pickups, the A580 was last used in the 2020 Dodge Charger Pursuit models. Model number conventions Newer Chrysler automatic transmissions follow standard model number conventions. Below are the available values and some example transmission models: Manual 1960–1972 Chrysler A903 — 3-speed manual for 6-cyl and low power V8s. 1st gear, no synchromesh 1961–1971 Chrysler A745 — 3-speed manual for V8s 1964–1974 Chrysler A833 — 4-speed manual manufactured by New Process Gear 1970–1981 Chrysler A230 — 3-speed manual, all-synchromesh 1973–1974 Chrysler A250 — 3-speed manual, 1st gear no synchromesh 1975–1978 Chrysler A390 — 3-speed manual, all-synchromesh 1976–1980 Chrysler A833 — 4-speed manual overdrive (NPG) 1981–1986 Chrysler A460 — 4-speed manual transaxle 1983–1984 Chrysler A465 — 5-speed manual transaxle 1984–1990 Chrysler A525 — 5-speed manual transaxle 1987–1989 Chrysler A520 — 5-speed manual transaxle 1987–1989 Chrysler A555 — 5-speed manual transaxle, Chrysler-built (NPG) with Getrag-sourced gearset 1990–1994 Chrysler A523 — 5-speed manual transaxle 1990–1994 Chrysler A543 — 5-speed manual transaxle 1990–1993 Chrysler A568 — 5-speed manual transaxle, Chrysler-built (NPG) with Getrag-sourced gearset 1995–2005 New Venture Gear T350 (also known as A578 and F5MC1) — 5-speed manual transaxle for the Dodge and Plymouth Neon and various GM subcompacts 2001–2007 New Venture Gear T850 — 5-speed manual transaxle 2005–present Chrysler NSG370 transmission — 6-speed longitudinal manual 1962–1993 New Process Gear NP435 — 4-speed longitudinal manual 1987–1991 New Process Gear NP535 (also known as New Venture Gear NV2500) — 5-speed longitudinal manual New Venture Gear NV1500 — 5-speed longitudinal manual 1994–2004 New Venture Gear NV3500 — 5-speed longitudinal manual 2000–2004 New Venture Gear NV3550 1992–2005 New Venture Gear NV4500 — 5-speed longitudinal manual 1999–2005 New Venture Gear NV5600 — 6-speed longitudinal manual Non-Chrysler Transmissions used on Chrysler vehicles Automatic Aisin-Warner AW4 — 4-speed longitudinal 1987–2001 Jeep Cherokee 1987–1992 Jeep Comanche 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee (with 6-cylinder engine) Aisin AS66RC — 6-speed longitudinal with PTO capability 2014–present Ram Chassis Cab 3500/4500/5500 (6.4L V8) Aisin AS68RC — 6-speed longitudinal with PTO capability 2007–2012 Dodge Ram Chassis Cab 3500/4500/5500 Aisin AS69RC — 6-speed longitudinal with PTO capability 2013–present Ram Chassis Cab 3500/4500/5500 (6.7L diesel) Aisin AW6F25 (AW60T) — 6-speed transaxle 2017–present Jeep Compass Powertech 6F24 — 6-speed transverse front-wheel drive 2012–2016 Dodge Dart 2014–2016 Jeep Compass 2014–2017 Jeep Patriot ZF 8HP (also branded as TorqueFlite 8 by Chrysler) — 8-speed longitudinal 8HP45 (replaced by 845RE) 2011–2013 Chrysler 300 V6 2011–2013 Dodge Charger (LD) V6 Retail 2013 Ram 1500 (3.6L V6) 845RE (Chrysler-built version of 8HP45) 2013–present Chrysler 300 V6 2013–present Dodge Charger (LD) V6 Retail 2014–present Dodge Durango V6 2015–present Dodge Challenger V6 2014–present Ram 1500 (3.6L V6) 2014–2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) (3.6L V6) 850RE (Chrysler-built version of 8HP50) 2017–present Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) (3.6L V6) 2018–present Jeep Wrangler (JL) 2021-present Dodge Charger V6 AWD Pursuit (LD) 8HP70 2013–present Ram 1500 (5.7L V8, 3.0L V6 diesel) 2014–present Dodge Durango V8 Retail 2015–present Dodge Charger (5.7L & 6.4L V8) 2021-present Dodge Charger Pursuit RWD V8 (LD) 2015–present Dodge Challenger (5.7L & 6.4L V8) 2014–present Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) (5.7L & 6.4L V8, 3.0L V6 diesel) 2015–present Chrysler 300 V8 8HP90 2015–present Dodge Challenger (6.2L V8 s/c) 2015–present Dodge Charger (LD) (6.2L V8 s/c) 8HP95 2018–present Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2) (6.2L V8 Supercharged) 2021-present Ram 1500 TRX (6.2L V8 Supercharged) ZF 9HP — 9-speed transverse 9HP48 2015–2017 Chrysler 200 (3.6L V6) 2017–present Jeep Compass 948TE (Chrysler-built version of 9HP48) 2014–present Jeep Cherokee (KL) 2014–present Jeep Renegade 2015–2017 Chrysler 200 (2.4L) 2015–present Ram ProMaster City 2017–present Chrysler Pacifica Manual Aisin AX5 — 5-speed longitudinal 1984–2000 Jeep Cherokee 1986–1992 Jeep Comanche 1987–2002 Jeep Wrangler Aisin AX15 — 5-speed longitudinal 1989–1999 Jeep Cherokee 1989–1992 Jeep Comanche 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee 1989–1999 Jeep Wrangler Aisin BG6 — 6-speed transaxle 2007–2010 Chrysler Sebring (diesel engine) 2006–2011 Dodge Caliber (diesel engine) 2007–2010 Dodge Avenger (diesel engine) 2008–2010 Dodge Journey (diesel engine) 2006–2016 Jeep Compass (diesel engine) 2006–2017 Jeep Patriot (diesel engine) Aisin AL6 (D478) — 6-speed longitudinal 2018–present Jeep Wrangler (JL) Borg-Warner T-10 — 4-speed longitudinal 1963 Dodge and Plymouth V8, except Hemi Borg-Warner T-56 (also known as Tremec T-56) — 6-speed longitudinal 2004–2006 Dodge Ram SRT10 1992–2002 Dodge Viper RT/10 1996–2002 Dodge Viper GTS 2003–2007 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Fiat C510 — 5-speed transaxle 2014–present Jeep Renegade (1.6L E.torQ) Fiat C635 — 6-speed transaxle 2011–present Dodge Journey/Fiat Freemont (2.0L MultiJet) 2012–2016 Dodge Dart (1.4L turbo) 2014–present Jeep Renegade (1.4L turbo, 1.6L-2.0L MultiJet) 2017–present Jeep Compass Getrag 360 5 speed longitudinal 1989-1993 w/d 250 250 cummins diesel Getrag 238 — 6-speed longitudinal 2005–2008 Dodge Ram 2005–2009 Dodge Dakota Getrag 288 — 5-speed transaxle 2003–2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser GT Getrag DMT6 — 6-speed transaxle 2008–2009 Dodge Caliber SRT4 Magna Driveline T355 — 5-speed transaxle 2006–2011 Dodge Caliber 2008–2010 Dodge Journey 2006–2016 Jeep Compass 2006–2017 Jeep Patriot Mercedes-Benz G56 — 6-speed longitudinal 2005–present Dodge Ram 2500/3500/4500/5500 Mitsubishi F5 — 5-speed transaxle F5M22 1989–1994 Plymouth Laser (1.8L - 2.0L n/a) F5M33 1991–1996 Dodge Stealth (3.0L V6 n/a) 1989–1994 Plymouth Laser (2.0L turbo) F5M42 2000–2006 Dodge Stratus (2.4L - 2.7L) F5M51 2000–2006 Chrysler Sebring (3.0L V6) 2001–2006 Dodge Stratus (3.0L V6) Peugeot BA10/5 - 5-speed longitudinal 1987-mid-1989 YJ Wrangler, XJ Cherokee and MJ Commanche Tremec TR-6060 — 6-speed longitudinal 2008–2010 Dodge Viper SRT-10 2009–present Dodge Challenger 2012–present SRT and Dodge Viper Volkswagen 020 — 4-speed transaxle adopted as Chrysler A412 1978–1982 Dodge Omni 1.7L 1978–1982 Plymouth Horizon 1.7L Dual clutch Fiat C635 DDCT 2012–2016 Dodge Dart (1.4L turbo) 2014–present Jeep Renegade Fiat C725 DDCT 2016–present Jeep Renegade (China) 2017–present Jeep Compass (China) Getrag MPS6 (6DCT450) 2009–2010 Chrysler Sebring (diesel engine) 2009–2010 Dodge Avenger (diesel engine) 2009–2010 Dodge Journey (diesel engine) Continuously variable Jatco JF011E 2007-2012 Dodge Caliber 2006–2016 Jeep Compass 2006–2017 Jeep Patriot See also List of AMC Transmission Applications (for list of transmission used in AMC vehicles before Chrysler buyout) References Chrysler transmissions Lists of automobile transmissions

4043844

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suprarenal

Suprarenal

Suprarenal is an adjective that may refer to: Adrenal gland Suprarenal veins Suprarenal impression

4043853

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat%20detector

Heat detector

A heat detector is a fire alarm device designed to respond when the convected thermal energy of a fire increases the temperature of a heat sensitive element. The thermal mass and conductivity of the element regulate the rate flow of heat into the element. All heat detectors have this thermal lag. Heat detectors have two main classifications of operation, "rate-of-rise" and "fixed temperature". The heat detector is used to help in the reduction of property damage. Fixed temperature heat detectors This is the most common type of heat detector. Fixed temperature detectors operate when the heat sensitive eutectic alloy reaches the eutectic point changing state from a solid to a liquid. Thermal lag delays the accumulation of heat at the sensitive element so that a fixed-temperature device will reach its operating temperature sometime after the surrounding air temperature exceeds that temperature. The most common fixed temperature point for electrically connected heat detectors is 58°C (136.4°F). Rate-of-rise heat detectors Rate-of-Rise (ROR) heat detectors operate on a rapid rise in element temperature of 6.7° to 8.3°C (12° to 15°F) increase per minute, irrespective of the starting temperature. This type of heat detector can operate at a lower temperature fire condition than would be possible if the threshold were fixed. It has two heat-sensitive thermocouples or thermistors. One thermocouple monitors heat transferred by convection or radiation while the other responds to ambient temperature. The detector responds when the first sensing element's temperature increases relative to the other. Rate of rise detectors may not respond to low energy release rates of slowly developing fires. To detect slowly developing fires combination detectors add a fixed temperature element that will ultimately respond when the fixed temperature element reaches the design threshold. Heat detector selection Heat detectors commonly have a label on them that reads "Not a life safety device". That is because heat detectors are not meant to replace smoke detectors in the bedrooms or in the hallway outside of the bedrooms. A heat detector will nonetheless notify of a fire in a kitchen or utility area, e.g., laundry room, garage, or attic, where smoke detectors should not be installed as dust or other particles would affect the smoke detector and cause false alarms. This will allow extra time to evacuate the building or to put out the fire, if possible. Mechanical heat detectors are independent fire warning stations that — unlike smoke detectors — can be installed in any area of a home. Portability, ease of installation, and excellent performance and reliability make this a good choice for residential fire protection when combined with the required smoke detectors. Because the detectors are not interconnected, heat activation identifies the location of the fire, facilitating evacuation from the home. Each type of heat detector has its advantages, and it cannot be said that one type of heat detector should always be used instead of another. If one were to place a rate-of-rise heat detector above a large, closed oven, then every time the door is opened a nuisance alarm could be generated due to the sudden heat transient. In this circumstance the fixed threshold detector would probably be best. If a room filled with highly combustible materials is protected with a fixed heat detector, then a fast-flaming fire could exceed the alarm threshold due to thermal lag. In that case the rate-of-rise heat detector may be preferred. See also Aspirating smoke detector Automatic fire suppression Carbon monoxide detector Fire alarm system Fire sprinkler Flame detector Gaseous fire suppression Manual fire alarm activation Passive infrared sensor Smoke detector Active fire protection Safety equipment Fire detection and alarm Firefighting equipment Detectors ja:自動火災報知設備#感知器

4043858

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce%20Boston

Bruce Boston

Bruce Boston (born 1943) is an American speculative fiction writer and poet. Early years Bruce Boston was born in Chicago and grew up in Southern California. He received a B.A. in economics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1965, and an M.A. in 1967. He lived in the San Francisco Bay Area from 1961 to 2001, where he worked in a variety of occupations, including computer programmer, college professor (literature and creative writing, John F. Kennedy University, Orinda, California, 1978–82), technical writer, book designer, gardener, movie projectionist, retail clerk, and furniture mover. According to Boston, he meant to major in math at university and write on the side, but soon found that he was more interested in writing. After being advised by a friend that he should not major in English to become a writer, he decided on economics instead. Writing career Boston has won the Rhysling Award for speculative poetry a record seven times, and the Asimov's Readers' Award for poetry a record seven times. He has also received a Pushcart Prize for fiction, 1976, a record four Bram Stoker Awards for solo poetry collections, and the first Grand Master Award of the Science Fiction Poetry Association, 1999. His collaborative poem with Robert Frazier, "Return to the Mutant Rain Forest," received first place in the 2006 Locus Online Poetry Poll for Best All-Time Science Fiction, Fantasy, or Horror Poem. Boston has also published more than a hundred short stories and the novels Stained Glass Rain and The Guardener's Tale (the latter a Bram Stoker Award Finalist and Prometheus Award Nominee). His work has appeared widely in periodicals and anthologies, including Asimov's SF Magazine, Amazing Stories Magazine, Analog, Realms of Fantasy, Science Fiction Age, Weird Tales, Strange Horizons, Year's Best Fantasy and Horror, and the Nebula Awards Showcase. Writing in The Washington Post, Paul Di Filippo described his collection Masque of Dreams as containing "nearly two dozen brilliant stories ranging across all emotional and narrative terrains." Boston has chaired the Nebula Award Novel Jury (SFWA), the Bram Stoker Award Novel Jury, and the Philip K. Dick Award Jury, and served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Science Fiction Poetry Association. He has served as fiction and/or poetry editor for a number of publications, including Occident, The Open Cell, Berkeley Poets Cooperative, City Miner, Star*Line and The Pedestal Magazine. He was the poet guest of honor at the World Horror Convention in 2013. Personal life As of 2022 Boston was living in Ocala, Florida, with his wife, writer-artist Marge Simon, whom he married in 2001. Bibliography Novels El Guardián de Almas, Spanish-language edition of The Guardener's Tale, La Factoria de Ideas, 2009 Novelettes After Magic. Eotu, 1990, Dark Regions, 1999 Houses. Talisman, 1991 Fiction and poetry collections The Complete Accursed Wives, Talisman/Dark Regions, 2000 Masque of Dreams, Wildside, 2001, 2009 Bruce Boston: Short Stories, Volume 1 (ebook), Fictionwise, 2003 Bruce Boston: Short Stories, Volume 2 (ebook), Fictionwise, 2003 Visions of the Mutant Rain Forest (with Robert Frazier), Crystal Lake Publishing, 2017 Fiction collections Jackbird. BPW&P, 1976 She Comes When You're Leaving. BPW&P, 1982 Skin Trades, Chris Drumm, 1988 Hypertales & Metafictions. Chris Drumm, 1990 All the Clocks Are Melting (single story booklet), Pulphouse Publishing, 1991 Night Eyes. Chris Drumm, 1993 Dark Tales & Light. Dark Regions, 1999 Flashing the Dark. Sam's Dot Publishing, 2006 Gallimaufry. Plum White Press, 2021 Poetry Collections XXO. Maya Press, 1969 Potted Poems. Maya Press, 1970 All the Clock Are Melting. Velocities, 1984 Alchemical Texts. Ocean View, 1985 Nuclear Futures. Velocities, 1987 Time. Titan, 1988 The Nightmare Collector. 2AM Publications, 1989 Faces of the Beast. Starmont House, 1990 Other Voices, Other Worlds (audio tape, music by Jack Poley). Chris Drumm, 1990, (MP3 audio) Telltale Weekly, 2004 Short Circuits (prose poems). Ocean View, 1991 Cybertexts. Talisman, 1991 Accursed Wives. Night Visions, 1993 Specula: Selected Uncollected Poems, 1968-1993. Talisman, 1993 Sensuous Debris: Selected Poems, 1970-1995. Dark Regions, 1995 Conditions of Sentient Life. Gothic Press, 1996 Cold Tomorrows. Gothic Press, 1998 Pavane for a Cyber-Princess (single poem chapbook). Miniature Sun, 2001 White Space. Dark Regions, 2001 Quanta: Award Winning Poems. Miniature Sun, 2001 Night Smoke (ebook, with Marge Simon), Miniature Sun & Quixsilver, 2002 She Was There for Him the Last Time (single poem chapbook). Miniature Sun, 2002 Head Full of Strange (ebook). CyberPulp, 2003 Pitchblende. Dark Regions, 2003 Etiquette with Your Robot Wife. Talisman, 2005 Shades Fantastic. Gromagon Press, 2006 Night Smoke (with Marge Simon, expanded print edition of 2002 ebook). Kelp Queen Press, 2007 The Nightmare Collection. Dark Regions, 2008 Double Visions (collaborative poems). Dark Regions, 2009 North Left of Earth. Sam's Dot, 2009 Dark Matters. Bad Moon Books, 2010 Surrealities. Dark Regions, 2011 Anthropomorphisms. Elektrik Milk Bath Press, 2012 Notes from the Shadow City (with Gary William Crawford). Dark Regions, 2012 Dark Roads: Selected Long Poems 1971-2012. Dark Renaissance Books, 2013 Resonance Dark & Light. Eldritch Press, 2015 Sacrificial Nights (with Alessandro Manzetti). Kipple Officina Libraria, 2016 Brief Encounters with My Third Eye: Selected Short Poems 1975-2016. Crystal Lake Publishing, 2016, Korean-language edition, Philyohanchaek, 2021 Artifacts. Independent Legions, 2018 Spacers Snarled in the Hair of Comets. Mind's Eye Publications, 2022 Broadsides Musings. Eldritch Emu Press, 1988 The Last Existentialist. Chris Drumm, 1993 Confessions of a Body Thief. Talisman, 1998 The Lesions of Genetic Sin. Miniature Sun, 2000 In Far Pale Clarity. Quixsilver, 2002 The Crow Is Dismantled in Flight (ebroadside). Miniature Sun, 2003 Major awards and honors Bram Stoker Award for Poetry Collection 2003 Pitchblende, Dark Regions Press 2006 Shades Fantastic, Gromagon Press 2008 The Nightmare Collection, Dark Regions Press 2010 Dark Matters, Bad Moon Books Asimov’s Readers Award for Poetry 1989 Old Robots Are the Worst 1993 Curse of the Shapeshifter's Wife 1997 Curse of the SF Writer's Wife 2003 Eight Things Not to Do or Say When a Mad Scientist Moves into Your Neighborhood 2005 Heavy Weather 2007 The Dimensional Rush of Relative Primes 2014 In the Quiet Hour Rhysling Award for Speculative Poetry (SFPA) 1985 For Spacers Snarled in the Hair of Comets, short 1987 The Nightmare Collector, short 1988 In the Darkened Hours, long 1994 Spacer's Compass, short 1995 Future Present: A Lesson in Expectation, short 1999 Confessions of a Body Thief, long 2001 My Wife Returns as She Would Have It, short Others 1976 Pushcart Prize for Fiction for “Broken Portraiture” 1999 Grandmaster Award, Science Fiction Poetry Association 2006 Winner of Locus Poll for Favorite SF, Fantasy, Horror Poem -- "Return to the Mutant Rain Forest" with Robert Frazier 2013 Poet Guest of Honor, World Horror/Bram Stoker Awards Convention, New Orleans References External links Bruce Boston's website Interview by John Amen at The Pedestal Magazine Interview by JoSelle Vanderhooft at Strange Horizons Bruce Boston at Smashwords Songs of the Stars, Songs of the Dark Retrospective essay on Boston's poetry by Gary William Crawford 1943 births Living people 21st-century American male writers 21st-century American novelists John F. Kennedy University faculty American male novelists American science fiction writers Analog Science Fiction and Fact people Asimov's Science Fiction people Projectionists Retail clerks Rhysling Award for Best Long Poem winners Rhysling Award for Best Short Poem winners Writers from California Writers from the San Francisco Bay Area

4043859

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike%20Botts

Mike Botts

Michael Gene Botts (December 8, 1944 – December 9, 2005) was an American drummer, best known for his work with 1970s soft rock band Bread, and as a session musician. During his career, he recorded with Linda Ronstadt, Karla Bonoff, Andrew Gold, Olivia Newton-John, Peter Cetera, Anne Murray, Warren Zevon and Dan Fogelberg, among many others. He also contributed to several soundtracks for films, and to albums released under the name of The Simpsons. Although known primarily as a drummer, Botts also contributed backing vocals to some Bread songs. Career Born in Oakland, California, Botts grew up in nearby Antioch before moving to Sacramento. While in college, he began playing with a band called The Travellers Three and working as a studio musician. Eventually, the group disbanded, but not before recording some songs with producer David Gates. While working with Bill Medley, Botts was invited to join Gates's band, Bread, for its second album, On the Waters. He accepted the offer and worked as a full-time member of Bread from 1970 to 1973, when the band went on hiatus. At that point, Botts began working with Linda Ronstadt, and recorded and toured with her for over two years. Botts reunited with the other members of Bread in 1976 for one final album and tour, before disbanding again in 1978. He then worked with Karla Bonoff and Andrew Gold, playing on Gold's 1977 hit "Lonely Boy", and continued to work in the studio as a player, singer, writer, and producer. In 1989, he toured Japan with Richard Carpenter. Two years later, he began touring and recording with Dan Fogelberg while continuing his session work, and also writing jingles and music for children's albums. In 1996, the members of Bread again reunited for a world tour that ran until the fall of 1997. Botts then recorded his only solo album, Adults Only, released in 2000. Botts died in Burbank, California, one day after his 61st birthday, having suffered from colon cancer. Discography Joshua Fox – Joshua Fox (1968) Tommy Flanders – Moonstone (1969) Glenda Griffith – Glenda Griffith (1969) Mary McCaslin – Goodnight Everybody (1969) Dick Rosmini – A Genuine Rosmini (1969) Bread – On the Waters (1970) Johnny Darrell – California Stop-Over (1970) Ananda Shankar – Ananda Shankar (1970) Bread – Manna (1971) Cyrus Faryar – Cyrus (1971) Bread – Baby I'm-a Want You (1972) Bread – Guitar Man (1972) Malvina Reynolds – Malvina (1972) Linda Ronstadt – Linda Ronstadt (1972) Stephen Cohn – Stephen Cohn (1973) Cyrus Faryar – Islands (1973) David Gates – First (1973) Richard Ruskin – Richard Ruskin (1973) Andrew Gold – Andrew Gold (1975) Malvina Reynolds – Held Over (1975) Rick Ruskin – Microphone Fever (1975) Hoyt Axton – Fearless (1976) Andrew Gold – What's Wrong with This Picture? (1976) Linda Ronstadt – Hasten Down the Wind (1976) J. D. Souther – Black Rose (1976) Wendy Waldman – Main Refrain (1976) Hoyt Axton – Road Songs (1977) Joan Baez – Blowin' Away (1977) Karla Bonoff – Karla Bonoff (1977) Bread – Lost Without Your Love (1977) Chi Coltrane – Road to Tomorrow (1977) Peter McCann – Peter McCann (1977) Eric Carmen – Change of Heart (1978) Kerry Chater – Love on a Shoestring (1978) David Gates – Goodbye Girl (1978) Jimmy Griffin – James Griffin (1978) Michael Murphey – [[Lone Wolf (Michael Martin Murphey album)|Lone Wolf]] (1978) Olivia Newton-John – Totally Hot (1978) Shawn Phillips – Transcendence (1978) Barry Volk – Do What You Like (1978) Hoyt Axton – A Rusty Old Halo (1979) David Gates – Falling in Love Again (1979) Andrew Gold – Whirlwind (1979) Peter McCann – One on One (1979) Michael Murphey – Peaks, Valleys, Honky Tonks & Alleys (1979) Dan Peek – All Things Are Possible (1979) J. D. Souther – You're Only Lonely (1979) John Stewart – Bombs Away Dream Babies (1979) Coast to Coast – Original Soundtrack (1980) John Farrar – John Farrar (1980) Johnny Lee – Lookin' for Love (1980) Mary MacGregor – Mary MacGregor (1980) The Ozark Mountain Daredevils – Ozark Mountain Daredevils (1980) Urban Cowboy – Original Soundtrack (1980) Peter Cetera – Peter Cetera (1981) The Chipmunks – Urban Chipmunk (1981) Rita Coolidge – Heartbreak Radio (1981) Albert Hammond – Your World and My World (1981) Dan Hill – Partial Surrender (1981) Quarterflash – Quarterflash (1981) Hoyt Axton – Pistol Packin' Mama (1982) Nicolette Larson – All Dressed Up and No Place to Go (1982) Moon Martin – Mystery Ticket (1982) Michael Martin Murphey – Michael Martin Murphey (1982) Glenn Shorrock – Villain of the Peace (1982) Warren Zevon – The Envoy (1982) Eddie Money – Where's the Party? (1983) Sharon O'Neill – Foreign Affairs (1983) Brock Walsh – Dateline: Tokyo (1983) Footloose – Original Soundtrack (1984) Mickey Gilley – Too Good to Stop Now (1984) Air Supply – Hearts in Motion (1986) Eikichi Yazawa – Flash in Japan (1987) The Simpsons – The Simpsons Sing the Blues (1990) Dan Fogelberg – Dan Fogelberg Live: Greetings from the West (1991) Parachute Express – Circle of Friends (1991) Parachute Express – Sunny Side Up (1991) Parachute Express – Happy to Be Here (1991) Rox Diamond – Rox Diamond (1992) Dan Fogelberg – River of Souls (1993) Alvin and the Chipmunks – A Very Merry Chipmunk (1994) Kermit & Friends – Kermit Unpigged (1994) Maureen McCormick – When You Get a Little Lonely (1995) Nelson – Because They Can (1995) Eliza Gilkyson – Redemption Road (1997) The Simpsons – The Yellow Album (1998) Batman Beyond – TV Soundtrack (1999) Mike Botts – Adults Only (2000) Dan Fogelberg – Live: Something Old New Borrowed & Some Blues (2000) References External links Mike Botts official site 1944 births 2005 deaths Deaths from colorectal cancer American rock musicians Musicians from Oakland, California Deaths from cancer in California American rock drummers American session musicians 20th-century American drummers American male drummers 20th-century American male musicians

4043861

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basal%20forebrain

Basal forebrain

Part of the human brain, the basal forebrain structures are located in the forebrain to the front of and below the striatum. They include the ventral basal ganglia (including nucleus accumbens and ventral pallidum), nucleus basalis, diagonal band of Broca, substantia innominata, and the medial septal nucleus. These structures are important in the production of acetylcholine, which is then distributed widely throughout the brain. The basal forebrain is considered to be the major cholinergic output of the central nervous system (CNS) centred on the output of the nucleus basalis. The presence of non-cholinergic neurons projecting to the cortex have been found to act with the cholinergic neurons to dynamically modulate activity in the cortex. Function Acetylcholine is known to promote wakefulness in the basal forebrain. Stimulating the basal forebrain gives rise to acetylcholine release, which induces wakefulness and REM sleep, whereas inhibition of acetylcholine release in the basal forebrain by adenosine causes slow wave sleep. The nucleus basalis is the main neuromodulator of the basal forebrain and gives widespread cholinergic projections to the neocortex. The nucleus basalis is an essential part of the neuromodulatory system that controls behaviour by regulating arousal and attention. The nucleus basalis is also seen to be a critical node in the memory circuit. The importance of non-cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain structures has been shown in working together with the cholinergic neurons in a dynamically modulatory way. This is seen to play a significant role in cognitive functions. Adenosine acts on A1 receptors of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain. This results in hyperpolarization of cholinergic neurons, which inhibits the release of acetylcholine. Nitric oxide production in the basal forebrain is both necessary and sufficient to produce sleep. Clinical significance Acetylcholine affects the ability of brain cells to transmit information to one another, and also encourages neuronal plasticity, or learning. Thus, damage to the basal forebrain can reduce the amount of acetylcholine in the brain and impair learning. This may be one reason why basal forebrain damage can result in memory impairments such as amnesia and confabulation. One common cause of basal forebrain damage is an aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery. It is thought that damage to the nucleus basalis and its cortical projections are implicated in forms of dementia, notably Alzheimer's dementia and Parkinson's disease dementia. There have been studies on the use of deep brain stimulation to the nucleus basalis, in the treatment of dementia, and while giving some positive results trials are still being undertaken. References Rostral basal ganglia and associated structures

4043864

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion%20and%20capital%20punishment

Religion and capital punishment

The major world religions have taken varied positions on the morality of capital punishment and as such, they have historically impacted the way in which governments handle such punishment practices. Although the viewpoints of some religions have changed over time, their influence on capital punishment generally depends on the existence of a religious moral code and how closely religion influences the government. Religious moral codes are often based on a body of teachings, such as the Old Testament or the Qur'an. Many Islamic nations have governments that are directly run by the code of Sharia law. The Qur'an explicitly states that the taking of a life results in the taking of ones own. There are certain actions in Islam, such as adultery, that are recognized to result in the death penalty. However, not all Islamic nations have the death penalty, for example Djibouti is an Islamic abolitionist nation. Tazir is an Islamic principle whereby the courts and the rulers can apply discretion in the way a certain crime is punished. Christianity has changed its perspective on the death penalty over time and different Christian denominations have different teachings on it. Many early Christians were strongly opposed to the death penalty and magistrates who enforced it could be excommunicated. Attitudes gradually began to relax in the fifth century. In the thirteenth century, Thomas Aquinas argued that capital punishment was a form of "lawful slaying", which became the standard Catholic teaching on the issue for centuries. During the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther and John Calvin defended the death penalty, but Quakers, Brethren, and Mennonites have opposed it since their founding. Since the Second Vatican Council, the Roman Catholic Church has generally opposed the death penalty and, in August 2018, Pope Francis revised the Catechism of the Catholic Church to explicitly condemn it in all cases, as an inadmissible attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person. Buddhism has a strong belief in compassion for the lives of others, as stated in the panca-sila (five precepts). There is an understanding of healing people who have committed crimes rather than retaliation against them. For these reasons, Buddhism has generally opposed the death penalty. China and Japan, both historically Buddhist countries, continue to practise the death penalty. Judaism has a history of debate over the death penalty but it generally disagrees with the practice. Although the Torah describes over 30 situations where the death penalty would be appropriate, there are many limitations that have made it difficult to implement. Since 1954, Israel has outlawed the use of the death penalty, except in cases of genocide and treason. Hinduism has historically not taken a stance on the death penalty and has little influence on the governments opinion of it, but India (an 80% Hindu nation) has the lowest rate of execution of any other country. This is likely due to the belief in Ahimsa, or non-violence, which became very apparent during Gandhi's time and was supported by India's ancient Buddhist emperor Ashoka, who is the only leader in the country's history to openly oppose the death penalty. Baháʼí Faith The Baháʼí Faith prescribes the death penalty, or life in prison, for murder and arson. Those punishments are intended for a future society and have never been implemented by Baháʼís. To dissuade others from comminiting such a crime again, Abdu’l-Bahá, a prominent religious figure in the Baha’i religion, conceded that society has a right of capital punishment if only for the ability to show others of its consequences and not for individual revenge. The Universal House of Justice is a democratically elected institution in the Baha’i faith and is a present representation of the laws of the Baha’i texts that promote a progress of societal peace. Details are left up to the supreme governing institution to clarify at some future date. Buddhism Although the death penalty is generally opposed in Buddhist nations, it is difficult to identify a specific Buddhist opinion on capital punishment because some countries that are majority Buddhist do not follow religious principles. Buddhist principles may not carry much weight, even in the case of a Buddhist ruler, because there is no direct effort of Buddhist followers to encourage pacifism in their country. The five precepts are not a divine order from god, they are merely a set of ethical guidelines to live by. For this reason, rulers do not necessarily have to worry about being punished by god for not following them, and some leaders may choose to simply ignore these guidelines when trying to run a country. Buddhist opposition to capital punishment The first of the Five Precepts (Panca-sila) is to abstain from destruction of life. Chapter 10 of the Dhammapada states: Everyone fears punishment; everyone fears death, just as you do. Therefore do not kill or cause to kill. Everyone fears punishment; everyone loves life, as you do. Therefore do not kill or cause to kill. This concept is meant to encourage compassion (karuna) and that everyone has the opportunity to reach enlightenment. Buddhism retains the idea that all life should be valued and valuing the life of someone who does not necessarily value the life of others shows great compassion and non-violence (ahimsa). The concept of ahimsa also includes Karma, which recognizes that killing is an example of bad karma and that killing for revenge is seen as counterproductive. It is believed that even the lives of murderers have value. There is a strong focus on rehabilitation and killing people takes away their opportunity be helped. Killing for revenge is seen as counterproductive. Chapter 26, the final chapter of the Dhammapada, states, "Him I call a brahmin who has put aside weapons and renounced violence toward all creatures. He neither kills nor helps others to kill." The story of the Jhanasanda-Jataka contains a similar message in talking about a prince who gets rid of all places of execution. Similarly, the Rajaparikatha-ratnamala contains advice given by the Buddhist Philosopher Nagarjuna and states that people should have compassion even for murderers and that banishment should be utilized as opposed to killing. This strong emphasis on compassion, in relation to capital punishment, is also evident in the story of Angulimala. Angulimala was a murderer that everyone in the village feared but despite this, the Buddha headed down the road to where Angulimata is rumored to live. Out of compassion, the Buddha finds him and teaches him how to be a monk. This exemplifies the Buddhist concept of rehabilitation, however, Angulimata had built up too much bad karma previously and died a painful death as a result. Historically, many Buddhist Kings in India did not impose the death penalty. They charged fines instead and cut off a hand at worst. Some people view this as surprising because many pre-modern societies used capital punishment often. Many places used banishment instead and sent murders off to mountains in the desert with just enough food to survive. Both the current Dalai Lama and his immediate predecessor have openly opposed the death penalty. The previous Dalai Lama (1879-1933) abolished the death penalty in an attempt to reform Tibet's feudal system after he had previously avoided cases involving capital punishment because of his focus on being a religious figure. Actions of Buddhist countries Bhutan, Cambodia, and Thailand all recognize Buddhism as a state religion and use a Buddhist approach to address the issue of capital punishment. Cambodia is the only nation to have officially outlawed the use of the death penalty, though neither Thailand nor Bhutan have utilized capital punishment in many years. Thailand is home to about 63 million people, 95% of these people follow Theravada Buddhism and it has become central to the culture and identity of Thailand. Thailand's war on drugs may potentially explain its current retention of the death penalty. The manufacture and distribution of drugs is considered an offense in which the death penalty is mandatory. There were no executions in Thailand, however, between the years of 1988-1995 and 2004–2007. Sri Lanka also recognizes Buddhism as its official state religion but appears to be moving toward an increase in its use of capital punishment. It is unclear, however, if this anything to do with its Buddhist beliefs. Unlike Thailand, Sri Lanka has had a long history of political and religious tension due to its history of being ruled by various countries. Its Buddhist influence was weakened by foreign rulers who believed in a suppression of Buddhist culture. A Buddhist monk was sentenced to death after his assassination of Prime Minister Bandaranaike in 1959 because he felt that he had not lived up to his political promises of promoting Buddhist culture within politics. There has not been an execution in Sri Lanka since 1977. Although it is communist, Laos has a much less intense commitment to capital punishment than other nearby communist nations. This is likely due to the strong influence of Theravada Buddhism. Myanmar also has a strong Theravada Buddhism influence in its country and has not carried out any government ordered executions since 1989. Christianity Christian tradition from the New Testament have come to a range of conclusions about the permissibility and social value of capital punishment. While some Christians hold the view that a strict reading of certain texts forbids executions, other Christians point to various verses in the New Testament which seem to endorse the imposition of the death penalty. Many early Christians strongly opposed the death penalty. A church order from Rome dated to around 200 AD forbids any Christian magistrate from carrying out a death sentence under pain of excommunication. It was also forbidden for any Christian to accuse a person of a crime if that accusation might result in the person being put to death or beaten with lead-weighted leather thongs. In the fifth century, Christian attitudes towards the death penalty gradually became less stringent. In 405, Pope Innocent I ruled that magistrates who enforced the death penalty could not be excommunicated, although the custom was probably still regarded as immoral. Roman Catholic Church Historically and traditionally, the Church has classified capital punishment as a form of "lawful slaying", a view which was defended by theological authorities such as Thomas Aquinas. (See also Aquinas on the death penalty). At various times in the past, the Church has held the view that, in certain cases, a legal system may be justified in levying a death sentence, such as in cases where the sentence may deter crime, may protect society from potential future acts of violence by an offender, may bring retribution for an offender's wrongful acts, and may even help the offender to move closer to reconciliation with God in the face of death. The 1566 Roman Catechism states this teaching thus: Another kind of lawful slaying belongs to the civil authorities, to whom is entrusted power of life and death, by the legal and judicious exercise of which they punish the guilty and protect the innocent. The just use of this power, far from involving the crime of murder, is an act of paramount obedience to this Commandment which prohibits murder. The end of the Commandment is the preservation and security of human life. Now the punishments inflicted by the civil authority, which are the legitimate avengers of crime, naturally tend to this end, since they give security to life by repressing outrage and violence. Hence these words of David: In the morning I put to death all the wicked of the land, that I might cut off all the workers of iniquity from the city of the Lord. This teaching was evident in the writings of Pope Innocent I and Pope Innocent III, with the latter stating that "the secular power can without mortal sin carry out a sentence of death, provided it proceeds in imposing the penalty not from hatred but with judgment, not carelessly but with due solicitude." More recently, the 1911 edition of the Catholic Encyclopedia suggested that Catholics should hold that "the infliction of capital punishment is not contrary to the teaching of the Catholic Church, and the power of the State to visit upon culprits the penalty of death derives much authority from revelation and from the writings of theologians", but that the matter of "the advisability of exercising that power is, of course, an affair to be determined upon other and various considerations." In an address given on 14 September 1952, Pope Pius XII stated that the Church does not regard the execution of criminals as a violation by the State of the universal right to life, declaring: "When it is a question of the execution of a condemned man, the State does not dispose of the individual's right to life. In this case it is reserved to the public power to deprive the condemned person of the enjoyment of life in expiation of his crime when, by his crime, he has already disposed himself of his right to live.” In the late twentieth century, however, the Catholic Church began to generally move away from condoning the death penalty and instead began to increasingly adopt a more disapproving stance on the issue. Many modern Church figures such as Pope John Paul II, Pope Francis, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have actively discouraged the death penalty or advocated its outright abolition. For example, in his 1995 Evangelium Vitae, Pope John Paul II suggested that capital punishment should be avoided unless it is the only way to defend society from the offender in question, opining that: [T]he nature and extent of the punishment must be carefully evaluated and decided upon, and ought not go to the extreme of executing the offender except in cases of absolute necessity: in other words, when it would not be possible otherwise to defend society. Today however, as a result of steady improvements in the organisation of the penal system, such cases are very rare, if not practically non-existent." The 1999 edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church restated this view, and further stated that: Assuming that the guilty party’s identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor. If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity to the dignity of the human person. However, in 2004, Cardinal Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI) suggested that the assessment of the contemporary situation advanced by John Paul II was not necessarily binding on the faithful, arguing that: if a Catholic were to be at odds with the Holy Father (i.e., the Pope) on the application of capital punishment or on the decision to wage war, he would not for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy Communion. While the Church exhorts civil authorities to seek peace, not war, and to exercise discretion and mercy in imposing punishment on criminals, it may still be permissible to take up arms to repel an aggressor or to have recourse to capital punishment. There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not however with regard to abortion and euthanasia. Some Catholic writers, such as the late Cardinal Joseph Bernadin of Chicago, have argued against the use of the death penalty in modern times by drawing on a stance labelled the "consistent life ethic". Characteristic of this approach is an emphasis on the sanctity of human life, and the responsibility on both a personal and social level to protect and preserve life from "womb to tomb" (conception to natural death). This position draws on the conviction that God has "boundless love for every person, regardless of human merit or worthiness." Other Catholic writers, such as Joseph Sobran and Matt Abbott, have criticised this approach, contending that it minimises the issue of abortion by placing it on the same level as the death penalty – the latter of which the Church does not consider intrinsically immoral. In 2015, Pope Francis stated in an address to the International Commission against the Death Penalty that: "Today the death penalty is inadmissible, no matter how serious the crime committed." Francis argued that the death penalty is no longer justified by a society's need to defend itself and has lost all legitimacy due to the possibility of judicial error. He further stated that capital punishment is an offense "against the inviolability of life and the dignity of the human person, which contradicts God's plan for man and society" and "does not render justice to the victims, but rather fosters vengeance." In the address, Francis further explained: In certain circumstances, when hostilities are underway, a measured reaction is necessary in order to prevent the aggressor from causing harm, and the need to neutralize the aggressor may result in his elimination; it is a case of legitimate defence (cf. Evangelium Vitae, n. 55). Nevertheless, the prerequisites of legitimate personal defence are not applicable in the social sphere without the risk of distortion. In fact, when the death penalty is applied, people are killed not for current acts of aggression, but for offences committed in the past. Moreover, it is applied to people whose capacity to cause harm is not current, but has already been neutralized, and who are deprived of their freedom. [...] For a constitutional State the death penalty represents a failure, because it obliges the State to kill in the name of justice [...] Justice is never reached by killing a human being. [...] The death penalty loses all legitimacy due to the defective selectivity of the criminal justice system and in the face of the possibility of judicial error. Human justice is imperfect, and the failure to recognize its fallibility can transform it into a source of injustice. With the application of capital punishment, the person sentenced is denied the possibility to make amends or to repent of the harm done; the possibility of confession, with which man expresses his inner conversion; and of contrition, the means of repentance and atonement, in order to reach the encounter with the merciful and healing love of God. Furthermore, capital punishment is a frequent practice to which totalitarian regimes and fanatical groups resort, for the extermination of political dissidents, minorities, and every individual labelled as “dangerous” or who might be perceived as a threat to their power or to the attainment of their objectives. As in the first centuries and also in the current one, the Church suffers from the application of this penalty to her new martyrs. The death penalty is contrary to the meaning of humanitas and to divine mercy, which must be models for human justice. It entails cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment, as is the anguish before the moment of execution and the terrible suspense between the issuing of the sentence and the execution of the penalty, a form of “torture” which, in the name of correct procedure, tends to last many years, and which oftentimes leads to illness and insanity on death row. Shortly prior to Francis's address, the Vatican had officially given support to a 2015 United Nations campaign against the death penalty. During a U.N. Human Rights Council meeting concerning the abolishment of capital punishment, Archbishop Silvano Tomasi declared that "The Holy See Delegation fully supports the efforts to abolish the use of the death penalty." The Archbishop stated: Considering the practical circumstances found in most States ... it appears evident nowadays that means other than the death penalty 'are sufficient to defend human lives against an aggressor and to protect public order and the safety of persons [...] We should take into account that no clear positive effect of deterrence results from the application of the death penalty and that the irreversibility of this punishment does not allow for eventual corrections in the case of wrongful convictions. On 2 August 2018, Pope Francis changed Catechism of the Catholic Church 2267 to the following: Recourse to the death penalty on the part of legitimate authority, following a fair trial, was long considered an appropriate response to the gravity of certain crimes and an acceptable, albeit extreme, means of safeguarding the common good. Today, however, there is an increasing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes. In addition, a new understanding has emerged of the significance of penal sanctions imposed by the state. Lastly, more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens but, at the same time, do not definitively deprive the guilty of the possibility of redemption. Consequently, the Church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that “the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person”, and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide”. Eastern Orthodox Various Eastern Orthodox churches have issued statements opposing capital punishment, including the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Orthodox Church in America, the Greek Orthodox Church, and the Georgian Orthodox Church. Coptic Orthodox The Coptic Orthodox Church approves of fair capital punishment. They believe that the new testament has spoken about grace, love and justice, while at the same time suggesting that capital punishment is justifiable as God's justice for people who take the life of others. Methodists In 1956, the United Methodist Church was one of the first Protestant Christian denomination to make a statement opposing capital punishment. At the United Methodist General Council, church leaders released a statement saying, "We stand for the application of the redemptive principle to the treatment of offenders against the law, to reform of penal and correctional methods, and to criminal court procedures. We deplore the use of capital punishment." The church stands by this statement today. The Salvation Army In the positional statement, it states that The Salvation Army does not support death penalty: Anglican and Episcopalian Article 37 of the Thirty-Nine Articles states that The Lambeth Conference of Anglican and Episcopalian bishops condemned the death penalty in 1988: Before that date, Anglican Bishops in the House of Lords had tended to vote in favour of the retention of capital punishment. The Southern Baptist Convention In 2000 the Southern Baptist Convention updated Baptist Faith and Message. In it the convention officially sanctioned the use of capital punishment by the State. This was an extension of earlier church sentiment. It said that it is the duty of the state to execute those who are guilty of murder and God established capital punishment in the Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9:6). Other Protestants Early in the Protestant Reformation, several of its key leaders, including Martin Luther and John Calvin, followed the traditional reasoning in favour of capital punishment, and the Lutheran Church's Augsburg Confession explicitly defended it. Some Protestant groups have cited Genesis 9:5–6, Romans 13:3–4, and Leviticus 20:1–27 as the basis for permitting the death penalty. However, Martin Luther thought it was wrong to use the death penalty against heretics. This was one of the specific issues he was asked to recant on in 1520 and excommunicated when he did not in 1521. Furthermore, some verses can be cited where Jesus seems to be a legalist by advocating respect for religious and civil laws: Matthew 5:17-22, 22:17-21 (the famous phrase ″Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's″, separating religion and civil law) and John 8:10-11. Mennonites, Church of the Brethren and Friends have opposed the death penalty since their founding, and continue to be strongly opposed to it today. These groups, along with other Christians opposed to capital punishment, have cited Christ's Sermon on the Mount (transcribed in Matthew Chapter 5–7) and Sermon on the Plain (transcribed in Luke 6:17–49). In both sermons, Christ tells his followers to turn the other cheek and to love their enemies, which these groups believe mandates nonviolence, including opposition to the death penalty. Mormonism The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) presently takes no position on capital punishment. There are statements from church officials on blood atonement. This belief held that the blood of Jesus' Atonement could not remit certain serious sins, and that the only way a Mormon sinner could pay for committing such sins would be to have his own blood spilled on the ground as an atonement. This doctrine was never held by the church or practised by clergy in their official capacity. The doctrine has no relation as to the reason why, until recently, Utah gave convicts sentenced to death a choice to be executed by firing squad rather than other methods such as lethal injection. This issue received significant public attention when Ronnie Lee Gardner, who was convicted of robbery, murder, and escaping from jail, chose to die by firing squad, citing the blood atonement as the reason for his decision. On the night of Ronnie's execution, the LDS Church released a statement that it did not support blood atonement of individuals as a doctrine of salvation. Islam Many Islamic governments support capital punishment. Many Islamic nations have governments that are directly run by the code of Sharia and, therefore, Islam is the only known religion which has a direct impact on governmental policies with regard to capital punishment in modern times. Islamic law is often used in the court system of many Islamic countries where there is no separation of church and state. The Quran is viewed as the direct word of Allah and going against its teachings is seen as going against the whole basis of the law. The Quran states "Do not kill a soul which Allah has made sacred except through the process of due law," which means that the death penalty is allowed in certain cases where the law says it is necessary. The Quran explicitly states that the taking of a life results in the taking of ones own. According to the Quran, the death penalty is recognized as a necessary form of punishment for some "Hudud" crimes in Islam because it is believed that these acts go directly against the word of god and are seen as a threat to society. However, in pre-modern Islam, capital punishments for these crimes were rarely enforced because the evidentiary standards were so high as to make convictions more difficult to obtain. At times the enforcement of these laws by modern Islamic governments has been a source of minor controversy within Muslim communities. Islamic nations Islamic nations generally agree that the death penalty should be retained but they differ on how to impose it, which indicates that there is still disagreement on the issue even within the religion of Islam. Iran and Iraq, for example, are very open about their frequent imposition of the death penalty, while the Islamic nation of Tunisia only imposes it in extremely rare cases. Sudan imposes the death penalty on those who are under the age of eighteen, while Yemen has taken a stand against the imposition of the death penalty on minors. Exceptionally, Djibouti is an Islamic nation which prohibits the death penalty in all situations. Although formerly under France and French law, the French code penal still imposed the death penalty for several offences upon Djibouti independence in June 1977. The UN has voiced concern about the sudden increase in death sentences in Iran since 2014. Although Iran has been called upon to stop utilizing the death penalty so frequently multiple times, a total of 625 executions were carried out in 2013 alone. Many of these executions were for drug related crimes, "enmity against god", and threatening national security. In a controversial case, an Iranian woman named Reyhaneh Jabbari was hanged in Tehran in October 2014 for the murder of a man who she claimed attempted to rape her. Her sentence was supported by the concept of qisas which is found in the Quran. The term qisas is translated as "equality in retaliation," meaning that any injury inflicted on another should be compensated for by punishing the perpetrator with the same injury. Fatwas and Jihad A fatwa is translated as a legal ruling that is issued by an Islamic legal expert that addresses the allowance or prohibition of a certain act. Fatwas promoting violence, in which the government allows an individual or a group of people to kill, is found only in Islam. Some fatwas are based on the concept of jihad, which is defined by radicals as a military conflict that must be waged on an individual basis by all healthy adult males. This idea becomes relevant in military struggles between Muslims and non-believers in which Muslims are not permitted to flee. The necessity to fight is viewed as an act of faith to Allah and those who remain loyal to Allah are rewarded. Ancient Islamic law lays out 36 conditions under which jihads can be waged and around 10-14 of those 36 conditions are military related. Other forms of jihad include personal struggles with the evil implications of ones soul or wealth. Current military motivations for Jihad might originate with the idea that Islam can only be spread through violence although the modern world includes other methods by which Islam can be spread such as the mass media and the internet Traditionally, fatwas must identify the legal problem which is being addressed, consider other rulings regarding the issue, and lay out a clear guidelines on how to solve the problem. Fatwas need to be based on many sources such as the Qur'an, the sunnah, logical analogies, public interest, and necessity. Questions have been raised about a Muslim who follows a fatwa that causes him to sin, particularly in cases of violence. This falls back on the cleric who issued the fatwa and the person who committed the potential crime. This has led to radical interpretations that legitimize killing in order to fulfill a fatwa. An example of this includes Islamic terrorism which is based on the belief that "the meaning of jihad is to strive to liberate Muslim lands from the grip of kuffars who usurped them and imposed their own laws on them instead of the laws of Allah." Fatwas have been issued against the West by radicals within the Muslim community who claim that the West's governments practice heresy and world domination. An example of this is the fatwa issued by Sheikh Abdallah 'Azzam who called for an ongoing jihad "until all of mankind worships Allah." This resulted in a fatwa which ruled that the killing of all non-believers was a duty that must be fulfilled by all Muslims as a response to the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Another example is a fatwa which the Well-known Islamic religious leader Yusuf al-Qaradawi issued against the Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi in February 2011. In his fatwa which he issued on Al-Jazeera television, he stated that "whoever in the Libyan army is able to shoot a bullet at Mr Gaddafi should do so". Judaism The teachings of Judaism support the imposition of the death penalty in principle but the standard of proof which is required for the imposition of the death penalty is extremely stringent, and in practice, it has been abolished by various Talmudic decisions, making the situations in which a death sentence can be imposed effectively impossible and hypothetical. "Forty years before the destruction" of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE, i.e. in 30 CE, the Sanhedrin effectively abolished capital punishment, making it a hypothetical upper limit on the severity of punishment, fitting in finality for God alone to use, not fallible humans. Even though Judaism allows the death penalty to be imposed in some hypothetical circumstances, scholars of Judaism broadly oppose the death penalty as it is imposed in the modern world. The Jewish understanding of Biblical law is not based on a literal reading of the Bible, instead, it is seen through the lens of Judaism's oral law. These oral laws were first recorded in the Mishnah in around 200 CE and later, in around 600 CE, they were recorded in the Babylonian Talmud. The laws clearly state that the death penalty was rarely imposed. The Mishnah states: A Sanhedrin that puts a man to death once in seven years is called destructive. Rabbi Eliezer ben Azariah says: a Sanhedrin that puts a man to death even once in seventy years. Rabbi Akiba and Rabbi Tarfon say: Had we been in the Sanhedrin none would ever have been put to death. Rabban Simeon ben Gamaliel says: they would have multiplied shedders of blood in Israel. (Mishnah, Makkot 1:10). Rabbinic tradition describes a detailed system of checks and balances which exists in order to prevent the execution of an innocent person. These rules are so restrictive as to effectively legislate the penalty out of existence. The law requires that: There must have been two witnesses to the crime, and these must conform to a prescribed list of criteria. For example, females and close relatives of the criminal are precluded from being witnesses according to Biblical law, while full-time gamblers are precluded as a matter of rabbinical law. The witnesses must have verbally warned the person seconds before the act that they were liable for the death penalty The person must then have verbally acknowledged that he or she was warned and that the warning would be disregarded, and then have gone ahead and committed the sin. No individual was allowed to testify against him or herself. The 12th-century Jewish legal scholar Maimonides famously stated that "It is better and more satisfactory to acquit a thousand guilty persons than to put a single innocent one to death." Maimonides argued that executing a defendant on anything less than absolute certainty would lead to a slippery slope of decreasing burdens of proof, until we would be convicting merely "according to the judge's caprice." Maimonides was concerned about the need for the law to guard itself in public perceptions, to preserve its majesty and retain the people's respect. On the other hand, he allowed for the possibility of imposing capital punishment on circumstantial evidence alone when warranted Today, the State of Israel only uses the death penalty for extraordinary crimes, and only two people have ever been executed in Israel's history. The only civil execution ever to take place in Israel was of convicted Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962. The other execution was of Meir Tobianski, an army major court-martialled and convicted of treason during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and posthumously exonerated. However, Israeli employment of the death penalty has little to do with Jewish law. Orthodox Judaism In Orthodox Judaism it is held that in theory the death penalty is a correct and just punishment for some crimes. However, in practice the application of such a punishment can only be carried out by humans whose system of justice is nearly perfect, a situation which has not existed for some time. Orthodox Rabbi Yosef Edelstein writes "So, at least theoretically, the Torah can be said to be pro-capital punishment. It is not morally wrong, in absolute terms, to put a murderer to death ...However, things look rather different when we turn our attention to the practical realisation of this seemingly harsh legislation. You may be aware that it was exceedingly difficult, in practice, to carry out the death penalty in Jewish society ...I think it's clear that with regard to Jewish jurisprudence, the capital punishment outlined by the Written and Oral Torah, and as carried out by the greatest Sages from among our people (who were paragons of humility and humanity and not just scholarship, needless to say), did not remotely resemble the death penalty in modern America (or Texas). In theory, capital punishment is kosher; it's morally right, in the Torah's eyes. But we have seen that there was great concern—expressed both in the legislation of the Torah, and in the sentiments of some of our great Sages—regarding its practical implementation. It was carried out in ancient Israel, but only with great difficulty. Once in seven years; not 135 in five and a half." (Rabbi Yosef Edelstein, Director of the Savannah Kollel) Orthodox Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan writes: "In practice, however, these punishments were almost never invoked, and existed mainly as a deterrent and to indicate the seriousness of the sins for which they were prescribed. The rules of evidence and other safeguards that the Torah provides to protect the accused made it all but impossible to actually invoke these penalties...the system of judicial punishments could become brutal and barbaric unless administered in an atmosphere of the highest morality and piety. When these standards declined among the Jewish people, the Sanhedrin...voluntarily abolished this system of penalties" (Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan in Handbook of Jewish Thought, Volume II, pp. 170–71). On the other hand, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, in a letter to then New York Governor Hugh Carey states: "One who murders because the prohibition to kill is meaningless to him and he is especially cruel, and so too when murderers and evil people proliferate they [the courts] would [should?] judge [capital punishment] to repair the issue [and] to prevent murder – for this [action of the court] saves the state." Conservative Judaism In Conservative Judaism the death penalty was the subject of a responsum by its Committee on Jewish Law and Standards: "The Talmud ruled out the admissibility of circumstantial evidence in cases which involved a capital crime. Two witnesses were required to testify that they saw the action with their own eyes. A man could not be found guilty of a capital crime through his own confession or through the testimony of immediate members of his family. The rabbis demanded a condition of cool premeditation in the act of crime before they would sanction the death penalty; the specific test on which they insisted was that the criminal be warned prior to the crime, and that the criminal indicate by responding to the warning, that he is fully aware of his deed, but that he is determined to go through with it. In effect this did away with the application of the death penalty. The rabbis were aware of this, and they declared openly that they found capital punishment repugnant to them... There is another reason which argues for the abolition of capital punishment. It is the fact of human fallibility. Too often we learn of people who were convicted of crimes and only later are new facts uncovered by which their innocence is established. The doors of the jail can be opened, in such cases we can partially undo the injustice. But the dead cannot be brought back to life again. We regard all forms of capital punishment as barbaric and obsolete..." Reform Judaism Reform Judaism has formally opposed the death penalty since 1959, when the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now the Union for Reform Judaism) resolved “that in the light of modern scientific knowledge and concepts of humanity, the resort to or continuation of capital punishment either by a state or by the national government is no longer morally justifiable.” The resolution goes on to say that the death penalty “lies as a stain upon civilization and our religious conscience.” In 1979, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the professional arm of the Reform rabbinate, resolved that, “both in concept and in practice, Jewish tradition found capital punishment repugnant” and there is no persuasive evidence “that capital punishment serves as a deterrent to crime.” Hinduism Even though Hinduism has historically not taken a stance on the death penalty and it has little influence on the Indian governments opinion of it, India (an 80% Hindu nation) has the lowest rate of execution of any other country. A basis can be found in Hindu teachings, such as the Mahabharata, for opposing the death penalty, even though it has historically been implemented by Hindu leaders. Hinduism preaches ahimsa (or ahinsa, non-violence), but also teaches that the soul cannot be killed and death is limited only to the physical body, explaining the difficulty in choosing an exact position on capital punishment. Hinduism's belief that life in this world is more of an illusion greatly decreases the religious impact on governments in majority Hindu nations. Use of the death penalty has not faced much opposition by Indian citizens historically, with the exception of some recent backlash. Hinduism's belief in karma may explain why there is no strong support or opposition to capital punishment because it is believed that if someone commits a crime in this life, they will pay for it in another life. It is also believed that the soul comes back many times after death to be purified by good karma and a persons destiny determines when they die. Evidence in support of the death penalty Historically, The Laws of Manu, or manusmriti, state that the king should be the one to decide on appropriate punishments. The king has the right to do whatever needs to be done in order to protect his people. He is given the right to punish criminals by placing them in shackles, imprisoning them, or sentencing them to death. It was observed in the 5th century that death sentences were related to caste. For example, If a Sudra insulted a priest they were sentenced to death but if a priest were to kill a sudra it was the equivalent of killing a dog or a cat and their only punishment would be to pay a fine. Other crimes worthy of capital or corporal punishment, according to the Laws of Manu, include when a lower caste man makes love to a woman of the highest caste, a Sudra slandering a Kshatriya, when men and women are stolen from the most noble family, and when a woman is violated without consent. With a history of rulers who favored capital punishment, Ashoka is the only known ruler to openly oppose its use. In the 1980s parliament expanded punishment by death to offenses such as terrorism and kidnapping for ransom. This decision was supported by the public and a survey conducted in the 1980s solidified this support in finding that teachers, doctors, and lawyers all favored the death penalty. Currently, the Indian Penal Code (IPC) recognizes legitimacy of the death penalty in cases of murder, waging war against the government, encouraging suicide, fabricating false evidence, kidnapping, and murder as part of a robbery. Today, It is common to find people in support of the death penalty such as Kiran Bedi, Police Advisor to the UN, who says that "the death penalty is necessary in certain cases to do justice to society's anger against the crime." An example of recent capital punishment in India includes Mohammad Afzal Guru, who was sentenced to death in 2013 after attacking the Indian Parliament in December 2001. Evidence in opposition to the death penalty Emperor Ashoka, who was a Buddhist, was one of the first rulers to completely outlaw the imposition of capital punishment. He outlawed the imposition of capital punishment because he believed in Buddhism's strong emphasis on ahimsa, or nonviolence. In Buddhism, and also in Hinduism, the concept of ahimsa bans the killing of any living being, no matter how small. Many people who oppose the death penalty go back to the beliefs of their enlightened ancestors who preached non-violence and that we should respect human rights and the gift of life. Gandhi also opposed the death penalty and stated that "I cannot in all conscience agree to anyone being sent to the gallows. God alone can take life because he alone gives it. In 1980, the Indian Supreme Court made it very clear that it does not take capital punishment lightly and as a result of Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab ruled that the death penalty should only be utilized in the "rarest of rare cases." Currently, it is mainly only human rights activists that take a stand against the death penalty. This is because they believe that the only people being sentenced to death are "the poor, the sick, and the ignorant." Also vulnerable are the non-Hindu minorities, who feel threatened by the idea of the death penalty and oppose it Although it is unclear whether a sample of Indian college students is representative of the whole population, Lambert found that when asked their opinion of the death penalty 44% of college students opposed it. However, when taking into account the importance of religion in their lives there was a significant relationship between religious affiliation and support for the death penalty. Summary of worldwide denominational positions See also The Bible and Violence Death penalty in the Bible Religious violence Notes References References For a detailed discussion on the Roman Catholic Church's view on capital punishment see chapter 3 of Pope John Paul II's encyclical, Evangelium Vitae. Religion and politics

4043894

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pang%20Qing

Pang Qing

Pang Qing (; born December 24, 1979, in Harbin, Heilongjiang) is a Chinese retired pair skater. With her husband Tong Jian, she is the 2010 Olympic silver medalist, the 2006 and 2010 World Champion, a five-time Four Continents champion (2002, 2004, 2008, 2009 & 2011) and the 2008 Grand Prix Final Champion. Career Pang was born in Harbin, the home of Chinese pair skating. She began skating at age six. She originally competed as a single skater. In 1993, coach Yao Bin teamed her up with Tong and they have been skating together ever since. When Yao moved to Beijing, Pang and Tong trained without a coach until 1997, when they began training under Yao again. Pang and Tong did not have a strong junior career, perhaps due to the fact that the Junior Grand Prix did not exist when they were skating at the junior level. They placed 14th, 9th, and 8th at the World Junior Championships between 1997 and 1999. After that, they went senior. Pang and Tong won the silver medal at the 1997 Chinese national championships, but did not represent China at the World Championships until 1999. They are the 2000 Chinese national champions. At their first major senior international, the 1999 Four Continents Championships (the first Four Continents ever held), they placed 5th. They then went to their first Worlds, where they placed 14th. In the 1999–2000 season, Pang and Tong made their Grand Prix debut. They placed 4th at Skate Canada and 5th at Cup of Russia. They slowly moved up the ranks over the years. At the 2002 Winter Olympics, coming in as the Four Continents Champions, they placed 9th. Following the 2001–2002 season, Pang and Tong began to be contenders. They consistently placed on the podium at their Grand Prix events. They won their first World medal (a bronze) at the 2004 World Championships. After their first world medal, they had a rough 2004–2005 season and a shaky start at the beginning of the 2005–2006 season. They recovered with consistency by the 2006 Olympics, where they placed a controversial 4th behind teammates Shen Xue & Hongbo Zhao and Zhang Dan & Zhang Hao. They went to the 2006 Worlds and won it. In the 2006–2007 season, Pang and Tong were unable to defend their World title. They were forced to withdraw from Skate America due to injury. They won the silver medal at the Cup of China, the Asian Winter Games, and the Four Continents Championships. At Worlds, they placed second. During the 2007–2008 season, Pang and Tong had a rough start, losing two out of their three Grand Prix events. They came back strong midseason by winning the bronze at the Grand Prix Final and their third Four Continents title. They ended their season with a disappointing 5th at the World Championships. During the 2008–2009 season, Pang and Tong had another rough outing at their first event, the Cup of China. Despite this, they went on to win their next Grand Prix events and the final. During that season, they made history, when they went on to win a record setting fourth Four Continents title and have now won more Four Continent titles than any other team. Despite the momentum they had built, they had another disappointing World Championships, where they were once again off the podium. During the 2009–2010 season, Pang and Tong won both of their Grand Prix events and a silver at the Grand Prix Final, defeating all the world medalists at the previous world championship. In the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Pang and Tong set a new World Record for the free skate with a score of 141.81 points. They placed second place behind Shen Xue & Hongbo Zhao thanks to their teammates' world record-setting short program. The People's Republic of China broke Russia's 46-year twelve Olympic gold medal streak in pairs skating, sweeping gold and silver places. They became the 2010 World Champions in Turin, Italy. For the 2010–2011 ISU Grand Prix season, Pang and Tong were assigned to the 2010 NHK Trophy and to the 2010 Cup of China. They won both of their Grand Prix assignments to qualify for the Grand Prix Final where they won silver. They won the bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships. Pang and Tong withdrew from their assigned 2011–12 Grand Prix events, however, returned to competition in January 2012, where they won gold at the Chinese National Winter Games. They earned first-place marks in the short program (70.24) and free skate (126.31). They competed at and finished fourth at the 2012 World Championships in what was their only ISU international event of the season. For the 2012–13 season, Pang and Tong medaled at both their Grand Prix events, taking second at 2012 Skate America and first at 2012 Cup of China. They went on to win the bronze at the 2012–13 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. They were fifth at the 2013 World Figure Skating Championships. During the 2013–14 season, Pang and Tong finished second at 2013 Cup of China and first at 2013 Trophée Éric Bompard before winning bronze again at the 2013–14 Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. They went on to finish fourth at the 2014 Winter Olympics, their fourth consecutive Olympic Games. For the 2014–15 season, Pang and Tong competed at the 2015 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships and 2015 World Figure Skating Championships, placing third at both events. Coaching career In June 2016, Pang began working as a coach for Chinese single skaters, Li Zijun and Yan Han. Personal life Although they had not spoken about their personal lives, Pang and Tong revealed publicly in an issue of Vanity Fair during the 2010 Winter Olympics that they were romantically involved. In June 2011, the pair became engaged after Tong proposed on-ice to Pang at a show in Shanghai. They got married on June 18, 2016. Pang gave birth to their son on November 27, 2016. Programs Competitive highlights (with Tong) Detailed results References External links Official website 1979 births Chinese female pair skaters Olympic figure skaters of China Figure skaters at the 2002 Winter Olympics Figure skaters at the 2006 Winter Olympics Figure skaters at the 2010 Winter Olympics Figure skaters at the 2014 Winter Olympics Living people Olympic silver medalists for China Figure skaters from Harbin Olympic medalists in figure skating World Figure Skating Championships medalists Four Continents Figure Skating Championships medalists Medalists at the 2010 Winter Olympics Asian Games medalists in figure skating Figure skaters at the 2003 Asian Winter Games Figure skaters at the 2007 Asian Winter Games Figure skaters at the 2011 Asian Winter Games Asian Games gold medalists for China Asian Games silver medalists for China Medalists at the 2007 Asian Winter Games Medalists at the 2011 Asian Winter Games Universiade medalists in figure skating Universiade silver medalists for China Competitors at the 1999 Winter Universiade

4043899

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List%20of%20vineyards%20and%20wineries

List of vineyards and wineries

The following is a non-exhaustive list of vineyards and wineries from around the world. Argentina Adrianna Vineyard, Mendoza Bodega Catena Zapata, Mendoza Australia New South Wales Botobolar Vineyard De Bortoli Wines Wyndham Estate South Australia Tasmania Bruny Island Premium Wines Moorilla Estate Victoria Brown Brothers Milawa Vineyard De Bortoli Wines Tahbilk Western Australia Bulgaria Winery Balar AD, Upper Thracian Plain Villa Melnik Winery Canada Colio Estate Wines Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Ltd. Gaspereau Vineyards Haywire Winery Pelee Island Winery Prince Edward County Wine Strewn Winery Vignoble Carone Chile Concha y Toro Winery France Château Branaire-Ducru Château Brane-Cantenac Château de Camensac Château Cheval Blanc Château de Curton Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Château Figeac Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal Château Haut-Bailly Château Haut-Brion Château Haut-Marbuzet Château Lafite Rothschild Château Lascombes Château Latour Château Leoville Las Cases Château Lynch-Moussas Château Margaux Château Montrose Château Mouton Rothschild Château Pétrus Château de Pommard Château Pontet-Canet Château Rauzan-Gassies Château Suau (Capian) Domaine Henri Milan Domaine Laroche Germany Mosel Rheingau Malta Ta' Betta Wine Estates New Zealand Cloudy Bay Vineyards Grove Mill Montana Wines Pegasus Bay Vineyards Two Paddocks Villa Maria Estates Yealands Estate Romania Băbească neagră Busuioacă de Bohotin Cotnari Dealing Mare Fetească albă Fetească neagră Fetească regală Grasă de Cotnari Halewood Jidvei Murfatlar Tămâioasă Românească South Africa United States Chalone Vineyard Chateau Montelena Chateau Morrisette Winery Clos Du Val Winery David Bruce Winery E & J Gallo Winery Freemark Abbey Winery Grgich Hills Estate Heitz Wine Cellars Inglenook Winery Kendall-Jackson Louis M. Martini Winery Mayacamas Vineyards Messina Hof Opus One Winery Remick Ridge Vineyards Ridge Vineyards Kedem Winery Rubicon Estate Winery Silverado Vineyards Winery Spring Mountain Vineyard Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Stags' Leap Winery Sterling Vineyards Trefethen Vineyards The Williamsburg Winery See also List of wine-producing countries List of wine-producing regions Lists of vineyards and wineries Outline of wine Wine References Lists of companies by industry Agriculture-related lists

4043909

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collie%20eye%20anomaly

Collie eye anomaly

Collie eye anomaly (CEA) is a congenital, inherited, bilateral eye disease of dogs, which affects the retina, choroid, and sclera. It can be a mild disease or cause blindness. CEA is caused by a simple autosomal recessive gene defect. There is no treatment. Affected breeds It is known to occur in Collies (smooth and rough collies), Shetland Sheepdogs, Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, Lancashire Heelers, and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. Frequency is high in Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs, and low in Border Collies and NSDTRs. In the United States, incidence in the genotype of collies has been estimated to be as high as 95 percent, with a phenotypic incidence of 80 to 85 percent. Pathogenesis CEA is caused by improper development of the eye. Failure of the cells of the posterior portion of the optic vesicles to express growth hormone affects the differentiation of other cells of the eye. The choroid, especially lateral to the optic disc, is hypoplastic (underdeveloped). A coloboma, or hole, may form in or near the optic disc due to a failed closure of embryonic tissue. The degree of these abnormalities varies between individual dogs, and even between the same dog's eyes. CEA is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait that has a penetrance reaching 100 percent, and has been localized to canine chromosome 37. Signs The most common sign of CEA is the presence of an area of undeveloped choroid (appearing as a pale spot) lateral to the optic disc. The choroid is a collection of blood vessels supplying the retina. CEA can also cause retinal or scleral coloboma, coloboma of the optic disc, retinal detachment, or intraocular hemorrhage. It can be diagnosed by fundoscopy by the age of six or seven weeks. Severe cases may be blind. Breeding and testing Controversies exist around eliminating this disorder from breeding Collies. Some veterinarians advocate only breeding dogs with no evidence of disease, but this would eliminate a large portion of potential breeding stock. Because of this, others recommend only breeding mildly affected dogs, but this would never completely eradicate the condition. Also, mild cases of choroidal hypoplasia may become pigmented and therefore undiagnosable by the age of three to seven months. If puppies are not checked for CEA before this happens, they may be mistaken for normal and bred as such. Checking for CEA by seven weeks of age can eliminate this possibility. Diagnosis is also difficult in dogs with coats of dilute color because lack of pigment in the choroid of these animals can be confused with choroidal hypoplasia. Also, because of the lack of choroidal pigment, mild choroidal hypoplasia is difficult to see, and therefore cases of CEA may be missed. Until recently, the only way to know if a dog was a carrier was for it to produce an affected puppy. However, a genetic test for CEA became available at the beginning of 2005, developed by the Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, and administered through OptiGen. The test can determine whether a dog is affected, a carrier, or clear, and is therefore a useful tool in determining a particular dog's suitability for breeding. References External links Informational website for CEA Optigen: Collie Eye Anomaly / Choroidal Hypoplasia (CEA) Test Dog diseases

4043934

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flandrau%20State%20Park

Flandrau State Park

Flandrau State Park is a state park of Minnesota, United States, on the Cottonwood River adjacent to the city of New Ulm. Initially called Cottonwood River State Park, it was renamed in 1945 to honor Charles Eugene Flandrau, a leading citizen of early Minnesota who commanded defenses during the Battles of New Ulm in the Dakota War of 1862. The park was originally developed in the 1930s as a job creation project to provide a recreational reservoir. However the dam was repeatedly damaged by floods and was removed in 1995. Along with the dam, crews from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Works Progress Administration (WPA) built several structures in the National Park Service rustic style. In a unique twist on the mandate to harmonize with the local environment, the buildings were designed to reflect the ethnic German heritage of New Ulm. The WPA barracks were reused during World War II as Camp New Ulm, housing German prisoners of war. All of these structures are listed as a district on the National Register of Historic Places. Natural history Geography Flandrau State Park lies in a small valley carved by the east-flowing Cottonwood River. Marshy oxbow lakes mark the river's former courses along the valley floor. The steep valley walls rise . The Cottonwood joins the Minnesota River just east of the park. It originates west of the park in Lyon County, Minnesota. The park boundary largely follows the valley rim. Trees on the slopes generally screen the adjacent development. The northern end of the park, including the campground, is within the city limits of New Ulm. No bridges cross the river within Flandrau, so the parkland on the south bank is not readily accessible. The only development there, the group center, is at the end of a gated road. Geology Flandrau State Park lies atop a bedrock of shale, sandstone, and conglomerate. These sediments accumulated at the bottom of the Western Interior Seaway 100 million years ago during the late Cretaceous period. The fine-grained sandstone is white with bands of orange from iron oxide, and contains fossilized plant material. The conglomerate contains pebbles of granite that had formed 3,000–2,500 million years ago and later eroded into the seaway. Lying directly atop the Cretaceous rocks is till just a few thousand years old. All intermediate rock had eroded away before the till was deposited in a ground moraine by continental glaciers. Within Flandrau State Park this glacial debris is thick. While the till contains some rock from Canada and northern Minnesota, most is from the local region. Numerous springs emerge at the base of the till slopes, especially at the western end of the park. As the northern glaciers melted, the massive Glacial River Warren carved a deep channel for itself. The modern Minnesota River follows the same course, but occupies only a fraction of the former riverbed. Its tributaries must drop from the surrounding plains into the broad valley to reach their base level. This is why the Cottonwood River, a placid prairie stream for most of its length, plunges into such a deep valley near its mouth. The Cottonwood's downcutting has carved all the way through the thick glacial till and a few feet into the Cretaceous bedrock below. There may once have been a waterfall on the Cottonwood River, which eroded into rapids before achieving the steady gradient of modern times. Flora The vegetation of Flandrau State Park is representative of the Upper Minnesota River Country Biocultural Region. Although the surrounding tallgrass prairie is gone, the forested river valley remains similar to times before European settlement. The valley floor supports marshes and wet prairie interspersed with bottomland hardwood forest of willow, eastern cottonwood, American elm, silver maple, and green ash. The steep valley walls bear northern hardwood forest, although the cooler, moister north-facing slopes favor sugar maple, basswood, and common hackberry while the drier south slopes are characterized by bur oak, eastern red cedar, and aspen. A few dry, sunny knolls support prairie characterized by big bluestem and indian grass. The park's plant communities have been altered since Euro-American settlement. Without periodic wildfires to thin woody plants, the valleyside forests have gotten denser and many prairie openings have filled in with sumac. Many elm trees were lost to Dutch elm disease. The valley floor is largely secondary forest, having been cleared for agriculture and then submerged under a reservoir. Fauna Surrounded by human development, Flandrau is an important refuge for local wildlife. The 25 species of mammals seen in the park include white-tailed deer, coyotes, gray foxes, raccoons, beavers, skunks, opossums, and minks. Over 168 species of birds have been documented in the park. Many of these are birds migrating through rather than nesting. These include many warblers, flycatchers, vireos, and thrushes. The Cottonwood River supports a few game fish — notably northern pike and smallmouth bass — and a greater variety of rough fish. Cultural history Archaeological evidence found outside the park confirms that prehistoric Native Americans inhabited the Cottonwood River valley. A few sites were as much as 7,000 years old, though most were 2,000 years old or less. At the time of European contact in the mid-17th century the area was home to the Dakota. Pioneers began settling the Cottonwood Valley in the 1830s. In less than a century, though, the valley floor was largely abandoned due to the periodic flooding. State park creation To help combat unemployment during the Great Depression, federal funding was dedicated to park development throughout the United States. The Cottonwood River valley was selected as it was in a well-populated region with no other large recreational area or lakes. Moreover, the land was largely abandoned and seemingly in need of flood control structures. The state of Minnesota purchased the property in 1934. The first Works Progress Administration (WPA) enrollees arrived in September, living in tents while they built bunkhouses, a mess hall, and an administrative building over the winter. Mostly middle-aged skilled workers, the WPA men quarried stone and constructed three park buildings: a beachhouse, a manager's residence, and a garage. A second workforce arrived in June 1935, establishing its own camp in the southwest corner of the park. These were less-skilled workers hired through the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). They built the dam and its earthen dikes, constructed a kitchen shelter, landscaped, planted trees, and blazed trails. WPA and CCC workers cleared trees out of the lakebed. For the first year the laborers were World War I veterans from the Veterans Conservation Corps (VCC). In July 1936 they transferred to other Minnesota state parks and were replaced with the unemployed young men more typical of CCC projects. The dam, completed in 1937 after two years of work, impounded a reservoir of . The WPA continued to work in the park until 1941 and the CCC until 1942. As planned, the WPA camp was converted to a group center while the CCC camp was razed. The stone structures built by the WPA have been called " the most unusual architectural designs in the state park system" by the Minnesota Historical Society. A principle of the rustic style was to harmonize with the local environment, generally by using local materials. In this case, however, architect Edward W. Barber chose to reflect local culture as well, honoring the strong German heritage of New Ulm. The park buildings evoke the architecture of Germany with steeply pitched roofs, dormers, chimneys, casement windows with small panes, and fine nonlinear stonework. The beachhouse is also one of the largest New Deal structures in the Minnesota state park system. Camp New Ulm During World War II, the empty group camp built by the WPA was used to house German prisoners of war in the United States. Late in the war, Great Britain was short on space and resources to provide for captured enemy combatants; meanwhile, much of the U.S. labor force was off serving in the military. The U.S. established camps throughout the country from which 450,000 POWs were employed in non-defense industries. Nine POW camps were established in Minnesota — including one other state park, Whitewater — all managed from a regional headquarters in Algona, Iowa. About 160 German POWs arrived at Camp New Ulm in June 1944. Mostly members of the Luftwaffe (the German Air Force), they ranged in age from 18 to 25. Twelve men from the U.S. Army served as their guards. The POWs primarily worked in the nearby town of Sleepy Eye at a cannery, which paid the rent on the camp. After the harvest season, prisoners worked at brick and tile factories and a poultry processing plant. Ochs Brick in Springfield was one. Small groups were hired out to local farms, unguarded, as short-term farmworkers. The POWs spent the winter at the regional main camp in Algona and returned in spring 1945. That year their use on farms expanded considerably, encompassing worksites in eight counties, while prisoners at the cannery were instrumental in packing Sleepy Eye's largest-ever pea crop. The location of Camp New Ulm outside a town with a strong German heritage was a lucky break for the POWs. Many locals still spoke German and were sympathetic toward the prisoners (and hoping in many cases for news of relatives and the old country). German-speaking church officials held Lutheran and Catholic services in the camp and gathered donations of reading material. Although the guards warned civilians that they were not to have contact with the POWs, food was slipped over the fence, cannery workers shared ice cream and beer, and young women waded across the river at night to flirt at the camp's edge. POWs out on weeklong farm details fared best of all, often receiving full home-cooked meals at the family dinner table. Prisoner Helmut Lichtenberg, who had become friendly with a farm family he'd worked for, arranged to slip out of camp and spend much of a weekend with them. Mindless of the severity of the infraction, the farmer and his mother-in-law drove Lichtenberg into camp Sunday afternoon, where they were stopped by guards. Lichtenberg was punished with solitary confinement; the Americans were ultimately both fined $300 and lectured by the judge. Their testimony indicated that other prisoners undertook such forays, but this was the camp's only documented escape incident. For recreation the POWs had a clubhouse with a fireplace and library, a camp store, a sport field, and a workshop where they made their own furniture and sporting equipment. They were allowed to swim and fish in part of Cottonwood Lake. Further entertainments included newspapers, radios, and weekly movie screenings. Some musical instruments were gathered, and locals came to listen and sing along to Sunday afternoon concerts. Camp New Ulm closed in December 1945 and all of the internees were eventually repatriated to Germany. One of the former prisoners later immigrated to the United States, settling in Wisconsin. The camp remains in use as the state park's group center, one of the country's few World War II POW camps that are still maintained. When the camp is not occupied, visitors can ask at the park office to access the grounds. Recent history By World War II, sentiment developed for renaming the park after Charles Flandrau (1828–1903), a notable figure in early Minnesota history. A lawyer, Indian agent, and statesman, Flandrau served on the territorial supreme court, presided over the first court session in Brown County, and led the military defense of New Ulm during the Dakota War of 1862. The name was changed in March 1945. Two years later the Cottonwood Lake Dam was overtopped and seriously damaged by a flood. It was reconstructed at great expense, but damaged again by flooding in spring 1965. This time federal funds were denied, and the state opted for a shorter dam and a separate swimming pool. However a third damaging flood swept through in 1969. With local opinion divided about reestablishing the recreational lake, the state commissioned an independent study. The engineering consultants reported that, although a restored dam would improve habitat for panfish and block upstream movement of undesirable species such as carp, it would not provide effective flood control. The capacity of the lake basin was too small compared to the watershed, exacerbated by increased agricultural drainage and wetland loss since the original damming in the 1930s. Nor would a new dam be cost-effective for generating hydroelectricity, and the lake would be prone to heavy sedimentation and periods of poor water quality. The director of the state parks division recommended against rebuilding the dam. Some structures remained for several years; full dam removal took place in 1995 and the Cottonwood River is again free-flowing through the park. As an interpretive sign reads, "the dam that took almost 200 men nearly two years to build was demolished by four men and heavy equipment in five months." Recreation Flandrau State Park has of trails for hiking, walking, and running. Many connect to city streets such as Indian Point Dr. and Summit Ave., so the park experiences significant walk-in traffic. In winter 6 miles of the trails are groomed for cross-country skiing and 2 miles for snowshoeing. The park maintains three campgrounds with 92 sites total, 34 of which have electrical hookups. There are also three secluded walk-in sites. Visitors can rent two camper cabins or the historic group center, which sleeps up to 110 in eight bunkhouses. The popular day-use area centers around a unique sand-bottomed, chlorinated swimming pool. This is adjacent to the historic beachhouse and a picnic area with a playground, volleyball and horseshoes facilities, and a reservable shelter. Most fishing is done at the downstream end of the Cottonwood River, near the park's eastern edge, where the riverbank is most easily accessed. Flandrau is adjacent to Nehls City Park, the private New Ulm Country Club, and the August Schell Brewing Company. The Hermann Heights Monument and Martin Luther College are within blocks of the park entrance. References External links Official Flandrau State Park website 1937 establishments in Minnesota Civilian Conservation Corps in Minnesota German-American culture in Minnesota Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota National Register of Historic Places in Brown County, Minnesota New Ulm, Minnesota Park buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota Protected areas established in 1937 Protected areas of Brown County, Minnesota Rustic architecture in Minnesota State parks of Minnesota Works Progress Administration in Minnesota World War II prisoner of war camps in the United States

4043945

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%20Night%20on%20Earth

A Night on Earth

A Night On Earth is the name of a Crazy Penis album produced in 2005. Track listing "Lady T" "Can't Get Down" "Bumcop" "A Night on Earth" "Turnaway" "Music's My Love" "Life Is My Friend" "Cruising" "Kicks" "In Deep" "Sweet Feeling" "Sun-Science" "Warm on the Inside" The cover design was done by Gregory McKneally and David Vigh. Charts References 2005 albums

4043949

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marge%20Simon

Marge Simon

Marge Baliff Simon (born 1942) is an American artist and a writer of speculative poetry and fiction. Biography Early life Marge Simon was born in Bethesda, Maryland, but grew up in Boulder, Colorado. Education and career She received her BA and MA degrees from the University of Northern Colorado, and then continued her studies at the Art Center College of Design. Deciding against a career as a commercial artist, she began working as an art teacher in elementary schools instead. In the mid-1980s, Simon began writing and illustrating for the small press and went on to become an award-winning writer. Simon's poems, short fiction, and illustrations have appeared in hundreds of publications, including Amazing Stories, Nebula Awards 32, Strange Horizons, The Pedestal Magazine, Chizine, Niteblade, Vestal Review, and Daily Science Fiction. Simon is a former president of the Small Press Writers and Artists Organization and of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association (SFPA). She is additionally a former editor of Star*Line, the SFPA's bimonthly journal. In 2013, Simon began editing the column "Blood and Spades: Poets of the Dark Side" for the monthly newsletter of the Horror Writers Association (HWA). She serves as the Chair of the HWA Board of Trustees. Marriage Simon lives in Ocala, Florida, with her husband, writer Bruce Boston, with whom she sometimes collaborates. Published works Poetry collections Poets of the Fantastic (co-ed. with Steve Eng). AE Press, 1993 Eonian Variations. Dark Regions, 1995 Night Smoke with Bruce Boston, ebook. Miniature Sun/Quixsilver, 2003 (Bram Stoker Award finalist) Artist of Antithesis, ebook. Miniature Sun, 2004 (Bram Stoker Award finalist) Vectors: A Week in the Death of a Planet with Charlee Jacob. Dark Regions, 2007 (Bram Stoker Award winner) Night Smoke with Bruce Boston, expanded print edition of the 2003 ebook. Kelp Queen Press, 2007 Uneathly Delights. Sam's Dot Publishing, 2011 The Mad Hattery. Elektrik Milk Bath Press, 2011 The Four Elements with Linda Addison, Rain Graves, and Charlee Jacob. Bad Moon Books, 2012 Dangerous Dreams with Sandy DeLuca. Elektrik Milk Bath Press, 2013 Vectors: A Week in the Death of a Planet with Charlee Jacob Vampires, Zombies, and Wanton Souls Sweet Poison with Mary A. Turzillo Small Spirits: Dark Dolls Satan's Sweethearts with Mary A. Turzillo War with Alessandro Manzetti Poetry and fiction collections Dragon Soup with Mary Turzillo. vanZeno Press, 2008 Legends of the Fallen Sky with Malcolm Deeley. Sam's Dot Publishing, 2008 City of a Thousand Gods with Malcolm Deeley. Sam's Dot Publishing, 2010 Fiction collections Like Birds in the Rain. Sam's Dot Publishing, 2007 Christina's World. Sam's Dot Publishing, 2008 The Dragon's Dictionary with Mary Turzillo. Sam's Dot Publishing, 2010 Art Gallery of color art at Strange Horizons. Soho Galleries, black and white art. Recognition Simon's poem "Variants of the Obsolete" won the 1996 Rhysling Award for speculative poetry in the Long category. Her poems “Shutdown” and “George Tecumseh Sherman’s Ghosts” placed first in the Short category of the Rhyslings in 2015 and 2017, respectively. Simon's short-form poem "Blue Rose Buddha" won the 2012 Dwarf Stars Award. Vectors: A Week in the Death of a Planet, written by Simon in collaboration with Charlee Jacob, won the Bram Stoker Award for best horror poetry collection in 2008. In 2012, Simon's collection Vampires, Zombies, and Wanton Souls was a recipient of the same award. Sweet Poison, co-written with Mary A. Turzillo, won the 2015 Elgin Award for best full-length speculative poetry collection. Simon's Small Spirits: Dark Dolls placed second in the full-length book category of the 2017 Elgins, and Satan's Sweethearts, another collaborative work with Turzillo, placed second in the 2018 Elgins. War, written by Simon in collaboration with Alessandro Manzetti, won the 2019 Elgin for full-length book. In 2015, Simon was created a Grand Master of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association in recognition of more than twenty years of contributions to the field of speculative verse. References External links Marge Simon's website Interview at Fear and Trembling 1942 births 20th-century American short story writers 21st-century American novelists 21st-century American short story writers American science fiction writers American women novelists American women poets American women short story writers Living people Rhysling Award for Best Long Poem winners Women science fiction and fantasy writers 20th-century American women writers 21st-century American women writers

4043953

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/98%20B-Line

98 B-Line

The 98 B-Line was a bus rapid transit line in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It linked Richmond to Downtown Vancouver, with a connection to Vancouver International Airport. It travelled mainly along Granville Street in Vancouver and a dedicated bus lane on No. 3 Road in Richmond. It was operated by Coast Mountain Bus Company and was funded by TransLink. The route was long. The line carried over 18,000 passengers daily. It was discontinued on September 7, 2009, two and a half weeks after the opening of the Canada Line, which replaced it. History Prior to the introduction of the 98 B-Line, most bus routes in Richmond travelled into Downtown Vancouver during rush hours. These routes served all stops along their routes in Richmond, then would operate along Granville Street in Vancouver as express services. Although the idea of a rapid bus line from Richmond to Vancouver had been discussed for decades, it was first proposed by BC Transit in 1994. In 1995, Vancouver city council approved a southbound high-occupancy vehicle lane for the evening peak hours in the Marpole neighbourhood in preparation for an express bus service. In 1997, the idea of a rapid transit line was re-introduced with the objective of providing the express service at regular fares. A study determined that the best route for the line would be via Granville Street in Vancouver. The project cost approximately to build; this included the price of new vehicles, the construction of a dedicated bus lane in Richmond, installing new bus shelters, automated on-board announcements and similar technology, transit priority systems for traffic lights and a share of the new Richmond bus depot, as the old Vancouver Oakridge depot could not accommodate the longer articulated buses used on the route. The line opened as far as Sea Island on September 4, 2000, later extending from Airport Station into central Richmond in August 2001. The introduction of the B-Line eliminated most other local bus services that travelled between Richmond and Vancouver, requiring a transfer between buses for most commuters. As a result of the added transfer and quicker travel times of the B-Line that did not materialize, commute times for passengers increased even though a commute time savings of several minutes had been promised. Within a few years, this prompted improved rush hour services on remaining Richmond to Vancouver routes. The B-line was one of the most used routes in the TransLink system. In early 2001, the Richmond/Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project feasibility study, which examined replacing the 98 B-Line with light rail, held open houses. This proposed line's working name was the "RAV Line" (Richmond–Airport–Vancouver). The estimated cost of $1.72billion generated much controversy. Richmond city council, which favoured an at-grade line within the city limits for aesthetic reasons, also threatened the project. However, the city backed down because an elevated line was both preferred by the public, and offered faster trip times and lower operating costs. The TransLink board twice rejected the project because board members representing the northeast areas of Greater Vancouver wanted a line built to Coquitlam. The "RAV Line" project was saved after the board agreed to build both lines by 2010. While not part of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the Canada Line, completed in August 2009, replaced the 98 B-Line. Beginning in February 2008, 98 B-Line route passengers with valid proof of payment were permitted to board using any of the three doors at any stop. To facilitate this, the bus driver controlled the operation of all three doors at each of the stops. Passengers paying cash or validating FareSavers had to board through the front door. The 98 B-Line was discontinued on September 7, 2009, two and a half weeks after the Canada Line opened. Afterwards, the #10 Hastings/Downtown/Granville bus began running more frequently along Granville street to compensate. Features The 98 featured GPS technology, automated stop announcements, specialized bus stop displays that showed the amount of time until the next bus arrives, and special traffic light signals that sustained green lights long enough for buses to pass through. In Richmond, the 98 B-Line followed a dedicated bus lane separated from mainstream traffic on No. 3 Road, between the Lansdowne and Sea Island Way stops. On February 13, 2006, the 98 B-Line's bus lane in Richmond was closed as utility crews prepared for the construction of the Canada Line along No. 3 Road. Between February 2006 until its discontinuation in September 2009, the 98 B-Line travelled with regular traffic. 98 B-Line stops and transfer points Downtown Vancouver Seymour & Davie – Served the upscale Yaletown neighbourhood. (Note: The bus's destination sign changes to "98 B-Line: Richmond Centre" at this point.) Seymour & Smithe – Served the nightclub area on Granville Street, a block to the west. It is also the stop for street youth hostels in the area and the Orpheum Theatre. Granville Station – Transfer point to the SkyTrain system and suburban routes to North Vancouver and West Vancouver. Also served Pacific Centre, Hudson Bay Company, and major commercial district as well as the Vancouver Public Library, which is several blocks to the east. Waterfront Station – Transfer point to the SkyTrain terminus for both the Expo and Millennium Lines, as well as the SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. It is also the western terminus of the West Coast Express. Burrard Station – This was the Vancouver terminus for the 98 B-Line, though it did not make a layover. Located in the middle of the financial district. Transfer point to the SkyTrain system as well as to suburban routes to Burnaby, North Vancouver, Surrey, Delta, White Rock, Coquitlam and Port Moody. Burrard & Robson – Served the Robson Street shopping district. Nelson & Hornby – Formerly known as Nelson & Howe, before the stop was moved. Stopped in front of One Wall Centre. Also served the provincial law courts. Howe & Davie – Served the hospitality district near False Creek. Also a transfer point to buses and community shuttles to Davie Village. Vancouver 5th Avenue – Served the southern False Creek area as well as Granville Island. Broadway – Transfer point to the 99 B-Line as well as many trolley routes. It is a short distance away from Vancouver General Hospital and is also the transfer point for those going to Kitsilano. King Edward – Transfer point to the #25 bus, which served the affluent Shaughnessy area, University, and North Burnaby. B.C. Children's Hospital and B.C. Women's Hospital were a short distance away from the stop 41st Avenue – Transfer point to the #41 bus, which served the Kerrisdale area, particularly the shopping district, and the Oakridge area. Also served as transfer point to the #43 bus, which is an express version of the #41, but only runs during peak hours, and the #480, which is an express bus from Richmond Centre to UBC Loop. 49th Avenue – Transfer point to the #49 bus, which operates eastbound to nearby Langara College and terminating at Metropolis at Metrotown, the biggest shopping mall in the province. During peak hours, the route's western terminus is at University of British Columbia, instead of Dunbar Loop. 70th Avenue – Served the Marpole neighbourhood and acts as a transfer point to the #100 bus (which travels along Marine Drive). Richmond Airport Station – Transfer point to the #424 bus, which was a shuttle to Vancouver International Airport's main terminal. Also served the Burkeville neighbourhood of Sea Island, and was a transfer point to the #620 bus to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal. Airport Station was closed the same day the 98 B-Line was discontinued. Sea Island Way – Served River Rock Casino, the largest casino in Metro Vancouver. Capstan Way – Served Yaohan Centre, Union Square Shopping Centre, and also the Asian shopping district along Capstan Way itself. Aberdeen – Served the main Golden Village Asian shopping district, including Aberdeen Centre, Empire Centre, Parker Place, President Plaza, and south side of Yaohan Centre. Alderbridge – Served the northern part of the Lansdowne Centre shopping mall as well as the Alexandra Road restaurant district. Lansdowne – Served the southern part of Lansdowne Centre and the Richmond campus of Kwantlen Polytechnic University Westminster Highway – Popular transfer point to the #401 and #407 buses to Steveston along No. 1 Road and Gilbert Road, respectively. Many passengers used those routes to reach Richmond Hospital and the headquarters of WorkSafe B.C., the workers' compensation and safety board. Richmond Centre – The unofficial terminus of the line (owing to the fact that the bus's destination signs read "98 RICHMOND CENTRE"). Stops outside of the Richmond Centre shopping mall and is the main transfer point to almost all of the bus routes in Richmond. Brighouse – The southern terminus of the line. Served the Richmond City Hall and the Brighouse area (particularly the Minoru cultural centre, which is home to the Richmond Public Library, the local skating rink and the local swimming pool.) Route notes For early morning and late evening trips, the 98 B-Line provided local non-express service between the Brighouse stop and the Richmond Transit Centre, along No. 3 Road (south of Granville Avenue) and Steveston Highway (until Shell Road). The buses going back to Richmond Transit Centre were signed "98 To Steveston & Shell B-Line". On Mondays to Fridays, during peak hours, 98 B-Line service between Vancouver and Airport Station was supplemented by the #496 Railway/Burrard Station and #491 One Road/Burrard Station express routes. The #490 Steveston/Burrard Station express route also did this but went to Highway 99 via Marpole Loop instead of Airport Station. Non-express service was also provided along some of the 98 B-Line's corridors, via the #10 Granville/Downtown (along Granville Street) and #410 Railway/22nd Street Station (between the Aberdeen and Brighouse stops) routes in Vancouver and Richmond, respectively. See also Canada Line Millennium Line Expo Line R1 King George Blvd (formerly 96 B-Line) R4 41st Ave R5 Hastings St (formerly 95 B-Line) 97 B-Line 99 B-Line List of bus routes in Metro Vancouver References External links TransLink Federal Transit Administration (US) – Overview of the 98 B-Line's technologies Transport Canada: Urban Transportation Showcase Program Novax B-Line Study Report 2001 establishments in British Columbia 2009 disestablishments in British Columbia B-Line (Vancouver) Transport in Richmond, British Columbia

4043958

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travis%20Driskill

Travis Driskill

Travis Corey Driskill (born August 1, 1971) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He is 6 feet tall and weighs 215 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed. He attended Texas Tech University, where he played for the Red Raiders, and is currently the pitching coach for the Corpus Christi Hooks. Career Driskill was drafted in 1990 and 1992 by the Houston Astros and California Angels, respectively, but did not sign. He was drafted again in the fourth round of the 1993 draft by the Cleveland Indians and this time he did sign. Driskill played in the Indians minor league system for the next five years, advancing as high as Triple-A before his contract was purchased by the Yakult Swallows on January 6, 1998. Driskill appeared in seven games as a reliever for the Swallows before he was released and signed back with the Indians in August. A minor league free agent after the season, Driskill signed with the Houston Astros, and played the next two seasons in their minor league system. On November 15, 2001, Driskill signed with the Baltimore Orioles. He made his MLB debut with the Orioles in , appearing in 29 games including 19 starts, the most games appeared in for a single season for Driskill's entire major league career. Driskill appeared in 20 more games for the Orioles in and became a free agent at the end of the season. On November 20, 2003, Driskill signed with the Colorado Rockies. He played only one season in Colorado, appearing in five games. On November 11, 2004, Driskill signed with the Houston Astros and became a free agent after the season. On December 9, 2005, he signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, but was released on April 2, 2006; on April 14 he resigned with the Astros. Driskill played the next two seasons for Houston's Triple-A affiliate, the Round Rock Express, except for a callup in August , appearing in two games. Driskill retired after the season and accepted an offer from the Astros to become the pitching coach of their Rookie League team, the Greenville Astros. References External links Travis Driskill at Baseball Gauge Nippon Professional Baseball Venezuela Winter League 1971 births Living people Akron Aeros players American expatriate baseball players in Canada American expatriate baseball players in Japan Baltimore Orioles players Baseball coaches from Nebraska Baseball players from Nebraska Blinn Buccaneers baseball players Blinn College alumni Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players Canton-Akron Indians players Caribes de Anzoátegui players Colorado Rockies players Colorado Springs Sky Sox players Columbus RedStixx players Houston Astros players Kinston Indians players Leones del Caracas players American expatriate baseball players in Venezuela Major League Baseball pitchers Minor league baseball coaches Naranjeros de Hermosillo players American expatriate baseball players in Mexico New Orleans Zephyrs players Nippon Professional Baseball pitchers Ottawa Lynx players Rochester Red Wings players Round Rock Express players Sportspeople from Omaha, Nebraska Texas Tech Red Raiders baseball players Texas Tech University alumni Yakult Swallows players

4043961

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei%20Slavnov

Sergei Slavnov

Sergei Gennadyevich Slavnov (; born 11 March 1982) is a Russian pair skater. He is best known for his partnership with Julia Obertas, with whom he competed from 2003 to 2007. Together, they are the 2005 European silver medalists. Previously, Slavnov competed with Julia Karbovskaya, with whom he is the 2002 World Junior silver medalist. Career Sergei Slavnov began skating at age 5, originally as a single skater, and switched to pair skating at age 16. Slavnov originally skated with Julia Karbovskaya and won silver at the 2002 World Junior Championships. They were coached by Nikolai Velikov at the Yubileyny rink in Saint Petersburg. In 2002, Slavnov began dating Julia Obertas, who trained at the same rink, and in August 2003 they decided to skate together and to switch coaches to Tamara Moskvina, who also worked at Yubileyny. At the 2004 Skate America, shortly after Tatiana Totmianina's accident, Obertas fell out of an overhead lift, a hand-to-hand lasso lift, but Slavnov managed to catch her to prevent her head hitting the ice. The pair won silver at the 2005 European Championships and were fifth at the World Championships. During the 2005-06 season, they were fourth at Europeans, and then finished eighth at both the Olympics and Worlds. At the start of the 2006-07 season, Obertas / Slavnov decided to return to the Velikovs, with Ludmila Velikova as their main coach. The pair won bronze at 2006 Trophée Eric Bompard and finished 6th at 2006 NHK Trophy. At the 2007 Russian Championships, they won the silver medal and were sent to the 2007 European Championships where they finished 4th. They did not compete at Worlds. The pair announced they would miss the 2007-08 season as the result of an injury to Obertas. In summer 2008, they said they would miss the start of the 2008-09 season, but might compete at Russian Nationals. In autumn 2008, Slavnov participated in the Russia 1 ice show Star Ice (Звёздный лёд), skating with the Russian actress Anastasia Zadorozhnaya. Obertas / Slavnov did not compete at Russian Nationals and ended their career. Obertas / Slavnov performed some quadruple twists in competition. Slavnov joined the Russian Ice Stars company in 2011. Programs With Obertas With Karbovskaya Results With Obertas With Karbovskaya References External links 1982 births Russian male pair skaters Olympic figure skaters of Russia Figure skaters at the 2006 Winter Olympics Living people Figure skaters from Saint Petersburg European Figure Skating Championships medalists World Junior Figure Skating Championships medalists

4043970

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arne%20Dankers

Arne Dankers

Arne Dankers (born June 1, 1980) is a Canadian speed skater. Background Dankers was born to Peter Dankers and Marja Verhoef, who are both Dutch. The family moved to Canada when he was two years old. Dankers graduated from the University of Calgary with a master's degree in Electrical Engineering and later completed a PhD at the Delft University of Technology. Dankers was a member of the Canadian team that set the team pursuit world record of 3:39.69 in Calgary, Canada on November 12, 2005. The Canadian team, of which Dankers was a part, was not able to duplicate this performance at the 2006 Turin Olympics. The Italian team now holds the Olympic team pursuit record of 3:43.64. 2006 Winter Olympics At the 2006 Olympics he participated in the following events: Speed Skating, Men's 1500 m Speed Skating, Men's 5000 m – 5th place Speed Skating, Men's 10000 m – 9th place Speed Skating, Men's Team Pursuit – Silver Dankers placed 5th place in the 5000m men's speed skating final and his team won a silver medal in Men's team pursuit speed skating. External links References 1980 births Living people Canadian male speed skaters Speed skaters from Calgary Speed skaters at the 2006 Winter Olympics Olympic silver medalists for Canada Olympic speed skaters of Canada Canadian people of Dutch descent Olympic medalists in speed skating Medalists at the 2006 Winter Olympics 21st-century Canadian people

4043974

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WODA

WODA

WODA is a radio station in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The station airs at 94.7 FM and it is known commercially as La Nueva 94 FM or La 94. It has a sister station, WNOD airing at 94.1 FM in Mayaguez, covering the western part of Puerto Rico and retransmitting WODA programming. The station is relayed through booster station, WODA-FM1 in Ceiba, also operating at 94.7 FM. History The station was founded on December 13, 1963 as WBYM, and broadcast its Beautiful music format. The station operates at 94.7 FM, and was assigned to Radio Aeropuerto, Inc, the owners of WRAI-AM. WEYA, Radio Femenina Originally this radio station was owned and operated by Carlos Pirallo and was named WEYA which means "Ella" or "She", Radio Femenina and it was playing Beautiful Music with an automated system. Then in the early 1980s changed its call letters to WGSX with the "g" forming a 9 and S like a 5 and it was called 95X, with soft rock format. WGSX, 95X During the 1980s the station was branded as 95X and its format was CHR/pop airing music from the 1980s pop and rock top stars. WGSX was an affiliate of Casey Kasem's American Top 40 throughout the 1980s. WLDI, Oldies 94.7 In 1992, the station changed to an Oldies music format airing Top 40 music from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The station was known commercially as Oldies 94.7. also changing the call letters to WLDI. Cosmos 94 FM/Onda 94 WNOD began transmissions in early 1960s as WOYE-FM and was owned by Pepino Broadcasters, Inc. managed by the Bonnet Alvarez family. In the 1970s the station was acquired by Prime Time Radio Corporation, and was changed to a Spanish Variety format branded as Cosmos 94, La Estácion Espacial Musical. The programs that made history at the station was, El Meneo de la Mañana, La Hora del Rocheo, Astro Rock, Enlace Romántico and La Movida en Diez. In 1995, the station was acquired by Primedia Broadcasting, Inc. and once again changed format and brand name, expanding the Cosmos 94 name across Puerto Rico. Originally geared toward an ever-growing group of underground rap followers, the station was branded as Cosmos 94 FM, Tu Emisora Radioactiva. However the underground rap music format lasted just for a month and was changed to a CHR/Latin pop format. It was then sold to the Spanish Broadcasting System in 1998. The new owners turned it into a Rock en Español station, a format that lasted until 2002. Before changing the brand to "Onda 94" the last words spoken by the DJ was a quote that says "The human spirit does not die when it's defeated, it dies when it surrenders". During the last couple of hours of transmission as "Cosmos 94" various artists took part of the live broadcast as a sort of tribute to it. After that, it was rebranded as Onda 94, changing again to a Top 40 format. Reggaeton 94 On May 1, 2005, The station changed the format and now plays a reggaeton format branded as Reggaeton 94 FM. El Despelote was moved from La Mega to Reggaeton 94 in 2008. La Nueva 94 In June 2012, WODA changed its current reggaeton format and now still plays an Urban AC format branded as La Nueva 94 FM. Some of the programming on WODA can be also listen via LaMusica App. Translator stations Logos WODA Branding Radio Femenina 94.7 (1970s to 1980s) 95X (1980s to 1990s) Oldies 94.7 (1990 to 1995) Cosmos 94 (1995 to 2002) Onda 94 (2002 to 2005) Reggaeton 94 (2005 to 2012) La Nueva 94 (2012 to present) WNOD Branding Oye FM (1967 to 1975) Cosmos 94 (1975 to 2002) Onda 94 (2002 to 2005) Reggaeton 94 (2005 to 2012) La Nueva 94 (2012 to present) External links WODA ODA Radio stations established in 1963 Latin rhythmic radio stations Spanish Broadcasting System radio stations

4043986

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William%20Logan%20%28poet%29

William Logan (poet)

William Logan (born 1950) is an American poet, critic and scholar. Life Logan was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to W. Donald Logan, Jr. and Nancy Damon Logan. He lives in Gainesville, Florida and Cambridge, England with his wife, the poet and artist, Debora Greger. Educated at Yale (BA, 1972) and the Iowa Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa (MFA, 1975), he has authored eight books of poetry as well as five books of criticism. Work He is a professor of creative writing at the University of Florida. Logan's poetry reviews have appeared in the New York Times Book Review. Many of these reviews have been quite controversial, leading Slate magazine to call him "the most hated man in American poetry...  [and] its guiltiest pleasure". Logan's own poetry has received generally positive reviews. The poet Richard Tillinghast wrote, "when he manages to avoid obscurity, Mr. Logan writes with vigor, almost classical restraint and a fine sense of musicality." Logan's work has also received positive notices from The New York Times Book Review, Poetry and Publishers Weekly. In a review in Poetry magazine, Michael Scharf favorably compared the poetry from Logan's 1999 collection Night Battle with the work of the poet Geoffrey Hill. Reviews Being a formalist poet himself, Logan's handful of positive reviews tend to go to well-established, conservative poets (usually deceased) who were/are masters of formal verse like Geoffrey Hill, Frederick Seidel, Robert Lowell, and Elizabeth Bishop. But he has also fiercely criticized other formalist poets like Les Murray and Derek Walcott and praised a few free verse poets like Louise Gluck and Anne Carson. Logan has been especially critical of popular free verse poets like Mary Oliver, Billy Collins, and Sharon Olds as well as more experimental poets like Jorie Graham and Rae Armantrout. Although he's best known for his often extreme reviews of poets, Logan has written some mixed reviews of poets like Kay Ryan, John Ashbery, and Frank O'Hara whom he has judged to be flawed but admirable. Awards National Book Critics Circle award for criticism Citation for Excellence in Reviewing from the National Book Critics Circle Peter I.B. Lavan Award from the Academy of American Poets John Masefield and Celia B. Wagner Awards from the Poetry Society of America J. Howard and Barbara M. J. Wood Prize from Poetry John William Corrington Award for Literary Excellence Amy Lowell Poetry Travelling Scholarship Aiken Taylor Award for Modern American Poetry 2013 Bibliography Poetry "Christ Among the Moneychangers, 1929", Poetry Foundation "from Punchinello in Chains: VI. Punchinello Dreams of Escape", Poetry Foundation "The Other Place", Poetry, April 2005 "To a Wedding", Poetry, November 2008 Sad-faced Men (1982) Difficulty (1985) Sullen Weedy Lakes (1988) Vain Empires (1998), a New York Times "notable book of the year" Night Battle (1999) Macbeth in Venice (2003) The Whispering Gallery (2005) Strange Flesh (2008) Madame X (2012) Rift of Light (2017) Criticism All the Rage (1998) Reputations of the Tongue (1999) Desperate Measures (2002) The Undiscovered Country (2005) Our Savage Art (2009) Guilty Knowledge, Guilty Pleasure: The Dirty Art of Poetry (2014) Dickinson's Nerves, Frost's Woods: Poetry in the Shadow of the Past (2018) Broken Ground: Poetry and the Demon of History (2021) References External links University of Florida Biography Logan's review of The Oxford Book of American Poetry in The New York Times, April 16, 2006 Review of Geoffrey Hill 1950 births Living people American male poets Formalist poets University of Florida faculty Iowa Writers' Workshop alumni

4043989

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hewitt%20Quadrangle

Hewitt Quadrangle

Hewitt University Quadrangle, commonly known as Beinecke Plaza, is a plaza at the center of the Yale University campus in New Haven, Connecticut. It is the home of the university's administration, main auditorium, and dining facilities. The quadrangle was created with the construction of the university's Bicentennial Buildings and Woodbridge Hall in 1901. Until 1917, it was known as University Court. The completion of the Beinecke Library created subterranean library facilities beneath the courtyard, establishing the present appearance of the paved plaza and sunken courtyard. Buildings Bicentennial Buildings The Bicentennial Buildings–University Commons, the Memorial Rotunda, and Woolsey Hall–were the first buildings constructed for Yale University as opposed to one of its constituent entities (Yale College, Sheffield Scientific School, or others), reflecting a greater emphasis on central administration initiated by Presidents Timothy Dwight and Arthur Twining Hadley. Constructed in 1901-2 for the University's bicentennial, the limestone Beaux-Arts buildings linked the College buildings on the Old Campus with the Sheffield Scientific buildings on Hillhouse Avenue. They were designed by John M. Carrère and Thomas Hastings of Carrère and Hastings. The University Commons, simply known as "Commons" on campus, is a timber-trussed banqueting hall. It served as the university-wide dining hall until the completion of the residential colleges, Sterling Law Building, and Hall of Graduate Studies in the 1930s. Woolsey Hall was the University's first large secular assembly hall, with 2,691 seats. It holds one of the largest organs in the world: the Newberry Memorial Organ, a 1928 Skinner organ. The Rotunda, with tablets on the walls commemorating Yale's war dead is a double-sized, domed, colonnaded version of Bramante's Tempietto built in 1502 on the site of St. Peter's martyrdom in Rome. Above the memorial is the President's Room, used for donor and ceremonial receptions. Woodbridge Hall Also completed in 1901, Woodbridge Hall is the main administrative building of the university. The Office of the President of the University has been stationed on the building's second floor since the administration of Arthur Twining Hadley. Adjacent is the Corporation Room, the boardroom of Yale's governing body. The building is named for Timothy Woodbridge, one of the ten founding ministers of the school, whose names of are engraved on the building's facade. Beinecke Library The visible portion of Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, on the east side of the plaza, designed by Gordon Bunshaft, is like the visible portion of an iceberg. With three underground levels extending under the plaza, most of the library is hidden. Sculpture Before the colonnade of the Commons is a memorial cenotaph. Its inscription reads: Behind the cenotaph, one can see inscribed the names of World War I battles of Cambrai, Argonne, Somme, Chateau-Thierry, Ypres, St. Mihiel and Marne. Woodbridge Hall, located on the west side of the plaza, was designed by the firm of Howells & Stokes and is French Renaissance in style. It contains the central administration of the University. The building was named for Reverend Timothy Woodbridge, one of the founders of Yale College. The Beinecke Library's sunken courtyard, visible but not accessible from the plaza, contains Isamu Noguchi's sculpture The Garden (Pyramid, Sun, and Cube). The three marble sculptures represent time, the sun, and chance. Alexander Calder's sculpture Gallows and Lollipops stands on the plaza. The Claes Oldenburg sculpture Lipstick Ascending on a Caterpillar Tread (now located in Morse College) was once on the plaza. Use As the symbolic heart of the university—and as the space in front of the administration building—Beinecke Plaza is occasionally the site of rallies and protests. These have included labor rallies held by the Federation of Hospital and University Employees and their supporters. Student protests have included a 16-day occupation of the plaza by Students Against Sweatshops in support of an ethical licensing policy (spring 2002). Most notable was the 1986 construction of a shanty-town erected to demand Yale's divestment from apartheid South Africa. After students erected the shanty-town, designed to mimic a Soweto shanty and named after Winnie Mandela, the university administration ordered its removal and demolished it. The destruction of the shanty-town, which required the arrest of dozens of protesters, unleashed an outpouring of anger and demands that the shanty-town be recreated. Eventually the university relented and the town was resurrected, only to be burned down by an irate alumnus two years later and replaced by a "memorial wall". References Bibliography Yale University

4044008

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schnitger%20organ%20%28Hamburg%29

Schnitger organ (Hamburg)

The organ of the St. Jacobi Church (St. James' Church) in Hamburg, was built from 1689 to 1693 by the most renowned organ builder of his time, Arp Schnitger. The organ boasts four manuals and pedal with 60 stops, 15 of which are reeds – and has approximately 4000 sounding pipes. All in all, from the organ's original installation and its condition today (despite the partial destruction during World War II) not much of its conception has changed. The old pipework and the prospect pipes have been preserved in almost original format. It is the largest organ in existence from before 1700 and is one of the most eminent Baroque instruments that have been preserved. Building history Preceding instruments It is not yet documented when the very first organ at St. Jacobi was built. Nevertheless, it can be attested to that there was a certain organist at St. Jacobi named "Meister Rudolf" around 1300. It is known that from 1512 – 1516 a two-manual instrument was built by Jacob Iversand and Harmen Stüven. A Rückpositiv (positive organ division) was added before 1543. Further refurbishments followed in the 16th and 17th centuries by several builders. Among them were Jacob Scherer (from 1551), his son-in-law Dirk Hoyer (1577–1578) who built a new Rückpositiv and two new pedal towers; also Hans Bockelmann (1588–1589) and Hans Scherer the Elder (1588–1592) who provided a new Oberwerk (upper division). Scherer's sons Hans and Fritz refurbished the organ in 1606/7. At the end of the 16th century, musician Hieronymus Praetorius thus ended up having one of the most impressive and large instruments in the country at his disposal. The earlier disposition of 1592 with 53 stops and 3 manuals is provided by Michael Praetorius in his treatise, Syntagma Musicum: Disposition of 1592 Annotations Between 1635 and 1636, Gottfried Fritzsche greatly expanded the instrument from its previous Renaissance keyboard range. It was enlarged to span four octaves and four manuals. Ulrich Cernitz, St. Jacobi organist of the time (who had studied with Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck) reported extensively on these expansions which led to the instrument having more than 56 registers. Renovations were also made by his son, Hans Christoph Fritzsche, in 1655. New build by Schnitger in 1693 Arp Schnitger used the existing instrument and kept 27 of the stops (including some of the oldest pipes of the original 1516 organ) for his project. Schnitger built the rest of the stops himself. He then expanded the four-manual instrument to 60 stops. Despite the advice of one of the most prominent organists at the church of St. Katharinen in Hamburg, Johann Adam Reincken, Schnitger installed both a Principal 32' and Posaune 32' into the pedal. This brought a tremendous prestige factor to the instrument. The total costs for this project was 29.108 Marks. The different divisions have the following (German) names: Werck (Hauptwerk), Rückpositiv, Oberpositiv, Brustpositiv and Pedal. The prospect of the Schnitger organ in St. Jacobi is the largest existing example of the so-called "Hamburg Prospects": those having many-tiered divisional structures that was developed by the organ builder family Scherer in Hamburg around 1600. Typical for these fronts are the symmetrical case with the large pedal towers at each side and the staggered arrangement of the manual divisions, although the Oberpositiv did not appear in these frontal prospects. Instead, it was located in a higher position behind the Great (having no back panel). The directness of the sound is in part created by the wide downward shaping arches of the building. These create excellent acoustics. The figures on the prospect were cut by Christian Precht and belong to his latest known works. In 1720, Johann Sebastian Bach applied for the position of organist at St. Jacobi. However Bach, despite being a famed organist, did not get the position. Instead it was awarded to Johann Joachim Heitmann, who was able to pay the required high sum of 4000 Mark into the church fund and also marrying the pastor's daughter. In the records of Johann Mattheson we find part of a rather severe sermon by the pastor of St. Jacobi at the time, Erdmann Neumeister: "He believed with certainty that – if one of the angels were to descend from heaven and, wanting to become an organist of St. Jacobi, played divinely – but if this angel from Bethlehem had no money, they would simply have to fly away again." It is confirmed that Bach also played the organ in the neighbouring church of St. Katharinen. Apparently the condition of the St. Jacobi instrument was (temporarily) not very good. He therefore left before playing the official audition for the post. The disposition of 1721 was notated by organbuilder Otto Diedrich Richborn: Disposition of 1721 2 tremulants Zimbelstern, Trommel 5 stop valves, 1 main valve Later work In 1722 Otto Diedrich Richborn made a small change in the organ's disposition. Later, in 1761, organ builder Johann Jacob Lehnert from Hamburg also slightly changed the disposition. From 1774 to 1775, Johann Paul Geycke renewed the console. Further renovations were carried out in 1790 by Johann Daniel Kahl; then once again in 1836 and 1846 by Johann Gottlieb Wolfsteller. In 1866, new wind channels and compensatory bellows were built. Jürgen Marcussen made a further disposition change by installing an additional pneumatic system with five registers in 1890. Restorations In 1917 there was a serious invasion of the tonal quality of the instrument. This happened when the tin prospect pipes had to be taken down and handed over to the army administration's metal collection during the First World War. After World War I, Hans Henny Jahnn and Gottlieb Harms discovered and realized the value of this instrument. They advocated for the repair and replacement of the missing front pipes. Substantial funds were raised for this purpose with a series of benefit concerts (called Ugrino concerts) in 1922. Jahnn managed to secure Günther Ramin, organist of the Leipzig Thomaskirche, for these concerts. Ramin brought back compositions of Hamburg organists of the 17th century alongside works of Buxtehude and Bach to the concert space for the first time in a long while. At the organ convention, initiated by Jahnn in Hamburg and Lübeck in July 1925, the Schnitger organ in St. Jacobi became a great focus of interest in the organ scene of Northern Europe. It became known as a model instrument for Baroque and pre-Baroque organ music. Because the wind chests, pipework and carvings were removed in 1942, this prevented these sound-producing parts of the organ from being destroyed in World War II. When the church completely burned down, Schnitger's case, the bellow enclosure and the console of 1774 were lost. The southern nave was only slightly destroyed, and after its restoration in 1950 the Lübeck organ workshop Kemper made a provisional installation. Kemper had already carried out the restoration work of previous decades under the direction of and cooperation with Hans Henny Jahnn. Another step along the way towards restoration was at the old site in the west of the main nave, completed in 1961. It included a new case for the old divisions, a new console with carved heads for register knobs (1950), an extension of the keyboard ranges with the necessary technical adjustments and an extremely stiff action by Kemper. This effort resulted in a sound that was phonetically uneven, and an action that was unsatisfactory. The use of different wind pressures in the manual divisions and the pedal did not correspond to historical building practice. The pipework had been shortened in different ways during the course of the 19th and 20th centuries to emulate modern pitch. Many pipes on the wind chests became displaced. The sound of the principal choir was too similar to that of the flutes. The reeds had no stability. Furthermore, the proportions of the case were incorrect, because the keyboard extensions led to many additional large pipes that had to be considered. Despite all this, the sound quality of the instrument was still recognizable and continued to fascinate listeners. The push for a fundamental restoration of the organ came from St. Jacobi organist Rudolf Kelber in 1982. He wanted to get rid of all the technical defects and problems in sound quality. A consensus was reached to restore it to the old state i.e. that of the Jacobi organ as it was in the late 18th century, with all its surviving components. These included the registers by Johann Jacob Lehnert from the year 1761 (the Viola di Gamba 8 'in the Werck and the Trommet 8' in the Rückpositiv). No attempt was made to reconstruct the console from 1774. Instead it made more sense to return to the concept of Schnitger, with the short octave in the manual keyboards. This was done according to the model of the Schnitger console received from the Lübeck Dom organ. The recovery of the original case proportions with original Schnitger wind chest dimensions was essential. A compromise here was the addition of the note D sharp (or E flat) in the bass octave of the pedal. This was placed on an auxiliary chest outside the case. The wind supply was set up with six wedge bellows located in the upper area of the tower space, behind the organ. Jürgen Ahrend, regarded as a connoisseur of Schnitger organs (and who had all the resources needed for this project in his workshop) was commissioned for this project. The materials included a provision of wood that had been stored up for decades. Three hundred years after the completion of the organ built by Arp Schnitger, the restored instrument was inaugurated in 1993. Cornelius H. Edskes, the leading Dutch organologist and Schnitger specialist, made sure the restoration was done as fundamentally secure as possible by creating the meticulous documentation needed. The result was a collection of more than 60,000 pieces of data. The discussion regarding the tuning of the organ led to the decision for modified mean tone temperament. It is a compromise between the standard pure thirds of the mean tone tuning and the requirements for playing organ literature from the 17th and 18th centuries in keys that contain multiple sharps/ flats. The discovery of the mean tone temperament was read off of the pipe lengths of the inner pipes of the Principal 32' in the pedal. The Schnitger organ in Hamburg's main church of St. Jacobi has become one of the most influential models for organ building in the last 100 years. Disposition Today's disposition dates back to the restoration of 1993, which in effect restored the state of 1762. Couplers: IV/II, II/III Two tremulants Zimbelstern Trommel (Drum) Sch = Scherer (16th/17th century) F = Gottfried Fritzsche (1636) S = Arp Schnitger (1693) L = Johann Jakob Lehnert (1761) A = Jürgen Ahrend (1993) Technical data 60 stops, about 4000 pipes Wind supply: 12 wind chests (Schnitger) One main valve, five stop valves (Ahrend) 6 wedge bellows (Ahrend) Wind pressure: 80 mm Tuning: Pitch: a1 = 495.45 Hz at 18 degrees Celsius Modified meantone (−1/5 syntonic comma) Bibliography Cornelius H. Edskes, Harald Vogel, translated by Joel Speerstra (2016): Arp Schnitger and His Work. Bremen: Edition Falkenberg. , pp. 66–69, 178–179. Cornelius H. Edskes (1996): Über die Stimmtonhöhe und Temperatur der Arp-Schnitger-Orgel von St. Jacobi in Hamburg. In: Hans Davidsson (ed.): Cornelius H. Edskes doctor honoris causa. Göteborg: Göteborgs universitet, Depart. of Musicology. , . Gustav Fock (1974): Arp Schnitger und seine Schule. Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte des Orgelbaues im Nord- und Ostseeküstengebiet. Kassel: Bärenreiter. , pp. 240–241. Ibo Ortgies (2007): Die Praxis der Orgelstimmung in Norddeutschland im 17. und 18. Jahrhundert und ihr Verhältnis zur zeitgenössischen Musikpraxis. Göteborg: Göteborgs universitet (gbv.de online). Heimo Reinitzer (ed.) (1995): Die Arp-Schnitger-Orgel der Hauptkirche St. Jacobi in Hamburg. Hamburg: Christians. . References External links St James' Church Arp Schnitger Organ Database Page of NOMINE Page of Hans-Werner Coordes www.arpschnitger.nl Link to the specification and history of the organ Discography of Arp Schnitger organs Culture in Hamburg Individual pipe organs

4044009

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret%20Beauchamp%2C%20Countess%20of%20Shrewsbury

Margaret Beauchamp, Countess of Shrewsbury

Margaret Beauchamp (1404 – 14 June 1467) was the eldest daughter of Richard Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick and his first wife, Elizabeth de Berkeley. As the eldest child of a family without male issue, Margaret was expected to inherit from her father until her stepmother, Isabel le Despenser, gave him a son. Ancestry She was the granddaughter and heir-general of Thomas de Berkeley, 5th Baron Berkeley; however, the Barony and castle of Berkeley had passed to his nephew James Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley on his death in 1417. These lands were also claimed by her mother, to whom she and her two sisters were coheirs. Her paternal grandfather was Thomas de Beauchamp, 12th Earl of Warwick, who fought for John of Gaunt in Spain and imprisoned in the Tower of London by Richard II and pardoned by Henry IV. However he died 3 years before Margaret was born. Marriage On 6 September 1425 she had married John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury; he and her two brothers-in-law, the Duke of Somerset and the Baron Latimer, vigorously maintained the claim to the Berkeley lands. However, Latimer's claim was possessed by his brother, the Earl of Salisbury, as Latimer had been declared insane. By Talbot, she had five children: John Talbot, 1st Viscount Lisle (1426 – 17 July 1453) Sir Louis Talbot (c. 1429) Sir Humphrey Talbot (before 1434 – c. 1492) Lady Eleanor Talbot (c. February/March 1436 – 30 June 1468), married to Sir Thomas Butler and alleged mistress to King Edward IV. Lady Elizabeth Talbot (c. December 1442/January 1443 – 6 November 1506/10 May 1507), married to John de Mowbray, 4th Duke of Norfolk. Lord and Lady Talbot were distantly related to each other, having a shared ancestor in King Edward I and both being descendants of the houses of Clare and Despenser. She received the title of Countess of Clermont through the bravery of her husband during the wars with France. Wars of the Roses During the troubled years of the Wars of the Roses, the dispute frequently passed from litigation to actual violence. Lord Berkeley sacked Margaret's manor at Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire, in return for which her son, the Viscount Lisle, stormed Berkeley Castle (1452) and took him prisoner. Margaret also succeeded in having Lord Berkeley's wife, Lady Isabel Mowbray, committed to prison, where she died that year. Litigation from her deathbed Lord Berkeley married Lady Joan Talbot, Margaret's stepdaughter, in 1457, temporarily quelling the feud. It broke out again in 1463, when William Berkeley, 2nd Baron Berkeley, acceded. Litigation continued, and on her death in 1467, she left her claims to her grandson Thomas Talbot, 2nd Viscount Lisle. She was buried in St Faith under St Paul's at London. Ancestry Notes References Camden, William. "Of the Antiquity of Epitaphs in England." A Collection of Curious Discourses. Vol. 1, Ed. Thomas Hearne, Benjamin White, at Horace's Head, London, 1775. 1404 births 1467 deaths 15th-century English women 15th-century English people Shrewsbury Daughters of British earls Wives of knights Margaret

4044014

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CipSoft

CipSoft

CipSoft GmbH is a German video game developer based in Regensburg. Founded in 2001, it is the developer of Tibia. As of April 2021, the company employs 95 people. History CipSoft was founded on 8 June 2001 by Guido Lübke, Stephan Payer, Ulrich Schlott, and Stephan Vogler. The four had developed the game Tibia during their time at university and released it in 1997. After completing their studies, they founded CipSoft to continue the development of the game. Games Tibia Tibia is one of the first online role-playing games (MMORPG) ever created. It is the main product of CipSoft GmbH. On the islands of Tibia players discover a fantastic 2D world where they can go on virtual adventures. The main intention of the game is for the player to develop the character and to prove oneself as a knight, paladin, sorcerer or druid. The fact that Tibia is still based on 2D has never influenced the growth of the number of players. In 2008, Tibia was seen as one of the "8 best MMORPGs for Linux" TibiaME TibiaME is the first online role playing game for mobile phones. The story of TibiaME is inspired by the PC game Tibia. As a knight or a sorcerer, the players develop the skills of their selected characters. By exploring large varieties of areas, they will come upon exciting quests and dangerous dungeons where hundreds of players can set their forces together. Communicating and interacting with other players in a diplomacy is only one attractive aspect of TibiaME. The player can log out at any moment of the game and log in later. Fiction Fighters Fiction Fighters was a new product, which became available in 2011, but was discontinued during its beta release due to massive lack of player's staying interest - despite a massive marketing campaign. It was an interactive 3D comic, where players entered a parallel comic universe. The players acted and interacted only in comic strips. Panzer League Panzer League is mobile multiplayer online battle arena for tanks. To win the game you have to destroy your opponents and defense systems before blowing up. Matches last 5 to 10 minutes. The game is available for the Android and iOS devices. References External links Companies based in Regensburg Software companies of Germany Video game companies established in 2001 Video game companies of Germany

4044028

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberdeen%20Street

Aberdeen Street

Aberdeen Street is a border street dividing Sheung Wan and Central on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. It ascends from Queen's Road Central to Caine Road in Mid-Levels. The street is named after George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen, Foreign Secretary at the time of the cession of Hong Kong Island to the United Kingdom in 1842. History In the early days after 1841, while Choong Wan was planned to be business centre of Victoria City and an area of Westener population, Chinese population was removed from Choong Wan to the area around Tai Ping Shan Street in Sheung Wan and Sheung Wan became the area of Chinese population. South of Hollywood Road was the Alice Memorial Hospital and the College of Medicine where Sun Yat-sen graduated with distinction in 1892. After the college was merged into the University of Hong Kong, the hospital was also moved to Bonham Road and renamed to Nethersole Hospital. After reclamation of island north, Aberdeen Street was extended in the north by Wing Kut Street (), a pedestrian lane which hosts a street market. Features The following list follows a north–south order. (W) indicates the western side of the street, while (E) indicates the eastern side. Junction with Queen's Road Central This section is a ladder street > intersection with Wellington Street (E) Lin Heung Tea House () Located at 160–164 Wellington Street, at the corner with Aberdeen Street. The restaurant opened in 1928 and changed location several times before opening at its present location. It serves dim sum for breakfast and lunch and traditional Cantonese dishes for dinner. (W)> junction with Kau U Fong () (W) Lan Kwai Fong Hotel Located at No. 3 Kau U Fong, at the corner with Aberdeen Street. Despite the name, it is not located at Lan Kwai Fong. (E)> junction with Wa on Lane () (W)> junction with Gough Street (E)> junction with Gage Street (E) Original site of the school where Yang Quyun was assassinated by Qing agents in 1911. Located at No. 52 Gage Street, at the corner with Aberdeen Street. A marker, part of the Dr Sun Yat-sen Historical Trail is located in Aberdeen Street. The site is also included in the Central and Western Heritage Trail. (E)> junction with Sam Ka Lane () > intersection with Hollywood Road (W) PMQ () The compound occupies the block west of Aberdeen Street, between Hollywood Road and Staunton Street. It is located on the site of the former Central School. The school had been established in 1862 at Gough Street and moved to the Aberdeen Street location in 1889, while being renamed Victoria College. At that time, the school was one of the largest and most expensive buildings in Hong Kong. It was renamed Queen's College in 1894. The campus was destroyed during World War II, and the school was subsequently relocated. The buildings at Aberdeen Street were demolished in 1948 and the Quarters were opened in 1951. They were completely vacated in 2000. It has been revitalised as a creative hub for local design talents in 2014. > intersection with Staunton Street (E) Kwong Hon Terrace Garden () (W) Albron Court, at the corner with Caine Road The current building occupies the site of a former two-storey-mansion of the same name, that had been built in the 1870s for H.N. Mody. A gatepost of the mansion remains in front of the building on Caine Road. (E) St. Margaret's Girls' College, at the corner with Caine Road > intersection with Caine Road See also List of streets and roads in Hong Kong References Further reading External links An article about the street in Sing Pao Google Maps of Aberdeen Street Central, Hong Kong Sheung Wan Ladder streets in Hong Kong Roads on Hong Kong Island

4044047

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boil-water%20advisory

Boil-water advisory

A boil-water advisory, boil-water notice, boil-water warning, boil-water order, or boil order is a public-health advisory or directive issued by governmental or other health authorities to consumers when a community's drinking water is or could be contaminated by pathogens. Under a boil-water advisory (BWA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that water be brought to a rolling boil for one minute before it is consumed in order to kill protozoa, bacteria, and viruses. At altitudes above , boiling should be extended to 3 minutes, as the lower boiling point at high altitudes requires more time to kill such organisms. BWAs are typically issued when monitoring of water being served to consumers detects E. coli or other microbiological indicators of sewage contamination. Another reason for a BWA is a failure of distribution system integrity evidenced by a loss of system pressure. While loss of pressure does not necessarily mean the water has been contaminated, it does mean that pathogens may be able to enter the piped-water system and thus be carried to consumers. In the United States, this has been defined as a drop below . History John Snow's 1849 recommendation that water be "filtered and boiled before it is used" is one of the first practical applications of the germ theory of disease in the area of public health and is the antecedent to the modern boil water advisory. Snow demonstrated a clear understanding of germ theory in his writings. He first published his theory in an 1849 essay On the Mode of Communication of Cholera, in which he correctly suggested that the fecal-oral route was the mode of communication, and that the disease replicated itself in the lower intestines. Snow later went so far as to accurately propose in his 1855 edition of the work that the structure of cholera was that of a cell. Snow's ideas were not fully accepted until years after his death in 1858. The first known modern boil-water advisory based solely on germ theory and unfettered by extraneous and irrelevant advice was distributed in 1866 during the last of three major cholera outbreaks that ravaged London in the 19th century. See also 2010 Boston water emergency 1998 Sydney water crisis Walkerton E. coli outbreak Water supply Water pollution References Drinking water Health campaigns Water treatment

4044059

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heptanitrocubane

Heptanitrocubane

Heptanitrocubane is an experimental high explosive based on the cubic eight-carbon cubane molecule and closely related to octanitrocubane. Seven of the eight hydrogen atoms at the corners of the cubane molecule are replaced by nitro groups, giving the final molecular formula . As with octanitrocubane, not enough heptanitrocubane has been synthesized to perform detailed tests on its stability and energy. It is hypothesized to have slightly better performance than explosives such as HMX, the current high-energy standard explosive, based on chemical energy analysis. While in theory not as energetic as octanitrocubane's theoretical maximum density, the HNC that has been synthesized so far is a more effective explosive than any ONC that has been produced, due to more efficient crystal packing and hence higher density. Heptanitrocubane was first synthesized by the same team who synthesized octanitrocubane, Philip Eaton and Mao-Xi Zhang at the University of Chicago, in 1999. References Further reading Explosive chemicals Nitroalkanes

4044062

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultradrive

Ultradrive

The Ultradrive is an automatic transmission manufactured by Chrysler beginning in the 1989 model year. Initially produced in a single four-speed variant paired with the Mitsubishi (6G72) 3.0-liter engine in vehicles with transverse engines, application was expanded to the Chrysler 3.3- and 3.8-liter V6 engines in 1990 model year Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan, Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Dynasty and Chrysler New Yorker. A six-speed variant (62TE) was introduced in the 2007 model year and remains in production for several models as of 2019. The Ultradrive and succeeding transmissions are produced at the Kokomo Transmission plant in Kokomo, Indiana, which also manufactures other Chrysler automatic transmissions. As of 2020, Dodge Journeys equipped with four-cylinder engines are the only applications of the four-speed Ultradrive (40TES) remaining in production. The Ram Promaster will be the only vehicle to use an Ultradrive transmission after 2020. History The Ultradrive was a significant technological advancement in transmission operation, one of the first electronically controlled automatics. It pioneered many now-common features such as adaptive shifting, wherein the electronic control unit optimizes shifting based on the driving style of the operator. It earned a reputation for being unreliable. While the Ultradrive transmission had numerous issues, reportedly due to being rushed into production, a common problem was not necessarily caused by a design flaw, but by poor labelling: both owner's manuals and transmission fluid dipsticks advocated the use of Dexron transmission fluid in the event the required fluid was not available. The transmissions were designed to use a special fluid (Type 7176, also known as ATF+3, now superseded by ATF+4) and many owners reported failures from the use of Dexron, as well as temporary issues which were resolved when the proper fluid was added. There may also have been mistaken impressions of failure due to the "limp home" feature. When the computer sensed a problem, such as a sensor giving an inappropriate reading, a code would be stored in the car's computer and the transmission would default to second gear only, under transmission computer control, so that owners could still drive to a service location for diagnosis or repairs. This may have caused perceptions of failure and premature replacement. A major drawback to the "second-gear-only limp mode" was, if second gear was the defective gear, the vehicle would not go forward. The torque converter measured in diameter and was mounted to the flywheel by a flexible drive plate. The transaxle was cooled through an oil-to-water heat exchanger in the collector tank on the radiator, and/or a standard oil-to-air heat exchanger. There were no bands or mechanical holding devices; ratios were supplied by five different clutch packs. This allowed the transmission to be lightweight and to use fewer moving parts than the three speed it replaced. The 41TE transmission which directly replaced the TorqueFlite had a similar design and could be considered an evolutionary change, but it included different valve bodies, solenoid packs, sensors, and other components to increase reliability. This line was also given a flash-programmable TCM and, in 2006, a variable line pressure hydraulic system was phased in, which boosted performance and longevity. "Autostick" option In some applications, the driver could select a certain gear with an extra position on the stick. Marketed as "Autostick," activation required the driver to press a safety button on the selector stick, whereby and the selector could be moved to the "manual" position—where side-to-side movements towards the + and - icons (or pressing the + and - buttons on column-mounted selectors) made it possible to manually engage the transmission sequentially through all four forward speeds. The computer could override the gear selector to limit maximum engine RPM or prevent selection of a gear too low for vehicle speed. The option was advantageous in certain driving conditions, e.g., slippery roads or mountain driving. Technical information There are currently four different types of units. Chrysler switched to a new coded naming convention in the 1990s. This new standard starts with two numbers, the number of gears (4–6) and the torque rating (0–9) plus two or three letters describing the unit. TE: Transverse electronic LE: Longitudinal electronic TEA: Transverse electronic all-wheel-drive Differences in bell housing and bolt pattern can be seen between years and platforms (e.g. 2013 Grand Caravan RT platform 62TE is not bolt compatible with a 2013 ProMaster VF platform 62TE). A604/41TE The 41TE is a four-speed transmission originally fitted on 1989 Dodge/Plymouth vehicles with the 3.0 L 6G72 V6. Applications include (but are not limited to) the Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan, Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager, Dodge Shadow, Chrysler LeBaron and Chrysler Sebring (1995–1997). Applications: 1989–1993 Chrysler New Yorker 1989–1995 Chrysler LeBaron 1989–2010 Dodge Caravan 1989–1993 Dodge Daytona IROC 1992–1993 Chrysler Daytona IROC (EU) 1989–1993 Dodge Dynasty 1989–1994 Dodge Shadow 1989–1994 Chrysler Saratoga (EU) 1989–1994 Plymouth Sundance 1989–1994 Dodge Spirit 1989–1994 Plymouth Acclaim 1989–2000 Plymouth Voyager 1990–1993 Chrysler Imperial 1990–1993 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue 1990–2010 Chrysler Town and Country 1992–1994 Plymouth Duster 1995–2000 Chrysler Cirrus 1995–2006 Chrysler Sebring 1995–2006 Chrysler Stratus (EU) 1995–2000 Dodge Avenger 1995–2006 Dodge Stratus 1995–2006 Chrysler Sebring (EU) 1996–2000 Plymouth Breeze 2000–2003 Chrysler Voyager (US) 1989–2007 Chrysler Voyager (intl.) 2001–2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2002–2003 Dodge Neon 2004–2008 Chrysler Pacifica 1995–1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse non-turbo 2008–2010 Volga Siber 41AE The 41AE is a variant of the 41TE that was originally used for the all-wheel drive variants of the minivans, and was also used for the Chrysler Pacifica from its 2004-model-year introduction until the model was discontinued in 2008. Applications: 1991–2004 Chrysler Town and Country 1991–2004 Chrysler Voyager (intl.) 1991–2004 Dodge Caravan 1991–2000 Plymouth Voyager 2004–2008 Chrysler Pacifica 40TE Since 2003 (2004 model year), the 41TE was replaced by a similar but cheaper and lighter 40TE transmissions in cars equipped with inline-four-cylinder, or naturally-aspirated engines. Applications: 2003–2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2003–2006 Chrysler Sebring 2003–2007 Dodge Caravan 2003–2005 Dodge Neon 2003–2006 Dodge Stratus A606/42LE The 42LE was an upgraded version of the 41TE modified for longitudinal engines. It debuted in 1993 on the LH cars. It is strengthened with a reworked final drive unit, barreled axle shafts, and upgraded clutch packs. The major modification to a longitudinal drivetrain while maintaining front wheel drive was accomplished by adding a differential to the transmission case, which was driven by means of a transfer chain from the output shaft of the low/reverse clutch assembly at the rear of the transmission case. Applications: 42LE 1999–2004 Chrysler 300M 1993–2004 Chrysler Concorde 1994–2001 Chrysler LHS 2001–2002 Chrysler Prowler 1994–1996 Chrysler New Yorker 1993–2004 Dodge Intrepid 1993–1997 Eagle Vision 1997–2002 Plymouth Prowler 42RLE The 42LE was modified in 2003 as the 42RLE, originally for the then-new Jeep Liberty. It is a 42LE transaxle, modified for use in rear-wheel drive vehicles by removing the integral differential and transfer chain. Power flow exits the rear of the transmission. The case has also been modified. By design, it has full-electronic shift control with adaptive memory to learn the operator's driving habits controlled by the vehicle's Transmission Control Module (TCM). Contained within the automatic's torque converter is an Electronically Modulated Converter Clutch (EMCC), designed to act as a shock absorber for harsh shifting. 42RLE production ceased in early 2012. Gear Ratios for the 42RLE: 1st: 2.80 2nd: 1.55 3rd: 1.00 4th: 0.69 Applications: 42RLE 2005–2010 Chrysler 300 2006–2010 Dodge Charger 2004–2011 Dodge Dakota 2004–2009 Dodge Durango 2005–2008 Dodge Magnum 2007–2011 Dodge Nitro 2003–2012 Jeep Liberty 2003–2011 Jeep Wrangler 2009 Dodge Challenger V6 2003–2012 Dodge Ram 40TES/41TES The 40TES and 41TES are upgraded replacement versions of the 41TE, which were first introduced with the 2007 Chrysler Sebring. The 40TES is used with the 2.4 L GEMA I4 engine while the 41TES is used with the 2.7 L EER V6. The difference between the TES and TE is the TES has a shallower bell housing and the torque converter is more compact. This was done for the revised packaging of the 2007 Sebring's engine compartment. The 40TES and 41TES are also known As VLP, (Variable Line Pressure) Transmissions: a pressure sensor and line pressure solenoid were added to the valve body, in addition to the solenoid pack that bolts to the outside of the case. This resulted in an additional harness connector coming through the case near the manual linkage. Applications: 2007–2010 Chrysler Sebring 2011–2014 Chrysler 200 2008–2014 Dodge Avenger 2009–2020 Dodge Journey 62TE The 62TE is a six-speed derivative of the 41TE, first introduced on 2007 Chrysler Sebring models fitted with the 3.5L EGJ V6. Applications also include the Pacifica crossover (4.0L), the RT Platform minivans (3.8L & 4.0L V6; also 2.8L diesel for Europe) and the Dodge Journey (3.5L & 3.6L). Applications: 2007–2008 Chrysler Pacifica 2007–2010 Chrysler Sebring 2011–2014 Chrysler 200 2008–2014 Dodge Avenger 2008–2016 Chrysler Town and Country 2011– Lancia Voyager 2008–2016 Chrysler Grand Voyager 2008–2020 Dodge Grand Caravan 2009–2012 Volkswagen Routan 2009–2019 Dodge Journey 2014–2021 Ram ProMaster Problems Many problems with Chrysler automatic transmissions are started when the automatic transmission fluid or "ATF" is replaced or topped-up with standard, more common fluids like DEXRON or MERCON type fluids. Chrysler transmissions need to use their own fluid, designated as ATF+4 Synthetic type 9602 fluid from Chrysler, not any other or any other plus an additive. If any quantity of other type of fluid is added to the transmission, a complete drain, flush and replacement with the correct ATF+4 will be needed. The most common problems (shift stuck-, limp mode-, blocking problems) with the Chrysler Ultradrive transmissions are poor shifting quality and sudden locks into second gear ("limp-home" mode) caused by the transmission computer detecting problems with sensor data. Nine design changes were made in an attempt to fix clutch failure, and four were directed to excessive shifting on hills. After pressure from the US Center for Auto Safety, Consumer Reports, and others, Chrysler LLC promised to waive the $100 deductible in the warranty, provide loaners, and buy back any cars with Ultradrives that could not be fixed (US located cars only). Chrysler ran a campaign to contact all American owners of cars with Ultradrives to find and fix problems. See also List of Chrysler transmissions References 41TE

4044070

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia%20Obertas

Julia Obertas

Julia Nikolayevna Obertas, married name: Horak (, ; born 19 June 1984) is a former pair skater who represented Ukraine until 2000 and then Russia until the end of her career. She is best known for her partnership with Sergei Slavnov, with whom she competed from 2003 to 2007. They are the 2005 European silver medalists. Earlier, she competed with Alexei Sokolov for Russia and Dmytro Palamarchuk for Ukraine. With Palamarchuk, she became a two-time (1998–1999) World Junior champion. Career Early career Obertas began skating at age 5. She initially competed with Dmytro Palamarchuk representing Ukraine. They won the 1998 and 1999 World Junior Championships. They also won the 1997 and 1998 Junior Grand Prix Final. They then began competing on the senior level. At the 2000 World Championships, Obertas/Palamarchuk were 10th after the short program but during the free skate Palamarchuk caught an edge (right skate) while executing an overhead lift with Obertas – she was uninjured in the resulting fall but he hit his head on the ice. No medical attention was immediately offered at the event in Nice, France. Palamarchuk lay on the ice for several minutes before getting up and leaving the ice on his own but then lost consciousness and was taken to hospital – no damage was found but he was kept overnight for observation. The pair ended their partnership shortly afterward. Obertas moved to Russia as her mother had remarried and the family decided to settle in Saint Petersburg. Partnership with Sokolov In the summer of 2000, Obertas teamed up with Alexei Sokolov and began to represent Russia, coached by Ludmila Velikova and Nikolai Velikov. They trained at the Yubileyny rink in Saint Petersburg. After two fourth-place finishes at Russian Nationals, they won bronze in 2003. They earned a berth in the 2003 European Championships, where they placed fifth, and to the 2003 World Championships, where they finished eighth. Partnership with Slavnov Obertas had begun dating another one of the Velikovs' students, Sergei Slavnov, and in August 2003, they decided to skate together, switching coaches to Tamara Moskvina who also worked at Yubileyny. At the 2004 Skate America, shortly after Tatiana Totmianina's accident, Obertas fell out of an overhead lift, a hand-to-hand lasso lift, but Slavnov managed to catch her to prevent her head hitting the ice. The pair won silver at the 2005 European Championships and were fifth at the World Championships. During the 2005-06 season, they were fourth at Europeans, and then finished eighth at both the Olympics and Worlds. At the start of the 2006-07 season, Obertas/Slavnov decided to return to Ludmila Velikova. The pair won bronze at 2006 Trophée Eric Bompard and finished 6th at 2006 NHK Trophy. At the 2007 Russian Championships, they won the silver medal and were sent to the 2007 European Championships where they finished 4th. They did not compete at Worlds. The pair announced they would miss the 2007-08 season as the result of an injury to Obertas. In summer 2008, they said they would miss the start of the 2008-09 season, but might compete at Russian Nationals. In autumn 2008, Obertas participated in the Russia 1 ice show Star Ice (), skating with the Russian actor Alexander Peskov. Obertas/Slavnov did not compete at Russian nationals and ended their career. Obertas/Slavnov performed some quadruple twists in competition. Personal life Obertas and Slavnov dated from 2002 to 2008. In 2010, Obertas married Czech figure skater Radek Horák. After spending some time coaching in Italy, she and her husband now coach in Stockholm, Sweden. Programs With Slavnov With Sokolov Results With Slavnov for Russia With Sokolov for Russia With Palamarchuk for Ukraine References External links Navigation 1984 births Russian female pair skaters Ukrainian female pair skaters Olympic figure skaters of Russia Figure skaters at the 2006 Winter Olympics Living people European Figure Skating Championships medalists World Junior Figure Skating Championships medalists Sportspeople from Dnipro

4044071

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel%20Lees

Nathaniel Lees

Nathaniel Lees is a New Zealand theatre actor and director and film actor of Samoan descent, best known for film roles in The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and for starring in Young Hercules as Chiron the centaur. Acting career Lees was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He was brought up in an environment where Samoan was commonly spoken, so he grew up thinking of himself as being Samoan. He got his first acting job because of "being brown", as the theatre required brown people running around on stage killing Captain Cook. Part of the audition was him walking through the door, and upon doing so, he "had the job". He is known for his role as Captain Mifune in The Matrix trilogy and his role as "Uglúk" in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. He has also had roles on the TV series Young Hercules, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess. He appeared in 30 Days of Night with Josh Hartnett. He also played Master Mao in the Power Rangers series Power Rangers Jungle Fury. Early television appearances in New Zealand included a regular role in the 1989 series Shark in the Park. He is also well known for a long career in theatre, having received many prestigious rewards for his contribution to the arts. Lees was one of the influential actors that paved the way for Pacific theatre in New Zealand. In 2004 he was awarded the Senior Pacific Artist Award at the Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Awards. Theatre director Lees was the director of the award winning play Think of a Garden written by John Kneubuhl, performed at the Watershed Theatre in 1993 in Auckland and then again in 1995 produced by Cath Cardiff and performed at Taki Rua Theatre in Wellington 1995. At the prestigious Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards 1995, the play won Production of the Year and Lees was awarded Director of the Year. In 1996, he directed A Frigate Bird Sings co-written by Oscar Kightley and Dave Fane and produced by Makerita Urale for the New Zealand International Festival of the Arts. The set was designed by Kate Peters and Michel Tuffery. The play was nominated for Production of the Year, Director of the Year, and Set Design at the 1996 Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. In 2003, Lees directed The Songmaker's Chair by Albert Wendt. He also directed Awhi Tapu, by Māori playwright Albert Belz. Filmography Other Halves (1984) – Court Clerk Death Warmed Up (1984) – Jackson Shaker Run (1985) – Squad Commander Chill Factor (1989) – Charles Rapa-Nui (1994) – Long Ear Chief Bonjour Timothy (1995) – Mr. Wiley The Other Side of Heaven (2001) – Kelepi The Lost World (2001, TV Movie) – Indian chief The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) – Uglúk The Matrix Reloaded (2003) – Mifune Liquid Bridge (2003) – Ogitani The Matrix Revolutions (2003) – Mifune No. 2 (2006) – Uncle John Sione's Wedding (2006) – Minister The Tattooist (2007) – Mr. Perenese 30 Days of Night (2007) – Carter Davies Power Rangers Jungle Fury (2008, TV Series) – Master Mao Journey to Ihipa (2008) Under the Mountain (2009) – Detective Gray Sione's 2: Unfinished Business (2012) – Minister Mr. Pip (2012) – Mr. Jaggers Realiti (2014) – George One Thousand Ropes (2016) – Henry Pasi Everybody Else Is Taken (2016, Short) – Geoffrey Mortal Engines (2018) The Other Side of Heaven II: Fire of Faith (2019) – Kelepi The Dead Lands (2020, TV Series) – Te Kaipō References External links New Zealand male film actors New Zealand male television actors Living people People from Auckland New Zealand people of Samoan descent 21st-century New Zealand male actors Actors of Samoan descent 1972 births

4044078

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas%20Talbot%2C%202nd%20Viscount%20Lisle

Thomas Talbot, 2nd Viscount Lisle

Thomas Talbot, 2nd Baron Lisle and 2nd Viscount Lisle (c. 1449 – 20 March 1470), English nobleman, was the son of John Talbot, 1st Viscount Lisle and Joan Cheddar. He married Margaret Herbert, the daughter of William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke. Upon the death of his grandmother, Margaret Beauchamp, in 1467, Lisle inherited her claims upon the lands of Baron Berkeley. He attempted to gain entrance to Berkeley Castle by bribery; but the plot was discovered, and in a fit of pique, he challenged Lord Berkeley to a trial of arms. The ensuing Battle of Nibley Green was the last battle on English soil fought entirely between private feudatories. The superior numbers of Berkeley won the day: Lisle's troops were routed, he was slain on the field, and Berkeley pillaged Lisle's manor of Wotton-under-Edge. Lady Lisle miscarried a son shortly thereafter; the Viscounty of Lisle became extinct, and the barony passed into abeyance between his two sisters. References Source "Chapter V : The Battle of Nibley Green", rotwang.co.uk. Accessed 31 December 2022. |- 1440s births 1470 deaths Thomas 2 Barons Lisle (Peerage of England)

4044086

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luciana%20Paluzzi

Luciana Paluzzi

Luciana Paluzzi (born 10 June 1937) is an Italian actress. She is perhaps best known for playing SPECTRE assassin Fiona Volpe in the fourth James Bond film, Thunderball, but she had important roles in notable films of the 1960s and 1970s in both the Italian film industry and Hollywood, including Chuka, The Green Slime, 99 Women, Black Gunn, The Klansman and The Sensuous Nurse. Career Film Paluzzi was born in Rome and was brought up there. She went to Milan and studied naval engineering for two years at the Scientific Academy of Milan, being the only woman in her class. One of her first roles was an uncredited walk-on part in Three Coins in the Fountain (1954), which she got by chance through a friend of her father's who was invited for dinner and happened to be looking for a young actress doing a very short two-line role for director Jean Negulesco, thinking Paluzzi might be a fit. Negulesco had not been satisfied with the other actresses so far, but when Paluzzi, who did not plan to become an actress, recited the English line the next day (it was the only English she spoke at that time) she got the role. Paluzzi went on to appear in many movies, most of which were made in her native Italy. In her early films, she is credited as Luciana Paoluzzi. In 1957, she came to England to appear in the British war film No Time To Die (also known as Tank Force) alongside Victor Mature where she was directed by Terence Young. She was then cast in the British action drama Sea Fury as the Spanish-born Josita, who is fought over by Stanley Baker and Victor McLaglen's characters. In 1959, Paluzzi went to Hollywood under contract with Twentieth Century Fox Television to star as a regular in the 20th Century Fox Television series Five Fingers, which was cancelled after three months. Paluzzi then played Rafaella, the wife of Brett Halsey's character Ted Carter, in 1961's Return to Peyton Place. From 1963 to 1965, Paluzzi almost exclusively appeared in Italian productions. In 1965, Paluzzi was cast as SPECTRE villainess, Fiona Volpe, "volpe" is "fox" in Italian, in Terence Young's Thunderball (1965), for which she is best known. She had auditioned for the part of the lead Bond girl, Dominetta "Domino" Petacchi, but producers instead cast Claudine Auger, changing the character's name from an Italian to a Frenchwoman, renaming her Dominique Derval. Initially crestfallen when informed she did not get the part, Paluzzi rejoiced when told her consolatory prize was the part of Fiona Volpe, originally planned to be Fiona Kelly, which she said was "more fun" to play. Paluzzi later claimed being a Bond girl was a double-edged sword. In the documentary Bond Girls Are Forever, Paluzzi expressed amazement at the level of fame, publicity, and recognition she received from Thunderball; but as a result of being in such an outlandish film, she felt she was taken less seriously as an actress when returning to the Italian film industry. Paluzzi appeared in such films as Muscle Beach Party (1964) and Chuka (1967). She co-starred in the 1969 women in prison film 99 Women, and as a Southern belle in the 1974 Hollywood drama The Klansman (with her voice dubbed by American actress Joanna Moore), again for Terence Young. Television In 1959–60, Paluzzi appeared with David Hedison in the short-lived espionage television series, Five Fingers. She appeared with Tab Hunter in an episode of The Tab Hunter Show in 1960. In 1962 she played a murderous wife in an episode of Thriller titled "Flowers of Evil". In 1964 she played the villainess in an episode of The Man from U.N.C.L.E., as the seductive THRUSH agent Angela in the first-season episode "The Four Steps Affair" and in the movie version of the show's pilot episode, To Trap a Spy. In 1966 she played Baroness Carla Montaglia in Season 3, Episode 3 "Face of a Shadow" in Twelve O'Clock High. Also in 1966, she played Greek bar owner Tuesday Hajadakis in the premiere episode of The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. . In 1967 she played the seductive foreign agent Marla Valemska in "Matchless," the premiere episode of Mr. Teriffic. In 1971 Paluzzi appeared as a special guest star in "Powderkeg," the pilot movie for the CBS TV series, Bearcats!. In 1978 she portrayed journalist Liana Labella in the Hawaii Five-O episode "My Friend, the Enemy". Also starred in Bonanza, 'The Dowry', in 1962. Personal life In 1960, Paluzzi married actor Brett Halsey, who had just left his marriage with Renate Hoy, an actress and Miss Germany of 1954. The two co-starred as a newlywed couple in the film, Return to Peyton Place. The couple had one son, Christian, and after they divorced in 1962 Halsey married Heidi Brühl. During the 1960s and 1970s, Paluzzi had a long-term relationship with Tony Anthony, with whom she appeared in the films Wounds of Hunger and Come Together. Her work in Japan on The Green Slime inspired Anthony to write and produce the hybrid Spaghetti Western-jidaigeki film The Silent Stranger. In 1979, Paluzzi married her current husband, American media mogul Michael Jay Solomon, who had founded Michael Jay Solomon Film International in 1977, co-founded Telepictures Corporation in 1978 and in 1985 became president of Warner Bros. International Television, and she moved to New York to live with her husband. The marriage caused her to end her film career. In 1980, she became sales representative of Canale 5 and :it:Reteitalia in the United States, which she characterized as a very quiet job, and followed her husband on his international travels. Paluzzi and her husband also resided at an exclusive clifftop estate on the Pacific Ocean in Jalisco, Mexico, known as "Casa Dos Estrellas".<ref>Casa Dos Estrellas – Costa Careyes Luxury Mansion (per 3 November 2013)</ref> The couple sold that estate in about 2005 to live in New York and Rome, to be close to family. Selected filmography Sua altezza ha detto: no! (1953) – NanúThree Coins in the Fountain (1954) – Angela Bianchi (uncredited)My Seven Little Sins (1954) – PatIl vetturale del Moncenisio (1954)Adriana Lecouvreur (1955)Faccia da mascalzone (1956)The Lebanese Mission (1956) – Michèle HennequinMademoiselle Striptease (1956) – SophiaGuaglione (1956) – Marisa's FriendLa donna che venne dal mare (1957)Hercules (1958) – Luciana PaoluzziNo Time to Die (1958) – CarolaSi le roi savait ça (1958)Sea Fury (1958) – JositaThe Tiger of Eschnapur (1959) – Bharani – Seetha's servantCarlton-Browne of the F.O. (1959) – Her Serene Highness Princess IlyenaMy Wife's Enemy (1959) – GiuliaJourney to the Lost City (1960) – BahraniReturn to Peyton Place (1961) – RaffaellaBonanza (1962, Episode: "The Dowry") – Michele DuboisThe Reluctant Saint (1962) – Carlotta (scenes deleted)Vice and Virtue (1963) – HélénaWounds of Hunger (1963) – EstelaBurke's Law (1964, Episode: "Who killed Marty Kelso") – Mia BandiniTo Trap a Spy (1964) – Angela (archive footage)Muscle Beach Party (1964) – JulieQuesta volta parliamo di uomini (1965) – Manuela (segment "Un uomo d'onore")I Kill, You Kill (1965) – La mamma (segment "Giochi acerbi")Thunderball (1965) – Fiona VolpeThe Venetian Affair (1966) – Giulia AlmerantiThe One Eyed Soldiers (1966) – Gava BerensChuka (1967) – Veronica KleitzThe Green Slime (1968) – Dr. Lisa BensonOSS 117 – Double Agent (1968) – Maud, a female doctorA Black Veil for Lisa (1968) – LisaLa esclava del paraíso (1968) – Mizziana1001 Nights (1968) – Mizziana99 Women (1969) – Natalie MendozaCarnal Circuit (1969) – Mary SullivanThe Forgotten Pistolero (1969) – Anna CarrascoPlaygirl 70 (1969) – LuisaCaptain Nemo and the Underwater City (1969) – MalaIl segreto dei soldati di argilla (1970)The Man Who Came from Hate (1971) – TheresaCome Together (1971) – Lisa (1971) – FridaThe Two Faces of Fear (1972) – Elena CarliColpo grosso... grossissimo... anzi probabile (1972) – JacquelineThe Italian Connection (1972) – Eva LalliBlack Gunn (1972) – ToniTragic Ceremony (1972) – Lady AlexanderMedusa (1973) – SarahThe Great Kidnapping (1973) – Renata BolettiWar Goddess (1973) – PhaedraMean Mother (1974) – ThereseThe Klansman (1974) – TrixieLa sbandata (1974) – Rosa – wife of RaffaeleManhunt in the City (1975) – Vera VannucchiCalling All Police Cars (1975) – Ispettrice Giovanna NunzianteThe Sensuous Nurse (1975) – Jole ScarpaNick the Sting (1976) – AnnaHawaii Five-O (1978) Episode:"My Friend, the Enemy" – Liana LabellaThe Greek Tycoon (1978) – Paola ScottiDeadly Chase'' (1978) – Rosy (final film role) References External links 1937 births Living people Italian film actresses Italian television actresses People of Lazian descent Actresses from Rome 20th-century Italian actresses Italian emigrants to the United States

4044087

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicious%20Rumors%20%28Vicious%20Rumors%20album%29

Vicious Rumors (Vicious Rumors album)

Vicious Rumors is the third album by the American heavy metal band Vicious Rumors, released in 1990. A music video was made for "Don't Wait for Me". Track listing Personnel Carl Albert – lead vocals, backing vocals Geoff Thorpe – guitars, producer Mark McGee – guitars, mandolin, backing vocals Dave Starr – bass Larry Howe – drums Production Mike Houghes – back cover logo concept Geoff Thorpe – producer, mixing Howie Weinberg – mastering Anthony Ranieri – design Jay Janini – photography Michael Rosen – producer, engineer, mixing Peggy Donnelly – A&R coordination Mark McGee – producer (assistant), mixing Bob Defrin – art direction Stan Woch – front cover logo concept Don Brautigam – front & back illustration References 1990 albums Vicious Rumors albums Atlantic Records albums

4044090

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael%20Caton-Jones

Michael Caton-Jones

Michael Caton-Jones (born Michael Jones; 15 October 1957) is a Scottish director and producer of film and television. His credits include the World War II film Memphis Belle (1990), the romantic comedy Doc Hollywood (1991), the biographical drama This Boy's Life (1993), the historical epic Rob Roy (1995), the action thriller The Jackal (1997), and an erotic thriller sequel, Basic Instinct 2 (2006). He also directed the Channel 4 miniseries Brond (1987) and World Without End (2012). Career Caton-Jones attended the National Film and Television School. In October 2017, he revealed he had chosen Sophie Okonedo, to star in B. Monkey. However producer, Harvey Weinstein, reportedly decided the actress was not "f**kable". Caton-Jones and Weinstein discussed the matter heatedly and Caton-Jones said, "'Don’t screw up the casting of this film because you want to get laid', whereupon he went mental." Weinstein then told Variety that Caton-Jones had left the production due to "creative differences". Asia Argento, who replaced Okonedo, was one of three women who in 2017 were reported in The New Yorker to have been raped by Weinstein; she said she submitted to Weinstein because, "I felt I had to, because I had the movie coming out and I didn’t want to anger him." Filmography Film Television director Awards and nominations References External links 1957 births Living people People educated at Wellington College, Berkshire Alumni of the National Film and Television School Scottish film directors People from Broxburn, West Lothian Squatters

4044093

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duane%20Ackerson

Duane Ackerson

Duane Ackerson (October 17, 1942 – April 19, 2020) was an American writer of speculative poetry and fiction. Не taught at the University of Oregon, then headed the creative program at Idaho State University. He lived in Salem, Oregon, where he died on April 19, 2020. Duane Ackerson's work has appeared in anthologies that include The Year's Best SF 1974, 100 Great Science Fiction Short Short Stories, Future Pastimes, and the textbook Writing Poetry. He has won the Rhysling Award for Best Short Poem twice, in 1978 and 1979. Ackerson's poems are translated into Russian by Dmitry Kuzmin. Bibliography The Bird at the End of the Universe The Eggplant & Other Absurdities Weathering UA Flight to Chicago. Lincoln, Nebraska: The Best Cellar Press, 1971. References External links 1942 births 2020 deaths 20th-century American male writers 20th-century American poets American male novelists American male poets American male short story writers American science fiction writers American short story writers Idaho State University faculty Novelists from New York (state) Novelists from Oregon Rhysling Award for Best Short Poem winners Writers from New York City Writers from Salem, Oregon University of Oregon faculty

4044098

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old%20Mill%20State%20Park

Old Mill State Park

Old Mill State Park is a small Minnesota state park on the Middle River between Argyle and Newfolden on an ancient beach of glacial Lake Agassiz in Marshall County in the northwestern part of the state. It is a park. History The park area was originally homesteaded by the Larson Family in 1882. A series of water- and wind-powered mills were soon built in the area. Eventually a steam-powered mill replaced the older technology. The state bought the area in 1937 and rebuilt the steam engine in 1958. Every year as part of the park's special events and interpretive programs, the old mill is run as it had been years ago. Wildlife Many species are attracted to the river that runs through the park. Deer and moose are the largest animals that frequent the park. Beaver, raccoon, white-tailed jackrabbits and snowshoe hares are common. A bird migration route runs through the park adding more wildlife especially in the spring and fall. The ground-nesting marsh hawk is a common summer resident. Owls and the occasional eagle have been sighted in the park. National Register of Historic Places A historic district including eight contributing buildings and structures, built by the Works Progress Administration, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Larson Mill is listed separately on the National Register of Historic Places. References External links Old Mill State Park 1937 establishments in Minnesota Grinding mills on the National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota Mill museums in Minnesota Park buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota Protected areas established in 1937 Protected areas of Marshall County, Minnesota Rustic architecture in Minnesota State parks of Minnesota Works Progress Administration in Minnesota Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota National Register of Historic Places in Marshall County, Minnesota

4044099

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathroom%20Divas

Bathroom Divas

Bathroom Divas: So You Want to Be an Opera Star? is a television show that originally aired on Bravo! Canada for two seasons. It was produced by Kaleidoscope Entertainment, Inc. and directed by Mike Ward. The winner got to perform live in front of a world class orchestra. The title is a hint to the expression "bathroom singing". It was picked up by Ovation TV to replay the previous episodes. Seasons Season 1 Judges: The principal judges were Mary Lou Fallis, Tom Diamond, Gary Relyea, and Michael McMahon. Winner: Elton Lammie Season 2 Judges: Mary Lou Fallis and Tom Diamond are joined by Liz Upchurch and Daniel Lichti. Winner: Elaine Jean Brown External links Official site Here's a switch -- reality TV with class Once shy singer tries her luck on Bravo TV London soprano reality show's second-best Bathroom Diva Season Two Press Release CTV Drama Channel original programming Singing talent shows Canadian reality television series Canadian music television series

4044129

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleaver

Cleaver

A cleaver is a large knife that varies in its shape but usually resembles a rectangular-bladed hatchet. It is largely used as a kitchen or butcher knife and is mostly intended for splitting up large pieces of soft bones and slashing through thick pieces of meat. The knife's broad side can also be used for crushing in food preparation (such as garlic) and can also be used to scoop up chopped items. Tools described as cleavers have been in use since the Acheulean period. "Cleaver" was commonly spelled clever in the late 17th century. Design In contrast to other kitchen knives, the cleaver has an especially tough edge meant to withstand repeated blows directly into thick meat, dense cartilage, bone, and the cutting board below. This resilience is accomplished by using a softer, tougher steel and a thicker blade, because a harder steel or thinner blade might fracture or buckle under hard use. In use, it is swung like a meat tenderizer or hammer the knife's design relies on sheer momentum to cut efficiently; to chop straight through rather than slicing in a sawing motion. Part of the momentum derives from how hard the user swings the cleaver, and the other part from how heavy the cleaver is. Because of this, the edge of a meat cleaver does not need to be particularly sharp in fact, a knife-sharp edge on a cleaver is undesirable. The grind for a meat cleaver, at approximately 25°, is much blunter than for other kitchen knives. The tough metal and thick blade of a cleaver also make it a suitable tool for crushing with the side of the blade, whereas some hard, thin slicing knives could crack under such repeated stress. Some cleavers have a small hole, at the top front corner, for hanging them on a wall. A butcher does not typically lay them flat, as the blade may dull or get damaged. Use Cleavers are primarily used for cutting through thin or soft bones and sinew. With a chicken, for example, it can be used to chop through the bird's thin bones or to separate ribs. Cleavers can also be used in preparation of hard vegetables and other foods, such as squash, where a thin slicing blade runs the risk of shattering. Cleavers are not used for cutting through solid, thick and hard bones – instead a bone saw, either manual or powered, is used. Cultural references Cleavers occur with some frequency in traditional Chinese thought. A story from the Zhuangzi on the proper use of a cleaver tells of a butcher who effortlessly cut ox carcasses apart, without ever needing to sharpen his cleaver. When asked how he did so, he replied that he did not cut through the bones, but rather in the space between the bones. In explaining his ideal of junzi, Kǒng Fūzǐ remarked "Why use an ox-cleaver to carve a chicken?" on the futility of the common people seeking to emulate noblemen. East Asia Chinese "cleaver" The Chinese chef's knife is frequently incorrectly referred to as a "cleaver", due its similar rectangular shape. However Chinese chef knives are much thinner in cross-section and are intended more as general-purpose kitchen knives, and mostly used to slice boneless meats, chop, slice, dice, or mince vegetables, and to flatten garlic bulbs or ginger; while also serving as a spatula to carry prepared ingredients to the wok. For butchering tasks and to prepare boned meats, there is a heavier Chinese "cleaver", used in similar fashion to the Western one. Japan In Japanese cutlery, the main cleaver used is the light-duty deba bocho, primarily for cutting the head off fish. See also Side knife, a woodworking tool resembling a cleaver. References Kitchen knives Chinese food preparation utensils Japanese food preparation utensils Korean food preparation utensils

4044132

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile%20tilapia

Nile tilapia

The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is a species of tilapia, a cichlid fish native to the northern half of Africa and the Levante area, including Israel, and Lebanon. Numerous introduced populations exist outside its natural range. It is also commercially known as mango fish, nilotica, or boulti. The first name leads to easy confusion with another tilapia which is traded commercially, the mango tilapia (Sarotherodon galilaeus). Description The Nile tilapia reaches up to in length, and can exceed . As typical of tilapia, males reach a larger size and grow faster than females. Wild, natural-type Nile tilapias are brownish or grayish overall, often with indistinct banding on their body, and the tail is vertically striped. When breeding, males become reddish, especially on their fins. Although commonly confused with the blue tilapia (O. aureus), that species lacks the striped tail pattern, has a red edge to the dorsal fin (this edge is gray or black in Nile tilapia), and males are bluish overall when breeding. The two species can also be separated by meristics. Because many tilapia in aquaculture and introduced around the world are selectively bred variants and/or hybrids, identifying them using the standard features that can be used in the wild, natural types often is not possible. The virtually unknown O. ismailiaensis has a plain tail, but otherwise closely resembles (and may only be a variant of) the Nile tilapia. Regardless, O. ismailiaensis might be extinct, as its only known habitat in northeastern Egypt has disappeared, although similar-looking individuals (perhaps the same) are known from the vicinity. Nile tilapia can live for more than 10 years. Range and habitat The Nile tilapia is native to larger parts of Africa, except Maghreb and almost all of Southern Africa. It is native to tropical West Africa, the Lake Chad basin, and much of the Nile system, including lakes Tana, Albert and Edward–George, as well as lakes Kivu, Tanganyika, and Turkana, and the Awash and Omo Rivers. In Israel, it is native to coastal river basins. It has been widely introduced elsewhere, both in Africa and other continents, including tens of countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. In these places, it often becomes highly invasive, threatening the native ecosystems and species. However, some introduced populations historically labelled as Nile tilapia either are hybrids or another species; the Nile tilapia and blue tilapia especially often have been confused. The Nile tilapia can be found in most types of freshwater habitats, such as rivers, streams, canals, lakes, and ponds, and ranging from sea level to an altitude of . It also occurs in brackish water, but is unable to survive long-term in full salt water. The species has been recorded at water temperatures between , although typically above , and the upper lethal limit usually is at . Also, some variations occur depending on the population. For example, those in the northern part of its range survive down to the coldest temperatures, while isolated populations in hot springs in the Awash basin and at Suguta River generally live in waters that are at least . Although Nile tilapia can survive down to relatively cold temperatures, breeding generally only occurs when the water reaches . Subspecies Although FishBase considers the species as monotypic, several distinctive populations often are recognized as valid subspecies: O. n. niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) – most of species' range O. n. baringoensis Trewavas, 1983 – Lake Baringo in Kenya O. n. cancellatus (Nichols, 1923) – Awash basin in Ethiopia O. n. eduardianus (Boulenger, 1912) – Albertine Rift Valley lakes O. n. filoa Trewavas, 1983 – hot springs in Awash basin in Ethiopia O. n. sugutae Trewavas, 1983 – Karpeddo soda springs at Suguta River in Kenya O. n. tana Seyoum & Kornfield, 1992 – Lake Tana in Ethiopia O. n. vulcani Trewavas, 1933 – Lake Turkana in Ethiopia and Kenya While the species is overall very widespread and common, the IUCN considers O. n. baringoensis as endangered, O. n. sugutae as vulnerable, and O. n. filoa as data deficient. A population found in Lake Bogoria appears to be an undescribed subspecies. The forms referred to as Oreochromis (or Tilapia) nyabikere and kabagole seem to belong to this species, too. An undescribed population found at, for example, Wami River, Lake Manyara, and Tingaylanda seems to be a close relative. Behavior Feeding The Nile tilapia is mostly a herbivore, but with omnivorous tendencies, especially when young. They mostly feed on phytoplankton and algae, and in some populations other macrophytes also are important. Other recorded food items are detritus and aquatic insect larvae, including those of mosquitoes, making it a possible tool in the fight against malaria in Africa. However, when introduced outside its native range, it often becomes invasive, threatening more localized species. The Nile tilapia typically feeds during daytime, which suggests that, similar to trout and salmon, it exhibits a behavioral response to light as a main factor contributing to feeding activity. Due to its fast reproductive rate, however, overpopulation often results within groups of Nile tilapia. To obtain the necessary nutrients, night feeding may also occur due to competition for food during daylight. A recent study found evidence that, contrary to popular belief, size dimorphism between the sexes results from differential food conversion efficiency rather than different amounts of food consumed. Hence, although males and females eat equal amounts of food, males tend to grow larger due to a higher efficiency of converting food to body weight. Social organization Groups of Nile tilapia establish social hierarchies in which the dominant males have priority for both food and mating. Circular nests are built predominantly by males through mouth digging to become future spawning sites. These nests often become sites of intense courtship rituals and parental care. Like other fish, Nile tilapia travel almost exclusively in schools. Although males settle down in their crafted nesting zones, females travel between zones to find mates, resulting in competition between the males for females. Like other tilapias, such as Mozambique tilapia, dominance between the males is established first through noncontact displays such as lateral display and tail beats. Unsuccessful attempts to reconcile the hierarchy results in contact fighting to inflict injuries. Nile tilapia have been observed to modify their fighting behavior based upon experiences during development. Thus, experience in a certain form of agonistic behavior results in differential aggressiveness among individuals. Once the social hierarchy is established within a group, the dominant males enjoy the benefits of both increased access to food and an increased number of mates. However, social interactions between males in the presence of females results in higher energy expenditures as a consequence of courtship displays and sexual competition. Reproduction Typical of most fish, Nile tilapia reproduce through mass spawning of a brood within a nest made by the male. In such an arrangement, territoriality and sexual competition amongst the males lead to large variations in reproductive success for individuals in a group. The genetic consequence of such behavior is reduced genetic variability in the long run, as inbreeding is likely to occur among different generations due to differential male reproductive success. Perhaps driven by reproductive competition, tilapias reproduce within a few months after birth. The relatively young age of sexual maturation within Nile tilapia leads to high birth and turnover rates. Consequently, the rapid reproductive rate of individuals can actually have a negative impact on growth rate, leading to the appearance of stunted tilapia as a result of a reduction in somatic growth in favor of sexual maturation. Female Nile tilapia, in the presence of other females either visually or chemically, exhibit shortened interspawning intervals. Although parental investment by a female extends the interspawning period, female tilapia that abandon their young to the care of a male gain this advantage of increased interspawning periods. One of the possible purposes behind this mechanism is to increase the reproductive advantage of females that do not have to care for young, allowing them more opportunities to spawn. For males, reproductive advantage goes to the more dominant males. Males have differential levels of gonadotropic hormones responsible for spermatogenesis, with dominant males having higher levels of the hormone. Thus, selection has favored larger sperm production with more successful males. Similarly, dominant males have both the best territory in terms of resources and the greatest access to mates. Furthermore, visual communication between Nile tilapia mates both stimulates and modulates reproductive behavior between partners such as courtship, spawning frequency, and nest building. Parental care Species belonging to the genus Oreochromis typically care for their young through mouthbrooding, oral incubation of the eggs and larvae. Similar to other tilapia, Nile tilapia are maternal mouthbrooders and extensive care is, therefore, provided almost exclusively by the female. After spawning in a nest made by a male, the young fry or eggs are carried in the mouth of the mother for a period of 12 days. Sometimes, the mother pushes the young back into her mouth if she believes they are not ready for the outside. Nile tilapias also demonstrate parental care in times of danger. When approached by a danger, the young often swim back into the protection of their mother's mouth. However, mouthbrooding leads to significant metabolic modifications for the parents, usually the mother, as reflected by fluctuations in body weight and low fitness. Thus, parental-offspring conflict can be observed through the costs and benefits of mouthbrooding. Protection of the young ensures passage of an individual's genes into the future generations, but caring for the young also reduces an individual's own reproductive fitness. Since female Nile tilapia exhibiting parental care show extended interspawning periods, one of the benefits is slowing down vitellogenesis (yolk deposition) to increase the survival rate of one's own young. The size of spawned eggs correlates directly with advantages concerning hatching time, growth, survival, and onset of feeding, since increased egg size means increased nutrients for the developing young. Thus, one of the reasons behind a delayed interspawning period by female Nile tilapia may be for the benefit of offspring survival. Aquaculture Tilapia, likely the Nile tilapia, was well known as food fish in Ancient Egypt and commonly featured in their art (paintings and sculptures). This includes a 4000-year-old tomb illustration that shows them in man-made ponds, likely an early form of aquaculture. In modern aquaculture, wild-type Nile tilapia are not farmed very often because the dark color of their flesh is undesirable for many customers, and because of the reputation the fish has as being a trash fish. However, they are fast-growing and produce good fillets; leucistic ("red") breeds which have lighter meat have been developed to counter the consumer distaste for darker meat. Hybrid stock is also used in aquaculture; Nile × blue tilapia hybrids are usually rather dark, but a light-colored hybrid breed known as "Rocky Mountain White" tilapia is often grown due to its very light flesh and tolerance of low temperatures. As food The red-hybrid Nile tilapia is known in the Thai language as pla thapthim (), meaning "pomegranate fish" or "ruby fish". This type of tilapia is very popular in Thai cuisine, where it is prepared in a variety of ways. The black-and-white-striped tilapia pla nin (), meaning "Nile fish", has darker flesh and is commonly either salted and grilled or deep-fried, and it can also be steamed with lime (pla nin nueng manao). Nile tilapia, called bulṭī in Arabic, is (being native to Egypt) among the most common fish in Egyptian cuisine, and probably the most common in regions far from the coast. It is generally either battered and pan-fried whole ( bulṭī maqlī [bʊltˤiː maʔliː]) or grilled whole ( bulṭī mashwī [bʊltˤiː maʃwiː]). Like other fish in Egypt, is generally served with rice cooked with onions and other seasonings to turn it red. In Israel, Nile tilapia is commonly fried, grilled or baked with vegetables herbs and spices and eaten with rice or bulgur pilafs. It is also baked in the oven with tahini sauce drizzled over it with potatoes, onions, asparagus, sweet peppers or tomatoes and flavored with sumac and dried mint. Tilapia, often farmed, is a popular and common supermarket fish in the United States. In India, Nile tilapia is the most dominant fish in some of the South Indian reservoirs and available throughout the year. O. niloticus grows faster and reaches bigger sizes in a given time. The littoral areas of Kelavarappalli Reservoir are full of nests of Nile tilapia and they breed during south-west monsoon (July–September). The fish mainly feed on detritus. Zooplankton, phytoplankton, and macrophytes also were recorded occasionally from the gut of Nile tilapia. The demand is heavy, especially from local poor people, as this fish is affordable to the lowest income group in this area. See also Nile perch — a similar-named but different fish that grows much larger and is highly predatory References External links Further reading (1972): Aquaculture. the Farming and Husbandry of Freshwater and Marine Organisms. John Wiley & Sons. Nile tilapia Nile Nile tilapia Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus

4044135

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great%20Laxey%20Mine%20Railway

Great Laxey Mine Railway

The Great Laxey Mine Railway (Manx: Raad Yiarn Meain Mooar Laksaa) was originally constructed to serve the Isle of Man's Great Laxey Mine, a lead mine located in Laxey. The gauge railway runs from the old mine entrance to the washing floors along a right of way that passes through the Isle of Man's only remaining railway tunnel (another at Dhoon West Quarry is disused) under the gauge Victorian Manx Electric Railway and the main A2 Douglas to Ramsey coast road. History The Great Laxey Mine was an extensive system of mine shafts and tunnels, which descended to a depth of 2,200 feet underground. The uppermost level of mine workings, known as the adit, was a series of tunnels extending to a mile and a half, which entered the hillside at ground level, and connected the heads of all the working mine shafts. Within this adit level a railway was provided from 1823, to allow transportation of mined ores from the mine shafts out to the external washing floors and mine yards. The railway was originally hand-operated, with miners pushing small wagons. In 1827 a pit pony was purchased to haul the wagons, and the number of ponies grew as the mines expanded. By the 1870s there was a clear need for more modern motive power, and the two steam locomotives Ant and Bee were delivered in 1877. The mine closed in 1929. The railway remained in place for the following six years, but in 1935 all parts of the railway above ground, including the locomotives and rolling stock, were scrapped. In the 1970s the adit level was reopened and explored for historical evidence. It was discovered that parts of the underground section of the railway were still intact, and in one tunnel an entire train (consisting of six open ore wagons) was found, abandoned underground when work in the mine had finished. The wagons were returned to ground level and restored. In the late 1990s momentum began to grow for the restoration of the railway's above-ground section, and in 2000 restoration work commenced. The restored railway was re-opened in 2004. Restored route The volunteers originally restored the railway's works and locomotive shed (rebuilding the shed on the exact footprint of the original). Clearance of blockages and damages in the tunnel enabled the original route to be relaid to a point close to the mine entrance in time for the 2004 re-opening. By 2005 the line had been relaid into the old mine yard. Although the line runs past the mine entrance, the spur into the underground section has not been restored. Trains on the restored line originally departed from the engine sheds, but in 2006 the original station site at the Valley Gardens was cleared, and the two-platform station was restored, with the track relaid on the original formation, including one of the tightest radius bends on a working heritage railway line in the British Isles. By 2006 a majority of the above-ground section of the original railway had been restored, including a running line extending to in length. Stations Passengers travel from Valley Gardens station to Mines Yard station, near the entrance to the mines. A regular shuttle service runs on operating days. Both stations have two platforms, permitting the operation of more than one train at busy times. There are no intermediate stations or loops. There is one spur, on the washing floors site, leading to the engine and carriage sheds. Locomotives Following the periods of hand operation and then pony haulage, a pair of steam locomotives were delivered from Stephen Lewin of Poole in 1877. Ant and Bee were 0-4-0 tank locomotives made unusually narrow, in order to fit within the adit. They were high and only wide. Their two 4×6 in inside cylinders had Bagnall-Price valve gear and a geared drive to the rear axle, but coupling rods between the axles. The arrangement of the water tanks was particularly unusual, being a front tank ahead of the smokebox, in order to reduce width. The boilers were launch-type, as were commonly used for small locomotives with insufficient space between the frames for a conventional firebox. Around 1905, a replacement locomotive was considered and W G Bagnall were asked for a design. This was similar to the Lewins design, but more conventional. A saddle tank was used and conventional cylinders with connecting rods to the axle. The power cylinders were however mounted inside the frames and the Bagnall-Price valvgear and slide valves mounted outside. This new locomotive was never constructed, although Bagnalls did instead build two new boilers for the existing locomotives. Both survived the closure of the mine, but were scrapped in 1935, six years afterwards. Replicas of both locomotives were constructed for the re-opening of the line as a tourist attraction. They now operate the line, together with a battery electric locomotive named Wasp, which previously worked in a mine in Cornwall. Table of locomotives Rolling stock The railway operates two passenger carriages. Owing to the narrow gauge and low clearances the bogie carriages are long and narrow, with passengers sitting on longitudinal transverse benches, and effectively travelling sideways when the train is in motion. Carriage 1, built by Alan Keef Ltd in 2004. Carriage 2, built by Alan Keef Ltd in 2007. The railway's freight wagons were originally constructed locally, and took the form of high-sided four-wheeled open ore wagons. A full train of these wagons was discovered underground in the mid-1970s. Six original ore wagons, now preserved in museum locations on the island. Six replica ore wagons, built at the Laxey Blacksmith in 2000, in regular service on the restored railway. 4-wheel tipping ore truck (not serviceable), static exhibit at Valley Gardens station. Additionally, some rail vehicles are available for use by volunteer permanent way engineers on the railway, for construction and maintenance duties. 4-wheel tipping wagon, convertible to flatbed format, unofficially named Freddy (acquired second-hand in 2010). 4-wheel light maintenance trolley, unofficially named Jimmy, built in 2006. Single-wheel rail barrow - a single flanged wheel allows the barrow to be hand-operated along one rail of the running line. Liveried in engineering black and yellow wasp stripes. Laxey Browside Tramway At the upper terminus, linking the railway to the Laxey Wheel, once operated the Laxey Browside Tramway but this has long since vanished, replaced with a car park. See also British narrow gauge railways Laxey Wheel References Notes Bibliography External links Great Laxey Mines Railway (Official website) Heritage railways in the Isle of Man Tourist attractions in the Isle of Man Industrial railways 19 in gauge railways in the Isle of Man Mining in the Isle of Man

4044170

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim%20Gandy

Kim Gandy

Kim Gandy (born January 25, 1954) is an American feminist who from 2001 to 2009 was the president of the National Organization for Women. Since 2012, she has been the president and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. In 2009, Gandy was a resident fellow at the Institute of Politics at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. From January 2010 to October 2012 she was vice president and general counsel at the Feminist Majority Foundation in Arlington, Virginia. Life and career Gandy was born in Bossier City in northwestern Louisiana, to Alfred Kenneth Gandy (1928–2010), a native of Bossier City, and Roma Rae (Young) Gandy (1927–1998), a native of Pennsylvania. Her father was an officer of the former Bossier Bank and Trust Company, an institution organized during the 1920s by her grandfather, W.A. Gandy. After Roma's death, A. K. Gandy married the former Shirley S. Lacobee (1925–2004) of Shreveport. Kim Gandy had a younger sister Kellie Ann, who, like their mother, died of cancer. Kim Gandy graduated from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, the seat of Lincoln Parish, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. Having taken a job with American Telephone and Telegraph, Gandy became outraged that the firm required her husband's permission for employee benefits. In 1973, she joined Louisiana NOW and devoted the next several years to the campaign that overturned the state's Head and Master law, which gave husbands unilateral control over all property jointly owned by a married couple. Inspired by her activism in NOW, she studied at Loyola University New Orleans School of Law where she was a member of the Loyola Law Review and the National Moot Court Team. She graduated from Loyola in 1978. Gandy served as a senior assistant district attorney in New Orleans and later opened a private trial practice, litigating cases seeking fair treatment for women. She served as president of Louisiana NOW from 1979 through 1981, national secretary of NOW from 1987 to 1991, and executive vice president of NOW from 1991 to 2001. She was elected national NOW president in 2001 and re-elected to a second term in 2005. She was term-limited in 2009. In 2008, Gandy defended presidential candidate Hillary Clinton from a comment made by MSNBC host Chris Matthews that Clinton had become a U.S. senator and a possible frontrunning candidate for President because her husband, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, had "messed around". Gandy charged that Matthews "is a repeat offender when it comes to sexist attitudes toward women politicians. . . . I wasn't really looking for an apology. I was looking for a behavior change, and for him to treat female politicians the same way as [he treats] male politicians." Gandy is married to Christopher "Kip" Lornell, an American ethnomusicologist and professor of music at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The couple have two daughters. References External links NOW Officers: Kim Gandy – President 2005 National NOW Elections – Candidate Information Institute of Politics, Kennedy School of Government Feminist Majority Foundation 1954 births Living people Louisiana Tech University alumni People from New Orleans People from Shreveport, Louisiana Presidents of the National Organization for Women Loyola University New Orleans alumni American feminists Women in Louisiana politics 21st-century American women

4044175

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig%20Buntin

Craig Buntin

Craig Buntin (born May 27, 1980) is a Canadian former pair skater. He is the co-founder and CEO of Sportlogiq, an AI-powered sports analytics company based in Montreal, Quebec. With former partner Meagan Duhamel, he is the 2009 Canadian silver medallist, the 2008 & 2010 Canadian bronze medallist, and the 2010 Four Continents bronze medallist. With Valérie Marcoux, he represented Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics, where they placed 11th. Personal life Buntin was born on May 27, 1980 in North Vancouver, British Columbia. He studied for his MBA degree at McGill University. He married in August 2011. Career Early partnerships Buntin won the 2000 Canadian junior national title with Chantal Poirier. He teamed up with Valérie Marcoux in 2002. The pair won gold at three consecutive Canadian Championships, from 2004 to 2006. Their partnership ended in early 2007 when Valérie Marcoux decided to retire from competition. Partnership with Duhamel In June 2007, Buntin teamed up with Meagan Duhamel. At their first competition together, the 2007 Nebelhorn Trophy, they won the silver medal. In January 2008, the pair won the bronze medal at the Canadian Nationals but during the exhibition Buntin injured his shoulder, with which he had previous problems, as a result of a timing issue. They missed the Four Continents but competed at the 2008 World Championships in Sweden on March 19, 2008, despite the shoulder still being a problem, and finished 6th. However, their participation aggravated Buntin's injury, tearing the rotator cuff, the labrum and three tendons; he had surgery in April and the recovery took seven to eight months. They could not practice lifts until two weeks before 2008 Skate America so they worked on adding variations to their elements, such as a spread eagle entrance into a lift and a death spiral with the opposite hand. In November 2008, during the long program at the Trophée Eric Bompard, Duhamel accidentally sliced Buntin's hand a minute into the program on a move right after their side-by-side toe loop jumps and blood dripped on the ice; the pair stopped to get his hand bandaged and resumed the program to win the bronze medal. Duhamel and Buntin were the first pair to successfully land a throw triple lutz in competition. In July 2010, Buntin announced his retirement from competitive figure skating. Programs With Duhamel With Marcoux Competitive highlights GP: Grand Prix; JGP: Junior Grand Prix With Duhamel With Marcoux Early career References External links Skate Canada Profile 1980 births Sportspeople from British Columbia Canadian male pair skaters Olympic figure skaters of Canada Figure skaters at the 2006 Winter Olympics Living people People from North Vancouver Four Continents Figure Skating Championships medalists

4044193

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew%20Joron

Andrew Joron

Andrew Joron (born March 6, 1955) is an American writer of experimental poetry, speculative fiction, and lyrical and critical essays. He began by writing science fiction poetry. Joron's later poetry, combining scientific and philosophical ideas with the sonic properties of language, has been compared to the work of the Russian Futurist Velimir Khlebnikov. Joron currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. In fall 2014, Joron joined the faculty of the Creative Writing Department at San Francisco State University. He has won the Rhysling Award three times: for Best Long Poem in 1980 and 1986, and for Best Short Poem in 1978; and the Gertrude Stein Award twice, in 1996 and 2006. Joron's poetry is included in two W. W. Norton anthologies: American Hybrid (2009), edited by Cole Swensen and David St. John, and Postmodern American Poetry (2013), edited by Paul Hoover. Joron is the translator, from the German, of the Marxist-Utopian philosopher Ernst Bloch’s Literary Essays which was published by Stanford University Press in 1998. Joron is also the translator of The Perpetual Motion Machine by the German fantasist Paul Scheerbart (Wakefield Press, 2011). During the 1990s, Andrew Joron formed a close friendship with the poet and novelist Gustaf Sobin. Sobin, who died in 2005, designated Joron as his literary co-executor, along with American poet Andrew Zawacki. Joron also belonged to the circle of Surrealist poet Philip Lamantia in San Francisco from the late '90s until Lamantia's death in 2005. Joron later served as co-editor, with Garrett Caples and Nancy Joyce Peters, of the Collected Poems of Philip Lamantia, published by University of California Press (2013). Since 2008 he has played theremin in various free-improv and ambient-music ensembles, including Cloud Shepherd. Joron has written an essay, "The Theremin in My Life," on the relation between his literary and musical activities. In 2019, Joron performed on theremin with Will Alexander on piano and Anne Waldman reading her poetry at the Entanglements conference on science and poetry held at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. In 2022, Joron returned to the science-fiction genre with the publication of O0 by Black Square Editions. List of books Force Fields. Borgo Press, 1987. Velocities Set (editor). Ocean View Books, 1988. Science Fiction. Pantograph Press, 1992. Terminal Velocities (editor). Pantograph Press, 1993. Invisible Machines with Robert Frazier and Thomas Wiloch. Jazz Police Books, 1997. The Removes. Hard Press, 1999. The emergency of poetry. Velocities, 2002. Fathom. Black Square Editions, 2003. Neo-surrealism: Or, The Sun At Night. Black Square Editions, 2004. The Cry at Zero: Selected Prose. Counterpath Press, 2007. The Sound Mirror. Flood Editions, 2008. Force Fields with Brian Lucas. Hooke Press, 2010. (This is a different book than Joron's 1987 book of the same title.) Trance Archive: New and Selected Poems. City Lights Books, 2010. The Absolute Letter. Flood Editions, 2017. O0. Black Square Editions, 2022. (a book of speculative fiction consisting of two linked novellas) References External links Joron sites, exhibits, artist pages Andrew Joron in the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction Andrew Joron in the Poets and Writers Directory Andrew Joron's bio at the Poetry Foundation Online publications Trance Archive Table of Contents and first five poems Poetry by Andrew Joron in New American Writing Andrew Joron's essay "The Emergency of Poetry" Andrew Joron's essay "The Crisis of the Crystal" Andrew Joron's "Constellations for Theremin" Others on Joron, reviews, perspectives Review of Andrew Joron's book Fathom in Rain Taxi Review of Fathom in Boston Review Review of The Cry at Zero at A Tonalist Notes Review of The Cry at Zero in Denver Quarterly Review of The Sound Mirror in Bookforum Review of Trance Archive on thethepoetry.com Review of The Absolute Letter in Publishers Weekly Review of O0 in Big Other Interviews Joshua Weiner and Andrew Joron: An Exchange in Chicago Review Garrett Caples interviews Andrew Joron for Studio One Christopher Nelson interviews Andrew Joron Joron's dialogue with "quantum poet" Amy Catanzano Barbara Claire Freeman interviews Andrew Joron Peter Milne Greiner interviews Andrew Joron for Big Echo: Critical SF As theremin player Poet Garrett Caples's "The Thereminist,", a fabulist portrait of Joron as theremin player Sheldon Brown Group, Blood of the Air, featuring Sheldon Brown's compositions based on poet Philip Lamantia's voice patterns Crow Crash Radio, ambient rock trio Ouroboros, free-jazz quartet Cloud Shepherd, free-improv/dark ambient quartet Chamber Cloud, free-improv duo M-KAT, free-improv quartet American male poets American science fiction writers Living people American translators German–English translators Surrealist poets Rhysling Award for Best Long Poem winners Rhysling Award for Best Short Poem winners American male novelists 1955 births

4044203

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome%20to%20the%20Ball

Welcome to the Ball

Welcome to the Ball is the fourth album by the American heavy metal band Vicious Rumors, released in 1991. Track listing All songs written by Carl Albert, Geoff Thorpe and Mark McGee, except where noted. "Abandoned" - 4:15 "You Only Live Twice" - 3:38 "Savior from Anger" - 4:08 "Children" (Thorpe, Albert, Andre Pessis, McGee) - 4:56 "Dust to Dust" (McGee, Thorpe) - 4:20 "Raise Your Hands" (McGee, Thorpe) - 4:02 "Strange Behavior" (Thorpe, McGee) - 4:08 "Six Stepsisters" - 3:31 "Mastermind" - 3:55 "When Love Comes Down" - 4:58 "Ends of the Earth" - 3:13 Personnel Carl Albert – lead and backing vocals Geoff Thorpe – guitars Mark McGee – guitars Dave Starr – bass Larry Howe – drums References 1991 albums Vicious Rumors albums Atlantic Records albums

4044207

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne%20Abernathy

Anne Abernathy

Julianne “Anne” Abernathy (born April 12, 1953) is a luge athlete from the United States Virgin Islands and is the oldest female athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics. The 2006 Winter Olympics were her sixth. Despite her age, she is a strong competitor with numerous international podium finishes, and she is consistently ranked in the top 20 world rankings. She is known within luge circles as "Grandma Luge." She is training for the 2024 Summer Olympics as an archer. Career Her top finishes include third place at the Nations Cup in Igls, Austria in January 2004, and third place at the Nations Cup in Königssee, Germany, February 2004. She finished in the top 10 in seven of the eight events in the 2004-2005 Nations Cup series. Abernathy finished 25th in the 37th World Championships in 2004 in Nagano, Japan, but did not compete in the 2005 championships in Park City, Utah due to injuries suffered during homologation at the Cesana Pariol track in Cesana, Italy three weeks earlier. Abernathy suffered a serious accident during a World Cup race in Altenberg, Germany in January 2001 that resulted in a severe brain injury. To recover from the injury, she used an alternative medicine treatment involving controlling rockets in a video game through electrical impulses from brain waves, a therapy designed to help her retrain her brain to compensate for the damaged areas. The therapy was successful and Abernathy was able to return to competition in time to qualify for the 2002 Winter Olympics. The story of Abernathy's crash and recovery was featured on the Discovery Health Channel series Impact: Stories of Survival. During practice for the competition at the 2006 Winter Olympics, Abernathy crashed and broke her wrist and her scapula, and was forced to withdraw from competition. Abernathy is the oldest woman to ever compete in the Winter Olympic Games, breaking the old record during the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. She is the only woman to qualify for six Winter Olympic Games and one of only two female athletes to compete in five Winter Olympics. In 2006, she became the first woman over 50 to qualify for the Winter Olympics. Abernathy was the first woman to qualify for six Winter Olympics. In the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City she became the oldest woman to ever compete in the Winter Games. She is the oldest female Olympian in any Olympic Games (Winter or Summer) and the first woman over the age of 50 in the Winter Olympics. During the Albertville Winter Olympics, she became the first athlete to compete with a camera on board, a feat that was nominated for an Emmy in technical broadcast achievement. In the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, Abernathy became the first athlete to create an on-line diary (now known as a blog) which was an exclusive on AOL. Before her first Olympic appearance in 1988, Abernathy was diagnosed and treated for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (cancer). Although the cancer returned several times during her sports career, the fact was kept hidden from the public through three Olympic appearances until it was revealed in a front-page article of The Washington Post'' prior to the 1998 Nagano Olympics. References External links Safety issues addressed following the unsuccessful luge homologations in January 2005, featuring Abernathy 1953 births American women bloggers American bloggers United States Virgin Islands female lugers Lugers at the 1988 Winter Olympics Lugers at the 1992 Winter Olympics Lugers at the 1994 Winter Olympics Lugers at the 1998 Winter Olympics Lugers at the 2002 Winter Olympics Lugers at the 2006 Winter Olympics Living people Olympic lugers of the United States Virgin Islands People from Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 21st-century American women

4044210

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St.%20Matthew%27s%20Church%2C%20Hamburg

St. Matthew's Church, Hamburg

St. Matthew's Church () in Winterhude, Hamburg, is a brick Lutheran church built from 1910 to 1912 in the baroque style. The church is adorned with the colorful windows of Charles Crodel, who also made the stained-glass windows for the main church of St. James's and for St. Mary's Church in Fuhlsbüttel. St. Matthew's windows were created 1961 to 1971, References The information in this article is based on that in its German equivalent. Matthäuskirche in Winterhude, Hamburg 2002. External links Winterhude church communities Hamburg Matthew Church Matthew Church Matthew Church

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val%C3%A9rie%20Marcoux

Valérie Marcoux

Valérie Marcoux (born April 1, 1980 in Ottawa, Ontario) is a Canadian former pair skater. With partner Craig Buntin, she is a three-time Canadian national champion. Prior to teaming up with Buntin in 2002, she skated with Bruno Marcotte. Marcoux announced her retirement from competitive figure skating on April 24, 2007. Programs With Buntin With Marcotte Results GP: Grand Prix With Buntin With Marcotte References External links Skate Canada profile 1980 births Canadian female pair skaters Franco-Ontarian people Olympic figure skaters of Canada Figure skaters at the 2006 Winter Olympics Living people Sportspeople from Ottawa Four Continents Figure Skating Championships medalists

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khari%20Jones

Khari Jones

Khari Okang Jones ( ; born May 16, 1971) is a former professional Canadian football player and the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was formerly the head coach for the Montreal Alouettes. He is also a former television sports reporter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Jones played quarterback in the CFL, where he enjoyed his most success with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Jones also played briefly for the Arena Football League's Albany Firebirds and the World League of American Football's Scottish Claymores. He has also been the offensive coordinator for the BC Lions and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Playing career College career Jones was a record setting college quarterback at the University of California, Davis, where in two seasons as a starter he became the first UC Davis quarterback to pass for over 3,000 yards in a season and over 50 touchdowns in a career, while leading the Aggies to a 17-2-1 record during his junior and senior seasons (1992–1993). In 2000, Jones was inducted into the UC Davis Aggies Hall of Fame. Arena Football League & NFL Europe Jones joined the Arena Football League's Albany Firebirds in 1995. For the next two seasons, he received very little playing time, making only 3 out of 5 pass completions in his first season, and 3 out of 4 pass completions in 1996. He also played one season in 1996 for the Scottish Claymores of the World League of American Football, which would later become NFL Europe. Canadian Football League In 1997, Jones signed with the BC Lions. Jones played very little during his three-year tenure with the Lions, as he was relegated to the backup spot behind incumbent quarterback Damon Allen. In 2000, Jones joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Though he initially served as a backup to Kerwin Bell, Jones eventually won the starting job during the middle of the 2000 season, thereby clearing the way for the Bombers to release Bell in midseason. In 2001, Jones was the CFLs Most Outstanding Player after leading the Bombers to a 14-4 record, including 12 straight wins. Jones was the Bombers quarterback in the 2001 Grey Cup in Montreal, where heavily favoured Winnipeg lost to the Calgary Stampeders, 27-19. Jones' following season (2002) was even better statistically, which included 5,353 passing yards and 46 touchdown passes. This was the third most passing touchdowns in a season (behind two seasons in which Doug Flutie completed 47 and 48)). From 2000 to 2002, Jones' 107 touchdown passes exceeded the record by any other quarterback in the CFL or NFL over the same period of time. In four seasons with Winnipeg, Jones set seventeen Bomber passing records, including throwing for five touchdowns in a game four times in one season. During the 2004 CFL season, Jones was traded from the Blue Bombers to the Calgary Stampeders, partially due to a shoulder injury which had affected his play. In the off-season between the 2004 and 2005 seasons, the Stampeders signed free agent Henry Burris and Jones was released. Jones attended the Edmonton Eskimos training camp at the beginning of the 2005 CFL season, but with the Eskimos signing Ricky Ray (and already having the 2004 season starter Jason Maas), Jones was released again. Midway through the 2005 season he signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats but was released after eight games. Prior to the 2006 season Jones was signed by the Eskimos only to be released by them once more on June 10, 2006 as part of training camp cuts. Three days later, on June 13, 2006, the CBC announced that Jones would be their sideline reporter for their CFL on CBC broadcasts. On October 17, 2007, Jones inked a standard one-year contract plus an option with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and then signed his retirement papers right after. This allowed him to officially retire in the city where he had the most success during his four-team, nine-year CFL career. Coaching career In 2009, Jones began his coaching career as the quarterbacks coach for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats under head coach Marcel Bellefeuille. In 2011, he was promoted to offensive coordinator and helped the team to an appearance in the East Final. On January 3, 2012, he was announced as part of the coaching staff for the Saskatchewan Roughriders as their quarterbacks coach. In 2013, he helped his team win the 101st Grey Cup. Jones was a top candidate to become the new offensive coordinator for the BC Lions in 2014. Jones officially became the offensive coordinator on December 23, 2013. On January 3, 2018, Jones was announced as the new offensive coordinator for the Montreal Alouettes for the 2018 CFL season. On June 8, 2019, less than a week before the start of the 2019 season, the Alouettes announced they had parted ways with Mike Sherman and promoted Jones to the role of head coach. Despite being thrust into the role six days before the start of the regular season, Jones and the Alouettes surpassed expectations and finished with a 10–8 record and in second place in the East Division. At the conclusion of the season, he was signed to a three-year contract extension to continue as the team's head coach and offensive coordinator. With the 2020 CFL season cancelled, Jones did not coach in 2020. In 2021, the team regressed and finished in third place in the East Division with a 7–7 record and lost the East Semi-Final. With the team starting the 2022 season with a 1–3 record, Jones was fired on July 6, 2022. On July 18, 2022, Jones was hired as a football operations consultant for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. On December 3, 2022, Jones was named the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach for the Ottawa Redblacks. Head coaching record LivingWorks In 2006, Jones became the digital co-trainer of the LivingWorks SafeTALK suicide alertness course. Jones had just finished playing football and was working as a broadcaster in Calgary, and was also working as an actor when his agent approached him with the job of recording the videos. Jones explained that "It hit home for me because suicide, or attempted suicide, has been a part of my family, as it has been for a lot of people. So it was something that was near and dear for me, and it quickly become more than an acting job". In the years since they were first recorded, Khari’s videos have helped trainers present safeTALK to over 300,000 people in more than 20 countries and territories. We are deeply grateful to Khari and to the thousands of dedicated safeTALK trainers who partner with him to bring the training to life. Acting career While attending University of California in Davis, Jones took acting classes which allowed him to get some roles in various made-for-TV movies. Filmography Personal life Jones is a Canadian-American dual citizen and lives in Surrey, British Columbia with his wife, Justine, and daughters, Jaelyn and Siena. He is the son of Cauley Ray and Nina Maria Jones, and brother of filmmaker/podcaster Jamie Jamar Jones. Jones met his wife in a theatre course while both attended UC Davis and appeared in plays together while students. References External links Montreal Alouettes profile AFL stats 1971 births Living people African-American coaches of Canadian football African-American players of Canadian football Albany Firebirds players American football quarterbacks BC Lions players BC Lions coaches Calgary Stampeders players Canadian Football League announcers Canadian football quarterbacks Canadian Football League Most Outstanding Player Award winners Edmonton Elks players Hamilton Tiger-Cats coaches Hamilton Tiger-Cats players Montreal Alouettes coaches Saskatchewan Roughriders coaches Sportspeople from Hammond, Indiana Sportspeople from the Chicago metropolitan area Scottish Claymores players UC Davis Aggies football players Winnipeg Blue Bombers players 21st-century African-American sportspeople 20th-century African-American sportspeople

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List%20of%20schools%20of%20the%20Ottawa-Carleton%20District%20School%20Board

List of schools of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board

Schools of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Elementary Carp Huntley Centennial Public School Gloucester Blossom Park Public School Carson Grove Elementary School Centennial Public School Glen Ogilvie Public School Half Moon Bay Public School Le Phare Elementary School Robert Hopkins Public School Sawmill Creek Elementary School Steve Maclean Public School Greely Castor Valley Elementary School Greely Elementary School Kanata Bridlewood Community Elementary Castlefrank Elementary School Jack Donohue Public School John Young Elementary School Katimavik Elementary School Roch Carrier Elementary Roland Michener Public Stephen Leacock Public W. Erskine Johnston Public W.O. Mitchell Elementary South March Public School (Brookside) Kars Kars on the Rideau Public Manotick Manotick Public Metcalfe Metcalfe Public Navan Heritage Public School Nepean Adrienne Clarkson Elementary School Barrhaven Public School Bayshore Public School Bells Corners Public School Berrigan Elementary School Briargreen Public School Chapman Mills Public School Farley Mowat Public School Jockvale Elementary School Knoxdale Public School Lakeview Public School Manordale Public School Mary Honeywell Elementary School Meadowlands Public School Sir Winston Churchill Public School North Gower North Gower-Marlborough Public Orléans Avalon Public Convent Glen Elementary (Convent Glen South Public School) Dunning-Foubert Elementary Fallingbrook Community Elementary Forest Valley Elementary Henry Larsen Elementary Heritage Public Maple Ridge Elementary Orléans Wood Elementary Summerside Public Trillium Elementary Osgoode Osgoode Public Inner Ottawa Agincourt Public Alta Vista Public Arch Street Public Bayview Public Broadview Public Cambridge Street Community Public Carleton Heights Public Charles H. Hulse Public Churchill Alternative School Clifford Bowey Public Connaught Public D. Roy Kennedy Public School Devonshire Community Public Dunlop Public School Elgin Street Public Elmdale Public Fielding Drive Public School First Avenue Public General Vanier Public Hawthorne Public Hilson Avenue Public Hopewell Avenue Public Lady Evelyn Alternative Manor Park Public Mutchmor Public Pinecrest Public Pleasant Park Public Queen Elizabeth Public School Queen Mary Street Public Regina Street Public Riverview Alternative Robert Bateman Public Roberta Bondar Public School Rockcliffe Park Public School Severn Avenue Public Summit Alternative Vincent Massey Public Viscount Alexander Public W.E. Gowling Public Woodroffe Avenue Public York Street Public Richmond Richmond Public Stittsville A. Lorne Cassidy Elementary School Stittsville Public Westwind Vanier Robert E. Wilson Public Woodlawn Stonecrest Elementary Intermediate schools Cedarview Middle School Emily Carr Middle School Fisher Park Middle School/Summit Alternative Middle School Glashan Intermediate School Glen Cairn Middle School Goulbourn Middle School Henry Munro Middle School Katimavik Middle School Terry Fox Middle School Intermediate/High schools Bell High School Earl of March Secondary School Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School Merivale High School Sir Robert Borden High School High schools A.Y.Jackson Secondary School Adult High School Brookfield High School Cairine Wilson Secondary School Canterbury High School Colonel By Secondary School Glebe Collegiate Institute Gloucester High School Hillcrest High School John McCrae Secondary School Lisgar Collegiate Institute Nepean High School Osgoode Township High School Ottawa Technical Learning Centre Ridgemont High School Sir Guy Carleton Secondary School Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School South Carleton High School West Carleton Secondary School Woodroffe High School Closed Bronson Avenue Public School (closed 1915; became Borden Public School) Kent Street (Central) Public School (closed 1966; the school was the first public elementary school to be built in the city and the first to be closed down) Borden Public School (closed and demolished 1966) Wellington Street Public School (closed and demolished) T.P. Maxwell Public School (now Carlington Community and Health Services) Brewer Park Public School (became Westboro Academy 1998-2019; now vacant) Parkway Park Public School (now Bishop Hamilton Montessori School) Percy Street Public School (closed 1968; a fire by an arsonist destroyed the building in 1979; the school was partially demolished expect for the foundation area which still stands today) Quarries Public School (closed 1980; later became East Gate Alliance Church, demolished 2013) Fairfield Public School (closed 1985; became École élémentaire publique Séraphin-Marion until 2002; demolished 2004) Bel-Air Public School (closed 1980; now École élémentaire publique Charlotte-Lemieux) Fisher Park High School (closed June 1987; became Notre Dame High School 1987-1994; now Fisher Park Public School and Summit Alternative School) Sir John A. MacDonald High School (closed 1987; now St. Paul High School) Fisher Heights Public School (closed 1988; now Ottawa Islamic School) Graham Park Public School (closed 1988; became École Maimonides School; demolished 2011) Borden High School (closed 1990; converted into loft apartments in 2004) High School Of Commerce (closed 1990; now Adult High School) Brook Lane Public School (closed 1991; now St. Gregory Catholic School) Ottawa Technical High School (closed 1992; now Albert Street Education Centre) Highland Park High School (closed 1992; now Notre Dame High School) Champlain High School (closed 1993; Connaught Public School used the building in 1993-94 while Connaught's building was getting renovated; now Centre Jules-Léger.) Confederation High School (closed 1999; now Confederation Education Centre) Crichton Street Public School (closed 1999; now The School of Dance) McNabb Park Public School (closed 1999; now Richard Pfaff Alternative School) Queensway Public School (closed 1999; now Joan of Arc Academy) Whitehaven Public School (closed 1999; became École élémentaire catholique Terre-des-Jeunes until 2008; now École élémentaire catholique d'enseignement personnalisé Édouard-Bond) City View Public School (became City View Special Education Centre; now Elizabeth Wyn Wood Secondary Alternate Program) McArthur High School (closed 2001; now Ottawa Technical Secondary School) Overbrook Public School (closed 2001; now Counterpoint Academy Day Care) Lamira Dow Billings Elementary School (closed 2002; now École élémentaire publique Séraphin-Marion) Meadowview Public School (closed 2004; now Heritage Public School) Merivale Public School (closed 2004) Riverview Public School (closed 2004; now Baitun Naseer Mosque) J. S. Woodsworth Secondary School (closed 2005; now École secondaire publique Deslauriers) Laurentian High School (closed 2005; demolished 2009) R. Byrns Curry Public School (closed 2006; now Bayview Public School) Bayview Public School (relocated to R. Byrns Curry Public School site in 2007; demolished 2009) Fitzroy Harbour Public School (closed 2006) Grant Alternative School (relocated to Christie Public School site in 2007; closed 2017, now Maison de la francophonie d'Ottawa) Christie Public School (closed 2007; became Grant Alternative School 2007-2017; now vacant) Torbolton Public School (closed 2007; now vacant) Queenswood Public School (closed 2008; now École élémentaire catholique d'enseignement personnalisé La Source) Fitzroy Centennial Public School (closed 2009) McGregor Easson Public School (closed 2010; now Pavillon Sainte-Geneviève) Parkwood Hills Public School (closed 2010; used by Champman Hills in 2012 and Carleton Heights in 2014) Munster Elementary School (closed 2015) Rideau High School (closed 2017) Elizabeth Park Public School (closed 2017) Century Public School (closed 2017; used by Elmdale Public School in 2019) D. Aubrey Moodie Intermediate School (closed 2017) Leslie Park Public School (closed 2017; now École élémentaire publique Ottawa Ouest) Greenbank Middle School (closed 2017; now Knoxdale Public School; the school already shared the building with Knoxdale Public School) J.H. Putman Middle School (closed 2019) Notes External links Ottawa-Carleton District School Board OCDSB Schools Ottawa-Carleton District School Board

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higgs%20sector

Higgs sector

In particle physics, the Higgs sector is the collection of quantum fields and/or particles that are responsible for the Higgs mechanism, i.e. for the spontaneous symmetry breaking of the Higgs field. The word "sector" refers to a subgroup of the total set of fields and particles. See also Higgs boson Hidden sector References Standard Model Symmetry