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Who composed the music for the opera 'Parsifal'? | The opera novice: Parsifal by Richard Wagner - Telegraph The opera novice: Parsifal by Richard Wagner In Parsifal Richard Wagner says farewell to one of his most powerful inspirations – romantic love Parsifal (Jonas Kaufmann) tempted by the flower maidens in the Met's new production. Follow Many of Wagner’s operas are driven by rebellious sexual passion. In his first mature work, Der fliegende Holländer (1843), Senta’s ballad to the wandering ghost pulses with obsession. In Tristan and Isolde (1859), the title characters defy moral and musical conventions in pursuit of erotic nirvana. Some of the most ravishing music in the Ring Cycle comes in Die Walküre (1870), when brother and sister Siegmund and Sieglinde fall in love. I’ve also noticed, though, that Wagner has sympathy for characters who reject dangerous passion: the cuckolded King Marke in Tristan; Hans Sachs in Die Meistersinger; in the Ring, the betrayed Fricka and even Alberich only renounces love after he's piqued by the Rhinemaidens. Wagner's enrapturing romantic music runs the risk of being stifling – even narcissistic. So I find it fascinating that in his final opera, Wagner turns his obsession on its head: in Parsifal (1880) sexual passion must be confronted and surpassed – and thus transfigured into a universal compassionate love. On Saturday I saw Parsifal for the second time at a live cinema screening from New York’s Metropolitan Opera House. The first time I saw it, at ENO two years ago, I came away moved by the music but puzzled by what it all meant. Now, with a bit more Wagner under my belt, it became (at least in part) a bit clearer. The plot is drawn from medieval legend. Christian knights in Spain guard two special relics in their castle: the Holy Grail and the Holy Spear that pierced Jesus on the cross. The knights have been in trouble since their leader Amfortas (played here by a searing Peter Mattei) decided to attack a nearby sorcerer’s lair armed with the spear. The sorcerer, named Klingsor, was a would-be knight who after rejection from the order castrated himself in a rage. His servant, Kundry, seduced Amfortas allowing Klingsor to steal the spear and stab him for good measure. Only a man made wise by compassion can save Amfortas. Enter Parsifal, an unpromising candidate. He has defiled the castle by shooting a swan and seems to have as little interest in what happens around him as he does in his own past. But when he witnesses a wounded Amfortas unveiling the Holy Grail – to glowing, transcendent music – his sympathy is stirred. He travels to Klingsor’s castle where he must defy the temptations of the flower-maidens and Kundry – whom, we learn, is a female version of The Flying Dutchman, cursed to wander the earth for laughing at Jesus on the Via Dolorosa – win back the spear and heal the order. Related Articles Parsifal at Bayreuth 04 Aug 2009 Compressed into a couple of paragraphs, I've made it sound as though there's more action than there is. This is a long opera: the first act alone is two hours and by the end our hero is just setting out on his journey. Parsifal is the Wagner opera least likely to set the pulse racing. Apart from the perverted melody of Klingsor in Act Two, the music is slow, entrancing and forgiving. Just as Parsifal must reject Kundry’s advances, so Wagner denies his own gift for thrilling, hummable tunes. As the conductor and composer Pierre Boulez’s wrote: “The piece places the emphasis for the first time on uncertainty, on indetermination. It represents a rejection of immutability, an aversion to definiteness in musical phrases as long as they have not exhausted their potential for evolution and renewal.” This mutability isn’t the tense, unfulfilled kind we hear in Tristan; it’s as though Wagner were scoring the soundtrack to heaven. The paradox is that heavenly music is made of earthly notes. A brutal rejection of human love would yield a castrated music – just as Klingsor makes the mistake of “unmanning” himself rather than feeling, and then resisting, temptation. You can hear this in Kundry’s attempted sed |
What was the name of the craft in which John Glenn first orbited the Earth in 1962? | John Glenn: 1st American to Orbit Earth, Oldest Man in Space John Glenn: 1st American to Orbit Earth, Oldest Man in Space By Nola Taylor Redd, Space.com Contributor | December 8, 2015 04:45pm ET MORE Editor's note: John Glenn, a legendary NASA astronaut and American hero, died on Dec. 8, 2016 at age 95. Read our full obituary here . More coverage: America's First Spaceship: Project Mercury (Infographic) The first American to orbit the Earth, John Glenn made history again when, at the age of 77, he became the oldest person to travel in space. But before he was nationally recognized as a hero, he had put his life on the line for his country many times. Born on July 18, 1921, in Cambridge, Ohio, John Herschel Glenn Jr., was the son of John and Teresa Sproat Glenn. While playing in the high school band, he met Anna Margaret Castor, and later married her. After graduation, he attended Muskingum College, where he attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Glenn entered the Naval Aviation Cadet Program. He ultimately flew 59 combat missions in the Pacific during World War II. Astronaut John Glenn photographed in space by an automatic sequence motion picture camera during his historic orbital flight on "Friendship 7" on Feb. 20, 1962. Credit: NASA After the war ended, Glenn served as an instructor for advanced flight training at Corpus Christi, Texas. He went on to fly 90 missions in Korea, downing three MiGs during the his last nine days of combat. From there, Glenn attended Test Pilot School at the Naval Air Test Center in Maryland, then went on to serve as project officer on a number of aircraft. He attended classes at the University of Maryland for two and a half years while assigned to the Fighter Design Branch of the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, the precursor to the Bureau of Naval Weapons. In July 1957, Glenn set a transcontinental speed record, flying from Los Angeles to New York in 3 hours 23 minutes. His was the first cross-country flight to average supersonic speed. Glenn was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross six times, as well as a number of other honors for his military service. He and his wife have two children. Beyond the sky In April 1959, Glenn was selected as a Project Mercury astronaut. He became part of the Mercury Seven group, the first astronauts selected by NASA. Glenn served as backup astronaut to the first two Americans in space, Alan Shepard and Virgil "Gus" Grissom. [ Project Mercury: Photos of NASA's 1st Manned Spaceflights ] At the time, the United States was in the midst of a race with the Soviet Union to reach the stars. Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man launched into space on April 12, 1961, beating Alan Shepard by less than a month. Gagarin's craft took him in a full orbit around Earth, making him the first person to circle the planet, as well. [ Infographic: 1st American in Orbit: How NASA & John Glenn Made History ] On Feb. 20, 1962, the United States showed that it had the same mettle as its competition. Previous flights into space by Shepard and Grissom had not traveled all the way around the planet. When Glenn blasted into space aboard Mercury's Friendship 7 capsule, he orbited Earth three times over the course of almost five hours, traveling faster than 17,000 mph. [ VIDEO: This is Friendship 7: America's 50th On-Orbit Anniversary ] But his journey was not without hazards . After the first orbit, a mechanical problem with the automatic control system required Glenn take manual control of the craft. Sensors also indicated that the heat shield, which would protect the astronaut from the lethal temperatures created upon re-entry to the atmosphere, was loose. To help protect him on his return to Earth, Glenn kept the retrorocket pack, which was designed to be jettisoned, in place. Follow-up examination of the control system revealed that the indicator had been incorrect. The shield was fine, but the experience was surely harrowing. [ PHOTOS: John Glenn, First American in Orbit ] An active retirement Glenn retired |
In which country is the mountain range, the Western Ghats? | Western Ghats, India | WWF Western Ghats, India Western Ghats, India Running along the entire west coast of India, the mountains of the Western Ghats are no snow-peaked Himalayas. But what they lack in height they make up for in biodiversity, harbouring an impressive array of India’s wildlife. Western Ghats, India. © Ameen Ahmed A biodiversity hotspot More like rolling hills than snow-covered mountains, the Western Ghats - stretching some 1,600km from the north of Mumbai to the southern tip of India - are a biodiversity hotspot that contains a large proportion of the country's plant and animal species; many of which are only found here and nowhere else in the world. In the northern part of the range , about one-third of the plants, almost half the reptiles, and more than three-fourths of the amphibians known in India are found in this narrow strip of rainforest just off the west coast. The forests in the southwestern Ghats are even richer, hosting the country’s largest population of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) as well as Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris), lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus), sloth bears (Ursus ursinus), nilgiri tahrs (Hemitragus hylocrius) and much more. Mounting threats The Western Ghats were once covered in dense forests. Today, a large part of the range has been logged or converted to agricultural land for tea, coffee, rubber and oil palm, or cleared for livestock grazing, reservoirs and roads. The growth of populations around protected areas and other forests has also led to habitat destruction, increased fragmentation, wildlife poaching and human-wildlife conflict . What WWF is doing Whestern Ghats - Where do we work ? WWF is working in the Western Ghats area highlighted in blue on the map above. Wildlife conservation in the Ghats Tiger in Moyar Valley, Nilgiris District, India. © WWF-India / Vijay Kumar The largest population of Asian elephants in the world still roams free across southwestern India. It is estimated that as many as 10,000 elephants can be found in the Nilgiri Hills , in the southwestern part of the Western Ghats. This region is also home to 10% of the world's tigers , making it an important area for the long-term conservation of this endangered species. As part of its efforts to conserve elephants, tigers and other wildlife, WWF is working in this unique part of India to: maintain the ecological integrity of forest corridors reduce conflict between wildlife and people bolster anti-poaching efforts in protected areas The Western Ghats' Nilgiris Mountains still offer safe refuge to diverse wild creatures in pockets which we must somehow protect from all harm. This, after all, is where India’s largest Asian elephant populations can still be seen. Dr Amirtharaj Christy Williams, Coordinator of WWF’s Asian Rhino and Elephant Action Strategy Facts & Figures The Western Ghats are one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots with over 5,000 flowering plants, 139 mammals, 508 birds and 179 amphibian species. At least 325 globally threatened species occur here. The range covers 60,000km2 and forms the catchment area for a complex of river systems that drain almost 40% of India. At 2695m, Mt Anamudi in Kerala, India is the highest peak in the Western Ghats. The Western Ghats are being considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
Who devised the TV series 'Citizen Smith'? | Citizen Smith TV revival denied - BBC News BBC News Citizen Smith TV revival denied 11 September 2015 Read more about sharing. Close share panel Image caption The opening titles of Citizen Smith featured Wolfie emerging from Tooting Tube Station with a rallying cry of 'Power to the People' Writer John Sullivan's estate has denied there are plans afoot to resurrect his 70s sitcom Citizen Smith. The denial came after its star, Robert Lindsay, said he had been "chased" by a TV company with "a fantastic idea" for updating the show. He told the Independent the new show would see his "urban guerilla" Wolfie Smith running for the Labour Party. But Jim Sullivan, son of the show's late creator, said a revival was "not something we would want to do." "Every episode of Citizen Smith was written by my Dad - all the lines, ideas and plots were his. As we have said about Only Fools and Horses, the show only ever had one writer and it is going to stay that way," he added . 'Unfinished business' John Sullivan wrote four series of Citizen Smith, which ran on the BBC between 1977 and 1980. Based on someone Sullivan had known, the character of Wolfie Smith was described as a deluded anarchist: Full of good intentions but beset by idleness. In his interview with the Independent, Lindsay admitted he had unfinished business with the role. "It was a series I never finished. It was just beginning to become huge. You know what happens, you want to be a serious actor, you don't want to do sitcoms," he said. He did not tell the newspaper who was behind the proposed revival, but said that the "moves afoot in the industry to bring Citizen Smith back" were by "some respected figures that I very much admire". The proposed show would have reflected Labour's shift to the left and the popularity of possible new leader Jeremy Corbyn. On Friday morning, Lindsay clarified his comments in a tweet , saying: "I'm afraid [t]here have been many plans to resurrect Wolfie but he rests with his brilliant creator John Sullivan RIPx." |
Which American city is home to the Baseball side 'The Orioles'? | Review of Integrating the Orioles | Sport in American History Sport in American History Luke, Bob. Integrating the Orioles: Baseball and Race in Baltimore. Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Co., 2016. Pp. 216. Notes and index. $29.95 paperback. Reviewed by Chuck Westmoreland Frank Robinson, the 1961 National League (NL) Most Valuable Player, arrived in Baltimore after the Cincinnati Reds made one of the most baffling trades in baseball history. From the Baltimore Orioles, the Reds received Milt Pappas, a moderately successful pitcher, reliever Jack Baldschun, and Dick Simpson, a minor-league outfielder. The Reds struggled mightily that year and finished seventh in the NL. Pappas compiled a mediocre 12-11 record on the mound. The Orioles, meanwhile, got its first black superstar and the first of three World Series titles. Robinson was an easy choice for the 1966 American League (AL) MVP as he dominated the league in all major batting categories. No wonder Cincinnati fans began calling General Manager Bill DeWitt, the architect of the Robinson-Pappas trade, “Dim Witt” (p. 85-101). McFarland and Co., 2015 Robinson’s story is a pivotal and powerful one in Bob Luke’s Integrating the Orioles: Baseball and Race in Baltimore . Author of several books on the Negro Leagues, Luke delivers a compelling, balanced narrative of how the Oriole organization and the city of Baltimore confronted race and segregation during the height of the modern black freedom struggle. Luke begins his examination of the history of baseball and race in Baltimore with a brief, contextual chapter on the era from the late nineteenth century through the early 1950s. This chapter includes discussions of the first Baltimore Orioles franchise that moved to New York in 1903 and became the present-day Yankees. Luke also addresses the Baltimore Elite Giants, a Negro League team, and Jackie Robinson’s experiences in the city while facing the minor-league Baltimore team of the 1940s, also named the Orioles. The current incarnation of the Baltimore Orioles franchise, which had previously been the St. Louis Browns, began play in 1954. That same year, the Supreme Court issued its historic ruling on school desegregation in Brown v. Board of Education. By the time Baltimore acquired a new major league franchise in the 1950s, baseball’s color line had been broken. From 1954 until Robinson donned the Oriole uniform, O’s management failed to sign many black players. African-American players who did join the squad often found themselves in the minors. Local civil rights groups and the black press kept up the pressure on the organization to acquire more black players, especially those who possessed star power and could help increase black attendance at ballgames. Sportswriters such as the Baltimore Afro-American’s Sam Lacy took on Orioles management for its slow pace of integration. Lacy and others attributed the Orioles’ on-field struggles (six losing seasons in their first nine years in Baltimore) to the organization’s weak pursuit of African American players. Luke argues persuasively that, prior to the Robinson trade, “A rocky journey strewn with empty promises, a tin ear toward African Americans’ (players’ as well as city residents’) concerns, and revolving cameo appearances by black players…marked the Orioles’ early years” (p. 4). To make matters worse, Baltimore’s small cadre of black players faced the indignity and injustice of segregation in local housing, hotels, restaurants, and other public accommodations. The Robinson-Pappas trade paved the way for a new era in the history of the Orioles. As the civil rights legislation of the 1960s broke down legalized segregation in Baltimore and around the country, the Orioles finally began to embrace black players and became a different team in terms of success and demographics. From 1966 to 1985, the Orioles won three World Series championships and had only one losing season. The link between an increasing presence of high-quality black players and on-field accomplishment was obvious. With diamond greats such as Robinson, Al Bumbry |
What was the real first name of comedian Bud Flanagan? | Voices of Variety » Chesney Allen Portrait by E. Hamilton West, courtesy The Guardian. CHESNEY Allen had got himself into a bit of a state. The survivor of variety’s greatest double-act had agreed to see me even though for 20 years he had been turning down such requests. Then he had second thoughts and proposed that the interview be conducted through a combination of questions submitted by post and follow-up telephone conversations. After a flurry of increasingly confusing calls and letters it became obvious that this wasn’t working too well, so he finally said he would meet me at an office he used on London’s Oxford Street, opposite Selfridge’s. Ches was visibly disconcerted by my youthfulness when I arrived and became quite agitated a few minutes later when The Guardian’s photographer, E. Hamilton West (known to all as Ted), turned up and started pointing a camera at him. He was a tall, stooped, dignified man, still imposing and attractive at 78, courteous and charming in spite of his nervousness with me and displeasure at the presence of Ted – I thought he had understood that a photographer had been organised – and he had something about him that suggested a retired solicitor, the occupation for which he had once been destined. But the story he had to tell had nothing of the dryness of law; it was about a remarkable and wonderful friendship born in the horrors of the First World War trenches and forged ten years later in the hurly-burly of music hall into an act that reached the very pinnacle of show business as Flanagan and Allen produced hit after hit record, sold out theatres all over Britain and, with other members of the legendary Crazy Gang, starred in 16 films through the 1930s and 40s. Go into any large music store today, or check online, and you will find Flanagan and Allen; switch on the television and you will hear those lilting voices singing Run Rabbit Run or one of the other hits behind an ad somewhere, or Bud asking Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Mr Hitler? over the titles in a re-run of Dad’s Army. The two unlikely but dear pals may be long gone, but Flanagan and Allen live on, true immortals of the music halls, and Ches put his finger on the simple reason. “I think we were a part of the people,” he told me. “There was no barrier.” Here’s a clip of them singing Round the Back of the Arches, from a 1942 Listen to Britain feature. In their very earliest days. A PART of the people. These two men from wildly-contrasting backgrounds had a relationship that was unique among double-acts on the British halls. It was far from the traditional bullying, supercilious straight man and buffoonish comic; audiences sensed that Bud and Ches had become social equals through shared hardship. As one writer put it: ‘Seldom absent from their songs was a concern for the underdog of society, for the gutterspun philosophy that equated poverty with riches. One knew instinctively as they sang that the attitude to life embodied in their songs had itself been conditioned by their own experiences in leaner times, that there had been occasions when the rain had entered their shoes, when their dreams and schemes had fallen on stony ground.’ (1) Often played out against a backdrop of The Embankment, their act was built around two men, down on their luck, chancing across each other and sharing jokey banter and a song or two before seeking shelter wherever they could find it; nights spent on cobblestones in all weathers, waiting for dawn and the hope a new day might bring. It always finished the same way. Haunted by a single spotlight, they slowly strolled the length of the stage, swaying slightly to the music: Bud in voluminous raccoon coat and battered straw hat, his high, lamenting cantor’s wail soaring to the back of the gallery, and Ches behind, hand on Bud’s shoulder, shabby-dapper and deadpan, emphasising the words in a mellow half-spoken croak a split-second behind the beat . . . Pavement is our pillow, No matter where we stray. Underneath the arches We’ll dream our dreams away.’ A |
What was the real first name of Mother Teresa? | Mother Teresa - The Saint of the Gutters Mother Teresa A Biography About Mother Teresa, the Saint of the Gutters Keystone / Staff / Hulton Archive / Getty Images Updated February 17, 2016. Who Was Mother Teresa? Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a Catholic order of nuns dedicated to helping the poor. Begun in Calcutta, India, the Missionaries of Charity grew to help the poor, the dying, orphans, lepers, and AIDS sufferers in over 100 countries. Mother Teresa's selfless effort to help those in need has caused many to regard her as a model humanitarian. Dates: August 26, 1910 -- September 5, 1997 Mother Teresa Also Known As: Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu (birth name), "the Saint of the Gutters" Overview of Mother Teresa Mother Teresa's task was overwhelming. She started out as just one woman, with no money and no supplies, trying to help the millions of poor, starving, and dying that lived on the streets of India. Despite others' misgivings, Mother Teresa was confident that God would provide. Birth and Childhood Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, now known as Mother Teresa, was the third and final child born to her Albanian Catholic parents, Nikola and Dranafile Bojaxhiu, in the city of Skopje (a predominantly Muslim city in the Balkans). continue reading below our video Test Your General Science Knowledge Nikola was a self-made, successful businessman and Dranafile stayed home to take care of the children. When Mother Teresa was about eight years old, her father died unexpectedly. The Bojaxhiu family was devastated. After a period of intense grief, Dranafile, suddenly a single mother of three children, sold textiles and hand-made embroidery to bring in some income. The Call Both before Nikola's death and especially after it, the Bojaxhiu family held tightly to their religious beliefs. The family prayed daily and went on pilgrimages annually. When Mother Teresa was 12 years old, she began to feel called to serve God as a nun. Deciding to become a nun was a very difficult decision. Becoming a nun not only meant giving up the chance to marry and have children, it also meant giving up all her worldly possessions and her family, perhaps forever. For five years, Mother Teresa thought hard about whether or not to become a nun. During this time, she sang in the church choir, helped her mother organize church events, and went on walks with her mother to hand out food and supplies to the poor. When Mother Teresa was 17, she made the difficult decision to become a nun. Having read many articles about the work Catholic missionaries were doing in India, Mother Teresa was determined to go there. Mother Teresa applied to the Loreto order of nuns, based in Ireland but with missions in India. In September 1928, 18-year-old Mother Teresa said goodbye to her family to travel to Ireland and then on to India. She never saw her mother or sister again. Becoming a Nun It took more than two years to become a Loreto nun. After spending six weeks in Ireland learning the history of the Loreto order and to study English, Mother Teresa then traveled to India, where she arrived on January 6, 1929. After two years as a novice, Mother Teresa took her first vows as a Loreto nun on May 24, 1931. As a new Loreto nun, Mother Teresa (known then only as Sister Teresa, a name she chose after St. Teresa of Lisieux) settled in to the Loreto Entally convent in Kolkata (previously called Calcutta ) and began teaching history and geography at the convent schools. Usually, Loreto nuns were not allowed to leave the convent; however, in 1935, 25-year-old Mother Teresa was given a special exemption to teach at a school outside of the convent, St. Teresa's. After two years at St. Teresa's, Mother Teresa took her final vows on May 24, 1937 and officially became "Mother Teresa." Almost immediately after taking her final vows, Mother Teresa became the principal of St. Mary's, one of the convent schools and was once again restricted to live within the convent's walls. "A Call Within a Call" For nine years, Mother Teresa continued as the principal of St. Mary's. Then on Septembe |
Who directed the 1997 film 'Titanic'? | Titanic (1997) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON TV ON DISC ALL A seventeen-year-old aristocrat falls in love with a kind but poor artist aboard the luxurious, ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic. Director: Famous Directors: From Sundance to Prominence From Christopher Nolan to Quentin Tarantino and every Coen brother in between, many of today's most popular directors got their start at the Sundance Film Festival . Here's a list of some of the biggest names to go from Sundance to Hollywood prominence. a list of 46 titles created 14 Mar 2012 a list of 32 titles created 03 Mar 2013 a list of 32 titles created 08 Mar 2014 a list of 23 images created 16 Apr 2015 a list of 32 titles created 2 days ago Search for " Titanic " on Amazon.com Connect with IMDb Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Won 11 Oscars. Another 110 wins & 73 nominations. See more awards » Videos A paraplegic marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home. Director: James Cameron A Mumbai teen reflects on his upbringing in the slums when he is accused of cheating on the Indian Version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" Directors: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan Stars: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Saurabh Shukla A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor: a fearsome Bengal tiger. Director: Ang Lee The story of King George VI of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, his impromptu ascension to the throne and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch become worthy of it. Director: Tom Hooper Two astronauts work together to survive after an accident which leaves them alone in space. Director: Alfonso Cuarón Katniss Everdeen voluntarily takes her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games, a televised competition in which two teenagers from each of the twelve Districts of Panem are chosen at random to fight to the death. Director: Gary Ross Years after a plague kills most of humanity and transforms the rest into monsters, the sole survivor in New York City struggles valiantly to find a cure. Director: Francis Lawrence Acting under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1980. Director: Ben Affleck Forrest Gump, while not intelligent, has accidentally been present at many historic moments, but his true love, Jenny Curran, eludes him. Director: Robert Zemeckis When bitten by a genetically modified spider, a nerdy, shy, and awkward high school student gains spider-like abilities that he eventually must use to fight evil as a superhero after tragedy befalls his family. Director: Sam Raimi Jack Sparrow races to recover the heart of Davy Jones to avoid enslaving his soul to Jones' service, as other friends and foes seek the heart for their own agenda as well. Director: Gore Verbinski After John Nash , a brilliant but asocial mathematician, accepts secret work in cryptography, his life takes a turn for the nightmarish. Director: Ron Howard Edit Storyline 84 years later, a 101-year-old woman named Rose DeWitt Bukater tells the story to her granddaughter Lizzy Calvert, Brock Lovett, Lewis Bodine, Bobby Buell and Anatoly Mikailavich on the Keldysh about her life set in April 10th 1912, on a ship called Titanic when young Rose boards the departing ship with the upper-class passengers and her mother, Ruth DeWitt Bukater, and her fiancé, Caledon Hockley. Meanwhile, a drifter and artist named Jack Dawson and his best friend Fabrizio De |
Who devised the TV series 'Last Of The Summer Wine'? | Last of the Summer Wine (TV Series 1973– ) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error Last of the Summer Wine TV-PG | Three old men from Yorkshire who have never grown up face the trials of their fellow town citizens and everyday life and stay young by reminiscing about the days of their youth and attempting feats not common to the elderly. Creator: The village prepares for Compo's funeral; even Auntie Wainwright closes her shop (her mobile phone is on for emergency purchases). Compo's "Thursday Lady" arrives to pay her respects. 9.1 A depressed Howard tries to build himself up but, under Foggy's instruction, ends up breaking his leg. Auntie Wainwright has Smiler testing a Triumph Motorcycle, after she rents him the riding gear. ... 8.8 Nora Batty finally decides to give Compo a taste of what he's been asking for and it sends him to the hospital. Clegg, Nora, and friends need to deal with the loss of their friend. 8.8 a list of 30 titles created 27 Mar 2011 a list of 30 titles created 24 Jun 2012 a list of 45 titles created 30 Jan 2014 a list of 22 titles created 03 Jul 2014 a list of 33 titles created 15 Oct 2014 Title: Last of the Summer Wine (1973– ) 7/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. 1 win & 8 nominations. See more awards » Photos The misadventures of the staff of a retail floor of a major department store. Stars: Mollie Sugden, John Inman, Frank Thornton Arkwright is a tight-fisted shop owner in Doncaster, who will stop at nothing to keep his profits high and his overheads low, even if this means harassing his nephew Granville. Arkwright's ... See full summary » Stars: Ronnie Barker, David Jason, Lynda Baron A snobbish housewife is determined to climb the social ladder, in spite of her family's working class connections and the constant chagrin of her long suffering husband. Stars: Patricia Routledge, Clive Swift, Geoffrey Hughes When Tom Ballard moves to Bayview Retirement Vilage, he meets Diana Trent, a feisty old woman who complains about everything and wants nothing more than just to die. Much to the dislike of ... See full summary » Stars: Graham Crowden, Stephanie Cole, Daniel Hill The perils of "escaping the rat race" and dropping out of society - to start a farm in Surbiton (and to drive Margo nuts). Stars: Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal, Penelope Keith Victor Meldrew is a retiree who attracts bad luck. If he's not driving his long suffering wife Margeret crazy with his constant moaning, he's fighting with neighbors. Stars: Richard Wilson, Annette Crosbie, Doreen Mantle During WW2, in a fictional British seaside town, a ragtag group of Home Guard local defense volunteers prepare for an imminent German invasion. Stars: Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn The staff of the defunct Grace Brothers department store reunite to run a rural hotel. Stars: Mollie Sugden, John Inman, Frank Thornton The Korean War and a long lost letter separate the lives of young lovers Jean and Lionel, whose paths cross again by happenstance. Stars: Judi Dench, Geoffrey Palmer, Moira Brooker A rather naive, middle-class man is admitted to a hospital ward and finds that he is sharing it with a working-class layabout and an upper-class hypochondriac. All three of them cause headaches for the hospital staff. Stars: James Bolam, Peter Bowles, Christopher Strauli The misadventures of a ragtag group of elderly Home Guard local defense volunteers at the onset of WW2. Director: Norman Cohen Long running BBC comedy show consisting of sketches and humourous musical routines involving the large Ronnie Barker and the small Ronnie Corbett. Most sketches involved both men, but ... See full summary » Stars: Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett, The Fred Tomlinson Singers Edit Storyline Three old men from Yorkshire who have never grown up fac |
'Launcelot Gobbo', the clown, features in which Shakespeare play? | A Merry Devil - Launcelot Gobbo in the Merchant of Venice A Merry Devil: Launcelot Gobbo in The Merchant of Venice From The Fools of Shakespeare by Frederick Warde. London: McBride, Nast & Company. In that delightful comedy, "The Merchant of Venice," we have a type of the shrewd but ignorant serving man, or boy, drawn on the same lines as Launce and Speed in "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," and the two Dromios, in "The Comedy of Errors," but apparently younger and less matured than either of them. His name is Launcelot Gobbo, a fact of which he is somewhat proud. He has a crude philosophy and a rude kind of wit. He uses big words and misapplies them most ingenuously. He is good-natured, full of fun, and rejoices in a practical jest. Launcelot is the servant to Shylock, a wealthy Jewish merchant and money lender of Venice, with whom he lives and of whom he stands in wholesome awe. His fun-loving nature, however, has served to brighten the dull and dreary home of that stern and revengeful gentleman, a fact that Jessica, the Jew's daughter, frankly acknowledges in her first interview with the boy. Our house is hell, and thou a merry devil Did'st rob it of some taste of tediousness. Launcelot does not appear until the second scene of the second act of the comedy, when we find him stealthily leaving his master's house. We learn that he feels aggrieved at some apparent wrong at the hands of his employer, and is debating whether to remain in his service, or to run away. His soliloquy or self-argument on the point is most entertaining. He would be just, but being both plaintiff and defendant, as well as advocate and judge of the question at issue, he can scarcely be credited with impartiality. However, the motives that he frankly acknowledges, and the reasons he advances are most delightfully human, and most humorously expressed. The entire passage is a quaint, and by no means unnatural, self-contention between duty and inclination; the conclusion, as a matter of course, being in favor of inclination. Certainly, my conscience will serve me to run from this Jew, my master: the fiend is at mine elbow, and tempts me, saying to me, "Gobbo, Launcelot Gobbo, good Launcelot, or good Gobbo, or good Launcelot Gobbo, use your legs, take the start, run away." My conscience says - "No; take heed, honest Launcelot; take heed, honest Gobbo; or," as aforesaid, "honest Launcelot Gobbo; do not run; scorn running with thy heels." - Well, the most courageous fiend bids me pack; via! says the fiend; away, says the fiend; for the heavens rouse up a brave mind, says the fiend, and run. Well, my conscience, hanging about the neck of my heart, says very wisely to me - "my honest friend Launcelot, being an honest man's son" - or rather an honest woman's son; - for, indeed, my father did something smack, something grow to, - he had a kind of taste; - well, my conscience says - Launcelot, budge not;" "budge," says the fiend; budge not," says my conscience. Conscience, say I, you counsel well; fiend, say I, you counsel well; to be ruled by my conscience, I should stay with the Jew, my master, who, Heaven bless the mark! is a kind of devil; and, to run away from the Jew, I should be ruled by the fiend, who, saving your reverence, is the devil himself: certainly, the Jew is the very devil incarnation, and, in my conscience, my conscience is but a kind of hard conscience, to offer to counsel me to stay with the Jew : the fiend gives the more friendly counsel! I will run; fiend, my heels are at your commandment, I will run. However, Launcelot does not run; he is spared that violence to his conscientious scruples by the unexpected advent of his father, an old Italian peasant, whose voice is heard calling in the distance, and halts the would-be runaway. Launcelot's decision of character is not very marked, nor his resentments very strong, for in a moment his wrongs are forgotten, and he is designing a practical jest on his aged parent. "O heavens!" he exclaims, "this is my true-begotten father; who, being more than sand-b |
'Lindberg International Airport' serves which American city? | San Diego International Airport > Home Latest Airport News 12/02/2016 Airport Authority President/CEO Thella F. Bowens to Retire... Read More 11/22/2016 San Diego International Airport offers helpful tips for navigating the airport this Thanks... Read More 10/14/2016 New Circus-in-Residence Show Inspired by the Airport to be presented at San Diego Internat... Read More 10/03/2016 San Diego International Airport Achieves Airport Carbon Accreditation ... Read More 09/14/2016 San Diego International Airport Commemorates Start of Construction on Terminal 2 Parking P... Read More 07/21/2016 Alaska Airlines announces new nonstop service between San Diego and Newark... Read More 06/21/2016 Airport Authority Releases Sustainability Report ... Read More 06/21/2016 Edelweiss to begin nonstop seasonal service between Zurich and San Diego... Read More 06/17/2016 SAN Rental Car Center Recognized with ‘Golden Watchdog’... Read More 06/16/2016 Small Business Opportunities for Terminal 2 Parking Plaza Construction at San Diego Intern... Read More 06/09/2016 Airport Authority President/CEO Thella Bowens Appointed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penn... Read More 06/09/2016 Condor announces new seasonal nonstop flights between San Diego and Germany... Read More 06/07/2016 Airport Authority Names New General Counsel... Read More 05/16/2016 Rental Car Center, Storm Drain Improvements Named “Projects of the Year” by APWA... Read More 05/02/2016 Green Build Project at San Diego International Airport Earns ISI’s Envision® Sustainable I... Read More 03/24/2016 San Diego International Airport’s Jana Vargas Receives “Woman Breaking Barriers” Award ... Read More 02/29/2016 San Diego International Airport’s Paul Manasjan Recognized for Sustainability Leadership... Read More 02/18/2016 Point of Entry Exhibition Opens at San Diego International Airport ... Read More 01/28/2016 Airport Authority receives prestigious environmental award for waste reduction efforts ... Read More 01/25/2016 San Diego International Airport Reaches 20 Million Annual Passenger Mark... Read More 01/20/2016 New Rental Car Center Opens on San Diego International Airport’s North Side... Read More 01/15/2016 More than 200 Attend Ribbon Cutting at New Rental Car Center on San Diego International Ai... Read More 11/23/2015 San Diego International Airport offers helpful tips for navigating the airport this Thanks... Read More 11/20/2015 Airport Authority Board Selects Preferred Concept for Airport Development Plan... Read More 10/30/2015 San Diego International Airport opens lactation rooms for nursing mothers... Read More 09/29/2015 Airport Authority to host public meeting on the FAA’s SoCal Metroplex project... Read More 09/17/2015 San Diego International Airport puts carbon offsets on the menu with The Good Traveler pro... Read More 07/09/2015 Airport Authority to Present Additional Airport Development Plan Concept at Community Open... Read More 07/03/2015 San Diego International Airport enhances ridesharing operations with start of service by L... Read More 07/02/2015 Airport Authority adopts resolution to facilitate permitting for ride sharing at San Diego... Read More 06/19/2015 Airport Authority named ‘Sustainability Champion of the Year’ by North San Diego Business ... Read More 06/16/2015 San Diego International Airport celebrates major construction milestone with Rental Car Ce... Read More 06/04/2015 San Diego International Airport Unveils Admiral Boland Way... Read More 05/29/2015 Commuter Terminal airline services to relocate to Terminals 1 and 2 on June 4... Read More 05/22/2015 San Diego International Airport offers helpful travel tips as summer kicks off... Read More 04/23/2015 Airport Authority Named ‘Recycler of the Year’ in San Diego... Read More 03/27/2015 Spirit Airlines to move operations at San Diego International Airport from Terminal 2 East... Read More 03/27/2015 CNN Airport Network Debuts at San Diego International Airport ... Read More 03/24/2015 San Diego International Airport unveils largest-ever public art exhibition celebrating Bal... Read More 03/1 |
Who composed the music for the opera 'Lucia di Lammermoor'? | Lucia di Lammermoor, opera | Details | AllMusic Lucia di Lammermoor, opera google+ Description by Rita Laurance From Sir Walter Scott's melodramatic novel The Bride of Lammermoor, librettist Salvatore Cammarano cobbled together one of the most contrived and ridiculous plots in all of opera. The opera is saved and made great by Donizetti 's flood of fabulous music, which includes one of the greatest of all coloratura parts in the title role. It's got blood and thunder, great choruses, the sextet "Chi mi frena," and above all, the celebrated Mad Scene. Scott's novel had already inspired three operatic treatments by the time of this one. Cammarano had not had much work as a librettist previous to his writing of Lucia, but afterwards he and Donizetti became close partners. Lucia di Lammermoor remains one of Donizetti 's most popular works. In the latter part of 1834, Donizetti signed a contract with the Royal Theaters of Naples to compose three operas, the first of which he was to have ready by July of 1835. After a lengthy process, the premiere of Lucia took place on September 26 at the Teatro San Carlo of Naples. The audience gave the opera an almost ecstatic reception. They cheered each of the individual arias during the opera, and Donizetti and all of the cast were called out for repeated ovations. The music of the opera was composed with the talents and abilities of the original cast in mind. As the lead soprano in the role of Lucia, Donizetti had chosen Fanny Tacchinardi-Persiani, who was known for her technical abilities. She created the role of Lucia during its initial run, and it was for her that Donizetti composed the incredibly difficult mad scene, which is filled with vocal pyrotechnics and fioritura. From the nineteenth to the twenty-first century, this mad scene has been a showcase for sopranos with technical agility. But it is also an eerily dramatic scene, filled with psychological overtones. Many of the tunes are taken from earlier songs in the opera and twisted in order to show Lucia's demented state of mind. The choruses and narrative flow directly into Lucia's recitative and double aria, showing us her vulnerability right before her death. And the Tomb scene for Edgardo follows, with beautiful, dramatic music. With his suicide, the lovers are joined in death. The other famous piece from Lucia di Lammermoor is the sextet at the end of Act Two. This is the climax to the other two acts, and is one of the most powerful and dramatic moments of the opera. It begins with the entrance of Edgardo, as he enters the castle of the Lammermoor to find the entire Lammermoor clan gathered in honor of Lucia's wedding. The emotional conflict between the various characters ignites into an energetic ensemble piece. Parts/Movements No. 1a, Percorrete le spiagge vicine No. 1b, Tu sei turbato No. 1c, Cruda, funesta smania [Cruel, deadly frenzy] No. 1d, La pietade in suo favore No. 2a, Ancor non giunse? No. 2b, Regnava nel silenzio No. 2c, Quando rapito in estasi No. 3a, Egli s'avanza No. 3d, Ah! Verrano a te No. 4, Lucia fra poco a te verrà No. 5a, Appressati, Lucia No. 5b, Il pallor funesto No. 5c, Soffriva nel piantò No. 5d, Se tradirmi No. 6, Ebben?... Di tua speranza No. 7a, Per te d'immenso giubilo No. 7b, Per poco fra le tenebre No. 7c, Dov'e Lucia? No. 8, Chi mi frena (Sextet) No. 9, T'allontana, sciagurato No. 10, Orrida e questa notte (Wolf's Crag Scene) No. 11, D'immenso giubilo No. 13a, Il dolce suono No. 13b, Ardon gl'incensi |
After St. Paul's and York Minster which is the third largest cathedral in England? | England Cathedrals England Cathedrals Home Page Below is a list of the top England Cathedrals with Websites, Images and Reviews, such as Durham , Liverpool , St Paul's , York Minster , Lincoln and more. A Cathedral is a Christian Church that contains the seat of a Bishop, it has nothing to do with the size of the building, although most Bishops have their seats in the largest churches in their area. Some are the largest by volume, type, highest, longest, or the oldest. Click on Post-Codes for Reviews and Maps. The Accommodation links are set for Hotels, can be changed to B&B or Self Catering Liverpool Anglican Cathedral 331 feet high, 620 feet long Built from 1904-1978, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral is situated on St James' Mount, in the centre of Liverpool. This Cathedral is said to be the the largest in the UK, and the fifth largest in the world by area. Free to visit, small donations are encouraged. Phone number 0151 709 6271. Accommodation Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral 278 feet high Built from 1962-1967, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in the centre of Liverpool, close to the huge Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. This cathedral attracts visitors for its design rather than size. Free to visit, small donations are encouraged. Phone number 0151 709 9222. Accommodation St Paul's Cathedral 365 feet high, 518 feet long Built from 1665-1710, St Paul's Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral situated at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the centre of London. This cathedral is said to be the second largest in England, 17th largest in the world. Many famous people are buried in St Paul's such as Nelson, Wellington, Sir Alexander Fleming, and the architect who designed the cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren. Charges to enter are about £18 adult. Phone number 020 7246 8350. Accommodation Westminster Abbey 225 feet high, 513 feet long Built 1245-1745, The Collegiate Church of St Peter is better known as Westminster Abbey. Situated in the centre of London, next to the Parliament building, many royals have been crowned here, and many buried within its walls, also, some of the most famous people in British history are buried here, so many, there is little space left for any more tombs. Charges to enter are about £20 adult. Phone number 020 7222 5152. Accommodation York Minster Cathedral 234 feet high, 524 feet long Built from 1220-1480, York Minster is a huge Gothic cathedral in York, northeast England. This is the largest Gothic Cathedral in t |
Where in Merseyside would you find two large Yew trees nicknamed 'Adam & Eve'? | Heritage | briansimpsons briansimpsons Thoughts and images from here… Search Reply As the clocks go back and the nights draw in I went down to the Woodside Ferry terminal in Birkenhead on the Wirral side of the River Mersey to take some images of the World renowned Liverpool water front in the fading light of the day. If anything the darkness and the artificial lighting of night enhances the views of the Pierhead and waterfront buildings. In December last year Liverpool’s waterfront was named as England’s “greatest place”. Liverpool came top in a nationwide competition organised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). Over 11,000 people voted from a shortlist of ten places aimed at highlighting areas which town planners have created, protected and enhanced for communities. Liverpool was the overall winner in ‘England’s Great Places’ competition. The High Street in Thame, Oxfordshire and Saltaire, the World Heritage Site-designated historic village near Bradford were second and third respectively. The RTPI organised the competition to show what planning and planners can do to make the most out of England’s stunning heritage to create vibrant, beautiful places for people to live and work. Liverpool’s waterfront is arguably the jewel in the city’s crown and is a source of immense civic pride. The iconic Liver Birds, the Three Graces (the Liver Building, the Port of Liverpool building and the Cunard Building) along with the Anglican and Catholic cathedrals and other landmarks such as St John’s beacon provide a stunning backdrop to the River Mersey. UNESCO World Heritage Site status was bestowed on the city’s waterfront in July 2004. There is now so much to see and do on the waterfront with the Tate Liverpool art gallery; the Merseyside Maritime Museum; the International Slavery Museum and the Museum of Liverpool; the Echo concert arena and the BT Convention Centre, the 60 metre high Liverpool Big Wheel and the recently opened Exhibition Centre Liverpool – are all within a stone’s throw of one another. There have been other developments over the years including the re-instatement of the cruise liner terminal at Prince’s Dock and the building of a number of tower blocks such as Beetham Tower and Its close neighbour and the tallest building in Liverpool, the West Tower. As well as the big cruise liners, the river is regularly used with the Belfast ferry from Birkenhead and the Isle of Man Steam Packet company ferry from Liverpool. Both were moored in the river tonight. The waterfront has been transformed over the last few years and makes a great subject for photographers. Reply Some may say an article and photo assignment about urban flyovers is a peculiar subject. As a regular commuter to Birkenhead I have always viewed the town centre flyovers which feed traffic into the Queensway road tunnel taking people under the River Mersey to Liverpool as a particular ugly form of 1960’s concrete brutalism architecture. They have cut up Birkenhead town centre and do not show the town’s best side even on a sunny day as I took the photos contained in this article. Most commuters will probably be too pre-occupied with their journeys to take any real notice of the road network around them. If you explore on foot you discover a number of forgotten streets deep below the speeding commuter traffic. Whilst making a definitive physical statement and defining the town they have an important purpose in keeping Liverpool bound traffic moving as I have found out. The Birkenhead to Liverpool tunnel was opened in the 1930s. Over the years the cross-river road usage was increasing to such a level that it was causing chronic traffic jams at each end. The original 1930s Birkenhead terminus only had a small number of toll booths and there was congestion with the surrounding roads, and by the 1960s this was causing traffic problems across the town. Whilst a brand new tunnel was being built from Wallasey to the north of Wirral to relieve the Queensway tunnel, the planners drew up a scheme to demolish huge areas of Birkenhead and to build |
What was the name of the last manned mission to the Moon? | Apollo 17: The Last Men on the Moon Apollo 17: The Last Men on the Moon By Elizabeth Howell, Space.com Contributor | August 24, 2012 04:15pm ET MORE Astronaut Eugene Cernan drives the Lunar Roving Vehicle during the first EVA. Credit: NASA Apollo 17 marked the end of the program that took 12 people to the surface of the moon. By the time the mission launched on Dec. 7, 1972, public interest had declined, the government had shifted its focus to the Vietnam War, and many other factors brought the program to a close, even though three more flights had been planned. Though it was the last manned mission — so far — the moon still had some surprises for humanity to discover. Apollo 17 was the first mission to include a scientist in its crew. Geologist Harrison "Jack" Schmitt was one of the first six scientist-astronauts selected in 1965 amid immense pressure to do so from the National Academy of Sciences, who were worried only test pilots would walk on the moon. Schmitt's presence on the Apollo 17 crew as a lunar module pilot did not come easily. When it came time to select the final crew, Schmitt was chosen over Joe Engle, who was a backup pilot for Apollo 14 and ordinarily would have been next in the rotation to fly. Crewmates Ron Evans and Eugene Cernan were upset for Engle. However, they were pleased at the capabilities Schmitt — a geologic trainer for other moon-bound astronauts — showed on the job. Evans, the command module pilot, was on his first mission to space. He was on combat duty in Vietnam in April 1966 when he found out he was selected as an astronaut. Evans had not only flown in combat, but also instructed others on how to do so. Commander Cernan, a formal Navy pilot, faced many a crisis in space. On his first flight, Gemini 9, he did a spacewalk that exhausted him because there weren't enough handholds to perform his work in microgravity. On his second flight, Apollo 10, the lunar module briefly spun unpredictably as it did a practice descent to the surface. He was a seasoned pilot and felt ready to command his crew on the most challenging Apollo mission yet. Assessing and accessing the landing site With the latter Apollo missions so focused on science — and with a geologist on board — much consideration went into choosing Taurus-Littrow as Apollo 17's destination. It was geologic variety that tilted the decision to that location. Points of interest to scientists included Shorty Crater — believed to hold evidence of past volcanic vent — and several large boulders spotted in photographs taken by the Apollo 15 crew. A minor technical error held up launch by almost three hours, but the crew lifted off as planned Dec. 7, 1972. Cernan and Schmitt landed on the surface on lunar module Challenger three days later without major incident, while Evans stayed in the command module, America. Cernan's and Schmitt's first major challenge was when Cernan accidentally broke a wheel fender on their lunar rover. This meant the astronauts were showered in abrasive moon dust as they drove around the surface. Cernan made a partial repair with some duct tape, joking he would like a "mending award." The next day, he and Schmitt taped some maps in place of the fender to better fix the problem. The astronauts also deployed several scientific experiments, most notably a traverse gravimeter. The astronauts carried this experiment on the rover and took it out at several sites to measure the relative gravity, which gave scientists an idea about the lunar substructure. In lunar orbit, Evans made observations of the surface and kept Mission Control entertained by joking about how much he stunk. A photomicrograph of sphere and fragments in "orange" soil from Apollo 17. Credit: NASA Orange soil and a memorable ending As Cernan and Schmitt worked near the rim of Shorty Crater on the second day, Schmitt exclaimed that he could see orange soil. In Cernan's autobiography, he said he feared Schmitt "has been up here too long and has overdosed on rocks." But when Cernan clambered over to take a look, he could see the soil was indeed that color. Lat |
What is the capital of Zambia? | What is the Capital of Zambia? - Capital-of.com Dates of religious and Civil holidays around the world. www.when-is.com Capital of Zambia The Capital City of Zambia (officially named Republic of Zambia) is the city of Lusaka. The population of Lusaka in the year 2005 was 11,668,000. Zambia, formerly known as Northern Rhodesia, is an English speaking country that does not border with any sea. Additional Information |
Which stretch of water joins the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmera? | Seas of Turkey - All About Turkey Home > Tourist Info > Seas of Turkey Seas of Turkey Black Sea Black Sea (Karadeniz in Turkish ) lies to the north of Turkey , bordering with two regions ; Marmara and Black Sea . Besides Turkey , other countries that circle the Black Sea are; Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia. It's connected to the Sea of Marmara with the Bosphorus Strait in the southwest. Some of the important ports on the Black Sea are; Istanbul , Trabzon , Samsun , Sinop , Burgas, Varna, Constanza, Yalta, Odessa, Sevastopol, Kerch, Novorossiysk, Sochi, Sukhumi, Poti, and Batumi. Black Sea is an inland sea covering an area of about 420 thousand square kilometers reaching at 2206 meters in its deepest point. Below 200 meters the oxygen level in the water is very low so marine life is very limited below this depth. Most known fish they catch in the Black Sea are; Black Sea turbot, gurnard, and small sharks. Its waters are warm in the summer, very cold in the winter. Its salinity is around 0,18% because of a constant inflow of fresh water from rivers surrounding it, the excess water flows on the surface through the Bosphorus meanwhile the warm and salty waters of the Mediterranean reach the Black Sea with deep water currents, maintaining the stratification and salinity levels. The most important rivers flowing into the Black Sea are Danube from north east, Kizilirmak, Sakarya and Yesilirmak from Anatolia in the south. Black Sea is one of the youngest seas on the Earth, its used to be a big fresh water lake some 8000 years ago. The name is probably derived from the color of its deep waters. Sea of Marmara Sea of Marmara (Marmara Denizi in Turkish ) is an inland sea within the Marmara region connecting to the Black Sea with the Bosphorus Strait in the northeast, and to the Aegean with the Dardanelles Strait in the southwest. It lies between Thrace and Anatolia parts of Turkey , covering an area of over 11thousand square kilometers. It is approximately 280 km long from northeast to southwest and about 80 km wide at its greatest width. Its maximum depth reaches 1355 meters near the center. There are many marble sources on its islands which gave its name to the Sea; marble is Marmaros in Greek and Mermer in Turkish . Some of the main islands in the Sea of Marmara are; Avsa, Marmara, Imrali, and Princes Islands near Istanbul (Buyukada, Heybeli, Burgaz, Kinali, and Sedef). The salinity level is little bit over that of the Black Sea , but much less than the oceans. However, sea-bottom waters are much more saline almost as of the Mediterranean , but like in the Black Sea these two layers do not get combined. Aegean Sea Aegean Sea (Ege Denizi in Turkish ) is a part of Mediterranean Sea lying between Turkey and Greece. There is Mediterranean Sea to the south, Greek Peninsula to the west, Anatolia and part of Thrace to the east. It's connected to the Sea of Marmara by Dardanelles Strait to the northeast. It covers an area of 214thousand square kilometers, stretching for about 660 kilometers from north to south, and reaching at a maximum depth of 3543 meters. Tides are very limited in the Aegean Sea. Aegean Sea gave its name to the Aegean region and shows a typical Mediterranean climate characteristics; summers are dry and winters are rainy but not much cold. The water temperature during summer months reaches 23-24 degrees Celsius, and usually northern part of the Sea is a little bit cooler than its southern part. In contrary, northern part is abundant about the fish than its southern part. There were many ancient civilizations who settled on its shores in the past, such as Minoans, Mycenaean, Trojans , Persians , Romans , Byzantines , Seljuks , Ottomans and so on. It's said that its name is coming either from Aegea, an Amazonian queen who died in the sea, or from Aegeus, the father of Theseus , who drowned himself in the sea. There are approximately 3000 big and small islands in the Aegean Sea, most of them belong to Greece today. Some of the most famous Greek islands in the Aegean are; Crete, Rhodes, Lesbos, Chios, San |
Who directed the 1982 film 'E.T.'? | E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial Official Trailer #1 - Steven Spielberg Movie (1982) HD - YouTube E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial Official Trailer #1 - Steven Spielberg Movie (1982) HD Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. The interactive transcript could not be loaded. Loading... Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Uploaded on Dec 12, 2011 Subscribe to TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/sxaw6h Subscribe to COMING SOON: http://bit.ly/H2vZUn Subscribe to CLASSIC TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/1u43jDe Like us on FACEBOOK: http://goo.gl/dHs73 Follow us on TWITTER: http://bit.ly/1ghOWmt E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial Official Trailer #1 - Steven Spielberg Movie (1982) HD A troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape Earth and return to his home-world. Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Dee Wallace Henry Thomas Peter Coyote Robert MacNaughton and Drew Barrymore A science fiction fairytale about an extra-terrestrial who is left behind on Earth and is found by a young boy who befriends him. This heart-warming fantasy from Director Steven Spielberg became one of the most commercially successful films of all time. Universal - 1982 |
Who directed the 1995 film 'Braveheart'? | Braveheart Movie Review & Film Summary (1995) | Roger Ebert Tweet Mel Gibson's "Braveheart" is a full-throated, red-blooded battle epic about William Wallace, the legendary Scots warrior who led his nation into battle against the English in the years around 1300. It's an ambitious film, big on simple emotions like love, patriotism and treachery, and avoids the travelogue style of so many historical swashbucklers: Its locations look green, wet, vast, muddy and rugged. Advertisement Not much is known about Wallace, known as Braveheart, except that according to an old epic poem, he unified the clans of Scotland and won famous battles against the English before being captured, tortured and executed as a traitor. Wallace's dying cry, as his body was stretched on the rack, was "freedom!" That isn't exactly based on fact (the concept of personal freedom was a concept not much celebrated in 1300), but it doesn't stop Gibson from making it his dying cry. It fits in with the whole glorious sweep of "Braveheart," which is an action epic with the spirit of the Hollywood swordplay classics and the grungy ferocity of "The Road Warrior." What people are going to remember from the film are the battle scenes, which are frequent, bloody and violent. Just from a technical point of view, "Braveheart" does a brilliant job of massing men and horses for large-scale warfare on film. Gibson deploys what look like thousands of men on horseback, as well as foot soldiers, archers and dirty tricks specialists, and yet his battle sequences don't turn into confusing crowd scenes: We understand the strategy, and we enjoy the tactics even while we're doubting some of them (did 14th century Scots really set battlefields aflame?). Gibson is not filming history here, but myth. William Wallace may have been a real person, but "Braveheart" owes more to Prince Valiant, Rob Roy and Mad Max. Once we understand that this is not a solemn historical reconstruction (and that happens pretty fast), we accept dialogue that might otherwise have an uncannily modern tone, as when Braveheart issues his victory ultimatum to the English: "Scotland's terms are that your commander present himself in front of our army, put his head between his legs and kiss his - - -." Uh, huh. Advertisement In the film, Wallace's chief antagonist is King Edward I ("Longshanks"), played by Patrick McGoohan with sly cunning; he is constantly giving his realpolitik interpretation of events, and that's all the more amusing since he's usually guessing wrong. Edward's son, the Prince of Wales (Peter Hanly), is an effete fop who marries a French woman only for political reasons. "I may have to conceive the child myself!" Longshanks says, and indeed, under the medieval concept of prima nocte, or "first night," nobles were allowed a first chance to sleep with the wives of their lessers. The Princess, played by the French actress Sophie Marceau , does not much admire her husband, who spends most of his time hanging about moon-eyed with his best friend (until the king, in a fit of impatience, hurls the friend out the castle window). Advertisement Edward, smarting from defeats, dispatches the Princess to offer his terms to Braveheart, but soon she's spilling all the state secrets, "because of the way you look at me." The Princess is the second love in Wallace's life; the first, his childhood sweetheart Murron ( Catherine McCormack ), marries him in secret (so the local English lord won't claim his rights). The two spend their wedding night outdoors, and the backlit shot as they embrace gains something, I think, from the frost on their breaths. These characters come from hardened stock. (When Wallace has a reunion with his childhood pal Hamish, they hurl rocks at each other for entertainment; later, when a Scotsman has his wound cauterized, all he says is, "That'll wake you up in the morning, boy!") It is sometimes seen as an egotistical gesture when actors direct themselves, especially in heroic epics costing (so they say) $53 million. The truth is, given this material, I do not know that anyone could ha |
Which singer first came to public notice when she won 'The X Factor' in 2006? | Leona Lewis Age - Leona Lewis Net Worth Leona Lewis Age Read more... Leona Lewis Leona Lewis Net Worth is $20 Million. Leona Lewis is a British singer and songwriter with an estimated net worth of $20 million dollars. She is the winner of the third season of X Factor and recently completed her first world tour called, "The Labyr. Leona Louise Lewis (born 3 A... Leona Lewis Net Worth is $20 Million. Leona Lewis Net Worth is $20 Million. Leona Lewis is a British singer and songwriter with an estimated net worth of $20 million dollars. She is the winner of the third season of X Factor and recently completed her first world tour called, "The Labyr Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer and songwriter. Lewis first came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor. A multi-platinum selling artist and three-time Grammy Award nominee, her most successful single, "Bleeding Love", reached number one in over thirty countries around the world, and was the best-selling single worldwide in 2008. She was proclaimed 'Top New Artist' by Billboard magazine in 2008. Lewis has released two albums to date, Spirit and Echo, in 2007 and 2009 respectively. Spirit became the fastest-selling debut album and the biggest seller of 2007 in both the UK and Ireland, and in 2008, Lewis became the first British solo artist to debut at number one on the US Billboard 200 with a debut album. The fourth best-selling artist worldwide in 2008, Spirit has sold over 6.5 million copies worldwide. In November 2008 Lewis set a record in the UK for the fastest selling download-only release with... |
Which city did Delhi replace as capital of India in 1912? | Delhi | Article about Delhi by The Free Dictionary Delhi | Article about Delhi by The Free Dictionary http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Delhi Also found in: Dictionary , Thesaurus , Idioms , Wikipedia . Delhi (dĕl`ē), union territory and city, N central India. The union territory, officially the National Capital Territory of Delhi (2001 provisional pop. 13,782,976), 573 sq mi (1,484 sq km), is on the Delhi plain, which is crossed by the Yamuna River and stretches between the Aravalli Hills on the south and the Shiwalik Range on the north, connecting the alluvial valleys of the Indus and Ganges river systems. A hot and arid region, with temperatures rising above 110°F; (43°C;) in the summer, it has extensive irrigation works to support agriculture. Hindi and Urdu are spoken by more than 90% of the population. New Delhi New Delhi , city (1991 pop. 294,149), capital of India and of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, N central India, on the right bank of the Yamuna River. Predominantly an administrative center, it was constructed between 1912 and 1929 to replace Calcutta (now Kolkata) as ..... Click the link for more information. , the capital of India, and Delhi (or Old Delhi; see below) are the chief urban centers. It is governed by a chief minister and cabinet responsible to an elected unicameral legislature and by a governor appointed by the president of India. History Throughout India's history the region of Delhi, commanding roads in all directions, was the key to empire. From the earliest times many cities rose and fell there, and within 50 sq mi (130 sq km) S of New Delhi are more important dynastic remains than exist in any other area of the country. The earliest city on the Delhi plain was the semilegendary Indraprastha, mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahabharata Mahabharata , classical Sanskrit epic of India, probably composed between 200 B.C. and A.D. 200. The Mahabharata, comprising more than 90,000 couplets, usually of 32 syllables, is the longest single poem in world literature. ..... Click the link for more information. . Another historic site is the Rajput citadel and town containing the Lal Kot [red fort], erected in 1052; it is sometimes confused with Shah Jahan's Red Fort in Old Delhi. In 1192 the legions of the Afghan warrior Muhammad of Ghor Muhammad of Ghor, d. 1206, Afghan conqueror of N India. A brother of the sultan of Ghor, he was made governor of Ghazni in 1173 and from there launched a series of invasions of India. By 1186 he had conquered the Muslim principalities in the Punjab. ..... Click the link for more information. captured the Rajput town, and the Delhi Sultanate Delhi Sultanate, refers to the various Muslim dynasties that ruled in India (1210–1526). It was founded after Muhammad of Ghor defeated Prithvi Raj and captured Delhi in 1192. ..... Click the link for more information. was established (1206). The invasion of Delhi by Timur Timur or Tamerlane , c.1336–1405, Mongol conqueror, b. Kesh, near Samarkand. He is also called Timur Leng [Timur the lame]. He was the son of a tribal leader, and he claimed (apparently for the first time in 1370) to be a descendant of Jenghiz Khan. ..... Click the link for more information. in 1398 put an end to the sultanate; the Lodis, last of the Delhi sultans, gave way to Babur Babur [Turk.,=lion], 1483–1530, founder of the Mughal empire of India. His full name was Zahir ud-Din Muhammad. A descendant of Timur (Tamerlane) and of Jenghiz Khan, he succeeded (1494) to the principality of Fergana in central Asia. ..... Click the link for more information. , who, after the battle of Panipat in 1526, founded the Mughal Mughal or Mogul , Muslim empire in India, 1526–1857. The dynasty was founded by Babur, a Turkic chieftain who had his base in Afghanistan. Babur's invasion of India culminated in the battle of Panipat (1526) and the occupation of Delhi and Agra. ..... Click the link for more information. empire. The early Mughal emperors favored Agra Agra , former province, N central India. The presidency, or province, of Agra was created in 1 |
Which singer first came to public notice when she won 'The X Factor' in 2008? | X Factor winners and losers: Where are they now? - ITV News 16 December 2013 at 1:05pm X Factor winners and losers: Where are they now? After Sam Bailey became the 10th winner of the X Factor, we look at how previous winners of the competition have fared in the industry. Despite claiming the coveted title of X Factor winner, not all of the ten named made it big, but some of those who missed out on the top spot have seen real success since their appearances on the reality show, so who were the real winners in the X Factor? Series 1 - 2004 Steve Brookstein was the first winner of the competition in 2004. Credit: PA Wire Steve Brookstein was the first winner of the competition in 2004 and his debut single went straight to number one in the charts. However Brookstein was dropped by his record label just eight months later and now performs aboard P&O cruise ships and in pubs. Series 2 - 2005 Leona Lewis. Credit: PA Wire Leona Lewis has sold over 20 million records worldwide and has been nominated for seven Brit Awards and three time Grammys. Her first two albums reached number one in the UK charts, with her third reaching number 3. She is still signed to Simon Cowell's Syco label and has just released her fourth album Christmas, With Love which is at number 13 in the UK charts. Series 4 - 2007 Leon Jackson. Credit: PA Wire Scottish-born Jackson beat Welsh singer Rhydian to the title in 2007 but was swiftly dropped by the record company after just one album. Series 5 - 2008 Alexandra Burke. Credit: PA Wire Alexandra Burke first auditioned for the second series of The X Factor in 2005 (which was eventually won by Shayne Ward). She made it through to the final seven in Louis Walsh's 16–24 category, but Louis did not choose her for his final four as he felt that she was too young for the competition. Over the following three years Alexandra worked on her singing before returning to the X Factor. Her version of Leonard Cohen's Halleujah was the Christmas number one of 2008. She is now working on her third album and is still signed to Syco. The real winners JLS After making it to the final in 2008 JLS lost out to Alexandra Burke, but were signed to Epic Records. As well as winning BRIT Awards for Best British Breakthrough and British Single in 2010 they have won a total of five MOBO Awards. In April it was announced that the band were to split after their fifth album and tour X Factor contestant Joe McElderry. Credit: PA Wire In a similar journey to Alexandra Burke before him Joe McElderry took two runs to make it on the X Factor. He made it to Boot Camp in 2007, but felt he was too young opted to walk away. He returned in 2009 and was mentored by Cheryl Cole and made it to the final beating Olly Murs to the title. His duet with Carrie Underwood was nominated for a Golden Globe after it featured on the film The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader. He parted ways with Syco in 2011. He continues to write and release music and toured the UK in the summer and is planning a 50 date UK tour in 2014. The real winners Olly Murs Olly made it to the final but lost the title to Joe McElderry in 2009, however he signed a joint deal with Syco and Epic Records. He has released three albums, the first reached number two, while his latest two both got the top spot. Olly Murs performing on stage during the 2013 Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball at the O2 Arena. Credit: Doug Peters/Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment Stacey Solomon Just behind Olly Murs in third place Stacey Solomon has also managed to carve out a showbiz career. Stacey was crowned queen of the jungle the year after her X Factor appearance and has been a presenter and talk show guest since her rise to fame. Stacey is currently appearing in panto in London and is due to release her debut album next year. Stacey Solomon. Matt Cardle won the series in 2010. Credit: PA Wire Matt Cardle beat off competition from Rebecca Ferguson and One Direction. While Cardle's career has stalled, One Direction have gone on to achieve global success with selling millions of records. The real |
Which playwright wrote the screenplay for the 1982 film 'The French Lieutenant's Woman'? | Movie Review - - THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT'S WOMAN - NYTimes.com THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT'S WOMAN By Vincent Canby Published: September 18, 1981 We are in Dorset, Thomas Hardy country. More specifically we are in the South English fishing village of Lyme Regis, on Lyme Bay, and, to be more specific still, we are on the quay, looking out over the ancient, handsome, serpentine seawall known as the Cobb. The weather is appropriately dour and the sea beyond the Cobb looks thick and heavy with time, its movements having less to do with weather than with the momentum it shares with the planets. In the foreground, a busy motion-picture crew is setting up a shot. They are interlopers, scavengers of natural scenery. There are cameras, cables, lights, reflectors, prop men, makeup for the assistants, the director and his star, an authoritative, preoccupied young woman wrapped in a large black cloak. "Action. Camera." The clapboard is clapped in front of the camera, and production commences on a film titled The French Lieutenant's Woman, a romantic melodrama set in Lyme Regis in 1867 and which we enter as the camera records this initial scene: Charles Smithson, one of London's most handsome and eligible bachelors, out walking on the Cobb with his fiancée, Ernestina Freeman, first sets eyes on the mysterious, cloaked woman whom the respectable citizens of Lyme Regis call "Tragedy," whom the less-respectable citizens call "the French lieutenant's woman" and whom other mencertainly not gentlemencall "a hoer," and whose name is actually Sarah Woodruff. In this fashion commences Karel Reisz's immaculately visualized adaptation of John Fowles's best-selling book The French Lieutenant's Woman, which has the form and style of a mid-Victorian novel if ever a mid-Victorian novel had been written by a novelist with the benefit of the hindsight available to an author writing in the 1960's. It was, of course, in the sixties that Mr. Fowles wrote his long, chatty talefull of asides and speculations on everything from Darwin and evolution to Freud, Marx, Jane Austen, Dickens, twentieth-century desperation, and the shape of the novelabout the low-born governess named Sarah Woodruff. The book is not only about Sarah, who, refusing to accept her station in life, allows herself to be compromised by a passing French naval officer, but it is also about Charles Smithson, who unknowingly becomes the unfortunate instrument of her emancipation. The French Lieutenant's Woman, which opens today at the Little Carnegie Theater, is an astonishingly beautiful film, acted to the elegant hilt by Meryl Streep as the ultimately unreliable Sarah; Jeremy Irons, who looks a lot like the young Laurence Olivier of Wuthering Heights, as Charles Smithson; and by a cast of splendid supporting actors of the sort that only England seems to possess. Why England? Possibly because of its theater, maybe even because of its climate. The subject is worthy of a Fowlesian discourse. The film's beauty is dazzling. It stands withor perhaps a little ahead ofStanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon and Roman Polanski's Tess, but it also must be conceded, quickly and without too stern a reproach, that there is less to The French Lieutenant's Woman than meets the dazzled eye. In adapting Mr. Fowles's novel, and in attempting to find some equivalent to Mr. Fowles's voice commenting on the events of the story from a twentieth-century perspective, Harold Pinter, who wrote the screenplay, has elected to add a parallel story, one about the love affair of the actress, Anna, and the actor, Mike, who are playing Sarah and Charles in the film-within-the-film. Thus we cut back and forth between the narrative of The French Lieutenant's Woman, as Mr. Fowles wrote it, and Mr. Pinter's addition, the fleetingly satisfying, less doomed than simply insubstantial liaison between Anna and Mike in the course of the production of their film. The device must have sounded better in story conferences than it plays in this film. This contemporary frame is peculiarly flat. It illuminates nothing more about the differences b |
What does the name of the art group 'Les Fauves' translate into English? | Fauvism - New Possibilities for Color in Art Fauvism Fauvism - New Possibilities for Color in Art PAUL GAUGUIN (1884-1903) 'Vision after the Sermon', 1888 (oil on canvas) Fauvism has its roots in the post-impressionist paintings of Paul Gauguin. It was his use of symbolic color that pushed art towards the style of Fauvism. Gauguin proposed that color had a symbolic vocabulary which could be used to visually translate a range of emotions. In 'Vision after the Sermon' where Gauguin depicts Jacob wrestling with an angel, he paints the background a flat red to emphasise the mood and subject of the sermon: Jacob's spiritual battle fought in a blood red field of combat. Gauguin believed that color had a mystical quality that could express our feelings about a subject rather than simply describe a scene. By breaking the established descriptive role that color had in painting, he inspired the younger artists of his day to experiment with new possibilities for color in art . 'Les Fauves' HENRI MATISSE (1869-1954) 'The Roofs of Collioure', 1905 (oil on canvas) At the start of the 20th century, two young artists, Henri Matisse and André Derain formed the basis of a group of painters who enjoyed painting pictures with outrageously bold colors. The group were nicknamed 'Les Fauves' which meant 'wild beasts' in French. Their title was coined by the art critic Louis Vauxcelles who was amused by the exaggerated color in their art. At the Salon d'Automne of 1905 he entered a gallery where Les Fauves were exhibiting their paintings. Surprised by the contrast of their work with a typical renaissance sculpture that stood in the centre of this room, he exclaimed with irony, "Donatello au mileau des fauves!" (Donatello surrounded by the wild beasts!). The name stuck. Henri Matisse and André Derain HENRI MATISSE (1869-1954) 'The Open Window, Collioure', 1905 (oil on canvas) In 1905, Matisse and Derain went to stay in the port of Collioure in the south of France and the Fauvist pictures that they painted there revolutionized attitudes towards color in art . The sheer joy of expression that they achieved through their liberated approach to color was a shot in the arm for the art of painting. In Matisse's painting, 'The Open Window, Collioure', color is used at its maximum intensity. The window frames, clay flower pots and masts on the yachts have all been painted in a blazing red. These are a bold complement to the range of greens that punctuate the painting. In order to arrange the various colors of the work into an effective composition he creates a counterchange between the greenish wall on the left and its reflected color in the right hand window, with the purple wall on the right and its reflected color in the left hand window. To unify the interior/exterior relationship of space, the dense spectrum of colors used inside the room is echoed more sparingly in the distant view through the window. At first glance, the apparent freedom of his style seems to deny any skill or technique, but when you begin to analyse his effective use of visual elements you start to realize that there is an instinctive sensibility at work. The key to his success in using such exaggerated colors was the realization that he had to simplify his drawing. He understood that if he intensified the quality of color for expressive effect, he must reduce the amount of detail used in drawing the shapes and forms of the image. By applying the same kind of simplification and spontaneity to his drawing and brushwork, Matisse was amplifying the sense of joy that he had achieved through color. He wrote, "We move towards serenity through the simplification of ideas and form.......Details lessen the purity of lines, they harm the emotional intensity, and we choose to reject them. It is a question of learning - and perhaps relearning the 'handwriting' of lines. The aim of painting is not to reflect history, because this can be found in books. We have a higher conception. Through it, the artist expresses his inner vision." 'Portra |
In which city are the headquarters of OPEC, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries? | Organization Of The Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) | JODI Contacts Organization Of The Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a permanent intergovernmental organisation of oil-exporting developing nations that coordinates and unifies the petroleum policies of its Member Countries. OPEC seeks to ensure the stabilisation of oil prices in international oil markets, with a view to eliminating harmful and unnecessary fluctuations, due regard being given at all times to the interests of oil-producing nations and to the necessity of securing a steady income for them. Equally important is OPEC’s role in overseeing an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations, and a fair return on capital to those investing in the petroleum industry. OPEC was formed on September 14, 1960, at a meeting in Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, attended by five countries that became the founding members. It was registered with the United Nations Secretariat on November 6, 1962, following UN Resolution No. 6363. Also in attendance at the Baghdad meeting were - Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. They signed the original agreement establishing OPEC. Currently, the organisation has twelve members, namely: Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Helferstorferstrasse 17, A-1010 Vienna, Austria |
Which Australian tennis player did Goran Ivanisevic defeat in the 2001 Wimbledon final? | BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2001 | Wimbledon 2001 | Ivanisevic snatches Wimbledon thriller Monday, 9 July, 2001, 14:30 GMT 15:30 UK Ivanisevic snatches Wimbledon thriller Ivanisevic broke down after securing victory Men's singles final, Wimbledon: Goran Ivanisevic (Cro) beat Pat Rafter (Aus) 6-3 3-6 6-3 2-6 9-7 Goran Ivanisevic took his first Wimbledon title at the fourth attempt with a titanic five-set win over Pat Rafter on Centre Court. After almost exactly three hours, Rafter netted a forehand return to end one of the great Grand Slam finals. In front of the most raucous crowd a Wimbledon final has ever seen, the players delivered a wonderful see-saw battle. Inspired winners mixed with nerve-shredded errors to a backdrop of football-style chants and cheers on every point. Someone has to lose and I'm the loser once again Pat Rafter In a stomach-churning final set the match went one way then the other, each player greeting a game won like the championship itself until the tumultuous finale. The Croatian missed three match points in the 16th game of the last set before digging deep to become the first wild-card in the history of the tournament to win the title. "I don't know if someone is going to wake me up and tell me I haven't won again," said an emotional Ivanisevic afterwards. "This was my dream all my life. I came here and nobody thought about me, but here I am holding the trophy." Rafter came so close to a first title Rafter was gracious in defeat despite his second Wimbledon final defeat in two years. "It was one of those matches which could have gone either way," he said. "Someone has to lose and I'm the loser once again." Ivanisevic had accelerated into the opening set, holding his serve with ease and then breaking a nervy Rafter at the first attempt. The cacophonous reception provided by the partisan Australian crowd seemed to unsettle him, the pressure plus his own adrenaline forcing him to overhit his groundstrokes. Ivanisevic, by contrast, looked focused and duly took the set with ease. Rafter needed an immediate response and he provided it by breaking the Croatian in the second game of the second set. Then it was his opponent's turn to tighten up. Ivanisevic's usually lethal serve began to splutter, his first-serve percentage slipping to 50% - and the match was level with exactly an hour gone. Ivanisevic called for the doctor, grimacing as his troublesome left shoulder stiffened up. It was a misleading omen. After five games had gone with serve in the third, Ivanisevic broke Rafter brilliantly with two wonderful returns. He held on for a two sets to one lead and looked set fair for the title that has eluded him three times in the 1990s - but comeback kid Rafter had other ideas. Ivanisevic lost his cool in the fourth set In the ninth game of the fourth, games going with serve, the Australian worked a break point. Ivanisevic fired in an ace, only to be called for a foot-fault. Glowering, he hit what he thought was another on his second serve, only to hear it called out. With that the volcano erupted. Dashing his racquet to the ground, he stormed to the net, gave it a kick and swore at the umpire. Rafter duly took the set to level the match and the balance of power seemed to have shifted. But Ivanisevic, who many thought would struggle to last three intense sets, let alone five, stayed strong. He had been called a one-shot wonder before this final, but it was the accuracy and pace of his returns and the crispness of his volleys at the net that won him big points as much as the firecracker serve. WATCH/LISTEN |
Which of the Romantic poets wrote the epic semi- autobiographical poem 'Childe Harold's Pilgrimage'? | Lord Byron: The Real <i>Childe Harold</i> NEXT In July 1809 Lord Byron set sail for a tour of the European continent, accompanied by an entourage of friends and advisers. He spent two years touring, carousing and hooking up with everyone in sight. Byron's arrogance could make him look a fool at times. When his ship arrived at Malta, he assumed that he'd be honored by a royal gun salute upon arrival because of his noble title. He waited on the boat while everyone else got off. When nightfall came and still no salute had happened, Byron glumly agreed to be rowed to shore. 9 Byron's first collection Fugitive Pieces had been republished as Hours of Idleness, and received negative reviews from critics who thought it childish and self-indulgent. Byron responded with a scathing (but hilarious) satire in 1809 entitled British Bards and Scotch Reviewers, which took aim at everyone from critics to the stuffy, self-important William Wordsworth, who Byron liked to refer to as "Turdsworth." He also worked on his first major poem, an epic he entitled Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. The semi-autobiographical poem focused on a nobleman disillusioned with sensory pleasures, who embarks on a search for entity. Byron identified with his protagonist. He ended his trip a depressed and disillusioned young man. "At twenty three the best of life is over and its bitters double," the baron wrote in his journal in May 1811, the month he sailed back to England. "I have seen mankind in various Countries and find them equally despicable." 10 He was also completely broke. Byron never kept up with his finances, assuming that his advisers would take care of it. His lavish spending never ceased, even as creditors knocked on his door (and in some cases, stationed themselves at his house). Just three months after his return, his mother Catherine fell ill and died before Byron could reach her. For all his grousing about her while she was alive, Byron was devastated by his mother's death. Servants at Newstead Abbey were chilled to hear the newly-orphaned baron crying, "Oh Mrs. By, I had but one friend in the world." 11 Soon after that a college friend drowned, and not long after that Byron received word that his former lover John Edleston had died of consumption while Byron was abroad. Byron was grief-stricken. |
In which city are the headquarters of the European Central Bank? | European Central Bank too big for new headquarters building | City A.M. Monday 11 November 2013 5:18am European Central Bank too big for new headquarters building Share Tim Wallace is a former City A.M. reporter. Follow Tim Tim Wallace THE EUROPEAN Central Bank (ECB) will not be able to fit all of its staff into its new headquarters, it said over the weekend. The institution is expanding as it is being given more powers to oversee the Eurozone’s banking system, requiring another 1,000 staff. It had not forseen the expansion when it commissioned the new building, which has been under construction since 2010. The building in Frankfurt is also running over budget – according to Der Spiegel it is likely to cost at least €1.15bn (£960m), more than double the £500m initially planned. “The ECB has decided to continue to rent one of its current buildings, the Eurotower, to house its supervisory staff,” the ECB said. “This decision means that the ECB will maintain its link with the Eurotower in Frankfurt, together with the large euro symbol in front of it, which has become something of a landmark not only for the ECB but also for the city of Frankfurt.” Share |
Which Russian composer wrote the opera 'Prince Igor'? | Prince Igor: Kolobov Novaya Opera Theatre of Moscow – review | Music | The Guardian Prince Igor: Kolobov Novaya Opera Theatre of Moscow – review 2 / 5 stars The distinctive qualities of the Russian instrumental tradition come across with impressive character in this Prince Igor, yet the archaic staginess of its costumes and sets lets it down 'A visual curiosity' … Kolobov Novaya Opera Theatre of Moscow perform Prince Igor. Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian Wednesday 2 April 2014 08.29 EDT First published on Wednesday 2 April 2014 08.29 EDT Share on Messenger Close On their first visit to the UK, the Kolobov Novaya Opera Theatre of Moscow bring with them a major 19th-century work that British companies seldom tackle. Despite its position close to the heart of the Russian repertory, Borodin 's Prince Igor is a problematic piece. Its composer was a professor of chemistry who wrote music in his spare time and left his only opera, on which he had been working for 18 years, unfinished when he died in 1887. His musical associate Rimsky-Korsakov and Rimsky's star pupil, Glazunov , set to work on the fragmentary manuscripts, filling in the blanks and coming up with a viable, if episodic, entity. Though there have been other attempts to edit the material, it is the Rimsky/Glazunov version that stage director Yuri Alexandrov adapted for his own production, his major intervention being to drop the entire third act – though he's not the first to do so. The staging apparently opened in Moscow a few years back, but it looks, frankly, much older. Russian opera values its traditions, whose musical and vocal elements provide this show with much of its quality, yet Alexandrov's staging, designed by Vyacheslav Okunev , remains a visual curiosity whose idiosyncrasies are sometimes unintentionally comic. There's an archaic staginess to the sets and costumes that is rarely pleasing and which reaches an apogee of kitsch in the exotic Polovtsian scene, where something mesmerically sensuous is needed but sadly does not materialise. Movement – especially choral movement – is by numbers, and seems painfully fake; faced with an aria or a duet, individual artists stand with their arms wide open and deliver. It's a shame, because Borodin's score is full of fine things and its musical re-creation under conductor Jan Latham-Koenig deserves a much stronger visual setting; the distinctive sonic qualities of the Russian instrumental tradition come over with impressive character. So, too, do many of the principal performances – at least from a vocal point of view – though, in this first cast, Vladimir Kudashev 's Khan Konchak sounded underwhelming and Elena Popovskaya 's undeniably powerful Yaroslavna had shrill moments offsetting her authoritative presence. More consistent were Aleksey Tatarintsev 's gleaming tenor as Vladimir, Sergey Artamonov 's fervent Igor, Agunda Kulaeva 's vampish Konchakovna and Evgeny Stavinsky 's brazen depravity as Igor's treacherous brother-in-law; in a more distinguished production, their potential – and that of the opera as a whole – could have been amply fulfilled. |
In which country did the 'Sepoy Mutiny' of 1857 take place? | Where did the Sepoy Rebellion take place? | Reference.com Where did the Sepoy Rebellion take place? A: Quick Answer The Sepoy Rebellion began in Meerut, India in May 1857 and continued until it was suppressed in April 1859. During this time, the rebellion spread to Delhi, the Ganges Valley, central India and parts of Bengal. Full Answer The Sepoy Rebellion was sparked by the British troops' introduction of the Enfield rifle. To load the rifle, soldiers had to bite the end of a greased cartridge. Because Hindus feared the grease came from sacred cows and Muslims feared it came from unclean pigs, the sepoys rebelled against the British. During the Sepoy Rebellion, the sepoys murdered hundreds of Europeans. This rebellion was seen by some as the start of India's fight for independence from colonial powers. |
The independentist forces led by Antonio Jose de Sucre, which country's independence was won at the 1824 'Battle of Ayacucho '? | Battle of Ayacucho | Military Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia The Battle of Ayacucho (Spanish language: Batalla de Ayacucho , IPA: [baˈtaʎa ðe aʝaˈkutʃo] ) was a decisive military encounter during the Peruvian War of Independence . It was the battle that secured the independence of Peru and ensured independence for the rest of South America. In Peru it is considered the end of the Spanish American wars of independence , although the campaign of Sucre continued through 1825 in Upper Perú and the siege of the fortresses Chiloé and Callao finally ended in 1826. As of late 1824, Royalists still had control of most of the south of Peru as well as of Real Felipe Fort in the port of Callao. On December 9, 1824, the Battle of Ayacucho (Battle of La Quinua) took place at Pampa de La Quinua, a few kilometers away from Ayacucho, near the town of Quinua between Royalist and Independentist forces. Independentist forces were led by Antonio José de Sucre , Simón Bolívar 's lieutenant. Viceroy José de la Serna was wounded, and after the battle second commander-in-chief José de Canterac signed the final capitulation of the Royalist army. The modern Peruvian Army celebrates the anniversary of this battle. Contents Edit In 1820 Spain began what would shortly become a political disaster. An expedition of 20,000 soldiers waiting to be sent to Río de la Plata to help the royalists of America revolted under the encouragement of General Rafael Riego . In the subsequent weeks the revolt spread and King Ferdinand VII was forced to restore the liberal Spanish Constitution of 1812 , which he had suppressed six years earlier. This event ended Spain's ability to send reinforcements to America, which in turn eventually forced the royalist armies of the viceroyalties of Peru and New Spain (today's Mexico), which had contained the Spanish American revolution so far, to deal with the patriot forces on their own. The royalists in each viceroyalty, however, took different paths. In New Spain, royalists, after defeating the insurgents, proclaimed a negotiated separation from Liberal Spain through the Plan of Iguala , which they negotiated with the remaining patriots, and the Treaty of Córdoba , which they negotiated with the new head of government, Juan O'Donojú . In Peru Viceroy Joaquín de la Pezuela was discredited after a royalist expedition to Chile under Mariano Osorio was defeated and advances in Peru were made by José de San Martín . The viceroy was overthrown on January 29, 1821, in Aznapuquio in a coup by General José de la Serna , who proclaimed his adhesion to the restored Spanish Constitution. The independentists started the new year with a promising victory. At Cerro de Pasco they defeated a Peruvian royalist army commanded by Viceroy La Serna. However, the royalists had received solid military training. Their first victory came against the independentist army commanded by Domingo Tristán and Agustín Gamarra in campaigns in the Ica Region . A year later, San Martin had withdrawn from the scene after the Interview of Guayaquil and royalist forces had smashed Rudecindo Alvarado 's Liberating Expedition in campaigns in Torata and Moquegua . The year 1823 ended with the La Serna destroying another patriot army commanded by Andrés de Santa Cruz and Agustín Gamarra in yet another open campaign in Puno , which started with the Battle of Zepita and the resulted in the occupation of La Paz on August 8. After scattering Santa Cruz's isolated troops. La Serna recaptured Arequipa after beating Antonio José de Sucre 's Gran Colombian force on October 10. Sucre decided to evacuate the Gran Colombian troops, setting sail on October 10, 1823, saving himself and his troops, although losing the best of his cavalry. Viceroy La Serna ended the campaign after reaching Oruro in Upper Peru . On the political front, the last remnants of optimism among patriots faded away with accusations of treason against Peruvian presidents José de la Riva Agüero and José Bernardo de Tagle . Riva Agüero deported deputies of the Peruvian Congress and organized another congress in Tr |
Anatolijs Gorbunovs became the first President of which former Soviet state in 1990? | The "Former" Soviet Bloc The "Former" Soviet Bloc Email Communism, we were told, collapsed throughout Eastern Europe and the old Soviet Union beginning in 1989. "Democracy," we were told, was in the wind and "reform" was everywhere. Consider the former Soviet republic of Turkmenistan, where there have been two presidential elections, a parliamentary election, a national referendum, and where a former American secretary of state now advises President Saparmurad Niyazov, who led his country to independence in 1991. Encouraging indeed — until we learn the rest of the story. Writing in the Wall Street Journal for April 11, 1995, staff reporter Claudia Rosett noted that President Niyazov has done away with the cult of Lenin. That is the good news. The bad is that he has replaced it with the cult of himself. Throughout the country statues of Niyazov "bedeck the streets, districts and collective farms now named after him. Mr. Niyazov's profile, in bronze, adorns the central bank. His face appears on Turkmen bank notes, on billboards and in the design of hand-knotted rugs." Further, Niyazov "has built an $82 million marble-floored airport, named for himself," which has "no toilet paper in the ... restrooms, no food in the restaurant and not much traffic on the airfield." President Niyazov orchestrated the creation of the Red-dominated Democrat Party of Turkmenistan, the country's only legally registered party. To enhance his credentials as a "reformer," he has reportedly urged Communist Party veterans to re-create the Turkmenistan Communist Party and a kindred Peasants' Party. That way, he can boast of having a "multi-party" system and impress the West. Regarding those presidential and parliamentary elections, Rosett recalls that in "October, 1990, he [Niyazov] ran unopposed to become Turkmenistan's first president, winning 98.3% of the vote. In 1992, running again as the sole candidate, he won with a landslide 99.5%. In 1994, apparently tired of campaigning, Mr. Niyazov held a referendum that extended his term until 2002. He got 99.9% of the vote. In elections last December for a new 50-seat Parliament, 50 candidates approved by Mr. Niyazov all ran unopposed, and all won." Isn't democracy wonderful? Rosett further reveals that Niyazov has retained the consulting services of former U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig Jr. (a longtime member of the ubiquitous Council on Foreign Relations), who for the past two years has come to Ashgabat (the capital) for Niyazov's birthday (which is also national flag day). Haig has been helping Niyazov plan a pipeline that, Rosett states, "would run across Iran to Turkey and eventually on to Western Europe." The U.S. government has objected to the scheme, because it "might leave Europe depending on a pipeline that could be controlled by Iran." Rosett writes that Niyazov "decides how land will be used and who may study abroad. He personally controls the dollar reserves of Turkmenistan's central bank. Recently, strapped to pay bills for some of his large, unprofitable construction projects, he confiscated 75% of the 1994 profits of Turkmenistan's commercial banks." It is all for the long-range good, however. "In his speeches," according to Rosett, "Mr. Niyazov has explained that his iron grip is part of his 'gradual' plan 'to build a democratic state.'" So it goes in the former republics of what Ronald Reagan termed the "Evil Empire." Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this "collapse" of communism is the extent to which so many Americans have been persuaded to believe that leopards who long served the old Soviet and Iron Curtain regimes, and who continue to exercise decisive power within their respective nations today, have not only changed their spots, but have transformed into benign housecats. Let us look at additional examples that confirm the old adage that the more things change, the more they remain the same. ALBANIA In June of last year, Gannett News Service reported, "Five years after the Iron Curtain fell, ex-Communists are making a comeback in Central and Eastern European states an |
The day in 1896 that he was executed is now a national holiday. Jose Rizal was a nationalist and polymath and a national hero of which country? | 30th December 1896 – the Execution of Jose Rizal | Dorian Cope presents On This Deity by Dorian José Rizal One hundred and eighteen years ago today, José Rizal – the “George Washington of the Philippines” – was executed by the Spanish Army following a false conviction for rebellion, sedition and conspiracy. Rizal had devoted all of his brief adult life to liberating his countrymen from the 300-year yoke of Spanish colonial tyranny. So his imperial overlords were happy for any excuse to get rid of such a firebrand, even though Rizal had not participated in the nascent armed uprising; believing in non-violent resistance, he had even criticised the rebels. For Rizal was a man of words – but his were so incendiary that he gave birth to the Philippine Revolution with even more force than a gun or a sword. The most celebrated and radical Ilustrado (the “enlightened” Filipino class), Rizal was a genius and recognised Renaissance man: doctor, poet, writer, sculptor, painter, musician, architect, historian, teacher and proficiency in twenty-two languages were some but by no means all of this polymath’s talents and skills. His political ideas were forged by his extensive European education in Madrid, Paris and Heidelberg. It was during this time that Rizal published several essays and editorials opposing Spanish colonial tyranny and clergy despotism. But it was his two daring novels – Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo – which gave rise to a national Filipino consciousness. “I have endeavoured to answer the calumnies which for centuries had been heaped on us and our country,” explained Rizal of his literary intentions. “I have described the social condition, the life, our beliefs, our hopes, our desires, our grievances, our griefs; I have unmasked hypocrisy which, under the guise of religion, came to impoverish and to brutalize us.” Banned by the Spanish, copies of these two novels – published in 1886 and 1891 – were smuggled into the Philippines and read stealthily by the Ilustrados. The impact was, well, revolutionary. Like Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin – which Abraham Lincoln cited as one of the triggers of the American Civil War – Rizal’s novels would spark the flames of the Philippine Revolution. Furious Spanish officials deported Rizal to the easternmost island of the Philippines for four years, but when an uprising broke out in Manila, they nevertheless accused Rizal of initiating it. Whilst en route to Cuba, he was returned to Manila and arrested for revolutionary agitation and convicted of treason. The Spanish were so fearful of a public mutiny that they executed Rizal an hour earlier than scheduled – but 30th December 1896 was to be a pivotal turning point that activated a full-scale revolution, and the anniversary of Rizal’s death is today commemorated in the Philippines as a national holiday. Before the late 19th century, “Philippines” was only a geographical term for a vast archipelago of some 7,000 islands. The Philippine Revolution was borne of a consciousness by the inhabitants of these islands that they could be one nation bound by a common culture, history and destiny. Rizal’s execution served to broaden this consciousness. The Philippines was the first country in Asia to stage a national revolution and declare its independence on 12th June 1898. By virtue of his daring vision and the forcefulness of his language and imagination, Rizal not only pioneered the Philippine national consciousness – but his martyrdom would also send a trenchant message to the colonial powers throughout the vast region of Asia. This entry was posted in Heroes . Bookmark the permalink . |
Following this year's reshuffle, who is the current Minister of State for International Development? | BBC News - Cabinet: David Cameron's new line-up Cabinet: David Cameron's new line-up Here is a guide to the cabinet following the reshuffle which began on 14 July, 2014: David Cameron Prime Minister Prime Minister David Cameron Conservative David Cameron was virtually unknown outside Westminster when he was elected Tory leader in December 2005 at the age of 39. The Old Etonian had dazzled that year's party conference with his youthful dynamism and charisma, reportedly telling journalists he was the "heir to Blair". He has sought to match the former PM by putting the Conservatives at the centre ground of British politics. After the 2010 election he led his party into coalition with the Lib Dems, making tackling the UK economy's deficit its priority. He has faced criticism from some on the right of the party but Mr Cameron has insisted the coalition will see through its full five-year term. Before becoming leader, he was the Conservatives' campaign co-ordinator at the 2005 general election and shadow education secretary. He was special adviser to Home Secretary Michael Howard and Chancellor Norman Lamont in the 1990s before spending seven years as a public relations executive with commercial broadcaster Carlton. Nick Clegg Deputy Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg In just five years, Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg, a contemporary of Mr Cameron, went from political obscurity to the absolute front line of British politics. After becoming MP for Sheffield Hallam at the 2005 election, he was promoted to Europe spokesman, before moving on to the home affairs role. When Sir Menzies Campbell resigned as leader in 2007, he entered the race to succeed him, in the end narrowly beating Chris Huhne. He really came to prominence during the televised debates ahead of the general election, being judged in polls to have been the big winner of the first one. However, this appeared to do little to help the Lib Dems when they actually lost seats on 6 May. The party, though, retained enough MPs to become the vital players in the hung parliament. After taking his party into coalition with the Conservatives - and U-turning on a previous pledge to reject university tuition fees - Mr Clegg saw his personal poll ratings slump, but he has pointed to areas where Lib Dem policies have come into force on taxation and consitutional issues. Like David Cameron, he has insisted the coalition is working in the national interest and will continue for the full parliament. George Osborne Chancellor Chancellor George Osborne One of David Cameron's closest friends and Conservative allies, George Osborne rose rapidly after becoming MP for Tatton in 2001. Michael Howard promoted him from shadow chief secretary to the Treasury to shadow chancellor in May 2005, at the age of 34. Mr Osborne took a key role in the election campaign and even before Mr Cameron became leader the two were being likened to Labour's Blair/Brown duo. The two have emulated them by becoming prime minister and chancellor, but have avoided the spats. Some prominent Conservatives have urged Mr Osborne to do more to promote economic growth. Before entering Parliament, he was a special adviser in the agriculture department when the Tories were in government and later served as political secretary to William Hague. Home Secretary Theresa May Theresa May is the second woman to hold the post of Home Secretary. She was the first woman to become Conservative Party chairman, under the leadership of Iain Duncan Smith. She then took up the culture and family portfolios before being made shadow Commons leader by David Cameron. She has been a keen advocate of positive action to recruit more women Tories to winnable seats and was a key architect of the "A list" of preferred candidates. A passionate moderniser, she famously ruffled feathers when she told Tory activists they were seen as members of the "nasty party". In her role as home secretary, she has overseen widespread changes to the immigration system. Mrs May was the shadow work and pensions minister ahead of the election. Philip Hammond Fore |
Following this year's reshuffle, who is the current Minister of State for Children and Families? | BBC News - Cabinet: David Cameron's new line-up Cabinet: David Cameron's new line-up Here is a guide to the cabinet following the reshuffle which began on 14 July, 2014: David Cameron Prime Minister Prime Minister David Cameron Conservative David Cameron was virtually unknown outside Westminster when he was elected Tory leader in December 2005 at the age of 39. The Old Etonian had dazzled that year's party conference with his youthful dynamism and charisma, reportedly telling journalists he was the "heir to Blair". He has sought to match the former PM by putting the Conservatives at the centre ground of British politics. After the 2010 election he led his party into coalition with the Lib Dems, making tackling the UK economy's deficit its priority. He has faced criticism from some on the right of the party but Mr Cameron has insisted the coalition will see through its full five-year term. Before becoming leader, he was the Conservatives' campaign co-ordinator at the 2005 general election and shadow education secretary. He was special adviser to Home Secretary Michael Howard and Chancellor Norman Lamont in the 1990s before spending seven years as a public relations executive with commercial broadcaster Carlton. Nick Clegg Deputy Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg In just five years, Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg, a contemporary of Mr Cameron, went from political obscurity to the absolute front line of British politics. After becoming MP for Sheffield Hallam at the 2005 election, he was promoted to Europe spokesman, before moving on to the home affairs role. When Sir Menzies Campbell resigned as leader in 2007, he entered the race to succeed him, in the end narrowly beating Chris Huhne. He really came to prominence during the televised debates ahead of the general election, being judged in polls to have been the big winner of the first one. However, this appeared to do little to help the Lib Dems when they actually lost seats on 6 May. The party, though, retained enough MPs to become the vital players in the hung parliament. After taking his party into coalition with the Conservatives - and U-turning on a previous pledge to reject university tuition fees - Mr Clegg saw his personal poll ratings slump, but he has pointed to areas where Lib Dem policies have come into force on taxation and consitutional issues. Like David Cameron, he has insisted the coalition is working in the national interest and will continue for the full parliament. George Osborne Chancellor Chancellor George Osborne One of David Cameron's closest friends and Conservative allies, George Osborne rose rapidly after becoming MP for Tatton in 2001. Michael Howard promoted him from shadow chief secretary to the Treasury to shadow chancellor in May 2005, at the age of 34. Mr Osborne took a key role in the election campaign and even before Mr Cameron became leader the two were being likened to Labour's Blair/Brown duo. The two have emulated them by becoming prime minister and chancellor, but have avoided the spats. Some prominent Conservatives have urged Mr Osborne to do more to promote economic growth. Before entering Parliament, he was a special adviser in the agriculture department when the Tories were in government and later served as political secretary to William Hague. Home Secretary Theresa May Theresa May is the second woman to hold the post of Home Secretary. She was the first woman to become Conservative Party chairman, under the leadership of Iain Duncan Smith. She then took up the culture and family portfolios before being made shadow Commons leader by David Cameron. She has been a keen advocate of positive action to recruit more women Tories to winnable seats and was a key architect of the "A list" of preferred candidates. A passionate moderniser, she famously ruffled feathers when she told Tory activists they were seen as members of the "nasty party". In her role as home secretary, she has overseen widespread changes to the immigration system. Mrs May was the shadow work and pensions minister ahead of the election. Philip Hammond Fore |
Leonid Kravchuk became the first President of which former Soviet state in 1991? | Leonid Kravchuk | president of Ukraine | Britannica.com president of Ukraine Alternative Title: Leonid Makarovych Kravchuk Leonid Kravchuk Lev Kamenev Leonid Kravchuk, in full Leonid Makarovych Kravchuk (born January 10, 1934, Żytyń Wielki, Poland [now Velykyi Zhytyn, Ukraine]), president of Ukraine from 1991 to 1994. For 30 years a Communist Party functionary, he converted to nationalist politics after the collapse of the Soviet regime. He was the first democratically elected president of Ukraine. In 1958 Kravchuk graduated from the Kiev T.H. Shevchenko State University and joined the Communist Party. He taught political economics in Chernivtsi and began a political career, rising in the 1980s to top posts in the propaganda and ideology departments for Ukraine. He became chairman of the Ukrainian Supreme Soviet in July 1990, and as such he soon became the effective leader of the republic. As the central government in Moscow grew weaker, Kravchuk began to warm to the Ukrainian independence movement. After the failure of the coup attempt by Soviet Communist hardliners in August 1991, he expressed unqualified support for independence. He was elected president in December 1991 but lost reelection to Leonid Kuchma in July 1994. Learn More in these related articles: 2 References found in Britannica Articles Assorted References history of Ukraine (in Ukraine: Parliamentary democracy ) External Links Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email. Try again later. Edit Mode Submit Tips For Editing We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind. Encyclopædia Britannica articles are written in a neutral objective tone for a general audience. You may find it helpful to search within the site to see how similar or related subjects are covered. Any text you add should be original, not copied from other sources. At the bottom of the article, feel free to list any sources that support your changes, so that we can fully understand their context. (Internet URLs are the best.) Your contribution may be further edited by our staff, and its publication is subject to our final approval. Unfortunately, our editorial approach may not be able to accommodate all contributions. Submit Thank You for Your Contribution! Our editors will review what you've submitted, and if it meets our criteria, we'll add it to the article. Please note that our editors may make some formatting changes or correct spelling or grammatical errors, and may also contact you if any clarifications are needed. Uh Oh There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later. Close Date Published: December 30, 2014 URL: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leonid-Kravchuk Access Date: January 20, 2017 Share |
What name is given to a plant that has a stem that grows horizontally below the surface of the soil? | AZ Master Gardener Manual: Plant Parts and Functions STEMS Stems are structures which support buds and leaves and serve as conduits for carrying water, minerals, and sugars. The three major internal parts of a stem are the xylem, phloem, and cambium. The xylem and phloem are the major components of a plants vascular system. The vascular system transports food, water, and minerals and offers support for the plant. Xylem vessels conduct water and minerals, while phloem tubes conduct food. The vascular systems of monocots and dicots differ. While both contain xylem and phloem, they are arranged differently. In the stem of a monocot, the xylem and phloem are paired into bundles; these bundles are dispersed throughout the stem. But in the stem of a dicot, the vascular system forms rings inside the stem. The ring of phloem is near the bark or external cover of the stem and is a component of the bark in mature stems. The xylem forms the inner ring; it is the sapwood and heartwood in woody plants. The difference in the vascular system of the two groups is of practical interest to the horticulturist because certain herbicides are specific to either monocots or dicots. An example is 2, 4, -D, which only kills dicots. The cambium is a meristem, which is a site of cell division and active growth. It is located between the xylem and phloem inside the bark of a stem and is the tissue responsible for a stems increase in girth, as it produces both the xylem and phloem tissues. Stems may be long, with great distances between leaves and buds (branches of trees, runners on strawberries), or compressed, with short distances between buds or leaves (fruit spurs, crowns of strawberry plants, dandelions). Stems can be above the ground like most stems with which we are familiar, or below the ground (potatoes, tulip bulbs). All stems must have buds or leaves present to be classified as stem tissue. An area of the stem where leaves are located is called a node. Nodes are areas of great cellular activity and growth, where auxiliary buds develop into leaves or flowers. The area between nodes is called the internode. Parts of a Stem The length of an internode may depend on many factors. Decreasing fertility will decrease internode length. Internode length varies with the season. Too little light will result in a long internode causing a spindly stem. This situation is known as stretch or etiolation. Growth produced early in the season has the greatest internode length. Internode length decreases as the growing season nears its end. Vigorously growing plants tend to have greater internode lengths than less vigorous plants. Internode length will vary with competition from surrounding stems or developing fruit. If the energy for a stem has to be divided between three or four stems, or if the energy is diverted into fruit growth, internode length will be shortened. Modified Stems Although typical stems are above-ground trunks and branches, there are modified stems which can be found above ground and below ground. The above-ground modified stems are crowns, stolons, and spurs, and the below-ground stems are bulbs, corms, rhizomes, and tubers. A crown is a region of compressed stem tissue from which new shoots are produced, generally found near the surface of the soil. Crowns (strawberries, dandelions, African violets) are compressed stems having leaves and flowers on |
The 'Cerne Abbas Giant' is a 180 foot high carved hill figure located in which county? | The Cerne Abbas Giant | Mysterious Britain & Ireland The Old Woman of the Tarn Today the hamlet of Talkin in north Cumbria sits astride the quiet road which connects the villages of Hallbankgate and Castle Carrock. Although secluded and well away from busy highways, it is now home to a variety of people from many walks of life. Read More » You are hereThe Cerne Abbas Giant The Cerne Abbas Giant The Cerne Abbas Giant or the 'Rude Man' is one of the largest hillfigures in Britain, he (the figure's gender is beyond doubt) is one of two representations of the human form, the other being the Long Man of Wilmington in East Sussex. The giant, carved in solid lines from the chalk bedrock measures in at 180 feet high, and carries a huge knobbled club, which measures 120 feet in length. Cerne Abbas Illustration: by Daniel ParkinsonThe first written record of the giant appears in 1751 in a letter by Dorset historian John Hutchins, he suggested that the figure was cut in the mid 1600's. Another slightly later reference to the figure can be found in the Gentleman's magazine of 1764, where the figure is described and depicted with a navel, that has long since disappeared. The lack of earlier references is frustrating but does not mean that the figure dates to the 17th century, and its style and proximity to an Iron Age earthwork suggests a much earlier origin. There are numerous theories as to when and why the giant was created, one of the more popular is that he is the Greek-Roman god Hercules, who is often represented with a club and an animal fur. It has been suggested that the figure was once depicted carrying and animal fur in his left hand. It is possible that worship of Hercules arrived in the early part of the Roman invasion, which was then became amalgamated with a god of a local Celtic tribe. The theory given the most weight by historians is that it was created during the reign of the Emperor Commodus between 180 - 193 AD, he believed himself to be a reincarnation of Hercules and allowed the cult to revive. Other stories suggest that the monks at the nearby monastery cut the giant as a joke on an Abbott called Thomas Corton, who was expelled from the area for malpractice. This is unlikely but its close proximity to a ecclesiastical house is strange, how could such an obviously pagan symbol have survived for so long? especially through puritanical times and the reformation. It may be that the religious buildings were built close to the giant as a form of amalgamation of the pagan site. This was common practice, and many churches are built on, or near to, sites that were once Pagan religious centres. Cerne Abbas GiantFolklore According to one tradition, recorded from a farm labourer in the Gentleman's Magazine, the figure is the representation of a Danish giant who had led an invasion of England from the coast. He had fallen asleep on the side of the hill, and the local villagers had taken advantage of his slumber and cut off his head. They had then drawn around his prone body in the manner of a gigantic police chalk line, to show where he met his doom. However, the chalk figure sometimes rose from the dead on dark nights, to quench his thirst in the local stream, a habit also common to certain standing stones. The giant's obvious sexuality and virility was put to use in fertility folk magic. Local women who wanted to conceive would spend a night alone on the hillside - most productively within the confines of his giant phallus, and young couples would make love on the giant to ensure conception. Sleeping on the giant was also thought to be a good way to ensure a future wedding for unmarried women. Just above the giant's head is a small Iron Age earthwork which encloses a roughly square piece of land, this is known as the 'Frying Pan' or the 'Trendle' and it was within this enclosure that the Mayday Maypole was erected during the festival celebrations. Like many traditional village Maypole ceremonies this practice died out in the 19th century. Directions: |
In which US city do the Basketball team known as the 'Nuggets' play their home games? | Denver Nuggets | The Official Site of the Denver Nuggets Danilo Gallinari runs the sweet give-and-go Jusuf Nurkic for the tough and-one bucket at the end of the first quarter. Jan 17, 2017 | 00:24 Return to the Court: Josh Adams Special After playing for the Denver Nuggets during the NBA's 2016 Summer League and then shortly after signing with Avtodor Saratov of the Russian VTB United League, Adams was in a traumatic car accident; ending his basketball career as he knew it. After 5 months of rehabilitation, Adams has defied the odds and feels stronger than ever on the court. He rejoined the Avtodor Saratov on January 14, 2017 ready to begin a new chapter. Jan 17, 2017 | 05:30 |
Kimberley and Vancouver are cities in which Canadian province? | List of Canada-Japan Sister and Friendship Cities List of Canada-Japan Sister and Friendship Cities As of August 2016 Canadian municipal / Province / Japanese municipal / Prefecture / Twinning date AB: Alberta, BC: British Columbia, MB: Manitoba, ON: Ontario, QC: Québec, PE: Prince Edward Island, YT: Yukon New Westminster / BC / Moriguchi / Osaka / April 10, 1963 Vancouver / BC / Yokohama / Kanagawa / July 1, 1965 Burnaby / BC / Kushiro Hokkaido / September 9, 1965 Hamilton (Dundas) / ON / Kaga / Ishikawa / March 21, 1968 Prince Rupert / BC / Owase / Mie / September 26, 1968 Lindsay / ON / Nayoro / Hokkaido / August 1, 1969 North Vancouver / BC / Chiba / Chiba / January 1, 1970 Winnipeg / MB / Setagaya / Tokyo / October 5, 1970 Jasper / AB / Hakone / Kanagawa / July 4, 1972 Richmond / BC / Wakayama / Wakayama / March 31, 1973 Banff / AB / Unzen / Nagasaki / May 19, 1976 Hamilton / ON / Fukuyama / Hiroshima / October 4, 1976 Penticton / BC / Ikeda / Hokkaido / May 19, 1977 Sparwood / BC / Kamisunagawa / Hokkaido / September 23, 1980 Kelowna / BC / Kasugai / Aichi / February 5, 1981 Taber / AB / Higashiomi / Shiga / March 27, 1981 Mississauga / ON / Kariya / Aichi / July 7, 1981 Quesnel / BC / Shiraoi / Hokkaido / July 13, 1981 Timmins / ON / Naoshima / Kagawa / August 28, 1981 Collingwood / ON / Katano / Osaka / November 3, 1981 Halifax / NS / Hakodate / Hokkaido / November 25, 1982 Campbell River / BC / Ishikari / Hokkaido / October 24, 1983 Oakville / ON / Neyagawa / Osaka / April 6, 1984 Rocky Mountain House / AB / Kamikawa / Hokkaido / June 21, 1984 Whitehorse / YT / Ushiku / Ibaraki / April 19, 1985 Victoria / BC / Morioka / Iwate / May 23, 1985 Stony Plain / AB / Shikaoi / Hokkaido / August 26, 1985 Camrose / AB / Kamifurano / Hokkaido / September 5, 1985 Port Alberni / BC / Abashiri / Hokkaido / February 9, 1986 Lacombe / AB / Rikubetsu / Hokkaido / July 5, 1986 Vernon / BC / Tome / Miyagi / August 22, 1986 Nelson / BC / Izu / Shizuoka / May 1, 1987 Windsor / ON / Fujisawa / Kanagawa / December 2, 1987 Slave Lake / AB / Kamishihoro / Hokkaido / February 1988 Oliver / BC / Bandai / Fukushima / April 23, 1988 Surrey / BC / Koto / Tokyo / April 20, 1989 Burlington / ON / Itabashi / Tokyo / May 12, 1989 Castlegar / BC / Enbetsu / Hokkaido / June 21, 1989 Canmore / AB / Higashikawa / Hokkaido / July 12, 1989 Lake Cowichan / BC / Date / Hokkaido / October 8, 1989 Salmon Arm / BC / Inashiki / Ibaraki / April 11, 1990 Stettler / AB / Okoppe / Hokkaido / June 26, 1990 Kamloops / BC / Uji / Kyoto / July 1, 1990 Wetaskiwin / AB / Ashoro / Hokkaido / September 15, 1990 Toronto (Scarborough) / ON / Sagamihara / Kanagawa / May 31,1991 Barrhead / AB / Kitami / Hokkaido / July 4, 1991 Hanna / AB / Wake / Okayama / March 21, 1993 Charlottetown / PE / Ashibetsu / Hokkaido / July 1, 1993 Vaughan / ON / Sanjo / Niigata / October 18, 1993 Ashcroft / BC / Bifuka / Hokkaido / July 23, 1994 Port Hardy / BC / Numata / Hokkaido / September 3, 1994 Hope / BC / Izu / Shizuoka / August 1, 1995 Summerland / BC / Toyokoro / Hokkaido / June 11, 1996 Nanaimo / BC / Saitama / Saitama / September 25, 1996 Mission / BC / Oyama / Shizuoka / October 7, 1996 Minnedosa / MB / Ishii / Tokushima / October 22, 1996 St-Valentin / QC / Mimasaka / Okayama / October 24, 1997 Montreal / QC / Hiroshima / Hiroshima / May 20, 1998 Whitecourt / AB / Kamiyubetsu / Hokkaido / July 17, 1998 Hinton / AB / Wanouchi / Gifu / August 21, 1998 Abbotsford / BC / Fukagawa / Hokkaido / September 14, 1998 Whistler / BC / Karuizawa / Nagano / March 3, 1999 Colwood / BC / Shika / Ishikawa / May 11,1999 Crowsnest Pass / AB / Anpachi / Gifu / April 25, 2000 Perth / ON / Asago / Hyogo / July 5, 2000 Kenora / ON / Shimokawa / Hokkaido / February 16, 2001 Devon / AB / Motosu / Gifu / April 4, 2003 Lethbridge / AB / Haebaru / Okinawa / June 30, 2003 Squamish / BC / Shimizu / Shizuoka / November 3, 2003 Kimberley / BC / Annaka / Gunma / December 16, 2005 Thunder Bay / ON / Gifu / Gifu / May 28, 2007 Sidney / BC / Niimi / Okayama / June 30, 2008 Didsbury / AB / Miki / Kagawa / April 28, 2 |
Which French tennis player did Pete Sampras defeat in the 1997 Wimbledon final? | Tennis in 1997 | Britannica.com Tennis in 1997 Originally published in the Britannica Book of the Year. Presented as archival content. Britannica Stories Ringling Bros. Folds Its Tent Becoming only the second man in the modern era of "open tennis" to finish five consecutive years as the world’s top-ranked player, Pete Sampras garnered two more Grand Slam titles in a stellar 1997 campaign. Sampras dominated the men’s Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), winning his second consecutive and fourth career ATP Tour world championship. He also finished the year as the ATP’s top money winner, with $6,498,311, more than twice that of the runner-up, Yevgeny Kafelnikov. Switzerland’s Martina Hingis (see BIOGRAPHIES) established herself as the best in the women’s game, sweeping three of the four major championships before turning 17 and ending the season as the top women’s money winner, with $3,400,196. Capturing men’s Grand Slam crowns for the first time were Australia’s Patrick Rafter and Brazil’s Gustavo Kuerten. Meanwhile, Iva Majoli of Croatia won her first major title. Three of Germany’s great players came to different crossroads, as did the enigmatic American Andre Agassi. Steffi Graf--world champion for 8 of the previous 10 years--had knee surgery in June and was forced off the courts for the rest of 1997. Michael Stich, 1991 Wimbledon champion, retired at age 28, and Boris Becker moved into semiretirement as he approached the age of 30. Agassi married actress Brooke Shields in April and wandered indifferently through most of the year, sinking to number 122 on the end-of-season computer ranking list. Australian Open When Hingis moved relentlessly through the field at Melbourne to stake her claim as the youngest Grand Slam singles titlist of the century, she did not concede a set in the entire event and obliterated Mary Pierce 6-2, 6-2 in the final. Graf was ousted 6-2, 7-5 in the fourth round by the surging South African Amanda Coetzer, who concluded the season as the number four player in the world. Connect with Britannica Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest Sampras started his season in high style, recording a second championship run in Melbourne. The resolute American handled the oppressive weather conditions admirably, surviving two five-set contests and then halting Spain’s surprising Carlos Moya 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 in a meticulous final-round display. Moya toppled defending champion Becker in a five-set opening-round skirmish and upended second-seeded Michael Chang 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 in the semifinal round. Austria’s indefatigable Thomas Muster achieved a major breakthrough on the hard courts, reaching the semifinals with unexpected wins over two-time former titlist Jim Courier and the explosive Goran Ivanisevic. Muster then lost in straight sets to Sampras. French Open Ranked 66th in the world coming into the world’s preeminent clay court event, Kuerten proceeded to defeat three former champions on his way to a startling success at Roland Garros. The 20-year-old knocked out 1995 winner Muster in a five-set third-round showdown, came through again in five arduous sets against defending champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov, and then was thoroughly uninhibited in a straight-set conquest of 1993-94 victor Sergi Bruguera. Kuerten was the first man from Brazil to win the French tournament. The top-seeded Sampras, slowed by a stomach virus, lost in the third round to Sweden’s Magnus Norman. Hingis had been away from tennis for seven weeks prior to the French Open, but even so she seemed certain to finish on top. After having won six consecutive tournaments and 37 matches in a row during the year, she was soundly taken apart 6-4, 6-2 by an authoritative Majoli. Searching for a third-straight title and a sixth overall, Graf contested her last match of the year and injured herself seriously with 64 unforced errors in a 6-1, 6-4 quarterfinal loss to Coetzer. The South African was narrowly eliminated by Majoli in a hard-fought three-set semifinal confrontation. Hingis defeated 1990-92 champion Monica Seles in another suspenseful three |
The 'Uffington White Horse' is a 370 foot-long prehistoric hill figure located in which county? | Vision in Consciousness - Europe Ancient Sites Stonehenge Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about 2.0 miles (3.2 km) west of Amesbury and 8 miles (13 km) north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of earthworks surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones. It is at the centre of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds.[ - Archaeologists have believed that the iconic stone monument was erected around 2500 BC, as described in the chronology below. Radiocarbon dating in 2008, however, has suggested that the first stones were not erected until 2400�2200 BC, whilst another theory suggests that bluestones may have been erected at the site as early as 3000 BC The surrounding circular earth bank and ditch, which constitute the earliest phase of the monument, have been dated to about 3100 BC. Avebury Stone Circle Complex - Southwest England An aerial view of the Avebury stone circle complex, in southwest England. With over 150 stones and and outer circle over a mile in circumference, Avebury is the largest known neolithic religious complex in the world. It includes a Circular Mound nearby. Avebury is an ancient religious center located in southwest England, just 24 miles north of its more famous cousin, Stonehenge. Avebury, however, is actually much larger than Stonehenge and, it is believed, played a more important role in England's prehistory. Avebury was built around 2400 b.c., during the Neolithic Period, and was in regular use for over 2,300 years. The primary stone circle is the largest in the world, being over 1,400 feet in diameter, surrounded by a deep trench over a mile in circumference. The trench was carved out of solid rock with only primitive tools, and was believed to have once been filled with water, making the inner stone circle sit on what appeared to be an island. Unfortunately, most of the stones have been removed and reused to build the village of Avebury, part of which actually resides within the circle The largest man-made mound in Europe lies in Wilshire, England near the Avebury stone circle. Dating from 2660 B.C. Silbury Hill is an unusually stable chalk/earth construction approximately 130 feet in height. Excavation has proven the hill is not funerary in nature, and supportable theory suggests the hill and surrounding plain are an earthen representation of the Great Goddess. Silvery Hill Round Mound - Silbury Stone Ring of Avebury, England Ninety miles west of London and twenty miles north of Stonehenge stands Avebury, the largest known stone ring in the world. Older than the more famous Stonehenge, and for many visitors far more spectacular, the multiple rings of Avebury are cloaked with mysteries which archaeologists have only begun to unravel. Similar to Stonehenge and many other megalithic monuments in the British Isles, Avebury is a composite construction that was added to and altered during several periods. As the site currently exists, the great circle consists of a grass-covered, chalk-stone bank that is 1,396 feet in diameter (427 meters) and 20 feet high (6 meters) with a deep inner ditch having four entrances at the cardinal compass points. Just inside the ditch, which was clearly not used for defensive purposes, lies a grand circle of massive and irregular sarsen stones enclosing approximately 28 acres of land. This circle, originally composed of at least 98 stones but now having only 27, itself encloses two smaller stone circles. The two inner circles were probably constructed first, around 2600 BC, while the large outer ring and earthwork dates from 2500 BC. The northern circle is 320 feet in diameter and originally had twenty-seven stones of which only four remain standin |
Calgary and Medicine Hat are cities in which Canadian province? | Explore Alberta Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 20 mm 60 mm 100mm Alberta's annual rainfall and snow accumulation contribute to the prosperity of its agriculture sector and to its many leisure opportunities on ice, snow and water for residents and visitors alike. Watch the animation to see how average precipitation levels change throughout the year, or click the pause button and drag the slider to see the average monthly precipitation at different times or the year. Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec -25 °C 0°C +25 °C Alberta daytime temperatures range from highs of more than 30 C during summer to -20 C and below in the winter. Watch the animation to see how average temperatures change throughout the year, or click the pause button and drag the slider to see more about average daily temperatures in different parts of the province at different times of the year. Date Sunset 0 Alberta enjoys the most hours of sunlight per year of any province in Canada, but the amount of sunlight per day changes with the seasons. Watch the animation to see how the number of hours of sunlight each day changes throughout the year, or click the pause button and drag the slider to see the amount of daylight on any day of the year. If you're watching the animation and you see the hands on the clock suddenly jump, that's because Alberta uses Daylight Saving Time – we move our clocks one hour ahead in the spring and one hour back in the autumn to maximize the amount of daylight during a normal day. |
Which dramatist wrote the trilogy of plays known collectively as 'The Norman Conquests'? | Triple threat: the trouble with theatrical trilogies | Stage | The Guardian Mark Lawson's Theatre studies Triple threat: the trouble with theatrical trilogies Dramatic triptychs – from Aeschylus’s Oresteia to Rona Munro’s James plays – are expensive to stage and bum-numbing to watch. Do they deliver three times the pleasure? Rare form … Sofie Gråbøl and Jamie Sives in The True Mirror, the third part of Rona Munro’s James trilogy. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/Guardian Share on Messenger Close Like a maternity ward deluged with multiple births, contemporary British writing is full of triplets. In literature, Hilary Mantel and Will Self are working on the final parts of trilogies featuring, respectively, the historical Thomas Cromwell and the fictional Dr Zack Busner. And, in theatre, Rona Munro’s sequence of linked plays about Scottish Kings – James I, James II and James III – have just transferred from the National Theatre of Scotland to the National Theatre of Great Britain in London. While novelistic trios are relatively common, the form is much rarer in theatre. The reasons are largely logistical: literary trilogies can be published and read over a period of years, but multi-part plays make most sense when performed in repertory, hugely multiplying budgets and rehearsal time, and requiring theatre-goers to commit three evenings or (on special three-in-one days) an entire Saturday. In their shape, Munro’s The James Plays continue a dramatic tradition stretching back two and a half millennia to Aeschylus , although The Oresteia is the only surviving example of what are thought to have been many works by the Greek playwright in which a character or historical event was dramatised in three separate chapters. In modern times, a key example is Arnold Wesker’s turn-of-the-60s trilogy comprising Roots, Chicken Soup With Barley and I’m Talking About Jerusalem, his escalating examinations of the nature of Judaism finding a sort of Irish equivalent around three decades later in Billy Roche’s haunting The Wexford Trilogy , which presents a triple perspective on a rural community. A small-town American family in the Vietnam era is also progressively explored in The Talley Trilogy by the American writer Lanford Wilson . Wilson, Roche and Wesker all built up their trilogies progressively, with gaps around the earlier parts, as did David Hare, whose examinations of a trinity of British institutions – the church in Racing Demon (1990), the law in Murmuring Judges (1991) and politics in The Absence of War (1993) – were presented as a formal sequence only with the opening of the final play . Contrastingly, as with the Munros, the three parts of Alan Ayckbourn’s The Norman Conquests (1973) were premiered together, as, on a single Saturday in 2002, were Voyage, Shipwreck and Salvage, the constituent parts of Tom Stoppard’s The Coast of Utopia , his biographical triptych about 19th-century Russian revolutionaries and writers. The most notable super-size play of late 20th-century American theatre was an epic two-parter – Tony Kushner’s Angels in America – but the rule of three applied to Neil Simon’s autobiographical string of alphabetically branded plays: Brighton Beach Memoirs (1983), Biloxi Blues (1985) and Broadway Bound (1986). Return readers will know that I maintain a rather lonely campaign for the greatness of a Scottish threesome: the pieces variously known as The Slab Boys or Paisley Patterns trilogies, written in the late 70s, drawing on his experiences while working in a carpet factory, by the writer-artist John Byrne. And space should be found for the only sequential piece of theatre inspired by a cheeky pun: while the Hare trilogy was running at the National, the great theatrical joker Ken Campbell, who had rather fewer than three hairs on his head, declared that his new show for the NT would be called The Bald Trilogy. Pinterest Voyage, the first part of Tom Stoppard’s Coast of Utopia trilogy Photograph: Tristram Kenton/Guardian The purest theatrical three-parters are probably The Norman Conquests and The Oresteia because each in |
The adjective 'Hirundine' refers to which bird? | Hirundine | Define Hirundine at Dictionary.com hirundine [hi-ruhn-din, -dahyn] /hɪˈrʌn dɪn, -daɪn/ Spell of, relating to, or resembling the swallow. Origin of hirundine Late Latin 1825-1835 1825-35; < Late Latin hirundineus of a swallow, equivalent to hirundin- (stem of hirundō) swallow + -eus adj. suffix; see -eous Dictionary.com Unabridged Examples from the Web for hirundine Expand British Dictionary definitions for hirundine Expand of or resembling a swallow 2. belonging to the bird family Hirundinidae, which includes swallows and martins Word Origin C19: from Late Latin hirundineus, from Latin hirundō a swallow Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 |
During the eighth century, of which kingdom was Offa the king? | Offa, Anglo-Saxon King of Mercia « The Freelance History Writer April 18, 2014 By Susan Abernethy in Anglo-Saxon History , Medieval History Tags: Aethelbald of Mercia , Anglo-Saxon , Battle of Bensington , Battle of Otford , Charlemagne , Cynethryth , Cynewulf , Eadburh , East Anglia , Ecgfrith , Eowa , Essex , Hwicce , Kent , King Aethelbert , King Egbert , King of England , King Offa , Mercia , Offa’s Dyke , Penda , Sussex , Thingfrith , Wales 15 Comments Offa, King of Mercia silver penny The eighth century Anglo-Saxon king Offa of Mercia must have been an impressive and powerful king to his contemporaries. Offa could make the claim of being the first “king of the English”. While he consolidated quite a bit of the kingdom, he did have some trouble holding on to all the parts of it. But his true ambition was power and power alone, not necessarily the unification of England. Offa was named for an earlier Offa, king of Angeln, one of the fabled ancestors of the Mercian royal dynasty. He was the son of Thingfrith and claimed to be a descendant of Eowa, a mid-seventh century Mercian king and brother of the celebrated King Penda of Mercia. Offa was a cousin of King Aethelbald of Mercia who reigned from 716 to 757. During Aethelbald’s reign, Mercia was restored as the dominant Anglo-Saxon kingdom in England as it had been under King Penda after a period of unrest. For unknown reasons, Aethelbald was murdered, possibly by his own bodyguard and he was succeeded by Beornred. After a period of civil unrest, Offa dethroned Beornred. While the records of Offa’s early reign are spare to non-existent, we can gather information from other sources and better records from later in his reign. After winning the throne, Offa began his road to supremacy with sword, political astuteness and bloodshed. While earlier kings were content to rule without venturing into internal affairs of subsidiary kingdoms, Offa’s method was to demote or even remove local kings and absorb them into his Mercian empire. The first kingdom to feel his wrath was Sussex. Offa conquered the people in the Hastings area in 771 and the local rulers were reduced to dukes or ealdorman, becoming appointees who ruled in Offa’s name. Next Offa relegated the local rulers of the kingdom of Hwicce to kinglets or sub-kinglets. By 780, there was no evidence of a local dynasty in the area and it was ruled directly by Offa. In 762, Offa took advantage of unrest in Kent after the death of King Aethelbert II and by 764, Offa appears to have set up his own man there. But Kent was not going down easily. We don’t know the exact circumstances leading up to the battle but in 776 the Mercians met the men of Kent at Otford, near Sevenoaks. The Anglo-Saxon chronicle doesn’t tell us exactly who won the showdown. Despite his superior forces, the most likely outcome was a Mercian defeat as Kent retained its independence for a number of years. Offa kept up the pressure and the last known charter issued by a local Kentish ruler was in 784. Offa may never have established complete hegemony over Kent but perhaps Mercia retained some nominal control there until it was conquered by Egbert of Wessex in the ninth century. Map of British Kingdoms, c. 800 AD In the mid-750’s London and the Thames came under the control of Mercia. Offa was on good terms with the kings of Essex and he may have relied on them to administer the major port of London. This was important for his reign because Offa took an interest in foreign trade and a connection was formed with the overseas trade route out of London along the Thames and also with Canterbury. This made it easier for him to establish relations with the Frankish court of King Charlemagne. Offa was now forced to fight against King Cynewulf of Wessex. Cynewulf was defeated at the battle of Bensington in 779 and he recognized Offa as sovereign. But he never submitted to Mercian overlordship. Offa managed to regain a lot of lost and disputed territory in the upper Thames valley but it wasn’t until the death of Cynewulf and the accession of B |
Salix babylonica is the Latin name for which British tree? | Salix babylonica - Plant Finder Plant Finder Tried and Trouble-free Recommended by 4 Professionals Common Name: weeping willow Height: 30.00 to 50.00 feet Spread: 30.00 to 50.00 feet Bloom Time: April to May Bloom Description: Silver green Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium to wet Garden locations Culture Grow in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Thrives in moist soils. Avoid dry soils. Prefers full sun. Prune as needed in late winter to early spring. This species may not be reliably winter hardy in the St. Louis area, and is best grown in the southern parts of the U.S. Noteworthy Characteristics Salix babylonica, commonly called weeping willow or Babylon weeping willow, is a medium to large deciduous tree with a stout trunk topped by a graceful broad-rounded crown of branches that sweep downward to the ground. It grows to 30-50’ (sometimes to 60’) tall and as wide. It is native to China. Many consider this tree to have the best form of the weeping willows available in commerce. Bark is gray-black. Branchlets are typically green or brown. This weeping willow can be a spectacular specimen at the edge of a pond with its branches gracefully weeping down to touch the water, however, it is often very difficult to site this tree in a residential landscape. It is dioecious, with male and female flowers appearing in silvery green catkins (to 1” long) on separate male and female trees. Flowering catkins appear in April-May, but are not showy. Narrow, lanceolate, finely-toothed leaves (to 6” long and 3/4” wide) with long acuminate apices are light green above and gray-green beneath. Variable fall color is usually an undistinguished greenish-yellow. Some experts believe that the true species no longer exists in the wild in China and that plants being sold today under the name S. babylonica are primarily hybrids or mistakenly identified similar species. Salix is an ancient Latin name for willows. The specific epithet was given to this tree by Carl Linnaeus who mistakenly believed it to be the biblical willow of Babylon instead of a tree from China that was likely transported westward beginning in biblical times along the Silk Road trade route from China through central Asia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, eventually finding its way into Europe by the early 1700s. The trees growing in Babylon along the Euphrates River in biblical times were probably poplars (Populus euphratica) which are not willows but are in the willow family. Problems Susceptible to numerous disease problems including blights, powdery mildew, leaf spots and cankers. It also is visited by many insect pests including aphids, scale, borers, lacebugs and caterpillars. Wood is weak and tends to crack. Branches may be damaged by ice and snow. Litter from leaves, twigs and branches may be a problem. Shallow roots may clog sewers or drains and make gardening underneath the trees difficult. Garden Uses Weeping form of this tree is quite beautiful when the tree is planted in appropriate settings. Weeping willow may be grown most effectively in moist soils along streams, ponds or other water bodies. It is generally not recommended for use as a specimen in residential landscapes because of its susceptibility to breakage, potential insect/disease problems, invasive roots which seek out cracks in sewer and water pipes, litter potential, and overall mature size (this can develop into a very large tree). |
From which country does 'Kronenbourg' lager originate? | Brasseries Kronenbourg - Kronenbourg 1664 Brasseries Kronenbourg - Kronenbourg 1664 Click on image to zoom More Views Read More Kronenbourg’s flagship brew presents well in the glass: brilliant clarity with an attractive brassy-copper-golden color and a generous cap of white foam. This beer serves as a showcase for the Strisselspalt hop, a local Alsatian varietal that’s been used in Kronenbourg’s beers since 1885, and is coveted by brewers around the world for its classic, well-balanced aromatic character. In fact, it delivers a little bit of everything on the nose, offering up a very European grassy-spicy-herbal-lemony profile, but bolstered by a softly floral, almost fruity, undertone and a hint of anise. As you drink it, expect a crispness upfront, with the malt building nicely across the palate to deliver a subtle, honey-like sweetness and a smooth roundness that is often absent from lagers like this. Look also for some subtle fruity notes reminiscent of apple, pear, and stone fruit. The hops, which were so dominant on the nose, aren’t shy in the flavor, either, delivering a fairly bold grassy spice counterpoint to the malt. Along with a hint of spicy alcohol, the hops keep this beer dry overall from the start to the finish, which lingers for a while. For a pairing, try grilled chicken or fish with lemon, spicy Asian fare like Pad Thai, or even Anisette cookies (an Italian cookie featuring anise and lemon). Cheers! Tasting Notes Kronenbourg’s flagship brew presents well in the glass: brilliant clarity with an attractive brassy-copper-golden color and a generous cap of white foam. This beer serves as a showcase for the Strisselspalt hop, a local Alsatian varietal that’s been used in Kronenbourg’s beers since 1885, and is coveted by brewers around the world for its classic, well-balanced aromatic character. In fact, it delivers a little bit of everything on the nose, offering up a very European grassy-spicy-herbal-lemony profile, but bolstered by a softly floral, almost fruity, undertone and a hint of anise. As you drink it, expect a crispness upfront, with the malt building nicely across the palate to deliver a subtle, honey-like sweetness and a smooth roundness that is often absent from lagers like this. Look also for some subtle fruity notes reminiscent of apple, pear, and stone fruit. The hops, which were so dominant on the nose, aren’t shy in the flavor, either, delivering a fairly bold grassy spice counterpoint to the malt. Along with a hint of spicy alcohol, the hops keep this beer dry overall from the start to the finish, which lingers for a while. For a pairing, try grilled chicken or fish with lemon, spicy Asian fare like Pad Thai, or even Anisette cookies (an Italian cookie featuring anise and lemon). Cheers! Brasseries Kronenbourg (Strasbourg, Alsace, France) Read More Although France may not be the first country to come to mind when thinking of a beer drinking culture, it does, in fact, have a rich brewing tradition, particularly in the northwest near Belgium and Germany – countries world-famous for their ancient brewing traditions. It’s not surprising, then, that the largest brewer in France should hail from Strasbourg, in Alsace on the Rhine River and as close to Germany as one can get without getting your feet wet. Brasseries Kronenbourg was founded in 1664 by Jérôme Hatt. The son of a dyer, he had graduated brewing school in 1649 and joined the coopers guild – a handy trade for a brewer. Originally named “Brasserie du Canon,” the brewery was located in the heart of Strasbourg, where it remained in the Hatt family for generations. Fast forward to 1850: a serious of floods from an overflowing Ill River (a Rhine tributary that flows through the city of Strasbourg) convinced 6th-generation brewer Frédéric Guillaume Hatt to move the brewery to the hills just above the city, to an area known as Cronenbourg. There, he dug extensive caves for the purpose of brewing bottom-fermenting lagers and maturing them in the cool underground conditions. In 1922, the brewery acquired another Alsatian brewer, Brasserie Tig |
Who is the patron saint of travellers? | St Christopher The Patron Saint of Travelers - All Patron Saints St Christopher The Patron Saint of Travelers St. Christopher, the protector of travelers, a life of service. The St. Christopher medal is inscribed: "Saint Christopher Our Protector." The patron saint of travelers who gave his life to the service of Christ and others. Often, people recall Christopher's story as an uncomplicated one who assisted travelers seeking to cross a dangerous river. His service to travelers earned him the honor of being the patron saint and protector of travelers. It is the story of a man who was, himself, a traveler, and of his journey to Christ where he found his true destination in the service of the Lord. The story of St. Christopher and the St. Christopher Medal is a captivating part of Christian gospel. He was a Canaanite 7.5 feet tall with a fearsome face. He is believed to be a large man of immense strength who lived in the third century during the reign of Decius. According to legend, Christopher's given name was Reprobus and that he once served the king of Canaan, who he believed to be “the greatest king there was”. One day he saw that the king feared the devil. Upon learning this, he decided to depart from the king’s service and seek out the devil. He came across one of whom declared himself as the devil and Reprobus decided to serve him. However, when he saw his new master avoid a wayside cross, he learned that the devil feared Christ. He left the devil’s service and set out on a journey to find Christ. He encountered a hermit who instructed him on the Christian faith. The hermit told Reprobus that in order to serve Jesus, he recommends fasting and prayer. This option did not suit him very well. As an alternative, the hermit suggested that he might use his strength to help travelers cross a dangerous river. This was a service that suited him perfectly. One day a child arrived to be carried across the river. Reprobus took the child upon his shoulders, but as he crossed the river, the child grew heavier until Reprobus feared he would fall and that they would both drown. When he asked the child why he was so heavy, the child revealed that he was Jesus Christ and answered that he was heavy with the weight of the world's sins. Not one to give up, he forged ahead with considerable difficulty and crossed the river with the Christ child on his shoulders. When they reached the opposite bank, Christ asked Reprobus to press his staff into the ground. When he did, the staff turned into a beautiful flowering tree, and he was rewarded. Christ then baptized Reprobus in the river and gave him his Christian name which - Christopher - means "Christ-bearer." The St. Christopher medal depicts a bearded, middle-aged man. Upon his shoulders sit a child representing Christ, and in his hand is a staff. The inscription "Svts. Christophorvs Protector Noster," which means "Saint Christopher Our Protector" circles the medallion. Christopher spent the remainder of his life in the service of Christ and worked tirelessly to spread Christ's teachings. He died a martyr in Lycia, in 251 A.D. During the 1960s, the Catholic Church reviewed and revised the Calendar of Saints, and eliminated the feast days of several saints including the celebration of St. Christopher which was on July 25th. Although Christopher does remain a saint, his day of celebration, July 25, is no longer listed on the Catholic calendar. Despite this confusion, devotion to St. Christopher continues. Travelers wear St. Christopher medals around their necks, place St. Christopher medallions on their dashboards, carry St. Christopher medal key chains in their pockets, or clip them to sun visors to keep him close and to protect them. The medal is worn to protect travelers and is also said to offer protection against lightening, pestilence, flood and epilepsy. St. Christopher also has a following with soldiers. In cases where a soldier is unable to wear or keep a medal on his person, he might carry a St. Christopher prayer card in his pocket. |
Which common British tree has the Latin name Fraxinus excelsior? | Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) - British trees - Woodland Trust Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) Register Sign in The pinnate leaves can move in the direction of sunlight (Photo: P Sterry/WTML) The flowers on the ash tree grow in spiked clusters at the tips of the twigs (Photo: P Sterry/WTML) The winged fruits are distributed in winter and early spring. (Photo: P Sterry/WTML) Any fruits that fall from the tree are dispersed by birds and mammals (Photo: P Sterry/WTML) After pollination the female flowers develop into conspicuous winged fruits (Photo: P Sterry/WTML) Buds on as Ash tree are distinctively black and velvety (Photo: P Sterry/WTML) The bark ranges in colour from pale brown to grey, and fissures develop with age (Photo: P Sterry/WTML) Ash trees can grow to a height of 35m. They often grow together, forming a light domed canopy (Photo: P Sterry/WTML) Common ash is found across Europe, from the Arctic Circle to Turkey. It is the third most common tree in Britain. It is currently being affected by Chalara dieback of ash, a disease caused by the Hymenoscyphus fraxineus fungus (previously Chalara fraxinea). Common name: ash, common ash, European ash Scientific name: Fraxinus excelsior Family: Oleaceae UK provenance: native Interesting fact: ash trees can live to a grand old age of 400 years - even longer if coppiced. What does ash look like? Overview: when fully grown, ash trees can reach a height of 35m. Tall and graceful, they often grow together, forming a domed canopy. The bark is pale brown to grey, which fissures as the tree ages. Easily identified in winter by smooth twigs that have distinctively black, velvety leaf buds arranged opposite each other. Leaves: pinnately compound, typically comprising 3-6 opposite pairs of light green, oval leaflets with long tips, up to 40cm long. There is an additional singular 'terminal' leaflet at the end. The leaves can move in the direction of sunlight, and sometimes the whole crown of the tree may lean in the direction of the sun. Another characteristic of ash leaves is that they fall when they are still green. Flowers: ash is dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers typically grow on different trees, although a single tree can also have male and female flowers on different branches. Both male and female flowers are purple and appear before the leaves in spring, growing in spiked clusters at the tips of twigs. Fruits: once the female flowers have been pollinated by wind, they develop into conspicuous winged fruits, or 'keys', in late summer and autumn. They fall from the tree in winter and early spring, and are dispersed by birds and mammals. Look out for: the black buds and clusters of seeds are key features. Could be confused with: rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and elder (Sambucus nigra). Elder has fewer leaflets and those of the rowan are serrated. Identified in winter by: ash has distinctive black buds and flattened twigs. Where to find ash Ash thrives best in fertile, deep and well drained soil in cool atmospheres. It is native to Europe, Asia Minor and Africa. It often dominates British woodland. Value to wildlife Ash trees make the perfect habitat for a number of different species of wildlife. The airy canopy and early leaf fall allow sunlight to reach the woodland floor, providing optimum conditions for wildflowers such as dog violet, wild garlic and dogs mercury, and consequently insects such as the rare and threatened high brown fritillary butterfly. Bullfinches eat the winged seeds and woodpeckers, owls, redstarts and nuthatches use the trees for nesting. Because trees are so long lived, they support deadwood specialists such as the lesser stag beetle. Often ash is accompanied by a hazel understory, providing the perfect conditions for dormice. Ash bark is often covered with lichens and mosses. The leaves are an important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of moth, including the coronet, brick, centre-barred sallow and privet hawk-moth. Mythology and symbolism The ash tree was thought to have medicinal and mystical properties and the wood was burned to ward |
Which Californian blues-influenced boogie rock band of the 1960's took their name from the title of a Tommy Johnson blues hit of 1928 that told the story of an alcoholic who had desperately turned to drinking cooking fuel? | Influential Rock Musicians - '68 to '74 Influential Rock Musicians (Click on individual Musician's Biography section to visit Musician's Home Page) 1968-1974 The Paul Butterfield Blues Band - Pink Floyd - Roxy Music - Sly & the Family Stone - Steppenwolf - Rod Stewart - Traffic - The Velvet Underground - Yes Throughout the history of music individual performers have had a major impact on the music scene. These influential/notable musicians have left their mark by expanding the envelope of their respective genres, either through technical proficiency, experimentation/exploration, or persona. The following list of notable/influential Rock Musicians is by no means complete. The musicians listed are those that readily came to mind, and any additions to the list can be sent using the link at the bottom of the page. The individual home pages for the musicians listed can be reached by clicking on their name in the bio section Aerosmith - is an American hard rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, glam, and rhythm and blues, which has inspired many subsequent rock artists. The band was formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1970. Guitarist Joe Perry and bassist Tom Hamilton, originally in a band together called the Jam Band, met up with singer Steven Tyler, drummer Joey Kramer, and guitarist Ray Tabano, and formed Aerosmith. By 1971, Tabano was replaced by Brad Whitford, and the band began developing a following in Boston. Aerosmith is the bestselling American hard rock band of all time, having sold 150 million albums worldwide, including 66.5 million albums in the United States alone. They also hold the record for the most gold and multi-platinum albums by an American group. The band has scored 21 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, nine #1 Mainstream Rock hits, four Grammy Awards, and ten MTV Video Music Awards. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and in 2005 they were ranked #57 in Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. ' Artist Discography ' The Allman Brothers Band - is a Southern rock band based in Macon, Georgia. The band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1969 by brothers Duane Allman (slide guitar and lead guitar) and Gregg Allman (vocals, organ). While the band has been called the "principal architects of Southern rock", they also incorporate elements of blues-rock and hard rock, and their live shows have jam band-style improvisation and instrumental songs. In 1971, George Kimball of the Rolling Stone Magazine hailed them as "the best damn rock and roll band" of "the past five years." The band has been awarded eleven Gold and five Platinum albums between 1971 and 2005. Rolling Stone ranked them 52nd on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2004. The band continues to record and tour to the present day. The actual Allman brothers, Duane and Gregg, had originally been in a garage band called the Escorts, then the Allman Joys and finally the Hour Glass. The Hour Glass had released two failed albums from Liberty Records. The Allman Brothers received the honor of being the last act to play the Fillmore East before it closed in June 1971. The final shows there achieved legendary status, partly due to bands' literally playing all night; in 2005 Gregg Allman would relate how the jamming musicians lost track of time, not realizing it was dawn until the side doors of the Fillmore were opened and the morning light poured in. Duane Allman died not long after the Fillmore East album was certified gold, killed in a motorcycle accident on October 29, 1971 in Macon, Georgia (at the intersection of Hillcrest and Bartlett) when he collided with the rear of a flatbed truck carrying heavy pipe that had turned in front of him. The loss of their leader was hard for the group to bear, but they quickly decided to carry on. The album continued to gain FM radio airplay, |
Although best known for his novels and essays, Gore Vidal, who died in 2012, also co-wrote the screenplay for which extremely successful film of the 1950's? | Chronology of Death of Famous Showbiz Personalities | strange true facts|strange weird stuff|weird diseases Chronology of Death of Famous Showbiz Personalities February 17, 2014 0 Comments This is a chronology of notable death of famous showbiz personalities from 2012 to 2014. The names and cause of death and are written according to family name or pseudonyms that include their screen names, stage names, pen names, aliases, gamer identifications, and reign names of emperors, popes and monarchs. In January 2012 showbiz personalities death starts with American singer Etta James who died on January 20, 2012 at age 73 with Leukemia, followed by her sideman American jazz tenor saxophonist James Holloway who died on February 25, 2012 at age 84. On February 3, 2012, American actor Ben Gazzara died of throat cancer at the age of 81, followed by American singer and actress Whitney Houston who died on February 11, 2012, from accidental drowning in her hotel suite bath tub at age 48, then on February 29, 2012 British actor, singer, musician and Monkee member passed away Davy Jones, who died from severe heart attack at the age of 66 and July 8, 2012 actor Ernest Borgnine died of kidney failure at age 95. Dick Clark Dick Clark, American Bandstand , died at age 82 Dick Clark game host of $10000 Pyramid Dick Clark (right) and Ryan Seacrest (left) Richard Wagstaff “Dick” Clark born November 30, 1929, died on April 18, 2012 was an American radio and television personality, cultural icon best known for American Bandstand host from 1957 to 1987. Dick Clark is also best know as the host of the game show Pyramid and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, which is held during New Year’s Eve celebrations at Time Square. Dick Clark is best known for his trademark a gesture of military salute during sign-off, For now, Dick Clark. So long!. Dick Clark served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dick Clark Productions, which part of it he sold off in his later years, and also founded the restaurant chain, American Bandstand Diner, modeled after the Hard Rock Cafe. Clark created and produced the annual American Music Awards in 1973, a show similar to Grammy Awards. In April 2004, Clark revealed that he had Type 2 diabetes in an interview on Larry King Live. In December 8, 2004, Dick Clark suffered a stroke, affecting his speech ability still impaired at age 75. The following year, Clark returned to the series, but due to the dysarthria (a motor speech disorder) that resulted from the stroke and was unable to speak clearly for the remainder of his life. Clark also suffered from Coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease in his last years. Clark died on April 18, 2012 at the age of 82, of a heart attack following surgery to fix an enlarged prostate, a transurethral resection of the prostate, at Saint John’s Health Center and the Pacific Urology Institute in Santa Monica, California. On April 20, 2012, Dick Clark was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean. Dick Clark first marriage was to Barbara Mallery in 1952, and together they had one son, Richard Augustus Clark III -“R.A.”, or “Rac”, and the couple divorced in 1961. In 1962, Clark married second wife Loretta Martin, but divorced in 1971 and the couple had two children, Duane Clark (American television director, producer and screenwriter) and Cindy. In 1977 Clark married for the third time to Kari Wigton, lasted until his death. Donna Summer Donna Summer at Nobel Peace Price Concert 2009, died age 63 Donna Summer 2008 Album Crayons Donna Summer 1979 Bad Girls LP album Donna Summer born LaDonna Adrian Gaines born December 31, 1948 –died, May 17, 2012, was an American singer and songwriter who rose to fame in the late 1970s during the disco time. Summer was a winner of Grammy Award for five times, and the co-writer of Pete Bellotte for the song Love to Love You Baby, which was commercially released in 1975 became an international success. Donna Summer’s success followed with other hits, such as I Feel Love, Last Dance, MacArthur Park, Hot Stuff, Bad Girls, Dim All the Lights, N |
Which German writer completed his magisterial final novel 'Austerlitz' just weeks prior to his death in a car crash in 2001? | Sebald: Interviews, Profiles, Bios | Vertigo Three Encounters with W.G. Sebald The latest issue of the Journal of European Studies (vol. 44, no 4, December 2014), contains a section called “Three Encounters with W.G. Sebald (February 1992 – July 2013),” edited by Richard Sheppard. Sheppard also provides some introductory remarks. (The complete Table of Contents for the issue can be found here .) The first encounter is a reprint of Toby Green’s 1992 revealing interview with Sebald called “The Questionable Business of Writing,” accompanied by a new introduction by Green. This first appeared on the Amazon.UK website, where, somewhat surprisingly, it can still be found . Read more Aug 28 |
Released posthumously in 2004, '2666' was the bestselling final novel by which Chilean author? | Novel 13 Follow Novel 13 Genre: Novel Level: Intermediate Description: It is 1998, the year in which America is whipped into a frenzy of prurience by the impeachment of a president, and in a small New England town an aging Classics professor, Coleman Silk, is forced to retire when his colleagues decree that he is a racist. The charge is a lie, but the real truth about Silk would astonish even his most virulent accuser. Genre: Novel Level: Intermediate Description: A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don’t know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other. Genre: Novel Level: Intermediate Description: A postmodern visionary who is also a master of styles and genres, David Mitchell combines flat-out adventures, a Nabokovian love of puzzles, a keen eye for character, and a taste for mind-bending philosophical and scientific speculation in the tradition of Umberto Eco and Philip K. Dick. The result is brilliantly original fiction that reveals how disparate people connect, how their fates intertwine, and how their souls drift across time like clouds across the sky. Genre: Novel Level: Upper - Intermediate Description: After almost fifty years as a wife and mother, Enid Lambert is ready to have some fun. Unfortunately, her husband, Alfred, is losing his sanity to Parkinson’s disease, and their children have long since flown the family nest to the catastrophes of their own lives. The oldest, Gary, a once-stable portfolio manager and family man, is trying to convince his wife and himself, despite clear signs to the contrary, that he is not clinically depressed. The middle child, Chip, has lost his seemingly secure academic job and is failing spectacularly at his new line of work. Genre: Novel Level: Upper - Intermediate Description: On New Year's morning, 1975, Archie Jones sits in his car on a London road and waits for the exhaust fumes to fill his Cavalier Musketeer station wagon. Archie—working-class, ordinary, a failed marriage under his belt—is calling it quits, the deciding factor being the flip of a 20-pence coin. When the owner of a nearby halal butcher shop (annoyed that Archie's car is blocking his delivery area) comes out and bangs on the window, he gives Archie another chance at life and sets in motion this richly imagined, uproariously funny novel. Genre: Novel Level: Upper - Intermediate Description:The Fortress of Solitude is the story of Dylan Ebdus growing up white and motherless in downtown Brooklyn in the 1970s. It's a neighborhood where the entertainments include muggings along with games of stoopball. In that world, Dylan has one friend, a black teenager, also motherless, named Mingus Rude. Genre: Novel Level: Upper - Intermediate Description: Over the course of a thirty-year conversation unfolding in train stations and travelers’ stops across England and Europe, W.G. Sebald’s unnamed narrator and Jacques Austerlitz discuss Austerlitz’s ongoing efforts to understand who he is. An orphan who came to England alone in the summer of 1939 and was raised by a Welsh Methodist minister and his wife as their own, Austerlitz grew up with no conscious memory of where he came from. Genre: Novel Level: Advanced Description: 2666 is the final novel written by Chilean novelist Roberto Bolaño. It was released posthumously in 2004 after Bolaño presented the first draft to his publisher shortly before the author's early death from liver disease. It depicts, among other themes, the unsolved and ongoing serial female homicides of Ciudad Juárez (called Santa Teresa in the novel), the Eastern Front in World War II, and the breakdown of relationships and careers. The apocalyptic 2666 explores 20th-century degeneration th |
Teddy Roosevelt was climbing this mountain when William McKinley died (and had therefore become President). Which mountain is both the highest in the Adirondacks and the highest in New York State? | The Big Burn : NPR The Big Burn Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire That Saved America Author Other editions available for purchase: Paperback, 324 pages, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $15.95, published September 7 2010 | purchase close overlay Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire That Saved America Author Independent Booksellers Book Summary Offers a dramatic account of the largest-ever forest fire in America, which cemented Teddy Roosevelt's legacy because the heroism shown by the forest rangers turned public opinion permanently in favor of the forests, which Roosevelt wanted to conserve, in a book by a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner. Reprint. 75,000 first printing. A best-selling Washington Post Book of the Year. Embed Embed Embed Embed Note: Book excerpts are provided by the publisher and may contain language some find offensive. Excerpt: The Big Burn January 1, 201012:00 AM ET 1 A Peculiar Intimacy” For two days snow had been falling in upstate New York, so it came as a surprise to Gifford Pinchot when he showed up at the executive mansion in Albany and found the second-story windows wide open and a barrel-chested man, the governor of New York, cajoling children down a rope to the ground. The cold air rushed in, the children slid outa robust family brought to life inside a snow globe. Teddy Roosevelt loved to play. On this winter day in February 1899, the governor imagined that the mansion was under attack by Indians and it was his job to help the kids escape through the window and down the rope. One by one, Roosevelt lowered the children onto the snow, whooping and hollering to highlight the drama. There went Teddy Jr., and Kermit, Edith, and Archie. (Quentin, not yet two, was too small to join them, and Alice, the eldest daughter, was away at school.) Pinchot was amused, though he seemed at first blush to be the kind of man who kept his distance from a good joke. Gifford Pinchot was attractive in the old-school way, with a sizable enough family fortune to qualify as an English lord, and was still unmarried at age thirty-three. But at times he also brought to mind a character from Washington Irving’s Legend of Sleepy Hollow, with his elongated, skeletal frame, huge feet, stilts for legs, brushy mustache draped over his upper lip, comb-resistant hair, high forehead, and wild, faraway gaze. His eyes do not look as if they read books,” said the writer Owen Wister, a Roosevelt intimate, but as if they gazed upon a cause.” Pinchot could be kinetic, especially when unbound by an idea, his long arms fluttering in conversation. Or he could appear formal and upper classstiff with the inherited burden of accent and manners that came from prep school at Exeter; college at Yale, including membership in the most secret of clubs, Skull and Bones; and summers in a family castle in Pennsylvania, with sixty-three turrets and twenty-three fireplaces, the chateau known as Grey Towers. On occasion, he slept on a wooden pillow; most mornings he was awakened by a valet who threw cold water in his face. A good man, a bit odd, as friends said behind his back. But Pinchot was self-aware enough to know that he was considered strange, and though he was in on the joke, it fed his insecurity. Made an ass out of myself,” he wrote in his diary after many a party. Pinchot, who knew Roosevelt from sportsmen circles in the Empire State, came to the governor’s mansion with Christopher Grant La Farge, son of the painter John La Farge, a close friend of -Teddy’s. They were in Albany on business of sorts. Pinchot was the national forester, a meaningless federal job. He wanted to get a good look at a large tract of trees in the nearby Adirondackssomething he and La Farge thought might make a book subject. Roosevelt knew a thing or two about the written word: just forty years old, he was about to publish his fourteenth book. Teddy invited the two men in for a hot drink and to stay the night. In the evening, they talked of forest protection and the fear of a coming timber famine caused by industrial-age logging. On this they a |
This summer, Arsenal signed Santi Cazorla for £16 million from which Spanish football club? | Arsenal agree Santi Cazorla fee of £16m with Malaga | Daily Mail Online comments Arsenal launched their tour of Asia with an unimpressive late 2-1 victory against a Malaysia XI as Arsene Wenger moved closer to clinching a deal for Santi Cazorla. Wenger admires the Spanish winger and has swooped to take advantage of the financial uncertainty afflicting Qatari-backed Malaga. The Gunners have agreed personal terms with the player and a fee of £16million with the club, who must settle outstanding debts before the end of the month or face relegation from La Liga. And Wenger is confident the 27-year-old will not be the final signing of the summer. Gunner get you: Santi Cazorla looks set to swap Malaga for Arsenal Despite claiming earlier this week that he wants to assess the fitness of Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby before making a decision on his midfield, Wenger is still thought to be keen to sign £17m-rated Yann M’Vila from Rennes. He is also in pursuit of Caen’s 17-year-old striker M’Baye Niang, having had a £6m offer rejected. Cazorla, who can operate on either flank, has been tipped as a potential replacement for Theo Walcott, who has less than a year to run on his contract. But Wenger is increasingly confident of persuading the winger to sign a new deal, despite interest from Chelsea and Liverpool. ‘As a player you want to win titles, which we have not been doing but I believe we will soon,’ said Walcott earlier this week in Malaysia. A half-time substitute, Walcott played 35 minutes of the friendly in Kuala Lumpur before being replaced by Thomas Eisfeld. ‘Theo is one of the players who has trained for only two days,’ said Wenger. ‘I planned to give only 35 minutes to him or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and I felt Theo was suffering a bit more.’ Gunners on tour: Arsenal beat a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday Wenger played two entirely different outfield teams in each half, before sending on Eisfeld for Walcott with 10 minutes to go. Arsenal were trailing 1-0 at the time but Eisfeld, 19, levelled in the 87th minute before Chuks Aneke, also 19, grabbed a winner two minutes later with the help of a deflection. ‘It was a good work-out for us against a good team,’ said Wenger. ‘The result was less important. We got the quality of game we wanted. We still have a lot of work to do. We are far from what we can produce.’ Arsenal have flown to China and their next game is against Manchester City in Beijing on Friday. Strength in depth: Arsenal have already signed two new players Up for the cup: Cazorla was part of Spain's victorious Euro 2012 squad Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Thierry Henry revealed his intention to return to Arsenal once he calls time on his playing career. He said: ‘Eventually I’d like to go back to Arsenal. I would go back to England, for sure, with Arsenal. Coaching does interest me but I really don’t think about it right now.’ |
This summer, Manchester United signed Shinji Kagawa for £17 million from which German side? | Shinji Kagawa completes his move to Manchester United - BBC Sport BBC Sport Shinji Kagawa completes his move to Manchester United 22 Jun 2012 Read more about sharing. Shinji Kagawa has completed his move to Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund for an undisclosed fee. The Japan midfielder has signed a four-year deal after passing a medical with the Old Trafford club on Friday. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he expects the 23-year-old to prove a big success in England. "Shinji is an exciting young midfielder with great skill, vision and a good eye for goal. I am delighted he has chosen to come to United," said Ferguson. He added: "I believe he will make an impact upon the team very quickly as he is suited to United's style of play. We are all looking forward to working with him." Kagawa is United's second capture of the summer, following the arrival of England Under-19 international Nick Powell from Crewe. Kagawa helped Dortmund win successive German titles, contributing 17 goals and 13 assists as they completed a league and cup double last season. Who is Shinji Kagawa? A 23-year-old playmaker whose 13 goals in 31 games helped Borussia Dortmund win the Bundesliga title. Kagawa was a bargain when he joined from J-League side Cerezo Osaka for just 350,000 euros in 2010 Dortmund total appearances: 56 Goals: 24 The deal is reported to be worth an initial £12m and could reach £17m depending on success and appearances. Ferguson was present when Kagawa scored in Dortmund's 5-2 win over Bayern Munich in the German Cup final, with the player able to play wide or in a more central role. And he signalled his intention to get started for the Red Devils. "This is a challenge I am really looking forward to," said Kagawa. "The Premier League is the best league in the world and Manchester United is such a massive club. "This is a really exciting time for me and I can't wait to meet the team and start playing." Kagawa has obvious appeal for United's vast Asian fanbase but commercial director Richard Arnold has previously denied any suggestion that players are signed to boost profits. He said: "Our popularity in certain countries or regions may depend, at least in part, on fielding certain players from those countries or regions. "We don't sign players to sell shirts. We are reliant on 25 players and they are all massive stars. We have 25 George Clooneys." Share this page |
In which American state is the successful t.v. drama series 'Boardwalk Empire' set? | Boardwalk Empire (TV Series 2010–2014) - IMDb IMDb 17 January 2017 4:34 PM, UTC NEWS There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error WATCH NOW ON DISC An Atlantic City politician plays both sides of the law, conspiring with gangsters during the Prohibition era. Creator: After Owen's dead body is delivered in a crate and Margaret leaves him, Nucky spends the next day with a seriously wounded Eddie and Gyp's thugs trying to kill him. 9.5 Eli braces for the worst as Agent Knox launches his plan to bring Nucky down. Capone and Torrio reach an agreement in Cicero. Chalky looks to settle scores. Richard steps forward to save Tommy, at ... 9.4 After promising Rothstein Mellon's distillery, Masseria is persuaded to withdraw his support for Gyp, and Margaret finds an abortionist in Brooklyn. 9.4 a list of 37 titles created 19 Apr 2012 a list of 34 titles created 27 May 2012 a list of 34 titles created 20 Jul 2012 a list of 30 titles created 27 Apr 2014 a list of 30 titles created 06 Jun 2015 Search for " Boardwalk Empire " on Amazon.com Connect with IMDb Title: Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014) 8.6/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 59 wins & 173 nominations. See more awards » Videos New Jersey mob boss, Tony Soprano, deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life. Stars: James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco A drama about one of New York's most prestigious ad agencies at the beginning of the 1960s, focusing on one of the firm's most mysterious but extremely talented ad executives, Donald Draper. Stars: Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser Baltimore drug scene, seen through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement. Stars: Dominic West, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn A show set in the late 1800s, revolving around the characters of Deadwood, South Dakota; a town of deep corruption and crime. Stars: Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker A down-to-earth account of the lives of both illustrious and ordinary Romans set in the last days of the Roman Republic. Stars: Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, Polly Walker True Detective (TV Series 2014) Crime | Drama | Mystery An anthology series in which police investigations unearth the personal and professional secrets of those involved, both within and outside the law. Stars: Vince Vaughn, Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams Better Call Saul (TV Series 2015) Crime | Drama The trials and tribulations of criminal lawyer, Jimmy McGill, in the time leading up to establishing his strip-mall law office in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Stars: Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn Various chronicles of deception, intrigue and murder in and around frozen Minnesota. Yet all of these tales mysteriously lead back one way or another to Fargo, ND. Stars: Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, Allison Tolman The lives and cases of a dirty LAPD cop and the police unit under his command. Stars: Michael Chiklis, Catherine Dent, Walton Goggins Dexter Morgan is a Forensics Expert, a loyal brother, boyfriend, and friend. That's what he seems to be, but that's not what he really is. Dexter Morgan is a Serial Killer that hunts the bad. Stars: Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, David Zayas Old-school U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens is reassigned from Miami to his childhood home in the poor, rural coal-mining towns in Eastern Kentucky. Stars: Timothy Olyphant, Nick Searcy, Joelle Carter The story of Easy Company of the US Army 101st Airborne division and their mission in WWII Europe from Operation Overlord through V-J Day. Stars: Scott Grimes, Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston Edit Storyline Set in the Prohibition era of the 1920s Boardwalk Empire is the story of Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, the treasurer of Atlantic County, Atlantic City, New Jersey. Due to his |
Who was the Emperor of the Aztecs at the time of the Spanish conquest? | Moctezuma II Moctezuma II What do we really know about Moctezuma II (also called Montezuma), the Aztec emperor who met Hernan Cortes and saw the start of an incredible clash of civilizations? For centuries scholars have puzzled over the man - what he thought, what drove him, why he made the decisions he did. Let's take a look at the man who ruled in such extraordinary times... Moctezuma views a magic mirror that foretells that coming of the Spaniards. Was the emperor really ruled by superstition, or was he more practical? Picture from the Codex Florentino The basics Moctezuma II, the 9th emperor of the Aztecs, was known as Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin. Today his name has a lot of spellings, including Montezuma and Motecuhzoma. Modern scholars sometimes call him Moctezuma II to differentiate him from the other emperor of the name , but in his time the number was not used. The name signifies frowning and kingly anger. He was Heuy Tlatoani Moctezuma, the Great Speaker of the city of Tenochtitlán (read more about the titles of Aztec government ). He was born around 1466, and was to become a successful ruler and general even before he became emperor from 1502-1520. It was in 1517 that the emperor first got the news that strangers had landed on the coast. On the 8th of November 1519, Cortes and Moctezuma met. Over the next few months, he was used and imprisoned by the Spanish as the conquest progressed. He died in 1520 during a battle with the Spanish, though the exact cause of his death is a matter of disagreement. Controversy Actually, that's not the only thing that's a matter of disagreement. Just about every aspect of Moctezuma II has been open to controversy. The problem is that sources are highly contradictory. Somebody was rewriting history, or maybe everybody was. The Spanish were no doubt anxious to justify the conquest of the empire. The indigenous peoples themselves may have wanted someone to blame as well. For this reason, it's hard to get beyond the basics and really understand the man. The expansion of the empire In many ways, this emperor is believed to have been harsh in the ruling of his empire. This may be the reason why Cortes was able to find allies among the cities of Mexico in his conquest. Many may have been happy for the chance to free themselves from the powerful Aztecs. But was it Moctezuma II that was really the target of this hate, or just the powerful Mexica culture? When it came to conquering and expansion, it was really the previous emperor that steals the spotlight - Ahuitzotl. The empire went through stages of expansion, and Ahuitzotl was the emperor in charge of the most recent one. He more than doubled the area of dominance. One of the great generals that fought his battles, however, was his nephew - Moctezuma. When he came to power after Ahuitzotl's death, it was natural that his job should be to consolidate the power that had come so recently to the Aztecs. He strengthened the reign of himself and his nobles, though his conquests were not as widespread as the ruler before him. Moctezuma II: His rule Evidence seems to be mounting that Moctezuma II was actually an industrious and clever ruler. It may be that he has been misjudged from his encounter and loss to the Spanish as indecisive, superstitious and capitulating. He ruled an empire of 5-6 million people. Would that empire have continued a thousand years? Or was it already about to be torn apart by civil war? Either way, many today suggest that he accomplished a lot in the building and maintaining of the empire, until its fall. His end Moctezuma's headdress, probably worn when he met Cortés. Originally a helmet of gold topped with 400 feathers, Cortés has the gold melted and the head piece sent to Charles V of Spain. |
Who is the patron saint of doctors? | Saint Luke-Patron Saint of Doctors Saint Luke Patron Saint of Doctors St. Luke was the author of two of the books that make up the Bible: the Gospel that bears his name and the Acts of the Apostles. He was also not Jewish, but both a Gentile and a Greek. St. Luke was also a physician. We can't assume because of his profession that he was well-off, though. Some Biblical scholars have put forward the theory that Luke could very well have been born into slavery. At that time, wealthy families were known to train slaves in the medical arts; that way, they had access to a family physician in residence. St. Luke travelled with St. Paul and ministered with him, starting in about 51 AD. What became of St. Luke after St. Paul's death is not clear; some accounts claim he was martyred and others state he lived to old age. What we do know about this man we learn from his writing. The Gospel According to Luke includes accounts of numerous miracles and parables. St. Luke's Gospel includes the story of the Prodigal Son being welcomed home by his father, which is an indication of St. Luke's feelings that forgiveness and mercy to those who have sinned are of primary importance. St. Luke's Gospel also includes the story of the forgiven woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. We can also conclude that St. Luke had a great respect for women, especially the women in Jesus' life. He writes about the Annunciation; part of the Hail Mary is taken directly from St. Luke's writings ("Hail Mary full of Grace"). Words spoken by Mary's cousin Elizabeth and recorded by St. Luke are also still used today ("Blessed are you and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus"). St. Luke is the patron saint of doctors and surgeons, which certainly makes sense, given his profession. When depicted in paintings, oftentimes he is shown with either an ox or a calf. These animals are symbols of sacrifice and bring to mind Jesus' sacrifice for the sake of humanity. |
What was the name of the rock group formed by former 'Nirvana' drummer Dave Grohl that had hits with 'This Is A Call', 'Learn To Fly' and 'The Pretender'? | Foo Fighters | Rolling Stone artists > F > Foo Fighters > Bio Foo Fighters Bio The Foo Fighters emerged from the ashes of Nirvana, but the band's true roots lay in the years of personal recordings made by leader Dave Grohl. The former Nirvana drummer had played guitar and written songs since he was a Washington, D.C., teenager, while also playing drums in several hardcore bands. At 17, Grohl became the drummer for the veteran punk act Scream. In 1990 he joined Nirvana, but continued to work on his own material during breaks from the road and studio. After finishing Nirvana's Nevermind, Grohl returned to D.C. to record several tracks, which were released on the cassette-only Pocketwatch. Plans for another cassette release were shelved with Kurt Cobain's 1994 suicide. Later that year Grohl entered a studio with friend and producer Barrett Jones to record what would become the first Foo Fighters album. Grohl played all the instruments himself (with the exception of the song "X-Static," which featured guitar by Greg Dulli of the Afghan Whigs). Though he had written and sung just one Nirvana song (the B-side "Marigold"), Grohl demonstrated a flair for pop hooks and driving guitar rock. (The name Foo Fighters came from what American World War II pilots called unidentified fireballs spotted over Germany.) Grohl signed with Capitol and formed a band in time for a 1995 tour, recruiting bassist Nate Mendel and drummer William Goldsmith from the freshly-broken-up Sunny Day Real Estate. Pat Smear, the former Germs guitarist who had joined Nirvana for its final tour, also joined. Foo Fighters (Number 23) was released in 1995 and spawned the Modern Rock hits "This Is a Call," "I'll Stick Around," and "Big Me." Goldsmith quit during the making of The Colour and the Shape (Number Ten, 1997), the first Foo Fighters album recorded as a band, and was replaced by Taylor Hawkins (Alanis Morissette). The album contained the Modern Rock hits "Monkey Wrench," "My Hero," and "Everlong." Smear quit and was briefly replaced by Franz Stahl (Scream) and then Chris Shiflett (No Use for a Name, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes), solidifying the lineup to date. Grohl relocated to Virginia and recorded There Is Nothing Left to Lose (Number 10, 1999) in his basement; the album included "Learn to Fly" (Number 13, 2000). In 2001 the group began recording its fourth album in Los Angeles, but stopped before finishing. Grohl took a break from band-leading by getting behind the drums again for Queens of the Stone Age's 2002 album Songs for the Deaf. Refreshed, Grohl gathered the Foos back together and re-recorded almost the entire album at his Virginia home studio, released as One by One (Number Three, 2002). The album further consolidated the band's place as the well-loved elder statesmen of alt-rock. In 2004, Grohl released Probot, the self-titled side project featuring a number of vocalists from heavy metal legends, among them Lemmy Kilmister (Mot örhead), Snake (Voivod), King Diamond, and Max Cavalera (Sepultura, Soulfly). Later the same year, the Foos publicly backed John Kerry's presidential campaign, an endeavor Grohl said inspired the title of In Your Honor (Number Two, 2005), a double-CD featuring an acoustic disc and an electric disc. It featured the hit "Best of You" (Number 18, 2005), later covered, to Grohl's great delight and surprise, by Prince during his bravura halftime appearance at the 2007 Super Bowl. (Foo Fighters had covered Prince's "Darling Nikki" on the B-side of the 2003 single "Have It All" and performed it live and on the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards with guest star Cee-Lo.) After a stopgap live disc, Skin and Bones (Number 21, 2006), Foo Fighters worked together again with Gil Norton, who'd produced The Colour and the Shape, and recorded the well-received Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace (Number Three, 2007). The group scored both Best Rock Album and Best Hard Rock Performance at the following years' Grammy Awards, and performed "Young Man Blues" and "Bargain" (with Gaz Coombes of Supergrass) at VH1's Rock Honors |
Which 'Oscar'-nominated actress is the mother of Carrie Fisher? | Carrie Fisher - Biography - IMDb Carrie Fisher Biography Showing all 92 items Jump to: Overview (4) | Mini Bio (1) | Spouse (1) | Trade Mark (5) | Trivia (49) | Personal Quotes (31) | Salary (1) Overview (4) 5' 1" (1.55 m) Mini Bio (1) Carrie Frances Fisher was born on October 21, 1956 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, to singers/actors Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds . She was an actress and writer, and is known for Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) (aka Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)), Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983). Fisher is also known for her book, "Postcards From The Edge", and Fisher wrote the screenplay for the movie from her novel. Carrie Fisher and talent agent Bryan Lourd have a daughter, Billie Lourd (Billie Catherine Lourd), born on July 17, 1992. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Jen Kilmer Spouse (1) Princess Leia Organa in the Star Wars films Often played smirking, sarcastic characters Large brown eyes Her father Eddie Fisher left her mother, Debbie Reynolds , when Carrie was two years old in order to marry Elizabeth Taylor . Mother, with Bryan Lourd , of daughter Billie Lourd (Billie Catherine Lourd), born on July 17, 1992. Older half-sister of Joely Fisher and Tricia Leigh Fisher . Older sister of Todd Fisher . The punk rock group Blink 182 wrote a song called "A New Hope", in which her Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) character Princess Leia is the lead singer's dream girl. She made her stage debut in 1975 in the chorus of the musical Irene, which starred her mother, Debbie Reynolds . Half-sister-in-law of Christopher Duddy and Byron Thames . Attended the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Appeared in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), which also starred Mark Hamill . It was the first time the two had appeared in the same film since Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983). Neither of them knew the other was involved in the project until shortly after filming had been completed. They would later reunite again in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). She did her very first European signing in London, England in a hotel library on August 3, 2003. It was an exclusive one-day signing, and tickets limited to 500. She has confirmed in her autobiography that she disliked the "bagel bun" hairstyle she wore in the original Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977). However, prior to filming, the studio had requested that she lose some weight first, which she hadn't. Out of fear of being fired for it, she was eager to comply with everything that director George Lucas suggested, which included the hairstyle. When asked to choose her favorite moment from the original Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) trilogy, she explained that her favorite moments were the arguing scenes between her and Harrison Ford . She had to stand on a box for many of her scenes with Harrison Ford in the original Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) trilogy because she was roughly a foot shorter than him and did not fit into the frame. Former stepdaughter of Connie Stevens , Harry Karl and Elizabeth Taylor . She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and spoke on this topic to thousands of psychiatrists assembled for the American Psychiatric Association's Annual Meeting in May 2004 in New York City. She was listed as a potential nominee on the 2006 Razzie Award nominating ballot in the category of the Worst Supporting Actress category for her performance in the film Undiscovered (2005), however, she failed to receive a nomination. Weighed 7 lbs 2 ozs at birth. Her mother, Debbie Reynolds , lived next door to her for most of her life. She was once engaged to Dan Aykroyd . She has one daughter, Billie Lourd , whose father is the film agent, Bryan Lourd . Fisher and Lourd never married. After he left her for a man, she used the experience as the opening premise for her novel, The Best Awful. She wrote several novels, including the semi-autobiographical Postcards from the Edge, a thinly veiled study o |
In which city was Gianni Versace murdered in 1997? | BBC ON THIS DAY | 15 | 1997: Versace murdered on his doorstep 1997: Versace murdered on his doorstep Italian fashion designer Gianni Versace has been shot dead on the steps of his Miami mansion. The incident happened shortly before 0900 local time (1400 GMT) as the 50-year-old designer returned from the fashionable News Caf� where he bought breakfast and Italian newspapers. Witnesses described a white man in his mid-twenties taking a gun from a backpack and shooting Versace twice in the back of the head as he unlocked the gates to his Ocean Drive home. A gun was found with discarded clothes in a red Chevrolet pick-up truck abandoned in a car park. Prime suspect Police have traced the weapon to Andrew Cunanan, 27, a gay prostitute with an "affluent clientele". He is already on the FBI's most wanted list in connection with four other murders - all of the victims were, like Versace, homosexual. Miami police chief Richard Barreto described Cunanan as the sole suspect, but he did not know if he had any relationship with Versace. Hundreds of people have gathered opposite Versace's three-storey, Mediterranean style home, the only residential building in the art deco section of Ocean Drive. Police have sealed off the area round the blood-stained steps to the house - Casa Casuarina - where Versace lived most of the time with his friend Antonio D'Amico. Around the world Versace's stores have been closing as they received news of the tragedy. Tributes are pouring in from the many rich and famous friends who enjoyed wearing Versace's flamboyant designs. Amongst them Princess Diana has issued a statement saying she was "devastated at the loss of a great and talented man". Versace had just released his new winter collection and a glamorous television launch planned for the Spanish Steps in Rome has been cancelled. With the help of his sister Donatella and his brother Santo, Versace transformed the family firm into a multimillion-dollar fashion empire. |
Who won the Turner Prize in 1994 with his cast-iron work entitled 'Testing A World View'? | 'Testing a World View', Antony Gormley, 1993 | Tate Testing a World View Object, each: 1120 x 485 x 1070 mm Collection Presented by the artist (Building the Tate Collection) 2005 Reference T12034 Summary Testing a World View is a sculptural installation consisting of five identical iron figures bent at right angles at the waist. The figures are based on a cast made from the artist’s body and are installed in varying positions related to the architecture of the space where they are on display. The figure’s ninety degree angle corresponds to sitting bolt upright with the legs stretched out in front, or bending over with legs and back very straight. It may also be read as corresponding to the absolute laws of geometry. Gormley explored the potential of this ‘absolute’ posture by positioning the sculptures in different orientations, for example lying in the middle of the room or against the walls, ceiling and floor. According to the artist, the different positions evoke states ranging from ‘hysteria, head-banging, catatonia, to the awakened dead and the about-to-be-beheaded’ (note from the artist to Tate curator Evi Baniotopoulou, March 2005). The work was exhibited at Gormley’s Turner Prize display in Tate Britain in 1994, when he won the prize. Referring to Testing a World View, the artist has commented that: The work is a kind of psychological Cubism. An identical body cast made from the interior of a body case five times, which I then try to test against architecture. The piece expresses the polymorphousness of the self; that in different places we become different and I think this is physical. If Cubism is about taking one object and making multiple views of it in one place, this is a dispersion of one object into several cases for itself. (Quoted in Antony Gormley, p.48.) Gormley began using casts of his body as the basis of his sculptures in 1981 and continued to base his work on his own body during the 80s and much of the 90s. For such works as Three Ways: Mould, Hole and Passage 1981 (Tate T07015 ) and Untitled (for Francis) 1985 (Tate T05004 ) he held a pose while being wrapped in scrim and plaster. When the cast was removed and reassembled, Gormley built onto the hollow figure, enlarging it by adding layers of fibreglass. Finally strips of roofing lead were beaten onto the figure encasing it in a skin. These were joined with soldering lines that follow horizontal and vertical axes, constituting a type of grid. By contrast, the figures constituting Testing a World View were cast from iron. A mould was made from the inside of the initial cast of the artist’s body, and this was used to cast the five figures. The lines on the bodies resulting from the casting process do not follow the straight rigour of the grid but rather the contours of the body’s limbs, conferring a more organic appearance. Unlike the smooth, glossy lead in the earlier works, the iron has a rough, unfinished surface which has corroded in places resulting in rusting and other colouring. Although the body is not significantly enlarged, it is generalised by the omission of all facial features and such details as fingers and toes. Testing a World View represents an attempt by the artist to challenge the single reading of a particular body posture, relating the body to architecture and other geometric formations. For the artist, the rigid pose suggests a body in crisis; installed in varying relationships to architectural space, the five bodies ‘demonstrate the current crisis of confidence in the Western world view, “the crisis of the conceptual frame that we have put around space”’(Virginia Button, Turner Prize 1994, [p.8]). Further reading: Antony Gormley, exhibition catalogue, Malmö Konsthalle, Tate Gallery Liverpool, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin 1993, p.48, reproduced pp.104-7 in colour Turner Prize 1994, exhibition brochure, Tate Gallery, London 1994, [pp.8-9], [p.8], reproduced [p.9] in colour Antony Gormley: Making Space, exhibition catalogue, Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead 2004, p.72, reproduced p.72 in colour Elizabeth Manc |
'Model White', 'Goldenball' and 'Green Globe' are all varieties of which vegetable? | OSU-recommended vegetables provide best yields in local gardens | Oregon State University Extension Service | Gardening OSU-recommended vegetables provide best yields in local gardens Last Updated: March 11, 2011 CORVALLIS, Ore. — Vegetable varieties and melons recommended by Oregon State University for 2011 are adapted to local growing conditions to produce the best yields in home gardens. The OSU Extension Service recommends the updated varieties listed here for all areas of the state except regions indicated. "We look at these varieties at least two years before we can make recommendations," said Annie Chozinski, faculty research assistant with the horticulture department at OSU. "Some we consider for many years, especially if they vary from year to year," she said. "We observe and measure many traits, but it's the overall score that helps us decide. If something has high scores in everything but succumbs to disease pressure, it is not recommended. Similarly, if something is highly disease resistant but has odd flavors, size or variability, we don't recommend it." Regions: I. Oregon coast: cool but long season of 190 to 250 days. II. Western valleys: 150-250 day season; warm days, cool nights; length of season may very considerably from year to year. III. High elevations: short growing season of 90 to 120 days; frost possible in any month. IV. Columbia and Snake River valleys: 120- to 200-day season; hot days, warm nights, length of season fairly well defined. Recommended varieties: (not regions III and IV) Green Globe, Imperial Star, Emerald. Asparagus Mary Washington, Jersey Knight, Jersey Giant, UC 157, Purple Passion. Beans (green bush) Tendercrop, Venture, Slenderette, Oregon 91G, Oregon Trail, Provider, Jade, Oregon 54. (flat Italian) Roma II. (French filet) Nickel, Straight 'N Narrow. (green pole) Blue Lake, Kentucky Wonder, Romano, Cascade Giant, Kentucky Blue, Oregon Giant. (wax bush) Goldenrod, Goldrush, Indy Gold, Slenderwax. (lima, bush, large seeded) Fordhook 242 (or any Fordhook). (lima, bush, small seeded) Thorogreen, Baby Fordhook, Jackson Wonder. (dry) Pinto, Red Kidney, White Kidney (Cannellini), Cranberry, Etna. (edible Soybeans or Edamame) Envy, Early Hakucho, Butterbean, Sayamusume, Misono Green. Beets Ruby Queen, Red Ace, Kestrel, Early Wonder, Pacemaker III, Detroit Dark Red, Red Cloud. (cylindrical) Cylindra, Forono. (greens) Early Wonder Tall Top, Bull's Blood. Broccoli Premium Crop, Packman, Arcadia, Early Dividend, Windsor, Emerald Pride, Gypsy. (Romanesco type) Romanesco, Veronica. (early) Parel, Primax, Farao, Tendersweet, Gonzales, Surprise. (main season) Golden Acre, Bravo, Charmant, Cambria, Invento. (late fall, winter) Danish Ballhead, Storage Hybrid #4, Blue Thunder. (red) Ruby Perfection, Red Acre. (savoy) Melissa, Savoy Express, Savoy Ace, Perfection, Famosa. Chinese cabbage Pac choi: Mei Qing Choy, Joi Choi. Carrots Red Core Chantenay, Royal Chantenay, Scarlet Nantes, Mokum, Bolero, Apache, Danvers, Sugarsnax 54, Nelson, Napa, Kuroda, Nantindo, Magnum, Navarino, Sweetness III, Napoli, Yaya, Vitana, Skywalker. (yellow) Yellowstone. (baby carrots) Minicore, Parmex, Thumbelina. Cauliflower Snowball "Y" Improved, Snow Crown, Candid Charm, Apex, Amazing. (Purple) Violet Queen, Graffiti. Fordhook Giant, Rhubarb, Bright Lights, Bright Yellow, Silverado, Broadstem Green. Chicory (green) Crystal Hat (tall, slender heads). (red, also known as Radicchio) Chiogga Red Preco, Palla Rosa Special, Indigo, Treviso (tall, slender heads). Celery Standard sweet (early): Sundance, Early Sunglow, Seneca Horizon. (main season): Jubilee (also called Golden Jubilee). Supersweet (early): Butterfruit. Sugary enhanced (very early): Sugar Buns. (early): Precocious, Spring Treat. (main season): Incredible, Kandy King, Kandy Korn, Legend, Bodacious. White Kernels (must be isolated from yellow or bicolor types to get all white kernels). Supersweet (main season): How Sweet It Is, Xtratender 378A, Mirai 421W. Sugary enhanced (early): Sugar Pearl Sugary enhanced (main season): Argent, Whiteout, Si |
Which legendary winged monster of Greek mythology, who perched on a high rock near Thebes, had the body of a lion and the head and breasts of a woman? | Criosphinx | Article about criosphinx by The Free Dictionary Criosphinx | Article about criosphinx by The Free Dictionary http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/criosphinx Related to criosphinx: Androsphinx , Hieracosphinx sphinx (sfĭngks), mythical beast of ancient Egypt, frequently symbolizing the pharaoh as an incarnation of the sun god Ra Ra or Re , in Egyptian religion, sun god, one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt. Ra was chief of the cosmic deities and was sometimes called the creator and father of all things. ..... Click the link for more information. . The sphinx was represented in sculpture usually in a recumbent position with the head of a man and the body of a lion, although some were constructed with rams' heads and others with hawks' heads. Thousands of sphinxes were built in ancient Egypt; the most famous is the Great Sphinx at Giza, a colossal figure sculptured out of natural rock, near the pyramid of Khafre Khafre or Chephren , fl. 2565 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the IV dynasty, and builder of the second pyramid at Giza. His face is perhaps that represented on the Great Sphinx. An obscure king, Dedefre, may have come between Khufu and Khafre in the dynasty. ..... Click the link for more information. . It was considered by the ancients one of the Seven Wonders of the World Seven Wonders of the World, in ancient classifications, were the Great Pyramid of Khufu (see pyramid) or all the pyramids with or without the sphinx; the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, with or without the walls; the mausoleum at Halicarnassus; the Artemision at Ephesus; the ..... Click the link for more information. . Sphinxes, however, were not peculiar to Egypt; represented in various shapes and forms, they were common throughout the ancient Middle East and Greece. In Greek mythology and art the Sphinx was a winged monster with the head and breasts of a woman and the body of a lion. In the legend of Oedipus Oedipus , in Greek legend, son of Laius, king of Thebes, and his wife, Jocasta. Laius had been warned by an oracle that he was fated to be killed by his own son; he therefore abandoned Oedipus on a mountainside. ..... Click the link for more information. she acts as a destructive agent of the gods, posing the riddle of the three ages of man: "What walks on four feet in the morning, on two at noon, and on three in the evening?" She killed all who failed to answer her question until Oedipus solved the riddle by saying, "Man crawls on all fours as a baby, walks upright in the prime of life, and uses a staff in old age." The Sphinx then killed herself. sphinx An Egyptian figure having the body of a lion and a male human head; the Greek version featured a female monster represented with the body of a lion, winged, and the head and breasts of a woman. See also: Ornament The famous Sphinx near Cairo, Egypt. As with the pyramids, some people believe that it was constructed by aliens or Atlanteans. Sphinx Is the largest surviving statue from the ancient world, the product of extraterrestrials, Atlanteans, or a long-forgotten civilization? To unlock the key to the riddle of the Sphinx would be to change all of human history. In Greek mythology, the sphinx was a half-woman, half-lion creature that guarded the gates of Thebes, an ancient Egyptian city. A scourge fell upon the land that could be lifted only by solving a riddle posed by the sphinx: What begins life on four legs, lives most of its life on two legs, and ends life on three legs? In Oedipus the King, the Greek dramatist Sophocles has Oedipus solve the riddle with the answer “a human,” for as infants we crawl on all fours before learning to walk on two legs, and in old age we walk with the use of a cane—a third leg. The Great Sphinx at Giza has posed riddles that have perplexed researchers for centuries: How old is the structure and who built it? Even in ancient times, some sources dated it as preceding the Pyramids and attributed it to architects from a lost civilization. The Sphinx, the largest surviving statue from the ancient world, was sculpted out of limestone |
Which duo won the Turner Prize in 1986 with a photo- piece entitled 'Coming'? | D'oh! Homer Simpson wins the Turner Prize in a decidedly uncontroversial year | Daily Mail Online D'oh! Homer Simpson wins the Turner Prize in a decidedly uncontroversial year comments Cultural landmark: Mark Leckey's video art featuring Homer Simpson won the prize A naked shop dummy sitting on a lavatory, a woman smashing china, and a collection of unwashed cereal bowls - it could only be the Turner Prize exhibition. And the winner was a video artist who used famous icons such as Homer Simpson and Felix the Cat in a 40-minute video. But there was one controversial element to this year's entrants - none were particularly controversial. Mark Leckey walked off with a £25,000 cheque with his meditation on the nature of film in popular culture taking in Felix the Cat, Homer Simpson, Titanic the movie and Philip Guston. Leckey received huge cheers as the announcement was made. He joked: 'I really haven't prepared anything ... I'm chuffed to bits. 'I'm reverting to my roots and getting Scouser as I talk. 'It's a big thrill. It's great to do something that has some kind of effect on British culture and it's part of British culture. 'This is good, it's good.' The 44-year-old Briton is best known for his film work, and according to a video presentation accompanying his Turner Prize installation he draws inspiration from popular sources like sci-fi movie Blade Runner and cartoon character Felix the Cat. He also explored contemporary visual culture with a film of Jeff Koons's polished steel Rabbit, and his art lecture Cinema-in-the-Round is screened in a reconstructed movie theatre at London's Tate Britain museum. £25,000 prize: Mark Leckey wins the Turner Prize 2008 at the Tate Gallery in central London Only three women have won the annual prize since it began in 1984, and expectations were high that a fourth would be crowned at an awards ceremony on Monday evening, since Leckey was the only man on the shortlist. The jury commended the 'intelligent, energetic and seductive nature' of his work. They said in a statement: 'With wit and originality, Leckey has found a variety of forms to communicate his fascination with visual culture.' This year's competition was marked by a lack of controversy, which has been a staple ingredient in previous years. There were even whispers in the art world that this year's show was a little dull. Previous recipients include Gilbert and George, Damien Hirst and transvestite potter Grayson Perry. Some panned the shortlist of nominees for the £25,000 prize as 'a dud' and 'low-key'. 'Cinema in the Round 2007' by Mark Leckey, who won the prize When they were announced David Lee, editor of satirical art magazine The Jackdaw, was scathing about the offerings unveiled at the Tate in London. 'These are the scrapings of the scrapings of the barrel,' he said. 'This is nondescript work.' Mark Leckey, 44, who was the bookmakers' favourite, submitted two video exhibits, featuring Felix the Cat, Homer Simpson and a Honda car commercial. Three more video 'installations' were submitted by Runa Islam, 37, including First Day Of Spring, in which she paid rickshaw drivers in Bangladesh not to work and then filmed them. Another showed a woman smashing china in an art gallery. Glasgow-based artist Cathy Wilkes, 43, created two supermarket checkouts manned by naked shop dummies, one sitting on a lavatory. The piece, entitled I Give You All My Money, also featured several unwashed cereal bowls. A mannequin is posed on the loo while another has her head trapped in a cage in Cathy Wilkes' creation: I Give You All My Money The final nominee, Polish-born artist Goshka Macuga, 41, presented three sculptures of glass and steel, said to have been inspired by romances between other artists and designers. Curator Carolyn Kerr insisted the exhibition had plenty to offer art lovers. 'It is perhaps the kind of work you get more from than something more sensationalist,' she said. 'For me, I thank goodness it's not the usual suspects.' The winner: Mark Leckey - Resident Poster: Film Studies professor Mark Leckey presents Resi |
To which country do the Chatham Islands belong? | Chatham Islands, New Zealand - Home Home Rekohu - Chatham Islands - Wharekauri 750km to the east of New Zealand's South Island lie the Chatham Islands, home to New Zealand's most remote communities. Around 600 people live on two of the 11 islands that make up 'the Chathams', with incomes largely reliant on farming, fishing, conservation and tourism. The Chatham Islands community is necessarily resilient and self reliant. The purpose of this website is to support the community and to celebrate its successes in the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of the islands. For information on visiting the Chatham Islands, please visit www.discoverthechathamislands.co.nz |
What name is given to a male Ferret? | American Ferret Association: Frequently Asked Questions Mustela nigripes 3. What is the proper terminology for ferrets by gender and age? Male ferrets are known as "hobs." Female ferrets are referred to as "jills." Baby ferrets are "kits," and a group of ferrets is known as a "business." 4. Where did the ferret originate? Although the European polecat (Mustela putorius) is thought to be its primary ancestor, other species likely contributed to the lineage of the modern pet ferret, including the Steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanii) of Central and Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. Ferret - human interactions are documented throughout world history. Ferrets were mentioned as early as 450 BCE by the Greek playwright, Aristophanes, who drew similarities between the Achaeans (one classical name for the Greeks) to ferrets in their abilities as thieves. Some historians also believe ferrets were being kept by ancient Egyptians as pets before cats became popular. There is also a possible mention of ferrets in an older version of the King James Bible. However, since the word for ferret has historically been difficult to translate, it is not conclusive that this mention is truly a ferret as some have deciphered the reference as weasel or even lizard! The first universally accepted reference to the ferret was in 63 BCE by a Greek historian named Strabo. Strabo stated that the ferret was bred in captivity in Libya and used for hunting rabbits. "It [Libya] also produces ferrets, equal in size to cats, and like them, except that their noses project further..." (The Geography of Strabo, 17. 3. 4-5) By 600 AD the ferret had made it to Spain to hunt rabbits. As cultures spread throughout the Mediterranean and into Europe, they adopted the rabbit as a protein source, and so the ferret accompanied them as the hunter. Multiple references to use of ferrets in hunting and for rodent control are noted after the 13th century throughout Europe. Their arrival in the New World occurred when explorers and colonists brought them along as mousers in their ships. Women Hunting Rabbits with a Ferret From the Queen Mary Psalter, 1316-1321 (British Library, MS Royal 2. B. VII) 5. Do ferrets make good pets? Yes! Ferrets combine the best features of dogs and cats with some unique features of their own. Like cats, ferrets are small and quiet. Like dogs, they are affectionate, playful, and enjoy human interaction. They are independent, yet enjoy being with people. Their mischievous and playful nature, retained well into old age, makes them entertaining companions. 6. How intelligent is a ferret? Ferrets will surprise and delight you with what they can do and learn. They recognize their name, respond to verbal and visual commands, and can even learn to do tricks. Ferrets can also be litter-box trained. The behaviors you want to see in your ferret can best be achieved by training using praise or appropriate treats (see below). 7. Do ferrets bite? A healthy, well-trained ferret should not bite. Like all pets, ferrets need to be taught what acceptable behavior is. Ferrets have a lower bite rate than other household pets - you are less likely to be bit by a ferret than by the family dog. 8. What should a ferret eat? A balanced diet and proper nutrition will lead your ferret to a long, active, and healthy life. Ferrets are strict carnivores; they require diets based on highly digestible animal (meat) protein with little to no carbohydrates. If you choose to feed dry food, choose high quality ferret or cat/kitten foods sold by pet shops, feed stores, and veterinarians with at least 36% protein, that is moderate in fats (approximately 20%) and low in carbohydrates. If feeding a dry food, ferrets must have access to food at all times. Because ferrets generally eat only to caloric need, this means that they will not gorge themselves simply because food is available. Ferrets have short digesti |
Which rock group had a hit album in 1975 with 'Toys In The Attic'? | The Story of Aerosmith's Legend-Making ‘Toys in the Attic’ Subscribe to Ultimate Classic Rock on Aerosmith got off to a solid start with their debut album and avoided the sophomore jinx with their second. With their third, 1975’s Toys in the Attic, they truly took off. Released in April 1975, Toys in the Attic found the group working to maintain its rock audience while making another bid for the crossover success that, to that point, had continued to flit just out of reach. Reconvening at the Record Plant in New York City during the early winter months of the year, the band members were under the gun in terms of delivering new material — but after years of live performance, they were better prepared than ever. “Toys was the first record where we had to write everything pretty, much from scratch,” guitarist Joe Perry told Ultimate Guitar . “And also, we had to do it after having been on the road for a while. And, though we were still playing a lot of gigs, we took a couple months off to make this record. So this was our first real studio record. And we would write a lot of the material in the studio. So we’d rehearse them and then go into the studio in the morning with a couple of guitar riffs, and we’d build all these songs out of them.” Crediting an offhand remark from producer Jack Douglas during the Get Your Wings sessions with sending him into an emotional tailspin, bassist Tom Hamilton admitted in Walk This Way: The Autobiography of Aerosmith that the band’s ability to, as Perry put it, “afford better dope” allowed him to embark on a cocaine-fueled practice regimen in order to impress Douglas when they started Toys in the Attic. “When we started Toys, I felt better about my playing for once,” said Hamilton. “It was up to this higher level where the rest of the band had already progressed.” Hamilton’s increased confidence and instrumental dexterity paid off in the studio, leading to the bass line for future Toys in the Attic classic “Sweet Emotion,” among other things. But the band members weren’t entirely starting from scratch. All their touring helped road-test some of the new material, Perry later noted , saying that “We had an idea of what songs were working for us live at that point, and so we kind of had an idea of what direction we wanted the songs to go in. We knew we wanted to play some uptempo songs, some shuffle songs and some blues rock. But though we knew what kind of songs we wanted, we didn’t really know how it was going to turn out.” Acknowledging the building pressure on Aerosmith to deliver a hit, Perry also openly credited producer Douglas with accentuating the band’s strengths and encouraging them to deliver their best songs and performances. “Jack really helped us a lot in that department,” noted Perry. “He really became the sixth member of the band and taught us how to do it.” As far as singer Steven Tyler was concerned, whatever pressure the band might have been feeling was decidedly secondary to his growing belief that Aerosmith could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any of the greats. “I knew we’d made it,” he wrote in Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Memoir. “I was the kid who put my initials in the rock ’cause I wanted the aliens to know I was there. It’s a statement of longevity. The record will be played long after you’re dead. Our records would be up there in the attic, too, with the things that you loved and never wanted to forget. And to me, Aerosmith was becoming that. I knew how the Beatles , the Animals and the Kinks did it — with lyrics and titles. I saw reason and rhyme in all the lunacy that we were concocting.” Listen to Aerosmith Perform ‘Sweet Emotion’ Subscribe to Ultimate Classic Rock on Looking back, it isn’t hard to see why Tyler was so confident. Toys in the Attic marked a quantum leap forward for Aerosmith, in terms of writing as well as performance, and the band’s artistic growth was soon matched by a sales boom: Toys soared to No. 11 on the chart, sending “Sweet Emotion” into the Top 40 and “Walk This Way” all the way to No. 10 — their biggest hit |
Socotra is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean belonging to which country? | Socotra Meaning - YouTube Socotra Meaning Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on May 2, 2015 Video shows what Socotra means. an archipelago in the Indian Ocean off the coast of the Horn of Africa, belonging to Yemen.. Socotra Meaning. How to pronounce, definition audio dictionary. How to say Socotra. Powered by MaryTTS, Wiktionary Category |
What is the title of the 2010 film that is the sequel to the 1999 film East is East? | West Is West - East Is East Sequel - Official Movie Trailer 2011 - YouTube West Is West - East Is East Sequel - Official Movie Trailer 2011 Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Uploaded on Dec 24, 2010 Category |
In which sport did Liberal Democrat MP Menzies Campbell compete in the 1964 Olympics | Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell to step down as MP Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell to step down as MP STV The 72-year-old said it had been an 'enormous privilege' to represent North-East Fife for 26 years. Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell is to quit Parliament at the next general election. The 72-year-old, who has represented North East Fife since 1987, said it had been an “enormous privilege” to serve the constituency for a quarter of a century. Sir Menzies led the party from 2006, after Charles Kennedy resigned, before being succeeded by Nick Clegg the following year. In 2002 he underwent chemotherapy after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a form of cancer. He said: “It's been an enormous privilege to have been an MP for 26 years and to represent such a wonderful constituency as North East Fife. My wife and I have made many friends and have been supported by constituents of all political persuasions and none. "It is always a regret to begin the process of retiring from the House of Commons but I believe now is the time to start. I have written to Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrats, and to Harry Wills, chairman of the North East Fife constituency party." Sir Menzies was chairman of the Scottish Liberal Party from 1975 to 1977 before entering Parliament in 1987. He had previously been an advocate, becoming a QC in 1982. He was the party’s foreign affairs spokesman for nearly a decade before taking over as leader, having been knighted in 2004, but his spell in charge was marked by poor poll ratings and he stepped down after just 19 months. He has most recently served on the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee and the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee. As a young man he was an Olympic sprinter, competing in the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, captaining the Scottish athletics team at the 1966 Commonwealth Games and holding the UK 100 metres record for seven years. Mr Clegg said it was "a sad day for me, my party and British politics as a whole". "Sir Menzies has been a towering presence in British politics for the past three decades. He has served this country and our party with unparalleled distinction," said Mr Clegg. "Most people would be satisfied with just one outstanding career but Menzies Campbell has had three - as an Olympic athlete, a renowned QC, and a leading politician. "It has been a great honour to succeed Sir Menzies as the leader of the Liberal Democrats. As well as being an outstanding leader, Sir Menzies is a brilliant orator and someone who commands both attention and affection from all sides of the House in Westminster. "Of his many achievements in politics, I suspect he will be most vividly remembered for his passionate and articulate opposition to the war in Iraq. "Sir Menzies Campbell has served the people of North East Fife with distinction for an astonishing 26 years. I know he will continue to do so over the next year and a half and in the many other roles he fulfils in the area, such as his Chancellorship of St Andrews University. "Speaking personally, I have relied for a long time on Ming's enormous wisdom and knowledge and his retirement from Westminster is a sad day for me, my party and British politics as a whole." Share this article By continuing you agree to our Terms of Use , including our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy . Any issues contact us . Upload Profile Picture Close Please make sure your image is under 2mb in size and a valid JPG, PNG or GIF. Select file Are you sure? Close Unfortunately, you'll be unable to access our premium content. We’ll be sorry to see you go, but if you change your mind you can rejoin us at any time. Cancel Please verify your STV account Close Please verify your STV account using the email we sent you. If you have lost the email, we can send you another one, just click the button below. Thanks We've sent you a new verification email. Please check your email and follow the instructions to verify your account. Close This field is required. That doesn't look like a valid e-mail format |
Which country did Pope Francis visit in August? | Pope Francis lands in South Korea for first Asia visit - CNN.com updated 10:28 PM EDT, Thu August 14, 2014 STORY HIGHLIGHTS North Korea fires projectiles into the sea before the Pope's arrival Pope Francis is making his first visit to Asia His Asia trip is a nod to growing Catholicism outside Europe Pope is expected to hold Mass with Sewol ferry victims, North Korean escapees and former comfort women (CNN) -- Pope Francis arrived in Seoul Thursday, marking the first papal visit to the country in 25 years. The historic visit is also a nod to Catholicism's shifting demographics as an increasing number of believers come from Latin America, Africa and Asia instead of its historic stronghold in Europe. "The Pope's visit to South Korea is the first part of a very intelligent opening to Asia," said Lionel Jensen, associate professor of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Notre Dame. "The Pope's presence is a powerful symbol of the Vatican's recognition that it is in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa that the church is growing most prominently." Pope Francis' message of reconciliation Pope Francis waves to crowds from inside a vehicle near Seoul Air Base in Seongnam on Monday, August 18. The Pope's trip to South Korea marks the first papal visit to the country since Pope John Paul II went there 25 years ago. Francis meets with South Korea's religious leaders at Myeong-dong Cathedral in Seoul on August 18. The Pope celebrates a Mass for Peace and Reconciliation in Seoul on August 18. Nuns greet Pope Francis for a Mass in Haemi on Sunday, August 17. Francis delivers his message as he celebrates Mass in Haemi on August 17. Young Catholics attend a Mass conducted by Pope Francis on August 17. Pope Francis kisses a child on August 17 upon arrival for the mass. Pope Francis blesses the faithful on August 17 as he arrives for Mass. In Seoul on August 17, Pope Francis greets the father of one of the victims of the sinking of a South Korean ferry that killed more than 300 people, most of them high school students, earlier this year. Pope Francis kisses a baby as he arrives to celebrate Mass and the beatification of Paul Yun ji-Chung and 123 martyrs, at Gwanghwamun Gate in Seoul on Saturday, August 16. Thousands of people line a street as Pope Francis arrives for a Mass to beatify Korean martyrs on August 16. Pope Francis arrives at Solmoe Shrine for Korea's Catholic martyrs in Dangjin, South Korea, on Friday, August 15. The Pope kisses a child at the Mass of the Assumption of Mary at Daejeon World Cup stadium in Daejeon, South Korea, on August 15. Pope Francis gathers with thousands of the faithful to celebrate Mass in Daejeon, South Korea. Thousands of believers sit in Daejeon World Cup Stadium for Mass with the Pope on August 15. Pope Francis prays during the Mass of the Assumption of Mary on August 15. Pope Francis enjoys a traditional Korean dance as he meets with young believers at the Solmoe Shrine in Dangjin. Pope Francis waves to a crowd during his visit to the birthplace of Saint Kim Taegon Andrea, who was the first Korean-born Catholic priest and is the patron saint of Korea, at the Solmoe Shrine for Korea's Catholic martyrs on August 15. Pope Francis prays with Daejeon Bishop Lazarus You Heung-sik in front of the birthplace of Saint Andrea Kim Dae-gun in Dangjin. Pope Francis laughs with bishops as he signs a guestbook Thursday, August 14, at the headquarters of the Korean Episcopal Conference in Seoul, South Korea. Pope Francis walks with South Korean President Park Geun-hye before a welcoming ceremony at the presidential Blue House in Seoul on August 14. Pope Francis waves to a crowd after his arrival in Seongnam, South Korea, on August 14. The Pope shakes hands with a nun in Seoul on August 14. People watch Pope Francis' arrival on a television at the Seoul Railway Station. Park delivers a speech during a news conference with the Pope in Seoul. Pope Francis walks down stairs during a welcoming ceremony in Seoul. Pope Francis is escorted by Park upon his arrival at Seoul Military Airport in Seongnam. Pope Franci |
Which poem by John Masefield begins 'Quinquireme of Nineveh from distant Ophir Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine'? | POEM: CARGOES BY JOHN MASEFIELD Terence George Craddock 31 May 2010 02:14 Cargoes by John Masefield is a wonderful romantic view of ancient cargo in stanza one and two, described as being exotic exciting treasure contrasted with the modern cargo of stanza three, which is practical industrial dirty cheap and boring. Leonard Wilson is correct, a Spanish cargo containing all these jewels at once and gold moidores is extremely unlikely. The moidore is a Portuguese gold coin minted from 1640 to 1732. A Spanish cargo of mostly silver and far less gold ingots or cob coinage would be realistic. The first minted Spanish Gold Doubloons in the new world was in Mexico from 1732 but gold cobs were produced until 1750. The lines ‘QUINQUIREME of Nineveh from distant Ophir, /Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine, ’ is historically impossible. Nineveh is an ancient Assyrian city and capital from 705 to 612 BCE. Roman Palestine is a term used from around the time of the birth of Jesus, but Palestine first appears as ‘Syria Palaestina’ on Roman maps in 132 CE when the ‘Emperor Hadrian changed the name of the province from Iudaea, Judea as it was called in Herod’s reign. The quinquereme is not a trading ship but a Hellenistic-era warship used extenively by the Carthaginians and Romans from 399 BCE but invented by Dionysius of Syracuse. John Masefield’s description of the cargo of Ophir, is from the earliest time period, in the reign of King Soloman 971-931BCE. Soloman received a cargo of gold, silver, sandalwood, precious stones, ivory, apes and peacocks from Ophir, every three years. At1 Kings 10: 22, it reads ‘The king had a fleet of trading ships at sea along with the ships of Hiram. Once every three years it returned carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons.’ The translation of 'baboons' is rare, older translations have 'peacocks' instead. Therefore Masefield uses a mixture of historical periods to create a romantic cargo in stanza one. Soloman’s real trading ships may have included designs like Hatshepsut's Naval Vessels from the 15th Century BCE or may have been modeled after an Egyptian Naval Vessel of 1250 BCE. The early Phoenician trading ships of Soloman’s collaboration with Hiram of Tyre had ‘a keel, not ill shaped, a rounded hull, bulwarks, a beak, and a high seat for the steersman. The oars, apparently, must have been passed through interstices in the bulwark.’ The exports of Phoenicia are more romantic than any description Masefield describes, but it is the contrast of ships and cargoes which is Masefield’s purpose. Yet Phoenician smelting' or 'refining ships', hauling smelted ores from the mining towns in Sardinia and Spain shares a similar purpose to the ‘Dirty British coaster’. Leonard Wilson 05 Apr 2010 08:35 First stanza: Nineveh was the capital of the ancient Assyrian Empire, on the Tigris River, actually not in Palestine, although Palestine was included in the empire. Ophir was a land rich in gold, probably in Africa. 'Haven' is a word rich in connotation, suggesting shelter and security and peace, and adding this to 'home, ' another word with highly favorable connotations, multiplies the effect. The last line, 'Sandalwood, cedarwood, and sweet white wine, ' is, in my opinion, one of the most pleasant sounding lines in English poetry. Second stanza: The 'stately Spanish galleon' creates the image of a tall sailing vessel with billowing white sails. It is coming from the central American region, carrying a rich cargo of gold and jewels. Actually it is highly unlikely that it would have had all the different types of jewels, but the Spanish did ship a huge fortune in gold from South America. The line 'dipping through the tropics by the palm-green shores, ' like the use of the word 'sunny' in the first stanza, indicates very favorable sailing weather and gives a picture of serenity. Third stanza: Unlike the other ships, this one is a coaster, that is just sailing from one port to another on the same coast, staying close to home; and since the poet is British, this is in his own area, not a distant par |
The Spurn Lightship is a museum in which city | Hull City Council : Spurn Lightship Learn more about Hull’s maritime past at Hull Maritime Museum The Spurn Lightship The Spurn Lightship guided ships safely through the treacherous River Humber for almost 50 years. Step aboard to discover how it was used as a navigational aid and find out what life was like on board. An interpretation panel at the Marina explains its history and various parts for visitors when the ship is closed. |
Published in 2009 and set in 2006-2007 complete the title of the last book in the series Adrian Mole: | Sue Townsend writing new Adrian Mole book when she died - Telegraph Book news Sue Townsend writing new Adrian Mole book when she died The working title - Pandora's Box - raises the prospect that Townsend planned for her hero to be romantically reunited with Pandora, object of his affection since schooldays Stephen Mangan played Adrian Mole in 'Adrian Mole - The Cappuccino Years' with Helen Baxendale as his love interest Pandora Photo: BBC By Anita Singh, Padraic Flanagan 12:41PM BST 11 Apr 2014 Sue Townsend was working on a new Adrian Mole novel when she died, with the working title of Pandora’s Box. The book was due for publication this autumn and Townsend had sent “a few wonderful pages” to her editor, Louise Moore, earlier this year. It is not known if the author had completed a first draft, and it will now be up to her family to decide what, if anything, of the project will be published. The working title raises the wonderful prospect that Townsend planned for her hero to be romantically reunited with Pandora, object of his affection since schooldays and last sighted as the Labour MP for Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Related Articles 27 Feb 2012 Gian Sammarco as Adrian Mole in the Thames TV production of 'The Secret Diary' A spokesman for Townsend’s publisher, Michael Joseph, said: “We can confirm that Sue was in the middle of writing the book. Her editor had seen what she describes as ‘a few wonderful pages’. "It was supposed to be out this autumn and we are very sad that we won’t be able to show it to the world.” Moore, managing director of Michael Joseph, paid tribute to the much-loved author. “Sue was a comic genius. I watched her write many times, and I don’t use those words lightly. “Her precision, clarity and sentence structure were simply perfect and that is why her words ring so true and are so very, very funny. “She was also a human of the very highest calibre. I loved her dearly, as did most people who were lucky enough to encounter her in their lives. Her voice will stay with us all,” Moore said. The new book would have been the 10th in the series, which began in 1982 with The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾. The 10th, Adrian Mole: The Prostrate Years, was published in 2009. Townsend, who was left blind after suffering from diabetes for many years, revealed in 2012 that she was planning to revisit her most famous comic creation. Speaking at the Hay Festival, she said the book would be set against the backdrop of “austerity Britain”. “Adrian is going to be a big wheel in the village he lives in,” she explained. “But there are no facilities – the pub has closed, and the shops and the Post Office. There is a horse therapy centre though.” Author Sue Townsend (Rex Features) The book would open with Adrian’s 45th birthday, she explained, “so there will be some reflection but only a bit – too much reflection is boring”. As news of her death spread, tributes were led by JK Rowling, Ian Rankin and David Walliams. The Harry Potter author praised the writer on the social media site Twitter, posting: “So sad to hear about Sue Townsend. She gave me so many laughs. #AdrianMoleWillLiveForever” Her publishers, Penguin Books, said she died on Thursday "surrounded by her family" after suffering a stroke. Tom Weldon, chief executive of Penguin Random House UK, said: "Sue Townsend will be remembered as one in a handful of this country's great comic writers. We were so proud to be her publishers. “She was loved by generations of readers, not only because she made them laugh out loud, but because her view of the world, its inhabitants and their frailties was so generous, life affirming and unique." Stephen Mangan, who played Adrian Mole in a 2001 television adaptation, tweeted his condolences, saying: "Greatly upset to hear that Sue Townsend has died. One of the warmest, funniest and wisest people I ever met." Writer Caitlin Moran said she was "One of the funniest women who ever lived". Townsend was born in Leicester in 1946, and set her most famous work in her home city. She left school at the age of 15, married at 18 and by |
Which city lies at the confluence of the Blue Nile and the White Nile? | The River Nile Homepage Back to top Geology Why should the river that tumbles out of the Ethiopian highlands and joins the White Nile at Khartoum be called the Blue Nile? It is not particularly blue. Perhaps it should be called the Summer River, because for most of the year it provides little water compared to the White Nile, but in Summer it is very much the dominant tributary. In the summer, winds from the SE bring moist air from the Indian Ocean. This is forced to rise over the Ethiopian Plateau, half of which is over 2 km high; the highest point in Ethiopia - Ras Dejen - is about 4.5 km high. The moist air cools as it rises, and this wrings out the moisture in torrents known as monsoon. Monsoon rains wash the Ethiopian highlands in summer, filling every dry wash that drains down to the Blue Nile. The river itself swells so with water that at the confluence with the White Nile it causes its more sedate partner to dam back on itself. It is this annual flooding of the Blue Nile along with that of the Atbara to the north, which also flows out of the Ethiopian highlands, that caused the Nile to rise each year in Egypt. It is erosion of the basalt lavas of the Ethiopian highlands that allows the river each year to bring a fresh varnish of black mud to its floodplain. Maybe it should be called the Canyon Nile, because over half of its 800 km course from Lake Tana to Khartoum is through an impenetrable gorge. The canyon over much of its length is over 1500 m deep, just as deep as the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River in Arizona, U.S.A. Like the Grand Canyon, the Blue Nile Gorge exposes layers of rock laid down over hundreds of millions of years of earth history, with 150 million year old sandstones and limestones sandwiched between 800 million year old granites below and 20 million year old lava flows at the top. In spite of these similarities, the Blue Nile gorge is the more intimidating feature. Within 30 km of its source at Lake Tana the river enters a canyon which it does not leave for 400 km. This gorge is a tremendous obstacle for travel and communication from the north half of Ethiopia to the southern half. There is another difference between the two rivers: many people enjoy the raft ride down the Colorado through the Grand Canyon, but no one has ever floated down the Blue Nile and lived to brag about it. Another possible name would be the Lost Nile. The traditional source of the Blue Nile is a spring which feeds the Little Abbai, a stream which flows NE into Lake Tana. Lake Tana itself lies at an elevation of a little over 1800 m and was formed when a young lava flow blocked the river, flooding a shallow depression. The river has cut through this barrier, flowing to the SE. As the river cuts deeper into its gorge, it slowly turns south, then SW, then W. Finally, as it leaves the great canyon, it turns to NNW to meet with its sister stream at Khartoum. The course of the stream thus turns 270 degrees from start to finish. nbsp; A Bit of History In Arabic the Blue Nile is called 'Al Bahr al-Azraq' while the Ethiopians call it the 'Abbai'. The numerous names given to the river reflect the river's complex history involving the river, the people who make their livelihood from it, and those who were determined to rule it. It would be impossible to tell the history of all of the people and tribes that have lived along the Nile in the space of this small site, and readers are encouraged to look for books with a more detailed account. A bit of history from the headwaters in Ethiopia and the Nile cities in Sudan follow. One very notable event for the people who lived along the Nile, both the Blue and White, is the invasion and conquest of the area by a somewhat mysterious group of warriors in the 1600's. Sennar, Sudan was chosen as the capital and the kingdom they established was called the Fung Empire. It stretched from the Red Sea to beyond the barrier of the White Nile. This kingdom collapsed in 1821 to an invasion of a Turkish army from Egypt. The new rulers established a capital at the place where th |
The album So Long, See You Tomorrow, based on the novel of the same name by William Maxwell, was a number one earlier this year for which band? Their name sounds like they could be a sports group from India. | Robert Pattinson's girlfriend FKA twigs arrives at the Mercury Prize ceremony | Daily Mail Online comments FKA twigs is fast becoming one of the music industry's favourite artists after being shortlisted for the coveted Mercury Music Prize. The 26-year-old singer-songwriter, who is reportedly in a relationship with Robert Pattinson, was one of the nominees for the prestigious musical accolade. And, although she didn't win on the evening - that honour went to Scottish hip-hop group Young Fathers - it's fair to say her career is booming after seeing her album sales enjoy a huge boost after just being nominated. Scroll down for video Music star: FKA twigs arrives at the 2014 Mercury Prize awards ceremony holding her Shortlist award at the Roundhouse in London on Wednesday Along with the other nominated acts, she arrived at the awards ceremony on Wednesday evening at London's Roundhouse venue, in Camden Holding aloft her Shortlist prize, she posed on the red carpet ahead of the ceremony, wearing a trademark cutting-edge and directional outfit while showing off her dancer's legs in thigh-high boots. FKA twigs - whose real name is Tahliah Barnett - was one of the favourites to win out of the 12 nominated acts, which included the likes of Damon Albarn, Kate Tempest, Bombay Bicycle Club, Jungle and Royal Blood. RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share Following her nomination, sales of her début album LP1 have skyrocketed, enjoying an 83 per cent boost in purchases. She has recently been touring in venues across Europe, with her Hollywood star boyfriend following in her wake as a show of support. Beautiful: As sales of her début album LP1 have soared since being nominated for the prize, FKA twigs was one of the 12 nominees who was hotly-tipped to win Judges have said of FKA twigs' have praised her record as 'an enthralling electro-pop record' adding that it is a combination of 'artful, restless and seductive'. The prize is open to British and Irish acts who have released albums over the past 12 months, and the judges - headed by regular chairman Simon Frith - have sifted through more than 220 entries to draw up the shortlist. Finishing up the 12-strong list were Polar Bear, Anna Calvi, Nick Mulvey, Young Fathers, GoGo Penguin and East India Youth. Champions: Young Fathers have won the prestigious Mercury Prize 2014, as well as a £20,000 jackpot 'Lots of people will know who we are': (L-R) Young Fathers band members G Hastings, Alloysious Massaquoi and Kayus Bankole were proud of their achievement, beating off 11 other great artists to the top The big winners the night were Young Fathers, whose album Dead won the £20,000 prize. The Edinburgh-based trio is made up of Alloysious Massaquoi, Kayus Bankole and G Hastings. They formed in 2008, clocked up appearances at numerous festivals and have been described as a 'psychedelic hip hop boy band'. However, despite their big coup, the musicians are not yet sure what they'll spend their prize winnings on. Speaking to MailOnline, they said 'We're going to Berlin soon and focused on writing new stuff so we haven't thought about the money yet. 'We want loads of people listening to our stuff. [This victory] means lots of people know who we are.' They added: 'There won't be a fight about where the award will go as it'll go in our studio.' The judges said of their first album, which came after two successful EP releases: 'A startlingly original take on hip-hop. Brimming with ideas, a potent mix of pop, rap, rhymes and rhythms. Ominous and exciting.' Casual: Blur hero Damon Albarn made it a laid-back evening What a gong: Singer-songwriter Anna Calvi held aloft her Shortlist award for the Mercury Prize as she arrived at the ceremony on Wednesday. She was nominated for the second time for her album One Breath Successful: Anna Calvi's second album One Breath was nominated for the high-honour award Damon Albarn, who was nominated for his first solo album Everyday Robots, rocked up to the event in typically casual attire, including jeans and an open denim shirt layered over a t-shirt. Mea |
Who hosted the celebrity version of Fifteen to One which had one episode last September and four in June this year? | Fifteen to One - Episode Guide - All 4 Fifteen to One Clips & Extras First shown: Fri 20 Sep 2013 Fifteen celebrities go head-to-head as they battle it out to win the notoriously tough quiz show. Among the contestants are: Jo Brand, Alex Brooker, Konnie Huq, Jonathan Ross and Stephen Mangan. Clips & Extras After an 11-year break, the popular quiz show is back. Sandi Toksvig asks 15 contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they hope to be in with a chance to win £40,000. This episode is subtitled44 mins Clips & Extras Sandi Toksvig asks 15 contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they compete for a place in the £40,000 end-of-series final. This episode is subtitled44 mins Clips & Extras Sandi Toksvig asks 15 contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they compete for a place in the £40,000 end-of-series final. This episode is subtitled44 mins Clips & Extras Sandi Toksvig asks 15 contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they compete for a place in the £40,000 end-of-series final. This episode is subtitled44 mins Clips & Extras Sandi Toksvig asks 15 contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they compete for a place in the £40,000 end-of-series final. This episode is subtitled44 mins Sandi Toksvig asks 15 contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they compete for a place in the £40,000 end-of-series final. This episode is subtitled44 mins Sandi Toksvig asks 15 contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they compete for a place in the £40,000 end-of-series final. This episode is subtitled45 mins After an 11-year break, the popular quiz show is back with a new look. Sandi Toksvig asks 15 contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they hope to win 40,000 pounds. This episode is subtitled45 mins After an 11-year break, the popular quiz show is back with a new look. Sandi Toksvig asks 15 contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they play to win £40,000. This episode is subtitled42 mins After an 11-year break, the popular quiz show is back with a brand new look. Sandi Toksvig asks 15 contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they play to win £40,000. This episode is subtitled46 mins After an 11-year break, the popular quiz show is back with a brand new look. Sandi Toksvig asks 15 contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they play to win £40,000. This episode is subtitled42 mins After an 11-year break, the popular quiz show is back with a brand new look. Sandi Toksvig asks 15 contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they play to win £40,000. This episode is subtitled44 mins After an 11-year break, the popular quiz show is back with a new look. Sandi Toksvig asks 15 contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they play to win £40,000. This episode is subtitled44 mins After an 11-year break, the popular quiz show is back with a new look. Sandi Toksvig asks 15 contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they play to win £40,000. This episode is subtitled42 mins After an 11-year break, the popular quiz show is back with a brand new look. Sandi Toksvig asks 15 contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they play to win £40,000. This episode is subtitled43 mins It's the Grand Final. Sandi Toksvig welcomes back the 15 best winners of the series to ask them some of the toughest questions on television This episode is subtitled44 mins Sandi Toksvig asks contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they hope to win £40,000 This episode is subtitled44 mins Sandi Toksvig asks contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they hope to win £40,000 This episode is subtitled42 mins After an 11-year break, the popular quiz show is back with a brand new look. Sandi Toksvig asks 15 contestants some of the toughest questions on television as they play to win £40,000. This episode is subtitled43 mins It's the Grand Final. Sandi Toksvig welcomes back the 15 best |
In the English version of Scrabble there are 100 tiles. The letter E has most tiles. How many | Interesting Facts About Scrabble Letters July 28, 2013 | | Add a Comment Scrabble has been around since the 1940s and is currently sold in over a hundred countries with 29 language versions available. With its easy game play of forming words with Scrabble letters, it is understandable why it is highly appealing, resulting in several Scrabble-inspired word games. Clearly, the stars of the game are its letter tiles and the following are some interesting things about them. History of Scrabble letters Alfred Butts created Scrabble based on another word game he also made, Lexiko, which had the same letter tiles. The frequency and distribution of the Scrabble tiles were determined by a close inspection of different sources, most particularly the New York Times. At first, Butts used his penknife to cut the original set of wooden letter tiles. Later on, when manufacturing became much easier, the Scrabble letters began to be made from Vermont Maple wood. Originally, there were only one hundred letter tiles, but the addition of two blank tiles made the total 102. Letter Distributions and Point Values Each language has a different letter frequency rate, so the letter distribution in Scrabble varies across the globe. However, generally speaking, the rarer a letter is used, the higher point value it has and vice versa. For example, in English, vowels are frequently used especially the letter E, so they are worth only a point each. The following is a list of the distribution of Scrabble letters in English versions of the game: K, J, Q, X, and Z – 1 tile each B, C, F, H, M, P, W, and Y – 2 tiles each G is the only letter with three tiles D, L, S, and U – 4 tiles each N, R, and T – 6 tiles each O is the only letter with 8 tiles A and I – 9 tiles each E has the most tiles at 12 (it is the most frequently used letter in the English language) Because K, J, Q, X, and Z aren’t that frequently used, they carry higher point values at 5, 8, 8, 10, and 10 respectively. Aside from the vowels, the letters N, R, T, L, and S are also worth one point each. D and G are worth 2 points each, while B, C, M, and P are worth 3 points. F, H, V, W, and Y are worth 4 points each. Finally, the blank tiles that can represent any letter carry no points. The most number of letter tiles is 120 and they are used in the Italian and Portuguese versions of the game. In the Malayan version, the letter A has the most number of tiles at 19, which is nearly a fifth of the total number of letter tiles. Using all seven letters in one move is called a bingo (in France and Spain, it is called “scrabble,” while in other countries, “bonus” is used), which rewards you with extra points. The highest-scoring 7-letter word is “quartzy,” as long as it is formed across a triple-word square and the Z is strategically placed on a double-letter square. The Spanish word “etario” is a seven-letter word that will most likely appear in a player’s Scrabble rack. Theoretically speaking, the highest score that can be obtained when playing in a US tournament is 1,778 points. The move will involve joining 8 tiles that are already on the board with new ones to form the word “oxyphenbutazone.” Three triple-word squares are also required to obtain this high score. Records and Other Trivia In 2008, Scrabble celebrated its 50th anniversary alongside Britain’s Prince Charles’ 60th birthday. To honor both occasions, black, brown, and white Scrabble tiles were used by Lizzie Sanders to create a portrait of the prince. In addition, the biggest Scrabble game was played at the Wembley Stadium, also in Britain. Every tile was a 6×6 feet square, approximately the size of a dining room table! At least two strong men were needed to lift each square. With over 150 million Scrabble sets sold, it is no surprise to know that there are at least 1 million missing letter tiles all over the world! Moreover, if all the Scrabble letters ever made were to circumnavigate the planet, it would do so eight times! If you have a vowel-rich letter rack, don’t panic. There are two-letter words that consist of only vowels! |
Which spice is obtained from the plant Crocus sativus | Crocus | The Flower Expert - Flowers Encyclopedia Buy From OurStores Crocus The name of the genus is derived from the Latin adjective crocatus, meaning saffron yellow. Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus), a species of crocus in the family Iridaceae. The word Crocus is Latin for Saffron. The flower's three stigmas (the distal ends of the plant's carpels, or female reproductive organs) and parts of its style (a stalk connecting the stigmas to the rest of the plant) are often dried and used in cooking as a seasoning and colouring agent. Crocus is the native of Southern Europe and Asia. There are about 80 species of crocus, of which approximately 30 are cultivated. These cup-shaped, solitary, salverform flowers taper off into a narrow tube. Knowing this, it should not surprise you that Saffron comes from the stigma of the Saffron Crocus. But, it takes thousands of flowers to get an ounce of Saffron. Saffron, which has for decades been the world's most expensive spice by weight, is native to Southwest Asia. It was first cultivated in the vicinity of Greece. Kingdom Species Crocus sativus The spice saffron is obtained from the stamens of Crocus sativus, a fall-blooming species. The hay saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a sterile triploid plant, known in human culture only, with no fertile seeds produced. The origin of saffron is still a mist, however it is assumed to be an autopoliploid mutant or a hybrid. The recent classification and most of the former taxonomic publications define C. sativus to be derived from C. cartwrightianus, a wild species. Saffron is considered to be the worlds most expensive spice. The flower of Crocus sativa is a light purple, but it is the thread-like reddish colored stigma of the flower that is valued both as a spice and as a natural colorant. Saffron is hand harvested in the autumn, and the stigma is laboriously separated to yield the reddish colored spice. It takes in excess of 70,000 flowers to yield just one pound (0.45 kilo) of saffron spice. The odour of saffron is sometimes described as like the sea air. Saffron is characterised by a bitter taste and an iodoform- or hay-like fragrance; these are caused by the chemicals picrocrocin and safranal. It also contains a carotenoid dye, crocin, that gives food a rich golden-yellow hue. These qualities make saffron a much sought-after ingredient in many foods worldwide. Saffron also has medicinal applications. Facts About crocus Flowers The word saffron originated from the 12th century Old French term safran, which derives from the Latin word safranum. Safranum is also related to the Italian zafferano and Spanish azafr?n. Safranum comes from the Arabic word asfar , which means yellow, via the paronymous za?faran , the name of the spice in Arabic. In the Greco-Roman classical period (8th century BC to the 3rd century AD), the saffron harvest is first portrayed in the palace frescoes of Minoan Crete, which depict the flowers being picked by young girls and monkeys. The best-known Greek legend involving saffron was that detailing the tragedy of Crocus and Smilax. The people best known as growers of this bulb were the Minoans. The Minoans grew it throughout its range in the Aegean Sea and the parts of Asia Minor which they controlled. It was produced by crushing the dried stigmas of the flower for the powder. The stigma is the female part of the flower which is surrounded by the male stamens. According to a theory, after ancient Persia conquered Kashmir, Persian saffron crocus corms were transplanted to Kashmiri soil. The first harvest then occurred sometime prior to 500 BC. Phoenicians then began in the 6th century BC to market the new Kashmiri saffron by utilising their extensive trade routes. Once sold, Kashmiri saffron was used in the treatment of melancholy and as a fabric dye. Saffron-based pigments have been found in the prehistoric paints used to depict beasts in 50,000-year-old cave art in what is today Iraq. Later, the Sumerians used saffron as an ingredient in their remedies and magical potions. The |
Who won the Ladies' Singles Championship at Wimbledon this year? | Who will win Wimbledon 2016: Wimbledon Betting Tips Who Will Win Wimbledon 2016? Bob Cohen - Chief Sportswriter / Betting Previews , Betting Tips , Slider , Tennis Tips / who will win Wimbledon , Wimbledon betting offers , Wimbledon betting tips / Who Will Win Wimbledon This Year: Wimbledon Betting Tips and Offers Novak Djokovic proved too good at Wimbledon 2015, just as he did at almost every tournament last year in fact and most recently as he did at the 2016 French Open . Serena Williams made it a double for the pre-tournament betting favourites by beating the little known Garbiñe Muguruza in the final, although the Spaniard got her revenge in the French Open earlier in the year. Djokovic was our tip all the way so we were pretty pleased with that and we’ll have our 2016 Wimbledon betting tips, offers and odds here a little closer to the tournament, which starts on the 27th June 2016 (and ends on the 10th July). We’ve also got a little Wimbledon history and trivia, which might not help you decide who will win Wimbledon this year, but should at least provide a little bit of interest and give you plenty of exciting facts with which to bore/annoy/fascinate your mates! Alternatively, why not check out all our free bets , or perhaps our betting tips for other upcoming events? Wimbledon 2016 Betting Offers The enhanced odds offers and money back specials for Wimbledon 2016 are starting to be released and we’ll have all the details right here. We’ll be adding more all the time too! Coral 8/1 Murray/Djokovic Offer Can’t decide between Murray and Djokovic? Bet BOTH of them AND amazing enhanced odds of 8/1 with Coral’s top Wimbledon offer. JOIN CORAL and you can bet £5 on the two best players in the world. Your bet is a winner if EITHER of them triumph at SW19! Maximum enhanced stake is £5, with winnings paid in free bets and you also get your money back (as a free bet) if, somehow, neither of these two greats wins. Other Offers and Free Bets £50 Wimbledon Free Bet – VISIT LADBROKES to claim a £50 free bet for Wimbledon! Treble The Odds On Any Player – Join 888SPORT you can claim TREBLE THE ODDS on any player you choose! How about Federer at 39/1?! Who are the Favourites to Win Wimbledon This Year? Men’s Wimbledon Singles Favourites 2016 If you like to get your bets on early then you can, of course, and grab a little extra ante post value in the process. The current favourites are: Novak Djokovic at 8/11 with Ladbrokes Andy Murray at 18/5 with 888sport Roger Federer at 12/1 with Betfair Women’s Wimbledon Singles Favourites 2016 In the women’s game it is a similar picture, as you would expect, with the familiar names at the top of the betting, starting with the world number one. Serena Williams at 13/8 with Betfred Garbine Muguruza at 13/2 with BetVictor Petra Kvitova at 7/1 with Ladbrokes Remember, whatever you are betting on, be sure to make use of one (or more) of our many Free Bets with the most trusted bookies in the business. You can check out the official Wimbledon website , for detailed tournament information. Ok, so who is going to win Wimbledon in 2016? Men’s Wimbledon Betting Tips? Our betting tips for Wimbledon 2016 will be here in June. Women’s Wimbledon Betting Tips Find out who will win Wimbledon in 2016 right here in June! What Happened at Wimbledon 2015 As mentioned earlier, it was success for the favourites in both the men’s and women’s tournaments at Wimbledon 2015, with Djokovic and Serena Williams prevailing. Djokovic beat Federer in four sets in the final, having beaten Cilic and Gasquet in the quarters and semi. Federer destroyed Murray in the semis, winning in straight sets but once more, the Serbian world number one was too good. Serena’s progress was equally and fittingly serene as she won the final 6-4, 6-4 against the Spaniard Muguruza, competing her second “Serena Slam” and also becoming the oldest woman to win a Slam in the open era. Wimbledon History Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, having first been held way back in 1877, before even my mum was around. The question of who wi |
Der Konig der Lowen is the German version of which musical? | Konig der Lowen (The Lion King) - YouTube Konig der Lowen (The Lion King) Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Uploaded on Nov 26, 2006 The german musical version of The Lion King(Konig der Lowen) performing at the German show Wetten Dass? Category |
Which Bridge in Central London, completed in 1945, is often referred to as 'The Ladies' Bridge' | Sorry folks, no blue plaque for WATERLOO BRIDGE this year. Here is letter I received yesterday. Dear Karen, I am afraid you are right in supposing that the Panel decided that English Heritage could not go ahead with a plaque on Waterloo Bridge, commemorating the role of women in its construction, at this point. ... The conclusion was that there is not at present enough reliable historical evidence to do this. This circumstance does sometimes arise in our research for plaques: figures not to have plaques for this reason include the water-colourist Helen Allingham, the composer Henry Purcell and the car-maker and engineer Henry Royce. While the photographs of women welders at work demolishing the southern footings of the temporary bridge (apparently taken by a Daily Herald photographer in 1944) do demonstrate that female labour was used in the wider project of replacing Rennie’s bridge, they do not provide conclusive proof of the involvement of women in the actual construction of the new bridge. The other material that has been presented in favour of women’s involvement in the building of Waterloo Bridge was inconclusive. The research undertaken for English Heritage uncovered no first hand oral evidence from anyone, female or male, who actually worked on the bridge. Anecdotal accounts from those who claimed to have seen women at work on the bridge, such as that from the daughter of the lead contractor, Betty Lind Jaeger, cannot be confirmed by other evidence and do not, by themselves, provide sufficient grounds for a plaque. The contractors’ post-war claims for compensation on the grounds of ‘the deterioration in the quality of labour available’ has also been cited as possible evidence of the involvement of women, but certainly cannot be counted as proof of it, as it could easily be a reference to the employment of under-trained males. In summary, the extensive research carried out for English Heritage – in company, local council and central government archives – has unfortunately not uncovered any evidence of the involvement of women in the construction of the present Waterloo Bridge. If any substantial new evidence emerges in the future that does so, we will, of course, reopen the case. If you have any queries about any of this then please do come back to me Kind regards |
Ramadan is which number month of the Islamic calendar | Ramadan starts in the United States Home Calendar Holidays the United States Ramadan starts Ramadan starts in the United States Ramadan (also known as Ramadhan or Ramzan) is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a period of prayer, fasting, charity-giving and self-accountability for Muslims in the United States. The first verses of the Koran (Qu'ran) were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (also written as Mohammad or Muhammed) during the last third of Ramadan, making this an especially holy period. Ramadan lanterns are popular during the month of Ramadan. Ramadan lanterns are popular during the month of Ramadan. ©iStockphoto.com/GHOSS What Do People Do? Ramadan is a month of fasting for many Muslims in the United States. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars (fundamental religious duties) of Islam. It is a time of self-examination and increased religious devotion. People of Islamic faith are encouraged to read the entire Qur'an during Ramadan. Some Muslims recite the entire Qur'an by the end of Ramadan through special prayers known as Tarawih, which are held in mosques every night of the month, during which a section of the Qur'an is recited. Ramadan is also a month for acts of charity. Some Islamic centers and organizations actively take part in charity events and activities such as giving basic necessities, including food and clothing, to the homeless or donating school equipment to schools. Some schools for students of Islamic faith may hold special events to welcome Ramadan. Some school authorities may issue requests on or prior to Ramadan, asking staff members at all schools within a district to help Muslim students perform their fasting ritual. Public Life Many Islamic businesses and organizations may amend opening hours to suit prayer times during Ramadan in the United States. There may also be some congestion around mosques during prayer times, such as in the evenings. Background Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, which consists of 12 months and lasts for about 354 days. The word “Ramadan” is derived from an Arabic word for intense heat, scorched ground and shortness of food and drink. It is considered to be the most holy and blessed month. Fighting is not allowed during this period. The month of Ramadan traditionally begins with a new moon sighting, marking the start of the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. Many Muslims (except children, the sick and the elderly) abstain from food, drink, and certain other activities during daylight hours in Ramadan. This is considered as the holiest season in the Islamic year and commemorates the time when the Qu’ran (Islamic holy book) is said to have been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. This occurred on Laylat Al-Qadr , one of the last 10 nights of the month. Ramadan ends when the first crescent of the new moon is sighted again, marking the new lunar month’s start. Eid-al-Fitr is the Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. About Ramadan starts in other countries Read more about Ramadan starts . Ramadan starts Observances Note: Regional customs or moon sightings may cause a variation of the date for Islamic holidays, which begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday. The Islamic calendar is lunar and the days begin at sunset, so there may be one-day error depending on when the New Moon is first seen. Select another year-range: |
Who wrote the three plays known as the Eugene Trilogy - Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues and Broadway Bound? | 'Broadway Bound' retains its human touch at Stage Door Theatre - southflorida.com 'Broadway Bound' retains its human touch at Stage Door Theatre Broadway Bound Kristian Bikic has a dance with Pamela Roza in Stage Door Theatre’s "Broadway Bound." Kristian Bikic has a dance with Pamela Roza in Stage Door Theatre’s "Broadway Bound." (George Wentzler / Courtesy) Privacy Policy Neil Simon wrote more than three dozen plays, musicals and screenplays before wading into the autobiographically inspired world of the Jerome family. His trilogy about them — "Brighton Beach Memoirs" (1983), "Biloxi Blues" (1985) and "Broadway Bound" (1986) — sparked a critical reassessment of Simon's depth and craftsmanship, opening the path toward the Pulitzer Prize he won in 1991 for "Lost in Yonkers." Many South Florida theaters pass on Simon's work in favor of newer, edgier plays. But Margate's Stage Door Theatre and its audience of seasoned theatergoers remain beguiled by the observant, amusing, touching work of a playwright who celebrated his 89th birthday on the Fourth of July. In 2013, Stage Door presented "Brighton Beach Memoirs." Now, on Sean McClelland's re-dressed, two-story set, the company is doing the final play in the trilogy, "Broadway Bound." Jumping from Depression-era 1937 to 1949, when Simon and his older brother Danny were about to become sketch-comedy writers on radio and television, the playwright revisits the Jerome family in a wintry Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. Matriarch Kate (Pamela Roza) soldiers on as her family's nurturer, cooking and cleaning and fussing at her aging father and now-grown "boys." She suspects that her husband, Jack (Peter Librach), has cheated on her. And she's right. The tension between the two becomes quicksand, threatening 33 years of marriage. Kate's stubborn father, Ben (Michael H. Small), is living with the family, spouting his socialist take on Leon Trotsky's principles and beginning to fail physically. He refuses to entertain the idea of moving to Florida with his wife, who is currently bunking in Manhattan with Kate's now-affluent sister, Blanche (Donna Warfield). Upstairs, in their boyhood bedrooms, elder brother Stan (Alex Salup) and younger brother/narrator Eugene (Kristian Bikic) are furiously trying to write a sketch for CBS, an on-spec script they hope will turn their dream of becoming comedy writers into reality. Broadway Bound George Wentzler / Courtesy Sean McClelland’s two-level set creates the world of the Jerome family in Stage Door Theatre’s “Broadway Bound.” Sean McClelland’s two-level set creates the world of the Jerome family in Stage Door Theatre’s “Broadway Bound.” (George Wentzler / Courtesy) Simon explores familiar territory in "Broadway Bound," including intergenerational conflict, infidelity, the struggle to forge a life path, and the realities for stay-at-home wives and mothers. Jewish traditions and humor are woven through the script, and though "Broadway Bound" is a well-made play, some of its laugh lines would be perfectly at home in a Catskills comedy routine. Director Michael Leeds draws particularly fine work from Roza and Bikic in the key roles of Kate and Eugene. Roza, a two-time Carbonell Award winner, hasn't acted often in recent years, but she remains an impressive artist, strong and nuanced. Bikic is engaging, likable and in control as he artfully underscores that "Broadway Bound" is Eugene's memory play. The scene in which Kate tells Eugene about the legendary night she danced with actor George Raft — ending with mother and son re-creating the dance and happier times — is so sweet, and finely calibrated. Salup, who also played Stan in Stage Door's "Brighton Beach Memoirs," is handsome (a "Jewish Cary Grant," Eugene calls him) and driven as the elder brother who knows the younger one is clearly more talented. Small nails the rhythms of Simon's dialogue, along with the irascibility of a man who fears change and covers it with bluster. Librach isn't as formidable as Roza, draining some of the drama from the Kate-Jack confrontations. Warfield does well by the role of |
Leland Stanford, Earl Warren and Pat Brown (father of the current holder) have held the position of Governor of which US state? | Governors of California - Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown Born: April 7, 1938 in San Francisco, California Married: Anne Gust on June 18, 2005 in Oakland, CA Political Party: Democrat At age four, he became the youngest person to climb Yosemite's legendary Ledge Trail He was a cheerleader at St. Ignatius High School He started two charter schools in Oakland – the Oakland School for the Arts and the Oakland Military Institute Biography Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr., the son of former Governor Pat Brown (1959-1967), was born in San Francisco on April 7, 1938. He graduated with degrees in Latin and Greek from the University of California, Berkeley in 1961 and received a juris doctorate from Yale in 1964. His education also included studies at the Jesuit Seminary in Los Gatos, California. Following law school, Brown worked as a law clerk to California Supreme Court Justice Mathew Tobriner, traveled and studied in Mexico and Latin America, then took up residence in Los Angeles, working for a law firm. In 1968, he helped qualify a slate of presidential delegates to oppose the re-nomination of President Lyndon Johnson. The following year, Brown was elected to the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees. In 1970, Brown was elected California's Secretary of State, a position he held until his inauguration as Governor in 1975. As governor, he had strong ideas about state spending and refused to live in the new governor's mansion, renting a modest apartment instead, and nixing the governor's limousine in favor of a state-issued Plymouth. He focused on energy efficiency and alternative power sources, sponsored and signed the first labor laws in the United States to protect farm workers, and signed into law the California Conservation Corps (CCC) program. His appointments emphasized minorities and women, echoing the social awareness of his era. After his two terms as governor, Brown unsuccessfully ran for United States Senator in 1982. He then travelled extensively, returned to his law practice in Los Angeles, and in 1989 became chairman of the state Democratic Party. He resigned that position in 1991, and unsuccessfully sought the 1992 Democratic Presidential nomination. In 1998, Brown was elected Mayor of Oakland, California. Brown was re-elected in 2002 and held the post until 2007. Brown was elected Attorney General of California in 2006 and announced his candidacy for Governor in March, 2010. Since Brown's previous terms in office were not covered by term limit laws enacted in 1990, he was not barred from running for Governor again. Jerry Brown is the only governor to return to the office after serving years before. Budgets |
The James Joyce novel Ulysses is set on one day in Dublin in 1904 in which month | Ulysses | Penguin Books New Zealand James Joyce Set entirely on one day, 16 June 1904, Ulysses follows Leopold Bloom and Stephen Daedalus as they go about their daily business in Dublin. From this starting point, James Joyce constructs a novel of extraordinary imaginative richness and depth. Unique in the history of literature, Ulysses is one of the most important and enjoyable works of the twentieth century. After its first publication in Paris in 1922, Ulysses was published in Great Britain by The Bodley Head in 1936. These editions, as well as the subsequent resettings of 1960 in Great britain and of 1961 in the US, included an increasing number of transmission and printing errors. In 1977 a team of scholars, led by Professor Hans Walter Gabler, began to study manuscript evidence, typescripts and proofs in an attempt to reconstruct Joyce's creative process in order to come up with a more accurate text. This edition uses the revised 1993 text of Gabler's version. Format & Editions |
Which British driver has 31 Formula One victories, the most by a Briton? | How did Lewis Hamilton cruise to victory at the British Grand Prix - and what was historic about his win? How did Lewis Hamilton cruise to victory at the British Grand Prix - and what was historic about his win? Lewis Hamilton after his victory at the British Grand Prix Credit: AFP Daniel Johnson , Formula One Correspondent, at Silverstone 10 July 2016 • 2:55pm This has to be one of the most anonymous victories in the British Grand Prix by a British driver in history. Lewis Hamilton made all the right tyre calls, eased ahead when required, and was barely seen for most of the afternoon. While Nico Rosberg and Max Verstappen squabbled behind for the second half of the race, Hamilton stretched his legs, comfortably cruising away. The rain and the competition were no bother for the reigning champion. Lewis Hamilton celebrates victory in the British Grand Prix Credit: AFP Hamilton won the race pretty much as soon as the safety car pulled into the pits. He pulled out around five seconds on Rosberg, a gap he maintained, with the odd ebb and flow, throughout. Much more straightforward than the argy-bargy of Austria last Sunday. Rosberg out of luck The German did not drive a bad race but he was never really in contention for victory. A gearbox problem in the closing laps could spell the end of his second place, however. For a time he was stuck in seventh gear. The team told him how to fix it, immediately prompting an investigation for the stewards (there is a strict radio ban which means teams cannot help the drivers fix certain mechanical issues). Rosberg was never in contention for victory Credit: Livepic Verstappen closed to just 1.3s, meaning if Rosberg is given a five-second penalty the Dutchman will be promoted from third. Hamilton the history maker Ever since his sparkling career began, Hamilton has been troubling the record books, but he is increasingly inserting himself right to the very top. No more so than here at Silverstone. Hamilton is now the most successful British driver in history at the famous old track, with four victories. He equals Nigel Mansell’s record of four wins in the British Grand Prix (one of his came at Brands Hatch), and is just one victory shy of Jim Clark’s five. Hamilton crosses the line to win at Silverstone Credit: David Davies/PA The 31-year-old also becomes the most Briton to win three in a row at home since Clark in the 1960s. It moves him closer to four world titles, something no-one from this country has ever managed. The gap has been as high as 43 points this year, but Hamilton has wrestled it down to just four points in the space of five races. The British winners of the British Grand Prix Safety car lunacy A colossal downpour 20 minutes before the start set the scene for what should have been the perfect opening, but it was quickly ruined by the ridiculous decision to start the race under the safety car. There were puddles, yes – Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne was among those on the grid to get soaked - but blue skies emerged well before even the parade lap. Trust Formula One to ruin what could have been the liveliest first lap for some time. Frankly, it was embarrassing. Why does rain mean a race has to start under the safety car? Lewis Hamilton gets close to the safety car They trundled around, disappointing the crowd. Hamilton was among the most agitated. “The track is going to be intermediates pretty soon,” he said. “We can go Charlie [Whiting, race director].” It was utterly senseless. Finally after five laps we had some racing. Move of the day Not just move of the race, but move of the season so far from Verstappen. On intermediate tyres he gradually closed up to Rosberg before making his move, one of the bravest you will ever see. Jos Verstappen (left) goes round the outside of Nico Rosberg Rosberg had a big twitch going through Maggotts, allowing Verstappen to sweep round the outside of Chapel. As Murray Walker would say, fantastic. Poor Palmer Spare a thought for Jolyon Palmer and his nightmare first outing in the British Grand Prix. Having qualified 18th, Palmer |
The music key signature C Major has no sharps or flats. What is the equivalent minor key? | Key Signature in Music Notation & Musical Staff musictheory 0 Comment The key signature at the beginning of a musical staff lists the sharps or flats in the key. In musical notation, a key signature is a series of sharp symbols or flat symbols placed on the staff, designating notes that are to be consistently played one semitone higher or lower than the equivalent natural notes (for example, the white notes on a piano keyboard) unless otherwise altered with an accidental. Key signatures are generally written immediately after the clef at the beginning of a line of musical notation, although they can appear in other parts of a score, notably after a double bar. The key signature comes right after the clef symbol on the staff. It may have either some sharp symbols on particular lines or spaces, or some flat symbols, again on particular lines or spaces. If there are no flats or sharps listed after the clef symbol, then the key signature is “all notes are natural”. In common notation, clef and key signature are the only symbols that must appear on every staff. They appear so often because they are such important symbols; they tell you what note is on each line and space of the staff. The clef tells you the letter name of the note (A, B, C, etc.), and the key tells you whether the note is sharp, flat or natural. The key signature is a list of all the sharps and flats in the key that the music is in. When a sharp (or flat) appears on a line or space in the key signature, all the notes on that line or space are sharp (or flat), and all other notes with the same letter names in other octaves are also sharp (or flat). This key signature has a flat on the “B” line, so all of these B’s are flat. The sharps or flats always appear in the same order in all key signatures. This is the same order in which they are added as keys get sharper or flatter. For example, if a key (G major or E minor) has only one sharp, it will be F sharp, so F sharp is always the first sharp listed in a sharp key signature. The keys that have two sharps (D major and B minor) have F sharp and C sharp, so C sharp is always the second sharp in a key signature, and so on. The order of sharps is: F sharp, C sharp, G sharp, D sharp, A sharp, E sharp, B sharp. The order of flats is the reverse of the order of sharps: B flat, E flat, A flat, D flat, G flat, C flat, F flat. So the keys with only one flat (F major and D minor) have a B flat; the keys with two flats (B flat major and G minor) have B flat and E flat; and so on. The order of flats and sharps, like the order of the keys themselves, follows a circle of fifths. The key signatures with seven flats and seven sharps are very rarely used, not only because pieces in these “extreme” sharp or flat keys are more difficult to play on most instruments, but also because they have simpler enharmonic equivalents. For example, the key of C# major (seven sharps) is more simply represented as Db major (five flats). For modern practical purposes these keys are the same, because C# and Db are the same note. Pieces are written in these “extreme” sharp or flat keys, however: for example, Bach’s Prelude and Fugue No. 3 from Book 1 of The Well Tempered Clavier BWV 848 is in C# major. If you do not know the name of the key of a piece of music, the key signature can help you find out. Assume for a moment that you are in a major key. If the key contains sharps, the name of the key is one half step higher than the last sharp in the key signature. If the key contains flats, the name of the key signature is the name of the second-to-last flat in the key signature. Example 1 The only major keys that these rules do not work for are C major (no flats or sharps) and F major (one flat). It is easiest just to memorize the key signatures for these two very common keys. If you want a rule that also works for the key of F major, remember that the second-to-last flat is always a perfect fourth higher than (or a perfect fifth lower than) the final flat. So you can also say that the name of the key signature is a perfect fourth lower than the name |
Which salad plant has the scientific name Nasturtium officinale | Plants Profile for Nasturtium officinale (watercress) Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum watercress This plant and synonym italicized and indented above can be weedy or invasive according to the authoritative sources noted below.This plant may be known by one or more common names in different places, and some are listed above. Click on an acronym to view each weed list, or click here for a composite list of Weeds of the U.S. |
Which European golfer was joint runner-up in the 2014 Open Golf Championship? | European Tour - 143rd OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2014 European Tour RORY MCILROY WINS 143RD OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP Captures third major Winning score of 271 (-17) Closing 71 to win by two from Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler Join the conversation using #ETLIVEBLOG By Dave Clark, Adrian Millerick and Roddy Williams at Hoylake 19:17 Well, that's it from us now at the end of a simply magnificent Open Championship. The Live Blog will be back in the near future but until then, we'll leave you with one more pic of the man of the moment.... Rory McIlroy - 2014 Open Champion 19:04 And how about a word from the man who was with Rory every step of the way - his caddie JP Fitzgerald. 19:02 We also hear from Rory McIlroy's countryman Graeme McDowell as he gives his reaction to Rory's victory. 18:55 Full credit to Sergio Garcia as he finished joint runner-up with Rickie Fowler and let's hear what he had to say. 18:51 DAY 4 IN NUMBERS: 3 – players to have won three majors at the age of 25 – Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and now Rory 12 – under par for McIlroy on the back nine this week – no other player played the closing holes better 10 – under par for Sergio Garcia on the front nine. The best total in the field. 7 – was the hardest hole on the course, the par four averaging 4.366 12 – under for McIlroy on the par fives this week, where his length from the tee helped greatly 23 - most birdies this week from Rickie Fowler 6 – over par for Tiger Woods in the opening two holes at Royal Liverpool throughout the week 10 – the easiest hole at Royal Liverpool, averaging just 4.578 68 – four under par finish for five-time Open Champion Tom Watson on Sunday 22 – putts for Koumei Oda on his way to a final round 67 368 – longest drive of the week from powerhouse Dustin Johnson at the 16th today 18:15 Indeed Greg Fortune, Fowler’s performances in the majors of late have been exciting. And Sergio seems like a much happier performer nowadays. If both can stay steady, then you’d think their time will come. And then who knows from there? Once you win one, everything gets easier, or so they say. Just look at the man holding the Claret Jug right now. 18:15 Rory, Rickie, Sergio majestic talent. Thanks for a great Open. Hope you all continue to win Majors. @SkySportsGolf @EuropeanTour — greg fortune (@greg fortune) 20/07/2014 20:07 18:05 What a day it’s been for McIlroy. He’s going to be the man in the spotlight over the next few weeks and comparisons with Tiger’s career will only continue. A move from eighth up to second in the Official World Golf Rankings will be the icing on the cake for Rory. 17:53 Rory’s win has also brought up the 100th Irish victory overall in European Tour history since 1972, with 52 of those being for Northern Ireland and 48 for the Republic of Ireland. McIlroy's final total was 271 after shooting 66-66-68-71. 17:48 They don’t mess about with these presentations do they?! Good to see if you ask me as Garcia and Fowler pick up their prizes after finishing in a tie for second. And now it’s over to Rory, who composes himself before delivering a mature and impressive winner’s speech. Much like his golf this week then. Although the 25 year old does draw a few boos by mentioning he’s a Manchester United fan, but recovers well – it’s all in the name of banter anyway. Rory McIlroy becomes the first Northern Irishman to win three Major titles as he claims The Open Championship by two shots at Royal Liverpool. 17:40 As the presentation gets under way down by the 18thgreen, we should take a moment to praise the fans at Royal Liverpool, who’ve passionately supported all the players throughout what’s been a fine week. The occasion got the better of one or two towards the end there, but apart from that, it was wonderful to see so many fans of all ages enjoying some world class golf. A quick look at a few stats now and it’s interesting to see Rickie Fowler finished with the most birdies this week – 23. McIlroy was tied first for the par fives, having played them in 12 under par. Rory was also the back nine champion, having played the closing |
The Boys from Syracuse is a musical based on which Shakespeare play? | Shakespeare/Pop Music: Broadway - shakespeareandpopularmusic shakespeareandpopularmusic INTRODUCTION Although considered part of the classical theatrical canon today, Shakespeare's plays were an important part of the popular culture of Early Modern England. It seems only fitting that Broadway has made these plays part of popular culture again by adapting them into musicals. Very little academic research and/or writing, however, is available on this topic. In order to remedy the situation, this page has compiled a working archive of resources on Broadway musicals based on Shakespeare's plays, in the hopes that this will generate further interest and analysis. Most of the research that went into creating this page is centered on Broadway specifically, but a list of non-Broadway musicals has also been included in order to show that this phenomenon is by no means centered in one locale. To date, this archive includes the names of twenty-two Shakespearean musical productions. These productions have been produced in the United States, England, and Prague and have been performed in numerous other countries. Shakespeare's romantic comedies are the genre of play most often adapted into musical productions. Sixteen of the twenty-two productions included in this archive are based on Shakespearean romantic comedies. The Comedy of Errors, which was the first Shakespeare play to ever be adapted into a musical, is tied with Twelfth Night for the most number of musical theatre adaptations, at four productions each (Comedy of Errors: The Boys from Syracuse, Oh, Brother! , The Bomb-itty of Errors, and Da Boyz/Twelfth Night: Play On!, Music Is, Love and Let Love, Your Own Thing), while A Midsummer Night's Dream and Hamlet follow close behind with three different musical theatre adaptations (A Midsummer Night's Dream: Swingin' The Dream, Babes in the Wood, and The Donkey Show: A Midsummer Night's Dream Disco/Hamlet: Rockabye Hamlet, The Lion King, and Hamlet The Rock Opera). Besides Hamlet, three other Shakespearean tragedies have been adapted into musicals: Romeo and Juliet (West-Side Story and Sensations), King Lear (Pop!) and Macbeth (From a Jack to a King). No evidence has been yet found of a history play having been turned into a musical. Popular music has also been appropriated by many of these productions. Swing (The Brothers of Syracuse, Swingin' the Dream, Play On!) , Rock and Roll (Two Gentlemen of Verona, Rockabye Hamlet, Your Own Thing, From a Jack to a King and Hamlet The Rock Opera), Hip-Hop/Rap (The Bomb-itty of Errors and Da Boyz), and Reggae (The Big Life) are all examples of musical genres that have been appropriated by Broadway musicals - whose songs, incidentally, also sometimes become the stuff of popular music (Kiss Me Kate, West Side Story, Lion King, and so forth). The fluid relationship between Shakespeare and popular music in Broadway productions deserves further consideration, as does the fact that many of these productions are using Shakespeare and popular music not simply to make money, but also to discuss issues of both race (Swingin' the Dream) and gender (Kiss Me Kate) or both (Play On!). Theatre Royal Stratford East's 2005 production of The Big Life, for example, uses Reggae music and the plot-line of Love Labour's Lost to tell the historically true story of Caribbean immigrants who set sail for England in the 1950s on the SS Empire Windrush because they had been promised both jobs and a better life by the English government who very much needed their help to re-build after the war. Some of the questions that productions like The Big Life require academics to ask of themselves include: 1) Can popular music be used in musical adaptations of Shakespeare to talk-back to colonial/patriarchal imperatives and to de-centralize the hegemonic authority of Shakespeare's works? (And if so how are they able to do this? ); 2) Does the capitalist form of Broadway musical productions make it impossible to de-centralize power of any kind in these musical adaptations of Shakespeare? (And, if so, what are Sha |
Which character was played by Peter Capaldi in the recent TV drama The Musketeers? | The Musketeers to kill off Peter Capaldi after Doctor Who left him unable to film ending | Celebrity News | Showbiz & TV | Daily Express CELEBRITY NEWS The Musketeers to kill off Peter Capaldi after Doctor Who left him unable to film ending THE MUSKETEERS is to kill of Peter Capaldi's villainous Cardinal, after he was unable to film any sort of end to his character duo to his Doctor Who commitments. 15:42, Wed, Apr 23, 2014 Peter Capaldi's Musketeers character will be killed off after he was unable to film an ending[WENN] Producers have had to write the character out of the hit BBC show after the Scottish actor landed the coveted role of the twelfth Time Lord, meaning he had to abandon his other acting projects. Denied a grand send-off during the final episode of the first series, it has been revealed that the Cardinal will simply be gone when it returns later this year. "Come the next series the Cardinal will be dead," Tom Burke, who plays Athos in the show, revealed to the Radio Times. "He'll just be gone. The star had to abandon his role as Cardinal Richelieu in the BBC show [BBC] Writers have had to write the character out and bring in a new villain [BBC] "We're all like, 'Where's the Cardinal? Oh he's dead!'" He added: "It's a great example of economic storytelling. Their new nemesis will be Rochefort, who's played by Marc Warren." Peter Capaldi will appear in the new series of Doctor Who as the 12th Time Lord [BBC] Warren, who has starred in Mad Dogs and Hustle, officially joined the cast last month with his villainous character described as a "dashing and persuasive aristocrat with a talent for sword fighting and a taste for adventure." Capaldi is currently shooting series eight of Doctor Who which is expected to hit screens this year [WENN] Burke's fellow Musketeers Luke Pasqualino, Howard Charles and Santiago Cabrera will reprise their roles in the new series, which has already began filming in Prague. Meanwhile, Capaldi is currently shooting series eight of Doctor Who which is expected to hit screens on BBC1 later this year. Related articles |
Cleopatra's Needle in London had stood in which Egyptian city since 12 BC | How Cleopatra’s Needle got to Central Park | New York Post How Cleopatra’s Needle got to Central Park Cleopatra Needle's made a long and tedious journey to Central Park. Michael Sofronski ; Shutterstock More On: Animal rights activists sued for 'terrorizing' carriage horses It’s 70 feet tall, 220 tons and the city’s oldest artifact — but many New Yorkers don’t know it exists. Cleopatra’s Needle, a 3,500-year-old obelisk from Ancient Egypt, survived a voyage to Central Park more than a century ago and has been a park treasure ever since. Nestled behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the hieroglyph-covered column was commissioned by one of Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs and reigns as among the last of its kind. “It’s our oldest inhabitant,” says Dr. Bob Brier, a renowned Egyptologist at Long Island University’s C.W. Post Campus in Brookville, LI. Cleopatra’s Needle in Central Park. “When it was erected, everyone went bananas,” he adds. “Then it was forgotten. Trees grew up around the knoll and obscured it. People just stopped thinking about it.” Still, Brier says the artifact’s history has enough twists and turns to make a Hollywood film. Erected in Heliopolis around 1450 BC, the obelisk was toppled centuries later by Persian invaders. It was buried in the dust for 500 years more until the Romans snatched it for Julius Caesar. Now the Central Park Conservancy is embarking on a $500,000 project to clean and preserve the monument — using lasers to wipe away decades of dirt and pollution. “There was a recent article about the obelisk, and the writer said it’s boring,” says Brier, who visits the monument every month. “He’s dead wrong. The obelisk is an engineering achievement. It’s an ancient skyscraper.” Despite its nickname, Central Park’s obelisk wasn’t made for Cleopatra, but for the Napoleon of Egypt. Thutmosis III amassed the greatest empire in Egyptian history during his 54-year reign. The pharaoh came to power in 1479 BC and claimed to have conquered more than 300 cities from Syria to Sudan, leading his army from a chariot sheathed in gold. Thutmosis was also a prolific builder, commissioning dozens of temples and obelisks. Construction has begun on Cleopatra’s Needle.Helayne Seidman To celebrate his 30th year of rule, the pharaoh asked for a pair of pillars to flank the sun temple in Heliopolis — a feat that sent thousands of workers south to the Aswan quarry to cut each monument from a single piece of red granite. While Thutmosis was the brain behind the obelisks and inscribed them with his name, two other kings later seized them and added their own self-serving hieroglyphs to the four sides. Pharaoh Ramesses II, who reigned from 1279 to 1212 BC, inscribed his praises and left little room for Osorkon I, who crammed his moniker on a lower edge. The monuments towered above the Nile for more than 1,000 years, until Persians raided the city and toppled them. The obelisks may have burned in the invasion and eroded from spending hundreds of years in the sand. The obelisks stood again around 12 BC, when Roman conquerors uprooted and moved them to Alexandria. The artifacts were placed then at a Caesarium, a temple honoring Julius Caesar. After the collapse of the Roman empire, and even the fall of the Caesarium, the obelisks still stood. At some point — no one’s quite sure by whom — they were given their nickname: Cleopatra’s Needles. “Thutmosis’s pair of obelisks quietly faded into the scenery, their presence taken for granted by the Alexandrians,” wrote Martina D’Alton in a 1993 book on the obelisk. “The obelisks remained unperturbed . . . greeting incoming ships and witnessing the departure of obelisks and other treasures bound for distant shores.” Cleopatra’s Needle was erected by Thutmose III at Heliopolis in about 1,460 BC, later moved to Alexandria, and then to the USA.Getty Images By the 19th century, Europe coveted Egyptian artifacts. England was offered one of the Thutmosis columns in 1801 as a gift for helping Egypt oust Napoleon. It wasn’t erected in London until 1878, however, after a hazardous journey t |
In which month is the Feast of the Annunciation in the Christian church | BBC - Religions - Christianity: The Feast of the Annunciation The Feast of the Annunciation Last updated 2009-06-16 The Christian celebration of the Annunciation on the 25th March marks the angel Gabriel's visit to Mary. On this page The Feast of the Annunciation Mary and Jesus © The feast of the Annunciation marks the visit of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during which he told her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is celebrated on 25 March each year. More importantly, since it occurs 9 months before the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day, the Annunciation marks the actual incarnation of Jesus Christ - the moment that Jesus was conceived and that the Son of God became the son of the Virgin. The festival has been celebrated since the 5th century AD. The festival celebrates two things: God's action in entering the human world as Jesus in order to save humanity Humanity's willing acceptance of God's action in Mary's freely given acceptance of the task of being the Mother of God The Annunciation and the liturgy The story of the Annunciation has produced three important liturgical texts, the Ave Maria, the Angelus, and the Magnificat. The angel's greeting to Mary, which is traditionally translated as "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee," (in Latin Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum) is the opening of the Ave Maria, and a part of the Rosary prayers. The Angelus consists of three Ave Marias, together with some additional material. It is said three times a day in the Roman Catholic Church. The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) is the poem with which Mary responds to the Annunciation and celebrates the power of God. Political implications of the Annunciation Some feminist theologians find the story of the Assumption portrays women as unacceptably submissive and as colluding with the idea that "women's only claim to fame is the capacity to have babies." They interpret Mary's behaviour as demonstrating passive subordination to male power. Simone de Beauvoir wrote: For the first time in human history the mother kneels before her son: she freely accepts her inferiority. This is the supreme masculine victory, consummated in the cult of the Virgin. Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, 1952 Other writers have a different interpretation. They don't see Mary as powerless before God, but instead as a woman who makes a free choice to accept God's task for her - a task she could have refused. Mary's acceptance of the role of servant is not, they teach, demeaning, and they point out that Jesus also regarded himself as a servant. And taking up the example of the disciples, they see Mary, through her act of faith, exercising her right to believe what she wants and to cooperate with God in his plan of salvation - a plan that he cannot carry out without her. Other writers suggest that the story of the Annunciation emphasises the status of women, since in the Incarnation God enlists the help of a woman to create a child of vast importance, and gives men no part to play in this important work. And in the Magnificat itself, Mary becomes the herald of Salvation, and takes Christianity into the spheres of politics and justice as the first spokesperson for the marginalised people who were the focus of Jesus, and are now the focus of Christians and the Church. The Bible story of the Annunciation The story is told in Luke's Gospel, 1: 26-38. In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reig |
Author Candida Lycett Green died in August. Which poet was her father | Candida Lycett Green - obituary - Telegraph Nicholas Luard 27 May 2004 This almost fogeyish persona contrasted with the one presented by the tall, lissom blonde Candida Lycett Green in the 1960s, when she and her Old Etonian husband, Rupert Lycett Green, were at the heart of the London party scene. Candida was an habitué of the Establishment Club, where she was photographed with the actor Terence Stamp; Rupert was the founder of Blades, the fashionable gentlemen’s outfitters in Mayfair. Ossie Clark designed Candida’s dresses, and David Hockney painted her portrait . In a reference to Candida’s reputation for minting sardonic witticisms, the couple were known as “Tailor and Cutter”. As editor of her father’s letters, Candida Lycett Green did not consider herself a particularly meticulous scholar but rather a voracious snapper-up of his considered and unconsidered trifles. The writer and poet Blake Morrison delighted in her “often dotty and Betjemanic” footnotes, and found that her affectionate linking passages between the sections “add up to a charming memoir in themselves”. In the first of two hefty volumes, John Betjeman Letters, 1926-1951 (1994), she recalled that all his working life her father had been strapped for cash. In the 1960s, when his fame was well-established, he had sold all his papers and letters — past and future — to the highest bidder, the newly created University of Victoria in British Columbia. In February 1992 Candida travelled to Victoria, and in the university’s McPherson Library “found several corridors of grey four-drawer filing cabinets containing, as it were, my father”. Closeted in her allotted researcher’s cubbyhole, Candida Lycett Green found her father’s life tumbling out across the table in front of her — “notes from Oxford friends, garage bills, rockets from librarians for not returning books” — and she returned to England with more than 2,000 photocopies of letters to her father (there were about 50,000 altogether). Once home, she advertised for her father’s outgoing letters and wrote to hundreds of universities and libraries as well as to 420 individuals. The response was huge and humbling. She received hundreds of letters, not just from friends and acquaintances but also from strangers. “It was like Christmas every morning,” she recalled, “and this lasted for at least four months. A whole new life began to evolve.” The first volume of her father’s letters covered his life in London and Oxford and at his parents’ holiday home at Trebetherick, Cornwall; his marriage to her mother, Penelope Chetwode, and their early years together in Uffington, Ireland and Farnborough. Volume two, John Betjeman Letters, 1951-1984 (1995), began with the family’s move to Wantage in Berkshire and her father taking a small flat at 43 Cloth Fair in the City of London. Candida admitted that her task as editor had been sadder and harder than before, when for the most part she had stood apart from the people and events described in her father’s correspondence. Now she found that she was fully conscious of, and completely involved with, her subject. The second volume of letters was also difficult to compile because in the 1960s Betjeman’s abysmal handwriting had become almost indecipherable even to the most practised transcribers. Then there was the sheer volume of documents, which she said would fill an articulated lorry. When she returned to the University of Victoria in British Columbia for a second time, she was faced with distilling the essence of her father’s life from no fewer than 30,000 letters that she had not seen two years before. Candida Lycett Green in the garden of her home in Wiltshire (Andrew Crowley) Candida Rose Betjeman was born on September 22 1942 in Dublin, where John Betjeman was planning to spend the war as press attaché to the British representative in the Irish Republic. But the family returned to Britain the following year, and his daughter spent her infancy at Garrards Farm, the rented, chaotic family home near Wantage that Evelyn Waugh complained smelled like a village shop: “oil, c |
Published in 2013 Mad About the Boy is the third book about which character who is then 51 and a widow with two children? | Bridget Jones is back in ‘Mad About the Boy’ - The Washington Post Bridget Jones is back in ‘Mad About the Boy’ The inside track on Washington politics. Be the first to know about new stories from PowerPost. Sign up to follow, and we’ll e-mail you free updates as they’re published. You’ll receive free e-mail news updates each time a new story is published. You’re all set! Fans wait for a signed copy of British author Helen Fielding's new novel "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy" at Foyles bookshop in London. (Luke MacGregor/Reuters) By JILL LAWLESS October 19, 2013 LONDON Readers, there is good news and bad news. Bridget Jones is back. But — brace yourselves — Mark Darcy is dead. Fans have been shaken by the revelation in “ Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, ” the third book in Helen Fielding’s series about the diary-writing singleton. He may be fictional, but the demise of Bridget’s handsome lawyer lover — played on the big screen by a smoldering Colin Firth — was headline news. “I turned on the news and there was the Syrian crisis, and then ‘Mark Darcy is dead,’” Fielding said, amazed. “It’s quite extraordinary for a fictional character to be treated as if they’re alive. I sort of think, hats off to Colin, because really he inhabited that character.” British author Helen Fielding poses with a copy of her book 'Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy' at a book signing in central London. (Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images) The reaction is a testament to the hold of Fielding’s characters on the popular imagination. In ditsy, indomitable Bridget, she created an archetype. (In Darcy she borrowed one, from the brooding Mr. Darcy of Jane Austen’s “ Pride and Prejudice ”). Bridget, created for a series of 1990s newspaper columns, was a 30-something Londoner looking for love and career fulfillment while enduring the condescension of “smug marrieds” and confessing her many insecurities in her diary: “Alcohol units 7, cigarettes 22, calories 2,145. Minutes spent inspecting face for wrinkles 230.” In “Mad About the Boy” she is still counting calories and booze, though cigarettes have been replaced by nicotine gum. Bridget is now a 51-year-old widow with two young children, convinced she will never find romance again. Fielding said she had no choice but to kill Darcy so Bridget’s story could move on. “The book I wanted to write was not about domesticity, married life. It was about Bridget struggling with what life throws at you,” Fielding said over lunch at the London gastropub where she likes to write in the daytime. “It was Bridget being single with two children in the age of technology. And rediscovering her sexuality. She was a mother, and she lost it amid the nappies and the busy-ness. I think lots of women go through that.” Breaking the news of Darcy’s demise to Firth, who starred opposite Renée Zellweger in the film adaptations of “ Bridget Jones’s Diary ” and “ Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason ,” was surprisingly tough. “I was really nervous, and I had to make sure that he had someone with him and they were sitting down. And then I said, ‘Colin, I’ve got something really bad to tell you.’ “And then I suppose I just said, ‘You’re dead,’ which is an odd thing to say to anyone. And we were both upset, but at the same time we were laughing.” “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” published in 1996, turned Fielding from a freelance journalist into one of Britain’s most successful writers. The novel and its 1999 sequel have sold 15 million copies. For years, Fielding resisted writing another installment. She was drawn back into Bridget’s world by a desire to write about the lives of middle-aged women, who often face stereotyping, just as the single Bridget did in the earlier books. “There was the idea of ‘tragic, barren spinster’ because she was unmarried in her 30s,” Fielding said. “It was real then. You were Miss bloody Havisham if you didn’t have a boyfriend at 35. And I think the same is true of the middle-aged woman now. “When I was in my 20s, I couldn’t imagine that life would continue beyond 40, really,” she added. “I couldn’t imagine there would |
Which comedian co-hosts the TV talk show The Last Leg with Adam Hills and Alex Brooker? | Channel 4 signs comedian Adam Hills on exclusive contract - Channel 4 - Info - Press Channel 4 signs comedian Adam Hills on exclusive contract google C4 announced today that comedian Adam Hills has signed an exclusive one year deal with the channel. Coming off the critically acclaimed run as the host of The Last Leg, the late night show that ran daily during C4's coverage of the Paralympics, Hills will return with A Last Leg Christmas Special and a series run in 2013. Alex Brooker and Josh Widdecombe, his co-hosts will be resuming their places on the sofa, alongside Hills. Entertainment Commissioning Editor, Syeda Irtizaali said "We knew The Last Leg was something special and we were in no doubt we wanted to keep the show's spirit of open and frank debate alive. We are working on a number of great ideas that will help push the show forward from its paralympic origins into a broad, intelligent and entertaining series. I'm hugely looking forward to working again with Adam, Alex and Josh.' Adam said: "The Paralympics is one of my favourite events in the world. When Channel Four offered me the chance to cover it with The Last Leg, I jumped at it. It's not often you get the chance to do something you absolutely love, that people seem to connect with. I thought The Last Leg was going to be an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm over the moon to think that we can do it all again. " Commissioned by Syeda Irtizaali for Channel4, The Last Leg is being produced by Open Mike Productions in association with Sunset + Vine Channel 4 will also be showing a stand-up special of Hills live in concert recorded in December, at the Lyric Theatre in London's West End. ‘Adam Hills Live From The West End' (W/T) is produced by Open Mike Productions for Channel 4. Related Links |
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