Charles Saatchi once bought a sculpture of a head made from which unusual substance?

8 of the Weirdest Insurance Policies | Bankrate.com 8 of the weirdest insurance policies By Jay MacDonald â¢ Bankrate.com Â  Â  8 of the weirdest insurance policies We're all familiar with auto, home, life and health insurance . But how about chest hair insurance? Coffee taster's tongue insurance? Laughing-to-death insurance? They're all part of Bankrate's roundup of the world's weirdest insurance policies. Owing to the bizarre nature of their risks, the lion's share of these policies, known as specialty lines insurance, have been underwritten by Lloyd's of London . Ironically, Lloyd's is not an insurance company at all, but instead a society of syndicates that insure many of the world's riskiest ventures. Ted Tafaro, CEO of Exceptional Risk Advisors, a Lloyd's underwriter in Mahwah, N.J., says the small universe of stars combined with the fleeting nature of fame puts these risks beyond the means of mainstream insurance companies. "If you think of what insurance really is, it's a pooling to get the law of large numbers to work for you," he says. "The reality is, there's just not a great population of these celebrities out there that would enable an insurance underwriter to get that law of large numbers working for them." The result is some of the weirdest insurance you've ever seen. $2 million legs Who would insure "Ugly Betty" star America Ferrera's smile for $10 million? NFL star Troy Polamalu's locks for $1 million? Supermodel Heidi Klum's legs for $2.2 million? In order: Aquafresh, Head & Shoulders and Braun. Big insurance makes big headlines for the manufacturers that pay celebrities big bucks to promote their products. Despite their eye-catching face value, such promotional policies are quite reasonably priced for one simple reason: They're unlikely to ever pay out. "Lotion companies were famous for insuring their leg models' legs for a million dollars," says Tafaro. "We would write a policy for them, charge them $1,000, and if her legs got disfigured in an accident in Central Park on a Thursday, we would pay." In 2004, Lloyd's even developed a policy to cover the loss of chest hair that could impact the insured's image or career. "But if people are sincere about the insurance, they insure the whole body," Tafaro says. Otherworldly insurance If you think your insurance premiums are out of this world, consider SpaceShipOne, which, as the first non-government-backed space plane to leave the earth's atmosphere, carried a $100 million Lloyd's liability policy to a record-breaking altitude of 62 miles (328,461 feet) in 2004. New space tourism ventures such as Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic will doubtless have similar policies in place before liftoff. But space risk isn't limited to suborbital aircraft. Lloyd's underwriters also have insured earthlings against being maimed or killed by falling space debris from a disintegrating satellite. Soon, Lloyd's may even offer "space weather" insurance to businesses exposed to potential disruptions in power supplies, transportation and communications systems caused by magnetic storms expected to accompany the new 11-year solar cycle that begins in 2012. Hmmm, 2012? Perhaps there's a Mayan end-of-the-world policy in the works! Planning a head for disaster It's no secret that fine art requires care and specialized insurance, as London gallery owner Charles Saatchi found out the hard way during his own private art meltdown. In 1991, Saatchi bought a frozen sculpture titled "Self" from artist Marc Quinn that was indeed a life-size cast of the artist's head made entirely out of nine pints of Mr. Quinn's blood. Talk about your frozen assets! Nine years later, during a kitchen renovation to the London home Saatchi shared with TV chef Nigella Lawson, builders unplugged the freezer containing the artwork. The ensuing trail of red liquid across the floor led all the way to Lloyd's claims desk. Cold feet insurance Not so long ago, wedding insurance might have qualified as weird coverage. Not anymore. Today, wedding coverage has become commonplace as the average cost of a wedding in the U


What is the name of the artist who painted the picture of the Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies as featured in TV series Allo Allo?

'Allo 'Allo! (Series) - TV Tropes 'Allo 'Allo! You need to login to do this. Get Known if you don't have an account Share The main cast from the middle years. Standing, L-R: Lt. Gruber, Yvette, Edith, Crabtree, Helga, Herr Flick, Capt. Bertorelli; seated, L-R: Mimi, René, Michelle.note  Not pictured: Mme. Fanny, M. Leclerc, Gen. von Klinkerhoffen, Col. von Strohm, Herr von Smallhausen. Michelle: Now listen very carefully, I shall say this only once. René: Have you ever said anything twice? Michelle: Yes! But only once. A 1980s BBC sitcom, set in Occupied France during World War II . Lasted from December, 1982 to December, 1992. A total of 85 episodes in nine seasons. Very much a parody of Secret Army , it starred Gorden Kaye as René Artois, owner of a restaurant in a small occupied French town, and a whole host of other characters (for a longer see here ). For the most part, René — who would introduce each episode with a Fourth Wall -breaking monologue to the camera in which he'd helpfully recap the plot for us and gripe about it — just wants to keep his head down, stay out of trouble and fool around with the improbable number of beautiful women who are passionately attracted to him , but unfortunately for him he keeps getting dragged into numerous intrigues and shenanigans involving the French Resistance and the occupying Germans , who both view him as essential to their various schemes. The show was a huge hit at home and overseas. The BBC gave the producers a huge budget, allowing scripts to incorporate more zany stunts and explosions than one would expect of a story concerning the whereabouts of a painting and its forgeries. This show has its own tropes: Bad French accents. In fact, all of the accents were bad, including the British ones. Whilst all the dialogue was actually in English, comical 'national' accents were used to imply the language being spoken — several times, a 'French' character overhears a conversation in e.g. a British accent, then tells another 'Frenchman' (in the show's default French-accented English) they have no idea what was said, as they don't speak English. Maria's accent in particular became so extreme that other characters would reach for towels to wipe away the spit. Multiple character and actor replacements of various types - Suspiciously Similar Substitutes for Leclerc, and various waitresses. The Other Darrin , for the Italian Captain. The Nth Doctor , for Herr Flick in later seasons, whose actor is replaced, and the change explained by Magic Plastic Surgery . Subverted, inverted, or simply trashed completely by Rene himself, who spent most of the series' run posing as his non-existent twin brother - ie, the same actor playing the same character, posing as a non-existent different character, well-known or undetected in-universe as the plot required.... At least four Put on a Bus schemes involving various characters leaving Nouvion. (Maria, Hans Geering, the original Leclerc and eventually, the British Airmen). A very big Story Arc involving a MacGuffin painting ("The Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies" by Von Klomp). Two very stereotypical British pilots and the Resistance's disastrous plans to get them back to England. The British agent disguised as a French policeman, who got a vowel wrong in every second word ("Good moaning") implying his bad command of French. Virtually all the Resistance are female , and they almost always all wear black berets and long beige raincoats ("like all other French girls"). The Communist Resistance dress in a different, but uniform fashion and only do things for money... "Listen very carefully, I shall say this only once". Catchphrase of resistance leader Michelle. René's failed attempts to have illicit romance with three of his waitresses (two of them at the same time, mind you). The radio hidden under Edith's mother's bed, complete with flashing knobs. More double entendres than you can (ahem) shake a stick at. See immediately above for one of the milder examples. Came thirteenth in Britain's Best Sitcom . A one-off Reunion Show was aired in 2007. Th


In the bible what name is given to the following Michael, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jegudiel and Barachiel known as?

All About Archangels - ATX Catholic ATX Catholic • Written by Geoffrey Miller, Obl. OSB Filed Under: Blog , Faith , Young Adult , Youth Reading Time: 6 minutes For Maronite Catholics, November 8th is the feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel. He’s one of the seven spirits who stand in the presence of God (cf. Tob. 12:15, Rev. 1:4, 4:5, 8:2). The others are Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Remiel (who sadly fell at some point and was replaced by Simiel/Selaphiel) and Saraqael, only the first two of whom are named in the Biblical canon. Pope Saint Gregory I gives us a slightly different listing—Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, Uriel, Simiel, Oriphiel and Raguel—but we shouldn’t take this as a disagreement over the identities of the archangels. Celestial beings are often named according to what divine aspects they reflect, and thus some of them have multiple names. Most of these names are drawn from extra-biblical texts such as the Book of Enoch, which is directly quoted by the New Testament in Jude 1:14-15 and is still viewed as a canonical Old Testament book by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. However, for a long time, the use of the names of all but the first three archangels had been suppressed in the Catholic Church due to concerns about their abuse by occult groups. This prohibition changed when the liturgical practices of the Eastern Christian (Catholic and Orthodox) Churches were reaffirmed as fully legitimate, most recently in Orientalium Ecclesiarum, against people who wished to overthrow the more ancient teachings of our religion out of fear that they might be misunderstood and misused. The Nature of the Archangels We learn a lot about the archangels from the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 325-336, 391-395. Like all spirits, they are personal beings with intelligence and free will. Originally, all were created good, but over the course of the ages some have fallen from grace to become demons. Thus, spirits, like men, are not always beyond the grasp of sin and temptation. Unlike men, however, spirits who resist their first temptation will never yield to sin, and from then onward are rightly recognized as saints; spirits who fall into sin only once, on the other hand, will never climb back out again. This strange principle is likely due to the clarity spirits have in grasping the full consequences of their actions. The Fall of the Angels Biblical evidence suggests that there have been at least two falls or cataclysmic wars among the angels—one before the creation of  human beings, led by the fallen seraph (or cherub according to some accounts, but definitely not an archangel), Lucifer (cf. Isaiah 14, where the King of Babylon is compared to him), and a later much less organized rebellion having to do with sexual sins and other unlawful actions committed against material creatures (cf. Gen. 6:1-4, Jude 1:6-7). However, this second war may also have been instigated by Lucifer; he may have tempted angels who had not yet been exposed to the test of sin. In any case, spirits, like men, do not achieve sanctity without effort. Duties of the Archangels Archangels are appointed as the guardians of mortals. For example, Saint Michael is the protector of Israel, the general region of Palestine, and the Catholic Church as a whole (cf. Daniel 10:13-21). The archangels also command lower-ranking angels such as our own personal guardian angels. Because of their nature as protectors, they try to remain impartial if at all possible during violent conflicts among humans. In fact, Saint Michael himself refused to take sides during the Old Testament conquest of Palestine. When Joshua asked him, “Are you for us, or our adversaries?”, the archangel famously replied, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come” (Jos. 5:14-15). We should imitate Saint Michael’s universal concern for all God’s creatures and his humble recognition that there are no true winners in warfare. He did not even condemn Lucifer when the fallen angel tried to stop him from collecting Moses’ body, but simply said, “The


In which religion is the Baron Samedi a prominent figure?

GroMambo.com | Homepage of Gro Mambo Angélá Noványón Idizol | The Voodoo Religion of Haiti Official Website of Gro Mambo Angélá Noványón Idizol, High Priestess of the Voodoo Religion The Voodoo Religion of Haiti Related Links Le Peristyle Haitian Sanctuary.com NARCWorld.com GroMamboYasezy.com MonaMagick.com The name Voodoo means “high and sacred of God.” There is no right side and left side or light side and dark side in the Voodoo Religion. There is simply one side which is through God  and Loa. The Voodoo religion is a very old religion. In Voodoo, there is only one God, the belief in Christ and many Loa/Lwa. The Voodoo religion consists of three major systems, which include the Rada, Petro and Ghede.  The Congo is also another system. All of the Loa/Lwa, the Forces in the Voodoo religion, are divided into these systems. For example: Papa Ogu is Petro, Erusile/Ezuile Freeda is Rada and Baron Criminel is Petro Ghede.  Although these names are different from the names used in Mother Africa, they are the same entities.  Practitioners of the Voodoo religion can very easily recognize the Orisa from other African-based religions because they migrated to   Haiti by way of slavery. However, Papa Ogu’s name remains the same, among the others, in the Voodoo religion. The systems of the Voodoo religion were created during the time of slavery. There were many Africans that landed in the country of Haiti. During this time, the religion of Haiti was practiced by the Arawak Indians. The Africans came to the island of Haiti with their diverse religions and cultures. During the time of ceremony, each religion was placed within one ceremony. The ceremony created the systems as following: 1. Rada — Erusile Freeda, known to many as Oshun, Erusile Freeda Dahomey, Papa Dumbala Wedo, also known as Obatala, Papa Aqua, known to many as Olokun.  Dahomey, Guinea and Benin are included within the Rada system. 2. Petro — Papa Ogu Felite (Haiti), Ogu Nago, Ogu Batala, Ogu Chango, Chango, Erusile Dantour and many others.  Nigeria, Benin and Nago, to name a few, are within the Petro system. 3. Ghede — Baron Criminel (Haiti), Baron Samedi (Haiti), Baron Lakwa, etc. Benin is a major country within the Ghede System. Although the Barons are in the Ghede system, they are Loas. There are many spirits in the Ghede system and they should not to be confused with Loa. In the Voodoo religion, each Loa/Lwa has works and duties that they carry out for the people.  The answer to every problem that exists in this world is within the works and duties of the Loa under God.  If one is having problems with love, then the answer lies with Erusile Freeda.  If one is having problems with faith and strength, the answer lies with Papa Ogu. If one is having problems with direction, the answer lies with Papa Aqua, also known to many as Olokun. If one’s problem is with family stability, the answer lies with Erusile Dantour, the Petro mother of all.  If one is having problems with health, then Papa Dumbala is the Loa who has the remedies not limited to health but also peace. If one needs to know the importance of the earth and the medicines that she yields, then they should seek their answer from Couzin Zaka. If the path of survival and destiny must be walked, then the answer lies with Mali Louise. However, Papa Legba is the Loa that we pay respect to before any works or ceremony can begin. The belief system: One God, Jesus Christ (belief in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins), the Loa and Holy Spirit (Loa are the descendents of the one God and Loa carry prayers to God). The spirits of the Loa also carry the prayers to God. Jesus Christ is a part of the prayers prior to Voodoo ceremonies/rituals but is not a part of the Pantheon of the Voodoo ceremonies/rituals. Morals and Ethics: The beliefs are the same as the Ten Commandments: you should treat people equal to yourself. Religious Holidays:


Eliza Manningham Buller was the former Director General of which organisation?

Eliza Manningham-Buller, Baroness Manningham-Buller | MI5 - The Security Service Eliza Manningham-Buller, Baroness Manningham-Buller What's in a name? Eliza Manningham-Buller, Baroness Manningham-Buller (Director General 2002-07) Lady Manningham-Buller (born 1948) was educated at Northampton High School and Benenden School, and read English at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. She worked for three years as a teacher before joining the Security Service in 1974. The main focus of her work was counter-terrorism, both international and domestic. She led the section responsible for international counter-terrorism at a time when its work was dominated by the Lockerbie investigation. She was later posted to Washington as a senior liaison officer to the US intelligence community. Her posting coincided with the first Gulf War. On her return to the UK in 1992, Eliza led a newly created Irish counter-terrorist section. This was formed in response to the Government's decision to make the Security Service in charge of intelligence work against Irish terrorism on the British mainland. Eliza was promoted to the Security Service's Management Board in 1993. She served as the Director in charge of the Service's surveillance and technical operations. She was later appointed Director of Irish counter-terrorism. In 1997, she was appointed Deputy Director General. She had day-to-day responsibility for oversight of the Service's operational work and its liaison with other law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Eliza was appointed Director General in October 2002 and retired in April 2007. She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath (DCB) in HM The Queen's 2005 Birthday Honours. HM The Queen appointed her a Lady of the Garter in 2014. Fact or Fiction?


Apart from South Africa which other African nation played in the 2011 Rugby World Cup?

Rugby in South Africa Rugby in South Africa Tweet on Twitter Rugby is one of South Africa’s big three sports, alongside soccer and cricket. For the many South African fans of the game, rugby is a serious matter, a source of bursting pride and joy – or shattering disappointment. The country has traditionally fared extremely well on the world stage, and South African fans expect their national team to win every game it plays. To help your understanding, here’s a quick guide to the game of rugby in South Africa: The changing face of South African rugby Sport, like no other South African institution, has shown it has the power to heal old wounds. When the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup on home turf in 1995, Nelson Mandela donned the No 6 shirt of the team’s captain – Francois Pienaar, a white Afrikaner – and the two embraced in a spontaneous gesture of racial reconciliation that melted hearts around the country. A single moment, and 400 years of colonial strife and bitterness … suddenly seemed so petty. For the disadvantaged people of the old apartheid South Africa, rugby was the white man’s game, and even more so the game of the Afrikaner. Traditionally, most communities of colour played soccer while, for white communities, rugby was the winter sport of choice. Things have changed in South Africa since 1994, however, and the South African Rugby Football Union has been working hard to make rugby the game of all South Africans, mainly through an active development programme throughout the country. At provincial age-group levels, players of colour are playing an increasingly prominent role as the development programme and the quota system begin to bear fruit. Through the quota system, players of colour are being given the opportunity to compete at the higher levels of the game, and a growing number are showing that they belong there by securing places in Super 14 teams and – the highest honour for a South African rugby player – in the Springbok side. The Springboks The Springboks are the national rugby team and traditionally one of the sport’s international powerhouses. Every talented South African youngster dreams of one day wearing “the green and gold”. The Boks have an outstanding international scoresheet, and for many years enjoyed a winning record against all other nations, until a slight slump in performances after South Africa’s return from international isolation in 1992. New Zealand’s All Blacks now hold a slight edge in head-to-head meetings with the Springboks, but the South Africans retain a winning record against all other countries. There have been five big highlights since South Africa’s return from international isolation. The first of these took place in 1995 when the country hosted rugby’s biggest tournament, the World Cup. The Springboks made it through to the final at Ellis Park where, spurred on by a frenzied home crowd, and with the whole of South Africa willing them on, they trumped the All Blacks 15-12 in extra time to lift the sport’s most coveted trophy. The Boks’ display, opening with a win over defending champions Australia and finishing with victory over favourites New Zealand, united the country, bringing people of all colours together just a year after South Africa’s first democratic elections. The second highlight occurred in 1998, when South Africa broke New Zealand’s hold on the Tri-Nations, a competition that matches up the “big three” of the southern hemisphere, with Australia completing the trio. The Kiwis had won the first two competitions without losing a match, but Gary Teichmann’s 1998 side showed spirit and poise in winning all four of their matches to lift the title for the first time. The third highlight included the Springboks’ 1998 Tri-Nations title and went beyond it. It was a run of 17 victories in succession, equalling the world record run by New Zealand between 1965 and 1970 (which, appropriately, was halted by South Africa). During their 1997/98 run, South Africa defeated Australia, New Zealand, France, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Italy – all of them, with the ex


Which racing driver had the nickname the Shunt?

JAMES “HUNT THE SHUNT” | THE 1970’s HIGH-FLYIN’ LOTHARIO RUSH OF FORMULA 1 | The Selvedge Yard by JP JAMES “HUNT THE SHUNT” | THE 1970’s HIGH-FLYIN’ LOTHARIO RUSH OF FORMULA 1 May 11, 1975– James Hunt, driver for Hesketh-Ford (and Suzy Miller, who was his wife for a short time), at the Monaco Grand Prix. –Image by © Schlegelmilch/Corbis.  Love the patch– “Sex is a high performance thing.”  While many athletes abstain from sex before competing, Hunt was physically insatiable– often having, eh-hem, relations just minutes before hopping behind the wheel to race. The tales of James Hunt are the stuff of legends– on and off the track.   “Hunt the Shunt” was widely known for his wild indulgence in sex, drugs, booze, women– which redlined in Tokyo the two weeks leading up to his famous battle with Niki Lauda for the 1976 Formula One championship.  Hunt’s favorite hedonistic haunt in those days was the Tokyo Hilton, where he and buddy  Barry Sheene (world motorcycle champion that year), settled in to party.  Like clockwork, every morning British Airways stewardesses were delivered to the hotel’s door for a 24-hour stopover.  Hunt would charm them as they checked in, and invited them up to his suite for a party — they always said yes.  Allegedly, James Hunt went on quite a run during this two week binge (33 BA stewardesses).  But, as Stirling Moss, who used to carouse with Hunt in Monte Carlo before he was married, said: “If you looked like James Hunt, what would you have done?”   via 1975, Nurburg, Germany– Hesketh-Ford Formula One racecar driver James Hunt flies during the European Grand Prix. –Image by © Schlegelmilch/Corbis.  Many of Hunt’s early races ended in disaster. Once his Formula Ford crashed and sank in the middle of a lake. He would have drowned– had he been able to afford seat belts.  His skills improved, but he never conquered his fears. In the garage before a race, it often caused him to vomit– and on the grid he’d shake so violently that his car vibrated. This potent cocktail of adrenaline and testosterone made him a fierce competitor on the track. via 1973– The handsome and eccentric James Hunt, driver for March-Ford, at the Austrian Grand Prix in Zeltweg. –Image by © Schlegelmilch/Corbis.  His dashing looks & personality made him racing’s Golden Boy, the fans loved him. He had a commanding presence and spoke impressively in a deep voice with a cultivated accent, saying exactly what he thought. He hated dressing up– wearing old blue jeans and often walking around in his bare feet, even on formal occasions. He drank heavily, smoked two packs a day, experimented with drugs, partied hard, and enoyed the ladies. He married one of them, Suzy Miller, a fashion model who eventually left him for the actor Richard Burton. Burton was so enthralled with her, he even offered to pay Hunt’s divorce settlement to Suzy: $1 million. Burton couldn’t believe that Hunt was so casual about letting his beautiful wife go. Hunt simply said: “Relax, Richard. You’ve done me a wonderful turn by taking on the most alarming expense account in the country.” via Formula 1’s legendary lothario and international playboy– James Hunt, 1974 (Lt.) 1975 (Rt.) While he became a media darling for the tabloid press, his behavior was less appreciated by Formula One journalists, who found him a frustrating mixture of boisterous charm and overbearing conceit. Twice he was voted the least liked driver and despairing members of the Formula One establishment accused him of bringing the sport into disrepute. via 1974–  James Hunt & wife Suzy Miller at the British Grand Prix. –photo credit: Allsport UK/ALLSPORT Suzy simply wanted a settled family life, but by 1975 admitted to friends, “I literally felt like a spare part. I was just there for the show.”  Within a few months, Suzy realised the marriage was not going to work. Still, she was prepared to give it time in the unlikely event that she was wrong. Hunt’s mother was on her daughter-in-law’s side, saying– “Suzy is gorgeous, but I can see that for James to be married is impossible. I love him, but I’d hate


In which former Russian state is Chernobyl located?

Chernobyl: Facts About the Nuclear Disaster Chernobyl: Facts About the Nuclear Disaster By Marc Lallanilla, Live Science Contributor | September 25, 2013 07:09pm ET MORE The expolsion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant is among the worst nuclear accidents the world has ever witnessed. Credit: USSR In the early morning hours of April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine (formerly part of the Soviet Union) exploded, creating what has been described as the worst nuclear disaster the world has ever seen. Even after many years of scientific research and government investigation, there are still many unanswered questions about the Chernobyl accident — especially regarding the long-term health impacts that the massive radiation leak will have on those who were exposed. Where is Chernobyl? Located about 81 miles (130 km) north of the city of Kiev, Ukraine, and about 12 miles (20 km) south of the border with Belarus, the four reactors at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant were designed and built during the 1970s and 1980s. A manmade reservoir, roughly 8.5 square miles (22 sq. km) in size and fed by the Pripyat River, was created to provide cooling water for the reactor. The nearest town to the power plant was the newly built city of Pripyat, which housed almost 50,000 people in 1986, according to the World Nuclear Association . A smaller town, Chornobyl, was home to about 12,000 residents. The remainder of the region was primarily farms and woodland. The Chernobyl plant used four Soviet-designed RBMK-1000 nuclear reactors — a design that's now universally recognized as inherently flawed. RBMK reactors use enriched U-235 uranium fuel to heat water, creating steam that drives the reactors' turbines and generates electricity. In most nuclear reactors, where water is used as a coolant and to moderate the reactivity of the nuclear core, as the core heats up and produces more steam, the increase in steam bubbles or "voids" in the water reduces the reactivity in the nuclear core. This is an important safety feature found in most reactors built in the United States and other Western nations. But not in the RBMK-1000, which used graphite to moderate the core's reactivity and to keep a continuous nuclear reaction occurring in the core. As the nuclear core heated and produced more steam bubbles, the core became more reactive, not less, creating a positive-feedback loop that engineers refer to as a "positive-void coefficient." What happened? The day before the Chernobyl nuclear disaster , plant operators were preparing for a one-time shutdown to perform routine maintenance on reactor number 4. In violation of safety regulations, operators disabled plant equipment including the automatic shutdown mechanisms, according to the U.N. Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). At 1:23 a.m. on April 26, when extremely hot nuclear fuel rods were lowered into cooling water, an immense amount of steam was created, which — because of the RBMK reactors' design flaws — created more reactivity in the nuclear core of reactor number 4. The resultant power surge caused an immense explosion that detached the 1,000-ton plate covering the reactor core, releasing radiation into the atmosphere and cutting off the flow of coolant into the reactor. A few seconds later, a second explosion of even greater power than the first blew the reactor building apart and spewed burning graphite and other parts of the reactor core around the plant, starting a number of intense fires around the damaged reactor and reactor number 3, which was still operating at the time of the explosions. Radioactive fallout The explosions killed two plant workers, who were the first of several workers to die within hours of the accident. For the next several days, as emergency crews tried desperately to contain the fires and radiation leaks, the death toll climbed as plant workers succumbed to acute radiation sickness. Most of the radiation released from the failed nuclear reactor was from iodine-131, cesium-134 and cesium-137. Iodine-131 has a relative


By what nickname is Caesar Milan better known?

Cesar Millan: The Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan: The Dog Whisperer Before he became TV's beloved canine savant, his wife had to teach him how to love women Most Popular Courtesy of Cesar and Ilusion Millan Advertisement - Continue Reading Below What, you were expecting peace and quiet, muchachas? Cesar Millan may be known as the Dog Whisperer, but in his kitchen on a recent afternoon, there is not a moment of silence. When Millan and his wife, Ilusion, aren't taking turns bobbling a friend's baby on their knees or admiring their youngest son's new braces, they are talking excitedly. Often at the same time. It's a Latino thing, Cesar explains: "Everything is so loud." Ilusion agrees: "I'm naturally a loud person. It can be a bit overpowering. I'm just sharing my feelings, you know?" Her husband, looking trim in a V-neck sage-colored T-shirt and faded jeans, continues, "I feel like I'm regulating the volume of my wife's intensity. Like—" Most Popular "That's so true," interjects Ilusion, vibrant in a hot pink sleeveless turtleneck and pants ironed to a sharp crease. "He's like, `Honey, okay, we understand. But there are neighbors!' " Yes, that's right: When the Dog Whisperer talks to the woman he says domesticated him—call her the Man Whisperer— he's lucky to get a word in edgewise. "When we're in a restaurant," the D.W. says, "and she gets into that, you know, stage, I have to say, `I'm right here. Look! I can totally hear you.' " The M.W. nods, smiling. "We're both very animated," she says. "Let me tell the story," the D.W. says in the same calm, assertive tone that he uses with the unruly dogs on his weekly hit TV show (now in its sixth season on the National Geographic Channel). And at first, the correction seems to take. "I'm sorry, baby," the M.W. responds, her voice warm like she means it. A beat later, though, that's out the window. The M.W. has something she just has to say. So it goes, for more than two hours: Cesar, 40, and Ilusion, 34, jabbing and parrying, cross-talking, even bickering. What other couples might see as exhausting, however, the Millans, perched side by side on tall stools, treat as a blessing—because there was a time they had trouble communicating at all. Today, more than 10 million viewers a week hear the D.W. repeat, mantralike, that he rehabilitates dogs and trains people. What few know is that before he became the Dog Whisperer, his wife rehabilitated him. "She gave leadership to the relationship," the D.W. says, recalling the dark day 15 years ago when Ilusion—fed up with her husband's harsh indifference—moved out with their infant son. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below "He was having a hard time loving me, because of his past, because he just wasn't a people person," Ilusion says, leaning forward so her knees almost touch her husband's. "He was afraid to love anybody." "I didn't do it with humans, that's all," Cesar says, matter-of-factly. "I was there in my heart, but my heart was blocked." When Cesar was growing up on a farm in Culiacán, Mexico, his affinity for canines earned him the nickname El Perrero, or "the dog man." It also got him teased. He was that weird kid who related better to animals than to his own species. Plus, he was dirt-poor. So from early on, he believed that people could hurt you, but dogs—never! Determined to become the world's best dog trainer, Cesar crossed the border illegally at age 21. Arriving in Los Angeles, he washed limousines while trying to build a clientele. From the moment a 17-year-old Ilusion saw Cesar in a crowded ice rink, she says, "I knew this was the guy for me." Cesar, then 23 and living in a one-room apartment with six dogs, wasn't so sure. When a friend told him he could go to jail (and surely be deported) for dating an underage girl, he broke off their fledgling romance. He was blunt, Ilusion says. "I came to the door and pressed the bell, and he said, `I can't see you anymore.' It killed me." But it didn't deter her. There was something about Cesar's focus, his drive, that made her feel safe. The day she turned 18, she showed up at his do


In France this sport is known as Parkour by what name is it better known in Britain?

Parkour History - Parkour Generations Parkour History Parkour History   Trying to pinpoint the exact moment of the birth of Parkour is no easy task. In fact, it may actually prove to be an impossibility. Something as nebulous and indefinable as this thing we practise tends to defy classification.     Already it boasts several names, in more than one language: Le Parkour, the Art of Movement, Freerunning, L’Art du Deplacement, to name but a few. And even if you do settle on a name, there is then the tricky little problem of what that name refers to – Is it a sport? Or an art? Or a philosophy perhaps? Or maybe it is better termed a discipline? Truth is, there is no consensus on this. And – which really hefts a giant spanner into the works – you can’t just go and ask the founding father because this great movement is pretty damn far from being a nuclear family, 2.4 kids and all the rest. No. This child has had a whole host of surrogate step-parents influencing its development down through the years, the centuries, indeed even through the millennia. It has drawn on many sources, supped on inspiration from all over, and drunk from a hundred different cups as it has evolved – and by no means is this process over. So where do we start in an attempt to get a grip on all this? Not at the beginning, because the gods only know where that was. Not at the end, because that isn’t even in sight. Seems the best we can do is to start somewhere in the middle, and give credit where it’s due to a certain little town in France.       To the south of Paris rest the sleepy, suburban towns of Evry, Sarcelles and Lisses, places no different from any other of the hundreds of satellites orbiting the French capital, save for one small fact: these places were home to a group of nine young men widely acknowledged as having crystallized a number of influences to create something then called l’Art du Deplacement, sometime in the 1980s. At the core of this group were Yann Hnautra and David Belle, who drove much of the early training and have since become known as the originators of the art. These childhood friends formed the group which called itself ‘Yamakasi’, a Lingala word meaning ‘Strong man, strong spirit’, and for over a decade they practised their discipline together and alone, reviled by the French authorities and seen as wildmen by the local public. One of those influences that inspired the Yamakasi to explore the urban-rural environment in entirely new ways throughout their childhood was David’s father, Raymond Belle. In fact, the later term for the discipline ‘parkour’ is perhaps indirectly attributable to Raymond Belle, who introduced his son to the military training methods of Georges Hebert, a man who had a powerful influence on the development of physical education in France, particularly in military circles, by creating the parcours du combattant; the obstacle course. From parcours, meaning ‘course’, came the altered parkour, for which David acknowledges his friend Hubert Kounde as having coined. The senior Belle had trained using Hebert’s methode naturelle whilst in the French military. Hebert’s methods were inspired by the natural, physical conditioning of indigenous peoples from Africa in particular, and this is still noticeable in the practise of modern parkour; many practitioners talk of the importance of freeing one’s natural instincts, of stripping away conditioning and returning to an innate, effortless way of moving that utilises the entire body as a whole rather than consciously employing isolated muscle groups. The elusive ‘flow state’.     ‘It is important to recognize that Belle, though central to its ongoing development, was only one among a larger group of individuals who nurtured the art of movement into being, including Sebastian Foucan, Stephane Vigroux, Yahn Hnautra, David Malgogne, Chau Belle-Dinh and Frederic Hnautra among others.’     The influence of David’s father was more than just an introduction to Hebertism however; he also instilled in his son the roots of what would go on to become the philosophy of Parkour


Chinese artist Ai Wei Wei had an exhibit banned because of the dust which was given off by which material?

Astrology: Ai Weiwei, date of birth: 1957/08/28, Horoscope, Astrological Portrait, Dominant Planets, Birth Data, Biography 1st Fire sign - 1st Cardinal sign (spring equinox) - Masculine In analogy with Mars, his ruler, and the 1st House Aries governs the head. His colour is red, his stone is the heliotrope, his day is Tuesday, and his professions are businessman, policeman, sportsman, surgeon... If your sign is Aries or your Ascendant is Aries: you are courageous, frank, enthusiastic, dynamic, fast, bold, expansive, warm, impulsive, adventurous, intrepid, warlike, competitive, but also naive, domineering, self-centred, impatient, rash, thoughtless, blundering, childish, quick-tempered, daring or primitive. Some traditional associations with Aries: Countries: England, France, Germany, Denmark. Cities: Marseille, Florence, Naples, Birmingham, Wroclaw, Leicester, Capua, Verona. Animals: Rams and sheeps. Food: Leeks, hops, onions, shallots, spices. Herbs and aromatics: mustard, capers, Cayenne pepper, chilli peppers. Flowers and plants: thistles, mint, bryonies, honeysuckles. Trees: hawthorns, thorny trees and bushes. Stones, Metals and Salts: diamonds, iron, potassium phosphate. Signs: Taurus 1st Earth sign - 1st Fixed sign - Feminine In analogy with Venus, his ruler, and the 2nd House Taurus governs the neck and the throat. Her colour is green or brown, her stone is the emerald, her day is Friday, her professions are cook, artist, estate agent, banker, singer... If your sign is Taurus or your Ascendant is Taurus: you are faithful, constant, sturdy, patient, tough, persevering, strong, focused, sensual, stable, concrete, realistic, steady, loyal, robust, constructive, tenacious. You need security, but you are also stubborn, rigid, possessive, spiteful, materialistic, fixed or slow. Some traditional associations with Taurus: Countries: Switzerland, Greek islands, Ireland, Cyprus, Iran. Cities: Dublin, Palermo, Parma, Luzern, Mantua, Leipzig, Saint Louis, Ischia, Capri. Animals: bovines. Food: apples, pears, berries, corn and other cereals, grapes, artichokes, asparagus, beans. Herbs and aromatics: sorrels, spearmint, cloves. Flowers and plants: poppies, roses, digitales, violets, primroses, aquilegia, daisies. Trees: apple trees, pear trees, fig-trees, cypresses, ash trees. Stones, Metals and Salts: copper, calcium and potassium sulphate, emeralds. Signs: Gemini 1st Air sign - 1st Mutable sign - Masculine In analogy with Mercury, his ruler, and the 3rd House Gemini governs the arms, the lungs and the thorax. His colour is green or silver, his stone is the crystal, his day is Wednesday, his professions are journalist, lawyer, presenter, dancer, salesman, travel agent, teacher... If your sign is Gemini or if your Ascendant is Gemini: you are expressive, lively, adaptable, quick-witted, humorous, sparkling, playful, sociable, clever, curious, whimsical, independent, polyvalent, brainy, flexible, ingenious, imaginative, charming, fanciful but also capricious, scattered, moody, shallow, inquisitive, opportunistic, unconcerned, selfish, fragile, ironical or changeable. Some traditional associations with Gemini: Countries: Belgium, Wales, United-States, Lower Egypt, Sardinia, Armenia. Cities: London, Plymouth, Cardiff, Melbourne, San Francisco, Nuremberg, Bruges, Versailles. Animals: monkeys, butterflies, parrots, budgerigars. Food: dried fruits, chestnuts, ground-level vegetables: peas, broad beans, etc. Herbs and aromatics: aniseed, marjoram, lemon balm, cumin. Flowers and plants: lilies of the valley, lavenders, myrtle, ferns, Venus-hair-ferns, bittersweets. Trees: nut trees such as chestnut trees. Stones, Metals and Salts: agates, mercury, silicas and potashes. Signs: Cancer 1st Water sign - 2nd Cardinal sign (summer solstice) - Feminine In analogy with the Moon, her ruler, and the 4th House Cancer governs the stomach and the breast. Her colour is white or black, her stone is the moonstone, her day is Monday, her professions are catering, the hotel trade, property, antique dealer, archaeologist... If your sign is Cancer or y


In which county is Sunningdale Golf Course found?

Homepage - Sunningdale Golf Club My Information Welcome to Sunningdale Golf Club Sunningdale is the quintessential English Club and as close to Augusta National as any club in the British Isles. Golf is the only thing that matters at Sunningdale Alistair Tait Golf Week “So we’ve got a great field, and that’s what Sunningdale does – it brings that type of field together. My first competitive round at Sunningdale was in 1987, which was the Walker Cup. Ever since I first played it I’ve loved the place and I’ve always said it’s a gorgeous place to be, not just to play golf but to walk round. It’s fantastic that we’re able to go back there and it’ll be a great success – Sunningdale always is. It’s a unique place to play golf and a lovely place to be.” Colin Montgomerie, on the Senior Open 2015 at Sunningdale Golf Club Sunningdale Golf Club, Ridgemount Road, Sunningdale, Berkshire, SL5 9RR +44 (0)1344 621681 | Email us © Sunningdale Golf Club Copyright 2016 | Cookie Policy


In which country was the 2009 Indian Premier League played?

IPL to be played outside India | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo Indian Premier League March 22, 2009 IPL to be played outside India Cricinfo staff 73 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment 73 Shashank Manohar: "I apologise to the people of India for moving the tournament out. But we are going ahead with the event so that they can at least watch it on television." © AFP England and South Africa have emerged as the front-runners to host the second season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after the BCCI decided, following days of inconclusive negotiations with the Indian home ministry and various state governments, to shift the tournament out of India. The venue and new schedule will be announced soon. Shashank Manohar, the BCCI president, said the tournament had been relocated "because of the extraordinary situation existing this year." The 45-day tournament clashes with the forthcoming general elections in India and there had been concerns over security. Gerald Majola, Cricket South Africa's chief executive, said South Africa was ready to host the tournament if needed. He expected to have "positive discussions" with Indian officials in this regard over phone on Monday. The ECB said it had received a request from the Indian board and the IPL and was examining the possibility of hosting the tournament. ECB chairman Giles Clarke told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme he was willing to help his Indian counterparts. "We normally talk to them a great deal and we would be delighted to help again," he said. Explaining the decision to move out, N Srinivasan, the BCCI general secretary, said the Indian board was not in a position to either play a truncated IPL or to cancel the tournament's second edition. "It is a matter of great regret that, in the prevailing atmosphere, where the government is expressing concern for providing security to the IPL matches, the BCCI is left with no other option but to conduct the IPL in another country," he said. Manohar said the board considered all aspects of the matter at an emergency meeting. "We are aware that the people of India love this event and have given us great support last year and are eager for this year's event," he said. "We made our best efforts to see that the event takes place in India. However, because of the government's attitude that they cannot provide security, particularly by the states of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, we were forced to take a decision to move the event out of India. "My apologies to the people of India for not being able to hold the event in India." Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, who was present at the working committee meeting said there will be no changes made to the tournament's format or the schedule. "Dates and timings of the matches will remain the same. The Indian audiences can watch the matches at 4 pm and 8 pm IST as they did in the inaugural season," he said. He said there was no chance of the final leg of games being played in India. "We explored all possibilities of moving the semi-finals and final to India," Modi said. "But it would have been too exhausting for the players. Players have to go back to England for the World Twenty20 (beginning on June 5)." However, he refused to speak on the revenue-sharing agreement with the prospective foreign boards and pointed out that the tournament's focus was to provide the best possible entertainment for the Indian fan. "We are not bothered about the cost factor but the issue is the integrity of the tournament. The issue is holding all 59 matches as scheduled," Modi said. Manohar also said the BCCI officials would be having a discussion with the eight franchise owners and believed they would not have any objection. "We will hold discussions with the owners. I don't think the franchises would oppose us," he said. However, the move out of India will not affect players from Pakistan - they still not be allowed to take part. "IPL announced the squads 30 days in advance," Modi said. "No changes are allowed in that. Unfortunately, no Pakistan player will play this year." © ESPN Sports Media Ltd.


Which country's flag contains a shield on a red and white chequered design?

Flags -    Flags of the World   | Open-Site.org Flags of the World red with a black two-headed eagle in the center Andorra three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem Austria three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red Belarus red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears a Belarusian national ornament in red Belgium three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France Bosnia and Herzegovina a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly side with a yellow isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top of the flag; the remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven full five-pointed white stars and two half stars top and bottom along the hypotenuse of the triangle Bulgaria three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe has been removed - it contained a rampant lion within a wreath of wheat ears below a red five-pointed star and above a ribbon bearing the dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and 1944 (liberation from Nazi control) Croatia red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered) Czech Republic two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia) Denmark red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side, and that design element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden Estonia pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white Faroe Islands white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Finland white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) France three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands; the official flag for all French dependent areas Germany three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold Gibraltar two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band Greece nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross; the cross symbolizes Greek Orthodoxy, the established religion of the country Guernsey white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross Hungary three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and green Iceland blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Ireland, Republic of three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors of green (hoi


On which quiz show does Richard Osman appear?

BBC Blogs - TV blog - Richard Osman: My love affair with the quiz show Richard Osman: My love affair with the quiz show Wednesday 15 April 2015, 13:09 Richard Osman introduces BBC Four's Classic Game Shows Collection , a nostalgic assortment of game shows from the BBC archives. Here are a few questions for you: Who is the longest-serving UK TV quiz host of all-time? How many episodes of Countdown have there been? Who created the notorious quiz show flop 24 Hour Quiz? Why have quiz shows remained so popular on British television? I’ll give you the answers to the first three at the end of this introduction. And if you’re thinking about them right now, then you already know the answer to the last one. I love quiz shows, I’ve been making them for many years, and now I have accidentally stumbled into hosting them too. They rarely win Baftas, they never get reviewed in the posh papers, but the enduring ones capture a place in the hearts of the nation in a way that very few shows do. There are a number of reasons for this, but two are particularly key. Firstly they are, by their very nature, incredibly interactive. Viewers can’t help but play along, whether it’s trying to name the most obscure member of Westlife (Nicky) on Pointless , or punching the air in delight if you ever get a single question correct on University Challenge .  I have always likened quizzes to sport for competitive people who are terrible at playing sport, myself included. Some shows I’ve produced have been successful, some spectacularly unsuccessful, but the development process is always the same. You get an idea, a little hook, and then you play it over and over again. You play it with good quizzers, you play it with bad quizzers, just to spot any little holes in the format, anything that seems unfair or confusing. You then make little nips and tucks to address these problems. Usually these little nips and tucks make the format even more complicated, or drag it too far away from the initial concept and the format is abandoned. But very occasionally something comes along that is robust enough to survive the process, and that’s when the ‘play-along’ question becomes key. Is it fun to play, and, much more importantly, is it fun to watch? I remember pitching The Million Pound Drop to the head of Channel 4, and he loved playing it so much he kept asking more and more colleagues into his office just so he could watch them play it too. That is exactly what makes a hit quiz show. Victoria Coren-Mitchell has hosted 10 series of Only Connect to date The second reason for the success of quizzes is their sheer volume. Quizzes have always been inexpensive and quick to make. As you have the same set for every episode, you could make many, many episodes of Pointless, for example, for the same money and in the same time frame that you could make one episode of a high production drama. Therefore quizzes become a ‘perfect storm’ for channels. Something economical and relatively quick to make, that viewers actually love. For example, two of BBC Two’s highest rating shows, week in, week out, are two of their most low-cost shows to produce: University Challenge and Only Connect . So how does this perfect storm come about? Viewers usually spot low-cost TV a mile off and will sometimes run for cover. Well, quizzes are inexpensive and quick to make, but they are made with great attention to detail and great enthusiasm. There has always been a wonderful sub-set of people who work in TV, who simply love making quiz shows. Great producers, great format-tinkerers, and, most importantly the great unsung question writers. You might call us geeks, I couldn’t possibly comment. This sheer volume means that quizzes become part of our daily routine. A regular workout for the brain. Every time Countdown started, my Grandad would take out his pen and his notebook, cup of tea by his side, and play along. I know people do the same with Pointless (maybe not with the pen and pad) and that always makes me feel incredibly lucky, and I know he’d be watching if he were still around. That connection


The Olympics of London, Berlin, Tokyo and Helsinki were all postponed because of what?

The 1940 Tokyo Games: The Missing Olympics: Japan, the Asian Olympics and the Olympic Movement | Reviews in History The 1940 Tokyo Games: The Missing Olympics: Japan, the Asian Olympics and the Olympic Movement Book: The 1940 Tokyo Games: The Missing Olympics: Japan, the Asian Olympics and the Olympic Movement Sandra Collins London, Routledge, 2007, ISBN: 9780415373173; 212pp.; Price: £65.00 Reviewer: Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Citation: Dr Ben-Ami Shillony, review of The 1940 Tokyo Games: The Missing Olympics: Japan, the Asian Olympics and the Olympic Movement, (review no. 680) http://www.history.ac.uk/reviews/review/680 Date accessed: 19 January, 2017 The 1940 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games are a non-event, because they never happened. Promoted by Japanese organisations since the early 1930s, decided on by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) in 1936, and given up by the Japanese in 1938, they were soon forgotten, overshadowed by the war with China and the Second World War. When the Tokyo Olympics, the first ones in Asia, finally took place in 1964, few remembered and few cared to mention the unpleasant circumstances under which the previous attempt to hold the games there was conceived and abandoned. Sandra Collins exhumes this fascinating story and brings it back to life. Using a variety of sources, she describes the day-to-day developments which led to the selection of Tokyo for the 1940 Olympic Games, and later to Japan's decision to relinquish them. Although the reader knows how the story will end, the author manages to maintain suspense throughout the book. The main contribution of this monograph is the presentation of the various backgrounds against which this affair evolved. The rise and fall of the 1940 Olympiad project is described in the contexts of the Olympic movement, the political developments in Japan at that time, the international relations in East Asia, the war with China, the press and public opinion in Japan and abroad, and the Japanese and Western personalities that played a role in this episode. There are no villains or heroes in this narration. As the story develops, we see how great ideals, as often happens, become entangled in the web of national, organisational, and personal interests, and how important decisions are made without adequate understanding and with no way of predicting their results. As Collins shows, the Japanese were eager to host the 1940 Olympic Games for both external and internal reasons. They hoped that staging these games would establish Japan's status as a first-rate modern power, an Asian empire, and leader of the non-Western world. Against growing international criticism of Japan's aggression on the continent, the Olympic Games were considered to be a form of 'people's diplomacy' that would generate foreign good will. The Tokyo Olympiad was to coincide with the 2,600th anniversary of the legendary establishment of the Japanese empire by Emperor Jimmu ( kigen ) in 660 BC, planned for 1940. The combination of these two splendid celebrations was expected to boost nationalism, enhance the prestige of the emperor, and mobilise the Japanese masses for national causes. Thus, from the beginning, the Tokyo Olympics carried a double message: They were to advance modernisation and internationalisation on the one hand, but also to foster tradition and national pride on the other. The Olympic Games were, since their inception in 1894, a symbol of universal peace, fair play and global understanding through sport, but in fact they were seen as a white man's affair that was held only in Europe and the United States. The argument that the Japanese used, to promote Tokyo for the 1940 Olympics, was that only by staging the games in Japan, the most modern country of the non-Western world, would the Olympic movement become international. This was a powerful argument that appealed to many members of the Olympic organisation. Therefore, when the IOC voted, in July 1936, on the venue of the 1940 Olympiad, Tokyo's candidacy was supported not only by such Western countries as the United S


In which harbour is the area 'called The Sandbanks found?

Sandbanks Sandbanks Sandbanks   Where is the Fourth most expensive place to live on the Planet ? Barbados perhaps? Or Beverly Hills? Nope, they don't even come close. It's actually a tiny little sand dune on the Dorset coast called Sandbanks near Poole Dorset UK, some of the properties can go for £10million + and some people are actually calling it by the name of Britain's Monte Carlo!. Sandbanks : can be located at the eastern end of the long sandy beach that stretches from Sandbanks. The main attraction however, is the beach itself, Sandbanks Beach known as the best beach in the UK. The beach itself is a very shallow bay. The beach being known as the best beach in England has been awarded the beautiful 'European Blue Flag' again for 2008 for the beaches cleanliness and great water quality. Many tourists flock to the beach yearly and in the summer. The beach is so shallow that you can walk out into the sea almost 200yds safely, the water is fresh and clean and also the sand is of great quality. The beach is also popular for windsurfers and generally all people that like water sports. You can visit the beach in total piece of mind knowing that not only you will have a great time but also you will be visiting one of the safest beaches in Europe! The beach at has the finest qualtiy sands and the water is very shallow. The water is very clean, During the busy months between the 1st May and 30 Sept, you will find Lifeguards on duty and also a First Aid post if required. Beachfront Facilities included at Sandbanks, toilets (with full disabled facilities) , showers, other food and drink bars. Many pasttimes can be had including metal detecting on the beach.   How to get to Sandbanks.. From Poole take the B3369 Sandbanks Road around Poole Harbour. This becomes Shore Road. From Bournemouth take the A35 road to the Fitzharris roundabout at Westbourne, and then The Avenue (B6035) past Branksome Chine and through Canford Cliffs to Sandbanks. It will come of no suprise that there an abundance of Hotels and general accommodation. Forum News (forum_news)


Suzy Perry is a presenter on which Channel 5 programme?

The Suzi Perry Picture Pages Presenter of BBC's MotoGP Background: English television presenter Suzi Perry is famous as a presenter of BBC coverage of MotoGP motorcycle racing for 13 years from 1997 to 2012.  She is also known for presenting Channel 5's “The Gadget Show” from 2004 to 2012. In 2003, Perry began her new role as a presenter for “Formula 1: BBC Sport.” Perry has been married twice. She married first husband model Steve Bullock from 1997 to 2002. She married present husband Bastien Boosten in August 2009. Perry also was romantically linked to Nick Knowles in early 2000s. Perry is a supporter of Wolverhampton Wanderers football club. Suzanne Childhood and Family: Born Suzanne Perry on May 3, 1970, in Cosford, Shropshire, England, Suzi Perry was raised in  Finchfield and attended Smestow school in Wolverhampton. She had a school job as a lighting technician at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. She later studied business studies and finance at Wolverhampton Polytechnic (now the University of Wolverhampton).   In 1997, Suzi married Steve Bullock, a model from Sheffield, but they later divorced in 2002. She then married her Dutch boyfriend Bastien Boosten, whom she met while filming “The Gadget Show,” on August 6, 2009. While still engage to Boosten, on February 17, 2009, Suzy suffered a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, and was sent to West Middlesex Hospital from London film studio. She underwent surgery after losing four pints of blood.   The Gadget Show Career: Suzi Perry began her career as a model in Japan. She returned to the United Kingdom after one year and then became an advertising model. Perry landed early presenting jobs in television shows such as “City Hospital” (1999), “Grandstand” (2010) and “Housecall” (2001), and from 2002 to 2003, she appeared on the BBC revival of “Treasure Hunt,” in which she took the “skyrunner” role made popular by Anneka Rice. From 2003 to 2005, she presented the BBC sport program “Superstars,” opposite Johnny Vaughan. In 2004, Perry landed a co-presenter job on Channel 5's “The Gadget Show,” a hi-tech weekly programme, along with Jason Bradbury, Jon Bentley, Ortis Deley and Pollyanna Woodward. Gail Porter temporarily replaced Perry in early 2009 when she was on recovery after an ectopic pregnancy. She returned to the show in August of that year. Perry also composed the theme music for the “Gadget Show” in 2011 as part of a Gadget Show challenge. She did not return to the show when it was changed to “The Gadget Show: World Tour” in February 2012. Perry's bigger success came through her affiliation with BBC Sport. She covered motorcycle racing “MotoGP” for BBC Sports for thirteen years from 1997 to her departure February 2010, a year after she had a series of health issues including viral meningitis and an ectopic pregnancy. She mentioned the extensive traveling involved combined with her other TV commitments was having a damaging effect on the balance of her work-life. Following her exit from “Moto GP,” Perry joined the BBC presenting team at the 2010 Epsom Derby and Royal Ascot. The same year, she also appeared on ITV's “All Star Mr & Mrs” with husband Bastien, in “Pride of Britain Awards 2010,” “ Ask Rhod Gilbert” and “100 Greatest Toys.” She also was a presenter on “How to Take Stunning Pictures.” From  2010 to 2012, Perry served as competition presenter on the ITV morning breakfast show “Daybreak.” On December 21, 2012, BBC announced that Perry would replace Jake Humphrey as presenter of the BBC's “Formula One” coverage from the 2013 season, for which she has to cover 10 live races and 10 highlight shows. She became the first female to take on the full-time main anchor role in Formula One on British television. Perry would also regularly provide blogs about a behind the scenes look at F1 for BBC Sport. Perry has irregularly appeared as a guest panelist on the Channel 5 magazine show “The Wright Stuff” since April 2004.   Awards:


Jerry Baldwin, Gordon Bowker and Zev Siegel founded which refreshment company in 1971?

History of Starbucks. - Starbucks  Starbucks The menu. About the corporation. Starbucks was founded in 1971. Zev Siegel, Gordon Bowker, and Jerry Baldwin were inspired by a Dutch immigrant named Alfred Peet. He was the owner of ‘Peet’s Coffee and Tea’, which was opened up in Berkeley, California in 1966. After they saw that Peet was getting a lot of business by selling coffee, the three founders wanted to open up a shop and sell coffee beans and coffee. They opened up at Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Zev Siegel was born on April 25, 1955 in Alameda, California. He was a history teacher, and an American entrepreneur. Siegel loved extraordinary spices and trying new things. He used to be the only paid employee in Starbucks’ early days. In 1980, he decided to sell his share of the business. The business had then expanded to four stores. Gordon was another founder of the company. He was born on August 31, 1920. He graduated from the University of San Francisco. Bowker began as a writing teacher. Later on, he became the co-founder of Starbucks along with Jerry Baldwin and Zev Siegel. He also wrote a biography on James Joyce, a famous writer. He died on August 18, 1973 at the age of 52. He is buried in the Ft. Logan National Cemetery, which is located in Denver. The final founder of the coffee company is Jerry Baldwin. He was born in 1929 and died in 2005. He was an English teacher. Jerry Baldwin became the manager of Starbucks when Zev Siegel left to pursue other dreams. At this point, Jerry Baldwin and Gordon Bowker were the only owners. Baldwin was the manager and Bowker was the co-owner of the company. In 1981, Howard Schultz took Siegel’s spot. He was born on July 19, 1953 in Brooklyn. He went to northern Michigan University and Canarsie High School. Schultz was a businessman and writer. He used to be the owner of Seattle SuperSonics. He also co-founded Maveron, an investment group in 1998. He married Sheri Kersch Schultz. He wrote a book called ‘Pour your Heart into it’. He also starred in TV shows called ‘The moment of truth’ and ‘Sacch Ka Saamna’. One day in 1981, Schultz met with Jerry Baldwin and Gordon Bowker. They discussed the company and Schultz was hoping to be a part of the business. They all had a meeting in 1982. Schultz collaborated on how he wanted Starbucks coffee shops to open up across the United States and Canada. Baldwin and Bowker talked about it and they thought it was risky but Schultz persuaded them to reconsider their choice. During his first few months, Schultz worked on trying new flavors, selling coffee, and learning more about the coffee business. By December, Schultz began roasting the coffee. Schultz had many ideas for the company. He began helping employees to become less arrogant so that customers could become more comfortable in Starbucks stores. However, his biggest idea arose in 1983 when the company sent him to Italy to attend an international housewares show. In Milan, Schultz saw many espresso bars. He stayed there for about a week exploring coffee bars and coffee drinks. In Milan, he ordered a café latte and brought it back to Baldwin and Bowker to try the amazing flavor.         Schultz shared the idea with Baldwin and Bowker. They did not like the idea at all and felt that Starbucks was not a company meant to sell beverages, but a company to sell coffee. Schultz finally persuaded Baldwin to open an espresso bar. In April 1984, Starbucks opened its sixth store, which was meant to sell beverages. By the end of the first day, 400 customers were served. After two months, over 800 customers were served per day. Sometimes, it was difficult for them to keep up with orders. Baldwin did not like this. He felt that people wouldn’t focus on purchasing coffee because they were much more interested in espresso drinks. The only thing that Baldwin allowed is for Schultz to put espresso machines in the back of two Starbucks stores. Schultz wasn’t getting much of a say in this company. In 1985, he decided to leave Starbucks and start his own company. He also met Scott Greenburg, who would support S


"Who was the director of the Hitchcock spoof film ""High Anxiety""?"

Audience Reviews for High Anxiety So lame. I couldn't even sit through it all. Not funny at all. Nicki Marie Super Reviewer Dr. Charles Montague: Enjoy yourself, for God's sake! Get your mind off the Wentworth murder... Accident! Accident!  "A Psycho-Comedy" High Anxiety is a really stupid, moderately funny Hitchcock spoof. This isn't one of Mel Brooks better films. It doesn't touch his classics like Blazing Saddles or Young Frankenstein, but it is much better than his bottom dweller Dracula: Dead and Loving It. This one works just enough for me because of the subject matter. I am a huge Alfred Hitchcock fan; just like everyone else who is familiar with his work. So a spoof of some of his most legendary films and scenes was, at the very least, going to be interesting. While I think Brooks could have done a much better job with the material, it was still decent enough.  The highlights of the film are two scenes that are reenacted from two different Hitchcock films. The first being the shower scene from Psycho and the second being the birds landing behind the woman from The Birds. Both brilliant scenes are taken and used in the most ridiculous context imaginable. Watch the scenes and you'll know what I mean. They definitely aren't smart comedy, but smart comedy was never what Brooks was selling; and that's what makes him such a genius I guess. This should be good enough if you are a fan of Brooks' brand of comedy. It would also help if you are familiar with Hitchcock because if not, a lot of the references and comedy will be lost on you. Still it's a little disappointing just because I wanted a Young Frankenstein caliber film from Brooks when he was working with Hitchcock's films as his material.  Melvin White


How often are the Oberammergau Passion Plays held?

Oberammergau Passion play in Germany 2020: Greatdays Travel Group Cruises Oberammergau Passion Play 2020 The Oberammergau Passion Play is traditionally held every ten years in the small village in Germany, and is due to be performed again throughout the summer of 2020! In 1633 when the small Bavarian village of Oberammergau was in the grip of the plague, its inhabitants vowed that if they were spared, they would in future perform every ten years a Passion Play depicting Christ’s bitter suffering. In 1634 the villagers fulfilled their solemn promise for the first time. For hundreds of years since then, despite dangers and threats, they have loyally kept their vow. Pilgrims from all over the world are captivated by the Play, which is not only a testimony of religious faith but also an outstanding cultural event. Although the text and music have been adapted many times over the years, the traditional concept has remained intact. With inner conviction, the amateur actors, all locals, represent time and again the life and sufferings of Our Lord. The last major changes to the text of the Passion Play were made between 1850 and 1860. Done by the parish priest of Oberammergau, Alois Daisenberger, building on the work of Father Othmar Weis. The structure of the Play, with its living pictures from the Old Testament and acted scenes from the New Testament, has been retained to this day. The music for the Play was composed in the early 19th century by the Oberammergau school teacher, Rochus Dedler. Revised and extended in 1950 by Professor Eugen Papst, it employs a large choir and orchestra and frames the entire spectacle. The Play shows the story of Christ’s Passion, beginning with the entry into Jerusalem and ending with the Resurrection and Transfiguration. The performances are usually during the afternoon and evening with a break for dinner. Lunch arrangements and bus transport around the village are included in the package, making the whole day a relaxing, as well us an uplifting, experience. We have a long experience of the complex procedures for obtaining Oberammergau “Arrangements” – Passion Play tickets combined with local accommodation. We can therefore offer a first class, reliable service for Oberammergau tours. At the time of printing this brochure we expect the 2020 season to last from late May to late September, with 4 or 5 performances of the play per week. Once again we expect midweek performances to take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We recommend these because they are combined with a 2 night stay in the village. Accommodation in and around Oberammergau is available in various categories, but demand for the few hotels is always high. In past years we have often used comfortable accommodation in private houses. For most tours we would expect to do so again in 2020. The fact that this procedure divides the group into several smaller parties for 2 nights has never been a problem in the past. Indeed, many people particularly enjoy the experience of staying with local families in this way. The suggested itineraries featured here are examples of Oberammergau tours, which have been popular in the past, or they are based on tried and tested tours, which we have operated to these regions in recent years. All these would follow a visit to Oberammergau. Tours to other second centres, multi-centre itineraries, and longer or shorter versions of the tours featured here, are all available on request. Quick Filter 8 or 9 day tour Prices on request Combine your trip to Oberammergau and its famous christian passion play celebration, with five days in Switzerland. Mountains, rushing streams, green valleys and snow capped peaks await you on […] 8 or 9 day tour Prices on request Combine your trip to Oberammergau  and its famous passion play with five fabulous days exploring Lake Garda. The largest of the Italian lakes, situated at the foot of the Dolomite […] 8 or 9 day tour Prices on request Combine your trip to Oberammergau with five additional days in the Rhine Valley. Both the Rhine and Moselle Valleys are charmed by vi


During which decade were Jochen Rindt. Jackie Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi and Niki Lauda Fl World Champions?

Jochen Rindt | Autopedia | Fandom powered by Wikia 1964 - 1970 |- | Template:Infobox Le Mans driver |} Karl Jochen Rindt (born April 18, 1942 in Mainz, Germany; died September 5, 1970 in Monza, Italy) was a German racing driver who represented Austria during his career. [1] He is the only driver to posthumously win the Formula One World Drivers' Championship (in 1970 ), after being killed in practice for the Italian Grand Prix. Away from Formula One, Rindt was highly successful in other single-seater formulae, as well as sports car racing . In 1965 he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, driving a Ferrari 250LM in partnership with Masten Gregory from the United States. He was a close friend to Jackie Stewart , and was a neighbour to the Scotsman in Switzerland. Contents Rindt driving a Cooper T77 at the 1965 German Grand Prix . Cooper-Maserati T86, of the type driven by Jochen Rindt in 1967 Jochen Rindt at the Nürburgring in 1969 Rindt driving a Lotus F2 car at the Nürburgring in 1970. Jochen Rindt was born in Mainz, Germany, but after his parents were killed in a bombing raid in Hamburg during the Second World War, [2] he was raised by his grandparents in Graz, Austria, where he grew up and started motor racing. Although Rindt never became an Austrian citizen, he did drive his entire career under an Austrian racing licence. [3] Despite being very successful in Formula 2 (by winning for instance the 1964 London Trophy), Rindt kept on choosing the wrong F1 cars. Rindt made his Formula One debut for the Rob Walker Racing Team in the 1964 Austrian Grand Prix. It was to be his only Grand Prix of the year. From 1965 to 1967, Rindt raced for the Cooper Car Company, scoring 32 points in 29 races. In 1968, Rindt raced for Brabham, but his season wasn't what he had hoped for because of technical problems. He also raced in the Indianapolis 500 in both 1967 and 1968, but finished no better than 24th. Rindt was noted for being an exceptionally fast driver with superb car control and reflexes, but rarely had a car equal to his talent until 1969 when he moved to Lotus and his career took off. Rindt clinched the first Grand Prix victory of his career in the 1969 United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen . Rindt finished that year with 22 points, giving him fourth place in the Formula 1 World Championship. Rindt occasionally had a fraught relationship with Colin Chapman as he preferred a stable technological footing as opposed to Chapman's need to innovate and invent, but the two forged a successful partnership. Rindt's first victory in the 1970 season was at Monaco, where he overtook Jack Brabham in the last corner. With the Lotus 72 , Rindt won four more Grands Prix in The Netherlands, France, Britain and Germany that year. During practice for the 1970 Italian Grand Prix in Monza , near Milan, Chapman and Rindt agreed to follow the lead of Jackie Stewart (Tyrrell) and Denny Hulme (McLaren) and run without wings in an attempt to reduce drag and gain a higher top speed. The more powerful Flat-12 Ferraris of Jacky Ickx and Clay Regazzoni had been up to 10 mph (16 km/h) faster than the Lotus at the previous race in Austria. Rindt's team mate John Miles was unhappy with the wingless setup in Friday practice, reporting that the car "wouldn't run straight". Rindt reported no such problems, and Chapman recalled that Rindt reported the car to be "almost 800 rpm faster on the straight" without wings. [4] On the following day, Rindt ran with higher gear ratios fitted to his car to take advantage of the reduced drag, increasing the car's potential top speed to 205 mph (331 km/h). [5] On Rindt's fifth lap of the final practice session, Hulme, who was following, reported that under braking for the Parabolica corner: "Jochen's car weaved slightly and then swerved sharp left into the crash barrier." [6] A joint in the crash barrier parted, the suspension dug in under the barrier, and the car hit a stanchion head on. The front end of the car was destroyed. Although the 28 year old Rindt was rushed to hospital, he was pronounced dead. Rindt had only recent


Quia - WH 30. WORLD WAR II--terms Java Games: Flashcards, matching, concentration, and word search. WH 30. WORLD WAR II--terms Tools Many leaders, battles and other terms important in World War II A B Pearl Harbor U.S. naval base in Hawaii that was attacked by Japan Dec. 7, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy" kamikaze Japanese suicide missions in which a pilot crashed his plane loaded with explosives into an American ship Franklin D. Roosevelt President of the U.S.A. when World War II began Adolf Hitler German dictator, leader of the Nazi Party, known as "der Fuhrer" Blitzkrieg Sudden, massive attacks of tanks of and airplanes used by Germany during World II; the German word meaning "lightning war" Benito Mussolini Italian dictator and leader of the Fascist Party, called "Il Duce" Joseph Stalin Soviet dictator during World War II, known as "Uncle Joe" Harry Truman the U.S. president when World War II ended the Allies the name given to Britain, France, the U.S.S.R., and the U.S. during World War II Hirohito Japanese emperor during World War II the Axis the name given to Germany, Italy and Japan during World War II Charles de Gaulle French general who formed an underground movement known as the Free French whose resistance fighters made heroic efforts to sabotage the Nazis Luftwaffe the German air force during World War II D-Day Code name for June 6, 1944, the Allied invasion of Normandy, France Dunkirk Scene of the evacuation of British forces from France during World War II; May 26 to June 4, 1940 Yalta Scente of a conference of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin in February 1945; a port city on the Black Sea in February Rome First European capital to be freed from Nazi control Holocaust The genocidal destruction of Jews by Nazi Germany during Wrold War II Winston Churchill British Prime Minister during World War II who stated, "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat." Auschwitz


Which animal is the symbol of the City of Berlin?

The Bear- the symbol of Berlin | Berlin: A Divided City Berlin: A Divided City Willkommen in unserem Blog. genießen! Menu bears Berlin buddy bears mascot Berlin’s founding date is set at 1237 because that is the earliest documentary evidence that exists for the city (a handwritten document naming a bishop of Cölln). The earliest city seal in existence from 1253 didn’t feature  a bear but an eagle, which was the symbol of the Margraviate of Brandenburg, an important principality of the Holy Roman Empire that included Berlin. Then in 1280, a second city seal appeared with the Brandenburg eagle flanked by two standing bears. When Cölln and Berlin were officially merged into one city in 1709, the coat of arms featured the bear with a neck band below two eagles -red for Brandenburg and black for Prussia. By 1875, the bear had lost the neckband and gained a wall-crown, signifying Berlin’s status as a free city. But none of this explains why a bear? Unfortunately, a fire in 1380 destroyed all the documents that could have definitively answered this question -but there are some interesting theories. One is that the bear was chosen in homage to Albrecht the Bear, founder of the Margraviate of Brandenburg in 1157. This would have been about the time that Berlin was first settled, but then why did the first city seal feature the Brandenburg eagle and not a bear? The settlement was probably not important enough at that time to get its own mascot. Another theory is that the bear was chosen to create a canting or singing arms, because the German word “Bär” (bear) sounds phonetically similar to the first syllable of Berlin. But linguists have shot down this theory having found no etymological connections between the two words. In fact, Berlin was settled by Slavs so the prefix “Ber” may have nothing to do with German. There is however an old-Slavic word “berli” that describes a rigid net submerged in the water to catch swarms of fish. It could be that the first settlers built plenty of berlis in the Spree, and that they themselves became known to others as the “Berline,” thus spawning the name Berlin. While the latter seems the most plausible origin of the name, it doesn’t explain the connection to the bear. Whatever the reason, the Berlin Bear remains. The bear pit behind the museum was built as a present to the people of Berlin on the city’s 700th birthday. Today’s coat of arms still has these features. The Bear still stands proud as the city symbol and mascot, and appears on its flag. There are living “city bears” in the middle of the city, in Köllnischen Park. They live in what is called “the bear pit” (Bärenzwinger). The Buddy Bears The story of the Buddy Bears started with an artistic event in Berlin in 2001. Inspired by the idea of bringing art in the streets of a metropolis like the cow parade in Zurich and New York, the initiators of the Buddy Bears, Klaus und Eva Herlitz, decided to start a street art project in Berlin. It was quickly agreed that a bear would be the ideal sculpture for the backdrops of the German metropolis. The bear – Berlin’s heraldic animal with a high level of public appeal – was envisaged to capture the hearts of Berliners and their guests in various different designs. Two master students of the famous Berlin University of the Arts realised the first Buddy Bear. Anne and Roman Strobel – two friends of the Herlitz family – designed the siblings of the first Buddy Bear. Only a few months later, the initial Buddy Bear was ready for the first public appearance in Berlin. A new Berlin star was born!  And the story began – a story  nowadays travelling around the world! Over the following weeks, more than 100 bears were created. As from 20th June 2001, they were presented in different locations all over the city. The project was a great success that we mainly owe to the fantastic artists who gave each individual bear a unique identity. The bears were visible all over Berlin, attracting thousands of delighted looks. Nowadays, the bears have become an integral part of Berlin’s cityscape and travel around the worl


Which 2010 film was based on the story of Aaron Ralston?

Aron Ralston, '127 Hours' hiker, arrested for domestic violence | Daily Mail Online Next The real '127 Hours' climber who cut off his own arm held for domestic violence Aron Ralston cut off his own hand to escape a canyon after being trapped for five days in 2003 His story became the best-selling book Between a Rock and a Hard Place In 2010, it was adapted into the blockbuster film '127 Hours' with James Franco playing Ralston Arrested at the home of a woman named Vita Shannon Ralston, 38, got married in 2009 and the couple had a son Leo in 2010


Which is the last grand slam tennis tournament of the year?

Rafael Nadal pulls out of US Open, year's last Grand Slam tennis tournament Rafael Nadal pulls out of US Open, year's last Grand Slam tennis tournament The Associated Press Pin it Share WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - The U.S. Open says that Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the last Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year because of injury. Citing left knee tendinitis, the third-ranked Nadal hasn't played a match since June 28, when he was upset in the second round of Wimbledon by 100th-ranked Lukas Rosol. Nadal also pulled out of the London Olympics and a hard-court tuneup tournament in Cincinnati. The Spaniard won the 2010 U.S. Open to complete a career Grand Slam and was the runner-up to Novak Djokovic last year. U.S. Open tournament director David Brewer says in a statement Tuesday: "Rafa has informed us that he will not be ready to compete at the U.S. Open this year." Play begins at Flushing Meadows on Aug. 27. Reblog


The RTS is the Stock Exchange of which European Country?

NASDAQ OMX and RTS Stock Exchange Announce Market Data Partnership (NASDAQ:NDAQ) NASDAQ OMX and RTS Stock Exchange Announce Market Data Partnership NEW YORK The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) and RTS Stock Exchange have reached a partnership agreement that will facilitate RTS efforts to more quickly realize and maximize profits for their market data content. NASDAQ OMX will provide RTS, one of the major trading platforms in Russia and Eastern Europe , with a comprehensive suite of services to ensure compliance with RTS market data policies and best practices: On-site and off-site audits; Post-audit services including review of administrative procedures; Entitlement system and reporting methodologies; Product and technical overviews; Reconciliation activities; and Employee training and consultation during the joint audit process. "We understand the importance of delivering secure and flexible solutions to our market data clients to help them achieve and maintain compliance," stated Roman Goryunov . "We are delighted with our new partnership with NASDAQ OMX , whose expertise and array of compliance services will place us in a unique position to provide superior market data services and preserve the value of our data offerings." "We are pleased to provide the RTS Stock Exchange the opportunity to utilize our expertise and our wide range of services in the market data sector," said Brian Hyndman , Senior Vice President of Global Data Products, NASDAQ OMX . "Developing a successful data products business is difficult and time-consuming and we welcome the challenge of putting the RTS market data operation on the fast track to profitability." The services will be performed by NASDAQ OMX Global Data Products, one of the largest data distribution organizations in the world, through its Global Access program. Global Access allows companies to utilize NASDAQ OMX's vast data distribution network and its sales, administrative and technical expertise to realize profits from market data content. Global Access provides the RTS Stock Exchange and other partners with turn-key access to a premier global data business and also helps them reduce the technical and administrative costs of market data distribution. For more information about NASDAQ OMX's Global Access program, visit http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/globalaccessprogram . About NASDAQ OMX Group The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world's largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with more than 3,500 listed companies. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe, including its U.S. listings market, NASDAQ OMX Nordic, NASDAQ OMX Baltic, NASDAQ OMX First North, and the U.S. 144A sector. The company offers trading across multiple asset classes including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and exchange-traded funds. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic are not legal entities but describe the common offering from NASDAQ OMX time). RTS Group operates the central counterparty, the settlement securities depository and the settlement house for rubles and foreign currencies. RTS market data is distributed worldwide through the major vendors and is also available directly from RTS through the FIX/FAST interface. For more information please visit: www.rts.ru/en/ . Please follow RTS on Facebook ( http://www.facebook.com/Stock.Exchange.RTS ) and Twitter ( http://twitter.com/#!/RTS_Exchange ). Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The matters described herein contain forward-looking statements that are made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about NASDAQ OMX's Global Access program and other products and offerings. We caution that these statements are not guarantees of futur


Vicki Butler Henderson is a presenter on which Channel 5 programme?

Vicki Butler-Henderson - Biography - IMDb Victoria Butler-Henderson Mini Bio (1) Vicky Butler-Henderson grew up on her family's farm, and was educated at the independent Perse School for Girls in Cambridge. Racing was a big part of her upbringing and she was immersed in the culture from a young age. Her grandfather used to race a Frazer Nash at Brooklands and her father was in the British karting team. Her brother Charlie is also a racing driver. The only member of her direct family who in not involved with racing is her older sister, Charlotte. She started racing karts when she was twelve, competing in one race that featured David Coulthard. After several years spent competing around Britain, at the tender age of 17 she started her career as a racing instructor at circuits such as Brands Hatch and Silverstone, as well as spending a year living and working at Knockhill in Scotland. She has competed in series such as Formula First and the 2000 Pentel Ginetta Championship. She has also raced in many other events, such as the Porsche Cup, Radicals, the Speyside Stages Rally, a combine harvester race, a 24 hour 2CV race and, on two occasions, as navigator for ITV's Formula One pit reporter Louise Goodman, in the Rallye Sunseeker. In 2001 Vicki raced a Honda Formula Four-Stroke speedboat off of France. She went on to win the Maserati Trofeo race with her co-driver and fellow journalist, Matthew Marsh. Vicky described the event as one of the best moments of her life. It was a historic moment as she was the first woman ever to win a race in a Maserati. She made her television debut in 1994, racing a Ford Fiesta at Brands Hatch in a one-off piece for BBC2's Top Gear and was a regular presenter from 1997 until December 2001, during which time she also presented Top Gear GTI for UK Horizons. A year later she moved to five's new Fifth Gear programme to join fellow presenters Tiff Needell, Jason Plato and Tom Ford as well as presenting coverage of the BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) for ITV. Other than her presenting work, she is also a successful journalist and has written for; Car Mechanics magazine, Carweek magazine, Auto Express magazine and What Car?. She also helped launch Max Power magazine and was a regular contributor to Top Gear Magazine. She has also written for a string of national newspapers, such as The Daily Telegraph and The Times. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Useful Sports Spouse (1)


The Golden Temple at Amritsar is sacred to members of which religion?

The Golden Temple, Amritsar The Golden Temple, Amritsar The Golden Temple ( Enlarge ) The Golden Temple, located in the city of Amritsar in the state of Punjab,is a place of great beauty and sublime peacefulness. Originally a small lake in the midst of a quiet forest, the site has been a meditation retreat for wandering mendicants and sages since deep antiquity. The Buddha is known to have spent time at this place in contemplation. Two thousand years after Buddha's time, another philosopher-saint came to live and meditate by the peaceful lake. This was Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the founder of the Sikh religion. After the passing away of Guru Nanak, his disciples continued to frequent the site; over the centuries it became the primary sacred shrine of the Sikhs. The lake was enlarged and structurally contained during the leadership of the fourth Sikh Guru (Ram Dass, 1574-1581), and during the leadership of the fifth Guru (Arjan, 1581-1606), the Hari Mandir, or Temple of God was built. From the early 1600s to the mid 1700s the sixth through tenth Sikh Gurus were constantly involved in defending both their religion and their temple against Muslim armies. On numerous occasions the temple was destroyed by the Muslims, and each time was rebuilt more beautifully by the Sikhs. From 1767 onwards, the Sikhs became strong enough militarily to repulse invaders. Peace returned to the Hari Mandir. Hari Mandir, Amritsar, India ( Enlarge ) The temple's architecture draws on both Hindu and Muslim artistic styles yet represents a unique coevolution of the two. During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), Hari Mandir was richly ornamented with marble sculptures, golden gilding, and large quantities of precious stones. Within the sanctuary, on a jewel-studded platform, lies the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs. This scripture is a collection of devotional poems, prayers, and hymns composed by the ten Sikh gurus and various Muslim and Hindu saints. Beginning early in the morning and lasting until long past sunset, these hymns are chanted to the exquisite accompaniment of flutes, drums, and stringed instruments. Echoing across the serene lake, this enchantingly beautiful music induces a delicate yet powerful state of trance in the pilgrims strolling leisurely around the marble concourse encircling the pool and temple. An underground spring feeds the sacred lake, and throughout the day and night pilgrims immerse themselves in the water, a symbolic cleansing of the soul rather than an actual bathing of the body. Next to the temple complex are enormous pilgrims' dormitories and dining halls where all persons, irrespective of race, religion, or gender, are lodged and fed for free. Amritsar, the original name of first the ancient lake, then the temple complex, and still later the surrounding city, means "pool of ambrosial nectar." Looking deeply into the origins of this word amrit, we find that it indicates a drink of the gods, a rare and magical substance that catalyzes euphoric states of consciousness and spiritual enlightenment. With this word we have a very clear example of the spirit, power, or energetic character of a particular place becoming encoded as an ancient geographical place name. The myth is not just a fairy tale. It reveals itself as a coded metaphor if we have the knowledge to read the code: The waters of Amritsar flowing into the lake of the Hari Mandir were long ago - and remain today - a bringer of peacefulness. Sikh pilgrims at the Golden Temple, Amritsar, India ( Enlarge ) Golden Temple Aerial View by Helicopter Photograph by Grenade Singh