Who wrote the Athenian tragedy ‘Oedipus Rex’?

SparkNotes: The Oedipus Plays: Context The Oedipus Plays Plot Overview Greek Theater Greek theater was very different from what we call theater today. It was, first of all, part of a religious festival. To attend a performance of one of these plays was an act of worship, not entertainment or intellectual pastime. But it is difficult for us to even begin to understand this aspect of the Greek theater, because the religion in question was very different from modern religions. The god celebrated by the performances of these plays was Dionysus, a deity who lived in the wild and was known for his subversive revelry. The worship of Dionysus was associated with an ecstasy that bordered on madness. Dionysus, whose cult was that of drunkenness and sexuality, little resembles modern images of God. A second way in which Greek theater was different from modern theater is in its cultural centrality: every citizen attended these plays. Greek plays were put on at annual festivals (at the beginning of spring, the season of Dionysus), often for as many as 15,000 spectators at once. They dazzled viewers with their special effects, singing, and dancing, as well as with their beautiful language. At the end of each year’s festivals, judges would vote to decide which playwright’s play was the best. In these competitions, Sophocles was king. It is thought that he won the first prize at the Athenian festival eighteen times. Far from being a tortured artist working at the fringes of society, Sophocles was among the most popular and well-respected men of his day. Like most good Athenians, Sophocles was involved with the political and military affairs of Athenian democracy. He did stints as a city treasurer and as a naval officer, and throughout his life he was a close friend of the foremost statesman of the day, Pericles. At the same time, Sophocles wrote prolifically. He is believed to have authored 123 plays, only seven of which have survived. Sophocles lived a long life, but not long enough to witness the downfall of his Athens. Toward the end of his life, Athens became entangled in a war with other city-states jealous of its prosperity and power, a war that would end the glorious century during which Sophocles lived. This political fall also marked an artistic fall, for the unique art of Greek theater began to fade and eventually died. Since then, we have had nothing like it. Nonetheless, we still try to read it, and we often misunderstand it by thinking of it in terms of the categories and assumptions of our own arts. Greek theater still needs to be read, but we must not forget that, because it is so alien to us, reading these plays calls not only for analysis, but also for imagination. Antigone Antigone was probably the first of the three Theban plays that Sophocles wrote, although the events dramatized in it happen last. Antigone is one of the first heroines in literature, a woman who fights against a male power structure, exhibiting greater bravery than any of the men who scorn her. Antigone is not only a feminist play but a radical one as well, making rebellion against authority appear splendid and noble. If we think of Antigone as something merely ancient, we make the same error as the Nazi censors who allowed Jean Anouilh’s adaptation of Antigone to be performed, mistaking one of the most powerful texts of the French Resistance for something harmlessly academic. Oedipus the King The story of Oedipus was well known to Sophocles’ audience. Oedipus arrives at Thebes a stranger and finds the town under the curse of the Sphinx, who will not free the city unless her riddle is answered. Oedipus solves the riddle and, since the king has recently been murdered, becomes the king and marries the queen. In time, he comes to learn that he is actually a Theban, the king’s son, cast out of Thebes as a baby. He has killed his father and married his mother. Horrified, he blinds himself and leaves Thebes forever. The story was not invented by Sophocles. Quite the opposite: the play’s most powerful effects often depend on the fact that the audience alrea


Who was the last boxer to fight and defeat Muhammad Ali, in December 1981?

Muhammad Ali vs. Trevor Berbick - Dec 11, 1981 - HISTORY.com Muhammad Ali vs. Trevor Berbick Share this: Muhammad Ali vs. Trevor Berbick Author Muhammad Ali vs. Trevor Berbick URL Publisher A+E Networks On this day in 1981, the Jamaican boxer Trevor Berbick beat former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in a unanimous 10-round decision, before a crowd of 10,000 at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre in Nassau, the Bahamas. At the age of 39, Ali (born Cassius Clay) was attempting his second comeback from retirement. Crowned as the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champ in 1964 after beating Sonny Liston, he had successfully defended the title eight times before he was convicted of draft evasion in 1967, stripped of his boxing license and title and sentenced to five years in prison. Though the conviction was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, Ali was inactive for two years and announced his retirement in 1970. He returned to the ring after only a short time, however, and regained his heavyweight title in 1974 after a win against George Foreman in Zaire. After losing and regaining the crown again in 1978, Ali announced his retirement for the second time. He reemerged in October 1980 to fight a championship bout against Larry Holmes, who knocked him out in the 11th round in a one-sided battle. Ali refused to accept the result, however, and pushed to set up the fight with Berbick in the Bahamas in order to prove himself. Immensely popular with the fans, Ali put in his best performance in the middle of the Berbick fight, seeming to win the fifth and sixth rounds with his combinations and aggressive punches. From the seventh round on, however, control belonged to the 27-year-old Berbick, whose speed and power allowed him to inflict a series of damaging punches, batter Ali in the corner, land a punch to the head in the ninth, and get him on the ropes in the tenth. In the end, all three judges gave the match to Berbick. Ali retired for good after the fight, finishing his career with an overall record of 56-5 and earning a lasting reputation as one of the 20th century’s most influential sportsmen. For his part, Berbick won the WBC heavyweight title in 1986 but was beaten in his first defense by the 20-year-old Mike Tyson. Berbick continued boxing for another 14 years but was plagued by issues in his personal life, including various arrests and a conviction for sexual assault. His boxing license was revoked in 2000 after a post-fight CAT scan found a blood clot in his brain. In October 2006, Berbick was found dead, with massive wounds to the head, in a church courtyard in his native town, Norwich, near Kingston, Jamaica. His 20-year-old nephew and a friend were charged in the killing. Related Videos


Which former British MP was the first contestant to be eliminated from the 2011 UK television show ‘Strictly Come Dancing’?

Edwina Currie | Articles | The List Edwina Currie 8 Dec 2014 TV gossip Edwina Currie hopes her sexual anecdotes will "enlighten" the public. The former Conservative MP is glad she spoke about losing her virginity on 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' because it could encourage more people to be open about their… 7 Dec 2014 TV gossip Kendra Wilkinson has hit out at Edwina Currie, calling her a bully. The former Playboy model - who shared a campsite with the former Conservative MP whilst they appeared in 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' - branded the 68-year-old… 7 Dec 2014 TV gossip Edwina Currie was voted off of 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' last night (06.12.14). The former Conservative MP was the seventh campmate to be eliminated from the show, leaving Melanie Sykes, Carl Fogarty and Jake Quickenden to fight for… 5 Dec 2014 TV gossip Edwina Currie is feeling "sexually frustrated" in the 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!' jungle. The former Conservative MP has confessed to enjoying admiring campmate Jake Quickenden's physique on the ITV reality series and 'Allo, Allo!' star… 29 Nov 2014 TV gossip Edwina Currie has been dubbed the "Kim Kardashian" of the 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! jungle. The former Conservative MP has become the talk of the ITV reality series' production crew after a video clip of her giving former Premier League… 25 Nov 2014 TV gossip Kendra Wilkinson has branded Edwina Currie a "heartless ass politician". The Playboy model and the former Conservative MP - who are starring on this year's series of 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' - became embroiled in a heated debate after… 22 Nov 2014 TV gossip 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here' star, Edwina Currie, is "one tough lady", according to her husband of 13 years. Retired policeman, John Jones, thinks the 68-year-old former Conservative MP - who entered the show on Thursday alongside 'X… 20 Nov 2014 TV gossip Edwina Currie and Jake Quickenden are to enter the 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!' jungle. The former member of British parliament and 'X Factor' contestant are set to join nine other celebrities at their camp in the Australian jungle on… 15 Nov 2014 TV gossip Edwina Currie will star on 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!'. The former Conservative minister is reported to have accepted a £110,000 offer to appear on the reality TV show despite slamming it as a "ritual humiliation" in the past. Edwina… 11 Oct 2011 TV Gossip Ann Widdecombe has blasted Edwina Currie for being too "smutty" for 'Strictly Come Dancing'. The outspoken former MP - who was a surprise hit with viewers last year - thinks Edwina, who was voted off the programme on Sunday (09.10.11), failed to… 11 Oct 2011 TV Gossip Vincent Simone thinks Nancy Dell'Olio has stayed on 'Strictly Come Dancing' because she is "rubbish". The professional dancer and his partner Edwina Currie were first to be voted off the BBC One show at the weekend, and Vincent thinks that bad… 10 Oct 2011 TV Gossip Edwina Currie has become the first contestant to be voted off `Strictly Come Dancing'. The 64-year-old former MP insists she wasn't upset that she and professional partner Vincent Simone had to leave the competition after receiving fewer votes than… 7 Oct 2011 TV Gossip Nancy Dell'Olio has been banned from wearing a feather boa on 'Strictly Come Dancing'. Bosses of the BBC One show have banned the Italian star - who is partnered alongside professional dancer Anton Du Beke - from donning the accessory in tomorrow… 4 Oct 2011 TV Gossip Edwina Currie wants sexier routines on 'Strictly Come Dancing'. The 64-year-old former politician has asked professional partner Vincent Simone to make the choreography raunchier because she doesn't want to become a comedy character like Ann… 28 Sep 2011 TV Gossip Edwina Currie thinks rehearsing for 'Strictly Come Dancing' is like childbirth. The former MP - who is partnered by Italian professional dancer Vincent Simone - regards having a baby as the "only experience" she's had that comes close to the effort… 6 Sep


Animal Info - Kodkod Animal Info - Kodkod (Other Names: Chat du Chili, Chilean Cat, Chilenische Waldkatze, Guigna, Gï¿½iï¿½a, Nachtkatze) Oncifelis guigna (Leopardus g.) ( Cat Act. Treas. )   The kodkod is one of the smallest cat species, with a head and body length of up to 50 cm (20") and a weight of 1.5 - 3 kg (3.3 - 6.6 lb).  The kodkod’s buff or gray-brown coat is heavily marked with small, round black spots. The spots on its head and neck sometimes form broken streaks. Its tail is short, bushy, and marked with a series of narrow black bands. The kodkod is generally associated with forested regions, where it selects structured habitats such as thicket-forest and thicket for its home range . It has also been observed in fragmented, human-dominated landscapes. Small mammals comprise the majority of the kodkod's prey. Birds are also  eaten frequently. Kodkods that live near agricultural areas also occasionally eat domestic chickens and geese. The kodkod appears to have a mix of arboreal and terrestrial lifestyles. On the one hand, the kodkod climbs trees with ease and is seen on tree branches  resting or escaping from danger. On the  other hand, radio-tracked kodkods have also been found to rest in ground-level vegetation rather than in trees. Furthermore, studies have found that terrestrial mammal species represent the majority of the kodkod's prey. The social system of the kodkod varies. In one area, high levels of home range and core area overlap among neighboring kodkods of both sexes were found, indicating a lack of territorial behavior. However, in another, dissimilar area, male home ranges did not overlap each other; female home ranges did not overlap each other; and males appeared to patrol their home range boundaries actively, indicating the presence of territorial behavior. The kodkod is found in the central and southern regions of Chile and in a small area of the eastern slope of the Andes in Argentina . The kodkod has historically been described as quite common. However, in central Chile , which is home to two-thirds of the kodkod’s population, habitat loss has led to localized and patchy distribution. In general, the southern forested part of its range is well protected and sparsely populated by people.  Because of its restricted distribution, the kodkod is particularly vulnerable to habitat loss. Population fragmentation and localized decline in the northern half of its range have been attributed to logging and deforestation by burning for agricultural development. The kodkod also faces persecution as a pest species in agricultural areas, where it preys on domestic fowl. Illegal commerce in kodkod pelts appears uncommon. However, the tails and pelts of kodkods are used as decorations on cars. The cats are also unintentionally killed by wire snares set by hunters to catch rabbits, as well as by the dogs used to hunt rabbits. Tidbits *** Cat Tidbit #6: Of all their senses, cats probably depend most on vision to help them capture prey ( IUCN 2005 ) Distribution: The geographic distribution of the kodkod is limited to an area of Argentina and Chile of about 160,000 sq km (62,000 sq mi), extending from approximately 70E - 75E deg W and from 30E - 48E S. In Chile it is found in the central and southern regions, from Santiago Province south to the islands of Chiloï¿½ and the Guaitecas; in Argentina it is confined to a small area of the eastern slope of the Andes, in the provinces of Neuquï¿½n, Rï¿½o Negro, Chubut, and Santa Cruz. ( Sunquist & Sunquist 2002 , Freer 2004 ) The kodkod has historically been described as quite common. However, in the dry scrub of central Chile , which amounts to 10% of the country’s area but which is home to two-thirds of the kodkod’s population, habitat loss has led to localized and patchy distribution. In general, the southern forested part of its range is well protected and sparsely populated by people. Even where its habitat has been altered, such as in central Chile , where 15,000 sq km (6000 sq mi) of pine and eucalyptus plantations have been established, kodkods may do well


Who plays Freddie Krueger in the 1984 film ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’?

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) - IMDb IMDb Doctor Strange Confirmed to Appear in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ 15 hours ago There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error A Nightmare on Elm Street ( 1984 ) R | | Horror | 16 November 1984 (USA) Several people are hunted by a cruel serial killer who kills his victims in their dreams. While the survivors are trying to find the reason for being chosen, the murderer won't lose any chance to kill them as soon as they fall asleep. Director: From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON TV "No Small Parts" IMDb Exclusive: "Westworld" Star Thandie Newton Actress Thandie Newton has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her performance as Maeve in the HBO's " Westworld ." What other significant parts has she played over the years? Visit IMDb's Golden Globes section for red-carpet photos, videos, and more. a list of 49 titles created 31 May 2014 a list of 25 titles created 24 Aug 2014 a list of 22 titles created 23 Jan 2015 a list of 42 titles created 26 Mar 2015 a list of 34 titles created 11 Sep 2015 Title: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) 7.5/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. 2 wins & 3 nominations. See more awards  » Videos Survivors of undead serial killer Freddy Krueger - who stalks his victims in their dreams - learn to take control of their own dreams in order to fight back. Director: Chuck Russell Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield to kill again. Director: John Carpenter A teenage boy is haunted in his dreams by Freddy Krueger who is out to possess him in order to continue his murder spree in the real world. Director: Jack Sholder A group of camp counselors is stalked and murdered by an unknown assailant while trying to reopen a summer camp which, years before, was the site of a child's drowning. Director: Sean S. Cunningham Two siblings visit their grandfather's grave in Texas along with three of their friends and are attacked by a family of cannibalistic psychopaths. Director: Tobe Hooper Freddy Krueger returns once again to terrorize the dreams of the remaining Dream Warriors, as well as those of a young woman who may know the way to defeat him for good. Director: Renny Harlin A year after the murder of her mother, a teenage girl is terrorized by a new killer, who targets the girl and her friends by using horror films as part of a deadly game. Director: Wes Craven A demonic force has chosen Freddy Krueger as its portal to the real world. Can Heather play the part of Nancy one last time and trap the evil trying to enter our world? Director: Wes Craven When a teenage girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter. Director: William Friedkin A family's home is haunted by a host of ghosts. Director: Tobe Hooper The pregnant Alice finds Freddy Krueger striking through the sleeping mind of her unborn child, hoping to be reborn into the real world. Director: Stephen Hopkins Freddy Krueger returns once again to haunt both the dreams of Springwood's last surviving teenager and a woman with a deep connection to him. Director: Rachel Talalay Edit Storyline On Elm Street, Nancy Thompson and a group of her friends including Tina Gray, Rod Lane and Glen Lantz are being tormented by a clawed killer in their dreams named Freddy Krueger. Nancy must think quickly, as Freddy tries to pick off his victims one by one. When he has you in your sleep, who is there to save you? Written by simon_hrdng 16 November 1984 (USA) See more  » Also Known As: Les griffes de la nuit See more  » Filming Locations: $1,271,000        (USA) (9 November 1984) Gross: The words "Elm Street" are not spoken at all during the movie. See more » Goofs (at around 22 mins) When Nancy is


Nanga Parbat Overview - Peakware.com Convenient Center: Chilas, Pakistan Nanga Parbat, whose name means Naked Mountain, is the ninth highest mountain in the world, and the westernmost mountain of the Himalayas. Its vast snowy face is a powerful spectacle when seen from the arid Indus Valley, approaching the mountain from the west. Here the mountain towers in isolation over 22,000 feet from the valley floor. The mountain is easy to reach (China's Karakoram Highway approaches the base of the mountain from the north), but is not so easy to climb. Unstable glaciers and frequent storms and avalanches have proved hazardous, most notably to the German party who first attempted the peak. Herman Buhl successfully reached the summit, but this was only after having lost eleven climbers and fifteen porters during the ascent. Many other climbers have subsequently been killed on this mountain.


The Allan Border medal is awarded annually for which sport?

Steve Smith wins Allan Border Medal as Sean Abbott claims Bradman award Steve Smith wins Allan Border Medal as Sean Abbott claims Bradman award reddit More Sean Abbott, the bowler Australia rallied around following the Phillip Hughes tragedy, was named the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year at the Allan Border Medal ceremony in Sydney on Tuesday night. The prestigious prize was awarded to the 22-year-old fast bowling all-rounder who made his Twenty20 and ODI debuts for Australia last October but was thrust before the public eye a month later when he delivered the fateful delivery to Hughes, the recipient of the Bradman award in 2009. SHARE Pin to Pinterest PIN Link Big win: Steve Smith with the Allan Border Medal and the Test and ODI player of the year awards.  Photo: Getty Images Stand-in captain Steve Smith won the Allan Border Medal, beating David Warner and Mitchell Johnson. Smith also claimed the Test player of the year award and the ODI player of the year award, completing a clean sweep in a remarkable season of personal success. The Belinda Clark Medal was awarded to Victoria and Southern Stars batter, Meg Lanning, ahead of Ellyse Perry, and Glenn Maxwell was named T20 player of the year. Abbott thanked the cricket community after he won his prize. SHARE Man of the moment: Steve Smith and his partner Dani Willis before the presentations on Tuesday.   Photo: Getty Images "I am thankful for the support of the Australian cricket family and wider community, as well as my own family, close friends and teammates, and especially my girlfriend Brier," he said in a pre-recorded message, as he was in Canberra preparing for the Big Bash League final. "I feel privileged to receive such an award, especially after a couple of good seasons in a row on the field and some tough off seasons pushing myself to continually improve. I feel that this is a reward for a lot of good work and finally putting some consistent good performances together." Advertisement Abbott's award was emotional. Smith's naming as the winner of the Border Medal was predictable. Less expected, however, was his naming as winner in both the Test and ODI categories. "I thought I would be up there but I certainly didn't think I'd be collecting the one day, the Test and the AB Medal," Smith said. Photo gallery Allan Border Medal 2015 red carpet "I've joined a pretty illustrious group of players that have come before me. I used to sit back as a kid and watch the Allan Border Medal and see some of my childhood stars appearing on the TV receiving these awards. To have received one now, it's a pretty amazing feeling to be honest." Smith, who has stepped ably into the captaincy role vacated since Michael Clarke was injured, polled 243 votes for the medal, beating Warner with 175 and Johnson, who tallied 126. He won the Test player award, marginally ahead of Warner, and the ODI  gong ahead of Aaron Finch. Smith said he was pleased for his NSW teammate Abbott. "He's done terrific over the last little bit," he said. "As a player and a person, he's come a long way in the past 12 to 18 months. He's a great kid, he always wants to get better and he bowls some pretty feisty spells at times." Throughout the Border Medal voting period, from January 24, 2014, to January 10, 2015, Smith, 25, blossomed into an unorthodox but dominating right-hander in the middle order. He was the leading run-scorer in Australia's year of Tests - which consisted of series wins against South Africa and India and a loss to Pakistan - with 1212 runs, marginally ahead of Warner's 1209. Previous winners of the Allan Border Medal are Mitchell Johnson, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Steve Waugh and Glenn McGrath. Gilchrist was named one of the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Inductees, along with the late Victorian all-rounder Jack Ryder, a former Test captain and long-term selector.


Whiteford, Stewart and Brabham are all corners on the Formula One Grand Prix circuit in which country?

Formula One Formula One BMW, Ferrari, Honda, Mercedes, Renault, Toyota Tyre suppliers Grands Prix affected by rain Records ( Wins) Tyres · Races Formula One, abbreviated to F1, is the highest class of open wheeled auto racing defined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), motorsport world's governing body. The "formula" in the name refers to a set of rules to which all participants and cars must conform. The F1 world championship season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix, held usually on purpose-built circuits, and in a few cases on closed city streets, the most famous of which is the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo. The results of each race are combined to determine two annual World Championships, one for drivers and one for constructors. The cars race at high speeds, up to 360 km/h (225 mph), and are capable of pulling up to 5g in some corners. The performance of the cars is highly dependent on electronics , aerodynamics, suspension and tyres. The formula has seen many evolutions and changes through the history of the sport. Europe is Formula One's traditional centre; all of the teams are based there and around half the races take place there. In particular the United Kingdom has produced the most number of Drivers' Champions (12), and the vast majority of Constructors' Champions (32). However, its scope has expanded significantly in recent years and Grands Prix are now held all over the world. Events in Europe and the Americas have been dropped in favour of new ones in Bahrain , China , Malaysia and Turkey , with Singapore scheduled to hold the first night race in 2008 and India being added to the schedule starting in 2010. Of the eighteen races in 2008, nine are outside Europe. It is a massive television event, with millions of people watching each race worldwide. As the world's most expensive sport , its economic effect is significant, and its financial and political battles are widely observed. On average about 55 million people all over the world watch Formula One races live. Its high profile and popularity makes it an obvious merchandising environment, which leads to very high investments from sponsors, translating into extremely high budgets for the constructor teams. Several teams have gone bankrupt or been bought out by other companies since 2000. The sport is regulated by the FIA. Formula One's commercial rights are vested in the Formula One Group. History The Formula One series has its roots in the European Grand Prix Motor Racing (q.v. for pre-1947 history) of the 1920s and 1930s. The " formula" is a set of rules which all participants and cars must meet. Formula One was a new formula agreed after World War II in 1946, with the first non-championship races being held that year. A number of Grand Prix racing organisations had laid out rules for a World Championship before the war, but due to the suspension of racing during the conflict, the World Drivers' Championship was not formalised until 1947. The first world championship race was held at Silverstone, United Kingdom in 1950. A championship for constructors followed in 1958. National championships existed in South Africa and the UK in the 1960s and 1970s. Non-championship Formula One races were held for many years but, due to the rising cost of competition, the last of these occurred in 1983. The sport's title, Formula One, indicates that it is intended to be the most advanced and most competitive of the FIA's racing formulae. The return of racing (1950–1958) Juan Manuel Fangio drove this Alfa Romeo 159 to the title in 1951. The first Formula One World Championship was won by Italian Giuseppe Farina in his Alfa Romeo in 1950, barely defeating his Argentine teammate Juan Manuel Fangio. However Fangio won the title in 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956 & 1957, his streak interrupted after an injury by two-time champion Alberto Ascari of Ferrari. Although the UK's Stirling Moss was able to compete regularly, he was never able to win the World Championship, and is now widely considered to be the greatest driver never to have won the ti


Who hold the Guinness World Record for survivor of the most broken bones in a lifetime?

Most broken bones in a lifetime | Guinness World Records Most broken bones in a lifetime Share When 1975 Evel Knievel (USA, b. Robert Craig Knievel), the pioneer of motorcycle long jumping exhibitions, had suffered 433 bone fractures by end of 1975. In the winter of 1976 he was seriously injured during a televised attempt to jump a tank full of sharks at the Chicago Ampitheater. For the first time a bystander was also injured when a cameraman was struck and lost an eye. Knievel, who suffered brain concussion and two broken arms, decided to retire from major performances as a result. He, however continued to do smaller exhibitions around the country with his son Robbie, establishing him as his successor. His abortive attempt to cross the 485 m (1,600 ft) wide and 180 m (600 ft) deep Snake River Canyon, Idaho, USA on 8 September 1974 in a rocket reputedly increased his lifetime earnings by US$6 million (then £2.54 million). All records listed on our website are current and up-to-date. For a full list of record titles, please use our Record Application Search. (You will be need to register / login for access)


What was the first name of 18th Century English cabinet maker and furniture designer Chippendale?

English Chippendale Furniture | eBay English Chippendale Furniture Share March 9, 2009 Thomas Chippendale was an English furniture and cabinet maker working in the 1700s  who's name is probaly most famously associated with Chippendale Chairs. Chippendale Chairs typically feature ball and claw feet and ornately carved backsplats with a chunky feel. Chippendale also made chests, desks, cabinets and other pieces of furniture. His enduring style was produced in workshops in both Britain and America since then. The Chippendale legacy can be seen in the intricate Gothic, Rococo and Chinese inspired chair backs assoociated with mid - 18th Century furniture. As Chippendale's designs were taking hold so the Neoclassical style emerged and was evident in the light elegant chairs of the late 18th Century. In Britain it was later interpreted by George Hepplewhite and Thomas Sheraton. Thomas Chippendale,  (1718-1779),  the English furniture designer and cabinetmaker whose name has become the generic label for furniture of the 1750s and 1760s. The son of a Yorkshire joiner, he probably served a family apprenticeship before seeking his fortune in London. He established a workshop there around 1749, later moving to spacious premises in St Martin's Lane, at the hub of the London furniture trade. His partner, James Rannie, probably financed the business. In 1754 Chippendale published The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director by subscription. This was a book of engraved designs for a wide variety of household furniture in the fashionable styles of the time, including the Rococo, Chinese, and Gothic tastes. It was reissued in 1755 and, with additions in the newly emerging Neo-Classical style, between 1759 and 1762. The Director established Chippendale's reputation as a leading cabinetmaker and ensured his lasting influence. It was the most distinguished of all the 18th-century furniture design books and the first to provide a comprehensive survey of the styles in vogue. Chippendale's considerable business (he employed about 50 skilled craftsmen) was not without setbacks: in 1755 the cabinet shop was severely damaged by fire, and the death of Rannie in 1766 led to financial problems. Although relatively little is known of Chippendale's private life and although he never achieved the gentlemanly status of some of his contemporary cabinetmakers, his firm produced a quantity of fine furniture for noble and wealthy patrons, and this is well documented. For some he both designed and provided complete interior schemes and it is known that he furnished interiors designed by Robert Adam. Some of Chippendale's most important furniture, ranging from early Director pieces to those executed in the Neo-Classical style of the late 1760s and 1770s, can still be seen in the houses for which it was commissioned. Notable examples are Dumfries House, Ayrshire; Wilton House, Wiltshire; Aske Hall, Nostell Priory, Harewood House, Newby Hall and Burton Constable in Yorkshire; Mersham le Hatch, Kent; Paxton House, Berwickshire; and Petworth House, Sussex. Chippendale's eldest son, also Thomas (1749-1822), continued the business and maintained its reputation as one of the leading cabinetmakers of the late 18th century. Tags:


According to the WHO (World Health Organisation), which country had the longest life expectancy in the world in 2011?

13 places that are world No. 1 Email a friend WHAT does it take to be number one? From the hottest place in the world, to the richest, to the biggest drinkers and the most sexually satisfied ... these places are ranked number one in the world for what they do best. Here is a selection of the list of winners from Distractify . The hottest place on Earth The sizzling title of the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth goes to Death Valley, California where on July 10 1913 it hit a top temperature of 56.7 degrees Celsius. The aptly named Death Valley, California. The coldest place On the high ridge of east Antarctica the temperature plunged to a brain freezing minus 94.7 degrees Celsius in August 2010. The longest life expectancy According to the World Health Organisation’s study from 2013, Monaco tops the charts for longest living citizens, with an average life expectancy of 87.2 years. Men in Monaco live an average 85.3 years, and women live to an average of 89 years. Only the tough survive in Antarctica.Source:Supplied The most sexually satisfied Believe it or not, Switzerland is the most sexually satisfied country in the world. From its liberal views on pornography and prostitution, to sex education that starts in kindergarten, more than twenty per cent of the population considers their sex lives “excellent” according to a recent survey. Leave it to the Swiss to heat things up in the bedroom. The least sexually satisfied Super conservative and the least sexually satisfied goes to the people of Japan. Only 15 per cent of Japanese reported having a fulfilling sex life and more than 45 per cent of its women said they were either uninterested or despised sexual contact. 45 per cent of Japanese women aren’t interested in getting between the sheets.Source:AFP The wealthiest city Maybe this is why Japan is so sexually unsatisfied, they’re too busy working. Tokyo takes the gong as the wealthiest city in the world with a GDP of $1630 billion. The poorest city Imagine living on less than $1 a day. That’s the sad reality for the people of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As the poorest country in the world it has a GDP of $59 billion. The most caffeinated city Maybe this is the secret to their good looks. The Swedes consume the most caffeine in the world averaging 388 milligrams of caffeine in their coffee per person per day. That’s almost five Red Bulls. Did someone say wired? Perfecting the art of coffee in Sweden. The drunkest city They have to fend off those freezing temperatures somehow. Belarus knocks the rest of the world off its feet as the biggest drinkers. Each person above the age of 15 drinks on average 17.5 litres of pure alcohol per year. The wettest place in the world You’ll need a serious pair of gumboots and wet weather gear in this country. Mawsynram in India averages 11,871mm of rain per year, and in 1985 had a record 25,400mm. Youngest country in the world The people of South Sudan were formally recognised as an independent country in 2011, making it the youngest country in the world to-date. Unfortunately the young country is crippled by hunger and civil war. The newly independent South Sudan.Source:AFP Highest point in the world Soaring 8848m into the sky, the famous and deadly peak of Mount Everest is the highest point on Earth. Literally on top of the world. Most expensive country to live in Singapore has knocked Tokyo from first place to become the world’s most expensive city to live in. Purchasing a car in Singapore is around five times the cost of one in Australia and rent is seriously expensive. Best to take public transport in Singapore.Source:Supplied


How many gold medals did Britain win in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games?

London 2012 Olympics: Great Britain's 29 gold medals | Daily Mail Online comments Britain's athletes at the Olympics did not just exceed expectations, they smashed them, winning 65 medals - 29 of them golds. That is the best tally of medals recorded by Britain at any Olympics since 1908 - and 18 more than won in Beijing four years ago. It was also the Games when British women came to the fore - with first ever British golds in rowing, stunning performances in cycling, Jessica Ennis in the stadium, and several riders in the equestrian events. Not to mention Nicola Adams winning the very first women's boxing gold. Here, Sportsmail looks at the days on which we won gold and the athletes who earned the medals. Madal winners: The British Olympians who clinch gold, silver or bronze at the London 2012 Games Wednesday, August 1 Women's Pairs, Rowing Bradley Wiggins, Cycling, time trial World's best: Helen Glover and Heather Stanning stand proudly with their gold medals after winning the women's pair final at Eton Dorney Fervent support: Packed grandstands patriotically roar on the British rowers at Eton Dorney Support: Huge crowds lined the route to cheer Wiggins on to glory as he claimed GB's second gold of the Games Champion: Wiggins, posing with his gold after the time trial, briefly became Britain's most decorated Olympian - until Chris Hoy's Olympics started Thursday, August 2 Peter Wilson, Shooting, double trap Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott, Canoe Slalom, C2 double Men's team sprint, Cycling Farmer's son Peter Wilson, from Dorset, took gold in the Double Trap shooting - thanks to coaching sessions on Skype from a member of the Dubai royal family Double quick: Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott took a gold just two minutes after Wilson won in the trap shooting Right on track: Chris Hoy (right), Jason Kenny (left) and Philip Hindes took gold in the men's team sprint on Day Six of the Olympics Friday August 3 Men's team pursuit, Cycling Victoria Pendleton, Cycling, women's keirin Rowed to glory: Anna Watkins (right) and Katherine Grainger celebrate winning gold in the women's double sculls at Eton Dorney Fast and glorious: Britain's Ed Clancy, Geraint Thomas, Steven Burke and Peter Kennaugh on their way to gold in the final of the men's team pursuit Golden boys: (Left to right) Clancy, Burke, Kennaugh and Thomas with their medals Victoria Pendleton clinches gold in the women's keirin before celebrating with the velodrome crowd with a huge union jack Saturday, August 4 Shortly before lunchtime Andrew Triggs Hodge, Pete Reed, Tom James and Alex Gregory were victorious at Eton Dorney in the men's four. It triggered a gold rush, the likes of which had never been experienced by British Olympians. Also on the water, Sophie Hosking and Katherine Copeland claimed gold with an emphatic win in the women's double scull, before Team GB continued their domination in the velodrome with victory in the women's team pursuit. Then came those golden performances by Jess Ennis in the heptathlon, Greg Rutherford in the long jump and Mo Farah in the 10,000m to round off a remarkable day for British sport. Winning team: The men smiled widely during the medal ceremony for the Men's Four Final on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Eton Dorney Delight: Andrew Triggs Hodge, Pete Reed, Tom James and Alex Gregory led from the start to extend Britain's dominance over the Olympic event to 16 years Scream if you've gone fastest: Sophie Hosking (left) and Katherine Copeland react in joy and shock after victory the lightweight women's double sculls Victory parade: The women proudly show off their Olympic gold medals Golden girl: Jessica Ennis clinches the Olympic heptathlon title after a storming 800m that had the whole nation cheering her on Gold run: Mo Farah powered ahead of the field in the closing stages of the 10,000m to claim Britain's sixth gold of an extraordinary day Jumping fro joy: Greg Rutherford celebrates his victory in the long jump on a remarkable evening for Team GB Leap of faith: Rutherford launches himself through the night air


The RAF flew 1 million Euros from the UK to which country in March 2013, as a contingency measure ‘to provide military personnel with loans’?

Cyprus Bailout: One Million Euros Heading To Island For British Military Personnel | The Huffington Post Cyprus Bailout: One Million Euros Heading To Island For British Military Personnel 19/03/2013 17:03 | Updated 19 May 2013 350 PA/The Huffington Post UK A plane carrying one million euros (£852,600) has been sent to Cyprus as a "contingency measure" to help troops and their families. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the RAF flight, which left on Tuesday afternoon, will provide people with emergency loans in the event that cash machines and debit cards stop working completely. The MoD said it is determined to minimise the impact of the Cyprus banking crisis on "our people" and it will consider further shipments if required. The announcement comes amid moves by the government today to re-assure British troops posted to Cyprus that they will be fully compensated for any plans to raid their savings. The MoD said that as well as sending out the emergency fund, it is asking personnel if they would prefer this and future months' salaries to be paid into UK bank accounts. It said in a statement: "An RAF flight left for Cyprus this afternoon with one million euro on board as a contingency measure to provide military personnel and their families with emergency loans in the event that cash machines and debit cards stop working completely. "We will keep this under review and consider further shipments if required. strong>Cypriots have been protesting the agreement to strip savings "The MoD is proactively approaching personnel to ask if they want their March, and future months' salaries paid into UK bank accounts, rather than Cypriot accounts. "We're determined to do everything we can to minimise the impact of the Cyprus banking crisis on our people." The position of more than 3,000 British service personnel was thrown into doubt yesterday when Treasury Minister Greg Clark only went as far as saying that they would not suffer "unreasonable losses" as a result of the planned levy. However, George Osborne told Cabinet that UK Armed Forces personnel and civil servants posted to Cyprus will be "compensated in full" for any losses as a result of the planned levy on savings.


In January 2013, the London Underground rail system celebrated which anniversary?

Passenger Transport - 12/13/2013 2013: THE YEAR IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Public Transit Milestones in 2013: Month by Month: Landmark Anniversaries, Ground Breakings, Assistance in Emergencies Here’s an overview of key milestones observed in 2013 by public transportation agencies and businesses, as they appeared in Passenger Transport. January DOT Secretary Ray LaHood visited Sacramento, CA, on Jan. 7 to present a $135 million Full Funding Grant Agreement to the Sacramento Regional Transit District to extend the agency’s light rail system. The London Underground (the Tube), the oldest subway operation in the world, celebrated the 150th anniversary of its opening on Jan. 9. The original service was called the Metropolitan Railway, operating between Paddington and Farringdon. Valley Metro in Phoenix broke ground Jan. 12 for its Northwest Phoenix light rail extension. Service on the 3.2-mile line extension is scheduled to begin in late 2015 or early 2016. February On Feb. 1, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) kicked off a year of commemoration for the centennial of Grand Central Terminal. The terminal is the flagship home of both MTA and MTA Metro-North Railroad. The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, Chattanooga, TN, marked the 40th anniversary of its founding. March VIA Metropolitan Transit, San Antonio, TX, introduced service on three battery-electric buses under the name “the Arc.” The electricity to operate the buses comes from either solar panels or turbines in West Texas wind farms. On March 22, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) broke ground for the Kays Crossing transit-oriented development in Layton, UT. The location is adjacent to a future FrontRunner commuter rail station. April MTA New York City Transit reopened a closed loop subway platform at its South Ferry Station in Lower Manhattan as renovation efforts continued on the main station, which sustained major flooding and salt water damage in Hurricane Sandy. Long Beach Transit, Long Beach, CA, held a customer appreciation event in honor of the system’s 50th anniversary. Seattle’s Sound Transit broke ground April 26 at the site of the future Angle Lake Station on the South 200th Link extension. The new line will provide direct service to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport when it opens in 2016. The Capital Area Transit Authority, Harrisburg, PA, commemorated its 40th anniversary with a special event featuring funding partners and stakeholders. In Philadelphia, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) launched a year’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of its Route 101 Media Trolley Line. The Philadelphia and West Chester Traction Company opened the line April 1, 1913, between Media, PA, and Philadelphia. May On May 3, the Cambria County Transit Authority, Johnstown, PA, broke ground for a new Operations, Maintenance, and Administration facility. The new building will replace a facility built in 1893, which is no longer sufficient for the agency’s bus operations. Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) began construction on a streetcar project that will connect Union Station and Oak Cliff when it opens in late 2014. Kawasaki Rail Car, part of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., marked its 25th anniversary as a permanent U.S. manufacturing facility. June New Flyer Industries Inc. acquired North American Bus Industries Inc. from an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management L.P. Sun Metro, El Paso, TX, broke ground June 19 for the Sun Metro Brio, the region’s future Bus Rapid Transit system. July Heavy rains and flash flooding July 8 in the Toronto region led to service disruptions for GO Transit and the Toronto Transit Commission. The flooding stopped one GO Transit train carrying approximately 1,400 passengers. The Southern California Regional Rail Authority, operator of Metrolink commuter rail, broke ground for a new station near the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank on the Antelope Valley Line. St. Louis Metro celebrated the 20th birthday of MetroLink light rail on July 31. On that date in 1993, the agency opened


Which Oscar-winning director staged the West End musical ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, which opened in London in June 2013?

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in West End debut - BBC News BBC News Media playback is unsupported on your device Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in West End debut 25 June 2013 Last updated at 19:54 BST The stage production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the newest musical to launch in the West End. Staged by the Oscar winning director, Sam Mendes, it has cost £10m to produce. But will it live up to the hype? The BBC's arts editor Will Gompertz reports.


Which Greek goddess featured on the new five-euro banknote in 2013?

Greek goddess Europa adorns new five-euro note - BBC News Greek goddess Europa adorns new five-euro note 10 January 2013 Close share panel Image caption In ancient times Europa's name referred to Thrace - a region in the Balkans The ancient Greek goddess Europa features on a new five-euro note unveiled by the European Central Bank. It appears as both a watermark and hologram on the note, which otherwise largely resembles its predecessor. Other notes will likewise be reissued in what is only the second series of euro banknotes since the single currency's launch on 1 January 1999. The new series will be phased in over several years with the five-euro note entering circulation in May. Europa has featured on some euro coins before. The new notes are appearing at a time of continued uncertainty about the 17-nation eurozone's stability. Last year there was intense speculation that struggling Greece might have to exit the eurozone, so some may see it as ironic that a Greek goddess is now the face of the euro. In order to use up remaining stocks in many eurozone countries, the original five-euro notes will be issued for several months alongside the new ones. The two series will circulate in parallel as legal tender. The ECB has not yet set a termination date for the first series as legal tender, and says the deadline will be announced well in advance. In Greek mythology, Europa was a noble Phoenician woman whose beauty inspired the god Zeus to seduce her. He appeared to her as a white bull and carried her away to Crete. Later she bore Zeus three sons, one of whom, Minos, became ruler of Crete. The image used on the five-euro note comes from a vase in the Louvre Museum in Paris. The vase is more than 2,000 years old and was found in southern Italy.


Which French city was was the 2013 European Capital of Culture?

European Capital of Culture 2013: Marseille & Kosice You are here: Home / France / European Capital of Culture 2013 European Capital of Culture 2013 January 12, 2013 By Andrea 73 Twitter Google Pinterest Stumbleupon It used to be that there was one European Capital of Culture per year until 2000 when they went a little crazy and made 9 different cities the ‘capital’. In recent years there have been two or three per year and last year was the first time I got to visit one of the capitals when I went to Guimarães in northern Portugal . The title of European Capital of Culture 2013 is held by both Marseille, France and Kosice, Slovakia. France: Marseille-Provence It’s not just the city of Marseille which is the Capital of Culture but also the surrounding area including Aix-en-Provence, Arles, La Ciotat, Martigues and Aubagne. Marseille Marseille doesn’t have the best of reputations and many tourists skip it in favour of nearby Aix-en-Provence or Avignon. Granted, port cities often have a seedy side to them but Marseille is a huge city with many interesting neighbourhoods, the historic Chateau d’If and Frioul Islands, and a unique foodie scene. For starters, there is the Vieux Port, the oldest part of the city which is easily explored on foot. Lots of great cafes and restaurants are located here including Le Cafe des Epices where the chef prepares the menu based on what he finds at the local market that day. Another of the main attractions is the Notre Dame de la Garde, a basilica set high on the hill overlooking Marseille and the islands off the coast. Even if you’re not interested in religious monuments it’s worth the steep walk for the view. One of the purposes of being the European Capital of Culture is to highlight the richness and diversity of European culture. Marseille itself is extremely diverse. It’s a melting pot of French, Mediterranean and North African cultures which is seen in the relaxed lifestyle of the locals and especially in their cuisine. Typical dishes in the region include Bouillabaisse , aioli (garlic sauce), tapenade (olive spread), fougasse (a type of stuffed bread) and navettes (a very, very hard orange blossom infused biscuit). All that great food is often washed down with a glass or two of Pastis, a disgusting aniseed flavoured liqueur. French film buffs might also enjoy a trip to Marseille as many well known French films have been shot around the city and you can easily spot the set locations. One of my favourite French directors, Robert Guédiguian, shot most of his films in Marseille including the award winning Marius et Jeanette and his series of films staring Ariane Ascaride and Jean-Pierre Darroussin. The Marseille-Provence official website has a list of European Capital of Culture events in Marseille and the surrounding region. Slovakia: Kosice My only experience of Slovakia is a day trip I took from Vienna a few years ago. I’ve always wanted to go back to Bratislava and would love to see more of the country too. Kosice is in the east of Slovakia and I’m told a great way to get there is on a road trip from Budapest in Hungary to Krakow, Poland. That’s exactly how I plan to visit when I go later this year. Things To Do in Kosice My itinerary in Kosice includes: Wandering the largest historical centre in Slovakia. Experiencing the cafe culture with a little cafe hopping. Indulging in my love of cocktails with Slovakia’s own Kosice Gold cocktail. Taking a day trip to one of the nearby UNESCO listed castles. Depending on when I visit I’ll likely take part in the Balloon Fiesta (5th to 9th June) or the Kosice Gourmet Fest (21st to 23rd June). Go to the VisitKosice website for more information on cultural events in Kosice in 2013. 73


Who was announced as the new television Doctor Who in July 2013?

Doctor Who: Peter Capaldi revealed as 12th Doctor - BBC News BBC News Doctor Who: Peter Capaldi revealed as 12th Doctor 4 August 2013 From the section Entertainment & Arts comments Close share panel Media captionPeter Capaldi was revealed as the new Doctor on a special programme hosted by Zoe Ball Actor Peter Capaldi has been announced as the new star of BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who. The 55-year-old Glasgow-born star will be the 12th actor to play the Doctor, replacing out-going lead Matt Smith. Capaldi is best known for his role as foul-mouthed spin-doctor Malcolm Tucker in the BBC series The Thick of It. "It's so wonderful not to keep this secret any longer, but it's been so fantastic," he said after the news was revealed on a live BBC One show. The actor had been the bookmakers' favourite to take on the role, with betting on him becoming the next Doctor suspended on Friday. It is not the first time Capaldi has appeared on the show - he played Roman merchant Caecilius in 2008 Doctor Who adventure The Fires of Pompeii. Analysis By Tim MastersEntertainment correspondent, BBC News After Matt Smith, the youngest actor to play the Doctor, comes Peter Capaldi, one of the oldest. At 55, the same age as first Doctor William Hartnell in 1963, Capaldi's casting seems a significant nod to the past as the show celebrates its 50th anniversary. Capaldi is likely to bring gravitas - as well as humour - to a role widely regarded as one of the most prized in British television. Capaldi has a strong track record on TV, stage and in film - and is the first Doctor Who star with an Oscar on his CV (for best live action short film). His previous appearances in Doctor Who episode The Fires of Pompeii and spin-off show Torchwood will make Capaldi a popular choice among fans. But how will his regenerated Doctor play to a generation born in the 21st Century? Only time will tell. At 55, he is the same age as William Hartnell when he was cast in the role as the first Doctor in 1963. "Being asked to play the Doctor is an amazing privilege. Like the Doctor himself I find myself in a state of utter terror and delight. I can't wait to get started," he said. Secret audition Steven Moffat, the show's lead writer and executive producer, said casting Capaldi as the Doctor was an "incendiary combination". "One of the most talented actors of his generation is about to play the best part on television." Moffat said Capaldi had been cast after a secret audition at his house. "We made a home video of [Capaldi] being the doctor and I showed it around and everyone said 'yes, that's the Doctor'. Moffat added the actor had "briefly flicked through my mind" the last time he was casting the role, but he did not think he was right for the part, however "now that moment has arrived". Capaldi said he downloaded old Doctor Who scripts from the internet and practised the lines in front of a mirror to prepare for the audition. The 12 Doctors 11. Matt Smith (2010 - 2013) 12. Peter Capaldi (2013 - ) He revealed he was filming a BBC adaptation of The Three Musketeers in Prague when he found out he got the part. "I had my phone on silent so I missed the call," he said. "It was my agent and I rang her up and she said 'hello Doctor' - I haven't stopped laughing since." 'Incredible incarnation' Out-going Doctor Matt Smith welcomed Capaldi's casting, and pre-recorded a message for the new Time Lord. "I wish my successor all the best and say good luck and good on you for getting it, because I know he's both a huge fan of the show and a really nice guy," he said. "The casting made me ready excited and as a fan I think it's a canny choice. If I had to pick someone, I'd pick him because I think he's great. I'm excited because I know what's coming and he's going to have a blast." Jenna Coleman, who stars as current Doctor Who companion Clara, said: "I'm so excited Peter Capaldi is the man taking on the challenge of becoming the 12th Doctor. "With Steven's writing and his talent I know we'll be making an amazing show with an incredible incarnation of number 12. I can't wait to start t


Which British footballer signed a 5 month contract with Paris St-Germain in January 2013, donating his salary to charity?

David Beckham to donate Paris St-Germain salary to children's charity | London Evening Standard David Beckham to donate Paris St-Germain salary to children's charity   Thursday 31 January 2013 13:36 BST Click to follow David Beckham to donate Paris St-Germain salary to children's charity 1/6 French lesson: David Beckham at his press conference in Paris Getty Generous: Beckham revealed he will give his salary to charity Getty Paris crush: Beckham leaves the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital after his medical examination this afternoon Reuters On his way: Beckham posted this picture of himself on Facebook 5/6 Beckham and bodyguards outside the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital Reuters French leave: Beckham is expected to commute to Paris Getty David Beckham stole the limelight on transfer deadline day by signing for Paris St-Germain, immediately sparking speculation he could commute from London. England’s most famous footballer, 37, confirmed a lucrative move to the French club after quitting Los Angeles Galaxy. But just weeks after he and wife Victoria enrolled their three sons at a top London public school, and as the couple are still looking for houses in the capital, the footballer is not expected to uproot his family. It is believed he could stay for part of the week at a Paris flat, returning to London after matches. Fashion designer Victoria is rumoured to be looking at opening a new boutique in Knightsbridge. Beckham today revealed he had to turn down offers from Premier League clubs because he could not bear to face Manchester United. He also said he would play without a salary at PSG, instead donating what he would have earned to a children's charity in Paris. He has signed a five-month contract and confirmed the presence of Carlo Ancelotti and Leonardo, the head coach and sporting director, had persuaded him to join the wealthy French giants. Beckham knows both men from time he spent on loan at AC Milan. "I'm very lucky. I'm 37 years old and I got a lot of offers, more now than I've probably had in my career. I'm very honoured by that," Beckham said at a press conference. "I chose Paris because I can see what the club are trying to do. I can see who the club are trying to bring in. "It's an exciting city and now there's a club that's going to have a lot of success over the next 10, 20, 30 years. "I'm very honoured I've been picked to be part of the future of PSG. "Every club I've played for throughout the world I've been successful with. "I was successful with Manchester United and always said I'd never want to play for another English club. "I had a lot of history with Manchester United. It's the team I support and the team I dreamt of playing for. "I'm very honoured by the offers I had from other Premier League clubs but I didn't want to play there unless it was for Manchester United." It emerged this morning that Beckham, who won 115 caps for England and captained his country, was travelling to the French capital for a medical. Beckham revealed the deal had been agreed in the early hours. He said: "I think that this literally all happened at one o'clock this morning and was finalised when I got on the plane at 11 o'clock this morning." He could not specify when he would be ready to play for his new club but, having had a spell of training with Arsenal recently, he said: "My fitness won't take long to get up to speed. A few weeks and I'll be up to speed." Beckham explained his charitable gesture, saying: "I won't receive any salary. "My salary will go to a local children's charity in Paris. "It's something exciting and something I'm not sure has been done before." Beckham said he had not identified a suitable charity yet, and could not announce how much they would receive, except to say it would be a "huge sum". "It's something the guys will decide, but it's a very good figure," Beckham said. "That's one thing we're very excited about, to be able to give a huge sum to a children's charity in Paris, it's very special." Beckham was asked if the short-term deal would be his last as a player. "I don't know if it'll be my last c


Which creature represented the year 2013 in the Chinese calendar?

Chinese New Year | Chinese Animal Year Zodiac | Chinese New Year Dates Today's Horoscope The Chinese Lunar calendar follows a 12 year cycle and each of the 12 years is represented by 12 Animals which form the Chinese Zodiac. After every 12 years the Chinese Calendar repeats itself. The animals in the Chinese Zodiac or the animals which constitute the Chinese calendar are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Hare, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. • Chinese New Year Dates - Chinese new year dates as per English calendar Chinese Years - Chinese Animal Years List Given below is a list of all the years starting from the year 1900 to 2100 sorted according to the Chinese Animal they represent. For example, the Years listed under the column rat represent the Chinese Year of the Rat, likewise, Chinese Year of the Tiger, Chinese Year of the Hare etc... Rat 2103 Chinese New Year - Chinese New Year Date When in Chinese New Year 2018 or 2019? What is the English date corresponding to Chinese New Year date? Given below is the Chinese New Year dates of all Years between 2005 and 2020. Chinese New year date in English calendar format and English new year date in Chinese Year Format. Chinese new year date as per English calendar English date corresponding to Chinese new year i.e., first day of first Chinese month of each year. Chinese New Year 2011 - February 3, 2011 Chinese New Year 2012 - January 23, 2012 Chinese New Year 2013 - February 10, 2013 Chinese New Year 2014 - January 31, 2014 Chinese New Year 2015 - February 19, 2015 Chinese New Year 2016 - February 8, 2016 Chinese New Year 2017 - January 28, 2017 Chinese New Year 2018 - February 16, 2018 Chinese New Year 2019 - February 5, 2019 Chinese New Year 2020 - January 25, 2020 Chinese New Year 2021 - February 12, 2021 Chinese New Year 2022 - February 1, 2022 Chinese New Year 2023 - January 22, 2023 Chinese New Year 2024 - February 10, 2024 Chinese New Year 2025 - January 29, 2025 Chinese New Year 2026 - February 17, 2026 New year date as per Chinese calendar year Chinese date corresponding to English new year i.e., January 1. January, 1 2012 is 8-12-4709 January, 1 2013 is 20-11-4710 January, 1 2014 is 1-12-4711 January, 1 2015 is 11-11-4712 January, 1 2016 is 22-11-4713 January, 1 2017 is 4-12-4714 January, 1 2018 is 15-11-4715 January, 1 2019 is 26-11-4716 January, 1 2020 is 7-12-4717 January, 1 2021 is 18-11-4718 January, 1 2022 is 29-11-4719 January, 1 2023 is 10-12-4720 January, 1 2024 is 20-11-4721 January, 1 2025 is 2-12-4722 January, 1 2026 is 13-11-4723 January, 1 2027 is 24-11-4724 Chinese Calendar is the traditional astrology calendar of the Chinese people. Many of the chinese festivals and Government Holidays are determined based on the Chinese Calendar. The months of the Chinese Calendar is a sixty year cycle. Chinese Animal Year / Chinese Zodiac Calendar Chinese calendar related links


Tour de France 2013 Froome: champion of the 100th Tour! He was the dominant force in the 100th Tour de France and even though Christopher Froome lost 53 seconds to the winner of the final stage and 43 seconds to his nearest rival in the general classification, the Sky team sealed its second successive victory in the Tour de France at the end of the evening spectacle on the streets of Paris. The finish was around 9.40pm in the city of lights and the stars came out to shine: the four at the top of the sprinters classification had a drag race to the line to determine the winner of the 21st stage and it was Marcel Kittel who began the Tour as he...


In 2013, Japanese scientists cloned what type of creature from a single drop of blood?

Japanese Scientists Clone a Mouse With a Single Drop of Blood | Top Secret Writers Japanese Scientists Clone a Mouse With a Single Drop of Blood Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Pinterest 0 Google 0 LinkedIn 0 It’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with technological and scientific advances that seem to be leaping forward at an accelerated pace. One of the latest animal cloning breakthroughs came from Japanese researchers at the Riken BioResource Centre in Tsukuba, Japan. (1) According to an article in the June 26th edition of the Journal of Biology of Reproduction (5), Japanese scientists created a cloned mouse from a single drop of blood. Some scientists have commented that it’s just one small step in improving the animal cloning process while others believe it could be an important breakthrough. The Japanese team took a drop of blood from a female mouse’s tail and created a clone. The research center announced that the cloned female mouse lived a full lifespan and reproduced offspring like any other normal mouse. The process of animal cloning follows the method used for creating Dolly, the first sheep to successfully be cloned in 1996. This certainly isn’t the first mouse to ever be cloned. Previous clones have been created from donor cells taken from lymph nodes, liver and bone marrow. There have been numerous other clones created using the Dolly technique. In fact, scientists at a similar institute most recently created over 600 “genetic copies of one mouse”. (2) Unlike those clones, the Riken mouse clone method didn’t use a white blood cell taken from tissue, but from circulating blood drawn from the mouse’s tail. The other method required the death of the original animal in order to obtain the necessary genetic material that typically comes from tissue. The objective of the Japanese team was to see if they could accomplish the same cloning results by using blood samples or more aptly, cell suspension (unattached cells) instead of the tissue (attached cells). The method they used was non-invasive and the original mouse remained unaffected and alive after the procedure. The mouse clone is the first of its kind and clearly demonstrates that cloning can be achieved by using peripheral blood cells instead of tissue cells. Animal Cloning The science for animal cloning is known as SCNT (Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer). SCNT technology uses a single cell to clone an animal. For the cloned mouse, the cell used to create the clone was freshly collected “peripheral” blood obtained from the tail. This “noninvasive” method of collecting blood is considered more desirable for nuclear transfer, but had never been done. Once collected, scientists then prepared the nucleated cell (leukocyte) suspension by lysing (dissolving) the red blood cells. A nucleated cell suspension simply means that the cell used had a nucleus and was the type of cell that lived in the blood (suspended) and wasn’t the type of cell that’s attached as those found in tissue. A leukocyte is a white blood cell as opposed to a red blood cell. Once the red cells were dissolved, the white cells were all that remained and the scientists then selected the leukocyte nuclei randomly. The cell was then transferred into an egg cell that had the nuclear DNA removed. That enabled the new cell to essentially replace the original nuclear DNA, meaning that the mouse grew from the original mouse’s genetic material and thus produced a clone. Since the cloned embryo contained the exact genes of the donor, it grew into a duplicate of the original. (2) Future of Animal Cloning Some people envision this technology as a cost effective method of “livestock propagation” while others are focused on the medical treatment benefit it may provide in cell therapy. Others think this type of cloning has its best applications in preventing endangered species from becoming extinct. Since this method of cloning guarantees that the original animal remains alive and well, its genetic material can be used to preserve the species. This means that endangered species won’t become extinct. This is vi


Which actor, who played Tony Soprano on the US television series ‘The Sopranos’, died in June 2013?

James Gandolfini: master Soprano dies of suspected heart attack in Italy | Culture | The Guardian James Gandolfini: master Soprano dies of suspected heart attack in Italy Heart attack suspected in death of much-loved actor who starred as gangster family head in The Sopranos Thursday 20 June 2013 02.40 EDT First published on Thursday 20 June 2013 02.40 EDT Close This article is 3 years old The actor James Gandolfini , who played mafia boss Tony Soprano on the hit TV series The Sopranos, has died of a suspected heart attack in Italy. He was 51. Colleagues and fans expressed shock after news broke late on Wednesday. "It is with immense sorrow that we report our client James Gandolfini passed away today while on holiday in Rome, Italy," said his managers, Mark Armstrong and Nancy Sanders. "Our hearts are shattered and we will miss him deeply." Tributes flooded in for an actor who won three Emmys and showed that being fat, bald and playing thugs was no impediment to charisma. "[James] was a genius. Anyone who saw him even in the smallest of his performances knows that," David Chase, who created The Sopranos , told TMZ.com. "He is one of the greatest actors of this or any time. A great deal of that genius resided in those sad eyes. I remember telling him many times: 'You don't get it. You're like Mozart.' There would be silence at the other end of the phone." Gandolfini had been due to take part in the Taormina film festival in Sicily this weekend. Mara Mikialian, a spokeswoman for HBO, the network that made The Sopranos, told Reuters the cause of death might have been a heart attack. Gandolfini was set to star in a new series for HBO, Criminal Justice, one of several projects in the works. His film credits included Get Shorty, The Mexican, Zero Dark Thirty and In The Loop . A New Jersey native, Gandolfini worked as a truck driver, bouncer and nightclub manager in New York before he went to an acting class with a friend and got hooked. "I'd also never been around actors before," he told Time magazine, "and I said to myself: 'These people are nuts; this is kind of interesting.'" He made his Broadway debut in a 1992 revival of A Streetcar Named Desire with Alec Baldwin and Jessica Lange. The following year he played a philosophising, brutal hitman in the film True Romance, written by Quentin Tarantino , which paved the way for his lead role in The Sopranos, the gangster family saga that ran for six seasons from 1999. It swept awards and has been voted the best television show of all time. Tony Soprano's struggles with his relatives, henchmen, psychiatrist and, above all, himself anchored the show and created a new type of anti-hero. Deadline.com described his portrayal of Soprano as "the schlub we loved, the cruel monster we hated, the anxiety-ridden husband and father we wanted to hug in midlife crisis". James Gandolfini at the Toronto film festival in 2006. Photograph: Warren Today/EPA Joseph Gannascoli, who played Vito, said: "James is one guy who never turned his back on me. He was the most humble and gifted actor and person I have ever worked with." Tony Sirico, who played Paulie, said the late star was one of his best friends. "He was there whenever I needed him. Not only did he help me with my career, but also in life, God bless him. He and I were always helping the troops, we even went to combat zones to visit the marines." Hollywood took to Twitter to mourn its loss. "I'm truly heartbroken ... he is one of my all time favourite actors. Tragic loss," said Jonah Hill. Colleagues and acquaintances said Gandolfini had been in high spirits and full of plans – including one for a tattoo. There had been speculation about a Sopranos movie involving the fictional family's Italian origins. The actor is survived by his wife Deborah Lin, who gave birth to the couple's daughter in October. He also has a teenage son from a previous marriage. The Sopranos showrunner discusses his 'soulmate', friend and colleague, who died last week – and Tony Soprano, the 'angry guy' they created together Published: 26 Jun 2013 Sopranos star appears a


What is written on the sign on the mural by graffiti artist Banksy that was cut out of a wall in Tottenham, London in July 2013?

"Pleasure stolen from the poor": Community discourse on the 'theft' of a Banksy Article (PDF Available) in Crime Media Culture 12(3) · November 2015 with 61 Reads DOI: 10.1177/1741659015612880 16.19 · Middlesex University, UK Abstract The removal of street art from community walls for private auction is a morally problematic yet legal action. This paper examines community reactions to the removal of Banksy’s No Ball Games for private auction. Five hundred unique reader comments on online newspaper articles reporting this controversial event were collected and analyzed. An emerging set of urban moral codes was used to position street art as a valuable community asset rather than as an index of crime and social decay. The latter discourse informed a repertoire that depicted No Ball Games as unlawful graffiti that was rightfully removed. Here, the operations of ‘the police’ (Rancière, 1998: 17) in the distribution of the sensible are evident in the assertions that validate and depoliticize the removal of No Ball Games. This repertoire was used to attribute responsibility for the work’s removal to deterministic external forces, while reducing the accountability attributable to those responsible for the removal of the work. A contrasting anti-removal repertoire depicted street art as a gift to the community, and its removal as a form of theft and a source of harm to the community. The pro-removal repertoire incorporates and depoliticizes elements of the anti-removal repertoire, by acknowledging the moral wrong of the removal, but yielding to the legal rights of the wall owners to sell the work; and by recognizing the status of street art as valuable, but asserting that the proper place for art is a museum. The anti-removal repertoire counters elements of the pro-removal repertoire, by acknowledging the illegality of street art, but containing this to the initial act of making unsanctioned marks on a wall, after which point the work becomes the property of the community it is located within. This analysis reveals an emergent set of urban moral codes that positions a currently legal action as a form of criminal activity. Discover the world's research


In July 2013, the Archbishop of Canterbury said he was ’embarrassed and irritated’ that the Church of England invested indirectly in which online company?

Wonga row: Archbishop of Canterbury 'embarrassed' over Church funds - BBC News BBC News Wonga row: Archbishop of Canterbury 'embarrassed' over Church funds 26 July 2013 Close share panel Media captionArchbishop Welby: "It was very embarrassing, there's no two ways about it" The Archbishop of Canterbury said he was "embarrassed" and "irritated" that the Church of England invested indirectly in online lender Wonga. It comes after the Most Reverend Justin Welby told Wonga the Church would try to force the firm out of business by helping credit unions compete with it. But the CofE later admitted it invested in funds that provided money for Wonga. Archbishop Welby told the BBC he wanted the Church's investment rules to be reviewed following the row. Lambeth Palace said an independent inquiry would be launched into how "this serious inconsistency" occurred. The amount of Church money indirectly invested in Wonga was about £75,000 out of investments totalling £5.5bn, according to the archbishop. "It shouldn't happen, it's very embarrassing, but these things do happen and we have to find out why and make sure it doesn't happen again," Archbishop Welby told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. He said Church investment managers "didn't pick up" that they had put funds in a "pooled investment vehicle" which, through its investments, had bought into Wonga. Real world BBC Religion and Ethics: What do different faiths say? The Church's Ethical Investment Advisory Group "recommends against investment" in companies which make more than 3% of their income from pornography, 10% from military products and services, or 25% from other industries such as gambling, alcohol and high interest rate lenders. The Church also "reserves the right" not to invest in companies with "unacceptable" management practices, according to its website. Archbishop Welby said the 25% level for firms which deal in high interest rate lending was "probably too high" and he would ask the advisory group to review it. "I think we have to review these levels and make sure that we are consistent between what we're saying and what we're doing," he said. But he said it was difficult to decide exactly which businesses were unethical, giving hypothetical examples of a clothes company which made socks for the military or a hotel which provided pornography through the TVs in its rooms. He said the Church had to operate in the "real world", adding: "If you exclude any contact with anything that directly or indirectly at any point gets you anywhere bad, you can't do anything at all." Gavin Oldham, of the Church's Ethical Investment Advisory Group, later said financial managers had been aware of the indirect Wonga investment and "more could have been done" with that information. But he said the amount of money involved was a "tiny holding within that particular investment". Payday firms offer short-term loans, often at high interest rates, and have been accused of leading people into more debt. Media captionBen Thompson explains how credit unions work and how they compare to payday lenders Archbishop Welby said he did not want to "drive legal payday lenders out of business" if that left people in deprived areas with no choice but to use "loan sharks". This week, Archbishop Welby told Total Politics magazine he had met Wonga boss Errol Damelin and had "bluntly" told him "we're not in the business of trying to legislate you out of existence; we're trying to compete you out of existence". Mr Damelin, in response, said he was "all for better consumer choice". But, after the archbishop's comments were widely reported, Financial Times journalists looked into the Church's own investments and discovered links with Wonga. The paper reported that the Church's pension fund, which claims to explicitly ban firms involved in payday lending, had invested in US venture capitalists Accel Partners - a company that led Wonga fundraising in 2009. Jesus's example Archbishop Welby, a former oil industry financial executive who sits on the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards, has previously lobbied


In August 2013, scientists in Florence, Italy opened a tomb in order to extract DNA, hoping to identify the model for which painting?

Experts open tomb in Florence hoping to find Mona Lisa Experts open tomb in Florence hoping to find Mona Lisa World | Indo-Asian News Service | Updated: August 10, 2013 21:53 IST EMAIL PRINT COMMENTS London:  Scientists in Italy's Florence city have opened a tomb to extract DNA in a highly ambitious bid to identify the model for Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa". The tomb reportedly contains the body of Lisa Gherardini, a silk merchant's wife who is believed to have sat for da Vinci, BBC said. Experts have been puzzled for centuries over the woman in the "Mona Lisa" painting, and the reason behind her cryptic smile. In a bid to find the DNA they needed, scientists cut a round hole in the stone church floor above the family crypt of silk merchant Francesco del Giocondo. Writer and researcher Silvano Vinceti plans to compare DNA from the bones with that of three women buried at the nearby convent of Saint Ursula, BBC said. Lisa Gherardini died in the convent as a nun in 1542. Experts hope some of the bones will belong to at least one of her blood relations, probably her son Piero. "When we find a match between mother and child - then we will have found the Mona Lisa," said Vinceti. He said that once a DNA match is made, an image of Gherardini's face can be generated from the skull and compared with the painting. Da Vinci took about 15 years to complete the famous painting. One of his favourites, the artist carried it with him until he died in 1519. It was then acquired by King Francis I, who ruled France from 1515 to 1547. The painting was put on permanent display in the Louvre in Paris at the end of the 18th century. It was stolen in 1911 but was recovered two years later.


In the 2011 film , Captain America is ‘The First ‘what’?

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) - IMDb IMDb There was an error trying to load your rating for this title. Some parts of this page won't work property. Please reload or try later. X Beta I'm Watching This! Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Error Captain America: The First Avenger ( 2011 ) PG-13 | From $3.99 (HD) on Amazon Video ON TV ON DISC ALL Steve Rogers, a rejected military soldier transforms into Captain America after taking a dose of a "Super-Soldier serum". But being Captain America comes at a price as he attempts to take down a war monger and a terrorist organization. Director: a list of 40 titles created 09 Sep 2011 a list of 35 titles created 07 Oct 2012 a list of 25 titles created 04 May 2013 a list of 25 titles created 24 Aug 2014 a list of 22 titles created 11 May 2015 Title: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) 6.9/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. 3 wins & 43 nominations. See more awards  » Videos As Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with a fellow Avenger and S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Black Widow, to battle a new threat from history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier. Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo Stars: Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson Earth's mightiest heroes must come together and learn to fight as a team if they are to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity. Director: Joss Whedon After being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil. Director: Jon Favreau With the world now aware of his identity as Iron Man, Tony Stark must contend with both his declining health and a vengeful mad man with ties to his father's legacy. Director: Jon Favreau The powerful but arrogant god Thor is cast out of Asgard to live amongst humans in Midgard (Earth), where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders. Director: Kenneth Branagh When Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it's up to Earth's Mightiest Heroes to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans. Director: Joss Whedon When Tony Stark's world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution. Director: Shane Black When Dr. Jane Foster gets cursed with a powerful entity known as the Aether, Thor is heralded of the cosmic event known as the Convergence and the genocidal Dark Elves. Director: Alan Taylor     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.4/10 X   Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world. Director: Peyton Reed A group of intergalactic criminals are forced to work together to stop a fanatical warrior from taking control of the universe. Director: James Gunn In 1962, the United States government enlists the help of Mutants with superhuman abilities to stop a malicious dictator who is determined to start World War III. Director: Matthew Vaughn Political interference in the Avengers' activities causes a rift between former allies Captain America and Iron Man. Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo Stars: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson Edit Storyline It is 1942, America has entered World War II, and sickly but determined Steve Rogers is frustrated at being rejected yet again for military service. Everything changes when Dr. Erskine recruits him for the secret Project Rebirth. Proving his extraordinary courage, wits and conscience, Rogers undergoes the experiment and his weak body is suddenly enhanced into the maximum human potential. When Dr. Erskine is then immediately assassinated by an agent of Nazi Germany's secret HYDRA research department (headed by Johann Schmidt, a.k.a. the Red Skull), Rogers is left


Hellophobia is the fear of which country and its culture?

7 Cultures That Celebrate Aging And Respect Their Elders | The Huffington Post 7 Cultures That Celebrate Aging And Respect Their Elders 02/25/2014 02:20 pm ET | Updated May 18, 2015 430 Marvin Fox via Getty Images Aging isn't just a biological process -- it's also very much a cultural one . Different cultures have different attitudes and practices around aging and death, and these cultural perspectives can have a huge effect on our experience of getting older. While many cultures celebrate the aging process and venerate their elders, in Western cultures -- where youth is fetishized and the elderly are commonly removed from the community and relegated to hospitals and nursing homes -- aging can become a shameful experience. Physical signs of human aging tend to be regarded with distaste , and aging is often depicted in a negative light in popular culture, if it is even depicted at all. "There's so much shame in our culture around aging and death," Koshin Paley Ellison, Buddhist monk and co-founder of the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care, told the Huffington Post . "People themselves when they're aging feel that there's something wrong with them and they're losing value." Psychologist Erik Erickson argued that the Western fear of aging keeps us from living full lives. "Lacking a culturally viable ideal of old age, our civilization does not really harbor a concept of the whole of life," he wrote . Here's what we can learn from other cultures, both past and present, about embracing the aging process. "Old man" isn't a bad word in Greek. The Western cultural stigma around aging and death doesn't exist in Greece. In Greek and Greek-American culture, old age is honored and celebrated, and respect for elders is central to the family. Arianna Huffington described an experience of Greek elderly respect in her book, On Becoming Fearless : "Ten years ago I visited the monastery of Tharri on the island of Rhodes with my children. There, as in all of Greece, abbots are addressed by everyone as 'Geronda,' which means 'old man.' Abbesses are called 'Gerondissa.' Not exactly terms of endearment in my adopted home. The idea of honoring old age, indeed identifying it with wisdom and closeness to God, is in startling contrast to the way we treat aging in America." Native American elders pass down their knowledge. Though attitudes towards death in contemporary American culture are largely characterized by fear , Native American cultures traditionally accept death as a fact of life. There are over 500 Native American nations, and each has its own traditions and attitudes toward aging and elderly care. But in many tribal communities, elders are respected for their wisdom and life experiences. Within Native American families, it's common for the elders to be expected to pass down their learnings to younger members of the family, according to the University of Missouri, Kansas City . In Korea, elders are highly respected. Much of the Korean regard for aging is rooted in the Confucian principle of filial piety , a fundamental value dictating that one must respect one's parents (although Confucius was Chinese, Confucianism has a long history in Korea ). Younger members of the family have a duty to care for the aging members of the family. And even outside the family unit, Koreans are socialized to respect and show deference to older individuals as well as authority figures. "Few of those who are filial sons and respectful brothers will show disrespect to superiors, and there has never been a man who is respectful to superiors and yet creates disorder," Confucius wrote in Analects . "A superior man is devoted to the fundamental. When the root is firmly established, the moral law will grow. Filial piety and brotherly respect are the root of humanity. It's also customary in Korean to have a big celebration to mark an individual's 60th and 70th birthdays. The hwan-gap, or 60th birthday, is a joyous time when children celebrate their parents' passage into old age . The age is thought to be reason for celebration in part because many of their


11, Mafeking Parade is the address of the two main characters in which British television comedy series?

Bottom (Series) - TV Tropes Born in the Wrong Century : Richie's common lament, which his cultural illiteracy fails to back up. He thinks Shakespeare and the French Revolution were in the same century -- the 13th . British Brevity : The show ran for 18 episodes. British Footy Teams : Eddie is mentioned several times as being a fan of Queens Park Rangers. Dick Head also played for them for a brief period, which ended in disaster after he turned out not to know such basic things as which goal to aim for. Butt Monkey : Both of them, but especially Richie, to cartoonishly extreme levels. At various times, Richie has managed to inadvertently drink urine, break both his legs during the same episode (to the point that both are bent the wrong way at about 90º), fall down the stairs and end up with his head jammed in their disgusting toilet, drink tea with pig semen in it, inhale a dart and get it stuck in the back of his head, hand and bottom, get a tent pole stuck in his eye socket, suffer the most extreme and prolonged projectile vomiting ever seen on stage - I could go on. Calvinball : Eddie's version is the card game 'One Card Slam' in which Eddie turns over a single card and demands twelve quid from Richie. Since Richie knows nothing about card games (to the extent of not spotting Eddie's five king poker hand) this works very well for Eddie. Can't Hold His Liquor : Richie needs only one sip of scotch to either become drunk or begin thinking that he's drunk (which amounts to the same thing). In the fourth live show he doesn't even take a sip, but still believes he is drunk. One's tempted to conclude that it's all in his head. On one occasion, when he needed a stiff drink to settle his nerves, Eddie offered him a shot of Tizer (a soft drink, for non-Brits), which did the trick anyway. In another episode, Richie tries to take a swig from an empty bottle Eddie already filled himself with and suddenly believes he's fallen into a drunken stupor, though it doesn't last. Casanova Wannabe : Both characters. The only difference is that at least Eddie gets some tail once in a while. It was confirmed in "'s Up" that Eddie has had sex, and with someone Richie was trying to propose to. Chainsaw Good : Richie reacts poorly to Eddie's reassurance that "all the birds love a scar", and cuts him down to size by chainsawing his legs off at the knee. Characterization Marches On : Richie's penis size, and his resulting insecurity, are given scant mention in the TV show. The stage shows formally measured it at a 1/4 inch and applied the relevant jokes. Christmas Episode : "Holy". Bizarrely though, this was actually originally broadcast in October. Cloudcuckoolander : All of the recurring cast to some degree (barring only Dick Head), though Dave Hedgehog seems to be the biggest example. Comically Missing the Point : One episode has Richie and Eddie's landlord rope them into to minding his shop while he goes to a funeral, which naturally goes straight to Richie's head . He starts proudly going on about how England is "a nation of shopkeepers" and how that makes them better than countries like France and Italy, no doubt unaware that the saying was prominently used by Emperor Napoleon I. And he meant it derisively. It's fair to say that whenever Richie claims expertise in a subject, applies his mental faculties to anything or infers some kind of noble role he has fulfilled in the past, he'll either get it completely wrong, fail miserably or be lying so feebly that practically nobody could buy his bullshit. However, in this case Napoleon's phrase has been treated as Insult Backfire by many British politicians anyway, who praise the tradition of small business in the UK, so Richie wasn't exactly alone in drawing this interpretation. This quote: (doorbell rings insistently) Richie: All right, all right! Take it easy, you bitch! I mean, Your Bitchness, I mean Lady Bi- (groans in frustration) Eddie, what do you call them? Eddie: Jugs. What do you call 'em? Eddie and Richie talk about church in "'s Up": Eddie: When did you last go to church? Richie: Well I


A group of which birds is known as a ‘Tidings’?

Group Names for Birds Group Names for Birds: A Partial List By Terry Ross A bevy of quail A bouquet of pheasants [when flushed] A brood of hens A building of rooks A cast of hawks [or falcons] A charm of finches A colony of penguins A company of parrots A congregation of plovers A cover of coots A covey of partridges [or grouse or ptarmigans] A deceit of lapwings A descent of woodpeckers A dissimulation of birds A dole of doves An exaltation of larks A fall of woodcocks A flight of swallows [or doves, goshawks, or cormorants] A gaggle of geese [wild or domesticated] A host of sparrows A kettle of hawks [riding a thermal] A murmuration of starlings A murder of crows A muster of storks A nye of pheasants [on the ground] An ostentation of peacocks A paddling of ducks [on the water] A parliament of owls A party of jays A peep of chickens A pitying of turtledoves A raft of ducks A rafter of turkeys A siege of herons A skein of geese [in flight] A sord of mallards A spring of teal A tidings of magpies A trip of dotterel An unkindness of ravens A watch of nightingales A wedge of swans [or geese, flying in a "V"] A wisp of snipe Any of these group names may properly be used by birders who wish to display their erudition, although it is probably linguistically inaccurate (and it certainly is bad manners) to upbraid someone who refers to "a bunch of ravens" by saying, "Surely you mean `an unkindness of ravens,' my good fellow." Most of these terms date back at least 500 years. Some of them have been in continuous use since then; others have gone out of fashion and been resurrected in the last century or two; still others only exist on lists. Most of these terms are listed in James Lipton's An Exaltation of Larks. Lipton's list is substantially based on very old sources. There were manuscript lists of group names in the 15th century, and these lists appeared in some of the first books printed in England. Many of them make their first appearance in John Lydgate's Debate between the Horse, Goose, and Sheep (1440); and Lydgate's terms along with others appear in The Book of Hawking and Hunting (also known as The Book of St. Albans) by Dame Juliana Barnes (1486). Whether Lydgate and Barnes coined any of these terms, or whether they were setting down the terms that were considered proper in their day is not known. Many of the terms did catch on, and the lists they appeared on were frequently reprinted. The best source I know for investigating the histories of English words is the Oxford English Dictionary. Unfortunately, on the question whether these terms ever were or still are appropriate, the OED is not entirely helpful. To make sense of the matter, I have placed the group names into groups-- GROUP A--The following group names are standard: A bevy of quail A bouquet of pheasants  A brood of hens A cast of hawks A charm of finches A covey of partridges A flight of swallows A gaggle of geese A nye of pheasants A siege of herons A skein of geese A trip of dotterel A wisp of snipe GROUP B--These terms are not group names for a particular type of bird, but have been commonly used for many different types:  Colony Company Flock Parliament Party GROUP C--These terms are archaic; they were once obsolete, but they have been revived somewhat in the 19th or 20th centuries: A building of rooks A murmuration of starlings A muster of peacocks A peep of chickens A sord of mallards A spring of teal A watch of nightingales GROUP D--These terms are obsolete; they appeared on the old lists, but almost nobody has used them in centuries:  A congregation of plovers A dissimulation of birds A dole of doves A fall of woodcock A host of sparrows A paddling of ducks An unkindness of ravens GROUP E--These terms are not in the OED at all as group names for birds: A cover of coots A kettle of hawks A murder of crows An ostentation of peacocks A pitying of turtledoves A rafter of turkeys A tidings of magpies My categories are imprecise, but they provide some guidance about usage. Have no qualms about usin