Which 1980s pop group, lead singer Dave Gahan, took its name from a French fashion magazine?

Depeche Mode | Rolling Stone artists > D > Depeche Mode >           Bio Depeche Mode Bio Depeche Mode were the quintessential Eighties techno-pop band, parlaying a fascination with synthesizers into huge success on the British charts (where its albums consistently went Top 10) and eventually on the U.S. pop chart. Whereas a more traditional four-piece rock band might feature three members playing instruments and the fourth singing and perhaps playing guitar or bass, the lineup of this British group — whose name was inspired by a French fashion magazine — was described like this in a 1993 press release: "Dave (Gahan) is the singer, Martin (Gore) the songwriter, Alan (Wilder) the musician, and Andrew (Fletcher) the coordinator." Depeche Mode's stark, synthetic sound and moody, provocative lyrics buck classic pop convention, to the extent that techno music innovators in Detroit and London regularly cite the band as a major inspiration. But for decades now, Depeche Mode also inspired countless alternative rock, indie, and even metal bands — possibly because the hooks that distinguish their most popular songs are among their era's most ingratiating. For a time, though, the group shared an unfortunate trait with numerous more conventional rock bands: a troubled, drug-addicted lead singer. When Depeche Mode's original members united in 1980, in the working-class London suburb Basildon, they gravitated toward synthesizers and drum machines in part because they were easy to carry around and didn't require amplifiers. In fact, they took the train to their early gigs in local pubs. The group's recording career began auspiciously: 1981's dance beat-ridden Speak and Spell (Number 192) became one of the year's best-selling albums in England. Shortly after its release, though, principal songwriter Vince Clarke left. He eventually formed the electropop bands Yazoo and, later, Erasure. But Depeche Mode bounced right back with 1982's A Broken Frame (Number 177), on which Gore assumed chief songwriting duties; soon after, Alan Wilder, who had toured with the band earlier, joined as a full-time member. Two years later the band released the critically and commercially groundbreaking Some Great Reward (Number 51), whose songs ranged from the bitter and shocking "Blasphemous Rumours" to "People Are People," a catchy plea for tolerance that went to Number 13 in the U.S., where Depeche Mode had previously been considered an obscure alternative act. In spite of its success in America, where they were selling out arenas, Depeche Mode didn't have another U.S. hit until "Personal Jesus" (Number 28, 1990), its first gold single. Violator(Number 7, 1990), the album that single introduced, also yielded the group's first Top 10 single, "Enjoy the Silence" (Number 8, 1990). Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993) was heralded by critics as a bold foray into warmer musical textures and more spiritual imagery. It also entered the American pop album chart at Number One. But after another successful tour, Gore and Fletcher were physically exhausted from the band's 18 months on the road and Wilder had become disenchanted and left the group (he later formed the largely instrumental project Recoil). Most disturbingly, Gahan slashed his wrists in a suicide attempt in August 1995. The now-trio had already begun to record its next album when Gahan took a near-lethal overdose of heroin and cocaine in May 1996; he actually flatlined for a few minutes. Soon after regaining consciousness, the singer was arrested for drug possession and sentenced to rehab. He emerged from the program clean and sober, and later spoke frankly in interviews about how he had believed he had to live the pain of Depeche Mode's songs to perform them (although Gore wrote the lyrics). The group released Ultra in 1997 and enjoyed a resurgence: The album went to Number Five in the U.S, and the singles "Barrel of a Gun" and "It's No Good" were popular Modern Rock tracks (Number 11 and Number Four, respectively, on that chart). Though the band declined to tour in consideration of Gahan's stil


Titan, Rhea and Hyperion are all satellites of which planet?

Titan and Rhea - Cassini captures Saturn and its moons - Pictures - CBS News Cassini captures Saturn and its moons Next Saturn NASA's unmanned Cassini spacecraft, launched on October 15, 1997, is the fourth space probe sent to Saturn and the first to enter its orbit, studying the sixth planet from the sun since 2004. The probe continues to send back stunning images as well as important data. In this photo, a softly hued Saturn is embraced by the shadows of its rings. The gas planet's subtle northward gradation from gold to azure is a striking visual effect that scientists don't fully understand. A current theory is that it may be related to seasonal influences, tied to the cold temperatures in the northern (winter) hemisphere. Images taken with blue, green and red spectral filters were used to create this color view, which approximates the scene as it would appear to the human eye. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute Saturn's rings It's difficult to get a sense of scale when viewing Saturn's rings, but the Cassini Division (seen here between the bright B ring and dimmer A ring) is almost as wide as the planet Mercury. The 2,980-mile-wide (4,800-kilometer-wide) division in Saturn's rings is thought to be caused by the moon Mimas. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute Saturn's moons Three of Saturn's moons -- Tethys, Enceladus and Mimas -- can be seen Cassini spacecraft photo released by NASA, February 22, 2016. Tethys (660 miles or 1,062 kilometers across) appears above the rings, while Enceladus (313 miles or 504 kilometers across) sits just below center. Mimas (246 miles or 396 kilometers across) hangs below and to the left of Enceladus. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute Saturn's rings From afar, Saturn's rings look like a solid, homogenous disk of material, in this image from January 8, 2015. But upon closer examination from Cassini, the varied structures in the rings at almost every scale imaginable are apparent. Structures in the rings can be caused by many things, but often times Saturn's many moons are the culprits. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute Saturn and Dione This image was taken in a wavelength that is absorbed by methane, May 27, 2015. Dark areas seen here on Saturn are regions with thicker clouds, where light has to travel through more methane on its way into and back out of the atmosphere. Since Dione (698 miles or 1,123 kilometers across) doesn't have an atmosphere rich in methane the way Saturn does, it does not experience similar absorption -- the sunlight simply bounces off its icy surface. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute Enceladus's water vapor jets, emitted from the southern polar region. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech and Space Science Institute Tethys and Rhea moons Tethys appears to be peeking out from behind Rhea, April 20, 2012. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute Saturn's moon Enceladus The tortured surface of Saturn's moon Enceladus and its fascinating ongoing geologic activity tell the story of the ancient and present struggles of one tiny world. The enhanced color view of Enceladus seen here is largely of the southern hemisphere and includes the south polar terrain at the bottom of the image. The image mosaic was created from 21 false-color frames taken on March 9 and July 14, 2005. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute Three moons The three moons shown here -- Titan (3,200 miles or 5,150 kilometers across), Mimas (246 miles or 396 kilometers across), and Rhea (949 miles or 1,527 kilometers across) -- show marked contrasts, March 25, 2015. Titan, the largest moon in this image, appears fuzzy because only its cloud layers are seen. And because Titan's atmosphere refracts light around the moon, its crescent "wraps" just a little further around the moon than it would on an airless body. Rhea (upper left) appears rough because its icy surface is heavily cratered. And a close inspection of Mimas (center bottom), though difficult to see at this scale, shows surface irregularities due to its own violent histo


What is the occupation of Figaro in the opera by Rossini?

The Barber of Seville | opera by Rossini | Britannica.com The Barber of Seville Alternative Titles: “Almaviva o sia l’inutile precauzione”, “Almaviva, or The Useless Precaution”, “Il barbiere di Siviglia” Related Topics musical composition The Barber of Seville, Italian Il barbiere di Siviglia, comic opera in two acts by Italian composer Gioachino Rossini ( libretto in Italian by Cesare Sterbini) that was first performed under the title Almaviva o sia l’inutile precauzione (Almaviva; or, The Useless Precaution) at the Teatro Argentina in Rome on February 20, 1816. With a plot based on Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais ’s 1775 play Le Barbier de Séville , Rossini’s opera remains one of the most frequently performed comic operas in the repertoire . The barber of the title is Figaro , whose impressive entrance aria (“ Largo al factotum ”)—with its repeated proclamations of his own name—is one of the best-known of all opera arias. Background and context The Barber of Seville was commissioned by the impresario of the Teatro Argentina at the end of 1815, when Rossini was nearly 24 years of age. In deference to Giovanni Paisiello , a popular Italian composer who in 1782 had himself based an opera on the Beaumarchais play, Rossini called his own work Almaviva. (The title was permanently changed to Il barbiere di Siviglia for the Bologna revival August 10, 1816, after Paisiello’s death.) Nonetheless, the production was viewed by Paisiello’s supporters as an affront; a group of them came to Rossini’s premiere, and they booed and hissed throughout the performance. The work was barely ready, and the performers were underprepared. Overall, the opening night was plagued by mishaps and pranks. Gioachino Rossini. © Photos.com/Thinkstock Not surprisingly, for the opera’s second performance Rossini decided to stay home. But this time the audience—presumably lacking Paisiello’s disruptive fans—was wildly enthusiastic; afterward they took to the streets and gathered outside the composer’s house to cheer. Before long, productions were mounted across Europe and beyond; in 1825 the opera became the first to be sung in Italian in New York City . Similar Topics Carmina Burana During the 19th and 20th centuries, performances of the opera reflected common changes in fashion, some of which can be heard in recordings that remain in circulation. In the 19th century it was common for operas to be split into additional acts so that elaborate scene changes could be accomplished. The Barber of Seville was turned into a three-act production by splitting Act I between the outdoors serenade scene and the interior scene at Bartolo’s house. The most frequent change to the opera was the transposition of Rosina’s part from the original mezzo-soprano into a higher soprano range to accommodate the usual leading singers; when that was done, Berta’s range was lowered to mezzo-soprano so that contrast between the women’s voices was preserved. (Rossini’s use of highly ornamented mezzo-soprano coloratura roles is distinctive and rare in the repertoire.) In addition to these large-scale changes, the opera became laden with errors and changes in orchestration and structure that accumulated to become performance tradition. For example, in published scores Rossini’s piccolo part was changed to a flute part, extra bass and percussion parts were added, and copyists’ errors were perpetuated. There was nothing approaching an authoritative score—that is, one based on evidence from the composer’s original materials—until 1969. Count Almaviva , a young nobleman ( tenor ) Rosina, a young lady and ward of Doctor Bartolo (mezzo-soprano) Doctor Bartolo, Rosina’s guardian ( bass ) Don Basilio, a music teacher (bass) Fiorello, Almaviva’s servant (baritone) Berta, Bartolo’s housekeeper (soprano) Ambrosio, Bartolo’s servant (bass) Notary, constable, musicians, servants, soldiers Setting and story summary The Barber of Seville is set in Sevilla , Spain , in the 17th century. Act I Scene 1. Dawn, outside Dr. Bartolo’s house near Sevilla. Young Count Almaviva is in love with Rosina, wa


"Which female wit is reputed to have said ""Give a man a free hand and he'll run it all over you""?"

Men and women bashing quotes Offensive: DerniereParoles Men and women bashing quotes "When a man says it's a silly, childish game, it's probably something his wife can beat him at."     — Epperson's law The following are humorous (and sometimes serious too) quotes gathered from the Web, Usenet's personal .sig and other sources (in particular the excellent and original Top5 mailing list). Since it's all a big rip-off, I am assuming no copyright whatsoever. I don't even guarantee that they are accurate. Now that you've been warned, enjoy. On this page: Some images available on a royalty-free compilation CD Some images available as a poster More: "Few women admit their age... ...Fewer men act it."     "Women who seek to be equal to men lack ambition."     — Bumper sticker. "Bart, a woman is like a beer. They look good, they smell good, and you'd step over your own mother just to get one ! (chugs beer)"     —  "Why does Mike Tyson cry during sex ? ...Mace will do that to you." "The average woman would rather have beauty than brains, because the average man can see better than he can think." "According to the World's Worst Comics #1, the reason why women always wear those skimpy costumes is that men can't shoot straight when they're having erections !" "Her date was pleasant enough, but she knew that if her life was a movie this guy would be buried in the credits as something like 'Second Tall Man'." "I'm not your type. I'm not inflatable." "Boobs are the proof that men can focus on 2 things at once." "Boobs are like the sun: you can stare at them directly for just a few seconds, but if you put on sunglasses, you stare at them as much as you want !" "You know, there's a big difference between being 'hot' and being 'hot and sweaty'."     — ...she said. "Do not confuse: 'Patching up things with our lovers' and 'Repairing the leaks in our inflate-a-dolls'." "Not all men are annoying. Some are dead." "Macho does not prove mucho."     —  "Give a man a free hand and he'll run it all over you."     —  Mae West (1892—1980). "You know the movie you're watching is a 'chick flick' if you wake up and your wife is crying."     — Rick Oie. "It takes a woman twenty years to make a man of her son, and another woman twenty minutes to make a fool of him."     — Helen Rowland. "Supposedly I was created in god's image. I don't know... you'd think god would have a bigger penis than this."     —  "I now stand corrected — there is one gift a woman does not prefer to come in a small package." "When was the last time you saw a 'size small' package of condoms ?" "It would be a mistake to put fluoride in condoms because a cavity is exactly what I'm hoping for."     — James Knowles. "Any woman that thinks the way to a man's heart is through his stomach is aiming just a little too high." "Men only have two faults: Everything they say and everything they do." "Behind Every Good Man Is An Even Better Woman." "You can't throw him back because he doesn't meet the legal size limit."     — Dave Henry, Honeymoon Tip for Brides. "All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That's his."     —  "Knowing what I do now about women, if I could just travel back in time to when I was 16 years old, I bet I would have gotten laid by now."     — Ed Smith. "There is so little difference between husbands you might as well keep the first."     —  "Outside every thin woman is a fat man trying to get in."     — Katherine Whitehorn. "You can tell a lot about a woman by her hands. For instance if they are placed around your throat, she's probably slightly upset." "Men are like small children. You bring a new one home and the ones already there resent it." "Men are like bank accounts. Without a lot of money they don't generate a lot of interest." "If Adam had had a real hairy back, we probably wouldn't be here today."     — Dave Henry. "If women had any idea, even for a second, how we really looked at them, they would never stop slapping us."     — Dr. Katz. "If men could fuck women in a cardboard box, they wouldn't buy a house."     — Dave Chappelle.


According to the Bible who was the mother of Esau and Jacob?

Genesis 25:19-34 NIV - Jacob and Esau - This is the account of - Bible Gateway Genesis 25:19-34New International Version (NIV) Jacob and Esau 19 This is the account of the family line of Abraham’s son Isaac. Abraham became the father of Isaac, 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram[ a ] and sister of Laban the Aramean. 21 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. 22 The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb,     and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other,     and the older will serve the younger.” 24 When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. 25 The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau.[ b ] 26 After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob.[ c ] Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them. 27 The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. 28 Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. 30 He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.[ d ]) 31 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” 32 “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” 33 But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright. Footnotes:


In which British town or city is the National Media Museum?

NATIONAL MEDIA MUSEUM in Bradford (City Centre), England Geographic Location: Lat: 53.7907;    Long: -1.75592 - GeoTag: GB-BRD  National Media Museum  National Media Museum is a  Museum managed as a Tourist or Visitor Attraction by an Independent/Unknown Organisation and is located    in or near Bradford (City Centre), England. You can get detailed information regarding opening times and other facilities    if you follow this link to it's own website External websites will open in a new window   You can see what other attractions are near National Media Museum if you follow this link to other attractions and event locations in the area of Bradford on this website Using the left hand menu you can upload photos or future event information and locate    hotels and railway stations near to National Media Museum   What's on Facebook about National Media Museum Facebook data may also be displayed from the organisation responsible for this location Tweets from National Media Museum


What was the name of Benjamin Britten's opera about a lonely, isolated fisherman?

Peter Grimes | The Opera 101 The Opera 101 Fill out the fields below to contact us! Your name * A subject very close to my heart—the struggle of the individual against the masses. The more vicious the society, the more vicious the individual. Benjamin Britten About Ben Heppner as Grimes © Clive Barda/ROH Peter Grimes is a big opera with a very tight focus. There are huge choral scenes and a large cast of supporting players but the work holds fast to Grimes himself. Grimes is the ultimate outsider, one whom Britten associated with strongly. He’s far from a hero, not even close, but he’s no pantomime villain either. “Now the Great Bear”, his startling Act II aria, reveals the wounded man beneath the menacing facade. This ambiguity runs throughout the piece, Grimes’s nastiness set against the overwhelming mob-like behaviour of the townsfolk. Another major element is that of nature, the sea ever present in the drama and no more so than in the incredible interludes (music that is frequently heard in concert halls as the “4 Sea Interludes”). The town is dependent on the sea, fishing is how they make their living, but it is a dangerous bargain: they live by the sea and frequently die by it too, as we see with Grimes’s successive apprentices. Ellen Orford provides a counterpoint to the harshness of the environment and town, a schoolmistress spinster who cares for Grimes. He too wishes to marry her, if he can make money, but it is largely a social contract not a loving one (though as with everything in this opera, there is plenty of ambiguity). Peter Grimes is a tragedy from start to finish but it's also a masterpiece of musical theatre. The sheer force of the music lifting the narrative to realms rarely reached in 20th Century opera. The opening of Act II - Sunday Morning Characters The manager of The Boar pub. Balstrode Baritone A retired merchant skipper who stands apart from the community in attempting to understand and help Grimes. Bob Boles Tenor A methodist fisherman with a taste for alcohol and women. One of the least savoury characters in the town. Ellen Orford Soprano A middle aged spinster with a soft spot for Grimes. Also something of a pariah in the community. Hobson The town carrier. Refuses to go get John until Ellen convinces him otherwise. John Grimes's new apprentice. Inevitably doomed. Mrs. (Nabob) Sedley Mezzo-soprano A sad, lonely old woman who gossips endlessly in a rather unpleasant fashion. Also addicted to Laudanum (a mild opium). Ned Keene Baritone The town apothecary (basically a medical quack). One of the more sympathetic townsfolk, Ned finds a new assistant for Grimes when no one else will help. Nieces 1 and 2 Soprano The nieces of Auntie. The best looking girls in town and as a result a major attraction of The Boar for the male population. Peter Grimes Tenor The title role. A mean, violent fisherman ostracised from the community. The anti-hero of the piece. Rev. Horace Adams The town rector. Mostly harmless. Swallow Bass A lawyer and town magistrate, and as a result one of the most powerful people in the town. He's also a bit of a bully. His major appearances bookend the opera. Synopsis Prologue and Act I - Running Time: 55 mins Prologue Peter Grimes’s apprentice has died at sea. At the town court the coroner questions him about his actions. His answers are far from satisfactory, but the court reaches the conclusion that the death was accidental. The crowd of townspeople disagree, braying for his punishment as Grimes rails against them. Only Ellen Orford comforts him against the force of the crowd Grimes on trial, Zurich Opera Act I Scene 1 The townsfolk sing of their daily grind with and against the sea. We are outside the town pub, operated by Auntie and her two nieces, where various local figures congregate. Grimes enters needing a new apprentice. Ned Keene, the apothecary, has found him one from the workhouse but Grimes needs someone to collect the boy for him. Grimes arrives at the pub, Royal Opera None are willing. Indeed they are actively resistant to Grimes having another boy. Eventually Elle


Before embarking on her solo career, Nicole Scherzinger was best known as the lead singer in which girl group?

Nicole Scherzinger - Music on Google Play Nicole Scherzinger About the artist Nicole Scherzinger is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, actress and television personality. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, she performed in various singing competitions and musicals before joining American rock band Days of the New as a backing vocalist and later becoming one of the members of the ill-fated girl group Eden's Crush in 2001. She rose to fame as the lead singer of the burlesque troupe turned-recording act, the Pussycat Dolls becoming one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. During their hiatus, Scherzinger planned to embark on her solo career with Her Name is Nicole, but it was later shelved after four singles failed to impact the charts significantly. Following the disbandment of the Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger became a judge for two seasons of The Sing-Off and in 2010 won the tenth season of Dancing with the Stars. In 2011 she released her debut studio album, Killer Love to moderate success and featured the top-ten hits "Don't Hold Your Breath" and "Right There". Cheryl Cole 0 Cheryl Ann Fernandez-Versini is an English singer, dancer, and television personality. Born and raised in Tyne and Wear, she rose to fame in late 2002 as a member of girl group Girls Aloud, which w... 0 The Pussycat Dolls 0 The Pussycat Dolls were an American girl group and dance ensemble, founded in Los Angeles, California, by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995 as a burlesque troupe. After attracting media attention, ... 0 Rita Ora 0 Rita Sahatçiu Ora is a British singer and actress. She rose to prominence in February 2012 when she was featured on DJ Fresh's single, "Hot Right Now", which reached number one in the UK. Her debut... 0 The Saturdays 0 The Saturdays are a British-Irish girl group based in London, England. The group formed during the summer of 2007. The line up consists of Frankie Bridge, Una Healy, Rochelle Humes, Mollie King and... 0 Alexandra Burke 0 Alexandra Imelda Cecelia Ewen Burke is a British singer-songwriter and voice actor. Burke rose to fame after winning the fifth series of British television series The X Factor in 2008, becoming one... 0 Alexis Jordan 0 Alexis Jordan is an American singer and actress from Columbia, South Carolina. Jordan rose to fame as a contestant on the first season of America's Got Talent in 2006 at the age of 14. After being ... 0 Pixie Lott 0 Victoria Louise "Pixie" Lott is an English singer, songwriter and actress. Her debut single, "Mama Do", was released in June 2009 and went straight to number one in the UK Singles Chart. Her second... 0 Rihanna 0 Rihanna is the youngest solo artist to score 13 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100—the fastest to do so—she’s sold more than 54 million albums and 203 million tracks worldwide. Rihanna is an ei... 0 Alesha Dixon 0 Having won over the hearts of the nation as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, Alesha Dixon returns to her first love, music, and unveils her brand new single “The Way We Are”. With over 15 years i... 0 Jessie J 0 Combining the vocal prowess of Beyoncé, the genre-hopping sounds of Gwen Stefani, and the feisty attitude of P!nk, songwriter Jessie J eventually overcame various career setbacks and health problem... 0 Tulisa 0 Tula Paulina "Tulisa" Contostavlos is an English singer-songwriter, The X Factor judge, actress, and television personality. Tulisa is known for her role in Demons Never Die, for her debut single a... 0 Esmée Denters 0 Esmée Denters is a Dutch singer and YouTube celebrity. Having started promoting herself as a musician on the video-sharing website in 2006, she covered songs by many artists including Justin Timber... 0 Jennifer Lopez 0 Jennifer Lynn Lopez (born July 24, 1969), also known as JLo, is an American singer, actress, dancer, fashion designer, author, and producer. Lopez gained her first high-profile job as a Fly Girl da... 0 Leona Lewis 0 Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer, songwriter and animal welfare campaigner. She was born and raised in the London Borough of Isl


Which model of Ford car took its name from a 'light or west wind'?

About Ford Email Save For more than 100 years now, Ford Motor Company has been selling mass-produced automobiles in the United States and around the globe. Known as one of the Big Three American manufacturers, Ford has attracted millions of loyal customers with a wide range of vehicles that offer considerable value. The automaker's trucks... Read more Ford history For more than 100 years now, Ford Motor Company has been selling mass-produced automobiles in the United States and around the globe. Known as one of the Big Three American manufacturers, Ford has attracted millions of loyal customers with a wide range of vehicles that offer considerable value. The automaker's trucks and SUVs have been especially popular. For decades, Ford's F-Series truck has been the best-selling vehicle in America. The company was founded by Henry Ford in 1903. Ford dreamed of building a car for the masses, and that's precisely what he did, most notably with the immortal Model T of 1908-'27. The latter was bought by 16.5 million Americans during its 20-year lifespan and was affordable enough for Ford's own factory workers to purchase. Ford's early years were also distinguished by its introduction of the moving assembly line. It was the first to utilize this more cost-effective method of production, and its innovation became a mainstay of the manufacturing process. Ford expanded into the luxury-car market with its purchase of Lincoln Motor Company in 1925. Over the next few years, the company broadened its focus even further by creating the Mercury division to produce mid-priced cars. By the late '30s, Ford had unveiled the stylish Lincoln Zephyr, introduced a low-priced V8 engine and built more than 25 million vehicles. The 1950s saw the introduction of the legendary Thunderbird. Offering sleek styling and spirited performance wedded to available luxury features like power windows and a signal-seeking radio, the car was a huge hit. Another model of that decade, the Edsel, met with a somewhat less enthusiastic reception. In the wake of abysmal sales, the Edsel was discontinued just a few months into its third model year. Ford regained its footing in the early 1960s with the introduction of the compact Falcon, a model that was warmly received by the public. By the middle of the decade the automaker had given enthusiasts something to cheer about with the launch of the sporty Mustang, a car that went on to become one of the biggest sellers of its day. Buyers adored the Mustang's low price, available powerful V8 engines and sporty styling. The Mustang even created a brand-new vehicle category: the pony car. By the 1970s, Ford, like other domestic automakers, was starting to suffer the effects of changing consumer tastes and new government regulations. Many of its cars became shadows of their former selves. But the seeds of rebirth were planted in this decade. In 1979, the company acquired a stake in Mazda; this move would later aid Ford significantly in co-development projects. The company also emerged with a new mindset of global competitiveness. By the mid-to-late '80s, Ford was showing new strength with its popular Escort and Taurus models while further expanding its empire with the purchase of the Aston Martin and Jaguar brands. Meanwhile, its full-size LTD sedan (later renamed the Crown Victoria) remained a staple of taxi companies and police forces throughout America. Ford rode a wave of popularity in the 1990s, thanks in part to the huge success of its Explorer midsize SUV. The truck played a huge role in ushering in the era of the SUV. In 1999, Ford expanded its family yet again with the purchase of Volvo's car division, and, in 2000, it acquired Land Rover. For awhile, there was talk of Ford even taking General Motors' spot as the No. 1 automaker in the world. But the new millennium initially saw a downturn for Ford. Increased competition, a continuing operating loss for Jaguar, legacy costs and a reliance on SUVs for profit took their toll. To compensate, the company sold Aston Martin, Jagua


In which country is Mount Ararat (where Noah's Ark is reputed to have come to rest) the highest peak?

Agri, Mt.Ararat, Noah's Ark, Turkey-Adiyamanli.org AGRI Situated in Eastern Anatolia and extending to the Iranian border, is Agri, one of the highest regions in the country with its mountainous formation. Rising up to a height of 5165 m, Mount Agri is the main peak of Turkey and the symbol of the city. This snowcapped volcano is the famous biblical Mount Ararat, the legendary site of the second beginning of the world. It is  believed that Noah's ark came to rest in the mountains of eastern Turkey , and the wide plain of Igdir at the foot of the mountain is the first place where Noah set foot after the disaster. A geological hollow near Uzungil village has the shape allegedly of the ark, and it is a place often visited by tourists, being also a beautiful resting spot. Mount Ararat, besides offering magnificent scenery, also provides opportunities for hunting, skiing and mountaineering. Climbing is also possible once you get the necessary permission from the authorities. 95 kms east of Agri, is the town Dogubayazit, comprising spectacular ruins from earlier periods Ishak Pasha Palace, 6 kms outside the town center, is the most important sight, and was constructed by the Ottoman governor, Ishak Pasha, in the 17th century. It has been restored many since, and has become an original building of mixed architectural design. An Urartian king relief and a rock tomb dating to the 9th century BC, are other historical remains near the palace, while ruins from the same period are also to be found near Patnos, another important town of Agri province. An interesting place is the meteoric hole, about 80 years old, located between the Gurbulak border gate and Sancavus village. It is the second largest hole of this type in the world with its 35 m width and 60 m depth. Besides these touristic attractions, there are other specialties of the city. One is "Lake Balik", famous for its "trout". Still another is the local dessert "Asure", also known as "Noah's Pudding" and it is a sweet Formerly KARAKï¿½SE, city, in the highlands of eastern Turkey . It lies 5,380 feet (1,640 m) above sea level in the valley of the Murat River, a tributary of the Euphrates River. The town is a centre for trade in livestock and livestock products and is a transit station on the main highway from Turkey to Iran. Agri is named after Mount Ararat (Turkish: Agri Dagi), situated to the east near the frontier with Iran. Stock raising and agriculture are the main activities of the region. Kurds constitute a large proportion of the population of the countryside. Pop. (1985) city, 54,492. Mount Ararat: Turkish AGRI DAGI, extinct volcanic massif in extreme eastern Turkey overlooking the point at which the frontiers of Turkey, Iran, and Armenia converge. Its northern and eastern slopes rise from the broad alluvial plain of the Aras River, about 3,300 ft (1,000 m) above sea level; its southwestern slopes rise from a plain about 5,000 ft above sea level; and on the west a low pass separates it from a long range of other volcanic ridges extending westward toward the eastern Taurus ranges. The Ararat Massif is about 25 mi (40 km) in diameter.   Ararat consists of two peaks, their summits about 7 mi apart. Great Ararat, or Bï¿½yï¿½k Agri Dagi, which reaches an elevation of 16,854 ft above sea level, is the highest peak in Turkey . Little Ararat, or Kï¿½ï¿½ï¿½k Agri Dagi, rises in a smooth, steep, nearly perfect cone to 12,782 ft. Both Great and Little Ararat are the product of eruptive volcanic activity. Neither retains any evidence of a crater, but well-formed cones and fissures exist on their flanks. Towering 14,000 ft above the adjoining plains, the snowcapped conical peak of the Great Ararat offers a majestic sight. The snowline varies with the season, retreating to 14,000 ft above sea level by the end of the summer. The only true glacier is found on the northern side of the Great Ararat, near its summit. The middle zone of Ararat, from 5,000 to 11,500 ft, is covered with good pasture grass and some juniper; there the local Kurdish population graze their sheep. Most of the Gr


Which company manufactured the World War 2 `Stuka' dive- bomber?

Ju 87 Stuka Dive Bomber - World War II Vehicles Ceiling: 26,903 ft. Armament Guns: 2× 7.92 mm MG 17 machine gun forward, 1 × 7.92 mm MG 15 machine gun to rear Bombs: Standard load - 1 x 255 lb. bomb, 2 x 50 lb. bombs Ju 87 Stuka - Development: With the Nazi rise to power in 1933, Germany began to rearm. Among those weapons systems the new regime desired was an effective dive bomber. While this need was initially met by the Henschel HS-123, effort continued on other designs. At Junkers, designer Hermann Pohlmann worked on a new dive bomber drawing from the firm's earlier Ju K 47. These efforts were encouraged in 1935 when the German Air Ministry (Reichsluftfahrtministerium - RLM) issued specifications for a new dive bomber. While four firms entered the competition, two were immediately eliminated and the Junkers design squared off against the Heinkel He-118. Powered by an imported Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine, Pohlmann's design was designated Ju 87 V1. While the prototype was built and Sweden and secretly brought to German in 1934, issues with the airframe delayed is completion until late 1935. An ungainly looking aircraft, the Ju 87 V1 possessed inverted gull wings and a braced tail with twin tailfins. Testing with the prototype moved forward but was soon halted when chief test pilot Willy Neuenhofen was killed in a crash on January 24, 1936 when the aircraft's tail section collapsed. Re-tooling the design, Junkers changed the tail design to a single vertical stabilizer. As the design progressed, the Ju 87 V1 met resistance from RLM who were unhappy with its use of an imported engine. To rectify this issue, plans were made to use the Jumo 210 instead. Though testing in early 1936 went well, some Luftwaffe officers felt the aircraft was underpowered and the program was threatened with cancellation. Rescued by Colonel General Ernst Udet , a World War I ace and RLM officer, work continued. The following month, the Ju 87 V1 won the competition after Udet was forced to bail out of his He-118 prototype when the propeller broke apart in flight. Ju 87 Stuka - Design: Designated the Ju 87 Stuka (short for Sturzkampfflugzeug), the new dive bomber was an all-metal, cantilevered monoplane that featured spatted, fixed landing gear. Early models mounted two 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns in the wings with a single, rear-facing 7.92 mm MG 15 machine gun for the radio operator/gunner. Capable of diving at angles of 60-90°, the Stuka possessed an automatic dive recovery system that engaged when the bomb was released. This allowed the aircraft to safely terminate the dive if the pilot succumbed to g-induced blackout. Built largely of duralumin, the Ju 87 Stuka was constructed in such a way that large segments of the airframe were assembled as single units. This allowed entire sections of the aircraft to be quickly replaced and decreased the time required for major repairs. In 1937, testing of the Ju 87 Stuka continued as several variants of the Jumo 210 were tried in an effort to increase power. As efforts to improve the aircraft continued, production on the Ju 87 A began at Dessau. As these rolled off the line, Junkers completed the design for an upgraded Ju 87 B. Ju 87 Stuka - Variants: The first mass-produced model, the Ju 87 B saw an upgrade to the Jumo 211D engine and addition of sirens mounted on the wings. These were intended to frighten the enemy as the aircraft attacked. Other improvements included redesigned landing gear. A Ju 87 C variant was also created for naval use, though it was only built in small numbers. As World War II progressed, Junkers continued to evolve the Stuka as no replacement was available. In 1941, production began on the Ju 87 D which had an enhanced engine, greater range, and better defensive armament. Ju 87 Stuka - Operational History: The Ju 87 Stuka's combat debut came in 1937 with the German Condor Legion during Spanish Civil War. Initially flying the Ju 87 A, the Legion soon switched to the newer by Ju 87 B. During these operations, no aircraft were lost. Having learned invaluable lessons in Spain, Stuka cr


Stanislas Wawrinka represents which country in international tennis?

Stanislas Wawrinka's Tennis Equipment, Gear, and Accessories Stanislas Wawrinka's Tennis Equipment, Gear, and Accessories Weight: 174 lbs (79 kg) Plays: Right Handed Website: http://stanwawrinka.com/ Stan Wawrinka began playing at the age of eight, and started playing international junior events at the age of 14. Wawrinka has German and Swiss citizenship, but represents his home country of Switzerland in the Davis Cup alongside teammate Roger Federer. His parents also live in Switzerland, running a farm that assists intellectually disabled individuals and recovering addicts. Wawrinka has 3 siblings, all of which teach tennis. As a junior he won Roland Garros and has continued his winning ways into adulthood with French and Australian Open titles. He is best known for his powerful one handed backhand that he can place anywhere on the court. Sort Products By:


As one of his twelve Labours, Heracles was sent to Mount Erymanthos to capture which animal?

Heracles - The Ancient Greek Hero Myth « « Heracles 12 LABOURS *Slaying the Nemean Lion and bringing back its skin*: The Nemean lion had a skin so thick that it was impenetrable, so all of Heracles' weapons were useless against it. Eventually he managed to kill it by strangling it. His next problem was how to skin the lion, which he solved with help from Athene, by using the lion's own claws, the only things able to penetrate the skin. Heracles wore the lion's skin from then on as his armour. *Slaying the Lernaean Hydra*: The Hydra was a monstrous serpent with many heads that lived in lake Lerna, guarding an entrance to the Underworld. For every head Heracles cut off, two more grew back in its place. It was Heracles' nephew Iolaus who had the idea to burn the stumps after cutting off each head to stop it from growing back. This was successful, leaving the monster with only its one immortal head, which Heracles buried beneath a great boulder. He then dipped all his arrows in the Hydra's venomous blood, making his arrows poisonous and deadly. Eurystheus discounted this labour, saying that since Heracles had received help from Iolaus the task did not count. *Capturing the Ceryneian Hind*: This large deer was sacred to the goddess Artemis, and had antlers of gold as well as hooves of bronze. The hind was so fast that it could outrun an arrow, but Heracles pursued it on foot for a whole year. He finally caught it by shooting it with a (non-poisoned) arrow in the leg, either when it had stopped to drink or could run no further. King Eurystheus had intended for this task to bring Artemis' hatred on Heracles, but the hero begged forgiveness from the goddess who forgave him on the condition of the deer's safe return. King Eurystheus wished to keep the animal, but Heracles could no allow this and so outwitted him by telling the king to come and take the deer. As soon as Heracles let go of it, the deer ran back to Artemis, ensuring Artemis' forgiveness and infuriating Eurystheus. *Capturing the Erymanthian Boar*: This great beast lived on Mount Erymanthos, a place frequented by the goddess Artemis. Heracles sought the advice of the centaur Chiron for this labour, who told Heracles to force the boar into thick snow. Heracles was then able to capture the boar and take it back to King Eurystheus, who was so terrified by the beast that he hid in a storage jar and begged Heracles to get rid of it. *Cleaning the Augean stables*: Augeas was the king of Elis and boasted the greatest number of cattle in the country. The cattle were a divine gift to Augeas, and so were totally immune to disease, meaning that nobody had ever needed to clean the stables. King Augeas promised to give Heracles one eighth of his cattle if he could complete this seemingly impossible task in just one day. Heracles achieved this by redirecting the rivers Alpheus and Peneus through the stables. However Augeas went back on his promise so Heracles killed him and gave the kingdom to Augeas' son Phyleus, who had been exiled by his father for supporting Heracles. However, Eurystheus refused to count this as one of the labours saying that it was the rivers that had done the work and not Heracles. *Slaying the Stymphalian Birds*: These were man-eating birds with poisonous excrement and metallic feathers that they could fire as weapons. They lived in the dense woods surrounding lake Stymphalia, making it impossible to find them in the dark of the forest. Heracles climbed a nearby mountain and used bronze clappers given to him by Athena and Hephaestus to scare the birds out of the trees. He was then able to shoot them down with his arrows and they flew up out of the forest. *Capturing the Cretan Bull*: This great bull had been sent by Poseidon to King Minos and was intended to be given in sacrifice to the god. However Minos thought the animal too beautiful to kill and sacrificed another instead. Poseidon was so angered by this that he sent the bull mad, to terrorise Minos' kingdom. Heracles went to Crete, and captured it b


According to the Bible, Nebuchadnezzar was the King of which region or empire?

Nebuchadnezzar II - Ancient History Encyclopedia Nebuchadnezzar II by Joshua J. Mark published on 20 July 2010 King Nebuchadnezzar II (634-562 BCE) was the greatest king of ancient Babylon , succeeding his father, Nabopolassar. King Nabopolassar had defeated the Assyrians with the help of the Medes and liberated Babylonia from Assyrian rule. In this way he provided for his son (as Philip II would do for his son Alexander later) a stable base and ample wealth on which to build; an opportunity for greatness which Nebuchadnezzar took full advantage of. He married Amytis of Media (630-565 BCE) and so secured an alliance between the Medes and the Babylonians (Amytis being the daughter or granddaughter of Cyaxerxes, the king of the Medes) and, according to some sources, had the Hanging Gardens of Babylon built for her to remind her of her homeland in Persia . Upon ascending to the throne, Nebuchadnezzar spoke to the gods, in his inaugural address, saying, “O merciful Marduk , may the house that I have built endure forever, may I be satiated with its splendor, attain old age therein, with abundant offspring, and receive therein tribute of the kings of all regions, from all mankind” and it would seem the gods heard his prayer in that, under his reign, Babylon became the most powerful city-state in the region and Nebuchadnezzar II himself the greatest warrior-king and ruler in the known world. He is portrayed in unflattering light in the Bible , most notably in the Book of Daniel and the Book of Jeremiah (where he is seen as an 'enemy of God’ and one whom the deity of the Israelites intends to make an example of or, conversely, the agent of God used as a scourge against the faithless followers of Yahweh ). Those portraits notwithstanding, Nebuchadnezzar II was most certainly responsible for the so-called Babylonian Exile of the Jews and, so, for the formation of modern-day Judaism (in that, the temple destroyed, the Priestly class of the Levites of the Jews had to re-create their religion “in a foreign land” as recounted famously in Psalm 137 from the Bible, and elsewhere). Nebuchadnezzar II defeated the Egyptians and the Assyrians at Carchemish, subdued Palestine and Syria and controlled all the trade routes across Mesopotamia .  Nebuchadnezzar II defeated the Egyptians and their allies the Assyrians at Carchemish, subdued Palestine and the region of Syria and, consolidating his power, controlled all the trade routes across Mesopotamia from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea. Remaining true to the vision of his inaugural address, the great king spent the tolls he collected and the taxes he gathered in creating a city which, he hoped, would be recognized as a wonder of the world (and, indeed, his hopes were realized in later writers adding the walls of Babylon and, in particular, the Ishtar gate to the list of the Seven Wonders of the World). In the forty-three years of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar II made the most of the time employing a vast army of slave labor to surround his city with walls so thick that chariot races were conducted around the tops and which stretched fifty-six miles in length, encircling an area of two hundred square miles. The bricks of the walls were faced with a bright blue and bore the inscription, “I am Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon.”


The Churn, the Windrush, the Cherwell and the Mole are all tributaries of which major river?

Thames, river, England Encyclopedia  >  Places  >  Britain, Ireland, France, and the Low Countries  >  British and Irish Physical Geography Thames Thames (tĕmz) [ key ], Rom. Tamesis, principal river of England, c.210 mi (340 km) long. It rises in four headstreams (the Thames or Isis, Churn, Coln, and Leach) in the Cotswold Hills, E Gloucestershire, and flows generally eastward across S England and through London to the North Sea at The Nore. In its upper course—around and above Oxford —it is often called Isis. The Thames drains c.5,250 sq mi (13,600 sq km); its tributaries include the Windrush, Cherwell, Thame, Kennet, Wey, Mole, Lea, Roding, and Medway. It is joined by canals (including the Oxford, Thames and Severn, and Grand Junction) that cover a wide area. The river is navigable by barges to Lechlade, below which there are a number of locks. The Thames is tidal to Teddington; there is a 23-ft (7-m) difference between low and high tide at London Bridge. The part of the stream near London Bridge is known as the Pool. The main part of the port of London stretches from London Bridge to Blackwall. The Thames Conservancy Board was established in 1857; the docks and the tidal part of the river below Teddington have been administered by the Port of London Authority since 1908. Part of the river is of great beauty, is much used for boating, and is still popular for fishing. The upper valley of the Thames is a broad, flat basin of alluvial clay soil, through which the river winds and turns constantly in all directions. At Goring Gap the valley narrows, separating the Chiltern Hills from the Berkshire Downs. The lower valley forms a second broad basin through which the Thames also meanders. The land around the river was formerly marshy, and the ancient roads were far from the river banks. In the Middle Ages the valley was very prosperous, with many religious houses and several large towns, including Reading and Windsor. Between Oxford and London, the valley is predominantly agricultural, with scattered villages; Reading is the only industrial town there. The Greater London conurbation along the river's lower course is one of the most important industrial regions of Great Britain. Among the many interesting archaeological discoveries made in the valley are fossils of seashells and a human skull from the Paleolithic period. In London the river is crossed by 27 bridges, including the new London Bridge, Westminster Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, and Tower Bridge. There are two main tunnels under the river in London, and one between Dartford and Purfleet, as well as several footpaths and 5 railroad tunnels. In 1963 governmental efforts began to combat pollution of the waters through a series of rules and regulations. At parts along the river downstream flood barriers were constructed, which became operational in 1982, to prevent London from damage by North Sea gales. See study by J. Schneer (2005). The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.


The satellites of which planet are nearly all named after Shakespearean characters?

Uranus' Moons are Named after Characters from Shakespeare Uranus’ Moons & Shakespeare Uranus’ moons are named after characters from the works of William Shakespeare and Alexander Pope. To date 27 moons have been discovered around Uranus, those named after characters from Shakespeare include Titania (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Oberon (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Ariel (The Tempest), Miranda (The Tempest) and Puck (A Midsummer Night’s Dream). Titania and Oberon were discovered in 1787 by William Herschel, Ariel in 1851 by William Lassell, Miranda in 1948 by Gerard Kuiper and Puck was discovered by the Voyager 2 spacecraft in 1985.


On a traditional Monopoly board, Regent Street and Bond Street are two of the green properties, name the third?

Playing the Monopoly house price game | Moneywise Playing the Monopoly house price game Last updated: 22 Dec 2015 First published: 22 Dec 2015 Feature by Dan Moore Login or register to post comments How have property prices risen since Monopoly, launched here in the 1930s, carved up London into coloured areas? Jump on board to find out! Do not pass go. There’s no point – you probably won’t be able to afford it! In 1935, Parker Brothers produced the first British edition of Monopoly, the eponymous board game. Back then the upper crust could probably pay the princely sum of £400 for a property on Mayfair out of their short change, whereas the hoi polloi had to make do with a place on the Brown set of properties, for which they’d fork out around £60. How times have changed. Covent Garden is not on the Monopoly board, but it’s a stone’s throw from the Strand and Fleet Street. So the fact that a three-bedroom ex-council house in this famous location recently sold for £1.2 million goes to show that talk about ‘Monopoly money’ isn’t a cliché. That said, it’s worth seeing what you can get for your money in the Monopoly version of London compared with out there in the real world. It’s not only easier to buy a house in Monopoly world, it’s also way cheaper, as a scoot around the board quickly shows. So let’s start at the beginning, travelling from ‘Go’ to the Brown set of properties with a car, an old boot, or whichever token you choose. The browns First up is the Old Kent Road, for which it will cost you £60 to secure the title deeds. This Monopoly site is the only one south of the Thames, and it features in literature by the likes of George Orwell and Charles Dickens. Today, the Old Kent Road and its Brown-set companion north of the river, Whitechapel Road, are much sought-after areas. You can expect to pay upwards of £300,000 for a one-bedroom flat on the Old Kent Road, while you won’t get much change out of £500,000 for a place on Whitechapel Road – their proximity to the City proving a draw for many. The light blues If you manage to swerve past the £200 income tax square and don’t get waylaid at King’s Cross station, you may alight on a Light Blue square, perhaps the Angel Islington. If we take the Angel to cover Pentonville Road, Islington High Street, and adjacent fairways, it’s possible to conjure up prices. Sadly, anyone looking to spend between £100 and £120 for a plot on the Angel, Euston Road or Pentonville Road will find their plans scuppered. Today, you can expect to pay more than £1 million for a sumptuous four- or five-bed pad in this set. The pinks The Light Blues can’t hold a candle to the Pinks. Here lies the seat of power, as the Pinks comprise Pall Mall, Whitehall and Northumberland Avenue. In turn, Pall Mall is home to various gentlemen’s clubs. Who knows, perhaps this is the spot from which Phileas Fogg, Michael Palin and other adventurous types set off on their journeys around the world? If you want to buy a one-bed flat here you can expect to spend upwards of £1 million. Elsewhere on the Pink set is Euston Road. This route links King’s Cross with Regent’s Park. Today it houses a YMCA, numerous hotels, the Wellcome Foundation and various flats, including a two-bed flat in Unison Place that could be yours for just under £900,000. That’s a bargain compared to what you can expect to pay for a home on Northumberland Avenue, where places go for upwards of £10 million. The oranges Skip past Marylebone Station and we’ve reached Bow Street, Marlborough Street and Vine Street. This is surely the strangest set on the board because, let’s face it, who’s heard of any of these beauties? But they all have a tale to tell. We’re back to the Covent Garden district with the first slot in the Orange set. Bow Street is perhaps best known for its Runners, who beat the Peelers to the title of Britain’s first police force, coshing the criminal classes for 90 years from 1749. You can get a flat on Bow Street for a steal these days, providing you have a spare £1 million or so and fancy a one- or two-bedroom flat within earshot of t


Which is the only vertebrate animal, not a bird that is able to maintain flight for any duration?

Bird Flight By now you've had weeks to witness the flying skills of Tree Swallows.  You've seen them soar, dive, and dash about.  You've watched them bank, wheel, turn, pivot, and hover.  You can't help but be impressed by their dazzling powers of flight.  Since they truly are masters of the air, how can a web site about Tree Swallows not attempt a page about flight?  Photo below by Homer Caliwag. Make it a point when you visit your project to devote some time to simply watching swallows fly.  Observe how they hold and move their wings as they execute different maneuvers.  And watch how other bird species fly.  Compare their skills and techniques with the swallows'.  How do you think body size, wing size, and wing shape influence each bird's flying style? To say flight is complex is a gross understatement.  Flight involves a great many intricate interactions among a bird's nerves, muscles, tendons, skeleton, and feathers.   Almost every aspect of bird anatomy and physiology has been extremely modified over time as their flying ability increased.  But though people have admired bird flight for thousands of years, it wasn't until the 1980's, when scientists were first able to make slow motion x-ray movies of birds flying in wind tunnels, that they truly began to understand just how all a bird's parts worked together in flight.  We caution you that the content that follows barely scratches the surface of bird flight.  In our opinion by far the best and most complete treatment we know regarding this fascinating subject is found When you really consider it, flying seems an impossibly difficult thing to do.  To fly successfully an animal must be able to resist the force of gravity and support itself in air, a movable, flexible, and not very supportive medium.  And once airborne an animal must be able to both power and control its movement.  Many animals can glide, but of all the animals that have ever lived on earth only insects, pterosaurs, birds, and bats have developed the ability to truly fly, evidence of flight's difficulty.  And to achieve something this hard the bodies and metabolisms of these groups had to undergo drastic modifications. The most obvious adaptations for powered flight are wings. Powered flight requires wings of some kind, flat surfaces that can be pushed against air, providing upward lift, forward thrust, and continuous control of movement. The smaller "contour feathers" on the bird's head, body, and wings smooth and streamline its shape, so it can pass through air with less frictional drag. Some groups of these contour feathers, the "coverts," partially overlap the wing and tail flight feathers, adding to the bird's streamlining. Try distinguishing these feather types in pictures on this web sites. Birds have other vital adaptations for flight that aren't obvious to us because they are internal. Bird bodies are extremely modified for lightness and strength. Over time many bird bones became smaller in size or were lost altogether. Most remaining bones are thin-walled, hollow, and reinforced with tiny cross- struts. But it's in their breathing and heat-regulating systems that birds are most surprisingly and radically different from us. Bird flight muscles demand huge amounts of oxygen to fuel powered flight. This muscular exertion generates tremendous amounts of internal waste heat that must be removed from their bodies. Birds meet these related needs using a combination of lungs and air sacs, a system possessed by no other group of living animals. When we mammals inhale air enters our lungs and oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in tiny dead-end sacs.  Then the used air is exhaled back out the exact same route.  Our lungs never empty completely so stale air being exhaled mixes with the next fresh breath, and we extract only a low percent of the oxygen available per breath. Birds have much more complex and efficient respiratory systems, in which a bird's muscles and skeleton pump air through in a continuous one-way direction, not back and forth like ours.  Birds' one-way flow allows them to extract


Which National Trust property contains the lake from which Colin Firth emerged in a BBC TV adaptation of 'Pride and Prejudice'?

BBC's Pride and Prejudice mansion for sale at £3m | Daily Mail Online Mr Darcy's lake – and the £3m six-bedroom property it belongs to – go up for sale… but the owner will need to provide their own hunk Six-bedroom detached home boasts a statement staircase, home gym, cinema room, wine cellar and games room The stunning property backs onto Lyme Hall - a beautiful National Trust property, famous for being the setting of Mr Darcy's plush pad Pemberley in the BBC series, and home to the infamous lake the character emerges from  Jane Austen fans are now being offered the chance to snap up their very own slice of Pride and Prejudice


The 'Arab Spring' uprising in Egypt during 2011 was inspired by the 'Jasmine Revolt' which took place in which country?

Egypt - Arab Spring: A Research & Study Guide * الربيع العربي - LibGuides at Cornell University Arab Spring: A Research & Study Guide * الربيع العربي Search Arab Spring: A Research & Study Guide * الربيع العربي: Egypt This guide lists online and print sources for what has become known as the "Arab Spring," the popular revolutionary wave in the Middle East and North Africa that started in December 2010. The January 25 Revolution  "الشعب يريد إسقاط النظام = The people want to bring down the regime" "إرحل يعني إمشي يا إللي مابتافيهيمشي = Leave (in Classical Arabic) means leave (in Egyptian Arabic) in case you don't understand me" Inspired by the events in Tunisia, Egyptians gathered to protest on January 25, the national holiday Police Day, calling for an end to corruption, injustice, poor economic conditions, and the 30-year-old regime of President Hosni Mubarak. Street demonstrations quickly grew into a national revolutionary movement that in 18 days removed Mubarak and his National Democratic Party (NDP) from power. In the beginning of the uprising, mass demonstrations in Cairo, Alexandria and other cities, and the occupation of Cairo's central Tahrir (Liberation) Square were met with repression and violence by police and supporters of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP). But Egyptians broke through the wall of fear and fought back in street battles. On Jan. 27 the government shut down the Internet and mobile service providers complied with government requests to suspend service. Still the uprising continued, and the army made the decision ultimately not to act against the protesters. Mubarak's weak concessions --appointing intelligence Omar Suleiman as vice president on Jan. 29; installing a new cabinet on Jan. 31; conceding that he wouldn't run again for president nor would his son Gamal after he finished his term in Sept. 2011 -- failed to appease the Egyptian people’s demands. On Feb. 11, a day of massive “Friday of Departure” demonstrations, Mubarak was finally forced to resign. The Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) headed by Tantawi took over control of Egypt and later dissolved the legislature and suspended the constitution. Background, Timeline, Maps - Jan. 25 - Feb. 11, 2011


Which city stands at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers?

Danube & Sava river, Belgrade 77 Insider Tips, Photos and Reviews   Belgrade Layover Tour: Private City Sighteeing Tour with Round-Trip Airport or Hotel Transport "Your guide will pick you up at the airport. First you will pass New Belgrade the modern commercial and residential center.As you continue on your way is Zemun part of a city which has been developing under influence of Austria- Hungarian Empire. Zemun is known by its numerous bakeries where delicious pastry is made. You will have a break at a local cafe so you rest from your trip and enjoy a drink with the locals while overlooking the Danube River.Continuing your sightseeing you will visit the old Belgrade. Your first stop is Belgrade fortress   Belgrade Historic Private Walking Tour "Your time travel starts at Kalemegdan park that surrounds Belgrade Fortress. This is the place where the most distant past can be seen and where Belgrade started as a human settlement very long time ago. It is the most logical spot to begin unfolding unusual and exciting story about the 'Crossroads of the Worlds'. Walk through 'Stambol' and 'Clock' gates and enjoy ope New Belgrade Zemun and 'Victor monument"" one of the symbols of the city. Continuing through 'King's Gate' and rest of the Kalemegdan park with number of monuments.Leaving the park and passing by beautiful French embassy reaching the Patriarchate   Belgrade Private Half Day Sightseeing Tour "After hotel pick-up you'll drive to Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan park. This is the place where the most distant past can be seen and where Belgrade started as a human settlement very long time ago. It is the most logical spot to begin unfolding unusual and exciting story about Belgrade - the 'Crossroads of the Worlds'. You'll enjoy superb views at the confluence of Sav New Belgrade and Zemun.Then you will proceed to the heart of the city the Republic square with monument to Prince Michael and buildings of National Theater and National Museum. Short walk to the Prince Michael (Knez Mihajlova) pedestrian street


Which British Prime Minister sewed for the shortest total time in office (119 days)?

BBC - History -   British History in depth: Prime Ministers and Politics Timeline On This Day Prime Ministers and Politics Timeline Do you know which prime minister brought 'fallen women' to 10 Downing Street? Or which one fought a duel? Or who was known as 'the Goat'? Take a political journey through nearly 300 years of high ideals and low cunning, from Gordon Brown to the first man to hold prime ministerial powers, Robert Walpole. Margaret Thatcher Conservative, 1979 - 1990 Britain's first female prime minister came to power with the country descending into industrial and economic chaos. A relatively inexperienced politician, she nonetheless adopted a personal style of indomitable self-confidence and brooked no weakness in herself or her colleagues. Derisively dubbed the 'Iron Lady' by the Soviet press, she wore the moniker with pride. Her government's free-market policies included trade liberalisation, deregulation, sweeping privatisation, breaking the power of the unions, focus on the individual and the creation of an 'enterprise culture'. 'Thatcherism' has had a profound and lasting economic and social impact on Britain, and still sharply divides opinion to this day. The first PM to serve three consecutive terms (including two 'landslide' victories) she was eventually toppled by her own party following the disastrous imposition of a 'poll tax'. Nonetheless, she is generally considered to be one of the best peace time prime ministers of the 20th Century. James Callaghan Labour, 1976 - 1979 Callaghan inherited the office of prime minister following the surprise resignation of Harold Wilson. With only a tiny parliamentary majority to support him, he faced an increasingly one-sided confrontation with organised labour in the form of rampant strike action. Things came to a head in the so-called 'Winter of Discontent', a phrase from Shakespeare borrowed by Callaghan himself to describe the events leading up to February 1979. Britain was 'strikebound', with public servants staging mass walk outs, leaving food and fuel supplies undelivered, rubbish uncollected and - most notoriously - bodies unburied. Things became so bad in Hull it was dubbed 'the second Stalingrad'. The tabloid press has since been accused of overstating the severity of the situation (and wrongly quoting him as saying 'Crisis? What Crisis?') but it was enough at the time to sound the death knell for Callaghan's government later in the same year. Harold Wilson Labour, 1974 - 1976 In March 1974, Wilson became prime minister for the third time at the head of a minority government, following the first hung parliament (one where no party holds a majority) for 45 years. Often described as a wily fixer and negotiator, it took all of his skills to hold on to power in the face of economic and industrial turmoil. His party was also sharply divided, with many Labour members of parliament (MPs) bitter about Wilson's manoeuvring against his colleagues. He called another general election in October 1974, thereby ending the shortest parliament since 1681, and was returned to office with a majority of just three seats. He presided over a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Economic Community (EEC), and a collapse in the value of the pound which prompted a humiliating 'rescue operation' by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Exhausted, Wilson resigned saying 'politicians should not go on and on'. Edward Heath Conservative, 1970 - 1974 Heath succeeded in taking Britain into the European Economic Community (EEC), the precursor to the European Union, despite two previous failed attempts by Britain to gain entry, in 1961 and 1967. But his government was dogged by torrid industrial relations and recurrent economic crises. Things came to a head in January 1974, when industry was put on a 'three-day week' to conserve fuel. Fuel was in dangerously short supply following a combination of domestic industrial action (coal miners on 'work-to-rule') and a quadrupling of prices by Middle Eastern oil exporting nations in the wake of Israel's victory in the Yom Kipp


Before embarking on her solo career, Beyonce Knowles was best known as the lead singer in which girl group?

Beyoncé Net Worth in 2017 - How Rich is Beyonce Update - The Gazette Review Tweet on Twitter Global Superstar Beyoncé Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is one of the most established and successful female pop artists in the world. Born on the 4th of September 1981, Beyoncé entered many singing and dancing competitions as a child. It was not until she became lead singer of all girl group Destiny’s Child in the late 1990’s that she rose to fame. Destiny’s Child were managed by Beyoncé’s father, Matthew Knowles and they became one of the biggest selling girl bands of that time. Between the success of Destiny’s Child and Beyoncé’s success as one of the best female solo artists on the planet right now, there is no doubt that Beyoncé has reaped the financial rewards of her career. As of last month, Forbes reported that Beyoncé’s net worth is approximately $450 million. Then of course, there’s her husband Jay-Z to consider. Jay-Z is said to have a net worth of $650 million which means that this power couple are worth over a billion dollars combined. Beyoncé’s net worth got a very nice boost this year when she performed at the Superbowl half time show.  Beyoncé performed at the Superbowl half-time show this year however the artists that performed on the night did not get paid or receive royalties for their performances. The exposure alone was enough to boost Beyoncé’s net worth to where it is now. In 2014, Beyoncé topped the Forbes Celebrity 100 list as it was estimated she earned an approximate $115 million from June 2013 – June 2014, no mean feat in itself. Beyoncé’s Musical Career Beyoncé was part of girl group, Destiny’s Child from 1997 through to 2001 before embarking on her solo career. Destiny’s Child enjoyed great success and released a number of songs that featured in well-known, successful movies including ‘Killing Time’ from ‘Men in Black’ in 1997 and ‘Independent Women Part I’ from ‘Charlie’s Angels’ in 2000. ‘Independent Woman Pat I’ became their best charting single spending eleven consecutive weeks at the number one spot on the US Billboard 100 chart. A further two albums we released by ‘Destiny’s Child’ in 2001 before the group decided to go their separate ways and pursue solo careers. Beyoncé was lead singer of Destiny’s Child before embarking on her solo career Beyoncé shot to fame as a solo artist instantly, starring in the movie ‘Austin Powers in Goldmember’ and singing the hit song from the movie ‘Work it Out’ in July of 2002. Her first solo recording came in October 2002 when she collaborated with Jay-Z on ’03 Bonnie & Clyde’. It is rumored that Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s relationship began when they first came together to work on that collaboration. Beyoncé’s debut solo album ‘Dangerously in Love’ was released in June 2003. The album has sold over 11 million copies worldwide. Jay-Z also featured on the lead single from that debut album, ‘Crazy in Love’ and that became Beyoncé’s first solo number one. The album featured another number one song ‘Baby Boy’ while other singles released off the album featured in the top five in the US charts. After the release of her first solo album, Destiny’s Child reunited to make their last studio album ‘Destiny Fulfilled’ before going on a farewell tour in 2005. Beyoncé released the album ‘B’Day’ in September 2006 to coincide with her 25th birthday. The album’s lead single ‘Déjà Vu’ featuring Jay-Z reached the top five in the US billboard hot 100 chart. In 2007, Beyoncé went on her very first worldwide tour entitled ‘The Beyoncé Experience’ visiting 97 venues in total. In 2008, Beyoncé released her third studio album which formally introduced her alter-ego ‘I Am… Sasha Fierce’. At a listening party for this album, Beyoncé used a video montage to announce that herself and Jay-Z had married earlier that year. ‘Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)’ from this album shot to the number one spot in the US charts while other releases from the album reached the top five. Beyoncé introducing alter ego ‘Sasha Fierce’ In 2011, just two days after Beyoncé became the first female solo artist to headline the


Who has played Dick Tracy, Bugsy Siegel and Clyde Barrow on film?

Warren Beatty - IMDb IMDb Actor | Soundtrack | Producer Since starring in his first film, Splendor in the Grass (1961), Warren Beatty has been said to have demonstrated a greater longevity in movies than any actor of his generation. Few people have taken so many responsibilities for all phases of the production of films as producer, director, writer, and actor, and few have evidenced so high a level of... See full bio » Born: a list of 45 people created 01 Jan 2011 a list of 45 people created 03 Feb 2011 a list of 30 people created 16 Jun 2011 a list of 36 people created 18 Oct 2014 a list of 35 people created 7 months ago Do you have a demo reel? Add it to your IMDbPage How much of Warren Beatty's work have you seen? User Polls Won     1     Oscar. Another    36 wins & 50 nominations. See more awards  » Known For Bulworth Sen. Jay Billington Bulworth (1998)  1960 One Step Beyond (TV Series) Harry Grayson Soundtrack (8 credits)   Welcome to the Basement (TV Series) (performer - 2 episodes, 2015 - 2016) (lyrics - 1 episode, 2015) (music - 1 episode, 2015) - Star Wars, Buster Keaton, Dinosaur (2016) ... (performer: "Dangerous Business") - Ishtar (2015) ... (lyrics: "Half Hour Song") / (music: "Half Hour Song") / (performer: "Half Hour Song", "Dangerous Business")  1998 Bulworth (lyrics: "Sheik of Araby", "Chiquita Banana" - as Jay Bulworth) / (performer: "Bulworth Breakdown" - as Jay Bulworth) / (writer: "Bulworth Breakdown", "Sheik of Araby", "Chiquita Banana" - as Jay Bulworth)  1990 Madonna: Blond Ambition - Japan Tour 90 (Video documentary) (performer: "Now I'm Following You")  1987 Ishtar (lyrics: "Half Hour Song") / (music: "Half Hour Song", "My Lips on Fire", "Have Not Blues") / (performer: "Dangerous Business", "Little Darlin'", "Portable Picnic", "That's Amore", "Love in My Will", "Software", "The Echo Song", "Carol", "That a Lawnmower Can Do All That", "Wardrobe of Love", "Half Hour Song", "Sitting on the Edge of My Life", "Tomorrow", "Hello Ishtar", "Harem Girl", "Brdige Over Troubled Water", "Strangers in the Night", "There's No Business Like Show Business", "My Lips on Fire", "Have Not Blues", "I Look to Mecca", "How Big Am I?")


Pearl Roundabout has been a scene of political protests, in which city is it?

Bahrain protesters reclaim Pearl roundabout in central Manama | World news | The Guardian Bahrain Bahrain protesters reclaim Pearl roundabout in central Manama The standoff in central Manama ends with troops moving out and the return of jubilant demonstrators demanding change Anti government protestors march into Pearl roundabout in Manama after the military and police left. Photograph: Caren Firouz/Reuters Saturday 19 February 2011 14.34 EST First published on Saturday 19 February 2011 14.34 EST Close This article is 5 years old Protesters have reclaimed Pearl roundabout in central Manama as a hub of anti-government dissent after security forces abruptly surrendered the site they had violently seized three days ago. Bahrain's crown prince yesterday ordered troops and riot police to withdraw from the site they had blockaded since Thursday morning. He announced a day of mourning for the seven protesters killed during a week of clashes between the tiny nation's Shia majority and forces loyal to the ruling Sunni dynasty. Around 200 more people have been wounded. By nightfall, one of the biggest public gatherings in Manama in more than 20 years had swelled to around 40,000 people, with thousands more streaming towards the roundabout that has taken on Tahrir Square-like significance in Bahrain's anti-government movement. The end to the standoff came suddenly, after brief skirmishes between scores of youths draped in Bahraini flags and retreating riot police, who peppered them with rubber bullets and tear gas before leaving. Crown Prince Salman Hamad al-Khalifa last night said the troops would not return, and protesters could remain in the area without fear. As several dozen protesters were being taken to hospital, hundreds more began descending on Pearl roundabout. By last night they were re-pitching tents. Thousands prayed, while others did victory laps, cheering ambulance drivers who were being hailed as heroes. The jubilant atmosphere was tempered by widespread distrust among demonstrators, who began their protests several weeks ago, calling for political reform, and claiming that Bahrain's Sunni minority has discriminated against the Shia majority for decades. "They will come for us again, we know they will," said one protester, Sayed Majid, as he pointed out Indian food rations left on the square by the troops. The overwhelmingly Shia demonstrators are particularly incensed that the security forces they have clashed with are mainly foreign nationals who have been given citizenship and jobs by the regime. "I know the way they think. Their pride has been wounded and they will try to strike back," he said. Fatima Majid, who had returned to her homeland to join the protests, said: "It is a mercenary corps protecting an artificial regime. The more of us they kill, the more powerful we become." Yesterday, as in previous days since the toppling of autocratic leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, this sense of defiance was felt across the region. In Algeria, hundreds of protesters calling for more democratic freedoms from President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's regime were thrwarted by riot police brandishing clubs. In Yemen, mounting dissent worsened when supporters of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, dressed in civilian clothing, opened fire on a group of students who had gathered outside the capital's Sana'a University, injuring at least four people, one critically. In the eastern province of Saudi Arabia, not far from Bahrain , Shia Muslims staged a protest to demand the release of prisoners detained without trial. The protest, reported on Rasid.com, a Shia website, was said to have been silent, with no banners for fear of provoking the authorities. There was no such restraint at Pearl roundabout, which last night had an almost folk festival feel to it, as well as a palpable sense that reform was possible. "The government is listening to us now," said Mohammed Najib. "Not because they like us, but because we are in a strong position. The world is watching us and international opinion matters." The order to withdraw troops came after a curt ph


Which TV period drama is based on the writings of Flora Thompson and features the characters Dorcas Lane, Thomas Brown and Laura Timmins?

Lark Rise to Candleford (TV Series 2008–2011) - 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 An adaptation of Flora Thompson's autobiographical novel "Lark Rise To Candleford", set in 19 century Oxfordshire, in which a young girl moves to the local market town to begin an apprenticeship as a postmistress. Creator: Dorcas gets flu and Laura runs the counter for her very ably but will not tell her that the telegraph machine is malfunctioning, Thomas has started to sleep-walk, and that threatening letters are ... 8.7 Gabriel finishes work on his steam-powered seed-planter, planning to tour the county hiring it out. He asks Alf to accompany him but Alf turns him down as his feckless mother Caroline has returned ... 8.6 Having spent the night in the pouring rain searching for Edmund Timmins, Twister Turrill finds his health in serious decline. He decides to distribute some of his personal effects to friends in Lark ... 8.4 a list of 36 titles created 19 Oct 2013 a list of 43 titles created 27 Dec 2013 a list of 21 titles created 02 Feb 2015 a list of 25 titles created 18 Mar 2015 a list of 45 titles created 30 Nov 2015 Title: Lark Rise to Candleford (2008–2011) 8.1/10 Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. 1 win & 6 nominations. See more awards  » Photos In the 1840s, Cranford is ruled by the ladies. They adore good gossip; and romance and change is in the air, as the unwelcome grasp of the Industrial Revolution rapidly approaches their beloved rural market-town. Stars: Judi Dench, Julia McKenzie, Imelda Staunton The story of a young woman who works in a department store and gets caught up in the charms of the modern world. Stars: Joanna Vanderham, Emun Elliott, Stephen Wight A new family and their servants live at the London townhouse at 165 Eaton Place in 1936. Stars: Keeley Hawes, Ed Stoppard, Adrian Scarborough Wives and Daughters (TV Mini-Series 1999) Drama The daughter of a country doctor copes with an unwanted stepmother, an impetuous stepsister, burdensome secrets, the town gossips, and the tug on her own heartstrings for a man who thinks of her only as a friend. Stars: Francesca Annis, Justine Waddell, Bill Paterson Little Dorrit (TV Mini-Series 2008) Drama | Mystery | Romance The series tells the story of Amy Dorrit, who spends her days earning money for the family and looking after her proud father, who is a long term inmate of Marshalsea debtors' prison in ... See full summary  » Stars: Claire Foy, Matthew Macfadyen, Tom Courtenay Daniel Deronda (TV Mini-Series 2002) Drama | History | Romance Set in Victorian London, Gwendolen Harleth is drawn to Daniel Deronda, a selfless and intelligent gentleman of unknown parentage, but her own desperate need for financial security may destroy her chance at happiness. Stars: Jodhi May, Edward Fox, Amanda Root Call the Midwife (TV Series 2012) Drama Chronicles the lives of a group of midwives living in East London in the late 1950s to early 1960s. Stars: Vanessa Redgrave, Jenny Agutter, Laura Main Bleak House (TV Mini-Series 2005) Drama A suspenseful tale about the injustices of the 19th Century English legal system. Stars: Anna Maxwell Martin, Denis Lawson, Carey Mulligan North & South (TV Mini-Series 2004) Drama | Romance North and South is a four part adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's love story of Margaret Hale, a middle class southerner who is forced to move to the northern town of Milton. Stars: Daniela Denby-Ashe, Richard Armitage, Tim Pigott-Smith


Which company manufactured the World War 2 'A6M Zero' fighter aircraft?

Mitsubishi A6M Zero Fighter - World War II Ceiling: 33,000 ft. Armament Guns: 2 × 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 97 machine guns (engine cowling), 2 × 20 mm (0.787 in) Type 99 cannons (wings) Bombs: Combat- 2 × 66 lb. and 1 × 132 lb. bombs, Kamikaze: 2 x fixed 550 lb. bombs A6M Zero - Design & Development: The design of the A6M Zero began in May 1937, shortly after the introduction of the Mitsubishi A5M fighter. Operating under the Imperial Japanese Navy's (IJN) specification "12-Shi," Mitsubishi and Nakajima commenced preliminary design work on a new carrier-based fighter, while waiting to receive the final requirements for the aircraft. These were issued by the IJN in October and were based upon the A5M's performance in the on-going Second Sino-Japanese War. The final specifications called for the aircraft to possess two 7.7 mm machine guns, as well as two 20 mm cannon. In addition, each airplane was to have a radio direction finder for navigation and a full radio set. For performance, the IJN required that the new design be capable of 310 mph at 13,000 ft. and possess an endurance of two hours at normal power and six to eight hours at cruising speed (with drop tanks). As the aircraft was to be carrier-based, its wingspan was limited to 39 ft. (12m). Stunned by the navy's requirements, Nakajima pulled out of the project believing that such an aircraft could not be designed. At Mitsubishi, the company's chief designer, Jiro Horikoshi, began toying around potential designs. After initial testing, Horikoshi determined that the IJN's requirements could be met, but that the aircraft would have to be extremely light. Utilizing a new, top-secret aluminum, T-7178, he created an aircraft that sacrificed protection in favor of weight and speed. As a result, the new design lacked armor to protect the pilot, as well as the self-sealing fuel tanks that were becoming standard on military aircraft. Possessing retractable landing gear and a low-wing monoplane design, the new A6M was one of the most modern fighters in the world when it completed testing. A6M Zero - Operational History: Entering service in 1940, the A6M became known as the Zero based on its official designation of Type 0 Carrier Fighter. In early 1940, the first A6M2, Model 11 Zeros arrived in China and quickly proved themselves as the best fighter in the conflict. Fitted with a 950 hp Nakajima Sakae 12 engine, the Zero swept Chinese opposition from the skies. With the new engine, the aircraft exceeded its design specifications and a new version with folding wingtips, the A6M2, Model 21, was pushed into production for carrier use. For much of World War II , the Model 21 was the version of the Zero that was encountered by Allied aviators. A superior dogfighter than the early Allied fighters, the Zero was able to out-maneuver its opposition. To combat this, Allied pilots developed specific tactics for dealing with the aircraft. These included the "Thach Weave," which required two Allied pilots working in tandem, and the "Boom-and-Zoom," which saw Allied pilots fighting on the dive or climb. In both cases, the Allies benefited from the Zero's complete lack of protection as a single burst of fire was generally enough to down the aircraft. This contrasted with Allied fighters, such as the P-40 Warhawk and F4F Wildcat , which though less maneuverable, were extremely rugged and difficult to bring down. Nevertheless, the Zero was responsible for destroying at least 1,550 American aircraft between 1941 and 1945. Never substantially updated or replaced, the Zero remained the IJN's primary fighter throughout the war. With the arrival of new Allied fighters, such as the F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair , the Zero was quickly eclipsed. Faced with superior opposition and a dwindling supply of trained pilots, the Zero saw its kill ratio drop from 1:1 to over 1:10. During the course of the war, over 11,000 A6M Zeros were produced. While Japan was the only nation to employ the aircraft on a large scale, several captured Zeros were used by the newly-proclaimed Republic of Indonesia during the Indones


Who is the founder of the Wikileaks website?

Julian Assange: Why I Founded WikiLeaks Julian Assange: Why I Founded WikiLeaks By Julian Assange On 12/24/14 at 9:35 AM WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange waves from a window with Ecuador's Foreign Affairs Minister Ricardo Patino at Ecuador's embassy in central London June 16, 2013. Chris Helgren/Reuters Julian Assange explains the radical thinking that led him to create WikiLeaks in When Google Met WikiLeaks , published by OR Books . Assange’s account of his encounter with the head of Google, Eric Schmidt, can be found here .   I looked at something that I had seen going on with the world, which is that I thought there were too many unjust acts. And I wanted there to be more just acts, and fewer unjust acts. Try Newsweek for only $1.25 per week And one can ask, “What are your philosophical axioms for this?” And I say, “I do not need to consider them. This is simply my temperament. And it is an axiom because it is that way.” That avoids getting into further unhelpful philosophical discussion about why I want to do something. It is enough that I do. In considering how unjust acts are caused, and what tends to promote them, and what promotes just acts, I saw that human beings are basically invariant. That is, their inclinations and biological temperament haven’t changed much over thousands of years. Therefore the only playing field left is: what do they have and what do they know? What they have—that is, what resources they have at their disposal, how much energy they can harness, what food supplies they have and so on—is something that is fairly hard to influence. But what they know can be affected in a nonlinear way because when one person conveys information to another they can convey it on to another, and another, in a way that is nonlinear[i]. So you can affect a lot of people with a small amount of information. Therefore, you can change the behavior of many people with a small amount of information. The question then arises as to what kinds of information will produce behavior which is just and disincentivize behavior which is unjust? All around the world there are people observing different parts of what is happening to them locally. And there are other people that are receiving information that they haven’t observed firsthand. In the middle there are people who are involved in moving information from the observers to the people who will act on information. These are three separate problems that are all tied together. I felt that there was a difficulty in taking observations and, in an efficient way, putting them into a distribution system which could then get this information to people who would act upon it. You can argue that companies like Google, for example, are involved in this “middle” business of moving information from people who have it to people who want it. The problem I saw was that this first step was crippled, and often the last step was as well, when it came to information that governments were inclined to censor. “People don’t want to be coerced, they don’t want to be killed.” We can look at this whole process as justice produced by the Fourth Estate[ii]. This description, which is partly derived from my experiences in quantum mechanics, looks at the flow of particular types of information which will effect some change in the end. The bottleneck appeared to me to be primarily in the acquisition of information that would go on to produce changes that were just. In a Fourth Estate context, the people who acquire information are sources; the people who work on information and distribute it are journalists and publishers; and the people who may act on it includes everyone. That’s a high-level construct. But it then comes down to how you practically engineer a system that solves that problem, and not just a technical system but a total system. WikiLeaks was, and is, an attempt—although still very young—at a total system. On the technical front, our first prototype was engineered for a very adverse situation where publishing would be extremely difficult and our only effective defense would be anonymity, wh


In the grounds of which house is the Emperor Fountain?

Emperor Fountain, Chatsworth (C) Robert Neilson :: Geograph Britain and Ireland IMPORTANT: Please read the Buckets Article before picking from this list Emperor Fountain, Chatsworth The Emperor Fountain in the grounds of Chatsworth House is the tallest gravity fed fountain in the world and is capable of reaching 298 feet, although its normal operation, these days, is usually limited to 200 feet. It was designed and built by Joseph Paxton in 1843. Paxton subsequently went on to design the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London. This view is taken from the first floor of the South side of Chatsworth House.


Which model of Ford car took its name from an Italian alpine resort?

Ford Cortina - Ford Wiki Ford Cortina Ford Orion The Ford Cortina is a mid-sized family car built by Ford of Britain in various guises from 1962 to 1982. The Cortina was Ford's mass-market mid-sized car and sold in enormous numbers, making it common on British roads. It was replaced in 1982 by the Ford Sierra . In other markets, particularly Asia and Australasia, it was replaced by the Mazda 626 -based Ford Telstar , though Ford New Zealand did import British-made Complete knock down kits of the Ford Sierra estate for local assembly from 1984. The Cortina was produced in five generations (Mark I through to Mark V, although officially the last one was called the Cortina 80) from 1962 until 1982. From 1970 onward, it was almost identical to the Germany-market Ford Taunus (being built on the same platform) which was originally a different car model. This was part of a Ford attempt to unify its European operations. By 1976, when the revised Taunus was launched, the Cortina was identical. In fact, this new Taunus / Cortina used the doors and some panels from the 1970 Taunus. All variants of the Cortina sold over one million, with each successive model proving more popular than its predecessor. Such was its fame in the UK that the BBC Two documentary series Arena (TV series) once devoted an edition to the car and its enthusiasts. The model's name was inspired by the name of the Italian ski resort Cortina d'Ampezzo, site of the 1956 Winter Olympics. As a publicity stunt, several Cortinas were driven down the bobsled run at the resort. Contents Ford Cortina Mark I (1962–1966) Cortina Mark I 1.2L Overhead valve "Kent" Straight-4 1.5L Overhead valve "Kent" Straight-4 Wheelbase 98 in (2489 mm) [1] Length 168.25 in (4274 mm) (saloon) 168.5 in (4280 mm) (estate) Width 56.5 in (1435 mm) (saloon) 57.75 in (1467 mm) (estate) Curb weight 1,736 lb (787 kg) (De Luxe) 2,072 lb (940 kg) (Estate) Fuel capacity Related Lotus Cortina As the 1960s dawned, British Motor Corporation were revelling in the success of their new Mini - the first successful postwar mini-car to be built in United Kingdom. Overlords at Ford felt that they could not develop a similar small car as the production cost would be too high, so instead they set about creating a larger family car which would sell in huge volumes. The result was the Cortina, a distinctively-styled car aimed at buyers of the Morris Oxford and Vauxhall Victor, that was launched in September 1962. Until a modest facelift in 1964 it was branded as the Consul Cortina before simply being sold as the Cortina. [1] The car confirmed Ford's reputation for offering a lot of car for the money: the estate version, in particular, provided class leading load capacity. Notable models were the Lotus Cortina and Cortina GT. Available with 1.2 L and 1.5 L engines in 2 and 4-door Sedan (car) and 4-door Estate car forms. Standard, Deluxe, Super and GT trims were offered but not across all body styles. Estates offered the option of fake wood side and tailgate trim, aping American-style estates, for a short time. There were two main variants of the Mark 1. The Mark 1a possessed elliptical front side-lights, whereas the Mark 1b had a re-designed front grill incorporating the squarer side-lights. Advertising of the revised version, which appeared in late 1964, made much of the newly introduced "Aeroflow" through-flow ventilation, evidenced by the extractor vents on the rear pillars. The dashboard, instruments and controls were also revised. The engines used across the Mark I range were of identical design, differing only in capacity and setup. The formula used was a 4-cylinder pushrod (Over Head Valve) design that came to be known as the "pre-crossflow" version as both inlet and exhaust ports were located on the same side of the head. The most powerful version of this engine (used in the GT Cortina) was 1498 cc (1500) and produced 78 bhp (58 kW). This engine contained a different Camshaft profile, a different cast of head featuring larger ports, tubular exhaust headers and a Weber double barrel Carburettor. Lotus Cortin