To what did the insurance company Norwich Union change its name in 2009?

Norwich Union becomes Aviva - Aviva plc Home > Media > News releases > Norwich Union becomes Aviva Norwich Union becomes Aviva 29 May 2009 On Monday, 1 June, Norwich Union, the UK’s largest insurer will complete its planned name change to Aviva as part of the group’s strategy to grow and transform as it competes globally. The international savings, investments and insurance group already trades as Aviva in most of its 28 markets across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific and the change in the UK is a key part of Aviva’s strategy of uniting the business behind a worldwide brand. Aviva has grown from the merger of a number of businesses to become the fifth largest insurer in the world providing savings, investments and insurance to around 50 million customers.  Today’s change is part of the transformation set out by Andrew Moss, chief executive, in October 2007 in the "One Aviva, twice the value" vision, which aims to maximise the company’s full potential as a global group. A consistent, recognisable name and branding across its markets around the world is an important part of Aviva’s strategy to succeed in an increasingly competitive and global marketplace. For Norwich Union customers, becoming Aviva is not just about a name change, it is also about being part of a company which is transforming itself to meet the needs of its customers. As part of a global company, Aviva customers in the UK will benefit from the group’s experience and expertise around the world, bringing improved products and services in the future. Aviva customers will also be able to log on to the newly launched website www.aviva.co.uk , which brings significantly improved capabilities allowing customers to check prices against competitors to ensure they are getting the best deal for their insurance, and to manage, change and renew their policies online.  A new market leading pension tracker system also gives new customers and advisers instant online access to their pensions. These new services are among the many changes Aviva is implementing to make life easier for its customers. Aviva is now ranked as the fourth most valuable insurance brand in the world and in the UK the name change advertising campaign has proved highly effective; public awareness of the name change soared to around 80% following the initial burst of advertising and has remained high. Reduced levels of advertising because of the current economic climate mean that Aviva has been able to advertise at lower costs, achieve greater cut-through and has benefited from extra exposure, for example, when posters have remained on billboards after the paid-for booking has ended.  Andrew Moss said: “This is a key moment for Aviva. Over the past two years we have been working hard to bring Aviva businesses around the world closer together to maximise our full potential and to build the new Aviva around the needs of our customers. For our 54,000 staff across the world we’re bringing them together as one team under a common identity and together we are totally committed to making sure our move to a global brand brings many positive changes for our customers. “Aviva’s trusted brand is one of our most valuable assets, particularly in the current economic environment when customers are looking for solid financial companies to save and invest with.  Now is the right time to invest in our brand so that it adequately reflects the improvements we’re making in the service we give to our customers.” Outside the UK, Aviva’s businesses in Ireland and Poland will complete the name change to Aviva in 2010. -ends-


Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands and West Germany were five of the original members of the European Economic Community. Name the sixth.

Common Market founded - Mar 25, 1957 - HISTORY.com Common Market founded Publisher A+E Networks On March 25, 1957, France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg sign a treaty in Rome establishing the European Economic Community (EEC), also known as the Common Market. The EEC, which came into operation in January 1958, was a major step in Europe’s movement toward economic and political union. By 1950, it was apparent that centuries of Western European world supremacy was at an end. The national markets of Europe, isolated from each other by archaic trade laws, were no match for the giant market enjoyed by the United States. And looming over Europe from the east was the Soviet Union, whose communist leaders commanded vast territory and economic resources under a single system. Many European leaders also feared the resumption of conflict between traditional European antagonists such as France and Germany, which would only diminish the European economies further. As a means of improving Europe’s economic climate and preventing war, some influential statesman and political theorists suggested economic integration. The first major step in this direction was taken in 1951, when France and West Germany formed the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), integrating their coal and steel industries. French leaders proposed the organization primarily as a means of monitoring German industry, and West German leaders immediately agreed, to allay fears of German militarization. To supervise the ECSC, several supranational bodies were established, including an executive authority, a council of ministers, an advisory assembly, and a court of justice to settle disputes. Italy and the three nations of the Benelux Economic Union–Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg–soon joined. The groundwork for the EEC was laid. On March 25, 1957, representatives of six European nations signed two treaties in Rome. One created the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for the common and peaceful development of Europe’s nuclear resources. The other created the EEC. In the Common Market, trade barriers between member nations were gradually eliminated, and common policies regarding transportation, agriculture, and economic relations with nonmember countries were implemented. Eventually, labor and capital were permitted to move freely within the boundaries of the community. The EEC, the ECSC, and Euratom were served by a single council of ministers, representative assembly, and court of justice. In 1967, the three organizations were fully merged as the European Community (EC). Britain and other European nations initially declined to join the Common Market and established the weaker European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in 1960 as an alternative. By the early 1960s, however, the Common Market nations showed signs of significant economic growth, and Britain changed its mind. Because of its close ties to the United States, however, French President Charles de Gaulle twice vetoed British admission, and Britain did not join the EC until January 1973, when Ireland and Denmark also became EC members. Greece joined in 1981, Portugal and Spain in 1986, and the former East Germany as part of reunified Germany in 1990. In early 1990s, the European Community became the basis for the European Union (EU), which was established in 1993 following ratification of the Maastricht Treaty. The treaty called for a strengthened European parliament, the creation of a central European bank and common currency, and a common defense policy. In addition to a single European common market, member states would also participate in a larger common market, called the European Economic Area. Austria, Finland, and Sweden became members of the EU in 1995. As of early 2007, there were twenty-seven member states in total, and further growth was expected. More on This Topic


Which country was the birthplace of Mo Farah, Olympic and World Champion over 5,000 and 10,000 metres?

Mo Farah wins 10,000m World Championship crown in Moscow | Daily Mail Online comments Mo Farah exacted revenge on Ibrahim Jeilan, the Ethiopian who beat him in Daegu two years ago, by emerging from a sprint finish to become Britain's first 10,000 metres world champion. If Farah was not considered in the same breath as the all time distance-running greats before this week, he certainly will be at the end of it. If he defends his 5,000m title on Friday - as most expect him to - he will become only the second man, alongside Kenenisa Bekele, to hold the Olympic and World Championship double at the same time. World champion: Mo Farah avenged his defeat to Ibrahim Jeilan in Daegu two years ago, holding off the Ethopian to claim a thrilling victory Mo worries: Farah celebrates in his customary fashion, delighting the Moscow crowd with a 'Mobot' There was no opportunity for showboating or the trademark mobot down the home straight in Moscow's Luzhniki stadium. Farah was mouth-open screaming, teeth-gritted grimacing, eye popping, flat-out sprinting and it was spine tingling. After crossing the line in 27min 21:71sec, Farah sank to his knees, kissed the luminous blue track then laid flat on his back in a crucifix pose. It had been an exhausting, combative race which ended nine seconds faster than his winning time in London. Farah said the memory of Jeilan beating him in Daegu had spurred him to victory. Over the line: Farah claims a famous victory to complete a remarkable year On the run: Farah lead the field going in to the closing stages of the race and finished with his trademark sprint finish 'I remember almost exactly the same thing happened last time, but this time I knew what he was capable of,' said Farah. 'I thought "you've got to make this worth it". I was thinking "not again, not again, not again". This is what the sport's about, these close finishes.' For the slow first half of the race, Farah floated around the field as if to enquire what his competition had to offer, eyes darting to the big screen in the stadium to check his position. On the sixth lap, he moved from last to third in the space of 200m, then dropped back to the rear of the pack with the same haste. The 30-year-old went to the front for the first time with four-and-ahalf laps to go, surrendered his lead with 900m to race and was forced wide by his training partner, American Galen Rupp, before reasserting his lead. Bowled over: Farah is overcome with emotion after the latest victory of his glittering career Untouchable: Farah beams after claiming gold 'It was quite a slow race which was perfect for me,' added Farah. 'The important thing was to stay out of trouble, but I nearly fell a couple of times. I get tripped because I have a long stride. Often Galen catches me in training.' Watching Farah sprint the final 400m after 24 laps of taut, tense racing is one of the most thrilling sights in sport. It is a shame not more people were here to see it. The interior of the Luzhniki Stadium is colourful but so vast that when only a third full, as it was last night despite tickets being available for as little as £2, it can be a soulless place. The sharp talking Jeilan said afterwards that Farah had got 'lucky,' in the sprint finish. But this was industry, not good fortune. The easy, breezy manner of Farah and his seemingly flippant nature often obscure his steel and the sacrifices necessary to reach the pinnacle of elite sport. The regime he and training partner Rupp follow includes regular training stints in the Kenyan town of Iten, supplemented this year by a high altitude training camp in Salt Lake City for most of May and June. Flying the flag: Farah got Great Britain's World Championships off to the perfect start Over the moon: Farah kisses the track after claiming victory It is not the 20-mile runs three times a week or the punishing 1,600m circuits that grind Farah down, but the time away from his wife, Tania, seven-year-old Rianna and his 11-month-old twin daughters, Aisha and Amani, born just after the Olympics. '


Which part of the body is affected by the disease trachoma?

Trachoma: Read Treatment and Symptom Information Medical Author: Frank J. Weinstock, MD, FACS Frank J. Weinstock, MD, FACS Dr. Weinstock is a board-certified ophthalmologist. He practices general ophthalmology in Canton, Ohio, with a special interest in contact lenses. He holds faculty positions of Professor of Ophthalmology at the Northeastern Ohio Colleges of Medicine and Affiliate Clinical Professor in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Biomedical Science at Florida Atlantic University. Medical Editor: Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS Andrew A. Dahl, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist. Dr. Dahl's educational background includes a BA with Honors and Distinction from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, and an MD from Cornell University, where he was selected for Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. He had an internal medical internship at the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center. Share Your Story Trachoma is a contagious bacterial infection which affects the conjunctival covering of the eye, the cornea , and the eyelids. It is often associated with poverty and lack of proper hygiene. Trachoma is caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria and is essentially totally preventable and curable. It is the leading infectious cause of blindness in the world. Approximately 80 million people in the world have active trachoma. The majority of these are children. The disease is found predominantly in poor tropical or semi-tropical countries. How does trachoma manifest itself? Trachoma affects the eyelids and conjunctiva (outside covering) of the eye, usually with very little discomfort until later in the disease. When infected, the conjunctival covering of the eye becomes red and irritated (inflamed). Repeated infections by the trachoma bacteria are common and, unless treated, can result in scarring of the conjunctival surface of the lids. The lids become scarred and the lid margins may turn in, causing eye irritation and pain followed by scarring of the cornea by the inward-turned lashes (trichiasis), which scrape the cornea. Corneal scarring results in decreased or total loss of vision. In order to see properly, it is necessary for the cornea (front window of the eye) to remain clear. What is the cause of trachoma? Although trachoma is caused by a small parasitic bacteria, poor sanitation, unclean water supply, and reduced personal and community hygiene allow the bacteria to infect and reinfect eyes of individuals living in endemic areas. Prevention of vision loss requires adequate, prompt treatment, in addition to education and teaching proper hygiene to the parents and children. Trachoma is an ancient disease and was once prevalent throughout the world except in colder climates. It has been eliminated in more advanced countries but is still endemic in about 55 third-world nations, primarily in Africa and the Middle East. Approximately 10 million people have significant visual loss from the corneal scarring caused by trachoma. Trachoma is spread by direct or indirect contact with eye, nose, or throat secretions of an individual with trachoma, or indirectly via flies or other insects carrying those secretions on their legs or bodies. Common denominators are poor hygiene , unsanitary water supplies, and shared towels. It is most common in small children (3-5 years of age) who spread it to their siblings, mothers, and playmates. Within endemic areas, the incidence of the infection is highly variable from village to village and concentrates in families or other pockets. Throughout the entire world, Chlamydia trachomatis also causes sexually transmitted disease and conjunctivitis of the newborn , transmitted from the mother during the birth process. Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 6/11/2015


Which country has the two letters internet domain code MD?

VC - Internet Country Abbreviations Internet Country Abbreviations Color: [ Red = unvisited ] [ Blue = visited ] Ever wonder what country a given email or posting is from? Can't remember if CA is Canada or California? Answer: Canada is correct. California does not have its own code. It is not a country, but don't tell the natives there. They sometimes think it is. I know. I live with them. Ever wonder if ES is Estonia? Answer: ES is Spain where people speak Spanish (Think "Espana," the name used by many to mean Spain). EE is Estonia where people speak Estonian. Well, here is a list culled from different Internet sources, sorted 2 ways: by the two-letter country code and by the country name. Note: You may also visit Domain name registries around the world for a more complete and up to date list that includes more than just country codes, for example, gov for US Government, edu for Educational, mil for US Dept of Defense, org for Organizations, name for Personal, etc. Go to: [ Home Page | Top | Sorted by code | Sorted by country | Bottom ] Abbreviations sorted by country code AC Ascension Island   AD Andorra   AE United Arab Emirates   AF Afghanistan   AG Antigua and Barbuda   AI Anguilla   AL Albania   AM Armenia   AN Netherlands Antilles   AO Angola   AQ Antarctica   AR Argentina   AS American Samoa   AT Austria   AU Australia   AW Aruba   AZ Azerbaijan   BA Bosnia and Herzegovina   BB Barbados   BD Bangladesh   BE Belgium   BF Burkina Faso   BG Bulgaria   BH Bahrain   BI Burundi   BJ Benin   BM Bermuda   BN Brunei Darussalam   BO Bolivia   BR Brazil   BS Bahamas   BT Bhutan   BV Bouvet Island   BW Botswana   BY Belarus   BZ Belize   CA Canada   CC Cocos (Keeling Islands)   CF Central African Republic   CG Congo   CH Switzerland   CI Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)   CK Cook Islands   CL Chile   CM Cameroon   CN China   CO Colombia   CR Costa Rica   CU Cuba   CV Cape Verde   CX Christmas Island   CY Cyprus   CZ Czech Republic   DE Germany   DJ Djibouti   DK Denmark   DM Dominica   DO Dominican Republic   DZ Algeria   EC Ecuador   EE Estonia   EG Egypt   EH Western Sahara   ER Eritrea   ES Spain   ET Ethiopia   EU Europe   FI Finland   FJ Fiji   FK Falkland Islands (Malvinas)   FM Micronesia   FO Faroe Islands   FR France   FX France, Metropolitan   GA Gabon   GB United Kingdom   GD Grenada   GE Georgia   GF French Guiana   GH Ghana   GI Gibraltar   GL Greenland   GM Gambia   GN Guinea   GP Guadeloupe   GQ Equatorial Guinea   GR Greece   GS S. Georgia and S. Sandwich Isls.   GT Guatemala   GU Guam   GW Guinea-Bissau   GY Guyana   HK Hong Kong   HM Heard and McDonald Islands   HN Honduras   HR Croatia (Hrvatska)   HT Haiti   HU Hungary   ID Indonesia   IE Ireland   IL Israel   IN India   IO British Indian Ocean Territory   IQ Iraq   IR Iran   IS Iceland   IT Italy   JM Jamaica   JO Jordan   JP Japan   KE Kenya   KG Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyz Republic)   KH Cambodia   KI Kiribati   KM Comoros   KN Saint Kitts and Nevis   KP Korea (North) (People's Republic)   KR Korea (South) (Republic)   KW Kuwait   KY Cayman Islands   KZ Kazakhstan   LA Laos   LB Lebanon   LC Saint Lucia   LI Liechtenstein   LK Sri Lanka   LR Liberia   LS Lesotho   LT Lithuania   LU Luxembourg   LV Latvia   LY Libya   MA Morocco   MC Monaco   MD Moldova   MG Madagascar   MH Marshall Islands   MK Macedonia   ML Mali   MM Myanmar   MN Mongolia   MO Macau   MP Northern Mariana Islands   MQ Martinique   MR Mauritania   MS Montserrat   MT Malta   MU Mauritius   MV Maldives   MW Malawi   MX Mexico   MY Malaysia   MZ Mozambique   NA Namibia   NC New Caledonia   NE Niger   NF Norfolk Island   NG Nigeria   NI


From which language do we get the words 'apartheid' and 'yacht'?

Ten Dutch words that made it into English | The Netherlands by numbers The Netherlands by numbers People, habits, things, places – you name it, we list it Menu 26 Replies Dutch may be a struggle to learn but hey, you know a good few Dutch words already. Here’s 10 that have sneaked into the English language. 1. Baas turned into boss. The true origin of the word is a bit blurry but a Dutch ship’s captain was called ‘baas’ in the 17th century, as, presumably, in ‘De baas heeft de Britten weer eens een poepje laten ruiken’, or The boss licked the Brits in another sea battle’. A vrolijke Dutch family 2. Vrolijk (cheerful, jolly) found its way into English as frolic, a romp. Possibly this reflects the historic  perception of the Dutch as gin-swilling, heavy-footed merry makers. Now the Dutch can be as elegantly vrolijk as the next nationality. 3. Grof (coarse) turned into gruff in English. Is this another character trait attributed to the Dutch? It is called ‘direct’ in today’s speech. 4. Kielhalen became keelhauling, probably because the Dutch liked to do a lot of it. It’s one of many nautical terms the seafaring Dutch contributed to the English language. Baas (boss), sloep (sloop), yacht (yacht), schoener (schooner) and, inevitably, wrak (wreck) are some of them. 5. Kwakzalver was shortened to quack. Have a look at Jan Steen’s version of one in the Rijksmuseum. His paintings provide an interesting peek into the lives of ordinary people in the 17th century. Don’t take more than one 6. Koekje became cookie. ‘Koekje erbij?’, or would you like a cookie with that? was a successful advertisement slogan for Liga biscuits which made fun of the Dutch idea that things don’t get ‘gezelli’ until you are offered a biscuit. 7. Dijk turned into dike. Well, obviously. The Dutch never stopped talking about dikes and the word seeped into the English language through sheer force of usage. There is no escaping accijns 8. Accijns turned into excise by way of excijs, or tax. A Dutch invention if ever there was one. 9. Droge waere. A middle Dutch phrase meaning ‘dry wares’. This may be the origin of ‘drugs’ (drugs (medication) consisted of herbs) (pronounced ‘druks’ in Dutch as in Hij is aan de druks, he is on drugs) 10. Polder, pomp became polder and pump, another obvious reference to the Dutch obsession with getting that darned water out and keeping it out. Share this:


Which novel of 1813 begins 'It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife'?

Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice, Chapter I of Volume I (Chap. 1) Go to table of contents. IT is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters. ``My dear Mr. Bennet ,'' said his lady to him one day, ``have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?'' Mr. Bennet replied that he had not. ``But it is,'' returned she; ``for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.'' Mr. Bennet made no answer. ``Do not you want to know who has taken it?'' cried his wife impatiently. ``You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.'' This was invitation enough. ``Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas , and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.'' ``What is his name?'' `` Bingley .'' ``Is he married or single?'' ``Oh! single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for our girls!'' ``How so? how can it affect them?'' ``My dear Mr. Bennet ,'' replied his wife, ``how can you be so tiresome! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.'' ``Is that his design in settling here?'' ``Design! nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely that he may fall in love with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes.'' ``I see no occasion for that. You and the girls may go, or you may send them by themselves, which perhaps will be still better; for, as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Bingley might like you the best of the party.'' ``My dear, you flatter me. I certainly have had my share of beauty, but I do not pretend to be any thing extraordinary now. When a woman has five grown up daughters, she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty.'' ``In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think of.'' ``But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Bingley when he comes into the neighbourhood.'' ``It is more than I engage for, I assure you.'' ``But consider your daughters. Only think what an establishment it would be for one of them. Sir William and Lady Lucas are determined to go, merely on that account, for in general, you know they visit no new comers. Indeed you must go, for it will be impossible for us to visit him, if you do not.'' ``You are over-scrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr. Bingley will be very glad to see you; and I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying which ever he chuses of the girls; though I must throw in a good word for my little Lizzy .'' ``I desire you will do no such thing. Lizzy is not a bit better than the others; and I am sure she is not half so handsome as Jane , nor half so good humoured as Lydia . But you are always giving her the preference.'' ``They have none of them much to recommend them,'' replied he; ``they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters.'' `` Mr. Bennet , how can you abuse your own children in such way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion on my poor nerves.'' ``You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least.'' ``Ah! you do not know what I suffer.'' ``But I hope you will get over it, and live to see many young men of four thousand a year come into the neighbourhood.'' ``It will be no use to us if twenty such should come, since you will not visit them.'' ``Depend upon it, my d


In 1990, which male runner held world records simultaneously at 1500, 2000, 3000, 5000 metres?

SaÃ¯d Aouita (Champion) - Pics, Videos, Dating, & News SaÃ¯d Aouita Male Born Nov 2, 1959 SaÃ¯d Aouita is a former Moroccan track and field athlete. He won the 5000 meters at the 1984 Summer Olympics and the 1987 World Championships in Athletics, as well as the 3000 meters at the 1989 IAAF World Indoor Championships. He is a former world record holder over 1500 metres, 2000 m, 3000 m, and twice at 5000 m . Aouita was one of the first globally-known Arab sportspeople.…  Read More related links Tanger Ã  L'heure De L'athlÃ©tisme  Le Matin.Ma Google News - Sep 13, 2011 'La 3e Ã©dition avait connu la prÃ©sence de trois invitÃ©s d'honneur, en l'occurrence le sauteur en hauteur, le Cubain Soto Mayor, recordman du monde (2,45m), l'ancien champion du monde et olympique marocain Said Aouita, multiple recordman du monde et le' 4Ã¨ Meeting International Moulay Al Hassan: ConfÃ©rence De Presse Lundi Ã  Casablanca  Aufait Maroc Google News - Sep 09, 2011 '... en l'occurrence le sauteur en hauteur, le Cubain Soto Mayor, recordman du monde (2,45m), l'ancien champion du monde et olympique marocain Said Aouita, multiple recordman du monde et le cÃ©lÃ¨bre athlÃ¨te et entraÃ®neur amÃ©ricain John Smith' L'athlÃ©tisme National Hors Course  Lesoir Echos.Com Google News - Sep 07, 2011 'Depuis la retraite des grandes stars de l'athlÃ©tisme national, Said Aouita, Khakid Skah, Nawal Moutawakil, Hicham El Guerrouj, Nezha Bidouane, Brahim Boutayab, Khalid Boulami, Zahra Ouaziz, entre autres, l'athlÃ©tisme national a chutÃ© d'une maniÃ¨re' Kenya/Asbel Kiprop: The Kenyan Who Once Again Conquered The 1500 M  Star Africa.Com Google News - Sep 06, 2011 '... (Morocco) 1999: Hicham El Guerroudj (Morocco) 1997: Hicham El Guerroudj (Morocco) 1995: Noureddine Morceli (Algeria) 1993: Noureddine Morceli (Algeria) 1991: Noureddine Morceli (Algeria) 1987: Said Aouita (Morocco) 1983: Steve Cram (England) Panoramic' Learn about the memorable moments in the evolution of SaÃ¯d Aouita. CHILDHOOD 1959 Birth SaÃ¯d Aouita was born on November 2, 1959 in Kenitra, a coastal Moroccan city. … Read More Nine years later, he moved along with his family to Fes due to the nature of his father's work. As a child he spent most of his time playing football and wanted to be a great footballer; however, his outstanding skills in running made his coaches foresee a great future in track and field. Read Less TWENTIES Show Less Aouita had his first start towards stardom at the 1983 World Championships in Athletics held in Helsinki. … Read More He contested the 1500 m and finished third in the final, taking the bronze medal, after the pace slowed in the last 1000 meters and then finished with a sprint. Read Less Said Aouita married Khadija Skhir in 1983, one year before the 1984 Olympic Games. … Read More Khadija Skhir is Said Aouita's biggest supporter, and together they have four children: one son, Adil, and three daughters; Soukaina, Sarah, and Zeena. The two eldest daughters, Soukaina and Sarah, were both named by the king of Morocco, Hassan II. Said Aouita's wife, Khadija Skhir is equally interested in sports as she holds a 3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo. Aouita's two eldest daughters are both in the medical field, his son, Adil, is a film director and producer, and his youngest daughter, Zeena, is in the music field of singing and songwriting.

 After his athletics career ended, Aouita worked with mixed success as a consultant for numerous sport institutions, as Technical National Manager in Morocco, and National Distance Coach in Australia thanks not only to his fruitful field experience, but also to his academic competences. Now, Aouita is working as Senior Analyst for Al Jazeera Sports channel. Read Less …  SaÃ¯d Aouita (born November 2, 1959) is a former Moroccan track and field athlete. Read Less He won the 5000 meters at the 1984 Summer Olympics and the 1987 World Championships in Athletics, as well as the 3000 meters at the 1989 IAAF World Indoor Championships. … Read More He is a former world record holder over 1500 metres (


Who is the only American to be honoured in Poets' Corner at Westminster Abbey?

Westminster Abbey » Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Home > History > People >             Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Born: 27 Feb, 1807 Location in the Abbey: South transept, poets corner Type of memorial: Bust Type of material: Marble The over life-size white marble bust of the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was unveiled in Poets' Corner Westminster Abbey in 1884, on a pillar near to the tomb of Geoffrey Chaucer. It is by the sculptor Sir Thomas Brock and the main inscription reads: "LONGFELLOW. This bust was placed amongst the memorials of the poets of England by the English admirers of an American poet.1884" On the left and right sides of the plinth is inscribed: "Born at Portland, U.S.A. February 27th 1807. Died at Cambridge, U.S.A. March 24th 1882". Longfellow's ancestor, William Longfellow, had emigrated to New England in 1676 from Yorkshire. His parents were Stephen, a lawyer, and Zilpah. Henry taught at Harvard University and his prose romance Hyperion was published in 1839 after the death of his first wife. Ballads and other Poems includes 'The Village Blacksmith' and 'The Wreck of the Hesperus'. The Song of Hiawatha is one of his best known works and he was second only to Lord Tennyson in popularity. His grave is in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A photograph of his bust can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library. Further reading:


In the human body, what is produced by the islets of langerhans in the pancreas?

Definition of Islets of Langerhans Definition of Islets of Langerhans Causes of a Heart Attack Slideshow Islets of Langerhans: Known as the insulin -producing tissue, the islets of Langerhans do more than that. They are groups of specialized cells in the pancreas that make and secrete hormones. Named after the German pathologist Paul Langerhans (1847-1888), who discovered them in 1869, these cells sit in groups that Langerhans likened to little islands in the pancreas. There are five types of cells in an islet: alpha cells that make glucagon , which raises the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood; beta cells that make insulin; delta cells that make somatostatin which inhibits the release of numerous other hormones in the body; and PP cells and D1 cells, about which little is known. Degeneration of the insulin-producing beta cells is the main cause of type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Last Editorial Review: 5/13/2016


What is the name of the 2002 film directed by Steven Spielberg in which Leonardo DiCaprio starred as real life con man Frank Abagnale?

Catch Me If You Can (2002) - 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 Catch Me If You Can ( 2002 ) PG-13 | The true story of Frank Abagnale Jr. who, before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars' worth of checks as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and legal prosecutor. Director: From $2.99 (SD) on Amazon Video ON DISC a list of 29 titles created 16 Nov 2012 a list of 23 titles created 26 Jan 2015 a list of 38 titles created 27 Mar 2015 a list of 49 titles created 15 Oct 2015 a list of 27 titles created 3 months ago Title: Catch Me If You Can (2002) 8/10 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. Nominated for     2     Oscars. Another    12 wins & 39 nominations. See more awards  » Videos After John Nash , a brilliant but asocial mathematician, accepts secret work in cryptography, his life takes a turn for the nightmarish. Director: Ron Howard In 1954, a U.S. marshal investigates the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane. Director: Martin Scorsese Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort , from his rise to a wealthy stock-broker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government. Director: Martin Scorsese An insurance salesman/adjuster discovers his entire life is actually a television show. Director: Peter Weir An undercover cop and a mole in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston. Director: Martin Scorsese Will Hunting, a janitor at M.I.T., has a gift for mathematics, but needs help from a psychologist to find direction in his life. Director: Gus Van Sant Directors: Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez, and 1 more credit  » Stars: Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Bruce Willis Forrest Gump, while not intelligent, has accidentally been present at many historic moments, but his true love, Jenny Curran, eludes him. Director: Robert Zemeckis The lives of guards on Death Row are affected by one of their charges: a black man accused of child murder and rape, yet who has a mysterious gift. Director: Frank Darabont A determined woman works with a hardened boxing trainer to become a professional. Director: Clint Eastwood Two detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi. Director: David Fincher A boy who communicates with spirits that don't know they're dead seeks the help of a disheartened child psychologist. Director: M. Night Shyamalan Edit Storyline New Rochelle, the 1960s. High schooler Frank Abagnale Jr. idolizes his father, who's in trouble with the IRS. When his parents separate, Frank runs away to Manhattan with $25 in his checking account, vowing to regain dad's losses and get his parents back together. Just a few years later, the FBI tracks him down in France; he's extradited, tried, and jailed for passing more than $4,000,000 in bad checks. Along the way, he's posed as a Pan Am pilot, a pediatrician, and an attorney. And, from nearly the beginning of this life of crime, he's been pursued by a dour FBI agent, Carl Hanratty. What starts as cat and mouse becomes something akin to father and son. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com> The true story of a real fake. See more  » Genres: Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and brief language | See all certifications  » Parents Guide: 25 December 2002 (USA) See more  » Also Known As: Atrápame si puedes See more  » Filming Locations: $30,082,000        (USA) (27 December 2002) Gross: Did You Know? Trivia Some FBI agents did occasionally chase Abagnale, but he didn't have a relationship with any of them, and he certainly didn't call them every Christmas. As Abagnale himself points out with flawless logic: "Why would I do that? I didn't want the FBI to know where I was." See more » Goofs As Frank fi


Baklava, a pastry sweetened with honey, originated in which country?

The Baklava Guy - Authentic Old-World Baklava The Baklava Guy Served at coffee shops throughout Boulder County.   Serving Suggestion There are few treats as satisfying as a cup of cappuccino with a piece     of traditional baklava Authentic The History of Baklava The history of Baklava is as diverse as the number of ways it is prepared     and the number of countries that claim its origins. Is it generally     accepted that Baklava came to us from the Assyrians at around 8th century     B.C. Layering nuts with a simple unleavened flat bread and drenched     with honey. As only the wealthy of the time can afford this simple luxury,     baklava was held as a special dessert for those in high positions of     society such as monarchs and kings. In Turkey, to this day, one can     hear a common expression: "I am not rich enough to eat Baklava     every day". The basic ingredients of Baklava are nuts, flat bread (phyllo) and syrup     or honey. The type of nuts or the syrup ingredients often suggest the     origin of the recipe. Syrup with rose water and cardamom would most likely     be from the Arab countries. While syrup with cinnamon and cloves would     most likely from the Balkan peninsula. As there are many countries within close proximity of each other, Baklava     spread to other areas and evolved with new techniques and fillings. The Phyllo we know today also has a long and interesting history. Phyllo     dough was not born in Greece, but rather in Istanbul during the Ottoman     reign. But the Greeks can lay claim to creating the paper-thin version.     It is well known that the Turks brought Baklava to Central Europe. A     close relative to phyllo is strudel dough. Phyllo and strudel dough shares     the same ingredients, wheat flour, water and fat (oil or butter). Both     are rolled out, with phyllo being much thinner. Until 1946 Phyllo was always made by hand. Pressing and stretching and     pressing and stretching for hours until a large dinning room table is     covered with paper thin dough. In 1946 Le Conie Stiles of Seattle, Washington,     invented the Phyllo-stretching machine. ( US Patent 2,627,825 ) Now anyone     can buy Phyllo to make all sorts of Phyllo filled items with sweet and     savory ingredients. Baklava in America Most    Americans know Baklava from Greek and Middle Eastern restraunts and delicatessens.    There we have found that most are drippingly sweet with sugar and honey.    After years of discussion with immigrants to America, I have found that    this overly sweet version is made here in the US but not as often in other    parts of the world. I have found that the immigrants from the turn of last century (1900)     Baklava was made as a very special treat. Making Phyllo by hand and filling     the Phyllo with nuts from the harvest of their new homeland. Compared     to the old country, nuts and honey were being nearly given away here     in America. Filling their own special treats with more sugar and honey,     was a sign of wealth in this new country. With the syrupy, sticky, sweet     treat, family and friends would now know of the wealth these new Americas     had come to enjoy. .


Which was the first US City to host the Summer Olympics?

US-HOSTED OLYMPICS | Beijing, China - Embassy of the United States Embassy of the United States US-HOSTED OLYMPICS US-HOSTED OLYMPICS The United States has hosted eight times of Olympic Games, four times each for the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. The U.S. hosted its first Olympics in 1904 in St. Louis, Missouri. The last U.S.-hosted summer Olympics were held in Atlanta in 1996, preceded by Los Angeles in 1984 and 1932 and by St. Louis in 1904. The most recent winter Olympics in the U.S. were held in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2002. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), is the umbrella organization for the Olympics. The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), the National Olympic Committee for the U.S., is responsible for the training, competition opportunities and welfare of American athletes. The United States is the country that has hosted the Olympic Games the most often. After the USA, France has hosted the most Olympic Games -- five, including the 1992 Olympic Winter Games. US-hosted Summer Olympic Games:


In 2005, who became the youngest person ever to be made a Dame of the British Empire?

At 28, she's probably the youngest ever dame | UK news | The Guardian At 28, she's probably the youngest ever dame Tuesday 8 February 2005 19.48 EST First published on Tuesday 8 February 2005 19.48 EST Share on Messenger Close Ellen MacArthur is not only the youngest women to be honoured for circumnavigating the globe, she is also thought to be the youngest ever created a dame. The 28-year-old follows a distinguished line of nautical pioneers rewarded by Downing Street for their achievement in sailing round the world. In modern times, a flotilla of solo yachtsmen and women have been recognised for their battles of endurance with the oceans. Sir Francis Chichester was knighted in 1967 for being the first to complete the voyage, stopping only once en route. Two years later, Robin Knox Johnson became the first person to sail around the world non-stop. He had to wait until 1995, however, before being granted his knighthood. Likewise, Chay Blyth, who in 1971 became the first person to sail single-handed around the world westwards - against prevailing winds and currents - was not knighted until 1997. Previously the youngest woman to be honoured was the New Zealander Dame Naomi James. She was 29 when she was rewarded for breaking the solo round-the-world sailing record by two days in 1979. She was also the first woman to sail solo around the globe via Cape Horn. Circumnavigating the globe has commanded the popular imagination and been officially rewarded since the 16th century. Sir Francis Drake, who became the first Englishman to succeed in 1580, received £10,000 from Queen Elizabeth I. The Cabinet Office yesterday said it believed Ms MacArthur was the youngest ever dame, but admitted that in the years following the creation of the honour in 1917 it was considered impertinent to record a woman's age. Announcing the honour, Downing Street said: "The Queen has been pleased to approve that Ellen Patricia MacArthur MBE be appointed a Dame Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire on the occasion of her record-breaking, solo circumnavigation." Tony Blair said "the whole country was proud of her".


Which song, which opened The Beatles first album in 1963, has the opening line 'Well, she was just seventeen - you know what I mean'?

The Beatles I Saw Her Standing There with Lyrics High Quality Audio (rare) - YouTube The Beatles I Saw Her Standing There with Lyrics High Quality Audio (rare) Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Uploaded on Feb 21, 2011 A lesser heard version. No "1,2,3,4" at beginning. "I Saw Her Standing There" is a song written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, and is the opening track on The Beatles' debut album, Please Please Me, released in the United Kingdom by Parlophone on 22 March 1963. In December 1963, Capitol Records released the song in the United States as the B-side on the label's first single by The Beatles, "I Want to Hold Your Hand". While the A-side topped the US Billboard charts for seven weeks starting 18 January 1964, "I Saw Her Standing There" entered the Billboard Hot 100 on 8 February 1964, remaining there for 11 weeks, peaking at #14. The song placed on the Cashbox charts for only one week at #100 on the same day of its Billboard debut. In 2004, "I Saw Her Standing There" was ranked #139 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song was a Lennon and McCartney collaboration based on McCartney's initial idea. Originally titled "Seventeen", the song was apparently conceived by McCartney while driving home from a Beatles' concert in Southport, Lancashire and later completed at his Forthlin Road home with Lennon. McCartney later described in Beat Instrumental how he went about the song's composition: "Here's one example of a bit I pinched from someone: I used the bass riff from 'Talkin' About You' by Chuck Berry in 'I Saw Her Standing There'. I played exactly the same notes as he did and it fitted our number perfectly. Even now, when I tell people, I find few of them believe me; therefore, I maintain that a bass riff hasn't got to be original". The lyrics were written on a Liverpool Institute exercise book. Remember, a book by McCartney's brother Mike McCartney, includes a photograph of Lennon and McCartney writing the song while strumming guitars and reading the exercise book. It was typical of how Lennon and McCartney would work in partnership, as McCartney later commented: "I had 'She was just seventeen,' and then 'Beauty queen'. When I showed it to John, he screamed with laughter, and said 'You're joking about that line, aren't you?'" "It was one of the first times he ever went 'What? Must change that...'" The songwriting credit on the Please Please Me liner notes is "McCartney/Lennon" which differs from the more familiar "Lennon/McCartney" that appears on subsequent releases. The song was recorded at EMI Studios on 11 February 1963, as part of the marathon recording session that produced 10 of the 14 songs on Please Please Me. The Beatles were not present for the mixing session on 25 February 1963. It was not common practice for bands to be present at such sessions at that time. On the album, the song starts with a rousing "One, two, three, four!" count-in by McCartney. Usually, these count-ins are edited off the final audio mix. However, record producer George Martin wanted to create the effect that the album was a live performance: "I had been up to the Cavern and I'd seen what they could do, I knew their repertoire, and I said 'Lets record every song you've got, come down to the studios and we'll just whistle through them in a day'". Martin took the count-in from take 9, which was considered 'especially spirited' and spliced it onto take 1. Music journalist Richard Williams suggested that this dramatic introduction to their debut album was just as stirring as Elvis Presley's "Well, it's one for the money, two for the show..." on his opening track, "Blue Suede Shoes", for his debut album seven years earlier. In addition it also made the point that The Beatles were a performing band as, at that time, they opened their live set with this song. On the first American


What is the modern name of the island group which were known to the ancient Romans as 'The Fortune Islands'?

Lonely Planet Travel Guides and Travel Information Tourism, ‘nationalism’ & current events Mythological beginnings We can’t pinpoint the date of the discovery of the islands now known as the Canaries, but we can say with certainty that they were known, or at least postulated about, in ancient times. In his dialogues Timaeus and Critias, Plato (428–348 BC) spoke of Atlantis, a continent sunk deep into the ocean floor in a great cataclysm that left only the peaks of its highest mountains above the water. Whether Plato believed in the lost continent’s existence or had more allegorical intentions remains a matter of conjecture. In the centuries since Plato’s death, those convinced of the existence of Atlantis have maintained that Macronesia (the Canary Islands, the Azores, Cape Verde and Madeira) constitutes the visible remains of the lost continent. Legend also has it that one of the 12 labours of Hercules was to go to the end of the world and bring back golden apples guarded by the Hesperides (daughters of evening), offspring of Hesperis and Atlas, the latter a Titan in Greek and Roman mythology who gave his name to the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlas mountain ranges in Morocco . Hercules supposedly had to go beyond the Pillars of Hercules (the modern Strait of Gibraltar ) to reach the paradisiacal home of these maidens. Hercules carried out his task and returned from what many later thought could only have been the Canary Islands – about the only place to fit the ancients’ description. Classical writer Homer identified the islands as Elysium, a place where the righteous spent their afterlife. For all their storytelling, there is no concrete evidence that either the Phoenicians or Greeks ever landed on the Canaries. It is entirely possible, however, that early reconnaissance of the North African Atlantic coast by the Phoenicians and their successors, the Carthaginians, took at least a peek at the easternmost islands of the archipelago. Some historians believe a Phoenician expedition landed on the islands in the 12th century BC, and that the Carthaginian Hanno turned up there in 470 BC. The expanding Roman Empire defeated Carthage in the Third Punic War in 146 BC, but the Romans appear not to have been overly keen to investigate the fabled islands, which they knew as the Insulae Fortunatae (Fortunate Isles). A century-and-a-half later, shortly after the birth of Christ, the Romans received vaguely reliable reports on them, penned by Pliny the Elder (AD 23–79) and based upon accounts of an expedition carried out around 40 BC by Juba II, a client king in Roman North Africa. In AD 150, Ptolemy fairly accurately located the islands’ position with a little dead reckoning, tracing an imaginary meridian line marking the end of the known world through El Hierro . ^ Back to top The islands’ original inhabitants The origin of the islands’ first inhabitants has long been a source of mystery, with theories being volleyed about for decades but none accepted as definitive. Everyone agrees that the Canary Islands had no indigenous population and that they’ve been inhabited since before the birth of Christ. So the people living here had to come from somewhere. But the question was, where? The Spanish conquistadors’ tales of Tinerfeños being tall, blonde and blue-eyed fostered many convoluted theories about how Celtic immigrants from mainland Iberia, possibly even related to the Basques, somehow made their way to the island. More fancifully, some saw a drop of Nordic blood in them – did Norse raiding parties land here in the 8th or 9th centuries? Recently, however, historians using archaeological, cultural and linguistic studies have thrown out these theories in favour of a simpler, if more boring, one. Spotting similarities between the dwellings, burial practices and rock carvings of the various ancient tribes living in the Canaries and the Libyan-Berber peoples of North Africa, they’ve concluded that the original inhabitants of the islands came from the Maghrib, the area spanning from present-day Tunisia to Morocco . Place names and the hand


Which British male athlete won a gold medal in each of the four events he competed in at the 2012 Summer Paralympics?

London 2012 Paralympics - Ceremonies, Medals, Torch Relay London 2012 Qualification Criteria SPORTS The Games featured 20 sports, most of which took place in London with the exception of Sailing at Weymouth and Portland, Rowing at Eton Dorney and Road Cycling which was staged at Brands Hatch. Archery Para athletics Boccia Cycling Equestrian Football 5-a-side Football 7-a-side Goalball Judo Para powerlifting Rowing Sailing Shooting Para sport Para swimming Table tennis Sitting volleyball Wheelchair basketball Wheelchair fencing Wheelchair rugby Wheelchair tennis TORCH RELAY IPC President Sir Philip Craven was among the first five Torchbearers to carry the London 2012 Paralympic Flame after it was created at an emotional ceremony at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. He was joined by four other legends of the Paralympics – Baroness Susan Masham of Ilton, Caz Walton, Sally Haynes and Jane Blackburn – after the four national flames were joined at the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement. The Paralympic Flame then left on a 92-mile journey to the Olympic Stadium in a 24-hour torch relay that involved 580 Torchbearers working in teams of five. Prior to the Stoke Mandeville event, National Flames were created at the summit of the highest peaks of the four home nations: Scafell Pike (England), Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa (Wales), Ben Nevis (Scotland) and Slieve Donard (Northern Ireland). The four individual Flames were then placed in a miner's lantern and transferred to the nation's capital cities. Paralympic celebrations took place in London, Belfast Edinburgh and Cardiff. Find out more about the London 2012 Torch Relay here. OPENING CEREMONY London 2012 launched in unforgettable style with leading scientist Professor Stephen Hawking and renowned actor Sir Ian McKellen appearing in a memorable event. The Ceremony took the form of a play, with Hawking introducing proceedings before Sir Ian took over, taking the role of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest and guiding the principle character Miranda through the evening’s proceedings. All of the athletes received a huge ovation when they entered an Olympic Stadium drenched in colour, before gathering in the centre to play their part in the remainder of the ceremony. The Games were officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, before Royal Marine Joe Townsend brought the Paralympic Flame into the stadium. Great Britain 5-a-side footballer David Clarke carried the Flame on, before the country’s first ever Paralympic gold medalist Margaret Maughan lit the Paralympic Cauldron. MEDALS For the third consecuitve Games China topped the medals table winning 231 in total. This was 20 more than they won on homesoil in 2008 underlining their position as the Paralympic superpower. After finishing eighth in 2008, Russia showed the greatest imporvement climbing to second overall with 36 gold medals. Host nation Great Britain, who won 18 more medals than in Beijing, finished third whilst Ukraine and Australia finished fourth and fifth for the second consecutive Games. In total 75 of the 164 competing countries won at least one medal. OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES Swimmers were the athletes to take home the most medals from London 2012 with Australia's Jacqueline Freney (8 golds) and Brazil's Daniel Dias (6 golds) leading the way. On the track Great Britain's David Weir and USA's Martin Raymond were in unbeatable form. Bouyed on by a vocal home crowd Weir took T54 gold in the 800m, 1,500m, 5,000m and marathon whereas 18 year old Raymond, who was making his Games debut, took T52 gold in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m. In wheelchair tennis , Dutch sensation Esther Vergeer was reduced to tears winning her fourth Paralympic gold and 470th consecutive match. There were also some big upsets in the Games. Brazil's Alan Oliveira beat South Africa's Oscar Pistorius to 200m T44 gold and Canada halted USA's hopes of a fourth wheelchair rugby gold in five Games with a semi-final defeat. Australia eventually picked up the gold. ATTENDANCE AND COVERAGE A record 2.7 million tickets were sold for the Games with most events and sessi


"How many Tour de France titles did Lance Armstrong ""win"" only to be stripped of them again in August 2012?"

Lance Armstrong Stripped of 7 Tour de France Titles - The New York Times The New York Times Cycling |Lance Armstrong Is Stripped of His 7 Tour de France Titles Search Continue reading the main story Photo Lance Armstrong, capturing a stage of the Tour de France in 2004. Credit Patrick Kovarik/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images The International Cycling Union announced Monday that it would not appeal the United States Anti-Doping Agency ’s ruling to bar Lance Armstrong for life from Olympic sports for doping and for playing an instrumental role in the team-organized doping on his Tour de France -winning cycling squads. That decision to waive the right to take Armstrong’s case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the highest court in sports, formally stripped Armstrong of the seven Tour titles he won from 1999 to 2005. “Lance Armstrong has no place in cycling; he deserves to be forgotten in cycling,” Pat McQuaid, the president of the cycling union, known as U.C.I., said in a news conference in Switzerland. “Something like this must never happen again.” McQuaid said he was “sickened” by the facts in the 202-page report the antidoping agency made public two weeks ago regarding the evidence it had in the Armstrong case, and called it mind-boggling how former teammates like the five-time national time-trial champion David Zabriskie were pushed to use performance-enhancing drugs. Photo Details from the investigation of Lance Armstrong by the United States Anti-Doping Agency based on testimony, largely from teammates. Armstrong has denied doping. Credit Joe Ward and Alan McLean/The New York Times McQuaid said that Armstrong’s teams had a “win at all costs” attitude fueled by “deceit, intimidation, coercion and evasion,” and that all of the evidence was there to prove that Armstrong doped. He added that he was sorry the cycling union had not caught Armstrong and his teammates “red handed” so he could have thrown them out of the sport. Continue reading the main story Armstrong, who has vehemently denied ever doping, declined to comment Monday. But in the past, he said that he, his teammates and those riders who competed against him would always know he won those seven Tours. By early Tuesday, his biography on his Twitter page had been changed to no longer say he is the seven-time Tour de France winner. Advertisement Continue reading the main story The antidoping agency applauded the cycling union’s acceptance of the penalties the agency gave Armstrong in August, when Armstrong gave up fighting his case. Back then, the cycling union was battling to gain jurisdiction over the matter. “Today, the U.C.I. made the right decision in the Lance Armstrong case,” Travis Tygart, the antidoping agency’s chief executive, said in a statement. “Despite its prior opposition to Usada’s investigation into doping on the U.S. Postal Service cycling team and within the sport, Usada is glad that the U.C.I. finally reversed course in this case and has made the credible decision available to it.” Photo Lance Armstrong at the end of the 19th stage of the 90th Tour de France in July 2003. Credit Franck Fife/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Tygart said there was still more to do to clean up cycling because there were “many more details of doping that are hidden, many more doping doctors, and corrupt team directors, and the omerta has not yet been fully broken.” He called for immunity to be given to riders who come forward and confess their doping, so the sport can learn from its mistakes. The World Anti-Doping Agency now has the opportunity to appeal Usada’s decision, and its officials said they were still in the process of reviewing the evidence. The cycling union’s announcement delivered yet another devastating blow to Armstrong, who has unceremoniously fallen from grace within the past two weeks. Last week he stepped down as the chairman of Livestrong, his cancer foundation, and lost nearly all of his sponsors, including Nike and the Trek bicycle company. Oakley sunglasses, one of the companies that had been with Armstrong the longest, announced Mo


Who became acting leader of the Labour Party following the death of John Smith in 1994?

WAS LABOUR LEADER JOHN SMITH KILLED? - Site news read more - OPCGLOBAL 2012-04-12 WAS LABOUR LEADER JOHN SMITH KILLED? John Smith (13 September 1938 - 12 May 1994) served as Leader of the Labour Party from July 1992 until his sudden death from a heart attack in May 1994. Smith was born in Dalmally, the son of a Headmaster, and grew up in Ardrishaig in Argyll and Bute. He attended Dunoon Grammar School(Dunoon, Cowal), lodging in the town with a landlady and going home only during the holidays, before enrolling at the University of Glasgow, where he studied History from the Autumn of 1956 to 1959, and then Law, from 1959 to 1962. He joined the Labour Party in 1956. John Smith’s birth place in Dalmally He became involved in debating with the Glasgow University Dialectic Society and the Glasgow University Union. In 1962, he won The Observer Mace debating competition, speaking with Gordon Hunter. In 1995, after his death, the competition was renamed the John Smith Memorial Mace in his honour.After graduating, Smith practised as a solicitor for a year. He was then elected to the Faculty of Advocates, and later to the British Parliament as an MP. He took silk, becoming a Queens Counsel in 1983. Smith first stood as a Labour parliamentary candidate at a by-election in 1961 in the East Fife constituency, and contested that seat again in the 1964 general election. At the 1970 general election he was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for North Lanarkshire succeeding Peggy Herbison. Smith defied the Labour whips in 1971, joining the Labour MPs who, led by Roy Jenkins, voted in favour of entry to the European Economic Community. These included Roy Hattersley, Shirley Williams, Bill Rodgers and David Owen all of whom he was later to sit with in the Callaghan cabinet. In October 1974, Harold Wilson offered Smith the post of Solicitor General for Scotland. Smith turned it down, not wishing his political career to become side-lined as a law officer. He was instead made an Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Energy. In December 1975 he was made a Minister of State. When James Callaghan became Prime Minister, Smith became a Minister of State at the Privy Council Office, serving with Labour's Deputy leader, Michael Foot, the Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons. In this position Smith piloted the highly controversial devolution proposals for Scotland and Wales through the House of Commons. Smith's adroit handling of these proposals impressed Callaghan, and in November 1978, when Edmund Dell retired, Callaghan appointed Smith Secretary of State for Trade. In this post, Smith was the youngest member of the cabinet, and served there until the 1979 general election. In the early 1980s Smith was Shadow Energy Secretary. He became a QC in 1983, the same year that the constituency became Monklands East. Smith acted as Roy Hattersley's campaign manager for the party leadership election in October 1983 and after serving a year as Shadow Employment Secretary, was Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry between late 1984 and 1987. Smith was appointed Shadow Chancellor by Neil Kinnock in July 1987 after Party's general election defeat. However, he suffered a heart attack whilst Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer on 9 October 1988 and was forced to spend three months away from Westminster to recover. On that occasion, he had complained of chest pains the night before, and had to be persuaded to cancel a flight to London so he could go to hospital for a check-up.   He was examined at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary by an ECG. The doctor who examined him said "Whatever it is, we don't think it is your heart". Then Smith suddenly collapsed and was briefly unconscious before coming around. He spent three days in intensive care before leaving hospital on 20 October 1988, to make a full recovery. Smith made modifications to his lifestyle by going on a 1,000 calorie diet, cutting down on rich foods and fine wines, giving up smoking and taking up Munro bagging and by the time of his death he had succeeded in climb


Which variety of hummingbird is the world's smallest bird?

World's Smallest Bird World's Smallest Bird Mar 26, 2008 14:26 GMT  ·  By Stefan Anitei  ·  Share:  Have you ever wondered which is the world's smallest feathered creature? It is, of course, a species of hummingbird. The Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) inhabits Cuba (where people call it zunzuncito) and the Isle of Youth. The bird weighs 1.8 grams, having a length of about 5 cm (2 in). An unaware observer can take this bird for an insect. The bird flies with 80 wing beats per second, a rhythm at which the human retina cannot detect naturally details. During the courtship displays, the male flap his wings up to 200 times per second! Only high speed cameras can take pictures of this bird. And, in fact, the male Bee Hummingbird is the smallest bird, as he is smaller than the female. This bird has also the smallest number of feathers: about 1,000 feathers (in other bird species, there are up to 25,000 feathers). Its heart rate is the second fastest of all animals, to sustain the high metabolism (explaining its wing rhythm and body temperature). The body temperature is 40?C (104?F), the highest of all birds, but it drops during the night to 19?C (66?F) to save energy (as the bird would lose too much heat because of its small size). Bee hummingbirds eat half their total body mass and drink 8 times their total body mass in water each day. These birds are solitary, accepting each other's company only during the breeding period; in the rest of the time, they are fiercely territorial, defending their territories (represented by blossom trees) very aggressively even against much larger birds. The nest is attached to small branches using spider web threads. The nest is also world's smallest, no larger than the cup of a doll (3 cm or 1.2 inch in diameter). The nest usually hosts two minute eggs, smaller than two coffee beans. The chicks usually hatch in May-June. The appetite of this bird is the opposite of its size. This hummingbird consumes small spiders and mites, but especially the sweet nectar of the tropical vividly colored flower. Its high metabolism means this bird consumes half of its body mass and drink 8 times their body mass in water daily. This bird is crucial in ensuring the pollination and survival of several plant species. Once this bird was relatively common, but even if today it is protected, its numbers are dwindling. Amongst mammals (the only other warm-blooded group of vertebrates, besides birds) only the Etruscan shrew and the bumblebee bat compete with this species in size.


"What is the name of the American composer whose work includes the film scores for 'Jaws"", ""E.T.' and the first three in the 'Harry Potter' series?"

John Williams - IMDb IMDb Music Department | Soundtrack | Composer As one of the best known, awarded, and financially successful composers in US history, John Williams is as easy to recall as John Philip Sousa , Aaron Copland or Leonard Bernstein , illustrating why he is "America's composer" time and again. With a massive list of awards that includes over 41 Oscar nominations (five wins), twenty-odd Gold and ... See full bio » Born: Museum of Pop Culture Exhibit to Honor New Science Fiction & Fantasy Hall of Fame Inductees 18 January 2017 9:40 AM, -08:00 | DailyDead a list of 22 people created 03 Jan 2012 a list of 28 people created 08 Apr 2012 a list of 30 people created 08 Nov 2012 a list of 25 people created 01 Aug 2014 a list of 23 people created 01 Aug 2014 Do you have a demo reel? Add it to your IMDbPage How much of John Williams's work have you seen? User Polls Won     5     Oscars. Another    112 wins & 231 nominations. See more awards  » Known For  2014-2017 Star Wars Rebels (TV Series) (composer - 55 episodes) - Warhead (2017) ... (composer: original Star Wars Themes & Score by) - Ghosts of Geonosis: Part 1 (2017) ... (composer: original Star Wars Themes & Score by) - Visions and Voices (2016) ... (composer: original Star Wars Themes & Score by) - An Inside Man (2016) ... (composer: original Star Wars Themes & Score by)  2015 Jurassic World (composer: theme music)  2014 Citizen Vader (Short) (original score music)  2014 Great Performances (TV Series) (theme music - 1 episode)  2013 Words with Warwick (TV Mini-Series) (composer - 8 episodes) - Mark Hamill (2013) ... (composer: title music - uncredited) - The Five Fetts (2013) ... (composer: title music - uncredited) - Carrie Fisher (2013) ... (composer: title music - uncredited) - Anthony Daniels (2013) ... (composer: title music - uncredited) - Ian McDiarmid (2013) ... (composer: title music - uncredited)  2008-2013 Star Wars: The Clone Wars (TV Series) (composer - 108 episodes) - The Wrong Jedi (2013) ... (composer: original Star Wars Themes and Score by) - To Catch a Jedi (2013) ... (composer: original Star Wars Themes and Score by) - The Jedi Who Knew Too Much (2013) ... (composer: original Star Wars Themes and Score by) - Sabotage (2013) ... (composer: original Star Wars Themes and Score by) - The Lawless (2013) ... (composer: original Star Wars Themes and Score by)  2011 Return to Jurassic Park: Dawn of a New Era (Video documentary short) (composer: original Jurassic Park Themes and Score by - uncredited)  2011 Return to Jurassic Park: Making Prehistory (Video documentary short) (composer: original Jurassic Park Themes and Score by - uncredited)  2011 Lego Star Wars: The Padawan Menace (TV Movie) (original music by)  2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (music composer: Hedwig's theme and other cues from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)  2011 Star Tours: The Adventures Continue (Short) (composer: existing themes)  2011 Smallville (TV Series) (composer - 1 episode) - Finale (2011) ... (composer: superman theme - uncredited)  2011 The Simpsons (TV Series) (composer - 1 episode)  2006 Confessions of a Teenage Supergirl (Video short) (stock music)  2006 Superman Returns (composer: original theme - uncredited)  2006 The Time Tunnel (TV Movie) (composer: original series theme)  2006 Star Wars: Extintion (Short) (composer: original Star Wars Themes and Score by)  2005 Lego Star Wars: The Video Game (Video Game) (composer: theme music)  2004 The Birth of the Lightsaber (Video documentary short) (composer: original Star Wars Themes and Score by - uncredited)  2004 Jack & Bobby (TV Series) (composer: theme "The Patriot")  2004 World's Finest (Short) (composer: theme "Superman")  1996 Nintendo 64: Change the System (Video short) (background music: Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire - uncredited)  1995 The Making of 'Jurassic Park' (Video documentary) (composer: original Jurassic Park Themes and Score by - uncredited)  1993 Star Wars Chess (Video Game) (composer: theme music)  1993 Schindler's


Born Jack Hoggan in Fife in 1951, what is the professional name of the self-taught artist, prints of whose works outsell Dali, Monet, and Van Gogh?

The artful dodger - The Scotsman The artful dodger 01:08 AS HIS brush made its first mark on the canvas, he was already living a life less ordinary. After years on his uppers, Jack Vettriano was finally on the up. The sale of two paintings in a Royal Scottish Academy exhibition in 1988 had opened new doors for a man who, at one time, had expected to spend his life toiling in the coal mines of Fife. Now, as he started what would become his most famous image, he could display the confidence of an artist whose work, unlike that of so many, sold. The Singing Butler, painted in 1991, would make him so much more than that: Scotland's most commercially successful artist, whose originals grace the mansions of Hollywood while prints hang on tens of thousands of walls around the world; a millionaire many times over; a celebrity in his own right, his brooding, hangdog face instantly recognisable at home and abroad; and an object of sneering derision among so many of his peers and critics. Vettriano had no idea what lay ahead as he began to compose the romantic, sexually charged image of two lovers dancing on a beach as a butler and maid look on, umbrellas aloft. It was a scene - apparently of pure imagination - that was far removed from the grimy industrial background of the painter's upbringing, and the shadow of the power station that looms over Leven Sands. The beach and the promenade, with its chip shop, ice-cream parlour and amusement arcade, offered a place of refuge, romance and belonging for the young Vettriano. It was where, as a teenager, he saw the fairground showmen set up camp with waltzers, dodgems and swingboats, bringing the promise of a merry-go-round of girls with beehive hairdos and stiletto heels. It was these humble surroundings that inspired the self-taught Vettriano to paint the woman in the red dress dancing with a tuxedo-clad partner on a beach in the rain. Now, little more than a decade on, it is the best-selling print in Europe, more popular than Monet's Water Lilies and Van Gogh's Sunflowers. Although Vettriano sold the original for 3,000, when it was auctioned on for a record Scottish price of 744,800 last summer, it took his popularity to new heights. His rags-to-riches story was, it seemed, complete. But not quite. Last week the long-running debate contrasting Vettriano's lack of critical acclaim with his public popularity was reignited by the revelation that The Singing Butler was, in fact, inspired by a 16.99 artists' reference manual. Not only his most famous painting, but also several other works, appeared to be based closely on photographs of models posing in the book, which has been out of print for several years. Long derided by critics, Vettriano has fought artistic battles before. The art establishment is distinctly sniffy about his work. Despite his huge popular appeal, no national gallery shows his paintings. Reference works either ignore him or grant passing mention, but there is a voracious public appetite for both his romantic early paintings and later works which focus more on the highly charged sexual atmosphere of human relationships. His style flickers in the shadows between the loneliness of Edward Hopper and the nostalgic romanticism of old railway and movie posters. Fervent fans hold Vettriano parties, even wedding receptions, with the participants, venue and stationery themed in the artist's distinctive colours. It was one such tribute which last week poured new scorn on the "people's painter". Born Jack Hoggan in Leven in 1951, into a working-class family, he did not enjoy any semblance of a privileged upbringing. There was no such luxury as the careless bohemia of art college. Hoggan, the future darling of Hollywood collectors, took his first professional steps in life with an apprenticeship as a mining engineer. At 21, his schoolteacher girlfriend bought him a watercolour set. In the evening he sat in the back room of his parents' house struggling furiously with the Old Masters, such as William MacTaggart and Samuel Peploe. It is a romantic tale, the sort his buyers love. The


What is the name of the lighthouse situated four miles south east of the Scilly Islands?

St. Agnes St. Agnes Island Highlights There are five inhabited islands - St. Mary's, Tresco, St. Martin's, Bryher and St. Agnes – and countless uninhabited islands to explore. Not only are the entire Isles of Scilly an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but 2,200 people are lucky enough to call it home. By Foot One of the simplest pleasures when staying on Scilly is to go exploring.  Between them, the five inhabited islands have more than 60 miles of trails and tracks and approximately 9 miles of paved road, as well as (of course!) the beautiful waters that surround them St. Agnes England’s final frontier: totally untamed and thoroughly unspoilt On the most south-westerly edge of the Isles of Scilly, St. Agnes is totally unspoilt and astonishingly peaceful. It measures just a mile or so across, and its closest neighbour is Gugh, to which it is joined by a sand bar at low tide. This is an island of wonderful contrasts, from rocky outcrops on its exposed west side to paradise beaches in its more sheltered coves; the tranquillity of the sandbar between St. Agnes and Gugh is particularly magical. Inland are quaint cottages and a patchwork of flower fields, while a lighthouse stands at the island’s highest point. St. Agnes is also a thriving community of working farms and creative, light industrial flair.  St. Agnes urges your senses to seek adventure. Head off in search of the circular maze of rounded beach stones; marvel at the stone stacks and cairns that dot Wingletang Down, or comb the beaches for shipwrecked treasures at Beady Pool. Periglis Beach is a fine spot for a picnic as well as a shell collectors’ paradise. It also offers stunning views across to the bird sanctuary that is Annet, the Western Rocks and out to Bishop Rock. And then there’s the Old Man of Gugh, who stands 3 metres tall and is believed to be associated with Bronze Age rituals.  Of course, there is always the option to simply go for a dip, or sit and watch the world go by whilst sampling the local produce at the restaurants and cafés, or supping a beer at the Turk’s Head pub. There are no matching listings. Green tourism award St Agnes Boating St. Agnes All year St Agnes Boating is a small family owned business that has over twenty years experience boating within the islands using Scilly's only purpose built catamaran the Spirit of St Agnes. For a more intimate bespoke service the Enterprise is available for special hire, fishing and sightseeing trips. Call us or go online to discuss your requirements. Read more » Search results: 1 Showing: 1 to 1 Green tourism award Troytown Farm Shop St. Agnes All year Troytown Farm is the only dairy farm in Scilly. Milking 9 dairy cows, it might also be the smallest in the country. Farming on a small scale works for us, as we process the milk in our little dairy and make very special ice cream, clotted cream, butter and yogurt to sell direct to our customers from our farm shop. Covean Cottage Ts on Ts Cafe St. Agnes Apr-Oct Teas on T-Days: delightful garden cafe on the island of St. Agnes serving delicious, freshly baked cream teas and cakes.. 2 - 5 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays Tel. 01720 422620. Also evening Pizza nights during the Summer (pre-orders only). Read more » St Agnes Boating Wildlife Safaris St. Agnes Apr-Sep St Agnes Boating is working with the Seabird Recovery Project and the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust to promote the island’s wildlife. Every Wednesday we have a Wildlife Trust Ranger onboard who is our guide. The Spirit travels to Annet, the protected island where the seabirds nest and then onto the Western Rocks towards the Bishop Rock Lighthouse every Wednesday afternoon. Puffins, Manx Shearwaters and other nesting seabirds should be seen from April to July.  Come along to find out why our customers say this trip is exciting, educational, informative and fun! Read more » St. Agnes Stores St. Agnes All year England's most South Westerly Post Office! Our friendly little shop sells a great range of good food, wines, freshly baked bread, pastries and pasties. We stock lots of delicious St. Agnes produ


In which English Cathedral is the Mappa Mundi kept?

The Hereford Mappa Mundi The Hereford Mappa Mundi By  Ben Johnson   |   Comments The Mappa Mundi is housed in Hereford Cathedral and is one of Britain’s finest medieval treasures. But what is a Mappa Mundi? Great world maps were an English speciality in the Middle Ages and were drawn on cloth, walls or animal skin. Only the Hereford World Map – Mappa Mundi – has survived complete and is believed to be the world’s largest medieval map. These large maps were drawn in great detail but could only be read by people who spoke Norman French, the language of the literate secular elite.  The mappae mundi interpreted the world in spiritual as well as geographical terms, and included Biblical illustrations as well as portrayals of Classical learning and legend. As pictorial descriptions of the outside world, these impressive maps were also educational; they were used for teaching natural history and classical legends, and reinforcing religious beliefs. There is little doubt that the map was created in Lincoln as the depiction of Lincoln Cathedral on the map is so true to life. Lincoln was already a renowned centre of learning in the 13th century: its library had contained a world map and the chronicler and map-maker Gerald of Wales had lived there prior to his death in 1223. The map is drawn on a single sheet of vellum (calf skin) and measures 64 inches by 52 inches, tapering towards the top. It is generally believed that the map was created in the late 1290s and written in English Gothic script by one person alone. So who made the Hereford Mappa Mundi? The map is attributed to one ‘Richard of Haldringham or Lafford’ (Holdingham and Sleaford in Lincolnshire) who was also known as Richard de Bello. Whilst the map was drawn in Lincoln, it was almost certainly in Hereford by 1330. It is very probable that the Hereford map was largely copied from another, older map. The Roman Emperor Augustus appears on the Mappa Mundi and it is known that he charged his son-in-law Agrippa with the creation of a world map that emphasized the extent of the Roman Empire in the first century A.D.  Agrippa’s lost map, along with later ones of the Roman Empire, are likely to form the basis of the Hereford map, along with medieval additions, illustrations and Christian symbolism. East is at the top of the map, South is on the right, West is at the bottom with North on the left. At the centre of the Mappa Mundi is Jerusalem, the centre of the Christian world. The continents are illustrated with drawings of cities and towns, classical mythology (the Minotaur is depicted on the map), Biblical events, plants, animals (including camels, elephants and lions), birds (including parrots and a phoenix) and people. The top of the map shows Christ sitting at the Day of Judgement, flanked by angels.   The Mappa Mundi can be seen at Hereford Cathedral. The cathedral dates from Saxon times and is dedicated to the martyred King Ethelbert, killed on the orders of King Offa – his magnificent gilded and painted shrine is situated in the retro-choir, near to the Lady Chapel. It tells the story of the Saxon saint in 12 episodes. Hereford Cathedral is also home to another great medieval treasure, the Chained Library which holds 229 medieval manuscripts. The cathedral's earliest and most important book is the eighth-century Hereford Gospels.   Tweet If you enjoyed this article, you might also like... The Origins of the Magna Carta - The Magna Carta is seen as one of the most influential legal documents in British history, described by Lord Denning as “the greatest constitutional document of all time." However, its original conception was not nearly as successful ... Hereford Cathedral - This beautiful building is the home of ... The King James Bible - Celebrated as one of the most significant texts of all time ... Herefordshire Cider Trail - Follow the Herefordshire cider route and visit local cider farms, producers and outlets. Learn how cider is made, then taste it and purchase it direct ... Advertising


How many Gold Medals did the Great British team win at the 2012 Summer Olympics?

London 2012 Olympics saw Team GB men and women clinch 29 Olympic gold medals | Daily Mail Online comments Britain's athletes at the Olympics did not just exceed expectations, they smashed them, and in doing so a series of previously little-known athletes became household names. The total of 65 medals, including 29 golds, is the best tally recorded by Britain at any Olympics since 1908 - and 18 more than won in Beijing four years ago. It was also the Games when British women came to the fore - with first ever golds in rowing, stunning performances in cycling, Jessica Ennis in the stadium, and several riders in the equestrian events. Colin Moynihan, chairman of the British Olympic Association, said: 'It's the greatest team we have ever sent to an Olympic Games.' For IOC president Jacques Rogge, there was no doubt that Britain's record medal haul had been hugely important for the overall success of the Games. He said: 'London was a dream for a sports lover. Since the awarding of the Games in Singapore in 2005 I have said that we need home gold medals and that is so important for the mood of the general public. We had to wait two days but then it accelerated and it has been fantastic.' Scroll down for video Great Britain finished third in the overall medals table - one place better than hoped. Right, the breakdown of which sports brought in the medals Wednesday, August 1 Women's Pairs, Rowing Bradley Wiggins, Cycling, time trial World's best: Helen Glover and Heather Stanning stand proudly with their gold medals after winning the women's pair final at Eton Dorney Fervent support: Packed grandstands patriotically roar on the British rowers at Eton Dorney Support: Huge crowds lined the route to cheer Wiggins on to glory as he claimed GB's second gold of the Games Champion: Wiggins, posing with his gold after the time trial, briefly became Britain's most decorated Olympian - until Chris Hoy's Olympics started Thursday, August 2 Peter Wilson, Shooting, double trap Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott, Canoe Slalom, C2 double Men's team sprint, Cycling Farmer's son Peter Wilson, from Dorset, took gold in the Double Trap shooting - thanks to coaching sessions on Skype from a member of the Dubai royal family Double quick: Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott took a gold just two minutes after Wilson won in the trap shooting Right on track: Chris Hoy (right), Jason Kenny (left) and Philip Hindes took gold in the men's team sprint on Day Six of the Olympics Friday August 3 Men's team pursuit, Cycling Victoria Pendleton, Cycling, women's keirin Rowed to glory: Anna Watkins (right) and Katherine Grainger celebrate winning gold in the women's double sculls at Eton Dorney Fast and glorious: Britain's Ed Clancy, Geraint Thomas, Steven Burke and Peter Kennaugh on their way to gold in the final of the men's team pursuit Golden boys: (Left to right) Clancy, Burke, Kennaugh and Thomas with their medals Victoria Pendleton clinches gold in the women's keirin before celebrating with the velodrome crowd with a huge union jack Saturday, August 4 Shortly before lunchtime Andrew Triggs Hodge, Pete Reed, Tom James and Alex Gregory were victorious at Eton Dorney in the men's four. It triggered a gold rush, the likes of which had never been experienced by British Olympians. Also on the water, Sophie Hosking and Katherine Copeland claimed gold with an emphatic win in the women's double scull, before Team GB continued their domination in the velodrome with victory in the women's team pursuit. Then came those golden performances by Jess Ennis in the heptathlon, Greg Rutherford in the long jump and Mo Farah in the 10,000m to round off a remarkable day for British sport. Winning team: The men smiled widely during the medal ceremony for the Men's Four Final on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Eton Dorney Delight: Andrew Triggs Hodge, Pete Reed, Tom James and Alex Gregory led from the start to extend Britain's dominance over the Olympic event to 16 years Scream if you've gone fastest: Sophie Hosking (left) and Katherine Copeland react in joy and shock af


Who replaced Barbara Castle as MP for Blackburn in 1979?

BBC News | EUROPE | Straw: New man at UK Foreign Office Saturday, 9 June, 2001, 16:49 GMT 17:49 UK Straw: New man at UK Foreign Office Jack Straw is one of Tony Blair's closest cabinet allies The most high-profile casualty in the reshuffle at the beginning of Tony Blair's second term in office is Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, who has been replaced by the former Home Secretary, Jack Straw. Analysts will be looking to see if Mr Cook's replacement is an advocate of the "ethical foreign policy" promised after Labour's first landslide. Jack Straw's CV First job: President National Union of Students Special adviser to Barbara Castle 1979: MP for Blackburn 1997: Home Secretary Hobbies: Cooking, watching Blackburn Rovers football club The new man at the FCO is regarded as one of the more right-wing and Euro-sceptic of Labour's ministers. His appointment could reflect Mr Blair's intention to reassure the British public ahead of key battles in the next parliament over the European Union and single European currency. Whatever the strategy in Downing Street, there is no doubt Mr Straw is a highly capable performer who is trusted by the prime minister and seen as a safe pair of hands. As home secretary for the past four years, he rigorously pursued Mr Blair's pledge to be "tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime". To satirists and the left he appeared to be trying to outdo his Tory predecessors with his tough line on asylum, teenage thugs and curbing the right to trial by jury for some defendants. Mr Straw's toughest moments came after his decision not to extradite the former Chilean dictator, General Augusto Pinochet, to Spain to face charges of torture and violation of human rights, but instead to allow him to return home on grounds of health. General Pinochet: Straw refused to extradite Despite his right-wing credentials, Mr Straw comes from a left-wing family, though he was sent to the private Brentwood school in Essex. His great grandfather took part in the battle against removal of common land from villagers; his grandfather was a Labour activist, his pacifist father avoided military service during World War II as a conscientious objector and his mother was also a socialist and pacifist. At the age of 14 he joined the Labour party and by 1969, with a law degree from Leeds University behind him, he became the left-wing leader of the National Union of Students at the height of radical unrest on Britain's campuses. Rapid rise In 1974, the then-social services secretary Barbara Castle took him on as an adviser and he inherited her Blackburn parliamentary seat in 1979. Mr Straw rapidly moved into the Neil Kinnock camp and later, through the long years of opposition in the 1980s and 1990s, completed his journey to the right - spending three years as a Blairite shadow home secretary. Jack Straw leaves Downing St after his appointment On taking the real job with Labour's first landslide in 1997, he was soon being attacked by the left as illiberal for his zero tolerance of "winos, addicts and squeegee merchants". But after his own brush with youth crime, when it was revealed his 17-year old son had sold cannabis to a newspaper reporter, he gained great public sympathy. He took his son to the police station to face up to his crime and was painted as a typical father trying to do the best for his child. Two homes Mr Straw will barely have time to settle into the two official residences (Carlton Gardens in London and Chevening in Kent) he inherits as foreign secretary. His in-tray already contains a thick file marked "euro" and to him falls the task of guided Britain through a referendum on joining the European single currency. Some commentators have interpreted his appointment in succession to Robin Cook as a sign that Tony Blair does not want to rush the task of convincing the electorate to scrap the pound in favour of signing up to the euro. But others see it as the first step to doing just that, arguing that it will be easier to swing opinion if a converted sceptic is at the helm rather than the openly Europhile Mr Cook. And al


What was the name given to the 'Missing Link' which Charles Dawson claimed to have discovered in a gravel pit in Sussex in 1912?

BBC - History -   Ancient History in depth: Piltdown Man: Britain's Greatest Hoax Print this page Who was Piltdown Man? On 18 December 1912 newspapers throughout the world ran some sensational headlines - mostly along the lines of: 'Missing Link Found - Darwin's Theory Proved'. That same day, at a meeting of the Geological Society in London, fragments of a fossil skull and jawbone were unveiled to the world. These fragments were quickly attributed to 'the earliest Englishman - Piltdown Man', although the find was officially named Eoanthropus dawsoni after its discoverer, Charles Dawson. Dawson was an amateur archaeologist, said to have stumbled across the skull in a gravel pit at Barkham Manor, Piltdown, in Sussex. Some 40 years later, however, on 21 November 1953, a team of English scientists dramatically exposed Piltdown Man as a deliberate fraud. Instead of being almost a million years old, the skull fragments were found to be 500 years old, and the jaw in fact belonged to an orang-utan. So what had really happened? Top Search for missing link Sir Arthur Smith of the British Museum (left) with English antiquarian Charles Dawson (centre), standing on Barkham Avenue, Piltdown, Sussex in 1908.    © The story of Piltdown Man came out at just the time when scientists were in a desperate race to find the missing link in the theory of evolution. Since Charles Darwin had published his theory on the origin of species in 1859, the hunt had been on for clues to the ancient ancestor that linked apes to humans. Sensational finds of fossil ancestors, named Neanderthals, had already occurred in Germany and France. British Scientists, however, were desperate to prove that Britain had also played its part in the story of human evolution, and Piltdown Man was the answer to their prayers - because of him, Britain could claim to be the birthplace of mankind. Top Discoveries Charles Dawson had made a name for himself by finding fossils in Sussex, and passing them on to Sir Arthur Smith Woodward at what is now the Natural History Museum, London. Dawson now claimed that at some point before 1910, a workman had handed him a dark-stained and thick piece of human skull. He said that recognising that this might be part of an ancient human, he had continued to dig at the site and collected more pieces of skull. Charles Dawson had made a name for himself by finding fossils in Sussex, and passing them on to Sir Arthur Smith Woodward at what is now the Natural History Museum, London. On 14 February 1912, he wrote to Woodward with news of exciting discoveries, and that summer Woodward joined him to excavate at Piltdown. They found more fragments of skull, and the bones and teeth of extinct British animals such as elephants, rhinos and beavers. They also found primitive stone tools, and a remarkable ape-like jaw. On the basis of these finds, Woodward constructed a skull that seemed to supply the missing link in the evolutionary path between humans and the apes. With a brain the same size as that of modern humans, and a very ape-like jaw, Piltdown Man was born. Top Doubts and further finds Some overseas experts were sceptical of the match between the skull and jaw. They argued that they represented separate human and ape fossils, and had become mixed in the same fossil deposit. In 1913, however, Dawson and Woodward made further finds at Piltdown, including one of a canine tooth. Some overseas experts were sceptical of the match between the skull and jaw. They argued that they represented separate human and ape fossils, and had become mixed in the same fossil deposit. This was of an intermediate size, between that of an ape's and a human's tooth, exactly as Woodward had predicted on his model of Piltdown Man. This seemed to confirm that the jaw was from an intermediate ape-man creature, not an ape. Then in 1915 Dawson claimed to have found another molar tooth, and some skull pieces, just two miles from the original Piltdown dig site. These looked similar to those of Piltdown Man, and the find was dubbed Piltdown Man II. With two family members and