What was the nickname of Queen Joan the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain?

Queen Isabella I of Spain - Biography Queen Isabella I of Spain Queen Isabella I of Spain Co-Ruler of Castile and Aragon with Her Husband Ferdinand Queen Isabella I of Castile, c. 1490. Found in the collection of the Museo del Prado, Madrid.  Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images By Jone Johnson Lewis Updated May 11, 2016. Known for: She was queen of Castile and León in her own right. She married Ferdinand II of Aragon, bringing the kingdoms together in what became Spain under the rule of her grandson, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.  She is known for sponsoring Columbus' voyage to the Americas, and for her role in "purifying" the Roman Catholic faith through expelling Jews and defeating the Moors. Dates: April 22 , 1451 - November 26 , 1504 Occupation: Queen of Castile and Aragon, Queen of Spain. Known as: Queen Isabella, Isabella I of Spain, Isabella of Castile and Aragon, Isabella the Catholic, Isabel la Catolica Father: John (Juan) of Castile (1405 - 1454)  Queen Isabella Biography Isabella was born in 1451. Her mother was Isabella of Portugal , whose father was a son of John I of Portugal and whose mother was a granddaughter of that same king.  Isabella's half-brother, Henry IV , became king of Castile when their father, John II, died in 1454. continue reading below our video Test Your General Science Knowledge Isabella was only three years old, and her younger brother Alfonso was the next in line to the Castilian throne after Henry. Isabella was raised by her mother until 1457, when the two children were brought to court by Henry IV to keep them from being used by opposition nobles. Henry's first marriage ended without children and in a divorce. When his second wife, Joan of Portugal, bore a daughter, Juana, in 1462, the opposition nobles soon claimed that Juana was actually the daughter of Beltran de la Cueva, duke of Albuquerque. Thus, she's known in history as Juana la Beltraneja. The opposition's attempt to replace Henry with Alfonso met with defeat, the final defeat coming in July, 1468 when Alfonso died of suspected poisoning, though historians consider it more likely he died of the plague. He had named Isabella his successor. Isabella was offered the crown by the nobles, but she refused, probably because she did not believe that she could maintain that claim in opposition to Henry.  Henry was willing to compromise with the nobles and accept Isabella as his heiress in September. Marriage to Ferdinand Isabella married Ferdinand of Aragon (a second cousin) in October 1469 without Henry's approval, The cardinal of Valentia, Rodrigo Borgia (later Pope Alexander VI ), helped Isabel and Ferdinand obtain the necessary papal dispensation, but the couple still had to resort to pretenses and disguise to carry out the ceremony in Valladolid.  Henry withdrew his recognition and again named Juana as his heir. At Henry's death in 1474, a war of succession ensued, with Alfonso V of Portugal, prospective husband of Isabella's rival Juana, supporting Juana's claims. The war was settled in 1479, with Isabella recognized as Queen of Castile. Juana retired to a convent rather than marry the son of Ferdinand and Isabella, Juan. Juana died in 1530. Ferdinand had by this time become King of Aragon, and the two ruled with equal authority in both realms, thus unifying Spain. Among their first acts were various reforms to reduce the power of the nobility and increase the power of the crown. The Catholic Monarchs In 1480, Isabella and Ferdinand instituted the Inquisition in Spain, one of many changes to the role of the church instituted by the monarchs. The Inquisition was aimed mostly at Jews and Muslims who had overtly converted to Christianity but were thought to be practicing their faiths secretly -- known respectively as morranos and moriscos -- as well as at heretics who rejected Roman Catholic orthodoxy, including alumbras who practiced a kind of mysticism or spiritualism. Ferdinand and Isabella were given the title "the Catholic monarchs" (los Reyes Católicos) by the Pope, in recognition of their role in "purifying" the f


Who was the first UK winner of the Eurovision Song Contest?

Past Eurovision Song Contest winners from the UK - ITV News 9 May 2014 at 10:51am Past Eurovision Song Contest winners from the UK Lulu won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1967. Photo: Youtube Despite the recent run of disappointments, the UK is still considered to be one of the most successful countries to compete in the Eurovison Song Contest, and many of our biggest stars have sang in the competition. The UK first participated in the competition in 1957 and has gone on to claim first place five times. Hoping to join the UK's hall of Eurovision fame this year is Molly Smitten-Downes, who will perform her self-written song Children of the Universe. Ahead of tomorrow's competition, we take a look back through the history of United Kingdom's best moments. 1967: Sandie Shaw became the first winner from the UK with her hit Puppet On A String. 1969: Lulu joined Spain, Netherlands and France in first place with her hit Boom Bang A Bang. 1976: Brotherhood of man were the first band from the United Kingdom to win with their single Save Your Kisses For Me. 1981: The band Bucks Fizz, who formed specifically for Eurovision, sang their way to first place with their hit Making Your Mind Up. 1997: Katrina & The Waves were the first UK winning Eurovision entry for 16 years singing Love Shine a Light.


"The painting ""the Girl with the Pearl Earring"" is by which artist?"

Girl with a Pearl Earring | artble.com Girl with a Pearl Earring Girl with a Pearl Earring Girl with a Pearl Earring Date of Creation: Girl with a Pearl Earring Story / Theme Girl with a Pearl Earring Johannes Vermeer Girl with a Pearl Earring Johannes Vermeer Girl with a Pearl Earring Johannes Vermeer Girl with a Pearl Earring was originally titled Girl with a Turban and it wasn't until the second half of the twentieth century that the name was changed. Regarded as Vermeer's masterpiece, this canvas is often referred to as the Mona Lisa of the North or the Dutch Mona Lisa . The girl in this painting is believed to be Vermeer's eldest daughter, Maria, who was about twelve or thirteen-years-old at the time it was created. Her facial features appear in several of Vermeer's works but his various techniques on his subject make it difficult to compare the female faces in his paintings, as the woman are portrayed in different lighting conditions and poses. There is very little information about Vermeer and his paintings. Girl with a Pearl Earring is signed "IVMeer" but there is no date on this work. It remains unknown whether or not this canvas was commissioned and if so, by whom. It's more likely that this image was a tronie, Dutch 17th-century description of a 'head' painting that was not intended as a portrait. Girl with a Pearl Earring is one of over forty images of women created by Vermeer and thus it is obvious that he had a keen interest in women's socio-cultural roles. It could be argued that he valued their role in maintaining his idealist way of life by ensuring order within the household and raising children within Christian values. Therefore, women played a pivotal role in safeguarding tradition and moral values through the generations. Vermeer depicted his women in thought-provoking stillness and also as encouraging images that inspired homogeny. With this painting the viewer is captured by the subject and believes they have caught her attention and caused her to turn her head. This is a sensual painting with the girl gazing at the viewer with wide eyes and a parted mouth and there is an air of mystery surrounding her identity. In 1994 this canvas was restored which involved removing the yellowed varnish along with the retouches that had been made during previous restorations. This resulted in the vivid colors originally used by Vermeer shining through and the intimacy of the girl's gaze was also greatly enhanced. Clothing: The turban being worn in Girl with a Pearl Earring was a popular prop at the time and its elaborate folds and rich materials were a great way of showing off the artists' skill. The turban also demonstrates the influence of other countries as various slaves came to the Netherlands and explorers would bring back new exotic artifacts and inventions. Girl with a Pearl Earring Inspirations for the Work Rembrandt Leiden Rembrandt was the artist responsible for popularizing the tronie in around 1630 and so it's likely that Vermeer drew inspiration from his works. It's believed that Vermeer painted at least two tronies and an inventory of his possessions created shortly after his death listed 'Two tronies painted in the Turkish manner'. Therefore it's possible that Girl with a Pearl Earring is one of these paintings. Girl with a Pearl Earring Analysis Girl with a Pearl Earring Johannes Vermeer Girl with a Pearl Earring Johannes Vermeer Use of color: Vermeer's intense use of his signature ultramarine can be clearly seen in this work. It is not only used in the top of the turban but also in the neck and end of the fabric hanging down the sitter's back. Vermeer uses his palette to the fullest and his skill in under painting creates an intense volume that has a three-dimensional effect. He uses a unique blend of creamier tones and pigments for the girl's skin so it has a sort of glowing effect in the light and contrasts with the background. Red and brown ochres are used to define shadows on the girl's skin to create depth and definition as the light source comes from the left frontal area. This also helps


"Who wrote the novel ""The Wide Sargasso Sea"" inspired by the novel Jane Eyre?"

Wide Sargasso Sea : Jean Rhys : 9780241951552 Wide Sargasso Sea US$6.44 US$18.62 You save US$12.18 Free delivery worldwide Add to basket Add to wishlist Description Jean Rhys's spell-binding novel Wide Sargasso Sea, inspired by Jane Eyre and winner the Royal Society of Literature Award is beautifully repackaged as part of the Penguin Essentials range. 'There is no looking glass here and I don't know what I am like now...Now they have taken everything away. What am I doing in this place and who am I?' If Antoinette Cosway, a spirited Creole heiress, could have foreseen the terrible future that awaited her, she would not have married the young Englishman. Initially drawn to her beauty and sensuality, he becomes increasingly frustrated by his inability to reach into her soul. He forces Antoinette to conform to his rigid Victorian ideals, unaware that in taking away her identity he is destroying a part of himself as well as pushing her towards madness. Set against the lush backdrop of 1830s Jamaica, Jean Rhys's powerful, haunting masterpiece was inspired by her fascination with the first Mrs Rochester, the mad wife in Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. 'Compelling, painful and exquisite' Guardian 'Brilliant. A tale of dislocation and dispossession, which Rhys writes with a kind of romantic cynicism, desperate and pungent' The Times 'Rhys turns a menacing cipher into a grieving, plausible young woman, and one whose story says whole worlds about global mixtures, about the misunderstandings between the colonized, the colonizers and the people who can't easily say which they are' Time Jean Rhys was born in Dominica in 1890, the daughter of a Welsh doctor and a white Creole mother, and came to England when she was sixteen. Her first book, a collection of stories called The Left Bank, was published in 1927. This was followed by Quartet (originally Postures, 1928), After Leaving Mr Mackenzie (1930), Voyage in the Dark (1934) and Good Morning, Midnight (1939). None of these books was particularly successful and with the outbreak of war they went out of print. Jean Rhys dropped from sight until nearly twenty years later she was discovered living reclusively in Cornwall. During those years she had accumulated the stories collected in Tigers are Better-Looking. In 1966 she made a sensational reappearance with Wide Sargasso Sea, which won the Royal Society of Literature Award and the W. H. Smith Award. Her final collection of stories, Sleep It Off Lady, appeared in 1976 and Smile Please, her unfinished autobiography, was published posthumously in 1979. Jean Rhys died in 1979. show more Product details 110                   x 170                   x 12mm                                   | 40.82g Publication date Historical Fiction Review quote Compelling, painful and exquisite Guardian Brilliant. A tale of dislocation and dispossession, which Rhys writes with a kind of romantic cynicism, desperate and pungent The Times Rhys turns a menacing cipher into a grieving, plausible young woman, and one whose story says whole worlds about global mixtures, about the misunderstandings between the colonized, the colonizers and the people who can't easily say which they are Time show more About Jean Rhys Jean Rhys was born in Dominica in 1894. After arriving in England aged sixteen, she became a chorus girl and drifted between different jobs before moving to Paris, where she started to write in the late 1920s. She published a story collection and four novels, after which she disappeared from view and lived reclusively for many years. In 1966 she made a sensational comeback with her masterpiece, Wide Sargasso Sea, written in difficult circumstances over a long period. Rhys died in 1979. show more Review Text


Who was Prime Minister of South Africa from 1958 to 1966?

Biography of South African Leader Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd By Alistair Boddy-Evans Updated February 19, 2016. National Party Prime Minister of South Africa from 1958 until his assassination on 6 September 1966, Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd was the chief architect of 'Grand Apartheid', which called for the separation of races in South Africa. Date of birth: 8 September 1901, Amsterdam, Netherlands Date of death: 6 September 1966, Cape Town, South Africa An Early Life Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd was born to Anje Strik and Wilhelmus Johannes Verwoerd in the Netherlands on 8 September 1901, and the family moved to South Africa when he was barely three months old. They arrived in the Transvaal in December 1901, just six months before the end of the second Anglo-Boer War. Verwoerd proved to be a outstanding scholar, matriculating from school in 1919 and attending the Afrikaans university at Stellenbosch (in the Cape). He enrolled initially to study theology, but soon changed to psychology and philosophy -- obtaining a masters and then a doctorate in philosophy. continue reading below our video 10 Best Universities in the United States After a brief sojourn to Germany in 1925-26, where he attended the universities in Hamburg, Berlin and Leipzig, and trips to Britain and the US, he returned to South Africa. In 1927 he was given the post of Professor of Applied Psychology, moving to the chair of Sociology and Social Work in 1933. Whilst at Stellenbosch he organized a national conference on the 'poor white' problem in South Africa. Introduction to Politics In 1937 Hendrik Frensch Verwoerd became the founding editor of the new Afrikaans nationalist daily newspaper Die Transvaler, based in Johannesburg. He came to the attention of leading Afrikaans politicians, such as DF Malan , and was given the opportunity to help rebuild the National Party in the Transvaal. When Malan's National Party won the general election in 1948, Verwoerd was made a senator. In 1950 Malan appointed Verwoerd as Minister of Native Affairs, where he became responsible for creating much of the era's Apartheid legislation. Introducing grand Apartheid Verwoerd developed, and began to implement, the Apartheid policies which relegated South Africa's Black population to 'traditional' homelands, or ' Bantusans ". It was recognized by the National Party government that international opinion was increasingly against Apartheid's policy of segregation -- so it was repackaged as 'separate development'. (The 'Grand Apartheid' policy of the 1960s and 70s.) South African Blacks were appointed to homelands (previously known as 'reserves') where it was intended they would eventually gain self-government and independence. (Four of the Bantustans were eventually given a form of independence by the South African government, but this was never recognized internationally.) Blacks would only be allowed to stay in 'White' South Africa to fill labor demand -- they would have no rights as citizens, no vote, and few human rights. Whilst Minister of Native Affairs he introduced the Bantu Authorities Act of 1951 which created tribal, regional and territorial authorities to be (initially) run by the Department of Native Affairs. Verwoerd said of the Bantu Authorities Act, that the "fundamental idea is Bantu control over Bantu areas as and when it becomes possible for them to exercise control efficiently and properly for the benefit of their own people." Verwoerd also introduced the Blacks (Abolition of Passes and Co-ordination of Documents) Act No 67 of 1952 -- one of the major pieces of Apartheid legislation which oversaw 'influx control' and introduced the infamous 'pass book'. Prime Minister Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom, who became South Africa's Prime minister after Malan on 30 November 1954, died of cancer on 24th August 1958. He was briefly succeeded by Charles Robert Swart, as acting prime minister, until Verwoerd took over the post on 3 September 1958. As Prime Minister Verwoerd introduced the legislation which laid the foundations for 'Grand Apartheid', he brought South Africa out of the


"""Love Changes Everything"" is the best known song from which Andrew Lloyd Webber musical?"

Love Changes Everything - YouTube Love Changes Everything Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Jun 30, 2014 Lyrics and facts about Love Changes Everything at Love Changes Everything is the most notable song in the Andrew Lloyd Webber collection "Aspects of Love". Category


Alfred Sisley was an exponent of which school of painting?

Impressionism - Biography of Alfred SISLEY Musée d'Orsay, Paris   From his very  beginnings, Sisley, just as Pissarro, devotes himself primarily to landscape painting and to alive representations of village streets or Parisian rivers. He frequently meets Monet and Renoir to work with them. The early works of Alfred Sisley were influenced by the realism of Courbet, Corot and Daubigny. An art critic writes about him, on the year of his death : "It is Corot who impresses him, the clear and silver plated Corot, at the same time light and solid, always broad, deep, infinite, Corot dreamer, calm and precise...". He will be admitted to the Official Salon in 1866, 1868 and 1870 . His paintings show his keen interest for colored impressions of trees and buildings, and for the changing effects of light and clouds above the landscape   In the catalogue of the sale of Sisley's Workshop organized to the benefit of his children after his death, one can read under the feather of this same critic : "... in the small, hard-working and carefree group made up of Monet, Renoir, Sisley, Bazille, in Fontainebleau, he represents cheerfulness, spirit, imagination". In June 1866, he marries Eugènie Lescouezec, a girl of a good family, model and florist, of whom he will have two children. Auguste Renoir will compose of them in 1868, a famous painting entitled " The engaged couple " (known as " Alfred Sisley and his wife ").   Private Collection   He will find there places of a sharp source of inspiration to him where he untiringly composes many paintings now famous, among which one can quote "Moret on Loing at sunrise" or "Poplars at Moret-sur-Loing " - 1888, " The Channel of Loing at Moret ", "The Street of the Pits at Moret " - 1892, or "The Bridge of Moret" - 1893. He takes there an always intact pleasure to paint in the open air and in any season the landscapes of this area. Alfred Sisley spends here the last years of his life, in simplicity, and dies in 1899, without having been granted French nationality which he asked for since 1895. It is only after his death that he will be recognized as one of the great Impressionist painter.   The pictorial language of Alfred Sisley was always strongly in keeping with Impressionism, but he also  showed his attachment to his first inspirers, Corot and Daubigny. However what really distinguishes him, is his constant discretion, the sensitivity of his inspiration, his liking of peaceful landscapes. There always was in his work a great humility in his attempt to retranscribe on the canvas the enchantment which he felt in front of real situations and landscapes. Because his scope was indeed restricted to landscapes, in which a few characters sometimes act as decoration, without any really personal touch, many saw in Sisley's paintings a lack of artistic personality. In his days, he will be considered by art lovers only as a painter of the Impressionist movement painting in the style of Monet. However Sisley's paintings present a positive atmosphere of beauty, clearness and lightness, and represent a high degree of Impressionist accomplishment .


"Who wrote the political treatise called ""The Prince"" in 1513?"

Machiavelli’s The Prince: Still Relevant after All These Years | BU Today | Boston University Machiavelli’s The Prince: Still Relevant after All These Years Historians consider book’s five-century legacy tonight 02.06.2013 By John O’Rourke share it! 10 Niccoló Machiavelli wrote The Prince in 1513, but it wasn’t published until 1532, five years after his death. This portrait of the author, by Santi di Tito, hangs in the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy. In a recent interview with the New York Times , Pulitzer Prize–winning author Jared Diamond was asked which book he would require President Obama to read if he could. His answer? Niccoló Machiavelli’s The Prince, written 500 years ago. His explanation was that while Machiavelli “is frequently dismissed today as an amoral cynic who supposedly considered the end to justify the means,” he is, in fact, “a crystal-clear realist who understands the limits and uses of power.” Diamond, whose books include Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, said that what continues to make The Prince compelling reading for today’s political leaders is Machiavelli’s insistence “that we are not helpless at the hands of bad luck.” The slender political treatise is one of the most influential and controversial books published in Western literature. Critics have long debated whether The Prince, which famously argues that the ends—no matter how immoral—justify the means for preserving political authority, was written as a satire, or as British philosopher and Nobel laureate Bertrand Russell once said, as “a handbook for gangsters.” While Machiavelli’s intent is unknown, this much is indisputable: the book continues to be a searing meditation on the means some people use to get and maintain power. Among the precepts espoused by Machiavelli: leaders should always mask their true intentions, avoid inconsistency, and frequently “act against mercy, against faith, against humanity, against frankness, against religion, in order to preserve the state.” His name has become synonymous with cunning tyrants. To celebrate the book’s 500th anniversary (it was written in 1513, but not published until 1532, five years after the author’s death), the College of Arts & Sciences history department is hosting a special event, Machiavelli’s The Prince after 500 Years , at 7 p.m. tonight in the Photonics Center. It is free and open to the public. Photo by Kalman Zabarsky The panelists are Canadian scholar and politician Michael Ignatieff, who as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada was leader of the opposition from 2008 to 2011 and now teaches at Harvard and the University of Toronto; Edward Muir, a Northwestern University history professor, who has written widely about the Renaissance; and James Johnson (right), a CAS associate professor of history and author of two prize-winning books, Listening in Paris: A Cultural History and Venice Incognito: Masks in the Serene Republic . BU Today spoke with Johnson, recipient of a 1996 Metcalf Award for Excellence in Teaching and former CAS assistant dean and director of the Core Curriculum, about why Machiavelli’s masterwork continues to resonate. BU Today: What was Machiavelli’s intent in writing The Prince? Johnson: That is one of the great unknowable questions. Some say he wanted to empower tyrants; others say he listed their crimes the better to expose them. Readers across the ages have found support for all kinds of causes: monarchists, defenders of republics, cynics, idealists, religious zealots, religious skeptics. Whatever its intent, one thing is clear. The book follows its declared purpose fearlessly and without hesitation: to show rulers how to survive in the world as it is and not as it should be. Was he arguing that the ends justify the means, or is that assessment too simple? Machiavelli is famous, or infamous, for shifting the sense of “virtue” from moral worth to effectiveness. The virtuous figures of The Prince are those who do whatever it takes to seize and maintain foreign territory, even if it entails the grossest violations. This is a morality


Which British newspaper was mainly responsible for exposing the MP's expenses scandal in 2009?

Male Profiles David William Donald Cameron ( /ˈkæmᵊrən/ ; born 9 October 1966) is a British politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2016. He was the Leader of the Conservative Party from 2005 to 2016, and has been Member of Parliament for Witney since 2001. Cameron identifies as a One-Nation Conservative , and has been associated with both economically liberal and socially liberal policies. Born in London to wealthy upper middle-class parents, Cameron was educated at Heatherdown School , Eton College , and Brasenose College, Oxford . From 1988 to 1993 he worked at the Conservative Research Department , assisting the Conservative Prime Minister John Major , before leaving politics to work for Carlton Communications in 1994. Becoming an MP in 2001, he served in the opposition shadow cabinet under Conservative leader Michael Howard , succeeding Howard in 2005. Cameron sought to rebrand the Conservatives, embracing an increasingly socially liberal position. The 2010 general election led to Cameron becoming Prime Minister as the head of a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats . [2] His premiership was marked by the ongoing effects of the late-2000s financial crisis ; these involved a large deficit in government finances that his government sought to reduce through austerity measures. His administration introduced large-scale changes to welfare , immigration policy , education , and healthcare . [3] It privatised the Royal Mail and some other state assets, and legalised same-sex marriage . Internationally, his government militarily intervened in the Libyan Civil War and later authorised the bombing of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ; domestically, his government oversaw the referendum on voting reform and Scottish independence referendum , both of which confirmed Cameron's favoured outcome. When the Conservatives secured a majority in the 2015 general election , he remained as Prime Minister leading a Conservative government. To fulfil a manifesto pledge, he introduced a referendum on the UK's continuing membership of the EU . Cameron supported continued membership; following the success of the Leave vote, [4] he chose to resign to make way for a new Prime Minister and was succeeded by Theresa May . [4] [5] Cameron has been praised for modernising the Conservative Party and for reining in the United Kingdom's national debt. Conversely, he has been criticised by figures on both the left and right , and has been accused of political opportunism and social elitism. Cameron has appeared on the Forbes List of The World's Most Powerful People since 2010. [6] Family Cameron is the younger son of Ian Donald Cameron (1932–2010), a stockbroker , and his wife Mary Fleur, née Mount (born 1934), [7] a retired Justice of the Peace and a daughter of Sir William Mount, 2nd Baronet . Cameron's parents were married on 20 October 1962. [7] The journalist Toby Young has described Cameron's background as being "upper-upper-middle class". [8] Cameron was born in Marylebone , London, [9] and raised in Peasemore, Berkshire . He has a brother, Alexander Cameron , QC (born 1963), a barrister , [10] and two sisters, Tania Rachel (born 1965) and Clare Louise (born 1971). [7] [11] His father, Ian, was born at Blairmore House near Huntly , Aberdeenshire , and died near Toulon , France, on 8 September 2010; [13] Ian was born with both legs deformed and underwent repeated operations to correct them. Blairmore was built by Cameron's great-great-grandfather, Alexander Geddes, [14] who had made a fortune in the grain trade in Chicago, Illinois , before returning to Scotland in the 1880s. [15] Cameron has said, "On my mother's side of the family, her mother was a Llewellyn, so Welsh . I'm a real mixture of Scottish , Welsh, and English ." [16] He has also referenced the German Jewish ancestry of one of his great-grandfathers, Arthur Levita, a descendant of the Yiddish author Elia Levita . [17] [18] Education From the age of seven, Cameron was educated at two independent schools : at Heatherdown School in


"The ""Generalife"" is a villa with gardens in the grounds of which famous tourist attraction in Spain?"

Granada Generalife, The City of Granada, Andalucia, Southern Spain The generalife became an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. more on Generalife by Lawrence Bohme This charming villa overlooking the Alhambra is often said to have been the summer palace of the Sultans, but in fact it was a hunting lodge and country retreat, where the rulers, accompanied by their wives, could escape the turmoil of the palace. The Moors, like today's Andalucians, did not combat the heat by seeking the open air, but rather by withdrawing into shady, secluded patios and rooms. The Spanish aristocrats who became its owners after the Reconquest radically altered the appearance of the little palace in the 19th century, adding an upper floor to the buildings at either end of the courtyard, opening the arched windows in the wall overlooking the Alhambra and installing the long rows of fountains which splice together in the air before splashing into the central pond. One has only to compare the Generalife's courtyard to the other patios of the Alhambra to realise what a departure it is from the Moorish ideal of a perfect garden, which was totally enclosed, with, at either end of the central pond, a single fountain dish creating a burble which was just audible enough to break the silence. In spite of the changes made by the Christians, the Generalife is the most charming corner of the Alhambra, thanks to its gardens and fast-flowing water. In fact, the name of the main courtyard is the Patio de la Acequia - Courtyard of the Water Channel - in reference to the water which coursed through the villa before supplying the Alhambra below. Search Hotels Near The Generalife Show only available hotels In Moorish times, the long wall facing the Alhambra was unbroken by windows except for the central balcony or belvedere, which allowed the Sultan to look over his palace and enjoy the evening breeze. The Christians opened the pointed windows in the wall, several of which are painted with the motto of the Catholic Monarchs, TATO MOTA, which, according to popular wisdom, is an abbreviation for "Tanto Monta el Rey como la Reina", loosely translatable as "The King sits as firmly in the saddle as the Queen". Isabella, as Monarch of Castile, was politically stronger than her husband Ferdinand, King of Aragon, and the motto reminded her that the coalition - consecrated by their marriage - gave equal rights to both. The upper floor of the pavillion at the far end of the patio was added in the 19th century by the heirs of the Count of Tendilla, but the lacey openwork of the arcades built by the Moors is miraculously intact. One of the favourite legends of the Alhambra tells of a rendez-vous between the Sultana and a knight of the rival Abencerraje family, in the shade of this great cypress, which is now called the Ciprés de la Sultana. The tree is so old that it has to be held up with a metal brace. After they were discovered, the legend has it, all the men of the Abencerraje family were massacred, on the orders of the jealous Sultan. The escalera del agua, or "water staircase" is genuinely Moorish. The ideal of the "desert people" was to have water flowing everywhere, even, it seems, along the bannisters of their staircases! Tours Discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alhambra and Generalife Gardens on this fascinating morning tour. You'll explore beyond the beautiful Moorish architecture to learn the history of one of the most visited attractions in the world. Your visit begins in the Alhambra, whose construction began in the 11th century on the red hill known as Assabika which overlooks Granada. The Alcazaba fortress was the first structure to be built, followed by the royal palace and residence of members of the court.


What is the nationality of golfer Vijay Singh?

stumbleupon More StatsView More About Vijay Singh Nicknamed “The Big Fijian”, Vijay Singh is a Fijian professional golfer who has an estimated net worth of $65 million. Born in Lautoka, Fiji on February 22, 1963, he is an Indo-Fijian of Hindu background. He grew up in Nadi playing snooker, cricket                , football and rugby, the most popular sport in the island. He learned golf from his father who is an avid golfer and used the swing of Tom Weiskopf as his early model. Singh turned professional in 1982 and joined the PGA Tour in 1993. He has won 58 tournaments in his career, including 34 on the PGA Tour. He has won three major championships – The Masters in 2000 and the PGA Championship in 1998 and 2004. He was the Number 1 in the Official World Golf Rankings for 32 weeks in 2004 and 2005. His career highlights also include winning the PGA Tour Rookie of the in 1993. He was elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame but deferred his induction until 2006. He was the leading PGA Tour money winner in 2003, 2004 and 2008. He won the Player of the Year honors for both the PGA Tour and the PGA of America in 2004. He also won the FedEx Cup in 2008. Vijay Singh currently holds the title for most wins after the age of 40, a record previously held by Sam Snead and is the second on the PGA Tour career money list. He continues to play a full schedule on the PGA Tour at the age of 48. He also continues to pursue his interest in golf course design. ShareOn Facebook


"What is the name of the ""Plum Pudding"" shaped island in the outer Firth of Clyde where granite is quarried to make curling stones?"

Bobbe's Community Food Bobbe's Community Food Black Currant Coulis and Other Summer Delights Red Currant Jelly (left) Rhubarb Jelly (right) Rhu-rant Jelly (back) I've kind of abandoned the blog for the summer.  The Co-op that I wrote it for has changed over people and it doesn't get published anymore so I lost interest.  It's now my recipe file for things I don't want to lose track of or things people ask me about. I decided to post the recipes that I used to create these jellies and the Black Currant Coulis because I've had a number of people ask me about them.  So, here ya go folks! Rhubarb Jelly (makes 9-10 half pint jars) Day 1 pick, wash, and chop into 1 inch pieces about 5-7 pounds of rhubarb. Place in a large stock pot and add 2 cups water. Bring to a boil and simmer until the rhubarb is mush. Allow to cool and then strain through a mesh strainer to remove the pulp. Store in the refrigerator overnight. Have a glass of wine. Day 2 rinse 4 thicknesses of cheesecloth and place in the mesh strainer.  Pour the cold juice through the cheesecloth to remove any residual pulp. Measure 6 cups of strained juice 2 boxes of Sure Jell and bring to a full rolling boil over high heat. Add ½ teaspoon butter and 9 cups of sugar all at once. Return to a full rolling boil (a boil that can’t be stirred down) and boil for one(1) minute.    Ladle into hot prepared jars filling to within 1/4 inch of the top.  Wipe threads and rim and seal with two-piece lids.  Place jars in a boiling water bath that covers the top of the jars for 10 minutes.  Remove to a rack and allow to cool. Finish the bottle of wine. Bobbe Almer adapted this recipe from a Kraft Recipes Sure Jell Rhubarb Jelly recipe. Currant Jelly (makes about 9 half pint jars) Day 1 pick, and wash about 3 quarts of currants. Place in a large stock pot and add 2 cups water. Bring to a boil and simmer until the currants are pale and falling apart. Allow to cool and then strain through a mesh strainer to remove the pulp. Store in the refrigerator overnight. Have a glass of wine. Day 2 rinse 4 thicknesses of cheesecloth and place in the mesh strainer.  Pour the cold juice through the cheesecloth to remove any residual pulp. Measure 61/2 cups of strained juice 1 box of Sure Jell and bring to a full rolling boil over high heat. Add ½ teaspoon butter and 7 cups of sugar all at once. Return to a full rolling boil (a boil that can’t be stirred down) and boil for one(1) minute.    Ladle into hot prepared jars filling to within 1/4 inch of the top.  Wipe threads and rim and seal with two-piece lids.  Place jars in a boiling water bath that covers the top of the jars for 10 minutes.  Remove to a rack and allow to cool. Finish the bottle of wine. Bobbe Almer adapted this recipe from the Sure Jell package. Black Currant Coulis (makes about 12 half pint jars) Coulis is a form of thick sauce made from puréed and strained vegetables or fruits.   Pick and wash about 4 quarts of black currants. Place in a large stock pot and add 3 cups water. Bring to a boil and simmer until the currants are soft and falling apart. Allow to cool and then put them through a food mill until the remaining seeds/skins are dry About 8 cups of juice/pulp remain.  Some seeds came through the Foley food mill, but they are fine and taste good so no problem. Return the juice/pulp to a clean stock pot, add 5 cups of sugar and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. I brought this to a boil and let it boil for a few minutes before putting it into hot half pint jars and sealing with two piece lids. I chose to freeze mine in these jars so I filled them just to the bottom of the threads.  If you prefer, you could fill them on up and process in a water bath. I’ve already used some of mine by adding a tablespoon to balsamic vinaigrette - it was awesome!  I plan to use some to baste a pork roast and grilled chicken too - yum!  It would be delicious drizzled over cheesecake or an ice cream too. Bobbe Almer created this recipe. Posted by Incredible Onion Pie Have you ever had a fresh, home grown sweet onion that was so sweet and fresh it could hav


Which former Tory Cabinet Minister is reported to have put in an expenses claim for cleaning his moat in the recent scandal?

Tory Douglas Hogg among raft of political cronies and failed MPs given peerages | Daily Mail Online Arise Lord Moat: Expenses row Tory Douglas Hogg among raft of political cronies and failed MPs given peerages Former MPs given Lords seats in 'dissolution peerages' announced today Appointments take active membership of the Lords to more than 800 Tories William Hague, David Willetts, George Young become peers  Expenses row Tory Douglas Hogg also given a seat in the upper chamber Hogg sparked widespread fury after getting his moat cleaned on expenses Lib Dem MPs who lost their seats at last election also given seats today Veteran Labour MPs David Blunkett and Alistair Darling given peerages


"In which country did the dance ""The Czardas"" originate?"

The Czardas Dance   The Question: I am trying to identify the Russian dance where the "dancers"     have their arms crossed in front of them while they bouncing up and     down and alternately extending one of their legs out in front of them.     Can you help on this one? The Answer: The difficult dance you refer to is called the czardas, or char'dash (with the emphasis on     the first syllable). Although people often associate it with Russia , it is actually a folk     dance of the Magyar, the dominant people of Hungary . In our online encyclopedia you can find out more information     about the Magyar people, or about other folk     dances . —The Editors


During the 2008 Proms series of concerts one was based upon the music written by composer Murray Gold for which TV series?

Doctor Who theme | Tardis | Fandom powered by Wikia Doctor Who Theme - Doctor Who Prom - BBC Proms 2013 - Radio 3 The Doctor Who theme as performed at the 2013 BBC Proms . The Doctor Who theme was composed by Ron Grainer and made its debut with the first episode of the Doctor Who series in 1963. Although it has undergone many rearrangements, this piece of music has remained the sole theme for the series throughout its history, making it one of the most recognisable themes in television. It is also one of the longest continually-used pieces of theme music in Western entertainment history, surpassed only by the theme from Coronation Street (in use since 1960), and the " James Bond Theme" (in use since 1962). It has also been used for most licensed works featuring the central Doctor Who characters, with the exception of the two Peter Cushing films of the mid-1960s, spin-off programmes, and the occasional audio production that has not featured any theme music. The original version of the theme (heard from 1963-1967, and in a modified arrangement from 1967-1980) is considered a milestone in electronic music and a predecessor of the electronica genre of music. [ source needed ] Although Grainer has always been credited as the theme's sole composer, several histories of the series indicate that, due to Delia Derbyshire 's involvement in creating the theme's iconic initial arrangement, Grainer attempted, without success, to have her credited as co-composer. Contents Edit The Doctor Who theme consists of several sections which appear variously in the different arrangements, sometimes in different order, and sometimes omitted or modified: Introduction section: This consists of the iconic "unnh-ba da-bum, unnh-ba da-bum, unnh-ba-da-da-bum, unnh-ba daa-unh da-danh-ba-da-da-dum..." bassline melody that begins most versions of the theme and carries on underneath... Main melody: This is the main tune (ooo-weee-ooooooooo eee-yoo-ooooooooo...) which dominates most arrangements of the theme. Middle eight: This is a sweeping phrase of melody that is used to separate repetitions of the main melody. This section of the theme has often been omitted on TV broadcasts, particularly the opening credits, although it became a major part of the opening themes used during the Sylvester McCoy era and the 1996 TV movie. Bridge: a brief, percussive phrase that occurs midway through the theme. The bridge is heard on the full-length versions of the Derbyshire, Howell, and Glynn arrangements but has generally been omitted in all other TV versions of the opening theme. However, it's heard in one of the 1970s Derbyshire closing arrangements, as well as both the Howell and Glynn closing arrangement, both the McCulloch opening and closing arrangement, the second 2005 Gold closing arrangement, the 2007 Gold closing arrangement and one of the 2010 Gold closing arrangements. Original series The Iconic Theme Tune - Me, You and Doctor Who - BBC The original theme Although Ron Grainer has always received sole credit for the theme music, Delia Derbyshire with the BBC Radiophonic Workshop was responsible for all the arrangements for Seasons 1 through 17 . She was given the composition by Grainer and asked to create the music. The method she chose was to create each sound from scratch using a variety of methods from pure tones to piano strings . Each sound was then changed in pitch and duration using purely analogue equipment. The final arrangement of the theme was made by making a recording of each section ( bass line , melody , etc.) and putting them together to form the final mono track. Her first arrangement was released as a single, but never used as the opening title music. It consists of the main theme and the " middle eight " in an ABABA pattern. Two versions of this arrangement exist, one with the TARDIS ' dematerialisation sound and one without. In addition, a variant version was used for the unbroadcast pilot episode version , which incorporates the sound of a thunderclap at the beginning. Seasons 1-4 Edit The studio requested some changes and the second arr


The first Olympic Games in three decades without a boycott of some sort was held in 1992 in which city?

Olympic Games | myHistro Olympic Games Modern Games. From the beginning... 21 comments | 6. April 1896 - 12. August 2012 Play 31 events 69275 views   Zooming out would make some of the events flow below the lower edge of the timeline and was thus cancelled. 2012-06-29 08:50:27 by Jala Peno Last modified 2012-09-12 08:45:38 Embed story Play embedded story automatically: You can add the timeline and map to another page, just copy and paste the story embed code above. Include header Here you can specify desired dimensions for embedded story to make it fit in your blog etc. Custom Width & Height In order to create a slideshow, You must choose background music for your slideshow. Choose your format: DVD for burning (.iso file) video file for watching (.mpg file) You can choose music from our library: barn-beat.mp3 Your browser does not support this audio format. cautious-path.mp3 Your browser does not support this audio format. destination.mp3 Your browser does not support this audio format. heart-of-the-sea.mp3 Your browser does not support this audio format. iron-man.mp3 Your browser does not support this audio format. jungle-run.mp3 Your browser does not support this audio format. midnight-ride.mp3 Your browser does not support this audio format. Or upload your own sound: 0 cancel If you found a bug then please try to explain on which page and under which circumstances it manifested so we can reproduce it.  If the issue is visual, also report your operating system, browser vendor and version.  Any ideas on how to improve the overall system are also welcome in free form text. Related stories The first Olympic Games in three decades without a boycott was hosted by the Spanish city of Barcelona. Athletes from most of the new countries of the former Soviet Union competed as the "Unified Team" and for the first time since 1964, Germany competed as a unified country. South Africa also rejoined the Games having eliminated apartheid.Baseball, a demonstration sport in earlier Games, was added to the Olympic roster.The amateur rule that was overturned for the 1988 Olympic Games, allowed the United States to send the "Dream Team," a basketball team made up of a number of the most famous U.S. professional basketball players, to the Olympics.


"Who as at March 2009 chairs the Radio 4 programme ""The News Quiz""?"

Miles Jupp to host The News Quiz - BBC News BBC News Miles Jupp to host The News Quiz 29 June 2015 Read more about sharing. Close share panel Image caption Miles Jupp wrote and starred in sitcom In And Out Of The Kitchen - as the cookery writer Damien Trench - on both radio and TV Miles Jupp is to take over from Sandi Toksvig as the new host of BBC Radio 4's comedy show The News Quiz. The comedian and actor first appeared as a panellist on the quiz show in 2009. His debut in the host's chair will be broadcast on Friday 17 September. "It is a massive honour to follow in the footsteps of Barrys Norman and Took, of Simon Hoggart and the delectable Sandi Toksvig and be asked to take on this role," Jupp said. "Sandi has been remarkable in her time in charge of The News Quiz and her legacy will live on forever amongst listeners. "Following her departure my first job will be to lead the regulars and listeners through as many of the stages of grief as are ultimately deemed necessary (by a completely independent arbiter). Image caption Jupp, seen with Paul Merton (right), has been a regular guest on Have I Got News For You "Then it will simply be a matter of dumbing it down and sexing it up. Or vice versa, depending entirely on the circumstances." Jupp hosted the R4 panel show It's Not What You Know and wrote and starred in radio sitcom In And Out Of The Kitchen as the cookery writer Damien Trench. He later adapted the show for TV. The 35-year-old is a familiar face on TV in programmes such as Rev, The Thick Of It, Have I Got News For You and Mock The Week. He also played Archie the inventor in the pre-school TV series Balamory. Image caption Jupp, pictured in 2002, played Archie in CBeebies show Balamory Jupp began his comedy career in stand-up while a student at Edinburgh University. He has appeared in a number of films including Made in Dagenham and The Monuments Men as well as plays in the London's West End and at the National Theatre, where he is currently in the cast of Rules for Living, alongside Stephen Mangan. Toksvig announced in April that she was to step down from The News Quiz - after nine years and 28 series - to set up a new political party named the Women's Equality Party. Her last programme was broadcast last week. Commenting on her replacement, she said: "I couldn't be more delighted that Miles Jupp is taking over as host of The News Quiz. He is perfect - affable, funny and charming. I look forward to going from host to fan." The News Quiz was first broadcast in 1977 and is now in its 87th series.


Jean Sibelius: Composer's life & music | Classic FM Jean Sibelius Biography Jean Sibelius 1865 – 1957 Few composers of Sibelius's stature have divided the critics so sharply. Many feel that it was Sibelius rather than Mahler who was the last master in the grand Beethoven symphonic tradition. Life and Music Although Sibelius displayed an affinity for music from an early age, he was hardly a prodigy. He didn't start formal piano lessons until he was nine, although it was the violin that fired his enthusiasm. He became obsessed with the idea of becoming a world-class virtuoso. His failure to do so struck a big emotional blow - he got as far as an audition with the Vienna Philharmonic. Sibelius received a thorough training in composition, but what really set him on the road as a composer was the Berlin premiere of his conductor-composer friend Robert Kajanu's Aino Symphony. The fearsomely nationalistic young Finn's immediate response was a massive five-movement symphonic poem entitled Kullervo composed in 1892, the year he married Aino Jarnefelt. This was swiftly followed by En Saga, the Karelia Suite, a series of four orchestral Legends (including the much-loved Swan of Tuonela) and Finlandia. Between 1899 and 1926 Sibelius composed seven symphonies which tantalisingly balance to varying degrees his Classicist roots and Romantic inclinations. Until the outbreak of the First World War, Sibelius was in demand throughout Europe as a conductor. Sibelius's last major work was the orchestral tone-poem Tapiola, which points towards the possibility of a new period of creative mastery. However, with over 30 years of his life remaining, Sibelius virtually laid his composing pen to rest. For several years he worked secretively on an Eighth Symphony, but this was later consigned to the fire. He remains one of the few 20th-century composers to have become a legend within his own lifetime. Did you know? Sibelius was actually given the first name Johan when he was born; that is the Finnish version of the English name John. But when he found out his uncle had turned his name into Jean, which is the French version of John, Sibelius decided to do the same. Sibelius: 15 facts about the great composer Today his name is used for music composing software, but the Finnish composer Sibelius deserves our attention – not least for his Finlandia and Violin Concerto.


"Who had a number 1 hit in 1972 with ""Mouldy Old Dough""?"

Mouldy Old Dough by Lieutenant Pigeon on Apple Music 24 Songs Album Review Titled after the shock hit that, for a few weeks in September 1972, established Lieutenant Pigeon as the hottest novelty in British radio, Mouldy Old Music is everything you'd expect from three rockers and a piano-playing granny — and nothing like anything else on earth. Though the group's subsequent history might convince you otherwise, "Mouldy Old Dough" was neither the beginning nor the end of the Pigeon's good ideas, and that despite every song apparently revolving around yet another variation of the same drum/whistle/piano routine, punctuated by a gruff, growling hook line. The Jimmy Castor Bunch meets "Ain't That a Shame" surrealism of "And the Fun Goes On," the locomotive breath of "If Julia Sees Her," and the throaty indolence of "Desperate Dan" all pack the same reeling punch as the smash, a good-time packed-up party vibe that clashes mutant Gary Glitter with an album-long "Neanderthal Man," and doesn't care how sick you get of stamping along. Once it starts, you won't be able to stop, no matter how drunk you get. Stay sober, on the other hand, and it will all pale very quickly indeed. Sometimes, one hit single really is enough. Biography Genre: Pop Years Active: '70s A truly odd popular music ensemble for 1970s Britain, Lieutenant Pigeon enjoyed a fairly long and successful recording career with their offbeat, mostly instrumental music. Not exactly easy to categorize as rock, it's nonetheless hard to know what else to call their mix of martial percussion (similar to that heard in Napoleon XIV's infamous hit "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Ha"), century-old sounding parlor music, and weird insertions of fifes, rickety pianos, and half-buried miscellaneous... Top Albums and Songs by Lieutenant Pigeon 1.


"Who wrote the novella ""Breakfast at Tiffany's""?"

Mansion where Truman Capote wrote Breakfast at Tiffany's sells for record $12million | Daily Mail Online Mansion where Truman Capote wrote Breakfast at Tiffany's sells for record $12million comments The house in New York where Truman Capote wrote some of his most famous works has been sold for around $12million. It is the most expensive house ever sold in Brooklyn - but the price is nonetheless disappointing for the realtors, who were hoping it would fetch closer to $18million. The appeal of the 11-bedroom mansion is strengthened by its status as the place where Capote hammered out his novella Breakfast at Tiffany's in 1958. Celebrity status: This house in Brooklyn Heights has been brought by the Rockstar Games co-founder for $12.5million Colourful: The golden-yellow house has an extensive back garden, a rarity for New York That work became world-famous when it was adapted into a film starring Audrey Hepburn as the mysterious Holly Golightly. RELATED ARTICLES Share However, the house's attractions are not limited to its celebrity past. It has been described as the best house in Brooklyn's best neighbourhood, Brooklyn Heights, and the agent handling the sale described it as 'like living in a country estate in the middle of New York City'. Pricey: The house is believed to be the most expensive ever sold in Brooklyn Celebrity: Author Truman Capote lived in part of the house for a decade, from 1955 to 1965 Inspiration: While living in the house Capote wrote Breakfast at Tiffany's, later adapted into a film featuring Audrey Hepburn's iconic performance as the mysterious Holly Golightly As well as the huge number of bedrooms, the house - built in 1839 - has 11 fireplaces, parking for four cars and an extensive garden, and is decorated with crystal chandeliers. If it were located in a trendy Manhattan neighbourhood, it would be worth tens of millions of dollars. But after being listed by Sotheby's at $18million in May 2010, the luxurious home took nearly two years to be sold, and lost a third of its estimated value during that time. Now it has finally changed hands after being picked up for a relative bargain by an unidentified buyer. Luxurious: This is just one of the 11 fireplaces installed in the house's 11 bedrooms Kitchen: Another impressive feature of the Brooklyn Heights house, which was built in 1839 Capote rented an apartment in the house from 1955 to 1965, after persuaded its owner, Broadway set designer Oliver Smith, to let him move in. The author held decadent parties there when Smith was out of town. 'You can imagine Capote running around with his slippers on,' Brooklynite screenwriter Peter Hedges told the Daily News. Bargain: The house was eventually sold to Dan Houser for just two thirds of the $18million asking price Haven: The garden will give Houser a refuge from the hustle and bustle of New York City


As at March 2009 who is Prime Minister of Australia?

Muslims Out of Australia! : snopes.com Muslims Out of Australia! Claim:   Article compiles statements from Australian government officials about Sharia law and Muslim extremists. MIXTURE [Collected via e-mail, 2005] Muslims Out of Australia! CANBERRA AUSTRALIA: Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks. A day after a group of mainstream Muslim leaders pledged loyalty to Australia at a special meeting with Prime Minister John Howard, he and his ministers made it clear that extremists would face a crackdown. Treasurer Peter Costello, seen as heir apparent to Howard, hinted that some radical clerics could be asked to leave the country if they did not accept that australia was a secular state and its laws were made by parliament. "If those are not your values, if you want a country which has Sharia law or a theocratic state, then Australia is not for you," he said on national television. "I'd be saying to clerics who are teaching that there are two laws governing people in Australia, one the Australian law and another the Islamic law, that is false. If you can't agree with parliamentary law, independent courts, democracy, and would prefer Sharia law and have the opportunity to go to other country which practices it, perhaps, then, that's a better option," Costello said. Asked whether he meant radical clerics would be forced to leave, he said those with dual citizenship could possibly be asked to move to the other country. Education Minister Brendan Nelson later told reporters that Muslims who did not want to accept local values should "clear off". "Basically, people who don't want to be Australians, and they don't want to live by Australian values and understand them, well then they can basically clear off," he said. Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.   Variations:   A January 2008 variant combined elements of this piece with a 2001 editorial about immigrants written by a U.S. Air Force veteran, creating the misleading impression that the hybrid version reflected a speech given by Australian prime minister John Howard. A February 2009 variant attributed the entire combined version to Kevin Rudd, who succeeded John Howard as Australia's prime minister in 2007, and a 2010 variant attributed elements of both to Julia Gillard, who succeeded Kevin Rudd in June 2010. Origins:   The July 2005 London Tube bombings raised domestic terrorism concerns in countries with large immigrant Muslim populations, such as Australia. The following month, Australian prime minister John Howard held a two-hour summit with moderate Muslim leaders in Canberra to work on a national strategy for addressing intolerance and the promotion of violence, during which issues such as the curriculum of Islamic schools and suggested measures for vetting imams were discussed. The Christian Science Monitor noted of the event: As other governments have found, however, deciding who represents the Muslim community can be a delicate matter. Large sections of the youth, as well as conservative and more critical clerics, have been left out of Howard's summit — meaning some of the government's more aggressive proposals may meet resistance. But the groups who attended the meeting hailed it as a successful first step in an ongoing dialogue. "We determined along with the prime minister that there must be more communication between the government and Islamic schools where it comes to teaching common values like democracy, fairness, tolerance and so on, and radicals will be reacted to, whenever they make inflammatory remarks," says Ali Roude, the acting president of the New South Wales Islamic Council. "It's much worse for us now, because 7/7 showed the world that the enemy is to be found within" instead of 9/11 when the terrorists were all foreigners [said the spokesperson for Lebanese Muslims in Australia]. "Now they are suspicious of all of


To which religious group did the victims of the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre belong?

Massacre of Saint Bartholomew's Day | French history [1572] | Britannica.com Paris Massacre of Saint Bartholomew’s Day, (August 24/25, 1572), massacre of French Huguenots (Protestants) in Paris plotted by Catherine de Médicis and carried out by Roman Catholic nobles and other citizens. It was one event in the series of civil wars between Roman Catholics and Huguenots that beset France in the late 16th century. French Huguenots grieving after the Massacre of St. Bartholomew’s Day (August 24–25, 1572), … Hulton Archive/Getty Images The Massacre of St. Bartholomew’s Day had for its background the political and religious rivalries of the court of France. Admiral Gaspard II de Coligny , a Huguenot leader, supported a war in the Low Countries against Spain as a means to prevent a resumption of civil war, a plan that the French king, Charles IX , was coming to approve in the summer of 1572. Catherine de Médicis , the mother of Charles, feared Admiral Coligny’s growing influence over her son. She accordingly gave her approval to a plot that the Roman Catholic house of Guise had been hatching to assassinate Coligny, whom it held responsible for the murder of François de Guise in 1563. On Aug. 18, 1572, Catherine’s daughter, Margaret of France (Marguerite de Valois), was married to the Huguenot Henry of Navarre (the future Henry IV of France), and a large part of the Huguenot nobility came to Paris for the wedding. The attempt on Admiral Coligny’s life four days later failed; he was only wounded. To placate the angry Huguenots, the government agreed to investigate the assassination attempt. Fearing discovery of her complicity, Catherine met secretly with a group of nobles at the Tuileries Palace to plot the complete extermination of the Huguenot leaders, who were still in Paris for the wedding festivities. Charles was persuaded to approve of the scheme, and, on the night of August 23, members of the Paris municipality were called to the Louvre and given their orders. Shortly before dawn on August 24 the bell of Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois began to toll and the massacre began. One of the first victims was Coligny, who was killed under the supervision of Henry de Guise himself. Even within the Louvre, Navarre’s attendants were slaughtered, though Navarre and Henry I de Bourbon, 2nd Prince de Conde, were spared. The homes and shops of Huguenots were pillaged, and their occupants brutally murdered; many bodies were thrown into the Seine. Bloodshed continued in Paris even after a royal order of August 25 to stop the killing, and it spread to the provinces. Huguenots in Rouen , Lyon , Bourges , Orléans , and Bordeaux were among the victims. Estimates of the number that perished in the disturbances, which lasted to the beginning of October, have varied from 2,000 by a Roman Catholic apologist to 70,000 by the contemporary Huguenot Duke de Sully, who himself barely escaped death. Modern writers put the number at 3,000 in Paris alone. Similar Topics


Of which African mountain range is Jbel Toubkal the highest peak?

Toubkal for the weekend: Climbing Northern Africa's highest mountain : Trip Reports : SummitPost Late night Dinner in Imlil Riad Atlas Toubkal in Imlil When we arrived in Marrakech our Taxi driver was already waiting for us. He had a big sign with my name on it, well not entirely, but something that looked similar. He was happy seeing us and we went out of the airport to his car. The first thing I noticed when walking out of the airport was the heat. It must have been about 35 degrees Centigrade, although it was already 8PM and getting dark. We arranged that Abdul would take us from the airport to Imlil, which is located at the base of Jbel Toubkal. Imlil is situated in the Atlas mountains at an altitude of 1900 meters. It was important for our acclimatization to go to Imlil directly to spend our first night at a higher altitude, especially since we had to sleep at 3200meters the upcoming night. When the sun had set, all mosques started to come alive. The imam started his prayers who we could hear through all the speakers surrounding the mosques. This was a sign for the people; they could finally eat. What I forgot to mention is that it was Ramadan in Morocco at the time of our visit.  Abdul parked the car, opened up his bag with food and drinks and asked if it was okay to eat and drink something. He did not eat and drink  since 4 or 5 AM this morning. Of course it was… At the same time I wondered how he did it: It was in the middle of summer and temperatures tend reach to over 40 degrees C. during the day. The heat here is intense, how does he cope without drinking a single drop of water all day?  While wondering about this, we got back in the car and drove off. It is a 60 mile drive from Marrakech to Imlil. In past days, this trip would cost you a day, but in recent years the road has been improved, shortening the travel time to an hour and a half. It was entirely dark soon after we left and Abdou was driving crazy fast, but I guess that’s normal here. Anyway, one hour and 15 minutes later we arrived in Imlil. Abdou dropped us off at our Riad (more or less a hotel). The hotel owner, also named Abdou, welcomed us and showed us to our room. It was like walking into the fairytale of ‘’1001 nights’’: Flying carpets on the floors, large curtains in all colors dressing up each room and so on. We felt at home immediately. Abdou prepared dinner and shortly afterwards we went to sleep …tomorrow was going to be a long day. Riad Atlas Toubkal in Imlil Breakfast! in Imlil Imlil Sign   Passing through Imlil was great. There were Roosters crowing, women cleaning clothes on the river banks and local men trying to sell all sorts of things on the streets. I remember thinking ‘’ this is the closest place to home I’ve been where the world is so completely different compared to ours.’’ After buying a large typical Moroccan scarf to protect us from the sun and gathering directions we arrived at the starting point of the trail towards Toubkal. After crossing a forest we entered the tree line quite fast. At this point, we had some amazing views towards the idyllic village called Aremd. Aremd lies at almost 2000meters and is built on the steep hillslopes of the valley. At this point on the trail we met the first local salesmen selling all kinds of stuff from a small shop he owned along the trail. I told him I already bought a scarf back in Imlil and was waiting for him to convince me into buying some other stuff from his shop. I was quite amazed when he didn’t. He just said, ‘’no worries my friend, how are you and where are you from?’’ I told him about coming from the Netherlands and soon we were debating about Dutch Football players like Robben, van Persie and his idol from his youth: van Basten.  After a nice chat we left again. While proceeding on the trail I was thinking about how nice and respectful the local people are. I expected the people to more like I experienced in for example Turkey, were they were almost dragging me into their store trying to sell stuff. I hated that, so this was a nice, unexpected experience. Sun protection Ma


"Which war poet wrote ""Dulce Et Decorum Est""?"

WILFRED OWEN - DULCE ET DECORUM EST, Text of poem and notes Wilfred Owen Minds at War A comprehensive anthology of poetry of the First World War. All the greatest war poems of Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon and war poems of over 70 other notable poets. All set in the context of the poets' lives and historical records. With historic photographs and cartoons.   Edited by David Roberts. 400 pages ï¿½15-99 (UK) Best known poem of the First World War (with notes) Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares(2) we turned our backs And towards our distant rest(3) began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots(4)  Of tired, outstripped(5) Five-Nines(6) that dropped behind. Gas!(7) Gas! Quick, boys! ï¿½ An ecstasy of fumbling, Fitting the clumsy helmets(8) just in time; But someone still was yelling out and stumbling, And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime(9) . . . Dim, through the misty panes(10) and thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. In all my dreams, before my helpless sight, He plunges at me, guttering,(11) choking, drowning. If in some smothering dreams you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in, And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin; If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud(12)  Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues, My friend, you would not tell with such high zest(13)  To children ardent(14) for some desperate glory, The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est Pro patria mori.(15) Thought to have been written between 8 October 1917  and March, 1918 Notes on Dulce et Decorum  Est 1.  DULCE ET DECORUM EST - the first words of a Latin   saying (taken from an ode by Horace). The words were widely   understood and often quoted at the start of the First World War.   They mean "It is sweet and right." The full saying ends the poem:   Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori - it is sweet and right to die   for your country. In other words, it is a wonderful and great honour   to fight and die for your country. 2.  Flares - rockets which were sent up to burn with   a brilliant glare to light up men and other targets in the area   between the front lines (See illustration, page 118 of Out in the   Dark.)  3.  Distant rest - a camp away from the front line   where exhausted soldiers might rest for a few days, or longer  4.  Hoots - the noise made by the shells rushing   through the air  5.  Outstripped - outpaced, the soldiers have   struggled beyond the reach of these shells which are now falling   behind them as they struggle away from the scene of battle    6.  Five-Nines - 5.9 calibre explosive shells  7.  Gas! -  poison gas. From the symptoms it   would appear to be chlorine or phosgene gas. The filling of the   lungs with fluid had the same effects as when a person drowned 8.  Helmets -  the early name for gas masks  9.  Lime - a white chalky substance which can burn   live tissue  10.  Panes - the glass in the eyepieces of the gas   masks  11.  Guttering - Owen probably meant flickering out   like a candle or gurgling like water draining down a gutter,   referring to the sounds in the throat of the choking man, or it   might be a sound partly like stuttering and partly like gurgling  12.  Cud - normally the regurgitated grass that cows   chew usually green and bubbling. Here a similar looking material was   issuing from the soldier's mouth  13.  High zest - idealistic enthusiasm, keenly   believing in the rightness of the idea  14.  ardent - keen  15.  Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori - see note 1   above. These notes are taken from the book, Out  in the Dark, Poetry of the First World War, where other  war poems that need special explanations are similarly annotated. The  ideal book for stude


With which musical instrument is Theolonius Monk best associated?

The Best of Thelonious Monk - Thelonious Monk | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic The Best of Thelonious Monk AllMusic Rating google+ AllMusic Review               by Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr. Offering a "best-of" package from Thelonious Monk is a daunting task, even if the compiler sticks to his Riverside material between 1955 and 1960. Such a package, for instance, could only hint at the riches of an album like Brilliant Corners and Monk's Music . But why shouldn't a newcomer to the works of Monk have one great disc to draw him or her in? The Best of Thelonious Monk accomplishes just that, compiling pieces from the above mentioned albums, live tracks, and even a lovely solo version of the pianist's best-known piece, "'Round Midnight." The disc is packed -- with one exception -- with Monk 's compositions, thus introducing the novice to all aspects of his work. Monk 's joined by a who's who list of modern jazz greats including saxophonist John Coltrane , drummer Art Blakey , and tenor Sonny Rollins for trios, quartets, quintets, and sextets. There's a tremendous 11-minute take on "Well, You Needn't" and a nice interpretation of Duke Ellington 's "Caravan." As this disc plainly shows, Monk 's writing and piano style was beautifully idiosyncratic, and quite unlike anything else at the time or since. His solos on "Well, You Needn't" and "Brilliant Corners" range between mathematically precise to abstract, spinning precise patterns and then drifting freely. But while Monk 's music was always difficult, he -- like Charles Mingus -- never forgot to write intriguing melodies. For those who have never experienced the brilliance of one of jazz's most distinct stylists, The Best of Thelonious Monk is a grand place to start. Track Listing


"Which product was advertised in 1970's using the song ""I'd like to teach the world to sing""?"

Coca Cola Commercial - I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony): The Coca-Cola Company Coca Cola Commercial - I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony) Coca Cola Commercial - I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony) By: The Company | May 8, 2014 |          19,256 Views Share: Fanta Intrínseco Rífatela como Pro. 457   Views 2017年「可口可樂」勁享美食廣告 2160   Views Kevin y Karla | Siente El Sabor 1552   Views Cuando sientes la música te dejas llevar por el ritmo y la melodía. Por unos minutos te transportas y viajas al lugar donde deseas estar. Kevin y Karla te invitan a sentir la música #SienteElSabor is Digitizing 6,000 Analog Tapes 123   Views According to Archivist Ted Ryan, it pays to preserve. That's why Coca-Cola is partnering with Crawford Media Services in Atlanta to digitize TV commercials, speeches and other video content from the company’s vault. ile Yemeğin #TadınıÇıkar. 2901   Views Mutfakta geçen zamanın, sevdiklerinle aynı sofraya oturmanın, en acıktığın an aldığın ilk lokmadan son lokmaya kadar Coca-Cola ile her yemeğin #TadınıÇıkar.  Ritmi yaşa, müziğin tadını çıkar. Gözyaşlarına aldırma, ferahlamanın tadını çıkar. Sürprizlere hazır ol, lezzetin tadını çıkar. İlk yudumu al, son lokmanın tadını çıkar. Sabırlı ol, sofranın tadını çıkar. Coca Cola Zero Magician 30 MTG 13   Views Puedes ver el mundo como un lugar común y corriente. Cuando te tomas una Coca-Cola - Profesor 2362   Views En un día normal, un profesor le pide a su clase que vayan mucho más allá de lo que ven. Así, al tomar una Coca-Cola Descubre el delicioso sabor de Coca-Cola The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands and more than 3,800 beverage choices. Led by Coca-Cola , one of the world's most valuable and recognizable brands, our company’s portfolio features 20 billion-dollar brands, 18 of which are available in reduced-, low- or no-calorie options. Our billion-dollar brands include Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero, Fanta, Sprite, Dasani, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Del Valle, Georgia and Gold Peak. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, we are the No. 1 provider of both sparkling and still beverages.  More than 1.9 billion servings of our beverages are enjoyed by consumers in more than 200 countries each day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world's top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. © 2016 THE


"Which country is nicknamed ""The Land of The Thousand Lakes""?"

Which country is called the “Lands of thousand Lakes”? Information of the world Which country is called the “Lands of thousand Lakes”? Home » Arts » General Knowledge » Which country is called the “Lands of thousand Lakes”? Finland is known as the land of thousand lakes in the world. The number of lakes in Finland are 187,888 which includes large as well  small lakes. There is an area where the number of lakes are very high, for this reason that area is called Finnish Lakeland. Out of these lakes Saimaa is the largest lake in the country. This lake is the fourth largest lake in Europe with an area of 4400 square kilometer. According to the scientists, this lake was formed because of glacial melting at the end of Ice Age. Most of the lakes of this Land of Thousand Lakes are the result of this glacial melting which caused the creation of Saimaa. It is now clear that because of the highest number of lakes in this country, Finland is popular as the land of thousand lakes. Because of its lakes and Islands, Finland is regarded the most beautiful country in Europe.  It is also one of the most popular tourist spot of Europe. Aland an semi-autonomous Island which forms an archipelago and it is the most beautiful tourist destination in Finland. Not only the lakes and islands but the forest of Finland are also popular. 86% of the total area is comprised of forests, for this reason Finland is the most forested country in Europe. The lakes, islands and thick forests have converted Finland into a sparsely populated area in European Union. Finland Lakes


Which English king was married to Charlotte of Mecklenberg?

Queen Charlotte | FRONTLINE | PBS WATCH SCHEDULE TOPICS ABOUT FRONTLINE SHOP TEACHER CENTER With features as conspicuously Negroid as they were reputed to be by her contemporaries, it is no wonder that the black community, both in the U.S. and throughout the British Commonwealth, have rallied around pictures of Queen Charlotte for generations. They have pointed out the physiological traits that so obviously identify the ethnic strain of the young woman who, at first glance, looks almost anomalous, portrayed as she usually is, in the sumptuous splendour of her coronation robes. Queen Charlotte, wife of the English King George III (1738-1820), was directly descended from Margarita de Castro y Sousa, a black branch of the Portuguese Royal House. The riddle of Queen Charlotte's African ancestry was solved as a result of an earlier investigation into the black magi featured in 15th century Flemish paintings. Two art historians had suggested that the black magi must have been portraits of actual contemporary people (since the artist, without seeing them, would not have been aware of the subtleties in colouring and facial bone structure of quadroons or octoroons which these figures invariably represented) Enough evidence was accumulated to propose that the models for the black magi were, in all probability, members of the Portuguese de Sousa family. (Several de Sousas had in fact traveled to the Netherlands when their cousin, the Princess Isabella went there to marry the Grand Duke, Philip the Good of Burgundy in the year 1429.) Six different lines can be traced from English Queen Charlotte back to Margarita de Castro y Sousa, in a gene pool which because of royal inbreeding was already minuscule, thus explaining the Queen's unmistakable African appearance. Queen Charlotte's Portrait: The Negroid characteristics of the Queen's portraits certainly had political significance since artists of that period were expected to play down, soften or even obliterate undesirable features in a subjects's face. Sir Allan Ramsay was the artist responsible for the majority of the paintings of the Queen and his representations of her were the most decidedly African of all her portraits. Ramsey was an anti-slavery intellectual of his day. He also married the niece of Lord Mansfield, the English judge whose 1772 decision was the first in a series of rulings that finally ended slavery in the British Empire. It should be noted too that by the time Sir Ramsay was commissioned to do his first portrait of the Queen, he was already , by marriage, uncle to Dido Elizabeth Lindsay, the black grand niece of Lord Mansfield. Thus, from just a cursory look at the social awareness and political activism at that level of English society, it would be surprising if the Queen's negroid physiogomy was of no significance to the Abolitionist movement. Lord Mansfield's black grand niece, for example, Ms. Lindsay, was the subject of at least two formal full sized portraits. Obviously prompted by or meant to appeal to abolitionist sympathies, they depicted the celebrated friendship between herself and her white cousin, Elizabeth Murray, another member of the Mansfield family. One of the artists was none other than Zoffany, the court painter to the royal family, for whom the Queen had sat on a number of occasions. It is perhaps because of this fairly obvious case of propagandistic portraiture that makes one suspect that Queen Charlotte's coronation picture, copies of which were sent out to the colonies, signified a specific stance on slavery held, at least, by that circle of the English intelligencia to which Allan Ramsay, the painter belonged. More on Queen Charlotte


"Who wrote the novel ""The Other Boleyn Girl""?"

The Other Boleyn Girl - Philippa Gregory Philippa Gregory Established historian & writer. International No 1 best seller. Signup to Philippa's latest news and get updates of her upcoming releases. Name... The Other Boleyn Girl The Tudor Court Novels Mary Boleyn catches the eye of Henry VIII when she comes to court as a girl of fourteen. Dazzled by the golden prince, Mary’s joy is cut short when she discovers that she is a pawn in the dynastic plots of her family. When the capricious king’s interest wanes, Mary is ordered to pass on her knowledge of how to please him to her friend and rival: her sister Anne. Anne soon becomes irresistible to Henry, and Mary can do nothing but watch her sister’s rise. Anne stops at nothing to achieve her own ambition. From now on, Mary will be no more than the other Boleyn girl. But beyond the court is a man who dares to challenge the power of her family to offer Mary a life of freedom and passion. If only she has the courage to break away – before the Boleyn enemies turn on her.  Philippa Gregory Behind the Book Released in 2001 This has to be one of my favourite books of all time for it is the one that made my name, was adapted by the BBC and Hollywood, and established the style that has come to be my 'signature' style: the first person view of history from a lesser known, or perhaps unknown, historical character. Mary Boleyn was a great find and this novel has given rise to three biographies about her, and established her as a historical character instead of being the sister that nobody knew about. The book opens in 1521 King Henry VIII is married to his brother's widow, Katherine of Aragon, who has given him a daughter, Princess Mary. An attractive and charismatic king, Henry quickly created a grand and fashionable court, full of celebration and pleasure. When Katherine cannot give him the son that he needs and his lover's sister Anne Boleyn arrives at court, he decides to take action that will change England and its religion forever.  The Other Boleyn Girl was adapted for film in 2008.  Starring Scarlett Johansson (Mary Boleyn), Natalie Portman (Anne Boleyn), Eric Bana (Henry VIII), Benedict Cumberbatch (William Carey) and Eddie Redmayne (William Stafford).  It was also adapted by the BBC for television in 2003.  Starring Natascha McElhone (Mary Boleyn), Jodhi May (Anne Boleyn), Jared Harris (Henry VIII), Anthony Howell (William Carey) and Philip Glenister (William Stafford). Visit the Family Tree Read Chapter One Reviews “Why are millions of women, including a significant slice of the YouTube generation, obsessed with the complicated sex life of a murderous tyrant who has been rotting in his grave since 1547? The answer: British writer Philippa Gregory.” USA Today “Sisterly rivalry is the basis of this fresh, wonderfully vivid retelling of the story of Anne Boleyn....capturing beautifully the mingled hate and nearly incestuous love Anne, Mary and George....feel for each other and the toll their family's ambition takes on them.” full review Publishers Weekly (starred review) “This compulsively readable novel is a wonderful account of the Tudor court. This is the finest historical novel of the year.” Daily Mail “In The Other Boleyn Girl, Philippa Gregory brings history to life....the closest you will ever come to that time period and mindset.” full review Examiner.com “This is an absolutely cracking read, gripping from the very start. Gregory creates an intriguing story....A very impressive historical family drama full of love and betrayal that is also a romping good read.” full review Lovereading “You need a book…that will entertain and enlighten…You want a real page-turner, but you don’t want to tarnish your reputation for literary taste. The Other Boleyn Girl is your kind of beach book, then—a bodice-ripper with a bibliography.” Newsday “Gregory captures not only the dalliances of court but the panorama of political and religious clashes throughout Europe. She controls a complicated narrative and dozens of characters without faltering” Library Journal “The very believable dialogue


"Which country refused to take part in the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest on the grounds that ""It was a monument to drivel"" - sore losers?"

Global Wit & Worldly Wisdom Global Wit & Worldly Wisdom Entries 1-50 - Entries 51-100 - Entries 101-150 - Current Entries   Our friends send us 300 jokes a week.  We want to share a few of the best ones with you, to tease your mind and soul, as well as your funnybone.  We will be frequently adding to this page, so come back and visit often. More importantly, send us some global jokes: advisors at     beecom.net. 554. -new-   Truly Advanced Technology: Old Gadgets Joe Queenan reminds us that old ways often work a helluva lot better than new technical widgets. "I stand there behind him, clutching my bottled water and my $5 bill. And a thought occurs to me. What if debit cards had been invented first and cash was invented later? Wouldn't the person who brought the long green to market be treated with the same reverence as Marconi or Edison or Gutenberg?" "There are many, many devices or traditions or foods superseded by exciting new inventions that in some ways are inferior to the thing they rendered obsolete. What if Caesar salads had been invented after kale? What if sound systems with powerful speakers and booming bass had been invented after tinny MP3 players?" Wall Street Journal, July 18-19 2015, p.C11 553.    Nary a Tampon At the beginning of the 20th century Argentina was one of the leading countries of the world. It has been in mournful decline ever since, largely the result of humongous political mismanagement. Somehow we find it ironic that it now has a tampon shortage, even though it has been headed up by a lady hack at the moment--Christina Kirchner. "The shortages stem from another scarcity issue-—the lack of U.S. dollars . Argentina doesn't have enough dollars on hand to pay down its debt while also paying for critical imports like fuel and supplying dollars to importers. Economists say with dollars in short supply, the bureaucracy has to decide who gets the dollars that are available and some importers inevitably lose out." "In the past four days, Argentines referred to the problem more than 25,000 times on Twitter and Facebook , according to www.t-bee.tv, which monitors social networks." 552.   Tone It Down a Bit "Howard Hawks had to fix Lauren Bacall a bit before she was fittin' for the screen. He made her lower her voice until it became sultry. "Tyler was confounded by Ms. Bacall's husk and doesn't seem to have known that, per Hawks's instructions, she had stripped away any trace of what he deemed a potential feminine flaw. After signing her, Hawks had begun shaping Ms. Bacall, telling her, in an anecdote related in Todd McCarthy's invaluable biography Howard Hawks: The Grey Fox of Hollywood : "When a woman gets excited or emotional, she tends to raise her voice. Now, there is nothing more unattractive than screeching."(8-27-14) 551.   Settling for Second Best “That’s not a bad wine, if you don’t mind bad wine.” (7-23-14)  Books Are Alive and Well Somewhere 547.  Tee Shirt Spotting in Santa Barbara Store I saw the best t shirt today.... "there are three kinds of people in this world....those who are good at math and those who aren`t” (3-26-14) 546.  I’ve Got My Teeth “Then, sir,” nipped in the witty Logan Pearsall Smith, “your dentist must be an American.”  Shaw has just said his dentist pronounced ‘canine” as “cane-ine.” “Of course!” roared Shaw, “how d’you suppose I came to have all my teeth at my age?” (3-26-14) 545.   Winter Weather in North Carolina (3-26-14) 544.  Groucho and T.S. Eliot  T. S. Eliot wrote to Groucho Marx to confirm that a car would be at waiting at the Savoy to pick "you and Mrs. Groucho" up for dinner. Eliot also noted that Groucho's announcement of having "come to London to see me has greatly enhanced my credit in the neighbourhood, and particularly with the green grocer across the street." Eliot began corresponding with Marx several years earlier, having first sent a fan letter saying how much he enjoyed his movies. They exchanged photographs -- Eliot had to ask for a second of Groucho as his first one had no cigar -- and over several years tried to arrange an occasion for d


In which group of islands are Stronsay, Hoy and South Ronaldsay?

Stronsay | VisitOrkney Back to Our Islands Stronsay is friendly, tranquil and absolutely beautiful - just perfect if you are looking to chill-out and relax. When you visit, you'll be made very welcome by the local community. It's that sort of place. In addition to its natural beauty, Stronsay is also very flat, making it an ideal location for a gentle stroll or to discover the island on two wheels. You're here to take it easy, so there's nothing too strenuous! In fact, the highest point - Burgh Hill - is only 46 meters above sea level. Part of the island's appeal lies in the fact that the famed sandy beaches and turquoise bays are easily accessible. They are very popular with seals too and the BBC filmed these endearing creatures on Stronsay for its popular Autumnwatch nature programme. The white beaches of Stronsay Sunset at Papasound, Stronsay Whitehall Village in Stronsay The famous Vat of Kirbister Sticking to the eastern coastline, you will encounter the Vat of Kirbister, a dramatic gloup spanned by the finest natural rock arch in Orkney, while the cliffs at Lamb Ness and Lamb Head are home to seabird colonies. The island's bird reserve is reputed to be one of the best sites in Europe for spotting rare migrants. While you explore the island, the strong community spirit among the 370 inhabitants is reflected in projects geared to Stronsay's long-term sustainability, notably around Whitehall Village. The island is perhaps best known for its role in the herring industry. Whitehall was one of the busiest ports in Europe, when vast fleets moored at its waters from the 17th century until the 1930s. This fascinating story is now told at the Heritage Centre in the village. Stronsay can be reached by ferry or plane from Kirkwall .


In which English town or city is the Special Air Service (SAS) based?

Falklands War: SAS role in the conflict - BBC News BBC News Falklands War: SAS role in the conflict By Peter Jackson BBC News 4 May 2012 Read more about sharing. Close share panel Image caption HMS Sheffield was abandoned after it was hit by a French-made Exocet missile, killing 20 of its crew When HMS Sheffield was destroyed by an Exocet missile 30 years ago, Britain's Special Air Service (SAS) was mobilised to take out the Argentine aircraft which carried them - one of a number of daring missions at the heart of the Falklands War. Here, those at the sharp end of the special forces operations recall the highs and lows. After 30 years of counter-terrorism work in minor conflicts, the SAS grabbed the chance to engage in its first large-scale conflict since World War II with both hands. If you're not prepared to die, you're a bluffer Robin Horsfall, Former SAS soldier HMS Sheffield was patrolling at the edge of the British fleet in the South Atlantic on 4 May 1982 when it was hit by the Exocet, killing 20 of its crew. The newly acquired French-made weapons were highly effective and threatened a humiliating defeat for the British fleet. To counter the threat, the SAS was called in to destroy the Super Etendard aircraft which carried the Exocets. They were based at Rio Grande on the Argentine mainland, 400 miles west of the Falkland Islands. Operation Mikado aimed to fly 55 SAS men on to the heavily defended base in two C130 Hercules transport aircraft, keeping the engines running while they carried out the attack. It was a daring mission. If they were able to take off again, they would head for a base in Chile; if not, the surviving SAS and aircrew would have to flee into the mountains on foot. Extract from Richard Hutchings' 'final letter' Dearest Darling - the Task Group is in a tight spot and I have volunteered for a mission into Argentina which is of necessity one-way and high risk. In the short time that is left before I travel on this last journey, I am taking advantage of a lull in the weather and enemy action to write letters preparatory to my possible death. The first is to you, the love of my life, who is constantly in my thoughts, day and night. If anything happens to me I should like you to know how much you have meant to me during our time together and that happy memories are with me as I leave. Please take what comfort you can from my feelings. I shall leave the world all the stronger for my emotional bond to you and the boys. Source: Special Forces Pilot: A Flying Memoir of the Falklands War Because the Hercules could not carry enough fuel to return to base, it was a one-way trip with no route home, and the SAS soldiers were deeply sceptical about their chances of success. Nicknaming it "operation certain death", they said it amounted to a suicide mission. Robin Horsfall, who is now 55, was among the elite B Squadron soldiers chosen for the operation. He told the BBC that they had all believed they would be killed or captured. "We were written off to save our capital ships. I remember it well - my wife was eight months pregnant," he said. "We didn't at any time question the mission, we questioned how to do it successfully, which was our right." He said the SAS wanted to parachute in "off target" to avoid landing on the runway, but were overruled higher up the chain of command. He said that after one heated exchange, a staff sergeant who expressed his views was fired for being negative. "You wear the cap badge, and when the time comes to earn it, you have to accept it. In many cases it is special forces' job to die to achieve a military and political objective, you just hope you're not going to be the one," he said. "If you're not prepared to die, you're a bluffer. I accepted it." In advance of the main raid, volunteers were sought for a one-way mission in a Sea King helicopter to drop off an SAS team, observe the base and report back. Codenamed Operation Plum Duff, the high-risk night raid needed a pilot - and after much soul searching, Richard Hutchings - who subsequently became a colonel in the armed forces