What was Tony McCoy's winning mount in the 2010 Grand National?

Tony McCoy’s 10 greatest rides topped by Don’t Push It in National | Sport | The Guardian This article is 1 year old 1 Don’t Push It The Grand National Aintree 10 April 2010 McCoy was in danger of being remembered most of all for never having won a Grand National. His mounts seemed to do everything possible but win, falling, unseating him, pulling up and even, on one occasion, being carried out by a loose horse when clear of the field. But he finally landed the most famous prize of all at the 15th attempt on Don’t Push It, a 10-1 shot who led at the last and never looked like getting collared from there on. “I’m being a big wuss,” was McCoy’s emotional reaction. “It means everything to me.” 2 Wichita Lineman William Hill Trophy Cheltenham 10 March 2009 He somehow lifted home this 5-1 Festival favourite who seemed intent on ruining his chance by clobbering every other fence. Wichita Lineman was, in the end, a tough and willing partner but his chance seemed gone at the third-last. Maljimar cruised into the lead at the second-last, while McCoy’s elbows were working away like pistons many lengths behind. Somehow, he rallied his mount to poke his nose in front in the dying strides. Of all his thousands of wins, this is the one of which one can say, no one else could have won it. 3 Pridwell Martell Hurdle Aintree 4 April 1998 Trained by Martin Pipe, who did so much to start McCoy’s record-breaking habits,, Pridwell was a popular animal who won 13 times over hurdles. Still, he seemed short of top class and was nearing the end of his career when McCoy somehow conjured this Grade One victory out of him against Istabraq, regarded by some as the most brilliant Champion Hurdler there ever was. Istabraq was long odds-on but perhaps did not relish the mud through which Pridwell and McCoy slogged with such determination. Tony McCoy announces he will retire from racing at end of season Read more 4 Family Business Feast of St Raymond Novice Chase, Southwell 23 January 2002 This low-profile, low-quality contest would, in the ordinary course of events, have been forgotten by almost everyone within a week. McCoy was doubtless frustrated to be unseated at the 10th but, being McCoy, he kept an eye on what happened to the remaining four runners and, as they also fell by the wayside, remounted Family Business in game pursuit of the £4,000 prize. The chestnut threw in some further dodgy leaps but the champion jockey kept his seat and they finished alone, the first winners ever to have been traded at 999-1 on Betfair. 5 Mountain Tunes Weatherbys Novice Hurdle, Towcester 7 Nov 2013 In the week building up to this, his 4,000th winner, McCoy gradually acquired an enormous media following as he moved from Kempton to Exeter to Chepstow and finally to Towcester. This was his final ride of the day and it had begun to seem as though the new record would have to wait for another 24 hours as Mountain Tunes, on his hurdling debut, jumped awkwardly and lagged behind. Then, as so many horses had before, he responded gamely to his rider’s urgings and found a way past his rivals, despite being knocked sideways at the last. 6 Mr Mulligan Cheltenham Gold Cup 13 March 1997 The first of two Gold Cup wins, achieved when he was just 22. He inherited the ride on this chestnut on its previous start, when they fell at the last in Kempton’s King George. Mr Mulligan was not the most natural or fluid over a fence and he was sent off at 20-1. They came home nine lengths clear and many a backer made a mental note to take more interest in this jockey’s mounts in future. Tony McCoy will leave a huge void in racing after 20 unbroken years on top Read more 7 Mini Sensation The Devon Marathon, Exeter 3 December 2004 Another victory that McCoy somehowpulled off after the doubters on Betfair had allowed his mount to reach odds of 999-1 in mid-race. Mini Sensation was capable, having won a Welsh National a couple of years before, but he was rather a plodder who needed a certain amount of encouragement to keep pounding after his rivals. He was on a losing run of eight which seemed su


Who won golf's 2010 Masters Championship?

Golf News, Scores, Players, Schedule and Courses - Golf - ESPN #PerfectMoment ⛷ pic.twitter.com/NJHzDydLn0 Michael Collins ESPN Senior Writer  Tiger Woods new golf ball deal with Bridgestone is a Good News/Bad News scenario for him in 2017. play1:42 share Jason Sobel ESPN Senior Writer  Tiger Woods played Bridgestone golf balls in his return to competition two weeks ago. He makes it official today, signing a multi-year endorsement deal to play them exclusively. share Jason Sobel ESPN Senior Writer  According to a statement released by his management team, Phil Mickelson has undergone a second surgery for sports hernia since the end of the last PGA Tour season. There is no specific timetable for his return, but he is expected to make a full recovery. share Andrea Canales share share Jason Sobel ESPN Senior Writer  Thomas Bjorn has been named Europe's Ryder Cup captain for 2018. The 45-year-old from Denmark has four times been a vice-captain for the team and three times a player -- each for a winning side. He will lead a European squad in Paris on home soil, where they haven't lost since 1993. share Kevin Maguire Golf  Prior to the Hero World Challenge, after 466 days away from competitive golf, Tiger Woods fell to 898th in the Official World Golf Ranking. Even though he finished 15th in a field of 18 golfers at the event he hosted on Sunday, Woods earned enough world ranking points (4.38) to jump all the way to 650th, a climb of 248 spots. As a frame of reference, Woods ended 2015 ranked 416th in the world and is currently one spot ahead of fellow American Brice Garnett. Had Woods won in the Bahamas, he would have vaulted up the rankings to approximately 125th in the world. share


What iconic London institution was sold to the Qatar Investment Authority (Qatar's sovereign wealth fund) in May 2010?

How much of London Qatar REALLY owns - in pictures | Features | LondonlovesBusiness.com How much of London Qatar REALLY owns - in pictures Save Harrods and The Shard were just the beginning for the mega-rich emirate… Ah, Qatar. Today news has broken that the mega-rich Arab emirate might snap up the 164-year-old chain House of Fraser. This comes just weeks after it was rumoured to be eyeing up M&S (read my comment on whether we should have cared that the iconic supermarket could have fallen into foreign hands ). Have you spotted a theme here? Qatar is snapping up London icons faster than you can say Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. We first reported on its London spending spree back in 2011, by which time it had already invested upwards of £10bn in London. And the oil state has been dripping in even more money since then…   The Shard: 95% owned by Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund The tallest skyscraper in Europe, at some 72 storeys, is a very visual reminder of how powerful Qatar’s sovereign wealth, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), now is in London in property ownership terms. In 2012 it was calculated that Qatar is the richest country by per capita income - so it’s no surprise that Emiratis bought almost one in 30 London homes worth more than £2m in the past year .   Harrods: owned by Qatar Investment Authority Perhaps to fuel the consumer appetites of the increasing numbers of its 1.7 million citizens buying property in London, in 2010 Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund bought Harrods for £1.5bn. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani told the FT in 2010: “We are investing everywhere. Even your Harrods - we took it.”   Barclays: 6.67% owned by Qatar Investment Authority This stake might not seem as significant as the other chunks of London owned by the emirate, but it still makes Qatar Barclay’s biggest stakeholder. At the time Qatar was seen as a white knight investor, avoiding our government from having to bail out another British bank by helping it raise £7m capital in 2008. It sold off its last remaining warrants used to raise the capital in November 2012, only for multiple accusations of wrongdoings in January and February this year. Barclays was accused of lending £6m to Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund in a complex deal so it could avoid government bail-out. Read more about this story .   The Olympic Village: owned by Qatari Diar This prime patch of London 2012 legacy was acquired by Qatari Diar, a branch of the ruling royals’ QIA fund that handles property, for £557m in August 2011. The deal was said to leave UK taxpayers £275m out of pocket. The site was sold by the Olympic Delivery Authority. The Qataris have said they will build more than 1,400 homes on the site.   Chelsea Barracks: owned by Qatari Diar The property arm of Qatar’s sovereign wealth has been dithering over its £3bn plans for this £1bn site of late. Throughout January and February it was unclear whether the project would go ahead at all, but last month Qatari Diar chief executive officer, Khalid El-Sayyed, announced that work had begun to build 450 luxury apartments and more than 120 affordable homes. The fund got planning permission for the site in 2011 but only had a five-year window to start work.   Sainsbury’s: 26% owned by Qatar This chunky stake makes Qatar the largest stakeholder of Sainsbury’s. It upped its stake in 2007 through its investment vehicle Delta Two, having previously owned juts under 18%.   One Hyde Park: joint venture between Qatari Prime Minister and Candy Brothers It’s the world’s most expensive apartment block, with one five-bedroom flat notoriously on the market for £65m. The £1bn block is owned by by Guernsey-registered Project Grande (Guernsey) Limited, a joint venture between the Candy’s CPC Group and Waterknights, the development company owned by Qatari prime minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani. But is this uber-rich playground actually a good investment? Find out in our investigation: One Hyde Park: failure or fortune-maker?   Camden Market: 20% owned by Qatar Unlikely as it may seem, the grunge capital of London is in


According to official figures released in 2010, what country originated the most refugees during the previous 30 years?

2010 Human Rights Report: Belgium There were no reports of political prisoners or detainees. Regional Human Rights Court Decisions On January 10, the ECHR released its judgment in the Muskhadzhiyeva case involving five Chechen asylum seekers, a mother and her four children. The family arrived in Belgium on October 11, 2006, and requested asylum on October 12. The request was denied; following the dismissal of their application family members were all detained in a closed center. The family ultimately brought its case to the ECHR in September 2007. The court found two violations, namely that the children had been detained in a closed center meant only for adults and the health of the children was very poor. These issues have been addressed, through payment by the state of 17,000 euros ($22,780) to the family for damages and through a regulation that the country will no longer house children in closed centers, even if they are accompanied by adults. In 2009 the ECHR issued judgments that found five violations of the right to a fair trial, two violations for the length of proceedings, one violation of the right to liberty and safety, one violation for the absence of effective inquiry and one violation for inhuman and degrading treatment as provided under the European Convention on Human Rights. The government treated all ECHR decisions as binding. Civil Judicial Procedures and Remedies There is an independent and impartial judiciary in civil matters. Plaintiffs may seek damages either individually or through specialized organizations for human rights violations under the applicable antidiscrimination legislation. f. Arbitrary Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence The constitution and legal code prohibit such actions, and the government generally respected these prohibitions in practice. Section 2 Respect for Civil Liberties, Including: a. Freedom of Speech and Press The constitution and law provide for freedom of speech and of the press, and the government generally respected these rights in practice. An independent press, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combined to ensure freedom of speech and of the press. Holocaust denial is a criminal offense, and there was one conviction during the year. On September 15, the Brussels Appeal court confirmed the charge of holocaust denial against Roeland Raes (a member of the Flemish extremist party Vlaams Belang) for his 2001 statements contesting the authenticity of Anne Franks' diary ( see section 6 Anti-Semitism). Individuals could criticize the government publicly and privately without reprisal. On March 31, a group of extremist Muslims called "Sharia4Belgium" interrupted a reading organized by Antwerp University. The reading was entitled "The Islam Debate: Long Live God, Down with Allah." Police led approximately 20 shouting protesters out of the building, but there was no violence. No one was detained. Internet Freedom There were no government restrictions on access to Internet sites. There were no reports that the government monitored e-mail or Internet chat rooms, and individuals and groups could engage in the peaceful expression of views via the Internet, including by e-mail. In cooperation with the government, Child Focus, a government-sponsored center for missing and exploited children, developed programs to warn users of Web sites containing illegal content, especially child pornography. According to International Telecommunications Union statistics for 2009, approximately 76 percent of the country's inhabitants used the Internet. There were no reports of the government attempting to collect any personally identifiable information on internet users. Academic Freedom and Cultural Events There were no government restrictions on academic freedom or cultural events. b. Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association The constitution and law provide for freedom of assembly and association, and the government generally respected these rights in practice. c. Freedom of Religion For a complete description of religious freedom,


Name the controversial leader of the Dutch right-wing Freedom Party which won 24 seats in the Dutch elections, who was refused entry into the UK for his 'racist views'?

Mr Controversial | SBS News Mr Controversial Mark Davis profiles anti-Islam Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who's come from the fringe to have a deciding vote over who governs the Netherlands. By Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 20:30 Channel:  0 Many people would probably dismiss Dutch politician Geert Wilders as a right-wing extremist for his anti-Islam manifesto, in which he says Islam is retarded and vows to ban the Koran. But his 'Freedom Party' has come from the fringe of politics to gain significant support in the Dutch Parliament , increasing its seats to 24, placing him in a position where he could now decide the future of Holland's government. Like Australia, the Netherlands has a hung parliament. At first the parties said they wouldn't negotiate with Wilders, but after two months of failed talks, he may now have the deciding vote on who rules the country. Video journalist Mark Davis tries to get inside the mind of this controversial politician as he works under 24 hour protection to spread his word in the Netherlands, and prepares to travel to the United States to pass on his anti-Islam message at the September 11th anniversary in New York. Watch Mark's report from the Netherlands on Geert Wilders and the controversy surrounding him at the top of the page. And in February 2013, Geert Wilders told SBS he was 'happy' to be in Australia for a speaking tour, despite getting a frosty reception from local politicians. Read more and watch an extended interview. Related Links Biography Geert Wilders was born in the Dutch town of Venlo in 1963, and brought up as a Catholic. His career began in social and health insurance, but lead to politics and he became a councillor in Utrecht in 1997. He was elected as an MP for the liberal VVD party in the Netherlands in 1998, but its support for Turkish entry into the European Union led him to strike out on his own in 2002. Wilders set up his 'Freedom Party' , PVV, in 2005 and gained widespread support for his call to ban the Muslim burqa . He picked up nine parliamentary seats in the 2006 elections. In 2009, the British government tried to ban him from the UK, when he tried to visit to show his film, Fitna, linking the Koran to terrorism. The move was ultimately overruled by the courts. By 2010, his party had gained even more support, gaining 24 seats in the Dutch parliament and becoming the country's third biggest party. It means the self-titled 'freedom fighter' could hold the balance of power in Holland, after two months of failed talks by the other two parties to resolve the country's hung parliament. He also plans to look for support outside the Netherlands by attending the September 11th anniversary in New York and by setting up a worldwide anti-Islam organisation with local chapters in all Western countries, including Australia. Meanwhile, Wilders is still facing trial in the Netherlands for inciting hatred and the controversy surrounding him means he lives under 24 hour protection. Sources: BBC/SBS Blog Executive Producer Peter Charley writes for the Dateline blog about the huge response to this story... When we sent Mark Davis to the Netherlands to film a profile on Geert Wilders , we knew he’d come back with a controversial story. But nothing prepared us for the storm of comments that have flooded Dateline’s website since Mark’s video went to air on Sunday night. Within just a few days, people had written more than 1,200 comments, either outraged that we’d broadcast Wilders’ anti-Moslem comments – or congratulating us for having the 'courage’ to air his contentious point of view. Dateline’s website recorded 12,974 visitors on Monday alone, boosting to 50,357 the number of pages of content viewed in one day. Nearly half of those visitors were from the Netherlands. Clearly, the Dutch politician has touched a nerve. As Mark Davis told George Negus in a studio chat after his story, Wilders’ will cause an almighty stir when he visits New York’s Ground Zero to support the anti-mosque rally there on September 11. We’ll be keeping a close eye on how that goes. Related Links Print fri


Sacked whistleblower Cheryl Eckard was awarded $96m compensation against what pharmaceuticals corporation following malpractice at the Cidra plant in Puerto Rico?

Health Care Renewal: GlaxoSmithKline Subsidiary Pleads Guilty to Manufacturing Adulterated Drugs: Three Strikes and ...? GlaxoSmithKline Subsidiary Pleads Guilty to Manufacturing Adulterated Drugs: Three Strikes and ...? Paxil First there was Paxil (Seroxat in the UK, or paroxetine), the anti-depressant whose marketing lead GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to settle allegations of fraud brought by then New York Attorney General Elliott Spitzer in 2004.  That case included allegations of suppression and manipulation of clinical research, and was discussed in great detail in the book Side Effects by Alison Bass.  We posted about various aspects of this case, e.g., more recently here , here , and here .  Avandia Then there was Avandia (rosiglitazone), the anti-diabetic drug whose use was just restricted by the US Food and Drug Administration.  This GlaxoSmithKline product inspired a "spin cycle" which provided us with endless grist for the Health Care Renewal mill.  A good summary of the case appeared in September in the British Medical Journal (Cohen D. Rosiglitazone: what went wrong: Brit Med J 2010; 341: 530-534.  Link here )  Once again, it appears that research was suppressed and manipulated (e.g., see here ), Avandia critics were attacked by "experts" whose financial relationships with GSK were not always obvious (e.g., see here ), and there were allegations that GSK executives tried to intimidate those who disagreed with them (e.g., see here and here ).  Adulterated Drugs And now it is adulterated drugs.  Here is the version from Bloomberg: GlaxoSmithKline Plc, the U.K.’s largest drugmaker, will pay $750 million to settle a U.S. whistleblower lawsuit over the sale of defective drugs. Glaxo and the U.S. Justice Department announced the agreement yesterday, resolving a false-claims lawsuit first filed in 2004 by Cheryl D. Eckard, a former global quality assurance manager for the London-based company. 'This is not something I wanted to do, but because of patient safety it was necessary,' Eckard, 51, told reporters following a Justice Department press conference in Boston. As a whistleblower, she will receive $96 million from the settlement money. Glaxo was accused in court papers of selling tainted drugs under false pretenses. The medicines, made at a Glaxo plant in Cidra, Puerto Rico, were misidentified as a result of product mix-ups, according to papers filed in federal court in Boston. The affected drugs included the antidepressant Paxil CR and the diabetes treatment Avandamet. [Note that this is a combination drug that includes Avandia - ed] The settlement includes a criminal fine and forfeiture totaling $150 million and a $600 million civil settlement under the False Claims Act and related state claims, the Justice Department said in a statement. 'We will not tolerate corporate attempts to profit at the expense of the ill and needy in our society -- or those who cut corners that result in potentially dangerous consequences to consumers,' Carmen M. Ortiz, the U.S. Attorney in Boston, said at yesterday’s news conference. SB Pharmco Puerto Rico Inc., a Glaxo unit, agreed to plead guilty to charges relating to the manufacture and distribution of adulterated drugs made at the now-shuttered plant, the Justice Department said. Glaxo said in July it had agreed in principle with the U.S. to pay 500 million pounds ($791 million) to resolve the investigation. 'We regret that we operated the Cidra facility in a manner that was inconsistent with current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements and with GSK’s commitment to manufacturing quality,' PD Villarreal, a Glaxo senior vice president, said in an e-mailed statement. Eckard’s take is the largest ever for a single whistleblower, said Patrick Burns, spokesman for Taxpayers Against Fraud, a nonprofit Washington group that publicizes the use of legal means to combat fraud against the U.S. The federal government will receive $436.4 million from the settlement and participating states will split as much as $163.6 million, the Justice Department said. Other drugs made at the plant include Ky


What capital city was devastated by the 2010 Haiti earthquake?

Haiti's capital city devastated by major earthquake - USATODAY.com USA TODAY coverage Port-au-Prince satellite images: Before and after the earthquake Views of key locations in the city before and after the earthquake of Jan. 12, 2010: Sources: Before images: Google Earth, Digital Globe (March 4 2008); After images: GeoEye Satellite Image (Jan. 13, 2010) Credit: Ron Coddington and Dave Merrill, USA TODAY Haiti's capital city devastated by major earthquake Updated Gallery: Photos of devastation From staff and wire reports Rescuers struggled to save the trapped and injured, using pickups as ambulances and doors as stretchers this week after a magnitude-7.0 earthquake wrecked Haiti Tuesday evening. As the scope of the devastation became clearer, survivors spoke in terms of all that has disappeared. Most hospitals, houses, schools, roads and grocery stores — virtually every necessity of basic life — were transformed into piles of rubble. Thousands are dead, Haitian President Rene Preval said, and one of the world's poorest countries had become almost entirely dependent on outside help to survive. Speaking to reporters Thursday at the White House, President Obama said the U.S. government is making an initial investment of $100 million for the earthquake relief effort in Haiti. He said the amount would grow over the year. Aid organizations were beginning what they said may be one of the biggest, most complex relief efforts in recent history. The absence of clean water, electricity and medical supplies could result in more deaths in the days ahead unless dramatic action is taken, they said. Posted E-mail | Print | To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones . For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com . Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com . Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more .


Freedom of expression blogger Hossein Derakhshan was sentenced in September 2010 to nineteen years prison for 'anti-state activities' in which country?

Like -  29 Sep 2010 08:13 #13510232 The Iranian blogger Hossein Derakhshan, a beacon for those fighting for freedom of expression in the Islamic nation, was sentenced to 19 years in prison today for alleged anti-state activities. Derakhshan, 35, widely known as the "blogfather" or by his online name, "Hoder," was arrested in late 2008 after returning to Iran following a period living in Britain and Canada, where he also has citizenship. He has been a contributor to the Guardian's Comment is Free website. A judiciary source said he had been convicted of co-operation with hostile countries, spreading propaganda against the establishment, promoting counter-revolutionary groups, insulting Islamic thought and religious figures and managing obscene websites. Recent reports said prosecutors in a Tehran revolutionary court, where his trial began in June, had requested that he be given the death penalty. Iran has a huge number of bloggers who continue to write despite the crackdown on opposition voices following last year's disputed presidential election. Derakhshan helped pro-democracy activists develop their use of the web, particularly blogging and podcasting technologies in Farsi to promote their cause. The Iranian authorities made him apologise for his dissenting views when he left the country in 2000, and censored his blog from 2004 onwards. News of his sentence was confirmed by an unnamed relative to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. (ICHRC). "Neither the family nor the lawyer knew about the sentence," the relative was quoted as saying. "They read the news online." Mashreqnews.ir, the conservative website that reported the sentence, referred to him as a "counter-revolutionary blogger". It said he was also ordered to repay funds to the value of £28,400. Derakhshan can appeal against the sentence. The ICHRC said it considers Derakhshan "a prisoner of conscience, prosecuted and sentenced solely for his opinions and writings", and called for his acquittal and release by the appeals court. It said that there are more than 500 prisoners of conscience in Iranian jails. In 2006, Derakshan made a highly-publicised visit to Israel — Iran's arch-enemy — and told an interviewer that he wanted to prevent an Israeli attack on his native country and wanted Iranians to understand that "Israelis are not evil". The Iranian authorities have meanwhile shut down two pro-reform newspapers — Andisheh-e No daily and Bahar Zanjan — for publishing articles in which they had insulted officials, another paper, Shargh, reported today. They were the latest of several newspapers banned since the election.  Like -  30 Sep 2010 20:50 #13511439 I really take issue with these pseudo-left wing 'anti-imperialists' whose knee-jerk anti-American/anti-European bigotry leads them to defend every action of any tin pot dictatorship that opposes the west. By all means criticise the actions of the West, but when you find yourself constantly standing up for every crime of a brutal, murdering, theocratic dictatorship you need to re-evaluate how that fits in with your beliefs. Amen. No one has the moral high ground these days and everyone thinks that its someone else's fault. Everyone has blood on their hands at this point. Economic Left/Right: -.62


A plane crash close to Smolensk airport in western Russia killed almost half the leadership of which country?

Poland in shock as plane crash kills President Lech Kaczynski | World news | The Guardian The Observer Poland in shock as plane crash kills President Lech Kaczynski Smolensk disaster claims life of head of state, wife and top officials as they travel to memorial for Katyn massacre Russian television images show the scene of the crash in which President Lech Kaczynski died. Photograph: NTV/EPA Saturday 10 April 2010 17.46 EDT First published on Saturday 10 April 2010 17.46 EDT Close This article is 6 years old The following correction was printed in the Observer's For the record column, Sunday 18 April 2010 Our coverage of the Polish air disaster said 15,000 Polish officers died in the 1940 massacres at Katyn and other locations. The more generally accepted figure is 22,000. Piotr Paszkowski is foreign ministry spokesman for Poland, not Russia , and the sacking of shipyard worker Anna Walentynowicz, which led to the formation of Solidarity, was in 1980, not 1990. Poland was confronting the worst political disaster in its postwar history after President Lech Kaczynski, his wife, and dozens of top officials were killed when their plane crashed in thick fog on Saturday in western Russia. At least 96 people died, including eight crew members, when the president's Tupolev plane clipped a copse of trees on its approach to Smolensk airport. It then broke up. There were no survivors. Russian TV showed pictures of the upended wing and smouldering fuselage. Small fires burned in woods shrouded in fog. The crash wiped out almost half of Poland's leadership. Those killed included Kaczynski, his wife, Maria, the army chief of staff, the head of the national bank, Poland's deputy foreign minister, 12 members of parliament, and at least two presidential aides, the Polish foreign ministry said. Rescuers found several unidentified bodies and the plane's black box. Across Poland bells were rung at a slow and mournful pace. People sought solace in churches and drifted through city squares, apparently in a daze, and laid candles at national monuments and government buildings. Mourners queued in their hundreds to sign books of condolences, young people in leather jackets and torn jeans, and elderly women in headscarves and clutching pictures of the Black Virgin of Czestochowa. "I can't fathom this, it reminds me of when the pope died – five years ago this month," said Zofia, recalling the death of Pope John Paul II on 5 April 2005. Kaczynski had been flying to Smolensk to attend the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre, when Soviet secret police executed 15,000 Polish officers in one of the most notorious incidents of the second world war. In a tragic twist, family members of the Katyn victims were on board the president's plane. Others were waiting at the airport. Although there was no suspicion of foul play, the extraordinary timing and location of the disaster, together with Kaczynski's known antipathy towards the Kremlin, are likely to fuel conspiracy theories on both sides. Newspapers bearing headlines such as "Katyn – a double tragedy" lay next to portraits of some of the crash victims. "We still cannot fully understand the scope of this tragedy and what it means for us in the future. Nothing like this has ever happened in Poland," a foreign ministry spokesman, Piotr Paszkowski said. "We can assume with great certainty that all persons on board have been killed." Russian officials said that the airport, 430km (270 miles) west of Moscow, had been closed because of thick fog. They advised the pilot to land instead in Moscow or Minsk. But he continued with the original flight plan – making three abortive attempts to land at Smolensk's Severny military airport. On the fourth attempt, the Russian-built airliner crashed. According to witnesses, Kaczynski's plane was between 500 and 700 metres from the runway, and about 20 metres off the ground when it ploughed into the trees. "The Polish presidential plane did not make it to the runway while landing. Tentative findings indicate that it hit the treetops and fell apart," Smolensk's governor,


Charles Taylor, in court (along with witnesses Naomi Campbell and Mia Farrow) at the Hague in 2010, the first African president to face trial for war crimes, led which nation?

As Charles Taylor boycotts trial, Sierra Leone's war-battered residents hope for justice As Charles Taylor boycotts trial, Sierra Leone's war-battered residents hope for justice By Paige McClanahan Pin it Share Former Liberian President Charles Taylor boycotted his war crimes trial in The Hague for a second day on Wednesday, further delaying the court’s ruling on whether he bears responsibility for the civil war that ravaged the West African country of Sierra Leone for more than a decade. It is the latest bizarre twist in the drawn-out trial at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, established in 2003 “to try those who bear the greatest responsibility” for the war that brutalized the country in the 1990s. Proceedings have included Shakespearean monologues from Mr. Taylor along with testimonies from British supermodel Naomi Campbell and American actor-activist Mia Farrow. But here in Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown, the public remains confident that the law will eventually catch up with Taylor, who faces indictments on 11 counts, including murder, rape, sexual slavery, and the use of child soldiers. Think you know Africa? Take our geography quiz. “Charles Taylor is pretending to the world that he’s innocent,” says Theresa Turay, a Sierra Leonean who lived through the country’s gruesome 11-year civil war. “But he has to face the trial. He has to face the penalty.” “If you play evil," she adds, "it will come back for you." The trial, which heard its first witness in January 2008, was set to come to an end Friday. Prosecutors presented their closing arguments Tuesday, and the defense was meant to do the same today. If closing arguments had wrapped up as planned this week, a ruling in the case could have been expected sometime later this year. Taylor’s boycott has thrown that schedule into disarray. 'This is about ego, not justice' Taylor’s lawyers led the walkout Tuesday, claiming the court wrongly rejected their 547-page trial summary, which was filed three weeks late despite multiple warnings from the court. Speaking outside the courtroom Wednesday morning, Taylor’s lead lawyer Courtenay Griffiths insisted that the court’s refusal to accept the trial summary was evidence of its bias against the defense team. The British lawyer said he plans to appeal, a process that could delay a ruling in the case indefinitely. “It's about simply this: ‘You're not running this court, Mr. Taylor, and we're going to show you who's in charge by rejecting your final brief,’ ” Mr. Griffiths said today outside the court, reports the Associated Press. “So this is about ego, not justice, and I really don't see that this kind of personalized politics has any part to play in a court of law." Chief prosecutor Brenda Hollis shot back, claiming that Taylor’s team was just trying to buy time. “The accused is not attending a social event. He may not R.S.V.P. at the last minute. He is the accused at a criminal proceeding,” Ms. Hollis said. Prosecutors claim that while Liberia’s president from 1997 to 2003, Taylor effectively served as the commander of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) – the rebel group that instigated Sierra Leone’s civil war – from his base in Liberia, issuing orders and supplying the rebels with black market weapons. In exchange, the prosecution maintains, RUF fighters brought Taylor a steady supply of rough diamonds that had been picked out of alluvial deposits in mineral-rich eastern Sierra Leone, which was under rebel control. Testimony from Naomi Campbell and Mia Farrow Witnesses who have taken the stand over the past three years have put a human face to the reports of atrocities perpetrated by the RUF. A young woman told the court that she was raped repeatedly by the rebels and impregnated at the age of 14. A local man described having his hands cut off by a boy soldier who was just 13 years old. A former radio controller told the court about the RUF’s “Operation Pay Yourself,” the 1998 campaign in which soldiers were instructed to pillage the countryside for food, women, and supplies. Taylor, who likes to show up in court weari


What secret service organization was accused of forging British passports for its agents allegedly responsible for an assassination in Dubai?

Who knows Israel's Mossad? - Channel 4 News Who knows Israel's Mossad? By            Channel 4 News Updated on 18 February 2010 The assassination in Dubai of Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh by an 11-person hit squad has thrown the spotlight on the Mossad, Israel's security service. Who Knows Who investigates. Israel’s secret services – known as the Mossad – have a long history of carrying out clandestine operations. Attributed assassinations range from the Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann, who was snatched from hiding in Argentina by Mossad operatives in the 1960s, to revenge by Mossad on the perpetrators of the attacks on the Israeli Olympic team in 1972. In recent days Mossad has once again been in the spotlight, after it was accused of killing a Hamas leader in Dubai. Mahmoud al-Mabhouh was found dead in a luxury hotel in the emirate on January 20. Dubai police said today they were virtually certain Mossad was behind the assassination of al-Mabhouh, as the incident threatened to turn into a diplomatic row between Israel and Britain over the use of false British passports. Foreign secretary David Miliband even pledged to "get to the bottom of" how British fake passports were allegedly used to set up the attack on al-Mabhouh. But what do we know of the connections that surround Mossad? Channel 4's Who Knows Who will try to start piecing together a profile of the world's most secretive secret service… The most obvious link to the UK is with MI6. Two years ago reports were circulating of Britain forging closer links with Mossad. Then head of MI6, Sir John Scarlett, was said to have visited Israel for talks over Iran’s nuclear threat. Scarlett was reported to have been briefed by Mossad director Meir Dagan.  While details of Mossad agents never appear in the public domain; details of its directors have been published: Reuven Shiloah, 1949-1952, Isser Harel, 1952-1963, Meir Amit, 1963-1968, Zvi Zamir, 1968-1974, Yitzhak Hofi, 1974-1982, Nahum Admoni, 1982-1989, Shabtai Shavit, 1989-1996, Danny Yatom, 1996-1998, Efraim Halevy, 1998-2002, up to current incumbent Meir Dagan. Over the years Mossad has been reported to have been engaged in assassinations of members of Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and the PLO, among others, while there have been rumours of links with the CIA and much debate over links with former Pakistan President Benazir Bhutto. Mossad promotes the following motto on its official website: "Where no counsel is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety".


Food writer and critic Egon Ronay, who died in 2010, was born in what country, which offers a food related pun?

Egon Ronay, 94, British food critic behind restaurant guides Egon Ronay, 94, British food critic behind restaurant guides by Jill Lawless - Jun. 13, 2010 12:00 AM Associated Press LONDON - Food critic Egon Ronay, whose eponymous restaurant guides helped Britain embrace fine dining after years of postwar austerity, died Saturday. He was 94. Family friend Nick Ross said Ronay died at his home near Yattendon, 50 miles west of London, after a short illness. Born in Budapest in 1915, Ronay was the son of a prosperous restaurant owner whose business was ruined by World War II and the subsequent Soviet occupation. Ronay left communist Hungary for Britain in 1946. He worked as a manager at London restaurants before opening his own establishment, the Marquee, which sought to bring French culinary flair to a country just emerging from years of food rationing. "You could eat well in London," Ronay told the Observer newspaper in 2003 about the 1950s, "but in extremely few places." He began writing about food for the Daily Telegraph newspaper, and in 1957 produced the first Egon Ronay Guide to British restaurants, modeled on France's Michelin guides. The annual guides, researched with the help of a team of anonymous reviewers, became immensely popular, and restaurants displayed the blue Egon Ronay label as a seal of approval. Ronay later said that in Britain until the 1960s, "food was not a polite topic for conversation." "When I came there was only two columns about food, one in the Tatler and one in the Daily Telegraph. Now there is not a single publication in the whole of Britain that does not carry news on food." As well as his restaurant guides, Ronay rated eating spots at airports and highway service stations, and acted as a food consultant to a chain of pubs. He said his goal was to raise the quality of dining for everyone, not just the elite. "It is not for me to say whether I have had any influence. Other people must judge," he once said. "However, I think the guides certainly have had the effect, particularly in mass catering, of telling people that they could no longer get away with murder - because I would expose them." Ronay sold the guides to the Automobile Association in 1985, but went to court and regained the right to the Egon Ronay name years later, after the company that subsequently bought them went bankrupt. He continued working into his 90s. Ross said he had a "remarkable ability to taste flavors in anything." "Right up until his death, even young chefs regarded him as the monarch," Ross said. Ronay is survived by his wife, Barbara, two daughters and a son.


Name the gymnastic group which won the 2010 Britain's Got Talent TV show?

Britain’s Got Talent Winner List of All Seasons - Grab List Britain’s Got Talent Winner List of All Seasons Britain’s Got Talent Winner List of All Seasons General By Rahul Khorwal On May 23, 2016 No Comments This is a talent reality television show in Britain, which first aired in June 2007. So far, there have been 9 competitive series. It is an open show, which is open to anyone irrespective of age, so long as you got talent.  It is a Thames Production and it is distributed by FremantleMedia and is produced in association with Syco TV premiered on ITV. In order to win, the contestants have to impress the audience through active competition with other contestants. Here are the finest of the Britain Got Talent (BGT) show Winner First Series: Paul Potts, 2007 He won the first edition of the Britain Got Talent show which was held in 2007. He was born on October 13, 1970  and served as a Bristol city councilor between 1996 and 2003. The BGT changed his life because, after winning the prize money of $100,000, he recorded his album “One Chance” which topped sales in 9 countries due to the fame he had earned during the BGT.The runner up for the show was Damon Scott who is a singer, puppeteer and comedian best known as the Monkey Man.  The judges were Piers Morgan, Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden. The host on ITV was Ant & Dec while spin off shows were presented by Stephen Mulhern. Winner Second Series : George Sampson, 2008 He was born on June 29, 1993. He won the Britain Got Talent Show at age 14 and bagged the prize money of $100,000. The runner up that year were Duo Suleman Mirza and Madhu Singh, and third place was Andrew Johnston. It was broadcasted from April 12, 2008 to May 31, 2008. The season judges were Piers Morgan, Simon Cowell, and Amanda Holden. The ITV host was Ant & Dec and spin off shows were presented by Stephen Mulhern. Winner, Third Series: Diversity, 2009 The street dance troupe, Diversity won the third series in 2009 beating singer Susan Boyle and also went ahead and won Families United Positive Role Models at the Spirit of London Awards. They took home the 2009 prize money of $100,000 for the Britain Got Talent winner. The runner up was Susan Boyle who is a Scottish singer and third place was taken by Julian Smith, who is a Britain Saxophonist and Music Teacher from Halesowen. The judges for the series were:Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan, and Amanda Holden. Ant & Dec, host while Stephen Mulhern presented the show on ITV2. Winner Fourth Series : Spellbound, 2010 This is a famous gymnastic group and became more popular after winning the 2010 Britain Got Talent and pocketed the $100,000 cash money. After the win, they have featured in several advertisements and performed at numerous venues. The runner up was Twist and Pulse, an English Street dance duo based in London, third place was taken by Kieran Gaffney. The judges were Amanda Holden, Piers Morgan, Louis Walsh, and Simon Cowell.  The presenters were Ant & Dec and the Co-presenter was Stephen Mulhern. Winner Fifth Series: Jai McDonnell, 2011 He has appeared on American Idol and X Factor and he was the winner for 2011 Britain Got Talent. He took home the prize money of $100,000 after which he signed with Syco Music but dropped in 2012 March after his contract expired. The runner up was Ronan Parker, an English singer from Poringland, Norfolk and the third place was taken by New Bounce, a Scottish singer. The judges were Amanda Holden, Michael MCIntyre, David Hasselholf, and Louis Walsh. The presenters on ITV were Ant & Dec and the Co-presenter was Stephen Mulhern on ITV2. Winner Sixth Series: Ashleigh and Pudsey, 2012 This is a British dog trick act which was acted by trainer Ashleigh Jade Butler. The audience loved the trick and it made her win the first ever dog trick on Britain’s Got Talent and bagged the price money of $500,000. The runner up was Jonathan and Charlotte and third place was a choir from South Whales Valleys, Only Boys Aloud (OBA). The judges were Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, Carmen Electra, and David Walliams. The presenters o


"Singer Jimmy Dean, who died in 2010 age 81, sang (in a very deep voice) what hit song about about a heroic 6'6"" coal miner?"

Steve's Dead Rock Stars - 2010 Steve's Dead Rock Stars Teena Marie March 5, 1956 - December 26, 2010 Mary Christine Brockert, better known by her stage name Teena Marie, was an American singer, songwriter and producer. She was a protï¿½gï¿½e of the late funk artist Rick James . 12/26/2010 Bernie Wilson 1946 - December 26, 2010 Bernie Wilson, baritone vocalist and one of the last-standing members of the classic lineup for Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, has died at a New Jersey hospital. Wilson was a member of what's called the "classic" Blue Notes line-up that included Teddy Pendergrass , and that signed with Philadelphia International in 1972, beginning a four-year string of rhythm-and-blues classics that defined the Philadelphia sound. Songs such as "If You Don't Know Me By Now", "The Love I Lost", "Wake Up Everybody" and "Don't Leave Me This Way" defined the sound. Notable covers include Simply Red's recording of "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and Thelma Houston's disco hit with "Don't Leave Me This Way." Wilson died on December 26, 2010, at the age of 64, due to complications from a stroke and heart attack. Other members of the Blue Notes have left us: Teddy Pendergrass died in early 2010, Lawrence Brown died in 2008 and Harold Melvin died in 1997. 12/18/2010 Bob Demmon February 11, 1939 - December 18, 2010 Bob Demmon (born Robert Graham Demmon) was a guitarist and member of the 1960s surf-rock band The Astronauts from Boulder, Colorado. The Astronauts released their first album in 1963 and scored a hit with the song "Baja" (composed by Lee Hazelwood). The Astronauts released six more albums, with singles including "Competition Coupe" and "Banzai Pipeline." They appeared in the films "Surf Party" (1964) and "Speedy Gonzales" (1965). After the group disbanded in the late 1960s, Demmon became a successful teacher in Coronado, California and was the director of the award-winning Coronado High School Marching Band. 12/17/2010 Captain Beefheart January 15, 1941 - December 17, 2010 Captain Beefheart (Born Don Glen Vliet, but better known by his stage name) was an experimental Avant-garde rock musician and friend of Frank Zappa . He recorded 12 albums between 1965 and 1982 with a rotating ensemble of musicians called The Magic Band. Albums included Safe as Milk (1967), Strictly Personal (1968), Trout Mask Replica (1969), Lick My Decals Off, Baby (1970), Mirror Man (1971), The Spotlight Kid (1972), Clear Spot (1973), Unconditionally Guaranteed (1974), Bluejeans & Moonbeams (1974), Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller) (1978), Doc at the Radar Station (1980) and Ice Cream for Crow (1982). After leaving the music business, he concentrated on his other art, painting. Van Vliet died in 2010 after many years of suffering from multiple sclerosis. 12/09/2010 "Cool Ruler" July 15, 1981 - October 25, 2010 Gregory Isaacs, the Jamaican reggae singer best known for his song 'Night Nurse' has died of cancer at age 59. Isaacs recorded the album Night Nurse in 1982, and the title song garnered him international recognition. Known as the "Cool Ruler" for his designer suits, silk shirts silky smooth singing voice, Isaacs cultivated a style of reggae music that became known as lover rock. The style emphasized romantic yearning over reggae's more traditional themes. Isaacs battled cocaine dependency and had numerous brushes with the law, including spending six months in jail in Kingston, Jamaica. His drug habit contributed to his notorious unreliability. A prolific musician, Isaacs released dozens of albums during his lengthy career. 10/24/2010 February 3, 1949 - October 24, 2010 Songwriter Linda Hargrove has died after a long battle with leukemia. She was 61. Linda, known as "The Blue Jean Country Queen" because of her denim wardrobe, is remembered for penning George Jones' "Tennessee Whiskey", Olivia-Newton-John's "Let it Shine" and Johnny Rodriquez's "Just Get Up and Close the Door." As a recording artist, Linda Hargrove released five major label country albums between 1973 and 1977. Her songs were covered by numerous country music greats,


Who in 2010 won Great Britain's first individual Winter Olympics female gold medal since 1952?

Lizzy Yarnold wins first British gold medal at Sochi Winter Olympics on the skeleton track | Daily Mail Online comments As sure and true as a laser, Lizzy Yarnold slid head first through the twists and turns of ice to emerge, as her cold calculation always suggested it would, as an Olympic champion. Under the floodlights high up here in the Rosa Khutor mountains, the skeleton heroine from Kent held her nerve with a perfect demonstration of how to slide at beyond 80mph on the most technically advanced tea tray in the world. Her reward was to win only the 10th British gold medal in the history of the Winter Olympics. VIDEO Scroll down to watch Lizzy Yarnold reflect on becoming Olympic champion Unbelievable: Yarnold eventually won by 0.97secs from American rival Noelle Pikus-Pace Track record: Yarnold broke the track record on her first and third runs She did so 30 Valentine's Days after Torvill and Dean bewitched Sarajevo with Bolero. But that was beauty and this was butchery - her winning margin when the four runs were aggregated stood at nearly a second. 'I was bold enough to learn a Russian term, which is "I'm a champion,"' said Yarnold afterwards. 'It's an inexplicable feeling right know. I'm sure it won't sink in for a few days.' Add Yarnold's name to that of Amy Williams, her friend and landlady in Bath, who won the same title in Vancouver four years ago. They are two of only three British women to win individual golds, the other being figure skater Jeannette Altwegg in 1952. On paper it was a mere formality for Yarnold. The 25-year-old brought a 0.44sec overnight lead into Friday's final two runs, a lead that approximates to millennia in this sport of high speed and small margins. Gold! Elizabeth Yarnold won Britain's first gold of the Winter Olympics with a brilliant performance in the Skeleton Still, there remained the possibility that she would become the most fancied front runner to lose since the hare succumbed to the tortoise. And these were not tortoises behind her. America's Noelle Pikes-Pace, lay second and dangerous. There was also the Russian challenge, led by Elena Nikitina, the dark horse whose preparations had, it was alleged, been helped by the use of a secret training slope up here in the mountains. Monopolising the facility is against the rules. Foul, cried the Australians on Thursday, only for their appeal to be rejected. The British did not challenge the hosts, confident that they could prevail no matter what skulduggery - if indeed any - was being perpetrated. Tears: Friends and family watch Yarnold cruise to victory Salute: Yarnold waves after completing her fourth and final run So it proved. Watched by her father Clive, wearing a cowboy hat with a Union Jack poked in it, mother Judith, her sisters Katie and Charlotte, and boyfriend James Roche, a backroom boy with the bobsleigh team, she made a mockery of nerves by executing a fine first run of the night - the third of the competition - in a time of 57.91sec. That was markedly faster than the existing course record of 58.43sec she herself had set the day before. It was not totally perfect, the odd brush with the wall acting as the lightest of brakes. She still touched 85mph. Her lead extended to 0.78sec. She had given pre-instructions to the 'Yarny Army' - her family and friends in the stand at the end of the track wearing t-shirts bearing her face - not to celebrate after that run however serenely fast it was. She wanted to keep her focus total. They obliged her as best they could. The fourth slide awaited her, just one more trip down this snaking fridge of fear - 1500 metres long, descending 132m at an average gradient of 9.3 degrees. Family affair: Yarnold's family - (left to right) sisters Kate and Charlotte, father Clive and mother Judith - celebrate in Russia Support back home: Children from St Michael's School in Otford, Kent, support their former pupil She had one frightening moment en route down but pulled herself back to win with a time of 58.09 sec - confirming her winning margin as 0.97sec. Pik


The 1600cc Thunderbird, voted 2010 Bike of the Year in the USA, is made by which iconic motorbike manufacturer?

Triumph Thunderbird @ Top Speed Like nearly all of Triumph Motorcycle’s current offerings, the Thunderbird family has some very deep roots indeed. A design dreamed up by Edward Turner, the Thunderbird made its debut run from 1949 to 1966, and reappeared in Triumph’s lineup a number of times with different engines and designs. Originally called the 6T “Thunderbird,” the 1950 year-model 6T was made famous with Americans by Hollywood in 1953 when it was immortalized in the Marlon Brando picture The Wild One, and our love affair with the family (and outlaw biker culture) has endured through the years. Today I want to take a look at the newest Thunderbird range which includes the Commander, Storm and LT, to see if they live up to the name they bear. The word “icon” gets thrown around a lot these days, almost to the point that it has lost some of its impact, but the Thunderbird and its paper dart actually fit the bill. In other words, these three machines have some pretty big shoes to fill. Let’s see how they do, shall we? Continue reading for my review of the Triumph Thunderbird Storm, Thunderbird Commander, and Thunderbird LT. With a bigger engine than its predecessor, the 2014 Thunderbird , the 2015 Thunderbird Commander from Triumph packs a bigger punch in its appearance as well as performance. Spec-wise, it’s a carryover from the 2014 Thunderbird Commander with the addition of a Jet Black color choice. With black jugs accentuated with polished edges and plenty of shine in other places — such as an imposing polished top yoke, twin headlamp cans and polished stainless steel fork shrouds — the Thunderbird Commander could be considered a dressier version of the Storm , but with cruiser floorboards instead of pegs. If you think bling and nice paint is the thing, take a look at the Thunderbird Commander. Continue reading for my review of the 2015 Triumph Thunderbird Commander. 01.28.2014 12:10 by Sulthoni   The Triumph Thunderbird Commander is based on the company’s original Thunderbird but it features a different, cruiser-oriented personality. The motorcycle was built with comfort in mind, therefore it features a relaxed, laid-back riding position and a plethora of storage places. As far as power is concerned, the Triumph Thunderbird Commander is equipped with the same 1699cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, parallel-twin engine as the Thunderbird Roadster, but it features a different state of tune that helps it deliver more useable torque, lower down the rev range, for a better touring experience. The unit puts out a maximum power of 94 PS at 5400 rpm and 146 NM of torque at 2750 rpm. The engine is fed by a 5.8us gallon fuel tank and is mated to a six speed transmission. The 2014 Triumph Thunderbird Commander is priced at $15,699. Hit the jump for more information on the 2014 Triumph Thunderbird Commander. 01.6.2014 09:38 by Sulthoni   Low, mean and classy, the 2014 Triumph Thunderbird is a modern cruiser that offers first class performances in terms of handling. Its relaxed riding position, the attractive design language and strong engine offer a tasty mix that will make your heart go pumping like crazy every time you’ll start riding down the street. Talking about engine, the Triumph Thunderbird is propelled by a 1597 cc, liquid cooled, DOHC, parallel twin unit which rewards you with a maximum power of 86 PS and a thumping 146 Nm of torque at just 2750rpm. All this power is kept in leash by a six speed transmission. Other features worthy of being mentioned include 19 and 17 inch front and rear cast aluminum wheels, a 5.8 gallons fuel tank and a tubular steel frame. The 2014 Triumph Thunderbird is offered with a base price of $13,499. Hit the jump for more information on the 2014 Triumph Thunderbird. 11.8.2013 08:36 by Serafim   Triumph launched its new 2014 Thunderbird LT at EICMA. The motorcycle is loaded with a long list of comfort features which make it a great choice for touring lovers. It is powered by a 1597 cc, Liquid-cooled, DOHC, Parallel-twin engine that delivers a maximum power of 86PS at 4850 rpm and 146NM of torque at 2750


American Shaun White performed his unique Double McTwist 1260 move in winning Olympic gold for the second time in what event?

Official Website of Professional Snowboarder Louie Vito 13TH ANNUAL LOUIE VITO CHARITY RAIL JAM RECAP Smiling faces packed the lodge and slopes of Mad River Mountain for the 2016 Louie Vito Rail Jam for charity, raising thousands of dollars and plenty of food for charity in the process. Snowboarders and many more came together to help raise money and canned foods for a good cause during the events 13th annual run, of which riders of all ages and skill levels were invited to compete in. As is tradition with the charity event, cost of admission to the contest (free with non-perishable food item or a $10 donation) went to the local St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, in addition money was also raised through raffle tickets and sales of Louie's signature beanies. Pro snowboarder Louie Vito himself spent a hefty portion of his evening signing autographs and shaking hands with smiling snowboarders and fans alike. Vito comes from the Bellefontaine area and learned to ride on the slopes of Mad River Mountain. He has competed in the Winter Olympics and stays extremely active in the sport to this day. Vito said such community service is important to him, noting his return year after year being a result of how he was raised by his parents Lou and Judy Vito. Unique highlights of the night included a huge product toss and awards ceremony, fireworks on the slopes and live music by The Reaganomics toward the latter part of the evening. It was the first time the event was hosted at the new $8 million ski lodge, rebuilt after a fire swept through the former structure in 2015. The loft was packed with Vito fans waiting for a chance to meet the star and their chance at a wide array of prizes. Speaking of prizes, raffle and bib drawings saw a range of awards given out including helmets, boots, and snowboards, among other items. The big award of the evening was an all expense paid trip (including airfare) for a week at Windells Action Sports Camp in Oregon. Bellefontaine 4th grade student Gabe Ferguson, 10, was the grand prize winner. Ferguson said he started snowboarding at the age of three and has progressed ever since. Competition in the rail jam started in the afternoon and continued into the evening, consisting of several different divisions of riders. Prizes were handed out to first through third, including goggles, G-Shock watches, a free week to Ohio Dreams Adventure Camp, and more depending on the individual's placing. Under 13 years old: 1st - Kaitlyn Adams, 2nd - Brett Barrett, 3rd - Drew Williams Boys 14-17 years old: 1st - Kyle Sharshair, 2nd - Bronx Meadows, 3rd - Isaac Newman Male 18+ years old: 1st - Justin Blodgett, 2nd - Dallas Ball, 3rd - John Piening Female 18+ years old: 1st - Theresa Large, 2nd - Morgan Wareham, 3rd - Erin Johnson   LATEST TWEETS 13TH ANNUAL LOUIE VITO RAIL JAM RETURNS TO MAD RIVER Over the past 12 seasons, Louie Vito has hosted an annual for-charity rail jam on the slopes of Mad River Mountain designed to give back to the local community that has been supportive throughout his career. This season the event is set to be held on Friday, December 30th at Mad River Mountain and includes plans to make the LVRJ 2016 the largest to date, featuring entertainment, fireworks and more prizes than ever before! For more information about the 2016 Louie Vito Rail Jam online CLICK HERE TUESDAY OCTOBER 18TH, 2016 LOUIE VITO TRAINING IN NEW ZEALAND There's plenty of snow in New Zealand as they are having one of the snowiest Spring seasons on record. Recently 55 cm fell overnight! Louie is training at the Cadrona Resort's Spring Camp session with the very best snowboarders in the world who are all at Cadrona, in the South Island of New Zealand. Louie also Guest Stars on Nick TV TONIGHT! Watch Louie as he will be the celebrity guest on the Nickelodeon hit TV Show "Jagger Eaton's Mega Life". The episode that Louie is in will air tonight (October 18th) at 8:30pm Eastern Standard Time on Nickelodeon Television. Tune in to check out the show! TUESDAY APRIL 5TH, 2016 LOUIE VITO SNOWBOARDS WITH KENDRA ON HER TV SHOW Louie recent


Which far-eastern city saw fatal riots in May 2010 involving red-shirted protestors opposed to the national government?

protests - BuenosAiresHerald.com Demonstrators will have 5 to 10 minutes to leave the streets or lift the protests and pickets blocking roads, Security Minister Patricia Bullrich said. On the contrary, they will be evicted by the security forces. 11/01/2015 | Argentina Several hundred people gathered in front of Buenos Aires' French embassy today to condemn the attacks by islamists in Paris, which left a total of 17 victims dead in the last week. 17/03/2015 | Argentina Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "deeply concerned" about the rape of an elderly nun and the demolition of a church as protests for the better protection of women and religious minorities erupted across the country. 22/01/2016 | Argentina Social leader and Parlasur lawmaker Milagro Sala remained in prison in the province of Jujuy. Meanwhile, a series of protests and road blocks were taking place across the country to demand her release. 11/07/2014 | Argentina Cabinet Chief Jorge Capitanich backed the intervention of federal security forces amid ongoing protests and road pickets and warned “some demonstrations are trying to wear down the government.” 12/08/2014 | Argentina Gov't denounces 'deliberate strategy to radicalize protests' Amid the ongoing labour conflicts in Lear and RR Donnelly firms, both located in Panamericana Highway, Cabinet Chief Jorge Capitanich differentiated the two cases and said that “there is a deliberate strategy to radicalize protests” that seeks to “erode the confidence in the government”. 30/11/2014 | Argentina Dissident CTA vows mobilizations this month The dissident CTA umbrella union has vowed to mobilize between December 10 and 20 if it doesn’t receive a favourable response to its requests for an end-of -year bonus, an increase in the income tax floor and a jump in pensions. 23/02/2014 | Argentina The Argentine ambassador in Caracas, Carlos Cheppi, has declared his confidence that Nicolás Maduro would not be forced out of office early as president of Venezuela, describing rumours of that eventuality as "crazy" in an interview held today. 24/02/2014 | Argentina Ambassador to UK condemns 'ferocious media attack' in Venezuela Argentine ambassador to the UK Alicia Castro has revealed her support for Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro as protests in the nation continued, while criticising what she saw as a "ferocious media attack" carried out by opponents of the head of state. 27/02/2014 | Argentina CFK meets with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elías Jaua Venezuelan Foreign Minister Elías Jaua today met with Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner at the Olivos presidential residence. He held a meeting earlier with his Argentine counterpart Héctor Timerman, in a South American tour that has begun in Bolivia, and will continue in Uruguay and Brazil. 23/02/2014 | Argentina Time is running out By James Neilson Ronald Reagan, Maggie Thatcher and Karol Wojtyla may have helped push  the Soviet Union towards what one of its founders called history’s  rubbish dump, but even if all three had been fervent communists it would  sooner or later have ended up where it finally did because, as its  rulers belatedly realised, it was programmed to self-destruct. 23/02/2014 | Argentina State of the nation and bleeding Venezuela By Mempo Giardinelli While both teacher unions and government officials put their heads down to discuss pay increases while nobody knows if classes will start on time next month, various other questions have been heating up  Argentina’s already torrid summer. 23/02/2014 | Argentina Trying to land softly By Martín Gambarotta There’s nothing like upheaval in other parts of the world to put things into perspective here at home. Look at those blood-curdling  photographs dispatched from Ukraine and Venezuela and suddenly the  situation in Argentina feels under control. That could change. But the  same goes for almost every region in the world. It’s quiet one day. Then  the turmoil can hit. 11/12/2013 | Argentina In Tucumán's province, thousands of pot banging demonstrato


What Danish discount grocer did Walmart's Asda buy for £778m in 2010?

Asda buys Netto for £778m | Business | The Guardian Supermarkets Asda buys Netto for £778m Asda has been struggling to keep pace with its rivals and last week revealed its first decline in quarterly sales since 2006 Asda intends to buy Netto's smaller stores to compete with Tesco and Sainsbury's. Photograph: Guardian Thursday 27 May 2010 08.13 EDT First published on Thursday 27 May 2010 08.13 EDT Share on Messenger Close The supermarket group Asda is paying £778m to take over the Netto discount grocery chain in an aggressive bid to close the gap with the market leader, Tesco . Britain's second-biggest grocer, which is part of the Wal-Mart global retail empire, is buying 193 stores, subject to getting the go-ahead from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). The price is the equivalent of £4m for each Netto outlet. Asda has been struggling to keep pace with its rivals and last week revealed its first decline in quarterly sales since 2006 as a result of tough competition from a resurgent Tesco, as well as top performers Morrisons and Waitrose. In the last three months Asda's market share stood at 16.8% – down from a peak of more than 17%. Buying Netto will add just 0.7% – but Asda intends to use the new smaller stores to develop a format to compete with the high street and convenience stores run by Tesco and Sainsbury's. A spokesman said the grocer believed it could boost sales at each store substantially. Staffing levels will be increased from an average of 14 per store to 25. Netto's stores average only 750 sq metres compared with Asda's average superstore of 4,300 sq metres. With the new outlets, Asda will have 568 shops. The acquisition is the first big move by Asda's new chief executive, Andy Clarke, who moved up to the top job earlier this month. His predecessor Andy Bond has stepped back to become part-time chairman of the business. The grocer has been linked with other potential targets in recent years, such as Woolworths, Argos and Matalan, but the Netto deal is its first major one since Asda was acquired by Wal-Mart in 1999. Netto is part of the Dansk Supermarked group and has been operating in the UK for some 30 years, but the West Yorkshire-based retailer missed out on the discounter boom enjoyed by its rivals Aldi and Lidl at the height of the recession. Like other discounters, it keeps prices low by selling fewer than 2,000 products, compared with a range of 20,000-30,000 in a major supermarket. Downsizing ahead Last month Bond unveiled a five-year plan, setting a series of targets for Asda. It included overtaking Tesco to become Britain's biggest non-food retailer and opening 100 small supermarkets. The grocer had previously stuck to opening superstores of up to 8,000 sq metres because they are more profitable than small outlets. But Asda has now conceded that it will have to open smaller shops to make any headway. Philip Dorgan, an analyst at the broker Ambrian, said the Netto deal showed that Asda might be ready to buy market share in the home and fashion sectors too. He said the move was "likely to increase speculation that it could do the same in non- food" and said that could be good news for shareholders in Home Retail group – owners of Argos and Homebase. Asda expects to finalise the transaction after approval from the OFT this summer and then plans to refurbish the Netto outlets and change the fascia to Asda. The deal will face opposition. James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, which represents 33,500 small independent retailers, said: "The UK already has one of the most concentrated grocery markets in the world with four companies controlling three-quarters of the market. That leads to serious concerns about consumer choice."


British Airways announced a merger with which other airline in 2010?

British Airways announces plans to merge with Spanish airline British Airways announces plans to merge with Spanish airline By Jane Fazackarley     Nov 12, 2009      in Business British Airways has announced plans to merge with Iberia, a Spanish airline. The deal has not yet been completed but should be made formal in 2010. Before the deal can be completed it must receive the go-ahead from the European Commission. Once the merger has been made final, the new company will become one of the largest airlines in the world. British Airways (BA) has been struggling due to the recession and other factors. The company recently announced a £292 million loss over the last six months. The merger will mean that a holding company called TopCo is to be set up and BA will retain the biggest share of the business at 55 percent, while Iberia will have a 45 percent share. The two airlines first met for talks back in 2008 to discuss the possibility of a deal. British Airways currently holds a 14 per cent stake in Iberia. The Spanish airline still has the option of backing out of the plans should BA not find a way of addressing the pensions black hole which exists in its company. The merger will mean the company will own a total of 419 planes and flights will go to more than 200 different destinations. Virgin Atlantic, a rival of British Airways, has some reservations over the deal and the market share it will acquire. Both BA and Iberia have announced heavy losses in the past year and both faced the threat of strike action . The Chairman and CEO of Iberia Airlines Antonio Vázque issued a statement on their website which said: “It has been a long process where many people, both at British Airways and Iberia, have worked very hard to reach this agreement. But in the end it was worth it. This agreement is a giant step in the history of both Iberia and British Airways. We are laying the foundations of what will be one of the most important airlines in the world, a real global airline. I believe that, thanks to this transaction, which is the most important in the European airline industry in recent years, we are more prepared than ever to face future challenges." British Airways Chief Executive Willie Walsh said: “The merger will create a strong European airline well able to compete in the 21st century. Both airlines will retain their brands and heritage while achieving significant synergies as a combined force.” Union leaders seem to be in favour of the deal and don't forsee job losses as a result.


Name the US general and commander of Nato forces in Afghanistan sacked by Barack Obama in 2010?

Barack Obama sacks Afghan war commander Stanley McChrystal | US news | The Guardian Barack Obama sacks Afghan war commander Stanley McChrystal Obama says McChrystal 'undermined' conflict, but there will be no change in strategy Wednesday 23 June 2010 20.24 EDT First published on Wednesday 23 June 2010 20.24 EDT Close This article is 6 years old Barack Obama last night sacked the US and Nato commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal , saying he had undermined the military's accountability to civilian authority and the war itself with disparaging and contemptuous comments about senior administration officials to a magazine. Obama said he was making a personnel, not a policy change, as he named General David Petraeus, the architect of the surge in Iraq, to take charge of the Afghan war in an attempt to reassure Americans that he retains confidence in the counter-insurgency strategy designed by McChrystal. But the crisis has laid bare personal and policy divisions within the upper echelons of those responsible for running the war and fuelled doubts in Congress and among troops on the ground in Afghanistan about the strategy. Obama said he was left with little choice but to dismiss McChrystal. "I don't make this decision based on any difference of policy with General McChrystal, as we are in full agreement about our strategy," the president said. "But war is bigger than any one man or woman, whether a private, a general or a president. As difficult as it is to lose General McChrystal, I believe it is the right decision for our national security. "The conduct represented in the recently published article does not meet the standard that should be set by a commanding general. It undermines the civilian control of the military that is at the core of our democratic system and it erodes the trust that is necessary for our team to work together to achieve our objectives in Afghanistan." The White House said Obama spoke to David Cameron and the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, about his decision to remove McChrystal. The president's decision was broadly welcomed on both sides of the US political divide. One Republican senator, Lindsey Graham, said Obama had done the right thing because McChrystal had damaged the military by showing disrespect. Mark Kimmitt, a retired brigadier-general who served as assistant secretary of state under George Bush, said it was right for McChrystal to go. "The president lost confidence in his commander and no commander can serve if he doesn't have the confidence of his president," he said. But the crisis has again focused attention on McChrystal's strategy in Afghanistan and raised questions about how it will be pursued. Leading members of Congress have again questioned whether the war can be won including the Democratic party leader in the House of Representatives, Steny Hoyer, who said he has "reticence on the probability of success". Kai Eide, who stepped down as UN chief in Afghanistan earlier this year, said the sacking was bound to have implications on the ground. "McChrystal is the only person in the international community with unlimited access to President Karzai, and that is tremendously important," he said. "He has not only been the face of the campaign but has been an inspirational leader who has rallied all troop-contributing countries. When that goes, of course that will have an impact. How can we pretend it won't?" Karzai appealed to Obama to keep McChrystal, calling him the best commander the war has had. But Senator John Kerry said Petraeus's appointment provided continuity. "[Obama's] decision to return General Petraeus to the battlefield provides not just continuity in philosophy, but tested diplomatic skill that is at the very centre of a military strategy which hinges on progress in governance to sustain military gains. The strategy and the objectives must be the only agenda," he said. Pending Petraeus's confirmation by Congress, the British deputy commander of Nato forces in Afghanistan, Lt Gen Nick Parker, will assume command. Obama forced McChrystal's resignation because


Over-zealous council officials in Bristol UK, patrolling local countryside, instructed a picnicking family against the use of what, because it was in breach of local byelaws?

Some Quiz's while its slow. Anything Goes Some Quiz's while its slow. While Blogs are a great source of information for us all to utilise there is a growing trend on Wamp for threads simply linking to Blogs without adding to the content on Wamp itself. Some of these are a direct attempt to drive traffic to that Blog. We would encourage you to share content directly on Wamp itself (and include a link in your signature) but we understand this isn't always wanted by the blog author. We would therefore ask that if you are posting content that requires readers to go to another website or Blog that you post it in the links section of the forum. Blogs hosted on Wamp are excluded of course! We hope you understand. If you have any issues please contact Darklord Results 1 to 3 of 3 Some Quiz's while its slow. A ditloid is 3bm = 3 blind mice 007jb 007 James Bond. I have the answers saved for these and will post them in the new year Jan 3rd these are the song and group/singer musical ditloids 2 T B F G T H - S 2 B B - 2 H B A 1 B U 2 - T 1812 O B T - 3 L B B B M A T W - 2 O O 3 A B B M L - 3 S T H B E C - 3 C I T F B F S - 3 T A L B T C - 4 S I 1 D B C H - W U B 4 N B - W 9 T 5 B D P - S M B M 5 - M N 5 B L B - S 5 B I C - 25 O 6 T 4 B C - 6 D O T R B D D - D S M B S C 7 - 7 L G (S I T B S) B P E - S L M O F B S 7 - 8 D A W B T B - 8 M H B T B - L P N 9 B T C - S L 16 B C B - 16 G O 17 B R A H F T S O M - 18 W A B B P W - 19 B P H - 24 H F T B G P - T R D W N 12 A 35 B B D - 50 W T L Y L B P S - H 61 R B B D - W I 64 B T B - (G Y K O) R 66 B N K C - 68 G B T A - S O 69 B B A - 74 75 B T C - 76 T F T M M - 1 A D A 200 S F B B F 5 - I G B (500 M ) B T P - 505 B T A M - L O 1000 D B W P - S O A 1000 M B T T - T N H A 1000 E B B V - N Y M D 1941 B T BG - D 1963 (O W A N) B T F S - SC (1984) B T E - 1985 B B F S - 1999 B P - I T Y 2525 B Z A E - 10538 O B T E L O - 9,000,000 B B K M - H I 10 Z L Y A B S W - Last edited by exilesjjb; 24-12-2010 at 02:57 AM. Let tomorrow take care of its self Today is for Wargaming and having fun..... 9 quiz of 2010 again answers Jan 3rd Name the pin-up celebrity who appeared on a provocative poster for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) in 2010, with her body marked as if for cuts of meat? What material invented by Marc Chavannes and Al Fielding originally as a textured wallpaper celebrated 50 years of quite different and popular use in 2010? Name the long-standing Rwanda president in the news during 2010 after human rights criticisms? What state in Mexico was hit by a devastating mudslide in September 2010? In 2010, scenes of tobacco smoking attracted a fine for the broadcasters of what 1950-60s boy-hero cartoon series in Turkey? Name the lead singer with Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes, and later a successful solo artist, who died in 2010? With which country did France agree a 50 year treaty in November 2010 entailing joint forces, and sharing an aircraft carrier and nuclear technology? Barack Obama's 2010 meeting with what leader sparked protests from China, and the description (of the leader) as 'a wolf in monk's clothing'? What island nation was hit by an earthquake and tsunami disaster in October 2010? A UK Metropolitan Firearms Policeman was removed from duty after bizarrely inserting what into his court evidence at an inquest into a fatal shooting? What was Tony McCoy's winning mount in the 2010 Grand National? According to the UK Office of National Statistics, Jack, the most popular baby boy's name for 14 years, was replaced by what name? Historical audio-taped interviews with what famous wife were released by her daughter for transcription in 2010, having been sealed since 1964? Who won golf's 2010 Masters Championship? What iconic London institution was sold to the Qatar Investment Authority (Qatar's sovereign wealth fund) in May 2010? In what Eastern European country did violence arise against Uzbeks during 2010? According to official figures released in 2010, what country originated the most refugees during the previous 30 years? After losing his seat in the 2010 general elect


Born Hermine Santruschitz in Vienna, adopted as Miep Gies in Amsterdam, who died age 100 in 2010, helped protect which famous writer?

Miep Gies | Military Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Hermine Santruschitz (15 February 1909 – 11 January 2010), better known as Miep Gies ( Dutch pronunciation: [ˈmip ˈxis] ), [3] was one of the Dutch citizens who hid Anne Frank , her family and four other Jews from the Nazis in an annex above Anne's father's business premises during World War II . She was Austrian by birth, but in 1920, at the age of eleven, she was taken in as a foster child by a Dutch family to whom she became very attached. Although she was initially only to stay for six months, this stay was extended to one year because of frail health, after which she chose to remain with them, living the rest of her life in the Netherlands. In 1933 she began working for Otto Frank , a businessman who had moved with his family from Germany to the Netherlands in hopes of sparing his family Nazi persecution because they were Jewish. Gies became a close, trusted friend of the family and was a great support to them during the two years they spent in hiding. She retrieved Anne Frank's diary after the family was arrested and kept the papers safe until Otto Frank returned from Auschwitz in 1945, and learned of his younger daughter's death. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] Together with Alison Leslie Gold Gies authored the book Anne Frank Remembered: The Story of the Woman Who Helped to Hide the Frank Family, first published in 1987. Contents Edit Miep Gies and Egon Krenz in 1989 Born Hermine Santruschitz in Vienna, (later spelled as Santrouschitz in the Netherlands), Gies was transported to Leiden from Vienna in December 1920 to escape the food shortages prevailing in Austria after World War I . The Nieuwenburgs, a working-class family who already had six children of her own, took her as their foster daughter, and called her by the diminutive "Miep" by which she became known. In 1922, she moved with her foster family to Gaaspstraat 25 [11] in Amsterdam. Gies was an honour student, and described herself as "reserved and very independent"; after graduating high school, she worked as an accountant and then as a secretary with the Dutch branch of the German firm Opekta . Otto Frank had just relocated from Germany and had been appointed managing director of Opekta's recently expanded Dutch operations. She became a close friend of the Frank family, as did Jan Gies , her long-time fiancé. After refusing to join a Nazi women's association, her passport was invalidated and she was ordered to be deported within ninety days back to Austria (by then annexed by Germany, which classified her as a German citizen). The couple were married quickly on 16 July 1941 so that she could obtain Dutch citizenship and thus evade deportation. Gies' fluency in Dutch and German helped the Frank family assimilate into Dutch society, and she and her husband became regular guests at the Franks' home. Hiding the families Edit With her husband Jan Gies , and the other Opekta employees, Victor Kugler , Johannes Kleiman , and Bep Voskuijl , Miep Gies helped hide Otto and Edith Frank, their daughters Margot and Anne , Hermann and his wife Auguste van Pels , their son Peter , and Fritz Pfeffer in several upstairs rooms in the company's office building on Amsterdam's Prinsengracht from July 6, 1942 to August 4, 1944. [12] In an interview, Gies said she was glad to help the families hide because she was extremely concerned about them seeing what was happening to the Jews in Amsterdam. Every day, she saw trucks loaded with Jews heading to the railway station from where the trains left for Nazi concentration camps . She did not tell anyone, not even her own foster parents, about the people in hiding whom she was assisting. When purchasing food for the people in hiding, Gies avoided suspicion in many ways, for example by visiting several different suppliers a day. She never carried more than what one shopping bag could hold or what she could hide under her coat. She kept the workers at Opekta from being suspicious by trying not to enter the hiding place during office hours. Her husband also helped her by provid


Ex-world champion boxer Alan Rudkin, who died in September 2010, fought at what weight?

Hundreds attend memorial to Liverpool boxer Alan Rudkin at the Metropolitan Cathedral - Liverpool Echo Hundreds attend memorial to Liverpool boxer Alan Rudkin at the Metropolitan Cathedral HUNDREDS of people gathered at the Metropolitan Cathedral to pay tribute to boxer Alan Rudkin.  Share Get daily updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email HUNDREDS of people gathered at the Metropolitan Cathedral to pay tribute to boxer Alan Rudkin. Mr Rudkin, who died in September, aged 68, was a five-time British title fight winner as well as a European and Commonwealth champion and recipient of an MBE. The bantam-weight fighter, considered by many to be the city’s greatest, had three world title bouts and was considered unlucky never to have claimed the top spot. Fr Ian O’Shea told mourners: "Apologies to those who have to stand but it’s measure of the affection in which Alan was held. "One word keeps coming up as appropriate to him: fighter. "He was born during the war in North Wales but it would be a brave man who said he was not a Scouser. "He was at the top of his sport during an interesting time, in the 1960s. "He faced the challenge of building a new life after he retired from boxing. "And in recent years he suffered from ill health and the death of his son. These battles he faced with the loving support of his family." Mourners for the dad-of-four included boxers John Conteh, Shea Neary and musician Gerry Marsden. Lifelong friend Brian McCaffrey, a 1960s boxing contemporary, led the tributes. He said: "When I met Alan he was 17. He had blond Beatles-cut hair and a baby face. He looked more like he was going to choir practice than to a fight. "But he was the George Best, the Kenny Dalglish of boxing. "Busy locker rooms would empty when he fought. We all wanted to see the man who practiced the noble art of self defence to perfection. "A childhood illness left him with a tendency to put on weight. "When he was training for a title bout he would eat salad to lose the pounds and be rationed to one cup of tea a day. "His lips would crack with dehydration. He’d train all day and fight fifteen rounds at the end of it. "He said because of this that as soon as he died he’d go straight to heaven. Alan Rudkin was a man’s man, a boxer’s boxer, a fighter’s fighter." Yesterday’s service was followed by a private cremation at Springwood Crematorium. Like us on Facebook


Which notable doctor and ex-politician dueted on piano with Aretha Franklin at a Philadelphia fund-raising concert?

Historum - History Forums - On this day in MUSIC November 29th, 2011 06:42 AM 29 November in 1643 - Italian composer Claudio Monteverde died in Venice at the age of 76. in 1761 - Fridolin Weber composer is born in 1770 - Peter Hansel composer is born in 1775 - Lorenzo Somis composer, dies at 87 in 1816 - Carl Binder composer is born. in 1797 - Italian composer Gaetano Donizatti was born in Bergamo. in 1825 - 1st Italian opera in US, "Barber of Seville" premiered at the Park Theater in New York City in 1843 - Marco Santucci composer, dies at 81 in 1852 - Paul Joseph Guillaume Hillemacher composer is born in 1860 - Hans Haym composer is born in 1862 - Friedrich Klose composer is born in 1863 - Spyridon Filiskos Samaras Greek composer is born Samaras is known for composing the Olympic Anthem, the words of which were contributed by Kostis Palamas. The Anthem was first performed during the opening ceremony of the 1896 Summer Olympics, the first modern Olympic Games. It was declared the official anthem of the Olympic movement by the International Olympic Committee in 1958 and has been used at every Olympic opening ceremony since the 1960 Winter Olympics. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2cebW3axjg]Spyridon Samaras ([/ame] in 1866 - Waldemar von Baussnern composer is born in 1872 - Anna Bahr-von Mildenburg Austrian soprano/director is born in 1872 - Giovanni Tadolini composer, dies at 83. in 1877 - Thomas A. Edison demonstrated his hand-cranked phonograph. in 1891 - Richard Frank Donovan composer is born in 1894 - Lucille Hegamin an American singer and entertainer, and a pioneer African American blues recording artist is born. Born Lucille Nelson in Macon, Georgia. From an early age she sang in local church choirs. By the age of 15 she was touring the US South with the Leonard Harper Minstrel Stock Company. In 1914 she settled in Chicago, Illinois, where, often billed as "The Georgia Peach", she worked with Tony Jackson and Jelly Roll Morton before marrying pianist Bill Hegamin. She later told a biographer: "I was a cabaret artist in those days, and never had to play theatres, and I sang everything from blues to popular songs, in a jazz style. I think I can say without bragging that I made the "St. Louis Blues" popular in Chicago; this was one of my feature numbers." The Hegamins moved to Los Angeles, California in 1918, then to New York City the following year. Bill Hegamin led his wife's accompanying band, called the Blue Flame Syncopators; Jimmy Wade was a member of this ensemble. In November 1920 Lucille Hegamin became the second African American blues singer to record, after Mamie Smith. Hegamin made a series of recordings for the Arto record label through 1922, then a few sides for Black Swan, Lincoln, Paramount and Columbia. From 1922 through late 1926 she recorded for Cameo Records; from this association she was billed as "The Cameo Girl". Like Mamie Smith, Hegamin sang in a lighter, more pop-tune influenced style than the rougher rural-style blues singers such as Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith who became more popular a few years later. Her influences included Annette Hanshaw and Ruth Etting. Two of her earliest recordings, The Jazz Me Blues and Arkansas Blues became classic tunes. In 1926 Lucille Hegamin performed in Clarence Williams' Review at the Lincoln Theater in New York, then in various reviews in New York and Atlantic City, New Jersey through 1934. In 1929 she appeared on the radio show "Negro Achievement Hour" on WABC, New York. In 1932 she recorded for Okeh Records. About 1934 she retired from music as a profession, and worked as a nurse. She came out of retirement to make more records in 1961 and 1962. Lucille Hegamin died in Harlem Hospital in New York on March 1, 1970 and was interred in the Cemetery of the Evergreens in Brooklyn, New York. [c&p from wiki] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbj9w5hcx-M]Lucille Hegamin Mississippi Blues - YouTube[/ame] in 1895 - Busby Berkeley (William Berkeley Enos) (musical film choreographer) is born in 1895 - Lodovico Rocca composer is born in 1899 - Gustave Reese com


Name the sixteen year old Australian who completed her (claimed youngest ever) round-the-world sailing in May 2010?

Australian Jessica Watson, 16, to become youngest to sail around the world - CSMonitor.com Australian Jessica Watson, 16, to become youngest to sail around the world Save for later Saved In this Oct. 18, 2009, photo from teenage sailor Jessica Watson hugs her mother Julie as her father, Roger, looks on as she prepares to depart Sydney on her boat, Ella's Pink Lady, in an attempt to become the youngest person to sail non-stop, solo and unassisted, around the world. Thousands are expected to line Sydney Harbour on Saturday to offer a hero's welcome to the 16-year-old sailor, who battled 40-foot waves, multiple knockdowns, and critics who called her too immature and inexperienced for the treacherous journey. Rick Rycroft/AP/File View Caption of Boston — After seven months on the open seas, Australian Jessica Watson is about to finish her journey as the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world. The 16-year-old floated out of Sydney Harbor on Oct. 18 in her 34-ft. pink sailboat, Ella's Pink Lady, and at 11 a.m. Sydney time Saturday she's slated to dock and end that journey. Arriving just days before her 17th birthday, she'll be more than a year younger than Australian Jesse Martin was in 1999 when he entered the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) as the youngest person to make the voyage. Recommended: Could you pass a US citizenship test? But since then, record-keeping organizations stopped recognizing "youngest" pursuits because of growing controversy over recognizing "human condition categories." Still, until now, nobody younger than Mr. Martin has completed an unassisted around-the-world sailing trip. A 17-year-old Briton completed the trip in August 2009, though his trip was classified as "assisted" because he had to stop for repairs at various ports. In December, a 14-year-old Dutch girl apparently ran... er... sailed away from home after authorities blocked her attempt to become the youngest person to sail around the world. (She was picked up on a Caribbean island.) Photos of the Day Photos of the day 02/08 Ms. Watson set sail with a goal to beat Mr. Martin's age record, but sailing websites reported last week that Watson's route wasn't long enough to qualify as "around the world." To be recognized as a round-the-world course, the WSSRC requires sailors to hit 21,600 nautical miles measured orthodromically – measuring the shortest distance from point to point on a spherical route – and there's doubt about whether she has met that. Watson doesn't seem to care. "I've actually been having a bit of a giggle over the whole thing," she wrote May 6 on her blog, which she has updated regularly using an onboard computer and satellite Internet connection ( powered with two 80-watt solar panels, a 60-watt solar panel, and a Rutland wind generator). "If I haven't been sailing around the world, then it beats me what I've been doing out here all this time!" Decide for yourself by looking at the map of her journey. Like anyone else who has attempted this journey, Watson has experienced huge swells, freezing temperatures, bouts of boredom and loneliness, and engine problems. "My perfect conditions came to an end late on Tuesday with thunderstorms then this freezing cold southerly wind (brrrr!)," she wrote Thursday in her latest blog post. So what's a girl to do when she docks? Watson's manager said that when she returned, she'd focus on a film documentary and a forthcoming book , already titled: "True Spirit: The Aussie Girl who Took on the World." Watson says she's looking forward to a hot shower and sleeping in a bed that doesn't move. "I can't believe how fast this last week has gone," she wrote Thursday. "Only two more sleeps till the finish line! Have I mentioned how excited I am? It's like the day before Christmas except I don't ever remember getting this excited about Christmas. Two more sleeps till a hot shower, fresh food and, and, and, everything else!" Related: