Which German-born French composer left his most famous opera 'Tales of Hoffmann' unfinished at his death in 1880?

The Tales of Hoffmann | opera by Offenbach | Britannica.com The Tales of Hoffmann Alternative Title: “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” Related Topics Brief excerpt from the barcarole “ Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour, ” also … Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour, ” also called … The Tales of Hoffmann, French Les Contes d’Hoffmann, opera by German-born French composer Jacques Offenbach , with a French libretto by Michel Carré and Jules Barbier, the latter of whom was a coauthor of the play of the same name, from which the opera was derived. The opera premiered in Paris on February 10, 1881. It was the last and easily the most serious of the many Offenbach operas. Its premiere came posthumously. Left unfinished at Offenbach’s death, the work was completed by the composer’s colleagues. The opera is perhaps best known for its barcarolle “ Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour, ” originally a duet for soprano and mezzo-soprano , though often heard in instrumental transcriptions. Background and context Like the play, the opera is based on three of the psychologically complicated and fantastic stories of the German Romantic author and composer E.T.A. Hoffmann . Those stories are “ Der Sandmann Die Geschichte vom verlorenen Spiegelbilde ” (“ The Story of the Lost Reflection ”). The opera was intended for the 1877–78 season at Paris’s Théâtre de la Gaîté-Lyrique, though Offenbach missed the deadline by a large margin. When he died in 1880, he had not yet finished its last acts. Determined to bring the work to the stage, the theatre’s managers brought in composer Ernest Guiraud to finish the opera in time for its long-delayed premiere. Further revisions followed. Jacques Offenbach. © Photos.com/Jupiterimages The Tales of Hoffmann has no “official” version. Among the points of debate among music historians are Offenbach’s intentions regarding sung recitatives versus spoken dialogue . Even the order of the opera’s acts has been varied. The opera opens and closes with scenes of Hoffmann’s obsession with Stella, an opera singer. In between are visions of his passions for three other women. Offenbach’s original plan was that those three acts would serve as a kind of spiritual journey from youthful infatuation (the Olympia act) through mature love (the Antonia act) to the indulgences of an idle wastrel (the Giulietta act). In contemporary performance, however, the second and third acts are sometimes switched. Further, some companies label the Prologue as Act I and renumber the succeeding acts accordingly. The structure shown in the synopsis below is one of several variations. Similar Topics Requiem in D Minor, K 626 Given the debate, not only opera directors but also conductors and musicologists have taken on the task of reimagining Hoffmann. Numerous alternate versions exist, each with its own advocates. One particularly notable version was crafted by American musicologist Michael Kaye, who, in studying Offenbach’s original drafts, restored music for the muse Nicklausse and expanded the Giulietta act, increasing its dramatic impact. For musicological and theatrical reasons, those and other changes that Kaye suggests attracted a strong following, and it may yet become the standard version of Hoffmann. Also problematic is the number of singers required for the principal roles. In each act, the leading tenor is the character of Hoffmann. However, the principal baritone is named Lindorf, Coppélius, Dr. Miracle, or Dapertutto, depending on the scene at hand. The featured soprano may take the role of each of Hoffmann’s loves—Olympia, Antonia, Giulietta, and Stella—in turn. Evidence reveals that Offenbach intended one soprano to perform all the roles and one baritone as well, so as to clarify the notion that those different characters are different aspects of a single personality. Baritones have not protested, as their four roles resemble each other in music style. The four soprano roles, however, make quite different demands upon the voice—from light coloratura to intense drama—so it requires an exceptional soprano to take on all roles. Councillor Lindorf ( bass or baritone )


Which Sri Lankan batsman ended the 2011 Cricket World Cup as the highest run scorer?

Top Ten Highest Run Scorer in T20 World Cup | T20 World Cup Top Ten Highest Run Scorer in T20 World Cup Comments ICC T20 World Cup 2016 is starting from 8th March. A big tournament that will end on 3rd April. There has been a total of 5 T20 World Cup till now and this year it will be the 6th. Know about the Top Ten Highest Run Scorer In T20 World Cup. T20 cricket is meant for scoring runs at a brisk rate. There are so many T20 specialist players who can put the ball out of the ground at will. Though, it will always surprise us when we look at the stats in the record book. Here, we are bringing you the list of Top Ten highest run scorer in T20 world cup. Cricket players who has scored more runs in total in the 5 T20 World cup are all listed here. Top Ten Highest Run Scorer in T20 World Cup – #10 : Kamran Akmal (Pakistan) At the 10th position, the wicket-keeper batsman from Pakistan, Kamran Akmal, resides as he scored 524 runs in 28 T20 World Cup matches. The attacking player is right now not in the Pakistan cricket team for the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 . He averages 20.96 and a strike rate of 115.93. Top Ten Highest Run Scorer in T20 World Cup – #9 : Yuvraj Singh (India) The swash-buckling left-handed batsman from India, Yuvraj Singh is at number 9. He just makes a comeback in the Indian Cricket Team for the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 and he got the chance to climb up in the highest run scoring list of T20 World Cup. He scored 541 runs in 24 matches. This cricket player scored these runs at a strike rate of 132.60 averaging 25.76. Top Ten Highest Run Scorer in T20 World Cup – #8 : Kevin Pieterson (England) On number 8, we have Kevin Pieterson from England. This stylish batsman is no longer playing International Cricket for England. He is talented and no one doubts on that. He scored 580 runs in just 15 matches. Wow! that is really amazing. He averages 44.62 and the strike rate stands at 148.34. England cricket team seriously miss this guy’s talent. Top Ten Highest Run Scorer in T20 World Cup – #7 : Rohit Sharma (India) The man in-form Rohit Sharma from India has just started showing the maturity and responsibility in the top order. This is helping Indian Cricket team a lot. Rohit Sharma has scored 585 runs in just 20 matches. He has been consistent for India and that is why his average in the T20 world cup is 48.75. He scored so many runs at 130.87 of strike rate. Top Ten Highest Run Scorer in T20 World Cup – #6 : AB de Villiers (South Africa) The 360-degree cricketer finds his place at number 6. AB de Villiers has become the second name of demolition. He knows how to score runs at a breathtaking pace. He scored 607 runs in 25 T20 World Cup matches. He averages 28.90 and strike rate of 138.27. Though the numbers didn’t speak about the capability of AB de Villiers, but we all know why. He will surely going to make some serious changes in his stats in this year’s T20 World Cup. Top Ten Highest Run Scorer in T20 World Cup – #5 : Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) The number one T20 player and highest run scorer in total in international T20 cricket matches, Brendon McCullum is at number 5. He is a dangerous opening batsman and he knows only one thing – Attack! Attack! and only Attack! He scored 637 runs in 25 T20 world cup matches. He scored these runs at a strike rate of 128.43 and averages 28.95. Top Ten Highest Run Scorer in T20 World Cup – #4 : Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) Sri Lankan retired wicket-keeper batsman, Kumar Sangakkara is at number 4 in all-time highest run scorer in T20 World Cup matches. He scored 661 runs in 30 matches. He averages 25.42 and strike rate of 112.22. He is definitely going to go down in the list after the ICC T20 World Cup 2016. Top Ten Highest Run Scorer in T20 World Cup – #3 : Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) Tillakaratne Dilshan from Sri Lanka is at Number 3. This year’s tournament will be his last. He surely wants to add more runs in his kitty. Till now, he scored 764 runs in 30 T20 World Cup Matches. He averages 29.38 and have a strike rate of 124.33. Top Ten Highest Run Scorer in T20 World Cup –


What name is given to the mass killing of Danes in England that was ordered by King Ethelred the Unready and occurred on 13th November 1002?

ExecutedToday.com » massacre 4 comments November 13th, 2007 Headsman On this date over a millennium past, according to the chronicle of John of Wallingford, King Ethelred the Unready of England conducted a massacre of Danes living in the realm. The character of this sanguinary event — named after a fourth-century French bishop whose feast day Nov. 13 happens to be — lies half-buried in history’s shifting sands. Surely the slaughter of every Dane in a Britain then very much in the Scandinavian orbit would have been not only morally reprehensible but logistically unimaginable. The accepted, albeit sketchy, story has it that to consolidate his own authority — or to check an actual or suspected plot against him — Ethelred ordered the surprise apprehension and summary execution of some sizable number of Danish lords and mercenaries. British historian Thomas Hodgkin characterizes it as a sort of coup d’etat. On this date, it was the Danes who were unready for Ethelred. But whatever its true extent or immediate object, it occurred within the context of intensifying conflict between the English crown and Scandinavian aspirants. Ethelred was to spend the better part of his life struggling — both militarily and through the ruinous tribute of Danegeld — to hold back the incursions of the Viking king Sweyn I . The St. Brice’s Day Massacre exacerbated those tensions. Sweyn’s sister was apparently among those massacred, and — whether driven by vengeance or simply availing a pretext — Sweyn resumed harrying the English kingdom in the following years. By 1013, Sweyn had driven Ethelred to Normandy and ruled all of England, welding together a Norse empire fringing the whole north of Europe. But the empire — and England’s place in it — proved an historical cul-de-sac. Authority in England would be contested for another half-century, gradually sapping the crown’s strength until the Norman Conquest in 1066 swept aside Viking power and set England on a course that would redefine its history. Update: The story of Ethelred, Normandy, and the Vikings told in Episode 3 of Lars Brownworth’s Norman Centuries podcast: Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here . You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. On this day..


Which American film director of Greek origin has twice won the Academy Award for Best Director for his films 'Gentleman's Agreement' and 'On The Waterfront'?

Gregory Peck - Biography - IMDb Gregory Peck Biography Showing all 193 items Jump to: Overview  (5) | Mini Bio  (2) | Spouse  (2) | Trade Mark  (5) | Trivia  (136) | Personal Quotes  (38) | Salary  (5) Overview (5) 6' 3" (1.91 m) Mini Bio (2) Eldred Gregory Peck was born in La Jolla, California, to Bernice Mary (Ayres) and Gregory Pearl Peck, a chemist and druggist in San Diego. He had Irish (from his paternal grandmother), English, and some German, ancestry. His parents divorced when he was five years old. An only child, he was sent to live with his grandmother. He never felt he had a stable childhood. His fondest memories are of his grandmother taking him to the movies every week and of his dog, which followed him everywhere. He studied pre-med at UC-Berkeley and, while there, got bitten by the acting bug and decided to change the focus of his studies. He enrolled in the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York and debuted on Broadway after graduation. His debut was in Emlyn Williams ' play "The Morning Star" (1942). By 1943 he was in Hollywood, where he debuted in the RKO film Days of Glory (1944). Stardom came with his next film, The Keys of the Kingdom (1944), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. Peck's screen presence displayed the qualities for which he became well known. He was tall, rugged and heroic, with a basic decency that transcended his roles. He appeared in Alfred Hitchcock 's Spellbound (1945) as an amnesia victim accused of murder. In The Yearling (1946), he was again nominated for an Academy Award and won the Golden Globe. He was especially effective in westerns and appeared in such varied fare as David O. Selznick 's critically blasted Duel in the Sun (1946), the somewhat better received Yellow Sky (1948) and the acclaimed The Gunfighter (1950). He was nominated again for the Academy Award for his roles in Gentleman's Agreement (1947), which dealt with anti-Semitism, and Twelve O'Clock High (1949), a story of high-level stress in an Air Force bomber unit in World War II. With a string of hits to his credit, Peck made the decision to only work in films that interested him. He continued to appear as the heroic, larger-than-life figures in such films as Captain Horatio Hornblower R.N. (1951) and Moby Dick (1956). He worked with Audrey Hepburn in her debut film, Roman Holiday (1953). Peck finally won the Oscar, after four nominations, for his performance as lawyer Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). In the early 1960s he appeared in two darker films than he usually made, Cape Fear (1962) and Captain Newman, M.D. (1963), which dealt with the way people live. He also gave a powerful performance as Capt. Keith Mallory in The Guns of Navarone (1961), one of the biggest box-office hits of that year. In the early 1970s he produced two films, The Trial of the Catonsville Nine (1972) and The Dove (1974), when his film career stalled. He made a comeback playing, somewhat woodenly, Robert Thorn in the horror film The Omen (1976). After that, he returned to the bigger-than-life roles he was best known for, such as MacArthur (1977) and the monstrous Nazi Dr. Josef Mengele in the huge hit The Boys from Brazil (1978). In the 1980s he moved into television with the mini-series The Blue and the Gray (1982) and The Scarlet and the Black (1983). In 1991 he appeared in the remake of his 1962 film, playing a different part, in Martin Scorsese 's Cape Fear (1991). He was also cast as the progressive-thinking owner of a wire and cable business in Other People's Money (1991). In 1967 Peck received the Academy's Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. He was also been awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom. Always politically progressive, Peck was active in such causes as anti-war protests, workers' rights and civil rights. He died in June 2003, aged 87. Children with Veronique Peck : Tony Peck (b. 1956) and Cecilia Peck (b. 1958). Oldest son, Jon, committed suicide by gunshot. [1975] Chairman, Motion Picture & Television Relief Fund. [1971] Recipient, Presidential Medal of Freedom, nation's highest civilian awa


The novel 'Dead Souls' and the play 'The Government Inspector' are two of the best known works of which Russian author?

Nikolay Gogol | Russian writer | Britannica.com Russian writer Alternative Title: Nikolay Vasilyevich Gogol Nikolay Gogol Aleksey Konstantinovich, Count Tolstoy Nikolay Gogol, in full Nikolay Vasilyevich Gogol (born March 19 [March 31, New Style], 1809, Sorochintsy, near Poltava, Ukraine , Russian Empire [now in Ukraine]—died February 21 [March 4], 1852, Moscow , Russia ), Ukrainian-born Russian humorist, dramatist, and novelist, whose novel Myortvye dushi (Dead Souls) and whose short story “Shinel” (“The Overcoat”) are considered the foundations of the great 19th-century tradition of Russian realism. Youth and early fame The Ukrainian countryside, with its colourful peasantry, its Cossack traditions, and its rich folklore, constituted the background of Gogol’s boyhood. A member of the petty Ukrainian gentry, Gogol was sent at the age of 12 to the high school at Nezhin. There he distinguished himself by his biting tongue, his contributions of prose and poetry to a magazine, and his portrayal of comic old men and women in school theatricals. In 1828 he went to St. Petersburg , hoping to enter the civil service, but soon discovered that without money and connections he would have to fight hard for a living. He even tried to become an actor, but his audition was unsuccessful. In this predicament he remembered a mediocre sentimental-idyllic poem he had written in the high school. Anxious to achieve fame as a poet, he published it at his own expense, but its failure was so disastrous that he burned all the copies and thought of emigrating to the United States . He embezzled the money his mother had sent him for payment of the mortgage on her farm and took a boat to the German port of Lübeck. He did not sail but briefly toured Germany. Whatever his reasons for undertaking such an irresponsible trip, he soon ran out of money and returned to St. Petersburg, where he got an ill-paid government post. In the meantime Gogol wrote occasionally for periodicals, finding an escape in childhood memories of the Ukraine. He committed to paper what he remembered of the sunny landscapes, peasants, and boisterous village lads, and he also related tales about devils, witches, and other demonic or fantastic agents that enliven Ukrainian folklore. Romantic stories of the past were thus intermingled with realistic incidents of the present. Such was the origin of his eight narratives, published in two volumes in 1831–32 under the title Vechera na khutore bliz Dikanki ( Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka). Written in a lively and at times colloquial prose, these works contributed something fresh and new to Russian literature . In addition to the author’s whimsical inflection, they abounded in genuine folk flavour, including numerous Ukrainian words and phrases, all of which captivated the Russian literary world. Mature career Methane Surge Worries Scientists The young author became famous overnight. Among his first admirers were the poets Aleksandr Pushkin and Vasily Zhukovsky, both of whom he had met before. This esteem was soon shared by the writer Sergey Aksakov and the critic Vissarion Belinsky , among others. Having given up his second government post, Gogol was now teaching history in a boarding school for girls. In 1834 he was appointed assistant professor of medieval history at St. Petersburg University, but he felt inadequately equipped for the position and left it after a year. Meanwhile, he prepared energetically for the publication of his next two books, Mirgorod and Arabeski ( Arabesques ), which appeared in 1835. The four stories constituting Mirgorod were a continuation of the Evenings, but they revealed a strong gap between Gogol’s romantic escapism and his otherwise pessimistic attitude toward life. Such a splendid narrative of the Cossack past as “Taras Bulba” certainly provided an escape from the present. But “Povest o tom, kak possorilsya Ivan Ivanovich s Ivanom Nikiforovichem” (“Story of the Quarrel Between Ivan Ivanovich and Ivan Nikiforovich”) was, for all its humour, full of bitterness about the meanness and vulgarity of existe


Which English city shares its name with the state capital of Nebraska?

Lincoln | Nebraska, United States | Britannica.com Nebraska, United States Dick Cheney Lincoln, city , capital and second largest city of Nebraska , U.S. , and seat (1869) of Lancaster county, in the southeastern part of the state, about 60 miles (95 km) southwest of Omaha . Oto and Pawnee Indians were early inhabitants in the area. Settlers were drawn in the 1850s by the salt flats located nearby. The site was named Lancaster (for the Pennsylvania city) by a salt company representative in 1856. It was soon determined that salt mining would not be feasible (the salt basin is now underwater). The site was chosen as the state capital in 1867 (the year of Nebraska statehood) because crossing the Platte River to reach the territorial capital of Omaha was difficult for those living south of the river (“South Platters”). Lincoln was officially founded that year. A legislator who opposed the capital’s move from Omaha named the new site for Pres. Abraham Lincoln in an unsuccessful attempt to persuade the South Platters—many of whom had favoured the Confederacy in the American Civil War—to vote against the change of location. Nebraska State Capitol, Lincoln. © Timothy Crowe The Burlington and Missouri River Railroad from Plattsmouth arrived in 1870, and Lincoln became a railroad junction for the major routes from Chicago to Denver and from Kansas City , Mo., to Billings, Mont. By the 1890s the city had 19 different rail routes. Railroads furnished Lincoln with its most important industry through the establishment of major repair and locomotive shops in suburban Havelock. Havelock, University Place, College View, and Bethany, previously separate towns, were annexed by Lincoln during 1926–30. German settlers from Russia became the city’s largest ethnic group in the early 20th century. Lincoln is a regional centre of government, commerce, finance, arts, education, and health care. It has extensive rail connections and an airport. Agricultural products include soybeans, corn (maize), sorghum, wheat, hogs, and poultry. Lincoln is a major grain market with milling, grain storage, meatpacking, and farm-equipment distribution businesses. Manufactures include industrial rubber products, motorcycles, watercraft, software, scientific instruments, wireless communication equipment, electrical products, construction materials, turf maintenance equipment, bricks, and pharmaceuticals. Of economic significance is Lincoln’s growth as an insurance centre, with dozens of firms having home offices there. Aviation services, communication technology, railroading, business services, medical research, and printing are also important. Government-operated institutions, including several correctional facilities, also contribute to the economy. Similar Topics


'Grenade' was a 2011 UK number one hit for which singer?

Grenade (song) explained Grenade (song) explained yes Alt: Red hand grenade with a white handle and a black safety pin on a black background. The word "Grenade" is in lowercase red font beneath the words "Bruno Mars" in white capital font to the upper right. Artist: " The Lazy Song " (2011) "Grenade" is a song by American singer and songwriter Bruno Mars from his debut studio album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010). A pop and R&B ballad , "Grenade" was written and produced by The Smeezingtons (Mars, Phillip Lawrence, Ari Levine) with additional songwriting by Brody Brown, Claude Kelly , and Andrew Wyatt . The song was developed from an unreleased track with similar lyrical themes played by record producer Benny Blanco to Mars. "Grenade" was completely rearranged and re‑recorded two days before the album's release. The song's lyrics carry a message of unrequited love and how Mars' heart was broken, despite his best efforts to show her his love. Initially released as a promotional single on September 28, 2010, it was later announced as the album's second single, released by Atlantic and Elektra Records . "Grenade" was well received by critics, praising the vocals and emotional lyrics of the song and also considered it as one of the stand-out tracks on Doo-Wops & Hooligans. The single reached number one in fifteen different countries, giving Mars his third number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 , and topping the Canadian Hot 100 for three non-consecutive weeks. "Grenade" was certified quintuple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and six times by Music Canada (MC). Worldwide, it was the second best selling digital single of 2011 with sales of 10.2 million copies. A music video for the single, directed by Nabil Elderkin , was released on November 19, 2010. In the video, Mars is seen dragging an upright piano through Los Angeles , by the time he arrives at the home of his beloved, he discovers she is with another man, so he decides to leave and ends up by killing himself. Mars performed "Grenade" on The Doo-Wops & Hooligans Tour (2010–12) and The Moonshine Jungle Tour (2013–14). The song has been covered by a variety of performers. It was nominated for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards . Background and conception "Grenade" was written and produced by The Smeezingtons (Mars, Phillip Lawrence, Ari Levine) with additional songwriting by Brody Brown, Claude Kelly, and Andrew Wyatt. [1] The song was recorded at Larrabee Recording Studios and Levcon Studios in Los Angeles , California . [1] In an interview with Idolator , Mars revealed the song's conception and inspiration, saying that he was with his friend Benny Blanco and he was playing a couple of songs to Mars, including one which lyrics were similar to the ones in "Grenade". Blanco added that the band to which the song belonged was not signed, and that the CD was not released. Mars replied "I can relate to that so much, I want to take that and make it my own". Afterwards, Blanco contact the dude, and Mars started writing his version. [2] In the same interview, the singer expressed desire to release the song as a single, claiming it was a "personal favorite". [2] Before the official release of the song as a single it was released on September 28, 2010 as a promotional single along with "Liquor Store Blues", which features Damian Marley , an iTunes Store -exclusive prior to Doo-Wops & Hooligans album release in October 2010. [3] On October 21, 2010 in an interview with Digital Spy , Mars revealed the intention to follow the hit single " Just the Way You Are " with "Grenade". [4] Elektra Records released the song on September 28, 2010 through iTunes . On November 29, 2010 a CD Single was released on Europe to promo the song, "Grenade". Later, on February 4, 2011, it was released a CD single on Germany and on the UK, which included a Carl Louis & Martin Danielle Classic Mix of "Just the Way You Are" and the single "Grenade". An EP with different versions of Grenade, including the music video for the song was


Which English town shares its name with the state capital of Delaware?

Delaware Facts Delaware Facts Delaware is often called the Small Wonder - here are some interesting facts about the First State! How big is Delaware: 2,044 square miles Most of Delaware is on the Atlantic Coastal plain.  The northern part of the state is on the Piedmont plateau, a hilly area between the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic coastal plain.  The dividing line runs east-west between the cities of Wilmington and Newark. Delaware is 96 miles long and 39 miles at it's widest. Elevation: Highest - 442 feet above sea level (Ebright Road, north Wilmington); lowest - sea level Statehood: Delaware declared its independence from Great Britain on June 15, 1776.  It thereby also became independent of Pennsylvania with which it had been connected since 1682.  It is known as the "First State" because on December 7, 1787, it became the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution. State Capital: Dover Kent (center of Delaware, is 11 miles south of Dover) Sussex (downstate, the largest county, measuring 950 square miles) How did Delaware get its name? In 1610 explorer Samuel Argall named the Delaware River and Bay for the governor of Virginia, Thomas West, Lord De La Warr.  The state of Delaware takes its name from the river and bay. Delaware's Government: Delaware's government consists of the General Assembly,  comprised of a Senate and House of Representatives, the Governor, and the judiciary. Delaware State flag Delaware adopted the current state flag on July 24, 1913.  The state seal is enclosed in a buff diamond on a colonial blue background.  Below the diamond is printed "December 7, 1787," the date that Delaware ratified the U.S. Constitution and became the first state. Delaware's State Bird: Blue Hen (named February 1939 after the "Fighting Blue Hens" the mascot of Delaware Revolutionary War soldiers Butterfly: Tiger Swallowtail (Pterourus glaucus) Adopted June 10, 1999 Flower: Peach Blossom Adopted on May 9, 1895, after farmers and schoolchildren petitioned the General Assembly.  Beginning in the early 1800s, Delaware became a leading producer of peaches until a blight called "the yellows" destroyed the orchards in the late 1800s. Fossil:  Belemnitella americana (ancestors of the modern squid). Herb: Sweet Golden Rod (Solidago odora) Adopted June 24, 1996 and indigenous to Delaware;  found throughout the state along coastal areas and by marshes. Insect: Ladybug. Adopted April 25, 1974, after state schoolchildren petitioned the General Assembly. Tree: Holly American holly (Ilex opaca Aiton) Adopted by Act of the General Assembly and Governor on May 1,1939.  During the late nineteenth century until the 1930s, Sussex County became the leading supplier of holly, used for Christmas decorations and wreaths. Fish: weakfish (Cynoscion genus) Also known as the sea trout, yellow fin trout, squeteague and tide runner, the weak fish was adopted by the state legislature as state fish in 1981, in recognition of sport fishing's recreational and economic standing in the state of Delaware. Beverage: Milk, adopted 1983 Colors: colonial buff and blue Shell: shell of the channeled whelk, officially declared May, 2014. State Song: Our Delaware Written by George B. Hynson (words) and William M.S. Brown (music), published 1906. It became the state song in 1925 by an act of the General Assembly.  The fourth verse was written by Donn Devine in a 1960 competition authorized by the by the General Assembly to add a fourth statewide verse to the ones for each county. Motto: "Liberty and Independence" Nicknames: First State - first to ratify the Constitution. Diamond State - Legend has it that Thomas Jefferson called Delaware a "jewel" among the states because of it's strategic location along the East Coast. Blue Hen State - One form of entertainment during the Revolutionary War for Delaware soldiers was cock fighting.  It was so popular, Delaware Soldiers brought their own Blue Hens with them during their stay in the army.  The Blue Hen was noted for its fighting ability, and because of their bravery, the men of Captain Jonathan Caldwell's company


The novels 'The Gulag Archipelago' and 'One Day In The Life Of Ivan Denisovich' are two of the best known works of which Russian author?

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (Author of One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich) edit data Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn was a Soviet and Russian novelist, dramatist, and historian. Through his writings he helped to make the world aware of the Gulag, the Soviet Union's forced labor camp system – particularly The Gulag Archipelago and One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, two of his best-known works. Solzhenitsyn was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1970. He was exiled from the Soviet Union in 1974 and returned to Russia in 1994. Solzhenitsyn was the father of Ignat Solzhenitsyn, a conductor and pianist.


Which god of wisdom in Egyptian mythology is usually portrayed with the head of a Falcon?

Egyptian Mythology Ancient Man and His First Civilizations Egyptian Mythology     Religion in ancient Egypt was very much like modern times. Today not everyone worships in the same way, or believes in the same god - Egypt was no different. Individual kings worshipped their own preferred gods, as did the workers, priests, merchants and peasants - but there was always one particular god that was considered preeminent. Pre-dynastic Egypt had formulated the concept and belief of a "greater being", this was originally expressed in pictures, some scholars suggest that "writing" was invented in order to communicate these spiritual thoughts to the masses. Egyptian gods lived, died, hunted, went into battle, gave birth, ate, drank, and had human emotions. The reigns of their gods overlapped, and in some instances merged. The dominance of a particular god depended on the beliefs of the reigning king, and where the king wanted his capital; this because the dominance of particular gods was often regional. Likewise, the myths associated with particular gods changed with the location of the gods, as sometimes did their names. Each god had five names, and each name was associated with an element, such as air, celestial bodies, or was a descriptive statement about the god, such as strong, virile or majestic. The creator god of all things was either Re (Ra), Amun, Ptah, Khnum or Aten, depending on which version of the myth was currently in use. The heavens were represented by Hathor, Bat, and Horus. Osiris was an earth god as was Ptah. The annual flooding of the Nile was Hapi. Storms, evil and confusion were Seth. His counterpart was Ma'at, who represented balance, justice and truth. The moon was Thoth and Khonsu. Re (Ra), the Sun god, took on many forms, and transcended most of the borders that constrained the other gods. The actual shape of the Sun, the disk of light (or, aten), was deified into another god “Aten”, very much like the Holy Trinity of Christianity - God (the father), Jesus (the Son), and the Holy Spirit. Egyptian spirituality was very sophisticated, so it is undoubtedly erroneous to think that they worshipped the actual Sun, or Disk, Cats, Cows or whatever. It is likely that the Sun disk was used as an iconic representation of a God that cannot be seen. Be mindful of modern depictions of Jesus, with the Sun emitting rays from behind his head, (a visualization of God behind him), also Moses visualization of God as a brightly burning bush.   The Great Aten The God and Disk of the Sun Aten appears to have represented both the god or spirit of the sun, and the solar disk itself. The origin of this god is wholly obscure, and nearly all that is known about him during the Middle Empire is that he was a small provincial form of the Sun-god which was worshipped in one little town in the neighborhood of Heliopolis, and it is possible that a temple was built in his honor in Heliopolis itself.   There is no way to describe the attributes which were originally ascribed to him under the Middle or Early Empire, because the texts which were written before the XXIII Dynasty give us no information on the subject. Before the XVIII Dynasty, and especially during the reigns of the gods, Amen-Ra-Heru-khuti, Horus, etc., it does not follow that they originally related to him. In the Theban Recession of the Book of the Dead, which is based upon Heliopolitan belief, we find Aten mentioned by the deceased thus :--- "Thou, O Ra, shinest from the horizon of heaven, and Aten is adored when he resteth {or setteth} upon this mountain to give life to the two lands. Hunefer says Ra, Hail Aten, thou the lord of beams of light, {when} thou shinest all faces {i.e., everybody} lives. Nekht says Ra, O thou beautiful being, thou doest renew thyself and make thyself young again under the form of Aten; Ani says Ra, Thou turnest thy face towards the Underworld, and thou makest the earth to shine like fine copper. The dead rise up to thee, they breath the air and they look upon thy face when Aten shineth in the horizon;------I have come before thee that I ma


After the city of Valencia, which tourist resort on the Costa Blanca is the next largest city in the Spanish autonomous region of Valencia?

Regions -> Valencian Community (Valencia/Alicante/Costa Blanca) - Insiders Abroad Home   »   Spain   »   Valencian Community (Valencia/Alicante/Costa Blanca) Valencian Community (Valencia/Alicante/Costa Blanca) The Valencian Community, or Comunitat Valenciana in the local language, stretches over more than 500 km of sunny Spanish coastline. High, craggy mountains run along the western edge of the province, leaving only a small, flat strip along the Mediterranean coast. This coast is dotted with great Spanish coastal towns from Valencia itself to beach hotspots like Alicante, Torrevieja, Gandia and the quintessential tourist resort at Benidorm. Valencian is recognized as a separate nationality under the Spanish constitution; its language, which is similar to Catalan, is an official regional language. Most of the region’s population of just over 5 million inhabitants is concentrated in the urban and tourist centers along the coast. Valencia is Spain’s third largest urban center, with about 1.5 million residents. The area around Alicante-Eix/Elche has about 785,000 people, and the Castellón de la Plana metro area comes in third with a population of just under 400,000. In ancient times, the inhabitants of this coastal region were the Iberians who gave the peninsula its name. They became well-integrated into the Roman Empire through commerce with other Mediterranean societies. One of the most important and famous pieces of ancient Iberian sculpture, the Lady of Elche, a bust of a woman in an ornate headdress dating from around the Fourth century, comes from this region and reflects these Hellenistic influences. The area fell under Muslim rule starting in the Eighth century, but didn’t develop urban areas of real importance until the medieval period. In the 13th century, King Jaime I of Aragon brought the re-conquest to Valencia and incorporated the Kingdom of Valencia under the Crown of Aragon. Though Muslim residents remained, Christian immigrants were also brought in from Catalonia and Aragon, and the Inquisition was active in forced conversion. The next couple of centuries ushered in a “golden age” of Mediterranean trade that brought prosperity to the coastal towns.At one point, Valencia swelled to be the second largest city on the peninsula after Muslim Granada. The age culminated with the union of the crowns of Aragon and Castille through the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella. After the European discovery of America, the region saw a decline in importance as the Atlantic ports dominated over Mediterranean. Pirate attacks along the coast also weakened commercial power, and the population diminished significantly with the expulsion in 1609 of the descendants of Muslim residents (who had been forced to convert to Christianity, but were always treated as a suspect group). The region grew in the 18th and 19th centuries, with some industrialization, especially around Sagunto and Alcoy. Agriculture spread and Valencia became especially known for its oranges, almonds, rice (the basis of its famous paella) and vineyards. As with other regions in Spain, the era of the Second Republic and the beginning of the 20th century saw rumblings of nationalism, when people began to assert a separate Valencian identity. The current autonomous region was formed in 1977 during the transition to democracy after the death of Francisco Franco, and the regional government as it now exists, the Generalitat Valenciana, was first formed by the Statue of Autonomy of 1982. Abiding Traditions The most famous festival in the region has to be Las Fallas, in Valencia. Building up to March 19, Saint Joseph’s Day, groups in the city spend months designing and creating towering sculptures of paper and wax. The works of art depict current events, lambaste politicians and public figures or celebrate local culture. After much revelry, lots of fire crackers, bonfires, and more bonfires, the sculptures are burned to the ground. The cremá, the final bonfire, burns in the central plaza, where thousands of people crowd to see the fiery display. Valencians seem to lik


Named after a German inventor, what is the SI unit of electrical conductance?

Electric conductance unit conversion - SI derived quantity Electric conductance unit conversion - Discussion Forum ›› SI derived quantity: electric conductance This category of measurement units is defined by the "electric conductance" type, which is an SI derived quantity. ›› SI unit: siemens The SI derived unit for electric conductance is the siemens. ›› Convert siemens to another unit Convert siemens to I'm feeling lucky, show me some random units ›› Convert between two electric conductance units Convert   ›› Definition: Siemens The siemens is the SI derived unit of electric conductance. It is equal to inverse ohm. It is named after the German inventor and industrialist Ernst Werner von Siemens, and was previously called the mho. In English, the term siemens is used both for the singular and plural. The 14th General Conference on Weights and Measures approved the addition of the siemens as an SI derived unit in 1971.


After Seville, which tourist resort on the Costa Del Sol is the next largest city in the Spanish autonomous region of Andalusia?

Traveling Spain - Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Costa del Sol, traveling in Andalusia Map of Spain Traveling in Andalusia Andalusia is the most southern autonomous community in continental Spain. Famous for its historic attractions and beautiful Mediterranean beaches, the region also offers a unique rural landscape capable of inspiring the curious traveler. The region has a rich history full of wonderful sites to visit. The Phoenicians and Carthaginians were the first civilizations to occupy the region. Following them, the Romans left their mark, as can be seen from the ruins of Baelo Claudia, just 9 miles north of Tarifa. The Muslims left an even stronger mark in Andalusia, after ruling the region for nearly five centuries. Moorish architecture is a real treasure of Spanish history. The Alhambra Palace in Granada is a must-see for those traveling through southern Spain. The Alcázar in Seville is another great place to visit. SEVILLE Seville is the capital of Andalusia and is the fourth largest city in Spain. It is a great place to just wander through the small streets and taste excellent tapas. Tablaos, although slightly expensive, are great spots for those looking for some flamenco entertainment. El Arenal and El Patio Sevillano are two of the best-known locations for an enjoyable night. Some of the best sites to visit are La Catedral de Santa María de la Sede with its beautiful bell tower, El Alcázar, and La Torre del Oro. There are a few museums as well, including the Museum of Flamenco Dance and the Museum of "Bellas Artes de Sevilla" which displays 17th century masterpieces, Flemish paintings, and an extensive collection of medieval art. For backpackers or budget-conscious travelers, Seville has a considerable number of hostels. For a list of local hostels, you can log on to hostelworld.com or hostelbookers.com.     COSTA DEL SOL The Costa del Sol extends through several southern coastal towns along the Mediterranean Sea. It starts in La Línea de la Concepción (also referred to as La Línea) in the province of Cádiz and ends in the town of Nerja (province of Málaga). 116 miles of sandy beaches and warm sun make for a vacation of full relaxation. The most popular beaches are in Torremolinos, a tourist resort town, and in Marbella, commonly referred to as a playground for the rich and famous. TAPAS Tapas are one of the main edible attractions for tourists traveling in Spain and can be found everywhere you go. Restaurants and bars in cities like Madrid and Barcelona offer them in their menus because of the demand from tourists. In fact, Tapas are an original Andalusian snack. It is traditional in southern Spain to stop at bars and cafes after work to relax before going home. A cool beer or a nice glass of wine accompanied by some tapas is just perfect to hold over the local residents until dinnertime. The Spanish don't normally dine until 9:00 pm or later. Tapas can be just one snack or a combination of many appetizers. Olives, cheese, fried croquettes, fish, cured ham, and fried squid are just a few of the diverse selections that restaurants serve. GIBRALTAR Overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar at the southern end of Andalusia is the 2.6-square-mile peninsula topped with a giant rock, known as Gibraltar. Although it is not a part of Spain, those traveling in Andalusia will still find it an interesting, exotic place to visit. Gibraltar is a self-governing British territory. From the rock, visitors can see the North African coast of Morocco on the opposite side of the strait.


Named after a French physicist, what is the SI unit of electrical charge?

Enter a value into either text box and select units using the drop-down boxes. = What Is Electric Charge? In physics, electric charge is a fundamental property of certain subatomic particles that is conserved and determines how these particles interact electromagnetically. All electrically charged matter creates electromagnetic fields and is influenced by them. If an electric charge is moving and interacting with an electromagnetic field, an electromagnetic force is produced. This resulting force is considered to be one of the four fundamental forces at work in our universe. The SI unit for electric charge is the coulomb, named after French physicist Charles-Augustin de Coulomb. An electric charge on a body can be either positive or negative. Two bodies with the same electric charge will be influenced by a mutually repulsive force while two bodies with opposite charges will be influenced by a mutually attractive force. Classical electrodynamics explains how charged bodies interact, assuming one is working with bodies large enough to make quantum effects negligible. Throughout the twentieth century, many experiments have demonstrated that electric charge is quantized. That is to say, electric charge is not distributed along a continuum of possible charges that can be increased by any amount. In fact, the minimum amount that can be added to an already existing electric charge is the amount of the elementary charge, e, and it amounts to 1.602 x 10-19 coulombs. In an atom, the proton has a positive charge of e while the electron has a charge of -e. The field of quantum electrodynamics is the study of how these charged particles interact and are mediated by photons. In everyday life, static electricity becomes a reality when you walk across a carpet on a cold January morning only to get an annoying shock when you touch the door handle. The shock you just received is an electrostatic discharge that occurs because you are effectively building up a charge difference between yourself and the door handle. The discharge occurs as a way of bringing the total electric charge in the system back to equilibrium. Though one would think that an electric current is flowing through oneself during this process, the length of time of the discharge is too short for this to be true. An electric current is a flow of charge across an electrically conductive body of some kind. It is also taken to be the time derivative of charge, written as: I = dQ/dt If one were to take the time integral of both sides of the above equation with respect to a definite period of time, one would also be able to calculate a total charge, Q, built up for that given timeby the integral: Q = ∫ I dt where the integral is the definite integral from tinitial to tfinal. Such an equation might be used for determining the total charge built up across the surface of a capacitor for a given current and time interval. Bookmark this page in your browser using CtrlÂ andÂ d or using one of these services: (opens in new window)


Which god of embalming in Egyptian mythology is usually portrayed with the head of a Jackal?

Ancient Egypt: the Mythology - Anubis Anubis Symbols: jackal, ox-hide hanging from a pole, embalming       equipment, flail, flags Cult Center: Heliopolis , Cynopolis The jackal-god of mummification, he assisted in the rites by which a dead man was admitted to the underworld. Anubis was worshipped as       the inventor of embalming and who embalmed the dead Osiris and thereby helping to preserve him that he might live again. Anubis is portrayed as a man with the head of a jackal holding the       divine sceptre carried by kings and gods; as simply a black jackal or as a dog accompanying Isis . His symbol       was a black and white ox-hide splattered with blood and hanging from       a pole. It's meaning is unknown. Anubis had three important functions. He supervised the embalming       of bodies. He received the mummy into the tomb and performed the Opening       of the Mouth ceremony and then conducted the soul in the Field of       Celestial Offerings. Most importantly though, Anubis monitored the       Scales of Truth to protect the dead from deception and eternal death. Early in Egyptian history, Anubis was a god of the dead. This role       was usurped by Osiris as he rose in popularity. The god of embalming is probably associated with the jackal due to       the habits of jackals to lurk about tombs and graves. One of the reasons       the early Egyptians sought to make their tombs more elaborate was       to keep the bodies safe from the jackals lingering about the graves.       It is only natural therefore that a god of mummification would be       connected with them. By worshipping Anubis, the Egyptians hoped to       invoke him to protect their deceased from jackals, and later, the       natural decay that unprotected bodies endure. Anubis was the son of Nephthys , and his       father was Osiris. One myth says that Nephthys got Osiris drunk and       the resultant seduction brought forth Anubis. Yet another says she       disguised herself as Isis and seduced Osiris and subsequently gave       birth to Anubis. Digg This!


Which American actor and singer has joined Amanda Holden as one of the judges on the current series of 'Britain's Got Talent'?

Britain's Got Talent 2011: Amanda Holden arrives on a motorbike for to join Simon Cowell on tonight's show | Daily Mail Online comments It's the moment that fans have been waiting for - the return of Britain's Got Talent  head judge Simon Cowell on tonight's show. And his co-judge Amanda Holden was leaving nothing to chance when it came to getting to the show studios on time today - she was whisked there on the back of a motorbike to avoid getting stuck in Bank Holiday traffic. Amanda was wearing an unusual biking outfit of grey miniskirt, black sunglasses, jacket and towering black patent stilettos, with her huge pink patent handbag tied behind her on the parcel rack. Racy lady: Amanda Holden arrived at the Britain's Got Talent studios this evening on the back of a motorbike to avoid the Bank Holiday traffic Easy rider: The judge proved to be a proficient pillion passenger and even dismounted with ease, despite wearing a short grey mini skirt and towering stilettos  However, she still managed to dismount the bike with decorum before she then removed her helmet and made her way into make-up. RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share The star had revealed earlier today that she couldn't wait for tonight's show - though she revealed she was feeling nervous. Writing on her Twitter page, she said: 'Woken up with major butterflies!! Cannot wait to see all the boys later and especially Simon! Hooray x' Keen: Amanda wrote on her Twitter page that she 'couldn't wait' to join 'her boys' including Simon Cowell on tonight's show - so made a speedy entrance on a motorbike Petrol head: The judge will be hoping to fire on all cylinders for tonight's first live semi-final - and she might want to hold on to her hard hat to protect her from co-judge Simon Cowell's comments about the acts she's helped put through... As well as Simon, she'll be joining David Hasselhoff and Michael McIntyre as they prepare to whittle down the wannabes.  Last night, Amanda, David and Michael managed to slash a list of 220 acts down to just 40 ahead of tonight's show. But Amanda revealed tonight that the judges didn't even know which of the semi-finalists would be performing for them tonight. She tweeted: 'OMG! We have all been locked in our dressing rooms! Have no idea who is even on stage tonight!! The excitement is unbelievable!' The mother-of-one also revealed her choice of dress for tonight's show, saying: 'So!! I am wearing Quintana tonight (specially made for me!) and Martine Webster Ear-rings!( Also specially made!!) Feeling V. Happy!' However, head honcho Simon is bound to find fault with some of the judges' decisions regarding which acts have been put through when he makes his debut on this series of the show tonight. Going through to the live semi-finals: Pippa Langhorne and her dog Buddy (left) and Romanian dancer Razy Gogonea were chosen by the judges On fire: Girls Roc are through to tonight's live semis, seen here at rehearsals today Those who have made it through include opera singer Pippa Langhorne and her dog Buddy, Romanian dancer Razy Gogonea and dancing fire act Girl Roc. Others battling for a place in Saturday's grand final are singer Ronan Parke, ballet dancer James Hobley, junior boy band New Bounce, bell ringers Gay And Alan and impressionist Les Gibson. Guess who's back: Simon Cowell will rejoin the judging panel for the live semi-final tonight Other dancers going through are the Celtic Colleens, Dance Angels, Two & A Half Men, Abyss and Up And Over It. There was also a unanimous yes from all three judges last night for Nottingham teenager Joe Oakley. The 19-year-old performed a stunt act on a bike to the Mission: Impossible soundtrack. The audience were amazed when he got his father and a friend to lie down on the floor as he jumped over them on the bike without managing to hurt them. He then hopped up on a series of oil drums and managed to leap from one to the other, before balancing on a climbing frame made of scaffolding. McIntyre said: 'It was sensational. It was like you and the bike were one. Very very exciting.' Hassel


Who was the King of Persia who led the armies that triumphed over the Greeks at the battles of Thermopylae and Artemisium?

FACT BEHIND FICTION | 300 The Battle at Thermopylae 300: The Battle at Thermopylae INCLUDING: GREEK & PERSIAN WARFARE   There is no need to be surprised at the length of my description, because anybody would discover that where military matters are concerned the Spartans have overlooked very little that demands attention. ï¿½- Spartan Society: Xenophon   Actually fourteen hundred warriors in all stood up to the Persian invaders at Thermopylae on the final day of battle, down from approximately seven thousand on the first day. Along with Leonidas I and his three hundred Spartans there were seven hundred Thespians, four hundred Thebans and eighty men from Mycaene.   The Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC) is famous for one of the most courageous last stands by the vastly outnumbered defending army of Greek city states lead by King Leonidas I of Sparta against invading Persians under King Xerxes I.   The latest interpretation of the battle was the movie 300, which was based on the graphic novel of the same name by Frank Miller. Frank Miller was inspired by the 1962 film ï¿½ The 300 Spartans. We are aware of the battle because of the works of the Greek historian Herodotus (circa 484 BC ï¿½ circa 425 BC), most notably The Histories, which details Greco-Persian wars that took place in the 5th century BC.   Why did the Persians invade the Greek states? Almost twenty years before the Battle of Thermopylae, Greek city states had supported an unsuccessful Ionian revolt against the Persian Empire of Darius I who swore revenge and put in motion plans to invade Greece. His death around 486 BC didnï¿½t end the plans for invasion and his son Xerxes I continued ambitious preparations for it. The Greek states were subsequently visited by Persian emissaries who asked for ï¿½earth and waterï¿½ as a token of submission; all states obliged except for Athens and Sparta. The Athenians put the Persian emissaries on trial in a court of law, whereas the Spartans threw the Persian emissaries down a well.   Eminent threat of the Persian invasion threw the Greek states into alliance though many were technically at war with each other. An Athenian politician ï¿½ Themistocles suggested defending at the narrow pass at Thermopylae, where superior numbers matter less.   The arrival of the Persians coincided with the Spartan the festival of Carneia when all military activity is forbidden. In light of the urgency only King Leonidas I was dispatched with three hundred of his personal guards to take up defensive positions and await the main army.   Leonidas I consulted the Oracle at Delphi before going to battle. The Oracleï¿½s prophecy and his inadequate forces convinced him that he would not survive the confrontation. Keeping this in mind he selected his contingent from Spartans with living sons to carry on their families. En route to the battlefield the Spartans recruited several forces from other Greek states. At Thermopylae the Persians sent another contingent of negotiators who were promptly returned empty handed.   Why did the Greeks choose to defend at Thermopylae? From a strategic point of view, by defending Thermopylae, the Greeks were making the best possible use of their forces. As long as they could prevent the Persian advance into their lands, they had no requirement to seek a decisive battle, and could thus remain on the defensive. Moreover, by defending two constricted passages (Thermopylae and Artemisium), the Greeks inferior numbers became much less problematic. Conversely, for the Persians the problem of supplying such a large army meant that the Persians could not remain in the same place for too long. The Persians must therefore retreat or advance; and advancing required the pass of Thermopylae to be forced.   Tactically, the pass at Thermopylae was ideally suited to the Greek style of warfare. A hoplite phalanx would be able to block the narrow pass with ease, with no risk of being outflanked by cavalry. In the pass, the phalanx would have been very difficult to assault for the more lightly armed Persian infantry. The major weak point for th


Also found in Spinach and similar plants, which organic acid is the primary acid found in Rhubarb leaves?

Spinach The World's Healthiest Foords are health-promoting foods that can change your life. Watch for the launch of our new WHFoods 7-Day Meal Plan on January 23rd! The George Mateljan Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation with no commercial interests or advertising. Our mission is to help you eat and cook the healthiest way for optimal health. Spinach What's New and Beneficial About Spinach Bright, vibrant-looking spinach leaves are not only more appealing to the eye but more nourishing as well. Recent research has shown that spinach leaves that look fully alive and vital have greater concentrations of vitamin C than spinach leaves that are pale in color. The study authors suggest that the greater supply of vitamin C helps protect all of the oxygen-sensitive phytonutrients in the spinach leaves and makes them looking vibrant and alive. Many people are concerned about the nutrient content of delicate vegetables (like baby spinach) when those vegetables are placed in clear plastic containers in grocery store display cases and continuously exposed to artificial lighting. One recent food study has shown that you don't need to worry about the overall status of antioxidants in baby spinach that has been stored and displayed in this way. In this scientific study, the overall nutrient richness of the baby spinach when exposed to constant light was actually higher than the overall nutrient richness of baby spinach leaves kept in total darkness. The period of time in the study was 9 days, and the spinach was kept at 39°F/4°C (a temperature on the lower end of the scale for most home refrigerators). These findings are good news for anyone purchasing baby spinach in "ready-to-eat" containers. One new category of health-supportive nutrients found in spinach is called "glycoglycerolipids." Glycoclycerolipids are the main fat-related molecules in the membranes of light-sensitive organs in most plants. They're indispensable for the process of photosynthesis carried out by plants. However, recent lab research in laboratory animals has shown that glycoglycerolipids from spinach can help protect the lining of the digestive tract from damage — especially damage related to unwanted inflammation. You can expect to see more studies about this exciting new category of molecules in spinach and its potential health benefits. In a recent study on the relationship between risk of prostate cancer and vegetable intake — including the vegetables spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, mustard greens, turnip greens, collards, and kale — only spinach showed evidence of significant protection against the occurrence of aggressive prostate cancer. ("Aggressive prostate cancer" was defined as stage III or IV prostate cancer with a Gleason score of at least 7. Gleason scores are based on lab studies of prostate tissue and common tumor-related patterns.) The study authors did not speculate about specific substances in spinach that may have been involved in decreased prostate cancer risk. However, we know that certain unique anti-cancer carotenoids—called epoxyxanthophylls — are plentiful in spinach, even though they may not be as effectively absorbed as other carotenoids like beta-carotene and lutein. You can count on seeing future research on neoxanthin and violaxanthin — two anti-cancer epoxyxanthophylls that are found in plentiful amounts in the leaves of spinach. WHFoods Recommendations Among the World's Healthiest vegetables, spinach comes out at the top of our ranking list for nutrient richness. Rich in vitamins and minerals, it is also concentrated in health-promoting phytonutrients such as carotenoids (beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) and flavonoids to provide you with powerful antioxidant protection. Enjoy baby spinach in your favorite salads or make a salad made exclusively of baby spinach. Spinach is one of only three vegetables that we recommend boiling to help reduce its concentration of oxalic acid. We recommend boiling for just 1 minute to minimize loss of nutrients and flavor. For more on the Nutrient-Rich Way of


Who was the King of Epirus who defeated the Romans at the Battle of Asculum in 279 BC at the cost of his army being almost entirely destroyed?

396 BC - Battle of Veii - Romans completed the conquest of the Etruscans. 390 BC - Battle of the river Alia - The Gauls defeated the Romans and sack Rome. 342 BC - Battle of Monte Gauro - The Roman general Marcus Valerius Corvus defeat the Samnites. 341 BC - Battle of Suessula - The Roman consul Marcus Valerius Corvus again defeat the Samnites. 339 BC - Battle of Vesuvius - Publius Decius Mus and Titus Manlius Torquatus Imperiosus defeat Latins. 338 BC - Battle of Trifanum - The Roman general Titus Manlius Torquatus Imperiosus decisively defeats Latins. 321 BC - Battle of the Caudine Forks - The Romans led by Spurius Albinus Postumius and Titus Veturius Calvinus are defeated by the Samnites led by Gaius Pontius. 316 BC - Battle of Lautulae - The Romans were defeated by the Samnites. 310 BC - Battle of Lake Vadimo - The Romans, led by the dictator Lucius Papirius Cursor, due to the Etruscans. 305 BC - Battle of Bovianum - The consuls M. Fulvius and L. Postumius defeat the Samnites and ends the Second Samnite War. III Century BC 298 BC - Battle of Camerino - The Samnites beat the Romans led by Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus in the first battle of the Third Samnite War. 297 BC - Battle of Tiferno - The Romans under Quintus Fabius Maximus and Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus defeat the Samnites armies led by Statius Gellius. 295 BC - Battle of Sentino - The Romans under Fabius and Publius Decimus Mus Rullianus defeat the Samnites and Etruscans and Gallic allies, forcing the Etruscans, Gauls, and Umbrians to make peace. 293 BC - Battle of Aquilonia - Romans defeated the Samnites. 285 BC - Battle of Arretium - The Roman army bajoLucius Caecilius Metellus Dinter is destroyed by the Gauls. 283 BC - Battle of Lake Vadimo - The Roman army under P. Cornelius Dolabella defeats the Etruscans and Gauls. 282 BC - Battle of Populonia - Etruscan resistance is finally crushed by the Romans. 280 BC - Battle of Heraclea - First confrontation between the Greek and Roman armies. Pyrrhus of Epirus is victorious but at a very great price. 279 BC - Battle of Asculum - Pirro returns to defeat the Romans but suffered very heavy casualties in their ranks again. 275 BC - Battle of Benevento - faced Pyrrhus and the Romans under Manius Curius Dentatus. 261 BC - Battle of Agrigento - Gisco The Carthaginians under Hannibal and Hanno are defeated by the Romans, to get control of most of Sicily. 260 BC  Battle of the Lipari Islands - A Roman naval force is defeated by the Carthaginians. Battle of Milas - A Roman naval force under Gaius Duillius defeat the Carthaginian fleet and Rome gives control of the western Mediterranean. 258 BC - Battle of Sulci - Roman Victory against the Carthaginian fleet near Sardinia. 257 BC - Battle of Tyndaris - Victoria naval Rome on the Carthaginian fleet off the coast of Sicily. 256 BC  Battle of Cape Ecnomus - The Carthaginian fleet commanded by Hamilcar and Hanno are defeated in trying to stop the Roman invasion of Africa by Marcus Atilius Regulus. Addis Battle - The Romans led by Regulus defeated the Carthaginians in North Africa. 255 BC - Battle of Tunis - The Carthaginians led by Greek mercenary Xanthippus, defeated the Romans led by Regulus, who is captured. 251 BC - Battle of Palermo - Carthaginian Asdrubal led troops are defeated by the Roman armies led by Lucius Caecilius Metellus. 250 BC - Lilibeo Siege - Siege of the Carthaginian city Lilibeo led by Gaius Atilius Regulus and Lucius Manlius Serranus Vulso Longus. Carthaginian victory. 249 BC - Battle of Drepano - Adherbal troops under Carthaginian fleet defeated Publius Claudius Pulcher Admiral. 242 BC - Battle of the Egadi Islands - Roman naval victory that ends the First Punic War. 225 BC - Battle of Faesulae - Romans are defeated by the Gauls of northern Italy. 224 BC - Battle of Telamon - The Romans led by Lucius Aemilius Papus and Gaius Atilius Regulus defeated the Gauls. 222 BC - Battle of Clastidio - The Romans led by Marcus Claudius Marcellus defeated the Gauls. 218 BC  Summer - Battle of Lilybaeum - First naval ships clash between the Romans and Carthag


Which English comedian has joined Amanda Holden as one of the judges on the current series of 'Britain's Got Talent'?

Britain's Got Talent 2012 judges: David Walliams joins after 'signing £250k deal' | Daily Mail Online Got Talent? David Walliams has reportedly agreed to be a judge on next year's Britain's Got Talent He is known to be a massive fan of the show. And now Little Britain star David Walliams will be part of his favourite TV programme as he has reportedly struck a £250,000 two-year deal to join the Britain's Got Talent judging panel. It is a coup both for the star and for the ITV1 show who said they expect the comedian to 'embrace the more eccentric side of the show.' The 40-year-old is expected to join rest of the judges as early as next week as they film the auditions stage. A source on the ITV1 show told the Sunday Mirror: 'David can’t wait to be a judge – it’s right up his street. 'He’s always been a big fan of BGT and will enjoy embracing the more eccentric side of the show. ' 'He’s going to be a great asset and will give the show a completely new lease of life.' Walliams, will judges join Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell in the line-up. Former X Factor judge Dannii Minogue is still rumoured to be in talks with producers. RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share They replace Michael McIntyre, who left to concentrate on stand-up and axed Baywatch star David Hasselhoff. Last year Walliams was a hot favourite for the judging panel following the departure of Cowell and Piers Morgan, but was rumoured to have refused to sit alongside another comedian. Michael McIntyre ended up on the panel with David Hasselhoff and Amanda Holden. And it is thought Cowell was furious with the performances given last year as audiences failed to tune in giving it dismal ratings. Pay day: The comedian, pictured this month with wife Lara Stone, has reported signed a £250,000 deal to be a judge on the show Samantha Womack, Kim Cattrall and Barbara Windsor are all names that have been reported in recent months. It was reported earlier this month that Cowell will return to the reality series in a bid to boost viewing figures, knowing people will tune in to watch his entertaining antics thanks to his deadpan wit, brutal honesty and expertise in the industry. RELATED ARTICLES Share this article Share An ITV source told the Daily Mirror: 'Simon wants to make it the biggest, most successful series yet. His presence will be a guaranteed ratings winner as he is so popular with viewers.' Back where he belongs: Simon Cowell is also understood to be returning to the show after a year away to assist ratings Will she be too nice or add spice? Simon is trying to entice Barbara Windsor onto Britain's Got Talent after Michael McIntyre and David Hasslehoff left Dannii Minogue, who judged Australia's Got Talent, was also rumoured to be in the running, but she tweeted in response to the stories: 'BGT headlines - all news to me. Planning to be back on UK TV soon so hold tight.' The insider added: 'Simon’s been focusing on US X Factor and viewing figures for his British shows have fallen. He won’t take chances with BGT.' A Britain's Got Talent spokesman said: 'There’s been a lot of speculation. We will announce the line up soon.' Fourth judge? Kim Cattrall and Samantha Womack are also names that have been reported


Which English king was born in Le Mans in 1133?

Henry Plantagenet (1133-1189) | WikiTree: The FREE Family Tree 7 Links Henry II, King of England Henry II established the House of Plantagenet. Born to Matilda during a turbulent period, his mother was swept aside while Stephen seized the throne. It was only after he married the most powerful woman in Europe, Eleanor -- Duchess of Aquitaine and ex-consort of Louis XII -- that he was able to take the crown. A man of war, he spent his life on campaigns and stayed on the move. At first, Eleanour shared in the monarch's administrative power and often acted as regent. But with Thomas Becket's rise to power, she was over-shadowed. Becket was not a religious man. Neither was he of noble blood. But with the king's favor, he was able to spend lavishly. Then... in a disastrous political move, Henry forced Becket into the clergy. Suddenly... Beckett became pious, and blew Henry's plan.  Once the king realized that he could not control the man he made, he threw a fit the world never forgot. A few of his knights were in ear-shot. Took the king's temper tantrum at face value... and murdered Beckett in his own church. Europe went into an uproar. Henry got bad press. And voila -- the man of the cloth, who once stunned the French with gaudy displays of wealth... became canonized. They say that Beckett's memory haunted Henry for the rest of his life, but it never stopped him from enjoying power. Although he showered titles on his sons, and even named some of them King ... he refused to let them rule. This led to a series of mutinies within his own family, and he even incarcerated the Queen for years on end. But Eleanor outlived him, and even helped her youngest son John , to ascend the throne. [1] [2] Timeline A major study of Henry's itinerary was done by Rev. Eyton. [4] Titles Henry II of England ("Curtmantle"; 5 Mar 1133 - 6 July 1189) ruled as King of England (1154-1189), [5] Count of Anjou, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. [6] [7] [8] [9] Henry II has no known coat of arms, but he probably bore a coat with two lions passant (tinctures unknown). [10] Early life Henry was born at Le Mans, Anjou on 5th March, 1133 to Geoffrey Plantagenet , Count of Anjou and Empress Matilda . His claim to the throne was strengthened by descent from both English Saxon kings and kings of Scotland through his maternal grandmother Matilda. Her father was Malcolm III of Scotland and his mother was Margaret of Wessex (Saint Margaret of Scotland), grand-daughter of Edmund Ironside. Character and Appearance According to Alison Weir, Henry was stocky and bowl-legged, but Eleanor apparently liked the "freckled ... face and red haired" kid from Anjou. [11] She first laid eyes on him in France when she was married to Louis. At the time, Henry was about 10 years her junior and a stark contrast to her boring husband. The French king was pious, timid, wore a plain church frock, and felt guilty over sex. [12] Along with court intrigues against the Duchess, Louis' over-all demeanor certainly aided her decision to ditch him for the young and verile Henry. [12] Known to have a great memory, Henry II knew Law and Latin. Obsessed with war and administration, he didn't care for fashion. Unlike Eleanor, he wasn't refined. [12] [12] He also had a ridiculous temper, and is remembered for rolling on the floor and chewing reeds. [12] . Marriage On 18 May 1152, at Bordeaux Cathedral, at the age of 19, Henry married Eleanor of Aquitaine. Eleanor of Aquitaine, was the daughter of William X, Duke of Aquitaine and Aenor de Chatellerault. She had previously been the wife of Louis VII, King of France, but they divorced. Legitimate Children Henry's first son, William, Count of Poitiers, died in infancy. In 1170, Henry and Eleanor's fifteen-year-old son, Henry, was crowned king (another reason for rupture with Thomas Becket, whose other bishops acquiesced to this during Becket's exile), but he never actually ruled and does not figure in the list of the


Chad shares the vast majority of its eastern border with which country?

Republic of Chad and the Central African Republic Republic of Chad and the Central African Republic Situated in the heart of Africa, the Republic of Chad gained its independence from France in 1960. The weak new state, with French power often in the background, has long been torn by rebellions and civil wars. Libya, the northern neighbor, intervened and backed local groups, beginning in the late 1960s. Libya's allies eventually overthrew the French-backed government in 1979. The northern rebels fought for power among themselves. But it was the southern based pro-French Hissène Habré that took power in 1987, driving out the Libyans. In 1990 Habré was overthrown by General Idriss Déby, who has ruled since. Chad has small but valuable oil resources, first exploited by an Exxon-led consortium in the 1990s. The World Bank funded a pipeline to bring the oil to market. But little of the oil revenues has reached the general population. World Bank plans for "social spending" have been ignored by the government. Chad remains poor, corrupt and wracked by chronic instability. Bordering Chad to the south is the Central African Republic (CAR), another ex-French colony that gained independence in 1960. For more than three decades it was ruled by corrupt and authoritarian rulers backed by Paris. During one period, a comical dictator declared the country to be the "Central African Empire." The country's first democratic elections finally took place under UN pressure in 1993, with UN electoral assistance. The elected president Ange-Félix Patassé was eventually overthrown by French-backed General François Bozizé in 2003. Bozizé then won an election in 2005 and remains in power. CAR remains one of the world's poorest and most backward countries. Besides their own social and political problems, both countries also are affected by the crisis in neighboring Sudan's Darfur province. Chad and CAR suffer a spillover of violence, displaced people, refugees and rebel groups along their eastern borders. Some think that these conflicts are worsened by climate change desertification and by outside intervention over oil and gas resources. Security Council Resolution 1834 (2008) (September 24, 2008) The Security Council extends the mandate of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) until March 15, 2009. The Council also intends to authorize the deployment of a UN military component to follow up the European Union mission in Chad and CAR (EUFOR) and requests the Secretary General to create a plan to transfer power from the EU to the UN. Report of the Secretary General on the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (July 8, 2008) The Sirte Accord, a 2007 peace agreement between the Chadian government and the country's main opposition groups, continues to falter. The agreement mandated a ceasefire and suggested that rebel groups participate in state affairs, but these demands remain unresolved. In his report, the Secretary General argues that such measures would strengthen the security forces in Chad, allowing the country to protect its borders and detract rebel groups from engaging in proxy wars across the Sudanese and the Central African Republic borders. Report of the Secretary General on the Situation in the Central African Republic and on the Activities of the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office (June 23, 2008) In this report to the Security Council on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR), Secretary General Ban Ki-moon states that the political and security situation in the country continues to deteriorate. The Government of CAR and the Armee Populaire Pour la Restauration de la Democratie (APRD) signed a peace agreement, but violent clashes continue. The report states that both government and rebel forces commit human rights violations against civilians, and that the impunity of these acts furthers violence and insecurity in CAR. UN Security Council Resolution 1778 (September 25, 2007) The Security Council unanimously approved a "multidimensional presence" combining


"Which Caribbean island nation is thought to take its name from the Spanish for ""shallow seas""?"

Freeport Bahamas Cruise | Bahamas Cruises | Carnival Cruise Lines Travel Guide Explore Freeport, The Bahamas The action is sizzling in Freeport, the resort center of Grand Bahama Island. You’ll find plenty of razzle-dazzle entertainment, from a casino to music clubs to barefoot beach bars. But if you’re looking for the Bahamas of seductive, palm-fringed beaches, gentle turquoise seas, and nature at its most vivid, you’ll find that, too. On Carnival® cruises to Freeport, Bahamas, set sail for idyllic sun-baked days on white sand beaches.  Shop for Bahamian goods in outdoor markets and duty-free goods in international boutiques. Soak up the scenery on Xanadu Beach’s powdery crescent of sand. Explore ancient caves and mangrove forests in Lucayan National Park. Snorkel the sparkling waters of a coral reef with cruises to Freeport. Pat a dolphin on the nose at UNEXSO’s Dolphin Experience.


In the King James Version, which eponymous book of the Old Testament follows 'Isaiah' and precedes 'Lamentations'?

Holy Bible Terminology Amalekites  See Amalek Here      in Names in The Bible Amarna letters  The      Amarna letters (sometimes "Amarna correspondence" or "Amarna tablets") are an archive of correspondence on      clay tablets, mostly diplomatic, between the Egyptian administration      and its representatives in Canaan and Amurru during the New Kingdom. The letters were found in Upper Egypt at      Amarna, the modern name for the Egyptian capital founded by pharaoh      Akhenaten (1350s - 1330s BC) during the Eighteenth dynasty of Egypt.      The Amarna letters are unusual in Egyptological research, being      mostly written in Akkadian cuneiform, the writing system of ancient      Mesopotamia rather than ancient Egypt. The known tablets currently      total 382 in number, 24 further tablets having been recovered since      the Norwegian Assyriologist Jørgen Alexander Knudtzon's      landmark edition of the Amarna correspondence, Die El-Amarna-Tafeln      in two volumes (1907 and 1915). Amarna Tablets  See Amarna Letters amen  this word      originated in Hebrew and has spread to most all languages.  Amen      means "truly", "so be it" or "it is      certainly so." We know it as the final word      spoken in a prayer. American Standard Version  The Revised Version, Standard American Edition of the Bible, more      commonly known as the American Standard Version (ASV), is a version      of the Bible that was released in 1901. It was originally best known      by its full name, but soon came to have other names, such as the      American Revised Version, the American Standard Revision, the      American Standard Revised Bible, and the American Standard Edition.      By the time its copyright was renewed in 1929, it had come to be      known at last by its present name, the American Standard Version.      Because of its prominence in seminaries, however, it was sometimes      simply called the "Standard Bible". Amorite   refers      to a Semitic people who occupied the country      west of the Euphrates from the second half of the third millennium      BC. The term Amurru refers to them, as well as to their principal deity. angel  "Angel" literally means "messenger" or "envoy," and is      usually used to refer to spiritual beings who normally are invisible      to us, but can also appear as exceedingly strong creatures or as humans. Antediluvian  (or      pre-diluvian - both meaning "before the deluge") The antediluvian period is that      period in the biblical history between the Creation      of the earth and the Deluge . The story      takes up chapters 1-6 (excluding the Flood narrative) of Genesis . Anu  See      An apocalyptic   Literature, and associated beliefs, revealing the future,      particularly the "End of Days" as revealed in visions,      dreams and interpretations; often revealed by angels. See also eschatology . Apocrypha  Books by      authors written between 150 BCE and 100 CE, included in the      Septuagint and Vulgate, but excluded from Jewish and Protestant      canons of the Old Testament . For      Catholics the word has a much broader meaning to include all extra      biblical books not included in the canon during the Constantine      reformation of the Christian texts. Apollyon  Apollyon is      Greek for destroyer. apostle  "Apostle" means a delegate, messenger, or one sent forth with orders. This      term is applied in the New Testament in      both a general sense connected with a ministry of establishing and      strengthening church fellowships, as well as in a specific sense to " The      12 Apostles of the Lamb" (Revelation      21:14) . The former category applies to a specific ministry      that continues in the Church (Ephesians      4:11-13) and which includes many more than 12 people, while      the latter refers to


Nigeria shares the vast majority of its eastern border with which country?

UNHCR - Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria force 13,000 to flee to Cameroon News Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria force 13,000 to flee to Cameroon The Nigerian refugees reportedly fled after the insurgents attacked the town of Mubi. Local authorities in Cameroon said the "vast majority" had returned to Nigeria. By: William Spindler, ed. Leo Dobbs   |  11 November 2014   |   Français   |   عربي A group of Nigerian refugees rest in the Cameroon town of Mora after fleeing armed attacks.   © UNHCR/D.Mbaiorem GENEVA, November 11 (UNHCR) - The UN refugee agency on Tuesday reported that thousands of people continue to flee to Cameroon to escape attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in north-east Nigeria. "According to Cameroonian authorities, some 13,000 Nigerian refugees crossed from Adamawa state after insurgents attacked and captured the town of Mubi in late October. The refugees fled to the towns of Guider and Gashiga in the North region of Cameroon and to Bourha, Mogode and Boukoula in the Far North," UNHCR said in a press release from Geneva. UNHCR cited local authorities in Cameroon as saying the "vast majority" of these 13,000 Nigerians had returned to Nigeria, saying that their final destination was Yola, the capital city of Adamawa state, about 200 kilometres south of Mubi. In the days immediately following the attack on Mubi, it was reported that refugees arrived in Cameroon in more than 300 vehicles - including many personal vehicles, as well as some trucks and rented cars. The Cameroonian authorities reported that they facilitated onward transit movements and provided escorts to ensure the safety of those transiting through Cameroonian territory. On the Nigeria side, a UNHCR team confirmed that thousands of Nigerians were now being hosted at Girei (Gombe State) and at the National Youth Service Centre in Yola (one of five sites in Adamawa state hosting internally displaced people). The new arrivals were receiving assistance. In Yola, UNHCR has interviewed some of the people who transited through Cameroon before re-entering Nigeria. "The vast majority of them are women and children. They told our teams that many families were forced to flee on foot, taking few belongings with them and walking tens of kilometres before finding safety in Cameroon," the UNHCR press release said. It added that UNHCR was also examining claims that some of these refugees may have been forced to return to Nigeria. "We are seeking assurances from both Nigeria and Cameroon that the return of these people was done on a voluntary basis." Cameroon is hosting thousands of refugees from Nigeria and the Central African Republic. UNHCR urged Cameroon to maintain an open door for refugees. In other areas in the Far North region that border Nigeria's Borno state, Cameroonian authorities continue to report regular attempts by insurgents to carry out incursions into Cameroonian territory, frequently launching attacks from their strongholds on the Nigerian side of the border. Before the latest attacks in Mubi, Cameroonian authorities had confirmed that more than 43,000 Nigerians had sought refuge in Cameroon, of whom close to 17,000 are living at Minawao refugee camp, which is managed by UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies. Meanwhile in Niger, at least 1,000 people have arrived in the Bosso area, in the south of the country, following the capture by insurgents last week of the garrison town of Malam Fatori. The Nigerian town is located only a few kilometres from the border with Niger. The new arrivals in Bosso say that Malam Fatori is now almost empty, as most inhabitants have fled without taking any belongings with them. Children show signs of trauma. At this point, it is difficult to know exactly how many people have arrived in the past few days. The crisis in the north-east of Nigeria has led to the flight of more than 100,000 people to Niger since May 2013 (both Nigerian refugees and citizens of Niger), according to the local authorities, as well as 2,700 refugees to Chad. At the same time, over 650,000 people are displaced within Nigeria's six north-eastern s


Which Caribbean island nation is thought to take its name from the Spanish for 'ancient and bearded'?

Carnivals of the Caribbean Carnivals of the Caribbean   Caribbean Islands and approximate Carnival dates Carnival is the term used for a number of events that take place in many of the Caribbean islands annually. The Caribbean's Carnivals all have several common themes based on culture,  folklore and religion. Carnival tradition is based on a number of disciplines including: "Playing Mas"/Masquerade; Calypso Music and crowning a Calypso King or Monarch, Steel Band Competition and a number of other traditions. A list of  most islands that celebrate Carnival are shown below. Approximate dates are given for the festivities on each island.  For more information about an island click on it  Emancipation Festival (first Monday to Wednesday in August)   Easter Festival (Sunday to Tuesday nearest April 15)     Jump to Top  Anguilla  is a British overseas territory in the Caribbean , one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. It consists of the main island of Anguilla itself, approximately 26 km (16 miles) long by 5 km (3.1 miles) wide at its widest point, together with a number of much smaller islands and cays with no permanent population. The island's capital is The Valley . The total land area of the territory is 102 km2 (39 sq miles), with a population of approximately 14 thousand. Antigua and Barbuda (Spanish for "Ancient" and "Bearded") is  located on the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean .  As its name suggests, it consists of two major islands  – Antigua and Barbuda as well as a number of smaller islands.  All are close neighbours within the middle of the Leeward Islands. Antigua has a population of 82,000, comprising chiefly a mixture of people of Portuguese, African and British descent. The islands of Antigua and Barbuda are part of the Lesser Antilles Aruba is a 33-kilometre (21 miles) long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea. Together with Bonaire and Curacao it forms a group referred to as the ABC islands of the Leeward Antilles, the southern island chain of the Lesser Antilles. An autonomous region from the Netherlands, Aruba has no administrative subdivisions. Unlike much of the Caribbean region, Aruba has a dry climate and an arid, cactus-strewn landscape. This climate has helped tourism as visitors to the island can reliably expect warm, sunny weather. It has a land area of 193 km2 (75 sq miles) and lies outside the hurricane belt. Barbados situated just east of the Caribbean Sea, is an independent West Indian nation in the western Atlantic Ocean. For over three centuries Barbados was under British rule and maintains Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.  Barbados's total land area is about 430 square kilometres (166 square miles), and is primarily low-lying, with some higher ground in the country's interior. The highest point in Barbados is Mount Hillaby in the parish of Saint Andrew. The geological composition of Barbados is of non-volcanic origin, predominantly coral and limestone. The island's climate is tropical, with constant trade winds off the Atlantic Ocean serving to keep temperatures mild. Belize, formerly British Honduras, has a diverse society, composed of many cultures and speaking many languages. Although Kriol and Spanish are also widely spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official language. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the south and west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east.  Jump to Top Bonaire, is one of five of the Netherlands Antilles, consisting of the main island of Bonaire and, nestled in its western crescent, the uninhabited islet of Klein Bonaire. Together with Aruba and Curacao it forms a group referred to as the ABC islands of the Leeward Antilles, the southern island chain of the Lesser Antilles.  The Cayman Islands are a British overseas territory located in the western Caribbean Sea. The territory comprises the islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, located south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica. The territory


Which English king was born in Bordeaux in 1367?

Richard II Plantagenet, King of England (1367 - c.1400) - Genealogy Richard II Plantagenet, King of England Also Known As: in Pontefract Castle, Yorkshire, England Cause of death: Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England Immediate Family: Jan 6 1367 - Bordeaux, Gironde, Aquitaine, France Death: Feb 14 1400 - Pontefract Castle, West Yorkshire, England Parents: Edward of England, KG, Joan of Kent Wife: Anne Bohemia, Isabelle Valois, Princess Child: half brother About Richard II of England "Richard II (6 January 1367 – c. 14 February 1400), also known as Richard of Bordeaux, was King of England from 1377 until he was deposed on 30 September 1399. Richard, a son of Edward, the Black Prince, was born during the reign of his grandfather, Edward III. Richard was the younger brother of Edward of Angoulême; upon the death of this elder brother, Richard—at four years of age—became second in line to the throne after his father. Upon the death of Richard's father prior to the death of Edward III, Richard, by primogeniture, became the first in line for the throne. With Edward III's death the following year, Richard succeeded to the throne at the age of ten. During Richard's first years as king, government was in the hands of a series of councils. Most of the aristocracy preferred this to a regency led by the king's uncle, John of Gaunt, yet Gaunt remained highly influential. The first major challenge of the reign was the Peasants' Revolt in 1381. The young king played a major part in the successful suppression of this crisis. In the following years, however, the king's dependence on a small number of courtiers caused discontent among the influential, and in 1387 control of government was taken over by a group of aristocrats known as the Lords Appellant. By 1389 Richard had regained control, and for the next eight years governed in relative harmony with his former opponents. In 1397, Richard took his revenge on the appellants, many of whom were executed or exiled. The next two years have been described by historians as Richard's "tyranny". In 1399, after John of Gaunt died, the king disinherited Gaunt's son, Henry of Bolingbroke, who had previously been exiled. Henry invaded England in June 1399 with a small force that quickly grew in numbers. Claiming initially that his goal was only to reclaim his patrimony, it soon became clear that he intended to claim the throne for himself. Meeting little resistance, Bolingbroke deposed Richard and had himself crowned as King Henry IV. Richard died in captivity in February 1400; he is thought to have been starved to death, though questions remain regarding his final fate. Richard was said to have been tall, good-looking and intelligent. Though probably not insane, as earlier historians used to believe, he may have suffered from what modern psychologists would call a "personality disorder" towards the end of his reign. Less warlike than either his father or grandfather, he sought to bring an end to the Hundred Years' War that Edward III had started. He was a firm believer in the royal prerogative, something which led him to restrain the power of the aristocracy, and to rely on a private retinue for military protection instead; in contrast to the fraternal, martial court of his grandfather, he cultivated a refined atmosphere at his court, in which the king was an elevated figure, with art and culture at the centre. Richard's posthumous reputation has to a large extent been shaped by Shakespeare, whose play Richard II portrayed Richard's misrule and his deposition by Bolingbroke as responsible for the fifteenth century Wars of the Roses. Modern historians do not accept this interpretation, while not exonerating Richard from responsibility for his own deposition. Most authorities agree that, even though his policies were not unprecedented or entirely unrealistic, the way in which he carried them out was unacceptable to the political establishment, and this led to his downfall." ========================================================================= Wikipedia links: ========================


Which South African golfer won this month's US Masters tournament with a score of 14 under par?

South Africa's Charl Schwartzel Wins Masters : NPR South Africa's Charl Schwartzel Wins Masters Embed Embed South Africa's Charl Schwartzel Wins Masters South Africa's Charl Schwartzel Wins Masters Embed Embed Heard on Morning Edition A 26-year-old South African finished strong at the Augusta National Golf Club Sunday and captured the 75th Masters with a 14-under 274. Charl Schwartzel ended the tournament two strokes ahead of Australians Adam Scott and Jason Day. Christine Brennan of USA Today talks to Steve Inskeep about the tournament. STEVE INSKEEP, host: Never have viewers of the Masters seen a finish quite like yesterday. The golf event began with a 21-year-old in the lead. He collapsed. And that part is normal. It's hard to keep the lead under pressure at the Masters. What was amazing was the charge from behind by Tiger Woods, and then several less-famous players sped right past Tiger. Christine Brennan, sports columnist for USA Today, joins us now from Augusta. Hi, Christine. Ms. CHRISTINE BRENNAN (Sports Columnist, USA Today): Hey, Steve. How are you? INSKEEP: I'm doing great. It must've been hard to know where to stand on the golf course yesterday, there were so many players in contention at once. Ms. BRENNAN: It was crazy. We will remember it forever. And mostly we'll remember, Steve, for Charl Schwartzel - 26 years old from Johannesburg, South Africa. He birdied the final four nerve-wracking holes to win by two - 14 under par - over two Australians, Jason Day and Adam Scott. Never before, Steve, has a Masters champion done that, birdying the final four holes to win. He had been four off the lead coming into the final round. He chipped in for birdie on the first hole, creating one of those early Augusta roars, and then holed a sand wedge on the third hole. He was off and running on a crazy day when there were eight different players in all at tied or sharing the lead at one point or in it by themselves. Schwartzel was the steadiest - 16 greens he hit in regulation, putted like a demon. And a relative unknown, but he is the Masters champion. INSKEEP: It's hard to explain for people who maybe haven't watched a lot of Masters how hard it is to do what Schwartzel did on those final holes. There're lots of lakes, ponds that you can hit into, water hazards. There's sand traps. I mean, you can birdie those holes, but there are lots of opportunities to screw up and blow the tournament and tons of players have. And to actually play each of those four holes flawlessly under pressure is pretty remarkable. Ms. BRENNAN: You know something, he did. Last year, he met with Jack Nicklaus, who has won a few of these green jackets. INSKEEP: Oh, yeah. Ms. BRENNAN: And he took notes on how Jack Nicklaus fought his way through the tournament. And that really paid off for Schwartzel yesterday. INSKEEP: Well, what did you make of Tiger Woods' performance? Ms. BRENNAN: There were two versions of Tiger yesterday - the one who shot five under par on the front nine. He's fist pumping, the putts were falling. And then the one who couldn't do much of anything on the back nine. You know, since his personal troubles of 17 months ago, Steve, Tiger hasn't won a golf tournament. And that's still the case. He finished tied for fourth here. That's exactly the same as last year. For all his great play in those final, you know, in the first two hours on Sunday, it was wonderful afternoon theater, but he ended up losing by four strokes. And he really wasn't in the conversation the last hour, which, of course, that's not good news for Tiger Woods. INSKEEP: Yeah. Yeah. I mean, at some point it looked like he might be able to just kind of hang on and watch everybody else fade, but nobody faded. Ms. BRENNAN: Well, that's true. And Tiger needed that, because he hadn't played well on Saturday. And that's, you know, for Tiger he's been having these uneven rounds, where he'll play well one round and then he won't play well the next round. He hasn't been able to back it up. And yesterday we saw a little microcosm of that. He had the great front nine, but then