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Monday, 30 April 2018
These are the horrid conditions caravan migrants are fleeing
The agony and desperation are written all over the migrants' faces. But what you can't see is how bad their homelands really are.
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Migrant caravan: Through the turnstiles is America.
A month after beginning their arduous trip north from Central America, a caravan of migrants is so close to their goal of reaching the United States they can see the lights of its shops.
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Sunday, 29 April 2018
Louisiana Purchase Exposition dollar
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 30, 2018 is Louisiana Purchase Exposition dollar.
The Louisiana Purchase Exposition dollar was a commemorative gold coin series dated 1903. The coins were designed by Charles E. Barber, Chief Engraver of the United States Bureau of the Mint. The pieces were issued to promote the Louisiana Purchase Exposition held in 1904 in St. Louis. They were struck in two varieties at the urging of exposition authorities, including numismatic promoter Farran Zerbe: one depicted former president Thomas Jefferson, and the other, the recently assassinated president William McKinley. The price for each variety was $3, the same cost whether sold as a coin, or mounted in jewelry or on a spoon. Although not the first American commemorative coins, they were the first in gold. They were intended to help fund the Exposition, originally scheduled to open in 1903. Congress authorized the coins in 1902, but they did not sell well, and most were later melted. They regained their issue price by 1915, and are now worth between a few hundred and several thousand dollars, depending on condition.
The Louisiana Purchase Exposition dollar was a commemorative gold coin series dated 1903. The coins were designed by Charles E. Barber, Chief Engraver of the United States Bureau of the Mint. The pieces were issued to promote the Louisiana Purchase Exposition held in 1904 in St. Louis. They were struck in two varieties at the urging of exposition authorities, including numismatic promoter Farran Zerbe: one depicted former president Thomas Jefferson, and the other, the recently assassinated president William McKinley. The price for each variety was $3, the same cost whether sold as a coin, or mounted in jewelry or on a spoon. Although not the first American commemorative coins, they were the first in gold. They were intended to help fund the Exposition, originally scheduled to open in 1903. Congress authorized the coins in 1902, but they did not sell well, and most were later melted. They regained their issue price by 1915, and are now worth between a few hundred and several thousand dollars, depending on condition.
sudorific: Word of the day for April 30, 2018
sudorific , adj :
In a state of perspiration; covered in sweat; sudoriferous, sweaty. (chiefly pharmacology) That produces sweating. The song “Sweat (A La La La La Long)” was released in Europe by the Jamaican reggae fusion group Inner Circle on this day 25 years ago in 1993.
In a state of perspiration; covered in sweat; sudoriferous, sweaty. (chiefly pharmacology) That produces sweating. The song “Sweat (A La La La La Long)” was released in Europe by the Jamaican reggae fusion group Inner Circle on this day 25 years ago in 1993.
Migrant caravan prepares to reach the US-Mexico border this afternoon
A caravan of hundreds of migrants is expected to reach the US-Mexico border on Sunday afternoon after a monthlong trip from Central America that has sparked the ire of President Donald Trump.
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Saturday, 28 April 2018
Subfossil lemur
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 29, 2018 is Subfossil lemur.
Subfossil lemurs are primates from Madagascar, especially the extinct giant lemurs, represented by subfossils (partially fossilized remains) dating from nearly 26,000 to around 560 years ago. Almost all of these species, including the sloth lemurs, koala lemurs and monkey lemurs, were living around 2,000 years ago, when humans first arrived on the island. The extinct species are estimated to have ranged in size from slightly over 10 kg (22 lb) to roughly 160 kg (350 lb). The subfossil sites found around most of the island demonstrate that most giant lemurs had wide distributions. Like living lemurs, they had poor day vision and relatively small brains, and developed rapidly, but they relied less on leaping, and more on terrestrial locomotion, slow climbing, and suspension. Although no recent remains of giant lemurs have been found, oral traditions and reported recent sightings by Malagasy villagers suggest that there may be lingering populations or very recent extinctions.
Subfossil lemurs are primates from Madagascar, especially the extinct giant lemurs, represented by subfossils (partially fossilized remains) dating from nearly 26,000 to around 560 years ago. Almost all of these species, including the sloth lemurs, koala lemurs and monkey lemurs, were living around 2,000 years ago, when humans first arrived on the island. The extinct species are estimated to have ranged in size from slightly over 10 kg (22 lb) to roughly 160 kg (350 lb). The subfossil sites found around most of the island demonstrate that most giant lemurs had wide distributions. Like living lemurs, they had poor day vision and relatively small brains, and developed rapidly, but they relied less on leaping, and more on terrestrial locomotion, slow climbing, and suspension. Although no recent remains of giant lemurs have been found, oral traditions and reported recent sightings by Malagasy villagers suggest that there may be lingering populations or very recent extinctions.
fraudulence: Word of the day for April 29, 2018
fraudulence , n :
The condition of being fraudulent; deceitfulness. American former financier and investment advisor Bernard “Bernie” Madoff, was born on this day 80 years ago in 1938. Madoff was convicted of operating a Ponzi scheme considered to be the largest financial fraud in United States history.
The condition of being fraudulent; deceitfulness. American former financier and investment advisor Bernard “Bernie” Madoff, was born on this day 80 years ago in 1938. Madoff was convicted of operating a Ponzi scheme considered to be the largest financial fraud in United States history.
Friday, 27 April 2018
All 10 victims of the Toronto van attack have been identified
The ages of the victims range from 22 to 94.
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Lack of fuel caused Brazil soccer team's 2016 plane crash
A lack of fuel caused the 2016 crash of a charter flight carrying a Brazilian soccer team, the Colombian aviation agency said Friday during a press conference in Bogota.
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Death toll in Nicaragua unrest now at 38, rights group says
The death toll from violent anti-government protests in Nicaragua last week is now up to 38, the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights told CNN Friday. The government reports a death toll of 10.
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Wednesday, 25 April 2018
Toronto van attack suspect's Facebook post linked to anti-women ideology
Toronto police are still trying to piece together the motive behind the van attack that left 10 people dead and whether the suspect's frustrations with women contributed to the rampage.
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Tuesday, 24 April 2018
Cuba Fast Facts
Read Cuba Fast Facts from CNN and learn more about this communist country located in the Caribbean Sea, approximately 90 miles south of Florida.
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These are the victims of the Toronto van attacks
Anne-Marie D'Amico came from a family with longstanding ties to Canada's Rogers Cup tennis tournament.
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In a week of awful news, these 3 heroes stepped up
From Toronto to Tennessee, they emerged as glimmers of light amid an onslaught of devastating news.
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Two suspects held over lynching of Canadian in Peru
Peruvian authorities have detained two men suspected of lynching a Canadian man in an apparent reprisal attack for the killing of a respected indigenous leader.
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Monday, 23 April 2018
platitudinous: Word of the day for April 24, 2018
platitudinous , adj :
Characterised by cliches or platitudes.
Characterised by cliches or platitudes.
1867 Manhattan, Kansas earthquake
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 24, 2018 is 1867 Manhattan, Kansas earthquake.
The 1867 Manhattan earthquake struck Riley County, Kansas, in the United States on April 24. The strongest earthquake to originate in the state, it measured 5.1 on a seismic scale based on reports of how strongly it was felt in the area. Its epicenter was near the town of Manhattan. On the Mercalli intensity scale, its maximum perceived intensity was VII, "very strong". There were reports of minor damage in Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It was felt as far away as Indiana and Illinois, and perhaps Ohio, though the latter reports have been questioned. Manhattan is near the Nemaha Ridge, a long anticline structure that is bounded by several faults. A 2016 hazard map from the U.S. Geological Survey estimated a 1% or lower risk for a major earthquake in Kansas for the following year, though the nearby Humboldt Fault Zone continues to pose a threat to the city, and scientists from the agency think an earthquake of magnitude 7.0 remains possible.
The 1867 Manhattan earthquake struck Riley County, Kansas, in the United States on April 24. The strongest earthquake to originate in the state, it measured 5.1 on a seismic scale based on reports of how strongly it was felt in the area. Its epicenter was near the town of Manhattan. On the Mercalli intensity scale, its maximum perceived intensity was VII, "very strong". There were reports of minor damage in Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It was felt as far away as Indiana and Illinois, and perhaps Ohio, though the latter reports have been questioned. Manhattan is near the Nemaha Ridge, a long anticline structure that is bounded by several faults. A 2016 hazard map from the U.S. Geological Survey estimated a 1% or lower risk for a major earthquake in Kansas for the following year, though the nearby Humboldt Fault Zone continues to pose a threat to the city, and scientists from the agency think an earthquake of magnitude 7.0 remains possible.
Sunday, 22 April 2018
tarn: Word of the day for April 23, 2018
tarn , n :
(Northern England) A small mountain lake, especially in Northern England. (US, chiefly Montana) One of many small mountain lakes or ponds. Today is Saint George’s Day, the feast day of the patron saint of England.
(Northern England) A small mountain lake, especially in Northern England. (US, chiefly Montana) One of many small mountain lakes or ponds. Today is Saint George’s Day, the feast day of the patron saint of England.
The Destroying Angel and Daemons of Evil Interrupting the Orgies of the Vicious and Intemperate
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 23, 2018 is The Destroying Angel and Daemons of Evil Interrupting the Orgies of the Vicious and Intemperate.
The Destroying Angel and Daemons of Evil Interrupting the Orgies of the Vicious and Intemperate is an oil painting by English artist William Etty, first exhibited in 1832. With this openly moral piece, Etty hoped to respond to critics who found his nude paintings indecent and in poor taste. It depicts a classical temple under attack from a destroying angel and a group of daemons. Some of the occupants are dead or unconscious; others flee in terror or struggle against the daemons. When first exhibited The Destroying Angel was widely praised for its technical brilliance, but critics were divided on the subject matter. Some praised its vividness and ability to mix fear and beauty without descending into tastelessness; others criticised its theme as inappropriate, and chastised Etty for wasting his talents. Joseph Whitworth donated the painting in 1882 to the Manchester Art Gallery, where it remains.
The Destroying Angel and Daemons of Evil Interrupting the Orgies of the Vicious and Intemperate is an oil painting by English artist William Etty, first exhibited in 1832. With this openly moral piece, Etty hoped to respond to critics who found his nude paintings indecent and in poor taste. It depicts a classical temple under attack from a destroying angel and a group of daemons. Some of the occupants are dead or unconscious; others flee in terror or struggle against the daemons. When first exhibited The Destroying Angel was widely praised for its technical brilliance, but critics were divided on the subject matter. Some praised its vividness and ability to mix fear and beauty without descending into tastelessness; others criticised its theme as inappropriate, and chastised Etty for wasting his talents. Joseph Whitworth donated the painting in 1882 to the Manchester Art Gallery, where it remains.
Cinco de Mayo Fast Facts
Here are some Cinco de Mayo Fast Facts from CNN about the holiday which commemorates the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
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Nicaragua scraps controversial social security reforms
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has revoked a controversial pension reform resolution after several days of violent protests across the country.
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Saturday, 21 April 2018
Gaia: Word of the day for April 22, 2018
Gaia , proper n :
(ecology) The ecosystem of the Earth regarded as a self-regulating organism. Alternative form of Gaea (“Greek goddess personifying the Earth”). Today is Earth Day, a day for observing the need to protect the Earth.
(ecology) The ecosystem of the Earth regarded as a self-regulating organism. Alternative form of Gaea (“Greek goddess personifying the Earth”). Today is Earth Day, a day for observing the need to protect the Earth.
Gloucestershire Regiment
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 22, 2018 is Gloucestershire Regiment.
The Gloucestershire Regiment (1881–1994) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, formed from two regiments originally raised in 1694 and 1758, which first saw action in the Second Boer War. During the First World War, 16 battalions fought under the regiment’s colours, winning 72 different battle honours. In the Second World War, the 2nd and 5th Battalions fought in the Battle of France. Most of the 2nd Battalion soldiers were taken prisoner in the Battle of Dunkirk, but the rebuilt unit returned to France on D-Day at Gold Beach. The 1st Battalion saw action during the Japanese conquest of Burma, and the 10th Battalion fought in the Burma Campaign 1944–45. During the Korean War, the 1st Battalion held out for three nights against overwhelming Chinese forces in the Battle of the Imjin River, and received the American Presidential Unit Citation. The stand was described by the commander of the United Nations forces as "the most outstanding example of unit bravery in modern war".
The Gloucestershire Regiment (1881–1994) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, formed from two regiments originally raised in 1694 and 1758, which first saw action in the Second Boer War. During the First World War, 16 battalions fought under the regiment’s colours, winning 72 different battle honours. In the Second World War, the 2nd and 5th Battalions fought in the Battle of France. Most of the 2nd Battalion soldiers were taken prisoner in the Battle of Dunkirk, but the rebuilt unit returned to France on D-Day at Gold Beach. The 1st Battalion saw action during the Japanese conquest of Burma, and the 10th Battalion fought in the Burma Campaign 1944–45. During the Korean War, the 1st Battalion held out for three nights against overwhelming Chinese forces in the Battle of the Imjin River, and received the American Presidential Unit Citation. The stand was described by the commander of the United Nations forces as "the most outstanding example of unit bravery in modern war".
At least 10 dead in Nicaragua protests
At least 10 people have died in Nicaragua during violent protests this week over the government's planned changes to the social security system, Vice President Rosario Murillo told state media outlet El 19 Digital.
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Friday, 20 April 2018
Neferirkare Kakai
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 21, 2018 is Neferirkare Kakai.
Neferirkare Kakai was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, the third king of the Fifth Dynasty. The eldest son of the previous pharaoh, Sahure, he reigned for eight to eleven years, sometime in the early-to-mid 25th century BCE. His contemporaries viewed him as a kind and benevolent ruler, willing to intervene on behalf of his courtiers. During his rule the number of administration and priesthood officials increased, and they used their expanded wealth to build sophisticated mastabas (tombs) where they recorded their biographies for the first time. He was the last pharaoh to significantly modify the royal naming conventions, separating the throne name from the birth name, in front of which he added the "Son of Ra" epithet. In the royal necropolis of Abusir he started a pyramid for himself conceived as a step pyramid, a form not seen since the Third Dynasty about 120 years earlier. A modified plan represented the monument as a true pyramid, the largest in Abusir, but this pyramid was never completed.
Neferirkare Kakai was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, the third king of the Fifth Dynasty. The eldest son of the previous pharaoh, Sahure, he reigned for eight to eleven years, sometime in the early-to-mid 25th century BCE. His contemporaries viewed him as a kind and benevolent ruler, willing to intervene on behalf of his courtiers. During his rule the number of administration and priesthood officials increased, and they used their expanded wealth to build sophisticated mastabas (tombs) where they recorded their biographies for the first time. He was the last pharaoh to significantly modify the royal naming conventions, separating the throne name from the birth name, in front of which he added the "Son of Ra" epithet. In the royal necropolis of Abusir he started a pyramid for himself conceived as a step pyramid, a form not seen since the Third Dynasty about 120 years earlier. A modified plan represented the monument as a true pyramid, the largest in Abusir, but this pyramid was never completed.
gens: Word of the day for April 21, 2018
gens , n :
(Ancient Rome, historical) A legally defined unit of Roman society, being a collection of people related through a common ancestor by birth, marriage or adoption, possibly over many generations, and sharing the same nomen gentilicium. (anthropology) A tribal subgroup whose members are characterized by having the same descent, usually along the male line. Rome is traditionally regarded as having been founded on this day.
(Ancient Rome, historical) A legally defined unit of Roman society, being a collection of people related through a common ancestor by birth, marriage or adoption, possibly over many generations, and sharing the same nomen gentilicium. (anthropology) A tribal subgroup whose members are characterized by having the same descent, usually along the male line. Rome is traditionally regarded as having been founded on this day.
Raul Castro Fast Facts
Read CNN's Fast Facts about Raul Castro, the former President of Cuba and the brother of former President Fidel Castro.
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Thursday, 19 April 2018
Miguel Diaz-Canel named Cuba's new president
Miguel Diaz-Canel was officially named as the new leader of Cuba on Thursday, one day after a vote in the country's National Assembly.
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Wednesday, 18 April 2018
Cuba's likely new leader, Miguel Diaz-Canel, faces economic and diplomatic challenges
Before becoming the heir apparent to Cuban President Raul Castro, when Miguel Díaz-Canel was still climbing his way up the ranks of the Communist Party hierarchy in the island's provinces, he earned a nickname that stuck with him: "Día y Noche," or Day and Night.
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A new era opens in Cuba as Raul Castro prepares for a successor
For the first time in the lives of most Cubans, a man not named Castro is set to take over the leadership of the Communist-run island nation.
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Tuesday, 17 April 2018
Famous Fantastic Mysteries
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 18, 2018 is Famous Fantastic Mysteries.
Famous Fantastic Mysteries was an American science fiction and fantasy pulp magazine published from 1939 to 1953, edited by Mary Gnaedinger. It was launched by the Munsey Company to reprint stories from their magazines, including Argosy. Frequently reprinted authors included George Allan England, A. Merritt, and Austin Hall. The artwork, including some of the best work of Virgil Finlay and Lawrence Stevens, contributed to the success of the magazine. In late 1942 Popular Publications acquired the title from Munsey, and Famous Fantastic Mysteries stopped reprinting short stories from the earlier magazines. It continued to reprint longer works, including titles by G. K. Chesterton, H. G. Wells, and H. Rider Haggard. Original short fiction also began to appear, including Arthur C. Clarke's "Guardian Angel", which later formed the first section of his novel Childhood's End. In 1951 the publishers experimented briefly with a large digest format, but returned quickly to the original pulp layout.
Famous Fantastic Mysteries was an American science fiction and fantasy pulp magazine published from 1939 to 1953, edited by Mary Gnaedinger. It was launched by the Munsey Company to reprint stories from their magazines, including Argosy. Frequently reprinted authors included George Allan England, A. Merritt, and Austin Hall. The artwork, including some of the best work of Virgil Finlay and Lawrence Stevens, contributed to the success of the magazine. In late 1942 Popular Publications acquired the title from Munsey, and Famous Fantastic Mysteries stopped reprinting short stories from the earlier magazines. It continued to reprint longer works, including titles by G. K. Chesterton, H. G. Wells, and H. Rider Haggard. Original short fiction also began to appear, including Arthur C. Clarke's "Guardian Angel", which later formed the first section of his novel Childhood's End. In 1951 the publishers experimented briefly with a large digest format, but returned quickly to the original pulp layout.
Monday, 16 April 2018
Murder of Yvonne Fletcher
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 17, 2018 is Murder of Yvonne Fletcher.
Yvonne Fletcher was fatally wounded on 17 April 1984 by a shot coming from the Libyan embassy on St James's Square in London. She had been deployed as a constable of the Metropolitan Police to monitor a demonstration against the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. During the protest, two unknown gunmen opened fire with Sterling submachine guns, killing Fletcher and wounding eleven Libyans. The inquest found that she was "killed by a bullet coming from one of two windows on the west side of the front on the first floor of the Libyan People's Bureau". After an eleven-day siege of the embassy, those inside were expelled from the United Kingdom, and diplomatic relations with Libya were severed. In 1999 a warming of diplomatic relations with Britain led to the payment of compensation and a statement from the Libyan government admitting culpability in Fletcher's shooting. British police continued their investigation until 2017, but no one has been convicted of Fletcher's murder.
Yvonne Fletcher was fatally wounded on 17 April 1984 by a shot coming from the Libyan embassy on St James's Square in London. She had been deployed as a constable of the Metropolitan Police to monitor a demonstration against the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. During the protest, two unknown gunmen opened fire with Sterling submachine guns, killing Fletcher and wounding eleven Libyans. The inquest found that she was "killed by a bullet coming from one of two windows on the west side of the front on the first floor of the Libyan People's Bureau". After an eleven-day siege of the embassy, those inside were expelled from the United Kingdom, and diplomatic relations with Libya were severed. In 1999 a warming of diplomatic relations with Britain led to the payment of compensation and a statement from the Libyan government admitting culpability in Fletcher's shooting. British police continued their investigation until 2017, but no one has been convicted of Fletcher's murder.
kyriarchy: Word of the day for April 17, 2018
kyriarchy , n :
A system of ruling and oppression in which many people may interact and act as oppressor or oppressed. Romanian-born German feminist Roman Catholic theologian Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, who coined the word in a 1992 book, was born on this day 80 years ago in 1938.
A system of ruling and oppression in which many people may interact and act as oppressor or oppressed. Romanian-born German feminist Roman Catholic theologian Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, who coined the word in a 1992 book, was born on this day 80 years ago in 1938.
Suspected Toronto serial killer charged with 8th murder
Suspected Toronto serial killer Bruce McArthur was charged with an eighth count of murder after police identified a Sri Lankan man whose dismembered body was found in a potted plant connected to McArthur, Toronto Police Detective Sgt. Hank Idsinga said on Monday.
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Sunday, 15 April 2018
sprachbund: Word of the day for April 16, 2018
sprachbund , n :
(linguistics) A group of languages sharing a number of areal features (similar grammar, vocabulary, etc.) which are primarily due to language contact rather than cognation. Russian linguist Nikolai Trubetzkoy, who coined the German word Sprachbund from which the English word is derived, was born on this day in 1890.
(linguistics) A group of languages sharing a number of areal features (similar grammar, vocabulary, etc.) which are primarily due to language contact rather than cognation. Russian linguist Nikolai Trubetzkoy, who coined the German word Sprachbund from which the English word is derived, was born on this day in 1890.
William T. Stearn
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 16, 2018 is William T. Stearn.
William T. Stearn (16 April 1911 – 9 May 2001) was a British botanist. Born in Cambridge in 1911, he was largely self-educated. He was librarian at the Royal Horticultural Society in London from 1933 to 1952 and then moved to the Natural History Museum as a scientific officer in the botany department until 1976. After retirement, he became President of the Linnean Society and taught botany at Cambridge University. He is known for his work in botanical taxonomy, botanical history, and botanical illustration and for his studies of the Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus. He is the author of Botanical Latin, as well as the Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners, a popular guide to the Latin names of plants. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1957. Considered one of the most eminent British botanists of his time, he is the botanical authority for over 400 plants that he named and described. An essay prize in his name from the Society for the History of Natural History is awarded each year.
William T. Stearn (16 April 1911 – 9 May 2001) was a British botanist. Born in Cambridge in 1911, he was largely self-educated. He was librarian at the Royal Horticultural Society in London from 1933 to 1952 and then moved to the Natural History Museum as a scientific officer in the botany department until 1976. After retirement, he became President of the Linnean Society and taught botany at Cambridge University. He is known for his work in botanical taxonomy, botanical history, and botanical illustration and for his studies of the Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus. He is the author of Botanical Latin, as well as the Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners, a popular guide to the Latin names of plants. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1957. Considered one of the most eminent British botanists of his time, he is the botanical authority for over 400 plants that he named and described. An essay prize in his name from the Society for the History of Natural History is awarded each year.
Saturday, 14 April 2018
Leonardeschi: Word of the day for April 15, 2018
Leonardeschi , n :
A group of artists who worked in the studio of, or under the influence of, Leonardo da Vinci. Today, the anniversary of the day Italian Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452, is declared by the International Association of Art to be World Art Day to celebrate the fine arts.
A group of artists who worked in the studio of, or under the influence of, Leonardo da Vinci. Today, the anniversary of the day Italian Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452, is declared by the International Association of Art to be World Art Day to celebrate the fine arts.
Sinking of the RMS Titanic
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 15, 2018 is Sinking of the RMS Titanic.
The sinking of the RMS Titanic in the early morning of 15 April 1912, four days into the ship's maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City, was one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history, killing more than 1,500 people. The largest passenger liner in service at the time, Titanic had an estimated 2,224 people on board when she struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic. The ship had received six warnings of sea ice but was travelling at near maximum speed when the lookouts sighted the iceberg. Unable to turn quickly enough, the ship suffered a glancing blow that buckled the starboard (right) side and opened five of sixteen compartments to the sea. The disaster caused widespread outrage over the lack of lifeboats, lax regulations, and the unequal treatment of the three passenger classes during the evacuation. Inquiries recommended sweeping changes to maritime regulations, leading to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (1914), which continues to govern maritime safety.
The sinking of the RMS Titanic in the early morning of 15 April 1912, four days into the ship's maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City, was one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history, killing more than 1,500 people. The largest passenger liner in service at the time, Titanic had an estimated 2,224 people on board when she struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic. The ship had received six warnings of sea ice but was travelling at near maximum speed when the lookouts sighted the iceberg. Unable to turn quickly enough, the ship suffered a glancing blow that buckled the starboard (right) side and opened five of sixteen compartments to the sea. The disaster caused widespread outrage over the lack of lifeboats, lax regulations, and the unequal treatment of the three passenger classes during the evacuation. Inquiries recommended sweeping changes to maritime regulations, leading to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (1914), which continues to govern maritime safety.
Quebec mosque shooter motivated by refugee policy
A man who killed six worshippers at a Quebec City mosque told an investigator he carried out the January 2017 attack after seeing reports the Canadian government would welcome more refugees into the country, according to CNN partner CBC.
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Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva Fast Facts
Read CNN's Fast Facts on the life of Brazil's former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
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Friday, 13 April 2018
consistent: Word of the day for April 14, 2018
consistent , adj :
Of a regularly occurring, dependable nature. Compatible, accordant. (logic) Of a set of statements: such that no contradiction logically follows from them.
Of a regularly occurring, dependable nature. Compatible, accordant. (logic) Of a set of statements: such that no contradiction logically follows from them.
Urse d'Abetot
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 14, 2018 is Urse d'Abetot.
Urse d'Abetot (c. 1040 – 1108) was a Sheriff of Worcestershire and royal official under Kings William I, William II and Henry I. Urse's lord in Normandy was present at the Battle of Hastings, and Urse moved to England shortly after the Norman Conquest, where he was appointed sheriff around 1069. His castle in the town of Worcester encroached on the cathedral cemetery there, angering the Archbishop of York. He helped to put down a rebellion against King William I in 1075, and quarrelled with the Church in his county over the jurisdiction of the sheriffs. He continued in the service of William's sons after the king's death, and was appointed constable under William II and marshal under Henry I. He earned a reputation for extortion, and during the reign of William II, he was considered second only to the king's minister Ranulf Flambard in his greediness. Through his daughter, Urse is an ancestor of the Beauchamp family, who eventually became Earls of Warwick.
Urse d'Abetot (c. 1040 – 1108) was a Sheriff of Worcestershire and royal official under Kings William I, William II and Henry I. Urse's lord in Normandy was present at the Battle of Hastings, and Urse moved to England shortly after the Norman Conquest, where he was appointed sheriff around 1069. His castle in the town of Worcester encroached on the cathedral cemetery there, angering the Archbishop of York. He helped to put down a rebellion against King William I in 1075, and quarrelled with the Church in his county over the jurisdiction of the sheriffs. He continued in the service of William's sons after the king's death, and was appointed constable under William II and marshal under Henry I. He earned a reputation for extortion, and during the reign of William II, he was considered second only to the king's minister Ranulf Flambard in his greediness. Through his daughter, Urse is an ancestor of the Beauchamp family, who eventually became Earls of Warwick.
Ecuadorian President says 2 kidnapped journalists, their driver are dead
Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno sais Friday that two Ecuadorian journalists and their driver, kidnapped while on assignment along the Colombian border, have been killed.
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Thursday, 12 April 2018
Brazilian lawmakers request name change in support of Lula
Dozens of Brazilian lawmakers from the socialist Workers' Party, the PT, have requested to change their names to include "Lula."
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Humboldt Broncos trainer dies days after crash
Fueled by her love for sports, Dayna Brons was focused on making the Humboldt Broncos shine on the ice. They dreamed of winning their league's championship and she helped them get ready.
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Wednesday, 11 April 2018
horses for courses: Word of the day for April 12, 2018
horses for courses , phrase :
(chiefly Britain, idiomatic) Different people are suited for different jobs or situations; what is fitting in one case may not be fitting in another. The Grand National Festival, a horse racing event held annually at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, UK, begins on this day in 2018.
(chiefly Britain, idiomatic) Different people are suited for different jobs or situations; what is fitting in one case may not be fitting in another. The Grand National Festival, a horse racing event held annually at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, UK, begins on this day in 2018.
Imogen Holst
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 12, 2018 is Imogen Holst.
Imogen Holst (12 April 1907 – 9 March 1984) was a British composer, arranger, conductor, teacher and festival administrator. In the 1940s she helped to establish Dartington Hall as a major centre of music education, and for the next 20 years was the joint artistic director of the Aldeburgh Festival. The only child of the composer Gustav Holst, she attended the Royal College of Music, but was unable for health reasons to follow her ambitions to be a pianist or a dancer, and became a full-time organiser for the English Folk Dance and Song Society. In the early 1950s she became Benjamin Britten's musical assistant. In later years she concentrated on the preservation of her father's musical legacy, and wrote several books on his life and works. The music she wrote is not widely known and has received little critical attention. She received numerous academic honours, and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1975.
Imogen Holst (12 April 1907 – 9 March 1984) was a British composer, arranger, conductor, teacher and festival administrator. In the 1940s she helped to establish Dartington Hall as a major centre of music education, and for the next 20 years was the joint artistic director of the Aldeburgh Festival. The only child of the composer Gustav Holst, she attended the Royal College of Music, but was unable for health reasons to follow her ambitions to be a pianist or a dancer, and became a full-time organiser for the English Folk Dance and Song Society. In the early 1950s she became Benjamin Britten's musical assistant. In later years she concentrated on the preservation of her father's musical legacy, and wrote several books on his life and works. The music she wrote is not widely known and has received little critical attention. She received numerous academic honours, and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1975.
Accused Toronto serial killer charged with 7th murder
Bruce McArthur was charged with murder in the death of a seventh man Wednesday as police said they are reviewing cold cases for possible connections to him.
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Pope Francis cites 'grave errors' in handling of Chile sex abuse scandal
Pope Francis says he made "grave errors" in handling of the Chile sex abuse scandal in a letter Wednesday to the Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of Chile.
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Tuesday, 10 April 2018
Washington State Route 520
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 11, 2018 is Washington State Route 520.
State Route 520 (SR 520) is a 13-mile (21 km) state highway and freeway in the Seattle metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Washington. Connecting Seattle to the Eastside region of King County across the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge on Lake Washington, it intersects Interstate 5 (I-5) in Seattle, I-405 in Bellevue, and SR 202 in Redmond. It was designated as a freeway in 1964, but was not fully constructed until the late 1970s. Increased traffic on the corridor, spurred in part by expansion of the Microsoft headquarters in Overlake, led to the addition of high-occupancy vehicle lanes and new interchanges in the 1990s. In April 2016, the original floating bridge was replaced by a wider one as part of a multibillion-dollar expansion program that is scheduled to be completed in the 2020s. The program includes the construction of a new bicycle and pedestrian path, bus stations, and interchanges.
State Route 520 (SR 520) is a 13-mile (21 km) state highway and freeway in the Seattle metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Washington. Connecting Seattle to the Eastside region of King County across the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge on Lake Washington, it intersects Interstate 5 (I-5) in Seattle, I-405 in Bellevue, and SR 202 in Redmond. It was designated as a freeway in 1964, but was not fully constructed until the late 1970s. Increased traffic on the corridor, spurred in part by expansion of the Microsoft headquarters in Overlake, led to the addition of high-occupancy vehicle lanes and new interchanges in the 1990s. In April 2016, the original floating bridge was replaced by a wider one as part of a multibillion-dollar expansion program that is scheduled to be completed in the 2020s. The program includes the construction of a new bicycle and pedestrian path, bus stations, and interchanges.
folding stuff: Word of the day for April 11, 2018
folding stuff , n :
(slang) Banknotes, paper money.
(slang) Banknotes, paper money.
Colombia arrests negotiator in FARC peace deal on drug trafficking charge
Colombia's former rebel group FARC has reacted angrily to the arrest of one of its prominent members on drug charges, warning the move is an obstacle to peace.
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Monday, 9 April 2018
Æthelstan A
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 10, 2018 is Æthelstan A.
Æthelstan A is the name given by historians to an unknown scribe who drafted charters (example pictured) for land grants made by King Æthelstan of England between 928 and 935. Providing far more information than other charters of the period, they contain the date and place of the grants and an unusually long list of witnesses, including kings of Wales and occasionally Scotland and Strathclyde. The charters commence shortly after Æthelstan conquered Northumbria in 927, making him the first king to rule the whole of England. They give him titles such as "King of the English" and "King of the Whole of Britain", reflecting his claim to a higher status than previous West Saxon kings. The charters are written in the elaborate hermeneutic style of Latin, a hallmark of the English Benedictine Reform; the style became dominant in Anglo-Latin literature in the mid-tenth century. The scribe stopped drafting charters after 935, and his successors returned to a simpler style, suggesting that he was working on his own rather than as a member of a royal scriptorium.
Æthelstan A is the name given by historians to an unknown scribe who drafted charters (example pictured) for land grants made by King Æthelstan of England between 928 and 935. Providing far more information than other charters of the period, they contain the date and place of the grants and an unusually long list of witnesses, including kings of Wales and occasionally Scotland and Strathclyde. The charters commence shortly after Æthelstan conquered Northumbria in 927, making him the first king to rule the whole of England. They give him titles such as "King of the English" and "King of the Whole of Britain", reflecting his claim to a higher status than previous West Saxon kings. The charters are written in the elaborate hermeneutic style of Latin, a hallmark of the English Benedictine Reform; the style became dominant in Anglo-Latin literature in the mid-tenth century. The scribe stopped drafting charters after 935, and his successors returned to a simpler style, suggesting that he was working on his own rather than as a member of a royal scriptorium.
caveat: Word of the day for April 10, 2018
caveat , v :
(regarded by some as nonstandard) To qualify a statement with a caveat or proviso. (law) To lodge a formal notice of interest in land under a Torrens land-title system. (law, dated) To issue a notice requesting that proceedings be suspended. (obsolete) To warn or caution against some event. The tongue-in-cheek International Be Kind to Lawyers Day falls on this day in 2018, the second Tuesday of April.
(regarded by some as nonstandard) To qualify a statement with a caveat or proviso. (law) To lodge a formal notice of interest in land under a Torrens land-title system. (law, dated) To issue a notice requesting that proceedings be suspended. (obsolete) To warn or caution against some event. The tongue-in-cheek International Be Kind to Lawyers Day falls on this day in 2018, the second Tuesday of April.
An annual caravan of Central American migrants traveling through Mexico is getting more attention than usual after a series of tweets from US President Donald Trump.
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Hockey stick tributes for team in devastating crash
Emotional tributes to members of a junior hockey team killed or injured in a bus crash in Canada have gained huge traction on social media.
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Sunday, 8 April 2018
Lesser Antillean macaw
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 9, 2018 is Lesser Antillean macaw.
The Lesser Antillean macaw (Ara guadeloupensis) was a parrot of the Guadeloupe islands. There are no conserved specimens, but this macaw is known from several contemporary accounts, and the bird is the subject of some illustrations. Austin Hobart Clark made a species description based on these accounts in 1905. A phalanx bone from the island of Marie-Galante confirmed the existence of a similar-sized macaw predating the arrival of humans, and was correlated with the Lesser Antillean macaw in 2015. According to contemporary descriptions, the body was red, the wings were red, blue and yellow, and the solid red tail feathers were between 38 and 51 cm (15 and 20 in) long; apart from the tail feathers and its smaller size, this description matches the scarlet macaw. These accounts also said that it ate fruit (including the poisonous manchineel), nested in trees and laid two eggs once or twice a year. Although it was said to be abundant in Guadeloupe, by 1760 it was becoming rare and was soon eradicated, probably by disease and hunting.
The Lesser Antillean macaw (Ara guadeloupensis) was a parrot of the Guadeloupe islands. There are no conserved specimens, but this macaw is known from several contemporary accounts, and the bird is the subject of some illustrations. Austin Hobart Clark made a species description based on these accounts in 1905. A phalanx bone from the island of Marie-Galante confirmed the existence of a similar-sized macaw predating the arrival of humans, and was correlated with the Lesser Antillean macaw in 2015. According to contemporary descriptions, the body was red, the wings were red, blue and yellow, and the solid red tail feathers were between 38 and 51 cm (15 and 20 in) long; apart from the tail feathers and its smaller size, this description matches the scarlet macaw. These accounts also said that it ate fruit (including the poisonous manchineel), nested in trees and laid two eggs once or twice a year. Although it was said to be abundant in Guadeloupe, by 1760 it was becoming rare and was soon eradicated, probably by disease and hunting.
sully: Word of the day for April 9, 2018
sully , v :
(transitive) To soil or stain; to dirty. (transitive) To corrupt or damage. (intransitive) To become soiled or tarnished.
(transitive) To soil or stain; to dirty. (transitive) To corrupt or damage. (intransitive) To become soiled or tarnished.
Leopoldo López Fast Facts
Read Fast Facts from CNN about Leopoldo López, a Venezuelan opposition leader who was imprisoned on charges of inciting anti-government protests.
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At least 15 people killed in Canada bus crash
A small town in Canada's Saskatchewan province is in mourning after a bus carrying a junior hockey team collided with a tractor-trailer, leaving 15 people dead and at least 14 injured.
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Saturday, 7 April 2018
enhypostasia: Word of the day for April 8, 2018
enhypostasia , n :
(Christianity (Christology)) The state of the human nature of Jesus Christ being entirely dependent on, and not existing independently of, the divine nature of God as a whole (which is the hypostasis of the Holy Trinity comprising God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit), or individual persons of the Trinity such as the Father and the Holy Spirit. Today is Easter in Eastern Christianity in 2018.
(Christianity (Christology)) The state of the human nature of Jesus Christ being entirely dependent on, and not existing independently of, the divine nature of God as a whole (which is the hypostasis of the Holy Trinity comprising God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit), or individual persons of the Trinity such as the Father and the Holy Spirit. Today is Easter in Eastern Christianity in 2018.
Withypool Stone Circle
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 8, 2018 is Withypool Stone Circle.
Withypool Stone Circle is a Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age ring of thirty small gritstones near the village of Withypool, in Exmoor in the south-western English county of Somerset. It is one of many stone circles built across Britain, Ireland and Brittany as part of a megalithic tradition between 3300 and 900 BCE. Archaeologists speculate that they may be prehistoric religious sites with supernatural associations. Although many monuments were built on Exmoor during the Bronze Age, only one other stone circle survives in this area, at Porlock. The Withypool ring sits in an area of heathland on the south-western slope of Withypool Hill. It is about 36.4 metres (119 feet 5 inches) in diameter. There may originally have been around 100 stones; there are conspicuous gaps on the northern and western sides of the monument. The site was rediscovered in 1898 and surveyed by the archaeologist Harold St George Gray in 1905.
Withypool Stone Circle is a Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age ring of thirty small gritstones near the village of Withypool, in Exmoor in the south-western English county of Somerset. It is one of many stone circles built across Britain, Ireland and Brittany as part of a megalithic tradition between 3300 and 900 BCE. Archaeologists speculate that they may be prehistoric religious sites with supernatural associations. Although many monuments were built on Exmoor during the Bronze Age, only one other stone circle survives in this area, at Porlock. The Withypool ring sits in an area of heathland on the south-western slope of Withypool Hill. It is about 36.4 metres (119 feet 5 inches) in diameter. There may originally have been around 100 stones; there are conspicuous gaps on the northern and western sides of the monument. The site was rediscovered in 1898 and surveyed by the archaeologist Harold St George Gray in 1905.
Brazil's ex-president to surrender to federal police
Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Saturday he will turn himself over to federal authorities to begin serving a 12-year prison sentence for corruption.
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Multiple deaths reported in crash involving Canadian junior hockey team
Several people were killed and others wounded when a bus carrying a junior league hockey team crashed with a tractor-trailer Friday in western Canada, police said.
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Friday, 6 April 2018
sassywood: Word of the day for April 7, 2018
sassywood , n :
A form of trial by ordeal in Liberia, typically involving a suspect drinking a poisonous concoction made from the bark of the ordeal tree Erythrophleum guineense, Erythrophleum ivorense, or Erythrophleum suaveolens (called sassy bark); by extension, other forms of trial by ordeal such as applying a heated machete to the suspect's legs, or dipping the suspect's hand into hot oil. The ordeal tree itself, the bark of which is used in the sassywood procedure. To celebrate April Fools’ Day, this week we are featuring a series of unusual concepts. Enjoy!
A form of trial by ordeal in Liberia, typically involving a suspect drinking a poisonous concoction made from the bark of the ordeal tree Erythrophleum guineense, Erythrophleum ivorense, or Erythrophleum suaveolens (called sassy bark); by extension, other forms of trial by ordeal such as applying a heated machete to the suspect's legs, or dipping the suspect's hand into hot oil. The ordeal tree itself, the bark of which is used in the sassywood procedure. To celebrate April Fools’ Day, this week we are featuring a series of unusual concepts. Enjoy!
Drama dari Krakatau
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 7, 2018 is Drama dari Krakatau.
Drama dari Krakatau (Drama of Krakatoa) is a 1929 vernacular Malay novel written by Kwee Tek Hoay, first published as a serial in his magazine Panorama between 7 April and 22 December 1928. Inspired by Edward Bulwer-Lytton's 1834 novel The Last Days of Pompeii and the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, the book centres on two families in 1920s Batam with siblings who were separated in 1883. The brother becomes a political figure, while the sister marries a Baduy priest-king who ultimately sacrifices himself to calm a stirring Krakatoa. Before the final instalment had been published, the novel had already been adapted for the stage. Although Kwee was known as a realist and researched the volcano before writing, Drama dari Krakatau is replete with mysticism. Thematic analyses have focused on the depiction of indigenous cultures by Kwee (himself ethnic Chinese), as well as geography and nationalism. As with other works of Chinese Malay literature, the book is not considered part of the Indonesian literary canon.
Drama dari Krakatau (Drama of Krakatoa) is a 1929 vernacular Malay novel written by Kwee Tek Hoay, first published as a serial in his magazine Panorama between 7 April and 22 December 1928. Inspired by Edward Bulwer-Lytton's 1834 novel The Last Days of Pompeii and the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, the book centres on two families in 1920s Batam with siblings who were separated in 1883. The brother becomes a political figure, while the sister marries a Baduy priest-king who ultimately sacrifices himself to calm a stirring Krakatoa. Before the final instalment had been published, the novel had already been adapted for the stage. Although Kwee was known as a realist and researched the volcano before writing, Drama dari Krakatau is replete with mysticism. Thematic analyses have focused on the depiction of indigenous cultures by Kwee (himself ethnic Chinese), as well as geography and nationalism. As with other works of Chinese Malay literature, the book is not considered part of the Indonesian literary canon.
Ex-Brazil president Lula da Silva fails to turn himself over to federal police
Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva failed to turn himself in to federal authorities on Friday, when he was supposed to begin serving a 12-year prison sentence for corruption.
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Thursday, 5 April 2018
2003 Atlantic hurricane season
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 6, 2018 is 2003 Atlantic hurricane season.
The 2003 Atlantic hurricane season was unusually active, with tropical cyclone activity both before June and after November for the first time in 50 years. There were three major hurricanes, and the sixteen named storms tied for the sixth highest total on record. The strongest hurricane of the season was Isabel, which reached Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale northeast of the Lesser Antilles, and later struck North Carolina at Category 2, causing damage worth $3.6 billion and 51 deaths across the Mid-Atlantic United States. In early September, Hurricane Fabian struck Bermuda as a Category 3 hurricane, the strongest since 1926; it caused four deaths and $300 million in damage (example pictured) on the island. Hurricane Juan wreaked considerable destruction on Nova Scotia, particularly Halifax, as a Category 2 hurricane, the first of significant strength there since 1893. The minimal hurricanes Claudette and Erika struck Texas and Mexico, respectively.
The 2003 Atlantic hurricane season was unusually active, with tropical cyclone activity both before June and after November for the first time in 50 years. There were three major hurricanes, and the sixteen named storms tied for the sixth highest total on record. The strongest hurricane of the season was Isabel, which reached Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale northeast of the Lesser Antilles, and later struck North Carolina at Category 2, causing damage worth $3.6 billion and 51 deaths across the Mid-Atlantic United States. In early September, Hurricane Fabian struck Bermuda as a Category 3 hurricane, the strongest since 1926; it caused four deaths and $300 million in damage (example pictured) on the island. Hurricane Juan wreaked considerable destruction on Nova Scotia, particularly Halifax, as a Category 2 hurricane, the first of significant strength there since 1893. The minimal hurricanes Claudette and Erika struck Texas and Mexico, respectively.
pornocracy: Word of the day for April 6, 2018
pornocracy , proper n :
(Roman Catholicism, historical, sometimes capitalized) The period of the papacy known as the saeculum obscurum (Latin for “dark age”), and also as the “Rule of the Harlots”, which began with the installation of Pope Sergius III in 904 and lasted for sixty years until the death of Pope John XII in 964, during which time the popes were strongly influenced by the Theophylacti, a powerful and corrupt aristocratic family. pornocracy n (derogatory, often figuratively) A government by, or dominated by, prostitutes or corrupt persons. (derogatory) A societal culture dominated by pornography. To celebrate April Fools’ Day, this week we are featuring a series of unusual concepts. Enjoy!
(Roman Catholicism, historical, sometimes capitalized) The period of the papacy known as the saeculum obscurum (Latin for “dark age”), and also as the “Rule of the Harlots”, which began with the installation of Pope Sergius III in 904 and lasted for sixty years until the death of Pope John XII in 964, during which time the popes were strongly influenced by the Theophylacti, a powerful and corrupt aristocratic family. pornocracy n (derogatory, often figuratively) A government by, or dominated by, prostitutes or corrupt persons. (derogatory) A societal culture dominated by pornography. To celebrate April Fools’ Day, this week we are featuring a series of unusual concepts. Enjoy!
Caravan won't end in Mexico. Some migrants will risk trip to US border
The caravan of Central American migrants going through Mexico to the US border isn't ending. Instead, its participants will disperse into smaller groups after reaching Mexico City.
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Wednesday, 4 April 2018
eucatastrophe: Word of the day for April 5, 2018
eucatastrophe , n :
(literature) A catastrophe (dramatic event leading to plot resolution) that results in the protagonist's well-being. To celebrate April Fools’ Day, this week we are featuring a series of unusual concepts. Enjoy!
(literature) A catastrophe (dramatic event leading to plot resolution) that results in the protagonist's well-being. To celebrate April Fools’ Day, this week we are featuring a series of unusual concepts. Enjoy!
On the Mindless Menace of Violence
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 5, 2018 is On the Mindless Menace of Violence.
"On the Mindless Menace of Violence" was a speech given by United States Senator and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy. He delivered it at the Sheraton-Cleveland Hotel on April 5, 1968, in the wake of riots and chaos following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., an African-American civil rights leader. Speechwriters worked early into the morning on a full response to the assassination. After revising the draft, Kennedy spoke for only 10 minutes in front of 2,200 people at the City Club of Cleveland, outlining his views on violence in American society. He faulted both the rioters and the white establishment who, from his perspective, were responsible for the deterioration of social conditions in the United States. He proposed no specific solutions, but admonished the audience to seek common ground and cooperation. Journalist Jack Newfield framed the address as a suitable epitaph for the senator, who was himself assassinated two months later.
"On the Mindless Menace of Violence" was a speech given by United States Senator and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy. He delivered it at the Sheraton-Cleveland Hotel on April 5, 1968, in the wake of riots and chaos following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., an African-American civil rights leader. Speechwriters worked early into the morning on a full response to the assassination. After revising the draft, Kennedy spoke for only 10 minutes in front of 2,200 people at the City Club of Cleveland, outlining his views on violence in American society. He faulted both the rioters and the white establishment who, from his perspective, were responsible for the deterioration of social conditions in the United States. He proposed no specific solutions, but admonished the audience to seek common ground and cooperation. Journalist Jack Newfield framed the address as a suitable epitaph for the senator, who was himself assassinated two months later.
Tuesday, 3 April 2018
disemvowel: Word of the day for April 4, 2018
disemvowel , v :
(transitive, sometimes humorous) To remove the vowels from, for example, for the purpose of expurgating offensive words. To celebrate April Fools’ Day, this week we are featuring a series of unusual concepts. Enjoy!
(transitive, sometimes humorous) To remove the vowels from, for example, for the purpose of expurgating offensive words. To celebrate April Fools’ Day, this week we are featuring a series of unusual concepts. Enjoy!
2014 Japanese Grand Prix
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 4, 2018 is 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.
The 2014 Japanese Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 5 October 2014 at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Mie. It was the 15th race of the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship, and the 30th Japanese Grand Prix of the Formula One era. The 44-lap race was won by Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, increasing his lead in the World Drivers' Championship to ten points over his teammate, Nico Rosberg, who finished second. Red Bull Racing driver Sebastian Vettel came in third. Heavy rain from Typhoon Phanfone soaked the track surface and reduced visibility. Jules Bianchi lost control of his Marussia on the 43rd lap and collided with a tractor crane that was tending to Adrian Sutil's car, which had spun off on the previous lap. Bianchi sustained severe head injuries and died nine months later, the first death caused by a Formula One race since Ayrton Senna's in 1994. Formula One's governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, investigated and found that the crash had no single cause.
The 2014 Japanese Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 5 October 2014 at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Mie. It was the 15th race of the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship, and the 30th Japanese Grand Prix of the Formula One era. The 44-lap race was won by Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, increasing his lead in the World Drivers' Championship to ten points over his teammate, Nico Rosberg, who finished second. Red Bull Racing driver Sebastian Vettel came in third. Heavy rain from Typhoon Phanfone soaked the track surface and reduced visibility. Jules Bianchi lost control of his Marussia on the 43rd lap and collided with a tractor crane that was tending to Adrian Sutil's car, which had spun off on the previous lap. Bianchi sustained severe head injuries and died nine months later, the first death caused by a Formula One race since Ayrton Senna's in 1994. Formula One's governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, investigated and found that the crash had no single cause.
Mexico denies promoting illegal migration to US
Mexico has firmly rejected US President Donald Trump's accusations of lax efforts to stop illegal migration over the Mexican-US border, saying in a statement Monday that it does not promote such activity under any circumstances.
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Monday, 2 April 2018
chairness: Word of the day for April 3, 2018
chairness , n :
The essence of what it means to be a chair; the qualities that make a chair what it is. To celebrate April Fools’ Day, this week we are featuring a series of unusual concepts. Enjoy!
The essence of what it means to be a chair; the qualities that make a chair what it is. To celebrate April Fools’ Day, this week we are featuring a series of unusual concepts. Enjoy!
Banksia sphaerocarpa
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 3, 2018 is Banksia sphaerocarpa.
Banksia sphaerocarpa, the fox banksia, is a shrub (occasionally a tree) in the family Proteaceae. Generally 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) high, this banksia has narrow green leaves and, from January to July, brownish, orange or yellow round flower spikes. The species is widely distributed across the southwest of Western Australia, growing exclusively in sandy soils. A dominant plant in scrubland or low woodland, it is pollinated by, and is a food source for, birds, mammals, and insects. First described in 1810 by botanist Robert Brown, the species has a complicated taxonomic history, and several taxa once classified as part of a broadly defined B. sphaerocarpa have since been named as species in their own right. Most authorities recognise five varieties; the largest, B. sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla (ironcap banksia), is sometimes given species rank as B. dolichostyla. According to the Wildlife Conservation Act of Western Australia, B. sphaerocarpa is not threatened. None of the varieties are commonly seen in cultivation.
Banksia sphaerocarpa, the fox banksia, is a shrub (occasionally a tree) in the family Proteaceae. Generally 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) high, this banksia has narrow green leaves and, from January to July, brownish, orange or yellow round flower spikes. The species is widely distributed across the southwest of Western Australia, growing exclusively in sandy soils. A dominant plant in scrubland or low woodland, it is pollinated by, and is a food source for, birds, mammals, and insects. First described in 1810 by botanist Robert Brown, the species has a complicated taxonomic history, and several taxa once classified as part of a broadly defined B. sphaerocarpa have since been named as species in their own right. Most authorities recognise five varieties; the largest, B. sphaerocarpa var. dolichostyla (ironcap banksia), is sometimes given species rank as B. dolichostyla. According to the Wildlife Conservation Act of Western Australia, B. sphaerocarpa is not threatened. None of the varieties are commonly seen in cultivation.
In Costa Rica, conservative gets thumbs down in presidential runoff
Costa Rican voters soundly rejected a presidential candidate who campaigned on social conservative issues on Sunday, instead voting overwhelmingly for a well-known political figure and writer.
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Sunday, 1 April 2018
The Boat Races 2017
The Wikipedia article of the day for April 2, 2018 is The Boat Races 2017.
The Boat Races 2017 took place on 2 April. Held annually, the Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge along a 4.2-mile (6.8 km) tidal stretch of the River Thames in south-west London. For the second time in the history of the event, the men's, the women's and both reserves' races were all held on the Tideway on the same day. In the men's reserve race, Cambridge's Goldie were beaten by Oxford's Isis, and in the women's reserve race, Cambridge's Blondie defeated Oxford's Osiris. In the women's race, Cambridge won by a large margin following a disastrous start by the Oxford boat. This win, their second in ten years, took Cambridge's advantage in the overall standings to 42–30. The Oxford men's boat won their race after leading from the start, their fourth victory in five years, taking the overall record in the event to 82–80 in Cambridge's favour. The races were watched by around a quarter of a million spectators live, including, for the first time, on YouTube.
The Boat Races 2017 took place on 2 April. Held annually, the Boat Race is a side-by-side rowing race between crews from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge along a 4.2-mile (6.8 km) tidal stretch of the River Thames in south-west London. For the second time in the history of the event, the men's, the women's and both reserves' races were all held on the Tideway on the same day. In the men's reserve race, Cambridge's Goldie were beaten by Oxford's Isis, and in the women's reserve race, Cambridge's Blondie defeated Oxford's Osiris. In the women's race, Cambridge won by a large margin following a disastrous start by the Oxford boat. This win, their second in ten years, took Cambridge's advantage in the overall standings to 42–30. The Oxford men's boat won their race after leading from the start, their fourth victory in five years, taking the overall record in the event to 82–80 in Cambridge's favour. The races were watched by around a quarter of a million spectators live, including, for the first time, on YouTube.
beer o'clock: Word of the day for April 2, 2018
beer o'clock , n :
(slang, humorous) The time of the first beer (or alcoholic beverage) of the day. To celebrate April Fools’ Day, this week we are featuring a series of unusual concepts. Enjoy!
(slang, humorous) The time of the first beer (or alcoholic beverage) of the day. To celebrate April Fools’ Day, this week we are featuring a series of unusual concepts. Enjoy!