Type of entry: Newspaper and Magazine Category: Restaurants & Fast Food Outlets Advertiser: McDONALD'S SOUTH AFRICA Product/Service: KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES Agency: DDB SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA Advertiser McDONALD'S SOUTH AFRICA Product KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES Entrant DDB SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA 1 of 3 Campaign Type of Entry: Newspaper and Magazine Type of Entry: Product & Service Category: Restaurants & Fast Food Outlets Title: TIFFANY Advertiser/Client: McDONALD'S SOUTH AFRICA Product/Service: KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES Entrant Company: DDB SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA DM/Advertising Agency: DDB SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
Thousands of examples of millennial old art carved into rocks and on the walls of caves are under threat as their location is often unknown and unprotected from artefact thieves.Warriors on horseback, southern Mauritania [Credit: British Museum/African Art]
Despite providing some of the oldest art in the world, Africa’s rock art tradition has long been overlooked by archaeologists and art historians alike.
Now the British Museum and Kenyan-based archaeological charity TARA (Trust for African Rock Art) are working to preserve this endangered heritage.
“The Museum wants to make Africa’s rock art available to both scholars and the general public alike. We hope to both protect and share this remarkable history for free with a global audience,” says Elizabeth Galvin, Curator of the African Rock Art Image Project.
The rock art tradition began in Africa 50,000 years ago, but abstract engravings may be up to 77,000 years old. It long predates writing, so serves as an important historical window into the culture and beliefs of early humans, and the world in which they lived. Today only a handful of isolated groups engage in the tradition, with a few sites still being used for fertility and rainmaking rituals.
The places in which ancient rock art is found have been little documented and largely unprotected, leading to a deterioration of the sites and the art itself. In 1996, TARA was set up, in order to record and protect the rich rock art heritage of the African continent.
The Nairobi-based NGO are committed to improving awareness about this tradition, and the endangered state that rock art sites are in.
“The ultimate aim is to record all this incredible heritage for humanity before it’s too late,” says David Coulson, TARA’s Executive Chairman.
TARA signed the partnership agreement with the British Museum, so that the Museum could use a digital copy of TARA’s photographic archive to educate people further about rock art. Since the sites are often fairly inaccessible geographically, and susceptible to natural and man-made destruction, the project will allow both academics and general audiences greater access to the tradition.
It will be the first time that such an extensive rock art archive will be available to the British public, and will provide one of the most complete public databases on African rock art in the world. 25,000 digital photos of sites from across Africa will be included, alongside material from archaeological and anthropological research.
The collection will include images of sites across the Fezzan of Southwest Libya, with dates ranging from 10,000 BC to 100 AD. Sites in the Messak Sattafet and the Acacus Mountains, (part of the Tadrart-Acacus trans-frontier UNESCO World Heritage site) will feature, depicting a wide range of subjects, from hippopotami to men in chariots. A survey of the South African sites will show the different styles and subject matters of the Khoi, San and other groups of humans from thousands of years ago. As well as this early art, the collection will also exhibit engravings and graffiti by European settlers in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
In East Africa, the TARA archive will reveal geometric paintings and engravings by Twa forager-hunters as well as images of livestock, shields and clan markings made by Maasai and Samburu pastoralists in rock shelters. In these photos, ‘rock gongs’ – rocks with natural resonance once used for communication – feature prominently.
For more information, please visit britishmuseum.org/africanrockart.
The British Museum’s African rock art image project is supported by the Arcadia Fund.
TARA have also set up a crowdfunding initiative for their organisation. To donate, click here.
Author: Daisy Fletcher | Source: The Independent [June 27, 2015]
Road to Miss Atlantico Internacional 2012 South African Beauties has selected Sheree-Lee Gildenhuys to represent South Africa at the 2012 Miss Atlantico Internacional pageant in Punta del Este, Uruguay. Sheree-Lee is the younger sister of reigning Miss Atlantico Internacional, Michelle Gildenhuys. If Sheree-Lee wins the pageant in February next year, not only will it be the first back-to-back win for any country at the pageant, it will also be the first time that siblings have held any international title in consecutive years. Sheree-Lee will be accompanied by Miss Atlantico Namibia, Robyn Siebers. It certainly looks like a one-two is on the cards for Southern Africa. Credit: South Africa Beauties. Special thanks and credits tohttp://sabeauties.blogspot.com/
Road to Miss Atlantico Internacional 2012 South African Beauties has selected Sheree-Lee Gildenhuys to represent South Africa at the 2012 Miss Atlantico Internacional pageant in Punta del Este, Uruguay. Sheree-Lee is the younger sister of reigning Miss Atlantico Internacional, Michelle Gildenhuys. If Sheree-Lee wins the pageant in February next year, not only will it be the first back-to-back win for any country at the pageant, it will also be the first time that siblings have held any international title in consecutive years. Sheree-Lee will be accompanied by Miss Atlantico Namibia, Robyn Siebers. It certainly looks like a one-two is on the cards for Southern Africa. Credit: South Africa Beauties. Special thanks and credits tohttp://sabeauties.blogspot.com/ source: (Thank you and credits to http://freedom-guy.blogspot.com/ and all sources for the information and pictures)
Near the border with Botswana in the Shashi-Limpopo region lies Mapela, which is now an excavation site. The ruins of what is believed to have been a flourishing urban community for an astoundingly long period of time were first examined in the early 1960s. As a result of political developments in the country, which at that time was known as Rhodesia, the site was later abandoned and forgotten by the archaeologists.A section of Mapela Hill from the north [Credit: PLoS ONE]
Until June 2013, that is. Then, new excavations started under the leadership of Dr Chirikure from the University of Cape Town. Chirikure and his team discovered a large area with massive stone walls, huge piles of fossilised animal excrement, pottery, spinning wheels and thousands of glass beads that testify to thriving trade with other countries, probably India and China. Carbon dating indicates that Mapela was as a flourishing community that existed continuously from the early 8th century until well into the 18th.
'Mapela lies virtually untouched in a rather inaccessible area, and is unique in several respects,' says Per Ditlef Fredriksen, associate professor of archaeology at the University of Oslo. Since June 2014 he has been Dr Chirikure's collaboration partner and head of the research project that will dig deeper into the ecological history of Mapela to find out more about how people and the environment mutually affected each other in the Shashi-Limpopo region.
Mapela is unique, but also one of many
Ecological history studies the complex interplay between people and the environment through the centuries.
The excavation of Mapela is a collaborative project between the universities of Cape Town and Oslo, with funding from the research councils in both countries [Credit: Per Ditlef Fredriksen]
'In other words, the question is not only how people have adapted to climate change; it's also a fact that urban societies generate climate change,' Fredriksen points out.
The forgotten stonewalled site at Mapela Hill will be used as a case study in the project, but this is only one of a number of urban, historical communities that have been discovered in the Shashi-Limpopo region. The more famous ruined cities of Khami and Great Zimbabwe, both on UNESCO's World Heritage List, are also located in this part of Southern Africa.
'We are undertaking excavations in several locations in the area to obtain a better understanding of the development of all these world heritage sites, since the relationship between them remains unclarified.'
More concerned with the common folk
Until now, researchers have been mostly concerned with the elite and the elite culture that has been uncovered in places such as Great Zimbabwe and other well-known historical sites in the region. The common folk, on the other hand, were not deemed to be of equal interest ‒ until now.
A K2 sherd surface collected from the lower summit of Mapela hilltop [Credit: PLoS ONE]
'We wish to learn more about the relationship between the common population and the elite. Part of Mapela's uniqueness is that this site shows traces of all the three elite cultures in the area. The material culture testifies to this fact,' Fredriksen explains.
'Especially the jewellery, but even the fantastically constructed stone walls are extremely rich in symbols. Our findings in Mapela include traces of the stone walls of Khami.'
Using climate data from the start
'Climate and the environment have previously been topics raised in the debate over the urbanisation of Southern Africa. However, this new interdisciplinary project proceeds several steps further in the direction of natural science,' Fredriksen says.
The location of Mapela in relation to other important sites in the region around present-day Zimbabwe [Credit: PLoS ONE]
'We include climate data at an early stage when establishing research questions. Our objective is to obtain a deeper insight into the associations between climate, environment and socioeconomic and political strategies.'
Today, Mapela is located in an underdeveloped and marginal agricultural area, and researchers have assumed that this was an arid region earlier as well, and that Mapela was a regional centre of little importance. New findings, however, indicate the opposite.
A society against all odds
Mapela must have been larger than the known locality of Mapungubwe, where the elite is thought to have lived. Perhaps even the climate was quite different in earlier times.
Khami (shown here) is already on the World Heritage List. There is a lot to support the inclusion of Mapela, too [Credit: UNESCO]
'Was Mapela a community that existed against all odds?'
'That is an extremely interesting question. After all, Mapela continued to exist for centuries, while other communities, such as Mapungubwe, perished. Why? This is one of the questions we will attempt to answer.'
'Could this project provide new knowledge about the ways in which societies have adapted to climate change?'
'It's very complex, but hopefully we will be able to contribute to this,' says Fredriksen. He refers to the achievements of the University of Cape Town in the field of climate research.
'We are in this project to learn from the South Africans, and we have a lot to learn from them,' he concludes.
For more information see: Zimbabwe Culture before Mapungubwe: New Evidence from Mapela Hill, South-Western Zimbabwe. PLoS ONE (2014)
Author: Mari Kildahl | Source: University of Oslo [May 30, 2015]
Queen Elizabeth led celebrations on Monday to mark 800 years since the sealing of the Magna Carta, one of the world's most significant historical documents and credited with paving the way for modern freedoms and human rights.King John of England was forced to affix his Great Seal to Magna Carta at Runnymede 800 years ago this week [Credit: British Library]
On June 15, 1215, in fields by the banks of the River Thames at Runnymede to the west of London, England's King John agreed to the demands of his rebelling barons and accepted the Magna Carta, Latin for "Great Charter", which for the first time placed the monarch under the rule of law.
In the centuries since, it has taken on huge global significance, becoming the basis for the U.S. Bill of Rights, the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Three of its 63 clauses still remain on Britain's statute book.
"What happened in these meadows eight centuries ago is as relevant today as it was then. And that relevance extends far beyond Britain," British Prime Minister David Cameron said.
He said the document had changed the world, inspiring people from the founding fathers of the United States and Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi to Nelson Mandela in South Africa.
"Its remaining copies may be faded, but its principles shine as brightly as ever," Cameron told the ceremony attended by the queen, other royals and global figures including U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch.
Magna Carta came into being during a period of great political upheaval in England with conflict between King John, his nobles and the English church.
It was essentially a peace deal to address the problems of the day and was annulled by the pope shortly afterwards. But updated versions, which included two original clauses regarded as pivotal in establishing the rule of law, were re-released regularly by or on behalf of succeeding monarchs.
The clauses read: "No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land.
"To no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice."
Originals Exist
Four original copies of the document, written on a single sheet of parchment about the size of A3 paper, still exist.
At Monday's ceremony, a new art installation was unveiled and the American Bar Association's Magna Carta Memorial, which was erected at the site in 1957, was re-dedicated.
U.S. Attorney General Lynch said the charter was a bedrock to free societies globally, while Cameron also used the anniversary as a political opportunity to underpin his plan to overhaul human rights laws and reduce the influence of Europe.
However, John Dyson, chairman of the Magna Carta Trust, said King John and the barons would have been bemused that the document would garner such interest hundreds of years later.
"They would surely have been astonished that over time Magna Carta came to be regarded as one of the most important constitutional documents in our history," he said.
"They would not have believed that barons' lists of demands would become a symbol of democracy, justice, human rights and perhaps above all, the rule of law for the whole world. But that is exactly what has happened."
Author: Stefan Wermuth | Source: Reuters [June 15, 2015]
When a mysterious event from Earth's past erupts into the present day it threatens to bring a war to Earth so big that the Transformers alone will not be able to save us. Also Known As: Transformers 3: Dark of The Moon Production Status: In Production/Awaiting Release Genres: Action/Adventure and Sequel Release Date: July 1st, 2011 (wide) Distributors: Paramount Pictures Production Co.: Di Bonaventura Pictures, Inc., Kurtzman/Orci Studios: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Studios Filming Locations:
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER Simply stunning: All eyes were on the Duchess of Cambridge as she she made her way inside the gala dinner The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made a dazzling entrance at a charity gala dinner at Kensington Palace this evening. Looking stunning in a Jenny Packham gown, accessorised with LK Bennett shoes and a clutch bag, Kate brought her usual touch of simple elegance to the Duke and Duchess's first official public engagement as a married couple. The couple are attending the 10th annual Absolute Return for Kids (Ark) Gala Dinner. Dazzling: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arriving at the Ark Gala Dinner at Kensington Palace Kate's style has been scrutinised since officially becoming a member of the Royal family following her wedding to Prince William in April. With her recent appearances meeting the Obamas at Buckingham Palace - and watching the horse racing at the Epsom Derby at the weekend - she tested the sartorial water with simple but chic pieces. Star attraction: William and Kate didn't disappoint on their first official public engagement as a married couple However, the Duchess pulled out all the stops for this evening's glamorous event. William and Kate are attending the reception with 900 other guests at Perks Field and will later sit down to a private dinner before the prince gives a speech. Musician Mark Ronson and his band will perform for the royals and guests. The Duke and Duchess are attending on behalf of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry - a body which raises sustainable funds for charitable grants. Glowing: Kate's beautiful gown was teamed with LK Bennett shoes and a clutch bag The gala dinner was held in an enormous luxury marquee which appeared more like a small building. As the guests arrived, a troupe of divers entertained them by diving acrobatically into a specially constructed pool. When the royal couple's Jaguar limousine pulled up, they were greeted by calls from banks of photographers asking them to pose for a picture. Financier Arpad Busson, co-founder of the organisation, warmly welcomed them before they climbed a few steps to the entrance of the building before posing and smiling for the waiting cameras. Outside the banquet hall was a covered reception area with two champagne bars and stalls serving sumptuous canapes from the Mediterranean and Far East where guests gathered before dinner was served. Hot ticket: The couple's presence at the gala will shine a spotlight on work carried out by the charity The Duke and Duchess mingled with some of the more prominent figures or chatted to associates of their host, Mr Busson, known as Arki to his friends. William and Kate were the centre of attention with people crowding around them to get a view of the newlyweds or take their picture on camera phones. Mr Busson has two sons with his former partner, model Elle Macpherson, and in recent years has dated actress Uma Thurman. The royal couple chatted to his sons, Flynn Busson, 13, and his eight-year-old brother, Cy, laughing and joking with them. After about 45 minutes, they made their way into the circular banqueting room which was filled with almost 100 oval tables. Meet and greet: From left to right, financier Arpad Busson, Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge and Ian Wace, also a co-founder of Ark Among the guests seated on the Duke and Duchess's table were Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth, actress Liz Hurley, socialite Jemima Khan and broadcaster Mariella Frostrup. Elizabeth Murdoch, the daughter of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, also had a place, as did William's private secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, and Baroness de Rothschild. Anish Kapoor, the British-based, Indian-born sculptor, who won the Turner Prize in 1991, was another guest with a seat close to the Duke and Duchess. Kate sat between Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, a distant relative of William, and Mr Busson, while her husband was opposite her with socialite Countess Debonaire von Bismarck on his left and Princess Marie of Greece on his other side. Wrapped around the edge of the room was a multi-coloured dot-matrix display which would later be used to show the bidding for charity lots that included a stay on the Maltese Falcon - the world's largest sailing yacht - or a Kenyan safari at a luxury lodge. Captivating: Kate seems to have taken to public life with ease as she chats with Matthew Freud On the tables were tiny consoles to allow the wealthy guests to place their bids and around the room were swings for performers to use to entertain the guests. Musician Mark Ronson and his band were due to entertain the diners later and a mystery band - rumoured to be the Kings Of Leon - were also performing. The £10,000-a-head dinner will also feature auctions to raise donations for Ark, which has projects helping disadvantaged children around the globe. In the UK it sponsors a number of academy schools and runs other projects like Teaching Leaders and Future Leaders. Ark was co-founded in 2002 by the financier Arpad Busson, who now acts as a trustee of the organisation. A spokeswoman for the charity said: 'Over the past 10 years, Ark's programmes in the UK, Southern Africa, eastern Europe and India have transformed the lives of more than 200,000 children. 'In tackling access to healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa, improving educational opportunities in the UK, US and India, and giving children the chance to live in a caring and nurturing environment in Eastern Europe, Ark is helping to overcome some of the most severe blights on children's lives. Star quality: Liz Hurley, Sophie Dahl and Jemima Khan arrive at the gala source: dailymail
Juan Pablo Gómez of Venezuela won Mister Universe Model 2011 at the 5th edition of the pageant held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Juan Pablo Gómez is 24 year old and stands 1.84 m.
Antonio Duarte, Mister Dominican Republic, was 2nd, Mister Luxembourg, David Florentin, was 3rd, Mister Bolivia, Nelson Gutiérrez, was 4th, and Mister Slovenia, Bojan Ilijanic, was 5th. In the top 10 were the candidates of México (Christian De La Campa); Serbia (Milos Micovic); Portugal (Ricardo Cruz); Chile (Danilo Rodríguez) and Ukraine (Oleg Sukhoverkhov). Among the 15 semi-finalists were the candidates from South Africa (Jacques Fagan); Irak (Mohammed Al-Saadi); Ireland (Darragh Hayes); Peru (Gustavo Pinillos) and Indonesia (Rikas Harsa). Special thanks and credits to GlobalBeauties &beautypageantnews.com
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER Barack Obama and David Cameron serve food from a barbecue as they entertain British and American service members and veterans at 10 Downing Street today Taliban must make 'decisive split' with al Qaida, says Cameron in joint press conference with Obama after garden party Forget table tennis - this is the ultimate photo opportunity for Barack Obama and David Cameron. The UK and U.S. leaders forged a special culinary relationship today as they manned the grill at a barbecue in honour of servicemen in the garden at No. 10. It was a moment of fun after this morning's in-depth talks on issues ranging from military campaigns in Libya and Afghanistan to global economic reform. Obama and Cameron diligently serve a burger to a soldier wounded in service during the garden party U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and Samantha Cameron, wife of the Prime Minister, serve food at the barbecue for British and American service members and veterans The pair gamely served the cooked meat at the lunch party while their wives, Samantha and Michelle, spooned side dishes onto the plates of 150 American and British service members. The Prime Minister and the President appeared at ease as they performed their catering duties in shirt sleeves, chatting and laughing while they worked. Servicemen and their partners arrive at the Downing Street garden party, which was attended by 150 American and British military personnel The Prime Minister, left, and the President appeared at ease as they entertained military personnel in shirt sleeves Both leaders worked together to pile food on to one wounded soldier's plate, as other guests queued at the food-laden tables. Following the barbecue, Obama and Cameron gave a joint press conference in which the Prime Minister said Taliban must make a 'decisive split' with al Qaida if a political settlement in Afghanistan is to be brokered. Speaking outside Lancaster House in London, Mr Cameron said the U.S. operation against Osama bin Laden represented a 'strike right at the heart of international terrorism'. Mr Cameron said the next 12 months represented a 'vital year' in Afghanistan, while British and American troops had 'broken the momentum of the insurgency' in the country. Mr Obama speaks during a joint press conference with David Cameron at Lancaster House today. The Prime Minister said the next 12 months represented a 'vital year' in Afghanistan In the Taliban heartland of Kandahar and central Helmand, the insurgents were 'on the back foot', the Prime Minister said. Calling for a political settlement, he told the press conference: 'Now is the moment to step up our efforts to reach a political settlement. Obama arrived at Downing Street before 10am this morning for discussions with Cameron as he got down to the real political business of his state visit. Obama and Cameron, right, were joined by Nick Clegg, left, for today's talks at Downing Street. Mr Clegg, gesturing to the sunlit windows, said to the U.S. leader: 'You've brought the sun today' Mr Obama shares a joke with Nick Clegg at 10 Downing Street. Shaking hands with the Deputy Prime Minister, the U.S. leader said: 'Wonderful to see you' During the talks, the U.S. President insisted the alliance between America and the UK is key to providing global security after a 'difficult decade'. Nick Clegg proved that three isn't always a crowd as he joined the leaders and was seen sharing a joke with the President. Mr Obama was smiling broadly after making the short journey in Cadillac One - his bombproof limousine known as 'The Beast' - from Buckingham Palace. The leaders greeted each other with a handshake before Mr Obama patted the Prime Minister on the shoulder. They then shook hands again on the steps of No. 10 but they were no Obama smiles before today's meeting with Cameron. The U.S. President and the Prime Minister are to spend the morning holding talks before a joint press conference in Downing Street Commander-in-chief: Barack Mr Obama takes a seat across from David Cameron (second left) in the Cabinet Room for today's talks on security with other ministers, advisers and officials Barack Obama is greeted by the Prime Minister outside 10 Downing Street this morning. The pair are discussing issues ranging from military campaigns in Libya and Afghanistan to global economic reform He is expected to tell MPs and peers that even though the world has changed significantly since the Second World War, the UK-US relationship and the broader transatlantic alliance is still the 'cornerstone of global security'. The 'Arab Spring' in the Middle East and North Africa reinforce that the allies' shared beliefs are 'not just relevant but essential', he is to say. The president will also strike an optimistic note by claiming that the world is 'turning a corner' following a 'difficult decade'. As well as operations winding down in Iraq, the shift to Afghanistan taking control of its own security has begun, and al Qaida has been 'weakened' by successes such as the recent killing of Osama bin Laden. Yesterday, large parts of central London were brought to a standstill as crowds gathered to welcome the president for his first state visit. Obama and Cameron wave to members of the media outside the Prime Minister's official residence, prior to their meeting Mr Obama made the short journey in Cadillac One - his bombproof limousine known as 'The Beast' - from Buckingham Palace Police marksmen take position on rooftops along Whitehall as the Presidential motorcade arrives at Downing Street this morning. Helicopters were seen whirring overhead, as part of the major security operation After being greeted by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace, the president and first lady met newlyweds the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge before Mr Obama laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey. Mr Obama and Mr Cameron then dropped in on a south London school where they took off their jackets to play two schoolboys at table tennis. But the Anglo-American team took a sound beating at the hands of 16-year-olds Jason Do and Jamiyu Mojaji at the Globe Academy in Southwark. Mr and Mrs Obama then attended a star-studded state banquet in the president's honour at Buckingham Palace last night as the Queen hailed the US as Britain's 'most important ally'. Cameron and Obama pose for the army of press photographers gathered outside 10 Downing Street U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton walks with British Foreign Secretary William Hague to join Obama at 10 Downing Street The smartly dressed driver of the President's vehicle brushes down its shiny exterior as she waits for him outside the Prime Minister's residence She insisted the relationship was 'tried, tested and, yes, special' and the two nations together contributed to security and prosperity of the world. 'I firmly believe that the strength of our links and many shared interests will continue to ensure that when the United States and the United Kingdom stand together, our people and other people of goodwill around the world will be more secure and more prosperous,' the Queen said. Responding with his own toast, Mr Obama spoke of the 'rock-solid foundation' between the two countries. Mr Obama's motorcade travels along the Mall as it leaves Buckingham Palace to go to Downing Street this morning 'From that day to this, you have been our closest partner in the struggle to protect our people from terrorism attacks and violent extremism from around the world despite very heavy sacrifices here,' the president said. 'As we confront the challenges of the 21st century together we have can confidence in the partnership our two countries share, based on a rock-solid foundation built during Queen Elizabeth's lifetime of extraordinary service to her nation and to the world.' Mr Cameron and Mr Obama sat down for talks in the White Room of No 10 shortly before 10am this morning. 'Okay. Enough about Ryan Giggs. What's the latest on Arnold Schwarzenegger?' As about a dozen photographers took pictures at the start of the meeting, the president joked: 'All right guys, one of those must have worked.' Foreign Secretary William Hague and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton followed the two leaders into Number 10 half an hour later. Mrs Clinton waved briefly and smiled as she entered. Michelle Obama, the wife of the U.S. President, and Samantha Cameron, wife of the Prime Minister, pose with their husbands on the steps of 10 Downing Street yesterday Earlier, the smartly dressed driver of the president's vehicle brushed down its shiny exterior as she waited for him outside the Prime Minister's residence. Mr Obama and Mr Cameron were joined by Nick Clegg at about 10.15am. Shaking hands with the Deputy Prime Minister, the US leader said: 'Wonderful to see you.' Mr Clegg, gesturing to the sunlit windows, said: 'You've brought the sun today.' At about 10.40am, the President, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister moved to the Cabinet Room for talks on security with other ministers, advisers and officials. Mr Cameron and Mr Obama sat opposite each other in the centre of the coffin-shaped Cabinet table, the Prime Minister flanked by Mr Clegg and Mr Hague, and the President by Mrs Clinton and the U.S. Ambassador to London, Louis Susman. Other British ministers attending included Chancellor George Osborne and Home Secretary Theresa May. Special relationship 'stronger than ever'
If the theater begins with a hanger, but the house of course begins with a mailbox. As though that may be, the real mail never replace the Internet, all because this type of the communication is a kind symbol of USA, thus various type of mailbox and posts is the lifestyle for Americans because it stylish and laconically.
Many countries have tried to adopt the similar symbolism, but few have succeeded. Not inculcate the habit of every morning to check the mailbox, it's hard work. An elementary part of given tradition exists in Great Britain, but this is a privilege of the aristocracy. It's expensive pleasure, but mailboxes have luxury style with rather democratic price.
In third world countries (Russia, Africa, Asia) a function of the mail performs a big mailbox with a slot for letters, nothing unique — a simple steel box. This box will open once a week and letter go to the addressees. All the matter in the low literacy plus the post services, which work slowly than turtle.
The Postman
In terms of promotion the mail of USA to great symbolism, the «Postman» (directed by Kevin Costner) — was endowed with great strength. I strongly recommend to see this cult movie. Over 2.5 hours the hero of Kevin Costner will deliver messages to custom mailboxes of Post-apocalyptic States of America, for restore the National Post Service and for revival of civilization.
The ancient Sri Parthasarathy Swamy temple, one of the 108 Divya Desams (holy shrines of Vaishnavites), is being restored to its ancient glory, just as it was when it was raised in the eighth century.Renovation work underway at the Sri Parthasarathy Swamy Temple in Triplicane [Credit: P. Jawahar/Indian Express]
The renovation work that began on January 26 has been going on in full swing, with the preliminary poojas for performing Kumbhabhisekham (consecration) expected to begin within a couple of weeks, according to the Agama Sastras.
The work is under the close monitoring of HR and CE Minister R Kamaraj, while R Kannan, Culture, Museums, Tourism and Religious Endowments Departments Secretary, experts from Archaeological Survey of India, State Archaeological Department and Museum department are extending advice. All renovation works have been documented from the beginning.
The renovation work is estimated to cost ` five crore, funded by donors. According to sources, the work is done in such a way that it would not require any structural repair for a century.
Talking to City Express, P Kothandaraman, Deputy Commissioner, Parthasarathy temple, said all the 29 holy kalasams had been gold-coated for the first time. This was done in the conventional way instead of modern electroplating process, and used 364 grams of gold for this.
“The electrical network has been replaced. The bulbs have been replaced with important LED bulbs. In accordance with our ancient practice, no electric light would be installed inside Karpa Griha (sanctum sanctorum). Once the consecration of temple is complete, the devotees can have darshan only in the light of ghee lamps,” Kothandaraman said.
Along with the structures, the lily pond (Allikeni), which gave the village its name Tiru Allikeni, has been restored. According to the temple history, the pond is called kairavini pushkarani — filled with red Lily flowers. It is believed that Goddess Mahalakshmi was born in this tank as Vedavalli. For the past four or five decades, there have been no lillies in the pond. But soon, red colour lily flowers will fill the pond to suit its name.
A view of Sri Parthasarathy Swamy Temple, Triplicane in Chennai [Credit: The Hindu]
Kothandaraman added that unnecessary structures built inside the temple over a period using cement and all the marble structures have been removed. In their place, unpolished granite (karunkal) levelled by hand push hammering would be laid in all parts of the temple, adding to its ancient eighth century look.
As the woodwork inside the gold- plated Ananda vimanam atop the sanctum sanctorum of the presiding deity Lord Parthasarathy has been damaged over the years, it has been renovated using new teak wood. Instead of steel nails as is usual, brass nails have been used for the work.
The two temple cars will be covered with unbreakable transparent glasses in their middle portion at a cost of `27 lakh.
The karungal on the compound walls have been applied with an organic mixture called noogra paste imported from Afghanistan and another clay imported from Africa to ensure their safety.
Another mixture called surya kavasam, a mixture of aloe vera, vasambu (sweet flag), kadukkai (terminalia chebula) and a few other herbs will be applied inside of all temple towers in order to protect them from termites and other decay.
The 16-pillar mandapam (Andaal Neeraatta Mandapam) located on the Eastern side of the temple has also been renovated. The lime coatings given during the past 10 decades have been removed using an organic material called devata.
Dream Darshan
The presiding deity here is Sri Venkatakrishna Swami also known as Geethacharya. Puranas say King Sumathy prayed Lord Thiruvengada of the Seven Hills to give him darshan in the form of the charioteer (Sarathy) to Partha (Arjuna) during the Mahabharata war, rendering Bhagavad Gita. Lord Thiruvengada appeared in his dream and bade him to go to Brindaranya (Triplicane) where he would give him darshan in the form he wished. Sri Venkatakrishna Swamy is enshrined in the middle of the sanctum sanctorum, while Sri Rukmani Thayar and Satyaki are on his right and left. Elder brother Balarama is seen on the right side of Rukmani Thayar facing North and his son Prathyumnan and grandson Anirudhan are on the Northern side facing south The Utsava Moorthi is seen with marks in the face caused by Bheeshma’s arrows during the Mahabharatha War.
Author: T. Muruganandham | Source: Indian Express [May 21, 2015]
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